Reviews

First & Then by Emma Mills

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What a cute freaking book!! It didn't blow me away, but I really did enjoy reading this cute story. The only thing it was missing was an epilogue. I love seeing where stories go in the future, especially since they were seniors and about to go off to college in a few months.

megreads83's review

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5.0

I really enjoyed this book and loved how we got to know little bits about Ezra throughout.

joannaautumn's review

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3.0

I am on an Emma Mills marathon apparently.

The covers of this book are not as pleasing to me as the last two I read but oh well, can’t always have it all.

This one is her debut book, her first paper child.
Ok, after that one book she wrote when she was 15. Thank God she continued with writing because that’s how you develop as a writer.

And well, this book just wasn’t it for me.

Let’s get into that.

As soon as I start reading the sweet air of judgment and girl shaming is thrown at me by the main character.
And by sweet I mean get this shit away from me.

Our main character, who by the way, has a beautiful name – Devon. I always liked that name.
She has a secret but not so secret crush on her best friend Cas, who is nice and friendly from what I could see but not into her in that way. This part was okay but I am not that into secret crushes and such. She abandons this crush thing when she realizes that he just isn’t the one for her and she develops feelings towards our main silent, strong jock, Ezra.

Ezra’s whole thing is to not talk. I think that’s how Mills likes her main character interests to be…well, not that talkative. He starts being likable after 2/3 of the book.

Devon and he develop by 2/3 of the book, so the last third of the book is enjoyable. Other than that this book wasn’t that special. But I didn’t really care for her nor Ezra.

I cared about Foster. The real star of this book.

Devon treats Foster like shit up until half of the book. Although, she is an only child and doesn’t really have any friends besides Cas, so she isn’t used to caring for someone else. This thankfully changes by the end of the book.
Though, Foster is a sweetheart I don’t understand how someone can be annoyed at him.

This book had too much teenage angst for me and way too much football for me to like it. But it had Jane Austen references and I Love Jane Austen so maybe not that bad?

To sum it all up. I was bored for the most part of this book and I didn’t think it was possible with a Mills book. Definitely her weakest book yet. Go check out [b:Famous in a Small Town|39280480|Famous in a Small Town|Emma Mills|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1525999062l/39280480._SY75_.jpg|56945521] or [b:This Adventure Ends|27779275|This Adventure Ends|Emma Mills|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1455111092l/27779275._SX50_.jpg|46885088], 2,75 / 5.

sarahgrack's review

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challenging lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

melodyharmon's review

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4.0

I enjoyed this book. It was a bit trivial at times, but over all it was a quick and easy read.

To read my full review you can go here. http://melodysreview.blogspot.com/2015/10/october-uppercase-box-review-if-then-by.html

shewritesspicybooks's review

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3.0

It was cute, and a solid debut novel. The Jane Austen stuff felt a bit forced, and it was a bit difficult to track character growth. But Devon is a flawed main character, which was refreshing. Her own internalized misogyny was challenged, which you don't see much in young adult novels. All in all a solid start, and I'd definitely read another Emma mills novel.