Chasing Love tackles the complicated issue of sexual purity and Godly love in the modern world of sexual liberty and moral ambiguity. Author Sean McDowell presents a cohesive Biblical case for what he calls “natural marriage,” or the opposite-sex, monogamous lifetime union, as being personally and spiritually fulfilling of God’s purpose for our lives. Writing for a primarily Christian teen or young adult audience, McDowell guides the reader to think critically about sexual issues rather than subscribe to either a secular liberty or a religious dogmatism. The point is not to follow a checklist of approved behavior, but to understand the true purpose of sex and love designed by God for human thriving and to come to desire this purpose in our own lives. The format and language of Chasing Love is such that it can be a quick read or a meditation. It is a necessary book for any young Christian and makes an excellent quick-answer resource for parents and leaders.The content is arranged in three parts. Part 1 includes ten chapters on the positive case for biblical sexual purity. McDowell quickly but carefully walks the reader through definitions of God’s design for sex, love, and true freedom. The discussion of freedom is particularly important because of the common objection that sexual purity brings confinement and restriction rather than freedom. Part 1 ends with a chapter on forgiveness. McDowell does not gloss over the seriousness of sexual sin, but throughout Chasing Love he frequently reminds the reader of the good news of forgiveness in Jesus Christ for these sins.Part 2 contains one chapter each on the purpose of sex, singleness, and marriage, each followed by a biblical response to three myths on the topic. For example, the myth that sex is not a big deal is dealt with in Chapter 12. This claim underpinned the sexual revolution and continues to support hookup culture today. McDowell makes the case that physical intimacy is absolutely a big deal and has significant, unavoidable emotional, physical, and spiritual consequences. In the context of a faithful marriage these consequences are positive, but outside of God’s plan they can be devastating. The focus on singleness is valuable because of our culture’s obsession with marriage as the ideal Christian relationship. McDowell points out that a Christian can live a good and productive life in the service of God either married or single, and that either way of life comes with significant challenges and benefits. There is no biblically preferred status, but there are biblical instructions for both cases.Part 3 covers topics of deviation from God’s plan for sex and love which are condoned or at least tolerated in today’s secular culture. McDowell discusses pornography, cohabitation, divorce, homosexuality, same-sex marriage, and transgenderism. Each of these topics could carry a whole book, but here a chapter each is sufficient to convey the pitfalls of consequences of these activities and lifestyles. McDowell presents his arguments carefully and with clear love for those caught up in these situations. Part 3 ends with a chapter on sexual abuse – what it is and how to recover – and a final chapter on encouragement. The reader is reminded that sexual purity, whether in marriage or singleness, is challenging but absolutely worth the effort. When we give up our life of selfish self-fulfillment we are rewarded with actual fulfillment of our purpose toward the God of the universe and one another.This 200-page book was a quick read. The material is organized into 30 concise chapters with clear subject delineation. A question for self-reflection is included at the end of each chapter and usually does not relate directly to the content of the chapter. I found this to be refreshing. Having a “surprise” question at the end of each short chapter kept me engaged and interested. The book can be read straight through, as I did, or absorbed more slowly chapter-by-chapter. If I had read this book as a teen I would certainly have been captivated by the content and would have read it very carefully. The organization of the material makes this a great reference book for quick answers for parents or those who work in teen ministry. The book is written in a serious but not explicit manner so that any mature teen or even pre-teen would benefit from reading it for themselves. I recommend that parents read Chasing Love before giving it to their kids so that they are prepared to discuss the questions that may arise.McDowell does a great job keeping the Gospel front-and-center throughout the book. Though the topics of sexual sin are heavy and serious, the tone of Chasing Love is positive: hope, forgiveness, and love are available in Christ. McDowell does not shy away from condemning sinful behaviors, but nowhere does he condemn people. Neither, however, does he ever condone or affirm sinful behavior. He notes that the dichotomy of affirming LGBTQ lifestyles or hating LGBTQ people is a false one. The Christian takes a third position: loving our neighbor but not affirming actions or lifestyles that are contrary to God’s plan and purpose.Those looking for a set of guidelines or rules for sexual purity will be disappointed. It might seem that there are more questions than answers in this book. However, McDowell’s experience as a professor shines through; the reader is not taught what to think, but how to think. Some readers might wish for more structured guidance or a deeper understanding of the nuances of sexual purity, but Chasing Love equips us to pursue our own answers with maturity and faithfulness.