ARC Review – The Perfect First by Maya Hughes

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Genre: New Adult Romance

Cover Design: Najla Qamber, Qamber Designs

Release Date: April 25, 2019

 

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synopsis

“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?”

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.

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mythoughts

Adorably Quirky, Addictive, Emotional, and Wildly Entertaining

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The Perfect Firsts by Maya Hughes was such a sweet, beautifully touching and perfectly charming friends to lovers story. There were laughs, swoons, and even some tears. I devoured this book and loved every moment from the funny meet-cute to the adorably heartwarming ending that had me smiling like a dork.

I will absolutely read ANYTHING and EVERYTHING Maya writes. I don’t know how she does it, but she truly has a gift with making me fall helplessly in love with her stories and characters. I adored and really enjoyed reading the Kings of Rittenhouse books, but after reading this, I think the Fulton U just might be my favorite. But who knows… it wouldn’t be a surprise if Maya writes another amazing series and I really hope she never stops creating stories that gives me all the FEELS.

The friends to lovers trope will always be one of my favorites and I will never not love romance stories about the bad boy falling head over heels for the shy innocent girl. I just think these romances are ridiculously fun, exciting, cute, and wildly entertaining. This book was definitely all that and had me flipping through the pages.

The adorkable math genius virgin, Persephone (“Seph”), was extremely sheltered, socially awkward, and inexperienced in many things. But, don’t let that fool you. Seph was a force to be reckoned with and surprised me in so many ways. She’s fierce, brave, spunky, and adventurous. With her list of firsts, she was determined to experience and do everything. And that’s where Reece comes in – the brooding handsome football star player who loved the game with all his heart that he wouldn’t let anything or anyone get in his way to playing pro. He was kind of a jerk at first, but let’s be real here… we all know that there’s a genuinely sweet, gentle, and caring side to him. And boy did he… I fell just as hard for him as Seph did. They meet by accident, which I thought was super funny and so darn cute, and that’s how their deliciously quirky, adorable, and fun story begins.

If it isn’t obvious yet, the romance was a total touchdown! I loved the chemistry between Reece and Seph. It was definitely slow burn at first, but it was so intoxicating and cute. I really liked how even though they both kept things platonic the intense attraction was always there – teasing them inch by inch until they both couldn’t resist anymore. The anticipation and sexual tension was so damn good. It was so swoony and steamy and I loved it. I also really loved how they inspired each other to be better. I loved how their friendship developed into something more. I loved how they both fell so hard for each other and realized that they were both more than enough. They were simply perfect for each other and I enjoyed every moment I spent with them.

I also really liked the supporting characters. I loved the team and thought they were so much fun. My favorite was Berk for sure, but Nix and LJ were adorable too. I’m not quite sure which group I love more between them or the Kings cause the bond between the Kings was pretty amazing… but the FU boys were just so awesome, entertaining, and seriously such good guys. I thought it was super endearing how they didn’t judge Seph and accepted her into their group. I also loved Reece’s parents and thought they were so stinkin’ cute. I adored Seph’s aunt, Sophie, and thought she was badass.

There were so many moments in this book that absolutely melted my heart and also had me in tears… both sad and happy. That’s what I love most about this story and Maya’s other novels. With perfectly flawed and charming characters you’ll root for until the end, wonderful relationships that will warm your heart, irresistible swoons that will drive you crazy, and family issues that will break your heart, Maya’s stories are engaging, achingly beautiful, addictive, and wildly entertaining. I was drunk on love with this book and cannot get over just how cute and perfect this was. Reece and Seph’s story just had so much HEART and FEELS.

I’m so in love with EVERYTHING and cannot wait to read more from this new series. If you’re a fan of cute, fun, and adorable romances and have never read anything by Maya Hughes, then this book is just the perfect first read for you. It was funny, swoony, quirky, romantic, touching, and utterly delicious until the ending.

I received an advance reader copy of this book from author in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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favoritequotes

(Quotes were taken from the ARC. Final publication may be different. Please don’t read if you don’t want spoilers).

Don’t ever let someone treat you wors than you deserved to be treated.

She’d gotten so fully and completely under my skin, I didn’t know how I’d existed before I met her.

Every part of me wanted to wrap around her, wanted to make this a special kiss, make every touch one she’d crave, because I was slowly becoming an addict and I didn’t want to be the only one.

I pulled him in for another kiss. I hadn’t had a thing to drink, but I was definitley drink on him and I was more than happy to drink in as much of him as I needed for as long as I could, for forever.

If my heart hadn’t already belonged to him, it would hav ebeen wrapped up with a bow and presented to him on a rainbow platter at that moment.

Her eyes glittered with a love I’d never experienced before, the kind I’d run headlong away from even the hint of, but with her, I wanted it all. I wanted even more, and that scared the ever-loving shit out of me.

Sometimes memories are all we have and there’s no amount of money in the world that can get those back.

I’m scared too, Wild Child, but with your brains and my athleticism, we can outsmart or outrun any problem we come up against.

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chapterreveal

“Very nice to meet you, Reece. I’m Persephone Alexander. I have a few questions we can get started with, if you don’t mind.”

“The quicker we get started, the quicker we can finish.” He looked around like he would have rather been anywhere but there.

Those giddy bubbles soured in my stomach. A server came by with the bottled waters I’d ordered. I arranged them in a neat pyramid at the end of the table.

“Would you like a water?” I held one out to him.

He eyed me like I was offering him an illicit substance but then reached out. His fingers brushed against the backs of mine and shooting sparks of excitement rushed through me. Pulling the bottle out of my grasp, he cracked it open and took a gulp.

My cheeks heated and I glanced down at my cards, flipping the ones at the front to the back.

“I have a notecard with some information for you to fill out.”

Sliding it across the table, I held out a pen for him. He took it from me, careful that our fingers didn’t touch this time. I’d have been lying if I’d said I didn’t want another touch, just to test whether or not that first one had been something more than static electricity. He filled out the biographical data on the card and handed it back to me.

“Let’s get started.” Just rip the Band-Aid off. Clearing my throat, I tapped the cards on the table. A few heads turned in our direction at the sharp, rapping sound. “When were you last tested for STDs?”

Read the rest of the Chapter Reveal!

 

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Maya Hughes can often be found sneaking in another chapter while hiding in the bathroom from her kids! 🙂 I’m a romance writer who loves taking inspiration from everyday life, namely my husband and biggest fan. Inspiration also strikes when I hear a song, meet someone new or daydream while at soccer practice.

I’m the mom of three little ones, the wife to an amazing husband and also work full time. Some of my favorite things are cinnamon rolls, white wine, laughing until I can’t breathe and traveling with my family.

maya

 

 

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Thanks for stopping by lovelies. Don’t forget to add this book on your TBR!!!!

sincerelykjologo

 

ARC Review – Pretty in Punxsutawney by Laurie Boyle Crompton

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Hello lovelies and happy Wednesday. Today, I’ll be sharing my review for this charming and fun book! If you love Groundhog Day, I think you’ll really enjoy this story.

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aboutbook

Published:  January 15th 2019

Publisher: Blink

Genre(s): Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Format: Hardcover, 301 Pages

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AMAZONBARNES AND NOBLE 

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A Groundhog Day meets Pretty in Pink mashup from author Laurie Boyle Crompton, Pretty in Punxsutawney tells the tale of a girl willing to look beneath the surface to see people for who they really are.

Andie is the type of girl who always comes up with the perfect thing to say…after it’s too late to say it. She’s addicted to romance movies—okay, all movies—but has yet to experience her first kiss. After a move to Punxsutawney, PA, for her senior year, she gets caught in an endless loop of her first day at her new school, reliving those 24 hours again and again.

Convinced the curse will be broken when she meets her true love, Andie embarks on a mission: infiltrating the various cliques to find the one boy who can break the spell. What she discovers along the way is that people who seem completely different can often share the very same hopes, dreams, and hang-ups. And that even a day that has been lived over and over can be filled with unexpected connections and plenty of happy endings.

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mythoughts

Charmingly Creative, Wonderfully Moving and Thoroughly Entertaining 

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Pretty in Punxsutawney by Laurie Boyle Crompton was an absolutely delightful story about a rom-com obsessed teenage girl stuck on reliving her first day in a new school over and over until she can figure out a way to break free. I thought it was charmingly creative, hilarious, and utterly heartwarming.

I honestly could not devour this book fast enough! I finished it in less than half a day and was left wanting MORE! I mean that literally cause there wasn’t any epilogue and I really wanted to know what would happen after that super adorable ending. I was bummed out, but at the same time I was happy with how everything turned out for Andie. I just really wish there was more…

I loved the concept of this book and thought Laurie created an addictively unique and amusing story that kept me entertained the entire time. The writing was fantastic and the characters were intriguing, likable and easily relatable. I enjoyed Andie’s version of A Groundhog Day and I loved seeing her discover something new not only about herself, but also about the people she overlooked and judged. I loved her character growth and just being part of her journey to becoming the kind of heroine that could make a difference (and she did genuinely try to do just that). It was inspiring to see Andie challenge the norm, break barriers, and free herself from trying fitting in a group… cause sometimes you just have to stand out and “embrace the strange and unusual.” I thought it was wonderful how Laurie incorporated and explored plenty of thought-provoking themes and still managed to keep the story lighthearted, fun and hilarious. It really made this book an absolute joy to read.

There were so many things to love about this book and I could rave about them all, but I’ll just mention a few more so I don’t ruin all the fun for you. I loved the cute cover. I loved the movie references. I loved Andie’s parents and thought they were amazing. They were quirky and funny and their interactions with Andie were so endearing. I also really liked that they were very supportive and understanding of their daughter. I LOVED Tom and I wanted more moments with him… especially those with his adorable grandmother, Meemaw. I loved that they had one of my favorite arcade games, Rampage. That brought back so many happy memories when my brother and I would play that together. I loved the humor and I found myself smiling quite a lot. I loved loved loved this book so much! It just really made me so darn happy.

With an irresistibly captivating storyline, a cast of quirky and lovable characters, and a charming blend of humor, nostalgia, silly antics, friendship and romance, Pretty in Punxsutawney was a thoroughly entertaining and lovely read. I laughed, I smiled, I swooned, and I was inspired. This book was not only amusing, but also really meaningful and touching. I think both young and adult readers will enjoy this and also walk away with something more than they expect. Truly a fantastic book and I can’t wait to read more books from this author!

I received an advance reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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(Mini bio and photo taken from author’s website)

Laurie Boyle Crompton is the YA author of PRETTY IN PUNXSUTAWNEY (Blink/HarperCollins 2019) as well as ADRENALINE CRUSH (Macmillan/2014, Square Fish/2016), BLAZE (or Love in the Time of Supervillains), THE REAL PROM QUEENS OF WESTFIELD HIGH and LOVE AND VANDALISM (Sourcebooks/2013, 2014, 2017). Growing up in ‘Pennsyltucky’ in the 1980s, Laurie couldn’t wait to escape rural life. After saving up her tips from waitressing at a local greasy spoon at 18 she packed up her acid wash jeans and moved to NY. Where everyone else had stopped wearing acid wash.

She graduated first in her class from St. John’s University with a BA in English and Journalism. Since then she’s written for national magazines like ALLURE, survived a teaching stint at an all-boy high school, and appeared on Good Day New York several times as a Toy Expert. And yes, ‘toy expert’ is an actual profession. Really.

She has lived in places like Orlando, Florida where she and her husband spent all of their spare time and money visiting theme parks before moving to the Cotswolds in England for six months, which was every bit as cool as that sounds. The Cromptons are now back in New York where their two children resent never going to Disney.

Laurie occasionally enjoys hanging out in fields of blooming flowers and also refering to herself in the third person

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Hope you enjoyed reading my review!

Have you read this book? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you.

sincerelykjologo