Reviews

The First and the Last by Jesse H. Reign

kandy0409's review

adventurous challenging dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Favourite shifter book. Please write the sequel!

thebookishren's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5 ⭐️

𝙄 𝙢𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙘𝙠, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙙. 𝙅𝙪𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙢𝙚. 𝙄 𝙜𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙨, 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙚.

I knew from the first chapter the deep-rooted love Sully had for Jules, even though neither of them knew it at that time. It was the way Sully noticed Jules’ eyes. He was in love and had no idea. The first half of this book was coming of age. It was growing up and experiencing college and then meeting a pretty she-wolf, and then threesomes with her where the guys realize they’re drawn to each other.

The second half is pure sex and romance. It’s a slow build, a deep friendship, a love that defies…everything. It’s first shifts and howling at the moon and bathing in a river. The setting and descriptions captivated me and I stayed up finishing this one. So friggin good.

It’s kind of a role reversal too. Jules is extroverted and confident while Sully is introverted and gloomy. But when their wolves awaken, things are twisted around and y’all, some of THE hottest scenes I’ve ever read. 🔥

I wanted more. I want more. For this book to be slightly longer than a novella, it packs a punch. It’s sensual and addictive and passionate. I loved all the characters accept the Brothers and I wouldn’t be opposed to ever getting MORE.

jen_and_her_books's review against another edition

4.0

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
This book is about Sully and Jules, both wolf shifters who grew up being best friends.
Their relationship changes once they realise their connection is wayyyyyy deeper than best friends.
Their story includes an aging pack with a douchy Alpha who’s keeping secrets and withholding important information, a wonderful, seemingly weird old lady and a woman not willing to chose between Sully and Jules who triggers their journey from best friends to lovers to more.
The writing is wonderful, the story captivating, leaving you wondering what’s up with this pack. The schmexy scenes are super hot

bookswithjen's review against another edition

4.0

Genuinely truly loved this book. I dont read much paranormal but i recently got into it over a vampire book and now i cant stop. This was an amazing friends to lovers to mates story. Its not really based on a bigger plot then one pinning for the other as they grow up. It was a beautiful love story. I need to read more books like this.

Thank you GRR for the arc!

maddamekat's review

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.75

winter_is_reading's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

<strong>4.4 stars </strong>

This scratched that childhood best friends to lovers itch I’ve had lately. So far it’s my second favorite book by this author (after Rent: Paid in Full) and I hope she writes more paranormal/fantasy and A/B/O stuff.

I heard her mention that a sequel to this book was gonna drop last year. Hopefully we’ll get it later this year soon!

Spice: 4/5
Angst: 2/5

evegerbrandt's review

3.0

Objectively not good but cute and fun. 

laurenloveslit81's review

4.0

This was my first time reading Jesse’s work and I really enjoyed it! I love MM romance and I love omegaverse so I was very excited to read it and it did not disappoint.

First, the good stuff- I really loved the development of Sully and Jules relationship and I was actually quite surprised by their designations. I really thought it would be the other way around and I love when an author can surprise me like that. It took a while to get to the spicy stuff but it was definitely worth the wait. These two were very hot together!

The main reason I gave it 4 stars and not 5 is the flow of the story was a little off. It felt a bit slow in the beginning and the end felt a bit rushed. It was still a very good read though.

It does end on HFN and I will absolutely be reading the next book and I look forward to seeing how things end up for Jules, Sully, and their pack!

baeb_'s review

reflective fast-paced

5.0

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (lovely plot but also lots of spicy scenes… graphic, but not like supperrr graphic)

TAGS:

-friends to lovers 
-double bi awakening/gay for you
-threesomes MFM 
-omegaverse, werewolf shifters, magic
-soulmates, fated mates
-mating bite/bond

TBRR✨

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Sexual content, Homophobia, and Violence

Moderate: Death

Minor: Ableism

confused_happy_reading's review

5.0

Well that was fun. This is my first omegaverse book and I really had a good time reading it I read it in one sitting lol. Do I think I’m an omegaverse little bean now no but do I think I might read another omegaverse book yes.