A truly good book indeed requires a more satisfying ending.

I was quite intrigued by the direction in which the story was progressing. It had the potential to reach great heights and offer a truly remarkable conclusion. However, it seems that it fell short of achieving that before it abruptly came to an end.

The build-up was excellent, with interesting characters and a captivating plot. But as the story neared its conclusion, it felt as if something was missing. The loose ends were not properly tied up, and the resolution was not as fulfilling as it could have been.

A better ending would have left a lasting impression on the reader, making them reflect on the story long after they had finished reading. It would have added that extra layer of depth and meaning to the overall narrative.

In conclusion, while the book had its merits, a better ending would have elevated it to a whole new level.

I initially believed that this would be an engaging and inspiring story. It was supposed to be about a homophobic individual who would come to understand the incorrectness of homophobia and ultimately overcome it. I was truly excited to embark on this reading journey. However, as I reached the conclusion, I was deeply disappointed. The protagonist didn't seem to have overcome their homophobia at all. Instead, it felt more like the message was simply that "assaulting and bullying gay people is wrong," rather than the more profound and inclusive idea of "accepting gay people."

I have also read several other books within this series, and unfortunately, they all seem to follow the same pattern. A character faces numerous struggles, then becomes a Christian, and miraculously transforms into a new person, with all their problems seemingly vanishing into thin air. The writing may have had its merits, but the repetitive and somewhat simplistic nature of these storylines left me longing for more depth and authenticity.

It's important to note that while I respect the power of faith and personal transformation, I believe that true acceptance and understanding of diverse individuals and lifestyles require more than just a quick fix or a one-sided narrative. We need to encourage open-mindedness, empathy, and a willingness to engage with the complexities of the human experience.

Issue: "Love the sinner, hate the sin"
Sub-issues: Messages from conservative Christianity re: homosexuality, women

This book, written in 2006, had a significant impact on me when I read it back then. It served as a primer on what a Christian should NOT do when someone reveals a "secret" about themselves. The actions taken in the book were so bad that I wanted to "drop kick the book" through about 1/3rd of it, and even on page 170, I still felt the same way. Ramie, the protagonist, is portrayed in a relatively neutral light compared to other books in the series. She is neither "unsaved" nor does she deliberately choose to engage in the behavior in question. However, the initial actions are not the ones that should be followed. The story does get better towards the end, but it is not resolved as Ramie still hopes and prays that her friend Jess will renounce being a lesbian. This is likely the reason why this book has a lower rating than the others. It's important to note that this review is from 2018, and the demand for gay marriage has since been decided. Additionally, members of the LGBTQ community may be concerned about the fragility of the message in this book.

It's crucial to approach such topics with understanding and respect, rather than judgment and condemnation. We should strive to love and accept everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or other personal characteristics.

This is likely my least favored Melody Carlson book.

I will concede that she gets a point-and-a-half for not being blatantly homophobic. However, my most significant issue is that she persists in using "being gay is a sin" as the moral theme of this novella.

It truly causes my heart to ache that conservative Christians interpret the Bible in such a manner. Even though Jesus Himself never uttered a single word about LGBT individuals, but rather emphasized the importance of loving one another.

It seems rather unjust and narrow-minded to impose such a judgmental view when the core message of Jesus was one of love and acceptance.

One would hope that authors like Melody Carlson would strive to present a more inclusive and understanding perspective, rather than adhering to outdated and discriminatory beliefs.

This kind of messaging only serves to further marginalize and alienate a group of people who are simply seeking love and acceptance in the same way as everyone else.

This book truly frustrated me to no end.

From the very beginning, it seemed to have a tone that was rather off-putting. The way certain characters were portrayed and the actions they took really made me cringe.

What I particularly hated was the blatant gay bashing that was present throughout the story. It was disheartening to see such negative and discriminatory attitudes being presented as if they were acceptable.

It made me question why the author would choose to include such content. It not only detracted from the overall quality of the book but also left a bad taste in my mouth.

I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it failed to deliver on many levels. The combination of frustration and dislike for the gay bashing made it a rather unpleasant reading experience for me.

I would not recommend this book to others, especially those who are sensitive to such issues. There are far better books out there that can offer a more positive and inclusive message.

It was truly interesting to peruse this Christian book that delved into this particular issue. However, when it came to the morality of homosexuality, the perspective seemed extremely vague.

There was a distinct lack of a clear and definitive stance being shared on this matter. This ambiguity was rather aggravating as one would have expected a more straightforward and forthright exploration of such a significant topic within the context of the Christian faith.

It left the reader feeling somewhat dissatisfied and longing for a more in-depth and conclusive treatment of the subject.

Perhaps in future editions or discussions related to this book, a more comprehensive and unambiguous view on the morality of homosexuality could be presented, thereby providing greater clarity and understanding for those seeking guidance on this complex issue.

I thought this was an extremely good book.

The reason being that I had an intense desire to know what would occur next.

Moreover, this book was about a subject matter that was distinct from what I typically read.

It appeared as if throughout the entire book, it didn't deviate to a different event.

Instead, it remained in the same conversation continuously.

This aspect added a certain charm and coherence to the story.

It held my attention firmly, making me eager to turn the pages and discover the subsequent developments.

The unique nature of the book and its unwavering focus on the conversation made it a truly engaging and enjoyable read.

I would highly recommend this book to others who are looking for something fresh and different in their reading material.

This could have been an engaging exploration of the complex relationship between Christianity and being gay.

It had the potential to offer insights into how these two aspects of a person's identity might coexist or perhaps the challenges that arise when trying to reconcile them.

However, unfortunately, the book fell short in several ways. It was overly preachy, as if the author was trying too hard to impose a particular viewpoint rather than presenting a balanced and thought-provoking discussion.

Moreover, the logic employed was flawed, which weakened the overall argument.

The actions of the narrator towards her friend were also quite unkind, and this did little to uphold or exemplify the values that are typically associated with Christianity.

Adding to the problems, the comparison of sexuality to race was rather inappropriate and didn't hold up under scrutiny.

Overall, while the topic was interesting, the execution of the book left much to be desired.

Firstly, I'm a Conservative Bible-Believer, in case you didn't realize. If you don't agree with any of my statements, that's your choice, not mine. I won't change what I believe based on comments. I might be wrong about some things, but with God's help, I'll do my best.

Secondly, kudos to Melody Carlson for creating a book series like this one. I've loved and cried with every book so far, and this one is no different. Ramie means well, truly. Unfortunately, she makes a big mess. In fact, she shows a lot of emotions that I think I would experience. I would never pretend to be a mind reader or know everything. I know I'm not God.

I believe that homosexuality is a form of sexual immorality, in the same category as sex outside of marriage and adultery. I applaud Ramie for showing love to her friend (eventually) and rebuilding the broken relationship. While she knows her friend is sinning, she still shows Christ's love. Often, when those we love live sinfully and refuse to repent, we get all spiritual and try to beat them up with the Bible. I think we should be praying that God will work in their lives. I know I've messed up many times, so I'm just as much a sinner as anyone else. But by God's grace, I'm working with Him to change my ways. Sin is human nature. We can't assume everyone will always be perfect. Since this is getting away from the book, I'll bring it back. Melody Carlson told this story masterfully. I understood both sides very well. This book is a reminder to stay in the Word of God and pray for those who aren't yet part of His fold. Thanks for reading. If you're offended, I won't apologize. Love to you all :)

Bright Purple is an extremely remarkable Christian book that delves into the life of Ramie.

Ramie's friends have just informed her that she is a lesbian, which throws her into a state of turmoil and inner struggle.

She finds it incredibly difficult to come to terms with this new revelation about herself.

The book explores Ramie's journey as she grapples with her identity and tries to reconcile it with her Christian faith.

It offers a deep and poignant look at the challenges that she faces, both internally and externally.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in exploring themes of identity, faith, and acceptance.

It is a thought-provoking and engaging read that will leave you with a greater understanding and empathy for those who are going through similar experiences.

Whether you are a Christian or not, Bright Purple has something valuable to offer.

So, I encourage you to pick up this book and embark on this powerful and moving journey with Ramie.

I truly despised every single aspect of this book.

The characters, with the exception of Jessica, were all extremely dreadful individuals.

Melody Carlson's works are not all as homophobic and narrow-minded as this particular one.

However, I most definitely would not suggest that anyone read this.

Unless, of course, you reside within the pages of the Bible, in which case you might actually give your approval.

It's really a disappointment that a book could have such negative qualities.

It makes me question the author's intentions and the message she was trying to convey.

I hope that in the future, Melody Carlson will produce works that are more inclusive and accepting.

Until then, I'll be steering clear of this particular title.

As a Christian who is lesbian and non-binary, I had a rather strange feeling while reading this.

I have greatly enjoyed all the other books in this series. I firmly believe that the Lord has unconditional love for me, regardless of how I identify. I do not consider love to be a sin. Everyone should have the freedom to love whomever they choose.

I do understand the reason behind Ramie's reaction. However, I don't think it was right for her to attempt to pray away her lesbianism. It's not a choice; people are born this way. Technically, one can say "Love the sinner, hate the sin," but that doesn't mean they are truly supportive of the LGBTQ+ community. If one ends up thinking that way, unfortunately, they don't actually support our community.

Throughout these thousands of years, the Bible has been misinterpreted countless times, and no one really knows what the original text said. The Bible teaches us to love everyone, as stated in "Love your neighbor as yourself" - Matthew 22:39. Some people are overly obsessed with those who are different from them. Everyone is created in the Lord's image. Once again, love is NOT sinful.