Rating: 
Summary: The Unexpected
Review: I truly enjoyed this book. It was definetley different than what I expected. When I was first assigned by my school to read this book, I figured that it was going to make no sense to me. It seemed that the author was not living in todays world. Just think about it, how am I suppose to find someone to marry without even dating anyone. It appears very unrealistic. I felt that the title gave off a false impression. In the book, he is not saying to not date anyone, but he is saying that it is pointless to play these dating games. When I found out that he was actually married, it helped me to realize that what Joshua was saying was actually valid. although I do not think that I am going to live my life according to this book, I do feel that I learned a lot from it. He made a lot of valid and realistic points that I can actually apply to my life. I would definetley recommend this book to anyone involved in the dating seen. Did this book change my complete outlook on life? Maybe not, but it did answer a lot of my questions and frustrations about dating. I felt that Joshua really emphasized the point of trusting God, which is hard to do at any age, especially in high school.If you are considering reading this book, I strongly suggest that you do. Do not let the title fool you. It is a realistic book and is interesting to read. I give this book a strong 4 stars.
Rating:
Summary: A New View to an Old Game
Review: "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" is definetely a book containing the truth about dating. Joshua Harris has the awnswer to most, if not, all the questions people in relationships will ask. This book was one of three books optional to read. I chose it mainly because I had just ended a two-year relationship, so the title seemed to jump out at me. In the first chapter of the book Joshua Harris writes how he also broke up with his girlfriend after two years, so right away I was drawn into the book. The first chapter deals with being active in a relationship that doesn't just feel good, but is good for the sake of the guy and girl. Almost every relationship pursued today are based on feelings derived from a source of physical activity. Whether it is holding hands or having sex, the result still gives the couple a wrong definition of love. Joshua says that love should be viewed from God's point of view, not our own. That "view" is seeing the opposite sex with purity in mind, and not focusing on selfish needs. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to tell that relationships are distorted and are full of "setimental gush". Joshua defines "setimental gush" as the way emotions dictate a relationship. I can honestly say that every relationship I have been involved in contained a false sense of love. I have always wondered why I have had such bad luck, and I know now after reading this book that I was "looking for love in all the wrong places". The most valuable information I gained from "I kissed Dating Goodbye" was to start out a relationship with friendship as the main goal. Joshua says that by building a friendship you can learn the pros and cons of the person before entering a relationship. This way if you find that you don't want to enter a relationship there is no sacrifice. I see it like a preview of a movie; if the preview is bad, the movie must be worse! To often guys and girls dive headfirst into relationships without noticing if there is any water in the pool. So what do you do in order to end these foolish ways? The awnswer lies in chapter three, which lists five great ways to avoid defective dating. This chapter really helped me to look at the dating scene differently. Basically, I had to give up my foolish and evil dating habits and start over with a clean slate. "It's easier said than done", says Harris, and that is true. I still find it hard to care more about the opposite person rather than myself. Humans natural instinct is selfishness. It takes self-control. One has to chose purity in a time of temptation. This doesn't mean that a guy and girl can never be alone together. I've heard numerous friends say that this book is rediculous and unreal. Or that it takes all the fun out of dating. If you read the book cover to cover, I doubt you'll have that type of view. So what is the point of dating? After reading "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" I realized that unless you are going to marry the person you date, there is no point to it. It will just end up a sad love story that happens again and again. Although, I do think that dating is to get an idea for what you want in a wife. I think this is appropiate as long as it is done within God's will. If both people in a realationship install the qualities of this book into their life and relationship, it will reduce emotional problems and depressing breakups. If you give something away to the person you think you are going to marry before marriage and later break up, how are you going to give that same gift you gave to your future wife? Joshua Harris gives a great illustraion of a man going to the alter with his fiance. Right when the soon to be newly weds are going to share their vows, six girls from the crowd stand up and take the groom's hand. These were the girls he had been involved with before his wife. He is eternally connected to them and he brings those past relationships into his marriage because he has already given a piece of himself to each girl. What does that leave for his wife? She gets the leftovers. I think about that situation and I will do anything to avoid being in that groom's shoes! I think of every girl as a man's future wife, or heck, even a woman's future wife (That's how it is these days). By viewing girls this way, it creates a deep respect for the girl. It prevents me from taking anything away not just from the girl, but her future husband. The future is ignored among humans these days. Desicions are based on the moment, not the future. If I would've read this book earlier, it would've saved me from a lot of agony and from wasting two years of my life in a pointless relationship. Overall, I think any person with an open mind and an interest for this book will like it. I do not know what guys in a relationship would say, but I agreed on all the issues Joshua Harris covered. I read the book with a mindset to find out what the purpose of dating is. So I guess people's opinion will flucuate depending on what attitude they come into it with. I am happy with being single and don't miss the burdens of dating at all. I have to thank "I Kissed dating Goodbye" for helping with the healing process of ending a relationship. Every couple should read this book if they want to last long in their relationship.
Rating: 
Summary: Start Dating Now!
Review: This book was well written, but I had a few disagreements with it. I found many stories that painted vivid pictures and were well explained, but I surely did not agree with most things that were written in this book. The big discussion that stuck out to me the most was about how far we should go. He stated that when we kiss the person that we are dating, we may be kissing someone elses future partner. I surely do not agree. Don't we need to show our affection to the person that we care about(within our boundaries)? Yes, we, as Christians, need to have our limitations and boundaries in life by I feel that this is a little extreme. I want my girlfriend to know that I care about her. I don't know if I will endup marrying this person, but that is what dating is about. It helps us to find the right person for our lives. I am not saying that his procedure is the wrong way to go for all, but is definetly not my cup of tea. Alot of thought and prayer went into this book on Joshua Harris' behalf and these may be very strongly believed in his mind, But from reading this book and seeing a few movies that he has put out on this topic, I do not feel that was he says really is agreed on from my point of view. I will try to live my life the way that God wants me to live it, But I see nothing wrong with some of the things that Josh has explained in this book.
Rating: 
Summary: unrealistic goals
Review: Joshua Harris hits many exceptional guidlines for dating.He talks specifically about keeping sexually pure in a relationship.His view is that those who date will get involved sexually. Many people can go through a relationship and keep their purity. Harris focuses on the negatives factors of relationships instead of the positive.I agree that there are many temptaions in a relationship but that doesn't mean we should kiss it good beye. If you cannot resist the temptations of dating then you won't be able to resist the other tenptaions of the world. I feel that he wrote this book mainly because he had bad dating experiences. Joshua Harris could not resist temptation but that doesn't mean we can't. It is unrealstic to not date especially when looking for a potential spouse. Dating is a test to see if to peple are compatable.In his book he says it is almost impossible to honor God in a relationship but many Christian couples put there forcus on God to honor the LORD.I diagree with the bad name Harris is giving to dating. I think relationships are a good thing thay help teach you communicantion skills with the opposite sex. If you are not strong enough to resist sexual temptations the only thing that can help you is prayer. I think kissing dating good beye is a way of running away from the hardships and struggles in life.
Rating:
Summary: should be followed but may be unrealistic
Review: When reading this book I found that a lot of the problems the people and Joshua went through are the same problems me and my girlfriend are going through or have gone through. I agree with what he is trying to say, but in todays society it is not realistic for people to " kiss dating goodbye." The book helped me understand what I was doing wrong in my relationship. I really liked it because it used real people and problems that happen in relationships today. The ideas and morals he presents are things that people should follow, but just to stay stop dating would not work with most people. It has helped with my relationship in that it showed me ways to date right. We know balance our time with other people, we don't spend all our time with each other. And by doing that it has made our relationship grow. All and all this book showed me I was looking at things all wrong I now know how to date right. But I still believe that this way of not dating is unrealistic. I think dating is okay, as long as you do it right. Before I read this book I was "dating" for all the wrong reasons. After reading it, I realized I should not be dating not only to make myself happy, but it should also honor God as well. The book is true in that, you should only date a person you can see yourself marrying, because if you cant then your just wasting valuble time and lots of money. Buy this book. At times it will make you question what he is saying, but if you give it thought, it will help your relationship or your future ones.
Rating:
Summary: Sam's Review
Review: When I first heard of this book I laughed. I thought this was a very silly idea of kissing dating goodbye. Who has ever heard of giving up one of the funnest things in a teenage boys life. Right now I am dating a very wonderful girl and am very happy. This book has not really changed my mind on dating but it has really got me thinking. Joshua Harris really hit some good points right on the nose. I learned some new ideas to think about when dealing with my girlfriend. I am not sure that my girlfriend really wanted me to read this book and get some crazy ideas in my head. But after completion I am going to stay in my relationship. To those who are dating, do not be afraid of reading this book. It may help you have a better relationship with your partner. Serious or not serious it really brings out some good points. The reading also went quickly, there was alot of good points packed tightly throughout the whole book. I do not recommend this book to anyone who is not willing to look at new ideas. I am sure that this book will seem funny to those who are non Christian. To Christians, this book is very helpful with all those questions about the opposite sex. Guys, reading this book will only make you a stronger person when it comes to those tempting females.
Rating:
Summary: Confusing
Review: I rate this book a 3 because, I think some of the points in the book are unrealistic. It also had some good things that I have taking in. When he talked about not dating anyone you don't see yourself marrying, I think that that was wrong. How does a person know, I think that we need to date to find out. I do agree with the point when he said that our relationships should be based God. When a relationship is based on God, he will bless them. This is something that I struggle with in my own relationship. I need to respect my girlfriend and her parents. My girlfriends parents like me a lot and I don't want them to lose my repect. I have been dating her for about 2 years, and this book gave me some good points and tips on how to keep a healthy relationship. Before this book I had many question about if the girl I was dating was right for me. Through reading this book I have realized that I have found the one, but I have to be more spiritual in our relationship. I go through an everyday struggle with her, but I have to turn to God for help.
Rating:
Summary: unrealistic
Review: I thought this book had very good points and morals. Joshua Harris had very good guide lines for dating within a christian stand point. The points of resisting sexual temptations are good but wont apply to everyone. Most of these guide lines are unrealistic, because society today does not really think that far into dating. I think Joshua wrote these things and believes this way because he had bad experiencdes in relationships. You can date someone and still stay within christian morals. The answer is not to just stop it all together. If you cant resist the temptations of dating then you wont be able to resist anything of this world. All and all I thought this book had good points but it wont apply to everyone.
Rating:
Summary: It Makes Sense
Review: I Kissed Dating Goodbye is a well written, carefully thought out narrative on the meaning of true love, and the wisest way a single person should relate romantically with others. It was refreshing. It made sense. Harris unashamedly applies the principles of thoughtfulness, honesty, unselfishness, and self-control to the area of romance. For anyone endeavoring to be moral, his conclusions should seem natural: do not, in any way, be manipulative, do not lead a person on, do not tease them by how you choose to dress, do not promise what you cannot give; try to avoid breaking someone else's heart. War, by its very nature, is built on hate. Harris dares to suggest love is something different.
Rating:
Summary: Good insights, boring book
Review: This book had a lot of very valid things to say, and Josh Harris had a lot of scripture to support it, but I really don't understand where he gets off telling the world that the way he has found works for him is going to be great for all who read his book. I agree with a lot of what he said, but the "courtship" he talks about eventually involves the same framework as the dating he scoffs. He talks about a friend that had a dream about her husband's past dates showing up at their wedding and staking claim to part of his heart. Is courtship really any different? If someone makes a bad judgement call in choosing the person they "court" and after making it clear that their intent is to get married, and then break it off (nothing wrong with that) they eventually will find the person they will marry. Is there any differece, then, between the "dates" claiming his heart and the person (or people) he has "courted"? Josh has said many profound and useful things, but really all he is talking about is "Dating God's way." There is no "Kissing Dating Goodbye," but altering it to fit the Bible. This is a good thing, I must say. It is nice to know that there are godly young men out there. Whoever finds a man who treasures this part of life as much as he does is a lucky girl. What's more, I found that this book said what it needed to in about the first 3 pages of every chapter and could have been much shorter. After a while, you start saying "I get the point!"
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