First
DARN AWESOME BOOK THAT MADE ME CRY OVER AND OVER AGAIN!! How I hate you and how I love you!!! I can’t stop crying and am writing this through blurry eyes, but you all MUST read this incredible LIFE story… love story.
This one spans from teen to adulthood, but everything about it is the ultimate “first love” story that will have your heart in its clutches the whole way through. At least it did, mine, and I’m still crying over this one. I read it in one sitting and could not put it down (other than to get more tissues and pace and watch something light and airy to breathe again). How I love it.
And how so many of you loved it, too:
Maryse: Almost done reading “First” I’m in love with this book. I’ve cried and I know I’ll cry again. My heart is feeling this one, big time. The most amazing “first love” story, and I’m scared of where it’s going…
Aleah: Your heart is going to shatter into a million pieces but it’s worth it, I promise
Cait: Oh gosh i finished it last night! Fantastic!
Summer: It was one of my favorites this year all the feels
Johanna: AMAZING book! Get your tissues ready. Read it earlier this year.
Susan: Maryse, you will love First. I just finished it this past week it was really good.
Melinda: Just dropped in to say I bit the bullet and read FIRST, Omg this one def has Amy’s name all over it. What an emotional roller coaster. I had to ban myself from reading at work as I was scared I wouldn’t go back. It was just aaaaah soooo nice. Really different from what I expected. Maryse you just have to read it 5++++ stars.
MichelleS: First was not at all what I expected. All those feels! And it felt REAL, most importantly. Sniffle sniffle….
Melinda: MichelleS I so loved that book. Smiling, sniffing, crying, then my heart was OMG. What an emotional ride. I started to read at work then I thought omg I’m going to cry at work. I really loved it.
Amy: started First this morning. I couldn’t hold off any longer. Yeah, yeah…I know I’ve been trying to read Forget for like two or three weeks, but First is just BEGGING to be read. The prologue alone hooked me and now I’m just hoping the story itself lives up to what the prologue promised.
MichelleS: Amy – yay!!! I loved First. Had to get through a few chapters before I was hooked, but then… BAM! Right in the heart. I wanted to be her. I wanted him to be mine. All the good stuff. Then I cried. You like crying, right?
Amy: OMG MichelleS, I KNOW you know what your description of First just did to me…the butterflies in my tummy feel like they just smoked a bunch of crack!! *happy dances over to the wine rack*
Melinda: Ohh and Amy, I was sucked into that book “First” with the prologue too. You just wait. It’s really good. Your heart will love it.
Amy: *sigh* This book…
So what’s it about?
Annie meets Grant when he’s driving her classmate (his younger brother) from school and drives her home too. Only two years separate them, they attend the same high school, and sparks… gently… fly…
“It’s so cool that you’re this little girl out here in this old barn, listening to Dylan, drawing letters. I love it.”
…but their connection is troublesome. While it starts slow (wonderfully so… she’s inexperienced and he’s patient, and most of all, they’re just fascinated in knowing each other… spending time together), the age difference (yes only 2 years, but 16 to 18 has some significance, keeping their friendship in secret).
“No more riding with him in his car. Understand?”
I realized then that they still had no idea that I’d been seeing Grant in my studio or the woods. I nodded, turning away from her.
“It’s not fair,” I managed. “He’s not that much older than me. Two and a half years.”
“In a few years, you’re right. But right now, no.”
And how sweet it is. I mean the kind of sweet that will have you reminiscing of your TRUE first love. Forbidden… but barely. Still though… it is.
“If I talked to them, do you think they’d understand?”
“No,” I admitted, letting him wipe away my tears.
This one goes there and explores every single emotion, insecurity and intense soul-deep connection the whole way through. Even that part when the true loves have to say goodbye (at least, physically) because he’s joining the Marines.
“Annie.” She leaned forward, still hugging her arms as though holding herself together. “This isn’t the hard part. This is nothing compared to when he leaves again. He’s in an entirely different world, with responsibilities that you and I can’t imagine.”
HOLY. MOLY.
This book will take you there and tear you apart and take you there again. And maybe… tear you apart again too. 
Her world TURNS. AND TURNS. Life… happens. And maybe it happens exactly as it SHOULD happen. Or maybe not.
But no matter what, no matter what you’re hoping for, envisioning, dreaming about… no matter your loyalties and WHO you love in this one, what this story will do is keep you captivated, reading, devouring, indulging, and feeling, every single step of the way.
Seriously. You’ll be questioning yourself, as I was sure I was. One way, then another way… then… well.
My lips are sealed.
You’ll see.
4.5 stars!
I am happily addicted to reading but I need to expend my book energy (especially when one puts me in an emotional frenzy - SO fun!). So, I release my feelings about the stories, by writing them down here. It's my book therapy. 
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Sounds like an anti-Leslie story.
*side eyes ugly cry inducing and possible death book*
LOL!!!!!!!!!!
But maybe not, Leslie.
MAYBE. NOT.
Maybe.
Not.
Maybe.
I cried into the wee hours of the night….heart wrenching story. I would have loved to have delved more into their life together afterwards but still it was good. I like true to life stories with ups and downs.
I would have liked more of Annie’s life when Grant returns. It was just a little rushed at the end. But I loved that book.
Maryse, you are not only the evil book temptress, but also a book tease! *smirk*
Sounds like “a total rip your heart out” book!
I loved everything about this book – except the last chapter. WHY? Why why why??? ***** spoiler alert ***** I’m a HEA girl at heart. You can twist up my guts and make me swoon & blush (it did all that) you can make me want to be the heroine (it did that too), but I insist on a HEA!!!! Is that too much to ask?
Ooooh can’t wait to read this!!
LOL MichelleS!!!
Okay I really enjoyed this book. So I researched other books by this author and found a REALLY great book by her called “Chat”. I adored this book so much…just wanted to recommend!
Thank you Audrey!!! I’m looking it up.
This book was great, loved the first love feels. a definite page turner!
I loved this book but agree with Michelle. It was not needed.