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denali_epub's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5
Emma Mills slays the game, yet again.
Usually, I’m not big on contemporary novels. They tend to lack a lot of the excitement the keeps my reading, or the characters lack anything that allows me to find a person connection with them. First & Then, is incredibly the opposite.
Mills has an amazing way of taking a plausible, down to earth storyline and spinning it into something humorous and fascinating to watch unfold. While Devon and are still second to Sloane and Gabe, I loved their storyline. And even more, I loved that they’re imperfect and still incredibly likable. Honest, self aware characters that recognize that they aren’t hot shit are hard to come by, and the internal monologue of Devon realizing her faults is something I think a lot more authors could strive for.
First & Then is a quick, easy read for anyone looking for a fun, cute storyline. Romance is a factor, but Mills is an expert at navigating a storyline where the side characters are lively and important (Foster was by far my favorite), and the friendships and family relationships don’t take a back seat in comparison to the romance.
On a side note, I love that she took a book based on Pride & Prejudice and made out protagonist and avid Jane Austen fan. All the little references to Sense & Sensibility were a great addition, and hearing Devon talk about putting all her thoughts in her favorite author’s words is something every book nerd can relate to.
Though I will say this, I felt about this book (and This Adventure Ends, for that matter) the way Devon feels about Jane Austen novels: I want more of the romance. I want to know more than the one kiss. This book got 4.5 instead of 5 stars because they played hard to get, they got together, and then it ended. I didn’t get the chance to see where things were actually going to go, and I was a little disappointed by that aspect of the novel.
Emma Mills slays the game, yet again.
Usually, I’m not big on contemporary novels. They tend to lack a lot of the excitement the keeps my reading, or the characters lack anything that allows me to find a person connection with them. First & Then, is incredibly the opposite.
Mills has an amazing way of taking a plausible, down to earth storyline and spinning it into something humorous and fascinating to watch unfold. While Devon and
Spoiler
EzraFirst & Then is a quick, easy read for anyone looking for a fun, cute storyline. Romance is a factor, but Mills is an expert at navigating a storyline where the side characters are lively and important (Foster was by far my favorite), and the friendships and family relationships don’t take a back seat in comparison to the romance.
On a side note, I love that she took a book based on Pride & Prejudice and made out protagonist and avid Jane Austen fan. All the little references to Sense & Sensibility were a great addition, and hearing Devon talk about putting all her thoughts in her favorite author’s words is something every book nerd can relate to.
Though I will say this, I felt about this book (and This Adventure Ends, for that matter) the way Devon feels about Jane Austen novels: I want more of the romance. I want to know more than the one kiss. This book got 4.5 instead of 5 stars because they played hard to get, they got together, and then it ended. I didn’t get the chance to see where things were actually going to go, and I was a little disappointed by that aspect of the novel.
_reading_with_kate_'s review against another edition
There was a lot more football in this book than I was expecting.
harper_evans12's review against another edition
4.0
I overall give this book 4 stars. I loved Foster, liked Devon and I thought Ezra was great. I would definitely recommend Foolish Hearts by her instead of this. I thought Devon was actually a good character but I thought there were some loose ends not tied up such as Fosters relationship with Marabelle and Devons college applications.
reader4evr's review against another edition
3.0
I liked Devon, I thought she was super funny and the perfect character to represent how a high school senior acts/talks. I thought the beginning was good but I thought the rest of the book kind of dragged and some parts were interesting but then others were kind of random to the story.
This book was like 50% football and 50% high school drama. With how much football they had in the book, I was surprised that the cover looks like the way it is. I hope they change the cover for the paperback because I think a lot of teen boys would read this but it is a very girly cover.
This book was like 50% football and 50% high school drama. With how much football they had in the book, I was surprised that the cover looks like the way it is. I hope they change the cover for the paperback because I think a lot of teen boys would read this but it is a very girly cover.
letsbebookfriends's review against another edition
4.0
This gave me some many Pride & Prejudice feels!!! A great modern retelling. It was funny and cutesy.
akookieforyou's review against another edition
4.0
*3.75*
It was cute and sweet. I liked Devon, loved Foster, and fell in love with Ezra. This book was a nice little contemporary, I like the characters, and the romance was really sweet (I was gushing when Ezra was being adorkable). But it didn't really leave an impact on me. I doubt I'll remember it in the long run, and that's mainly why I gave it a 3.75.
It was cute and sweet. I liked Devon, loved Foster, and fell in love with Ezra. This book was a nice little contemporary, I like the characters, and the romance was really sweet (I was gushing when Ezra was being adorkable). But it didn't really leave an impact on me. I doubt I'll remember it in the long run, and that's mainly why I gave it a 3.75.
jenhurst's review against another edition
3.0
This is your typical Ya romance. It’s cute and I liked the couple a lot. It’s not super memorable or groundbreaking though.
bookdevouringmisfit's review against another edition
4.0
I started out thinking I would hate this because Devon is so judgmental about everything and everyone! Reading her thoughts for the first few chapters was aggravating so thank God for character development. Also, this is one of those times when I wished that the the story was told in a third-person POV because it didn't feel like I got to know all the other characters well. The secondary characters were just secondary. I mean, it would've been nice if I saw and felt more of them instead of them being just these pieces in the story. I don't know, that's how it felt for me. The romance was pretty nonexistent but I loved Ezra so everytime he would be on a scene I would just gush from happiness even when he's being kind of a dick but not really.
All in all, a good book. Started out pretty annoying mainly because of the main character but it will grow on you.
All in all, a good book. Started out pretty annoying mainly because of the main character but it will grow on you.
geenag90's review against another edition
4.0
Quick, enjoyable read, loved the relationship between Devon and Foster ( and of course Devon and Ezra )
Devon was a great character all around normal, flawed and funny. A protagonist that I think lots of people would be able to relate too.
If Devon's story was continued in another book I would definitely pick it up :)
Devon was a great character all around normal, flawed and funny. A protagonist that I think lots of people would be able to relate too.
If Devon's story was continued in another book I would definitely pick it up :)
marthamaereads's review against another edition
5.0
I have never smiled or laughed or felt as many feels as I did reading this book. Absolutely loved it.