: Cole’s reaction is unexpectedly protective and possessive, revealing his own deep-seated feelings and forcing both characters to confront the "friend-zone" they have inhabited for years.
Published in 2022, Skyler Mason’s Purity is a contemporary "friends-to-lovers" romance that serves as a visceral exploration of the psychological and social impacts of . The novel follows Livvy, a young woman raised in a strict evangelical environment, as she attempts to reclaim her bodily autonomy and navigate a burgeoning relationship with her longtime best friend, Cole Walker. Core Narrative and Conflict Purity by Skyler Mason
: A central message of the book is "owning one's sexual experience," portraying it not as a loss of virtue but as a step toward empowerment and identity. Core Narrative and Conflict : A central message
: Having remained a virgin due to the shame-based teachings of her youth, Livvy decides to "move on" and asks Cole—the campus "player"—to take her virginity with no strings attached. Purity by Skyler Mason
The Deconstruction of Purity Culture in Skyler Mason’s Purity