Six Reasons to Stay a Virgin
Louise Harwood
Berkley, Jul 2006, $13.00
ISBN: 0425210200

In London twenty-four year old Emily goes to Ruffles Department Store to buy a new top as some guy dropped food on her when he accidentally knocked into her with his sandwich. In the dressing room she accidentally awakened a sleeping wasp who stung her out of indignation. She raced half naked out of the dressing room into the arms of Sam Finch trying to buy a birthday present for his sister. They know each other, but he is disappointed when she mentions a mutual friend Oliver Mills; he tells her that Mills is back from America which leaves Emily dreaming that the SIX REASONS TO STAY A VIRGIN all end with a loving encounter with her beloved Oliver.

As Emily dreams of making love with Oliver and her friends encourage her to let the lust flow, Sam knows she is the one for him and that he hopes once she gets past her fixed at sixteen fantasy of the teenage Oliver into the reality of the adult version, she will share his deepest wish. Sam begins the campaign to win her heart with kindness and caring while Emily continues to believe that Oliver is Mr. Right though he shows no sign that he reciprocates.

Though a lighthearted chick lit romp, SIX REASONS TO STAY A VIRGIN contains a powerful message that it is okay to not join the in-crowd if joining leaves you uncomfortable. Emily is terrific as she remains a virgin in spite of immense pressure from her friends who fall in and out of lust all the time. There is no phony preaching about abstinence, but instead Louise Harwood makes the case to thine own self be true even if that means being an outsider.