Firsts by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn Pages: 320
Published by St. Martin's Griffin on January 5, 2016
Genres: Young Adult, contemporary, Romance, Edgy
Source: eARC from Publisher, Finished Copy from Publisher
Seventeen-year-old Mercedes Ayres has an open-door policy when it comes to her bedroom, but only if the guy fulfills a specific criteria: he has to be a virgin. Mercedes lets the boys get their awkward, fumbling first times over with, and all she asks in return is that they give their girlfriends the perfect first time- the kind Mercedes never had herself.
Keeping what goes on in her bedroom a secret has been easy- so far. Her absentee mother isn’t home nearly enough to know about Mercedes’ extracurricular activities, and her uber-religious best friend, Angela, won’t even say the word “sex” until she gets married. But Mercedes doesn’t bank on Angela’s boyfriend finding out about her services and wanting a turn- or on Zach, who likes her for who she is instead of what she can do in bed.
When Mercedes’ perfect system falls apart, she has to find a way to salvage her reputation and figure out where her heart really belongs in the process. Funny, smart, and true-to-life, FIRSTS is a one-of-a-kind young adult novel about growing up.
Firsts is a standalone upper young adult novel by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn. Firsts was a lot edgier of a story than I was initially expecting. The main character made me cringe more than once. I mean she is kind of a train wreck, but not once- not even at any one point- did I not enjoy myself with Firsts. I really, really liked this book. I know it won’t be for everyone, but there is just something about Mercedes that got to me. Even when she wasn’t a good friend…at all…I still couldn’t give up on her. And I am so glad that I didn’t. Even Mercedes deserves a happy ending and I loved the way Laurie Elizabeth Flynn wrapped everything up. Firsts was a fun and, strangely enough, satisfying read.
Once I started reading Firsts, I didn’t really know what to expect. It is about this super smart girls (she has her sights set on MIT) who is quiet and unassuming. And heck, she even does “good deeds” for her fellow classmates. Of course, her good deeds are letting the boyfriends of the school practice their first time on her, so they can make it super special for their girlfriend. Didn’t see that one coming, right? She had the weirdest logic behind her side gig. She really, honestly thought she was helping these guys and their girlfriend. I know, I told you she was a train wreck. But don’t go thinking I am bashing her- I told you I really like her. In the strangest, weird way, her journey was something that I just didn’t want to stop reading.
She has some great friends, both old and new, and Zach is such a great guy. More than anything I wanted Mercedes to grow as a person- for him. Because he deserves that. I can’t stand cheating, and I don’t condone what Mercedes was doing, but if you put that aside, Firsts has some really great writing and character development. I just couldn’t seem to tear my eyes off the page.
Bottom line: Firsts will be great for fans of upper level, edgy YA with messed up characters, on their own messed up journeys. If you like reality tv and/or CW tv shows, Firsts is right up your alley. Grab a bowl of popcorn and let yourself enjoy it!
Looking for an edgy YA w/ a pretty messed up main character? Try Firsts by @laurellizabeth @Bookbriefs really enjoyed it Click To Tweet
LilyElement
It’s definitely an interesting side gig haha Great review 🙂
Kristina
Omg I know right? Mercedes doesn’t seem like the easiest character to love, but I definitely loved her.