By: Laurie Elizabeth Flynn
Release Date: January 5, 2016
Description:
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.
Review:
This story was raw, real and unique. There are many
different types of people in this world and they all go through different
things. Sometimes it’s nice to see a
different side of a story, it’s not all a bunch of roses for some people. Occasionally there are those who have
dramatic things happen to them which lead them to do things for justification
and this is one of those stories. Firsts
was an amazing read that brings you into the mind of a girl who is just trying
to help, or at least that’s what she feels is true in her mind.
Mercedes doesn’t live in a happy home, there is nothing
wrong with her home just she doesn’t really get the loving attention a child
needs when growing up. Because of her
broken home situation she turns to the wrong things for satisfaction and for
the need to feel wanted and helpful. Of
course the way she does this is by “helping” guys lose their virginity so that
when they do sleep with their girlfriends it will be a memorable
experience. I know this all sounds like
a plan that just isn’t going to work but in Mercedes mind she is helping people
out to have a better first time than she did.
There are many strong characters in this book and even if
she doesn’t want it she does have people she can lean on but doesn’t realize
that until the end of the book. In the
meantime she’s just going through the motions and vying her time until she
leaves for college. There were times
when I felt sorry for Mercedes but then there were times when I just wanted to
give her a hug. There are a lot of
intense emotions in this book and intense situations. Some more than others but the ones that mean
the most are the situations that scare Mercedes the most, especially those
moments she shares with Charlie and essentially Luke who started this whole
downfall.
I’m not too fond of her bible loving best friend, but I get
the charade she puts on for her because she needs that purity in her life that
she doesn’t have. And I completely
understand her relationship with Zach even if she doesn’t, it’s sweet the way
he constantly pursues her, it’s endearing.
In regards to Faye she came in to save Mercedes from herself and I think
she’s a brilliant character. There is
just so much goodness in this book along with the craziness. It’s another look at harassment and how
schools do nothing about it, seriously the school did nothing. It’s another look at abuse and how if you
keep your mouth closed and don’t talk about it there are consequences that will
eat you alive and change you into a person that you don’t want to be. It’s also a really great look about
trust. Trust is a very big thing and I believe
it needs to be earned and not given so freely.
Overall this book was amazing from beginning to end. I sympathize with the main character and all
her experiences. The plot was something
different and a new perspective to look at in the young adult world. Kids are mean, but harassment is never an
answer. I really like the cover because
the girl even if it’s just her feet looks so insecure. It’s sweet.
You should definitely read this book it’s worth it to read about
something other than insta love. Just
saying!
I received this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press (St. Martin's Griffin), so that I may give my honest opinion and a review. Whether it is good or not please do not let it discourage you from purchasing/reading the book yourself and forming your own opinion. What might be good for me may not be good for you and vice versa. With that said, Happy Reading Everyone!!!
