Maya Hughes

"How long do you last in bed?" Those were her first words to me, swiftly followed up with, "And how big would you say you are?" Cue the record scratching, what?! Persephone Alexander. Math genius. Lover of blazers. The only girl I know who can make Heidi braids look sexy as hell. And she's on a mission. Lose her virginity by the end of the semester. I walked in on her interview session for potential candidates (who even does that?) and saw straight through her brave front. She's got a list of Firsts to accomplish like she's only got months to live. I've decided to be her guide for all her firsts except one. Someone's got to keep her out of trouble. I have one rule, no sex. We even shook on it. I'll help her find the right guy for the job. Someone like her doesn't need someone like me and my massive...baggage for her first time. Drinking at a bar. Check. Partying all night. Double check. Skinny dipping. Triple check. She's unlike anyone I've ever met. The walls I'd put up around my heart are slowly crumbling with each touch that sets fire to my soul. I'm the first to bend the rules. One electrifying kiss changes everything and suddenly I don't want to be her first, I want to be her only. But her plan was written before I came onto the scene and now I'm determined to get her to re-write her future with me.

The Perfect First

Ana Clara Moreno

Ms. Mint

I enjoyed this, but I think the ending is a bit rushed. I'd like to see a more comprehensive ending to conclude Reece and Seph's love story.

sometimes I feel like everybody is a sexy baby and I'm a monster on the hill

this book was cheesy at times but it was such a fun, fluffy read with some sentimental moments! i also loved the friend group too! sephreece definitely had me giggle so much they're so cute! seph is so precious like she deserves all the birthday parties and reece served obsessed, protective boy from the start!

the transitions in-between storylines felt a little abrupt. also it also felt like there was gaps too like missing information! we didn't get much details about reece's past plus how did seph even get reece's number idk

there were times were the story felt rushed especially sephreece's relationship where we didn't see them develop their friendship. the book was more telling instead of showing. honestly i just wanted to see more of sephreece together. i also wish we got to see them do more of seph's firsts on her list!

i loved how towards the end, the idea of firsts tied together with reece's dad - felt full circle

"getting wrapped up in someone else was a one-way ticket to killing your dreams, and that wasn’t for me." (chapter 4) -> "I’ve been dreaming of you every night, and if I’m still dreaming, I don’t want to wake up. ”(chapter 26) - 

reece reminded me of noah from focused by karla sorensen! where his main priority was his football career until he meets the girl hehe truly served obsessed boy from the start <3 lowkey also served girl fell first boy falls harder?

"anti-hero" by taylor swift - sometimes I feel like everybody is a sexy baby and I'm a monster on the hill

"wildest dreams" by taylor swift

this book was cheesy at times but it was such a fun, fluffy read with some sentimental moments! i also loved the friend group too! sephreece definitely had me giggle so much they're so cute! seph is so precious like she deserves all the birthday parties and reece served obsessed, protective boy from the start!

the transitions in-between storylines felt a little abrupt. also it also felt like there was gaps too like missing information! we didn't get much details about reece's past plus how did seph even get reece's number idk

there were times were the story felt rushed especially sephreece's relationship where we didn't see them develop their friendship. the book was more telling instead of showing. honestly i just wanted to see more of sephreece together. i also wish we got to see them do more of seph's firsts on her list!

i loved how towards the end, the idea of firsts tied together with reece's dad - felt full circle

fav parallel
"getting wrapped up in someone else was a one-way ticket to killing your dreams, and that wasn’t for me." (chapter 4) -> "I’ve been dreaming of you every night, and if I’m still dreaming, I don’t want to wake up. ”(chapter 26) - she became his dreams <3

reece reminded me of noah from focused by karla sorensen! where his main priority was his football career until he meets the girl hehe truly served obsessed boy from the start <3 lowkey also served girl fell first boy falls harder?

celene

the blurb says it all,,, reece is a sweetheart,,, love that for me

brianna

”i’ve been dreaming of you every night, and if i’m still dreaming, i don’t want to wake up.”

Drishti Kirar

Turns out I'm not a huge fan of the "an arrogant boy helping a stupid girl with her useless bucket list" trope...

Sven Test

First book I read by Maya Hughes and definitely not the last! I'm honestly on a role in books I'm reading. They've been super funny and The Perfect First is no exception.

Before I left for a life of theorems, dusty old libraries, and crushing expectations that threatened to swallow me whole, I'd make this a year I'd never forget ... This was going to be the year of perfect firsts.

Persephone a.k.a. Seph is a math genius. She started taking college classes very early on in life which is why with only 19, she's one to two years away from entering the PhD program, possibly less since her father is hell-bent on her going to Harvard and not continuing at Fulton. Seph has always followed the rules and accepted everything her father threw at her. She's realized she's never really did something truly for herself to step out there into the world. She doesn't even have friends! Seph realizes that she'll need to start doing things out of ordinary for her and soon so she makes a list of firsts. And she may have to go to certain lengths to achieve them.

I was tired of being nice and quiet and small. I was tired of being me, and the only way to change that was to stop being afraid of what I wanted. 

Honestly, what's not to like about this book? Here was have Seph trying to live life and she puts out an ad tackle a first: have sex. The interesting part is she wants to conduct interviews with the guys who respond to the ad and she has flashcards and everything. When Reece steps into the coffee house, he's looking for someone well dressed and he sees Seph. He confuses her for an advisor and sits down with her, antsy to get the meeting over with. It's when Seph asks a question that he realizes Seph is someone else entirely and he's shocked over what she's doing.

Reece's reaction to Seph had me LOL'ing! Even I couldn't believe the stuff that'd come out Seph's mouth. She's so naive, awkward, funny! Reece is taken by her and he agrees to help her out with her list, but his condition is no sex. The two embark on an adventure of firsts for Seph and she's freaking awesome. Even Reece's friends thinks she's badass and cool. 

With the way she lit up when she saw me, I couldn't have stopped the smile from spreading across my face if you'd held a gun to my head. Stepping out onto the field with thousands of people cheering for me didn't come close to how she'd just made me feel--and that meant trouble.

I loved watching Seph grow and become more sure of herself, outgoing, comfortable in who she is. It was beyond entertaining and hilarious so I thoroughly enjoyed reading about these new experiences and firsts for her! She's such a cool woman and I wish she was my friend. Reece was absolutely wonderful with her and I was rooting for them so much!! And not only did I fall for these two, but I also fell super hard for the secondary characters and my hands are itching for their books! I cannot wait for more in this Fulton U world.

I'd give her the other firsts, as many as I could, because if I gave her too much, I wouldn't be able to stop myself from never wanting to stop.

Something else I liked about this novel was the fact that even though it is light and fun, it handles a few serious topics that I think were handled very gracefully, without calling too much attention or making it a focus. (Trigger warning: There's some super mild physical grabbing that's not consented.) And something I found completely endearing was Reece's family and the major contrast it makes with Seph's family. Where Seph's dad is all business and strictness, Reece's family is goofy and loving. Their involvement in Reece's life isn't shown much but the few times they show up, had my heart melting and I even shed a few tears in one part.

I've missed reading a great New Adult sports romance so much and this book filled me up inside and gave me all the excitement! It's such a fantastic novel with a great story-line and fantastic characters. If you're up for an NA sports romance with an awkward yet funny heroine and a football player who's ready to tackle everything thrown at him, with a group of friends that will also have you LOL'ing, then this one is so for you!

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lilac archives

honestly loved this book. i think its fun

el típico cliché adictivo y sin mucho sentido de siempre, pero me gustó y me dejó en una nube de felicidad temporal

meha 

5 stars!! 

i love everything about seph and reece!!

sharyn

LOS AMOOOOO SON LOS MAS LINDOS Y SEPH MI CORAZON

isabela 

they’re both really really adorable, they had my heart the whole book, specially seph

Tiffany

I first gave it 5 stars…but I took one off because I was just screaming TALK ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS!!!
It’s a cute story - girl grew up with stuffy parents, wants to rebel, so puts an ad online to find the guy to lose her virginity to, guy walks into her life and changes her world. Cute.
Adorable geek meets jock. What all us geeks wanted.
But I feel like the whole last handful of chapters didn’t need to happen if they had just talked. Anyone. Everyone. It’s a pet peeve of mine when characters don’t talk it out. Not just couples, but friends. Parents to their kids! They don’t communicate! I know it pushes the story, but sometimes I just want someone to go “no. What the hell is wrong? You are not leaving this room until you to me.”

But all in all, I did love the story. And I’m excited for the other guys stories too.

Navya 

The stupid bitch doesnot stand up for herself and she is a fuckin coward . And does something so stupid it crosses the line of stupidity i mean wht kind of crazy bitch releases an advertisement for sex just do it with a stupid dildo.i mean dont u know how dangerous it could be wht r u 14?

Penelope

This book I remember being more fluff but I do also remember some spicy scenes. It was a super cute dynamic between the MC and the LI.

Emilie Adele Rognmo

4.5 stars

i really needed this book. such a sweet romance and i can’t wait to continue this series!! all the boys were just- 🥵

vita

tamara ortiz

at first when i was reading this book I was starting to regret reading it but the deeper you get into the book the more interesting it gets.

Nikki

I was constantly switching from laughing and then being sad. 

I loved this though there were a few things I had some issue over and I felt that the ending was kind of rushed.

Néomi

This was cute and easy to read. I love them and the main female character is funny and interesting. I have a problem regarding the timeline and the writing style nevertheless, I find them all exciting. I can't wait to read the rest. Fulton U is a great light read if you ever read a book that wrecked your heart before starting this one. :) 

Andrea Cabezudo García

3'75/5
Me costó un poco engancharme pero me ha acabado gustando. La historia va rápido (quizá a ratos muy rápido) y es cute (menos lo de mencionar los champiñones), me han encantado tanto los protagonistas como los secundarios

Caitlin 

This book brought me out of a massive book slump! I loved it from the beginning, I couldn’t put it down. It’s super sweet and cliche but I didn’t even care, I loved it. 

This book has such great characters and I fell in love with Reece and Seph. They are so cute together. They gave me so many feels and really made me laugh, especially during Reece’s interview🤣

Also, Seph’s growth was great and I loved seeing her stand up for herself! 

I cannot wait to read the rest of the series!

Lysha Taynish

OMGGG. I loved this so much. It also kind of reminded me of "Getting Lucky Number Seven", by Cindi Madsen.

Nia Kharebashvili 

I mean... that was it? 
Well, this was utterly horrible.
I’m just wondering: did this book even make it to an editor? 

I’ll try to keep it short and blunt: this book was rushed, unrealistic as fuck and felt like a draft.

I’ve never read about the dumber heroine in my life (probably Tessa Young from After being the only exception). Who the HELL uploads ads for sex on COLLEGE WEBSITE? And who the HELL would want to associate with someone who’s uploaded ads for sex on COLLEGE WEBSITE? 
I know what being socially awkward means because I AM socially awkward. What Seph was... I don’t even know what she was. 

I can’t even...*shakes her head*

Everything that happened was inconsistent and unrealistic. The story, the characters, the romance... literally everything that should be making the story worth telling lacked depth and exploration. The characters were two-dimensional. Had no believable personality and development. But you know what? scratch “believable.” They had no personality at all let alone believable and proper development, therefore, the book was shallow. Truthfully, it’s a bit sad because the general concept seemed promising (minus the sex ad part, of course) but the execution was very very poor!

The Perfect First

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