Book Review: Purple Moon by Tessa Emily Hall

Purple Moon made me appreciate YA contemporary Christian fiction. I like science fiction, but there’s something enchanting about a normal boy and girl meeting and falling in love.


Back cover:

        Selena's life isn't turning out to be the fairy tale she imagined as a kid. That hope seemed to vanish long ago when her dad kicked her and her mom out of the house. This summer might finally hold the chance of a new beginning for Selena ... but having to live with her snobby cousin in Lake Lure, NC while waiting for her mom to get out of rehab wasn't how Selena was planning on spending her summer. She soon begins to wonder why she committed to giving up her "bad habits" for this.

Things don't seem too bad, though. Especially when Selena gains the attention of the cute neighbor next door. But when her best friend back home in Brooklyn desperately needs her, a secret that's been hidden from Selena for years is revealed, and when she becomes a target for one of her cousin's nasty pranks, she finds herself having to face the scars from her past and the memories that come along with them. Will she follow her mom's example in running away or trust that God still has a fairy tale life written just for her?



Purple Moon is Tessa Emily Hall’s stunning debut written when she was just nineteen years old. It’s a fun summer read and, for some, a tear-jerker that emulates countless aspects of real life.

The novel’s uniqueness stems from its characters as well as Selena’s authentic teenage voice. Every character has a good and bad side and quirks that differentiate them.

While humor keeps the book from becoming too emotion-heavy, it is filled with drama that drives the characters unpredictably from start to finish. The romantic tension and subplots are well-developed and there’s a natural flow of events. The twisting plot will delight and surprise.

Furthermore, the setting is well-written and not too complex so you feel like you’re there. No description or dialogue is cliched. Moreover, spiritual aspects are well-incorporated, not beaten to death, and it touches on plenty of faith issues for those interested.

Overall, Purple Moon’s originality, authenticity, and romance are striking. It’s the perfect balance of realistic and fluffy; well worth the read.

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