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First Time for Everything
A novel about a down-on-his-luck gay man working out how he fits into the world, making up for lost time, and opening himself up to life's possibilities Danny Scudd is absolutely fine. He always dreamed of escaping the small-town life of his parents' fish-and-chip shop, moving to London, and becoming a journalist. And, after five years in the city, his career isn't exactly awful, and his relationship with pretentious Tobbs isn't exactly unfulfilling. Certainly his limited-edition Dolly Parton vinyls and many (maybe too many) house plants are hitting the spot. But his world is flipped upside down when a visit to the local clinic reveals that Tobbs might not have been exactly faithful. In fact, Tobbs claims they were never operating under the "heteronormative paradigm" of monogamy to begin with. Oh, and Danny's flatmates are unceremoniously evicting him because they want to start a family. It's all going quite well.Newly single and with nowhere to live, Danny is forced to move in with his best friend, Jacob, a flamboyant nonbinary artist whom he's known since childhood, and their eccentric group of friends living in an East London "commune." What follows is a colorful voyage of discovery through modern queer life, dating, work, and lots of therapy--all places Danny has always been too afraid to fully explore. Upon realizing just how little he knows about himself and his sexuality, he careens from one questionable decision (and man) to another, relying on his inscrutable new therapist and housemates to help him face the demons he's spent his entire life trying to repress. Is he really fine, after all?
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First published May 10, 2022
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July 24, 2022
3.5 rounded to 4 stars
OK, let’s get the criticism over with first. I deducted 1.5 stars as I am too old and too far across the pond to understand all the British slang and pop culture thrown about in this book. I sure wish I had as I bet there was a lot of fun stuff I missed. It was frustrating. Most of this was in the first half of the book.
Now for the good stuff. This book offers a wonderful protagonist (and best friend), lots of feels, and a big dose of wisdom. Many reviewers have commented that the ideal reader is a young person trying to find their way. I agree 100% with that, but I also have to say this old and out lesbian also loved and appreciated this book.
Danny Scudd is a gay 27-year-old creative content editor for a London culture app. His best friend is Jacob who is mixed-race, nonbinary, and flamboyant. Danny’s “boring” life hits the skids when he loses his home and his boyfriend and runs into difficulties at work. Having an anxiety order to begin with, this is not at all good. Basically, Danny is lost.
This book seems real. It is raw and heartrending but ultimately enlightening and gratifying. Interpersonal relationships and finding oneself is at the crux. My favorite parts were the therapy sessions with Nina. What a kind and perceptive woman. I think despite her fictionality, Nina could jump-start the betterment of life for many young readers who feel themselves to be “different.” I also liked the humor (though, again, I probably missed a good portion of it with my unfamiliarity of the culture). Even more so, I really appreciated the depth of understanding the author has for human personality. I wonder if he has a background in psychology?
Overall, I really liked this debut novel, and it was an easy decision to round up to 4 stars. If I were privy to all the British references, it could have been 5 stars for me. I highly recommend it to anyone struggling to figure out how to fit in yet still be themselves and for all who have an interest in human psychology.
I would like to thank Net Galley, Ballantine Books (Kathleen Quinlan), and Henry Fry for the gift of an ARC. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
OK, let’s get the criticism over with first. I deducted 1.5 stars as I am too old and too far across the pond to understand all the British slang and pop culture thrown about in this book. I sure wish I had as I bet there was a lot of fun stuff I missed. It was frustrating. Most of this was in the first half of the book.
Now for the good stuff. This book offers a wonderful protagonist (and best friend), lots of feels, and a big dose of wisdom. Many reviewers have commented that the ideal reader is a young person trying to find their way. I agree 100% with that, but I also have to say this old and out lesbian also loved and appreciated this book.
Danny Scudd is a gay 27-year-old creative content editor for a London culture app. His best friend is Jacob who is mixed-race, nonbinary, and flamboyant. Danny’s “boring” life hits the skids when he loses his home and his boyfriend and runs into difficulties at work. Having an anxiety order to begin with, this is not at all good. Basically, Danny is lost.
This book seems real. It is raw and heartrending but ultimately enlightening and gratifying. Interpersonal relationships and finding oneself is at the crux. My favorite parts were the therapy sessions with Nina. What a kind and perceptive woman. I think despite her fictionality, Nina could jump-start the betterment of life for many young readers who feel themselves to be “different.” I also liked the humor (though, again, I probably missed a good portion of it with my unfamiliarity of the culture). Even more so, I really appreciated the depth of understanding the author has for human personality. I wonder if he has a background in psychology?
Overall, I really liked this debut novel, and it was an easy decision to round up to 4 stars. If I were privy to all the British references, it could have been 5 stars for me. I highly recommend it to anyone struggling to figure out how to fit in yet still be themselves and for all who have an interest in human psychology.
I would like to thank Net Galley, Ballantine Books (Kathleen Quinlan), and Henry Fry for the gift of an ARC. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
August 11, 2022
3.5 stars
4+ stars for the first half.
3 stars for the second half.
Danny Scudd is trying to take hold of his life. He is a twenty-seven year old gay man searching for his sense of self and belonging in the world. He is in a “sort of” relationship with Tobbs. He isn’t sure where his career is heading or if he has a future with his current (highly unconventional) employer. He longs to find true happiness in life and love.
Danny was easy to love and root for. I connected with him immediately. I had several laugh out loud moments within the first few chapters. The writing was smooth and witty and had me engaged and smiling.
The pacing slowed for me after the halfway point. The storyline lost its spark and focus and unfortunately my attention wavered for most of the second half. Although entertaining, I became lost in the quirky friendships and side stories. The story became somewhat predictable and my connection to Danny fizzled.
Overall, a wonderful debut that I am happy to have read. I look forward to seeing what this author comes out with next!
Thank you to the publisher for my review copy!
4+ stars for the first half.
3 stars for the second half.
Danny Scudd is trying to take hold of his life. He is a twenty-seven year old gay man searching for his sense of self and belonging in the world. He is in a “sort of” relationship with Tobbs. He isn’t sure where his career is heading or if he has a future with his current (highly unconventional) employer. He longs to find true happiness in life and love.
Danny was easy to love and root for. I connected with him immediately. I had several laugh out loud moments within the first few chapters. The writing was smooth and witty and had me engaged and smiling.
The pacing slowed for me after the halfway point. The storyline lost its spark and focus and unfortunately my attention wavered for most of the second half. Although entertaining, I became lost in the quirky friendships and side stories. The story became somewhat predictable and my connection to Danny fizzled.
Overall, a wonderful debut that I am happy to have read. I look forward to seeing what this author comes out with next!
Thank you to the publisher for my review copy!
May 16, 2022
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: It's far from my first time for...well, almost anything. Yet this British tale of being a twentysomething soul whose entire world turns upside down, whose every point of trust in his relationships is called into question because he wasn't having the same relationship with others they were having with him, just called to me.
Danny is our PoV character, a young man who's daring to think his life is going well and he's among the people who understand and love him. It's a heady place to be. So, this being a story, we know it's not the way things will stay. First, Tobbs (his long-term love) brings home an STD. So there goes that whole monogamy fantasy...and his love says some self-serving things about it being heteronormative and I cringed so hard I looked like I was trying out for the Hunchback of Notre Dame. I've used that line, though I hasten to say not to excuse my transmission of an STD! Just...well, Author Fry, you scored a point with me by holding the Ouch Oculus up to my face.
Thank goodness, given this, that Danny doesn't live with that knob Tobbs. Laura and her husband seem...nice. Do please note I said "husband" and extrapolate from there that there is procreative activity taking place. We who have paid attention in sex-ed classes (or just had families) will be unsurprised to learn that Danny's rent payments are less desirable than the space he's taking up when the inevitable pregnancy occurs...just as his relationship with that knob Tobbs is over.
Danny's in therapy...terrible anxiety issues...and that completely won me over. Nina, Danny's therapist, is brilliant (in the UK sense) and comedy gold. She's not a comedy therapist, the kind you read in older books who either bumbles or is sibylline. She's commonsensical, not here for self-pity, and deeply committed to Danny learning to manage his issues. Her solidity and warmth were equaled by the obligatory wild BFF: Jacob. They are enby (non-binary), ace (asexual), and so utterly FABULOUS that I think they should have a book of their own.
Hint, hint.
The things that happen in Danny's world, in hindrance that proves to be help, are all relatable. The voice the story's told in makes the project of reading it a pleasure, and the laughter it evokes is frequently tinged with sad recognition as well as joyful anticipation. Given that Author Fry, in an interview with Debutiful.com, says he was inspired to write this story in part by television sitcoms, it's no surprise that he's already got an adaptation in the works from Aussie production company Moonriver as it expands its UK footprint.
This debut novel is a delight from giddy-up to whoa. I'd've kept this review back until my June Pride Month cavalcade of Queerness but I just couldn't...I want you to go get one and read it now.
My Review: It's far from my first time for...well, almost anything. Yet this British tale of being a twentysomething soul whose entire world turns upside down, whose every point of trust in his relationships is called into question because he wasn't having the same relationship with others they were having with him, just called to me.
Danny is our PoV character, a young man who's daring to think his life is going well and he's among the people who understand and love him. It's a heady place to be. So, this being a story, we know it's not the way things will stay. First, Tobbs (his long-term love) brings home an STD. So there goes that whole monogamy fantasy...and his love says some self-serving things about it being heteronormative and I cringed so hard I looked like I was trying out for the Hunchback of Notre Dame. I've used that line, though I hasten to say not to excuse my transmission of an STD! Just...well, Author Fry, you scored a point with me by holding the Ouch Oculus up to my face.
Thank goodness, given this, that Danny doesn't live with that knob Tobbs. Laura and her husband seem...nice. Do please note I said "husband" and extrapolate from there that there is procreative activity taking place. We who have paid attention in sex-ed classes (or just had families) will be unsurprised to learn that Danny's rent payments are less desirable than the space he's taking up when the inevitable pregnancy occurs...just as his relationship with that knob Tobbs is over.
Danny's in therapy...terrible anxiety issues...and that completely won me over. Nina, Danny's therapist, is brilliant (in the UK sense) and comedy gold. She's not a comedy therapist, the kind you read in older books who either bumbles or is sibylline. She's commonsensical, not here for self-pity, and deeply committed to Danny learning to manage his issues. Her solidity and warmth were equaled by the obligatory wild BFF: Jacob. They are enby (non-binary), ace (asexual), and so utterly FABULOUS that I think they should have a book of their own.
Hint, hint.
The things that happen in Danny's world, in hindrance that proves to be help, are all relatable. The voice the story's told in makes the project of reading it a pleasure, and the laughter it evokes is frequently tinged with sad recognition as well as joyful anticipation. Given that Author Fry, in an interview with Debutiful.com, says he was inspired to write this story in part by television sitcoms, it's no surprise that he's already got an adaptation in the works from Aussie production company Moonriver as it expands its UK footprint.
This debut novel is a delight from giddy-up to whoa. I'd've kept this review back until my June Pride Month cavalcade of Queerness but I just couldn't...I want you to go get one and read it now.
July 2, 2022
A smashing queer story for Bridget Jones fans. Or Dolly Parton fans. Or for those who want to laugh and cry at the same time. Or want to have this fuzzy feeling in their chest. For anyone, actually!
Danny is twenty-seven, lives with his friend Laura and her boyfriend, and just had his first anniversary with his boyfriend Tobbs. But when he finds out, Tobbs probably got him stuck with an STI, and Laura tells him she’s pregnant, Danny’s life is spiraling out of control. Fortunately, there’s Jacob, or Jay, his non-binary best friend.
I can’t express in words how much I loved this story. It’s so well written, incredibly witty, and so much like Bridget Jones. There’s an aspiring journalist. Who doesn’t make the best choices when it comes to men. Who tears himself down. Who’s anxious. There are so many heartwarming moments. And of course … a diary.
Henry Fry shows us Danny’s journey through life in a funny and touching way, and throughout the story, I wanted to cheer Danny on so much. Danny, who adores his Dolly Parton holographic triptych, has friends who make homophobic jokes, and wants to have a house and a boyfriend (or is this too heteronormative?). When the ground falls from underneath his feet, he needs to acknowledge his anxiety issues, learn to love himself, and find his place in the (queer) world. I laughed, and at times I cringed, and sometimes I had teary eyes, but I always kept cheering him on. There were so many side characters I lost count, but I want to put two of them on a pedestal. Raj is the sweetest thing ever, and Jacob, oh Jacob. ‘The human glitterball’ is the best friend Danny could imagine, and they were the star of this book! Funny, outspoken, showy, caring, and so much more.
I found out that the television rights have been sold and that Henry will adapt his own novel for television. I can’t wait to see Danny’s journey on screen. And Jacob's, of course. Because we all need a Jay in our lives 😍!
I received an ARC from Penguin Random House and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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Danny is twenty-seven, lives with his friend Laura and her boyfriend, and just had his first anniversary with his boyfriend Tobbs. But when he finds out, Tobbs probably got him stuck with an STI, and Laura tells him she’s pregnant, Danny’s life is spiraling out of control. Fortunately, there’s Jacob, or Jay, his non-binary best friend.
I can’t express in words how much I loved this story. It’s so well written, incredibly witty, and so much like Bridget Jones. There’s an aspiring journalist. Who doesn’t make the best choices when it comes to men. Who tears himself down. Who’s anxious. There are so many heartwarming moments. And of course … a diary.
Henry Fry shows us Danny’s journey through life in a funny and touching way, and throughout the story, I wanted to cheer Danny on so much. Danny, who adores his Dolly Parton holographic triptych, has friends who make homophobic jokes, and wants to have a house and a boyfriend (or is this too heteronormative?). When the ground falls from underneath his feet, he needs to acknowledge his anxiety issues, learn to love himself, and find his place in the (queer) world. I laughed, and at times I cringed, and sometimes I had teary eyes, but I always kept cheering him on. There were so many side characters I lost count, but I want to put two of them on a pedestal. Raj is the sweetest thing ever, and Jacob, oh Jacob. ‘The human glitterball’ is the best friend Danny could imagine, and they were the star of this book! Funny, outspoken, showy, caring, and so much more.
I found out that the television rights have been sold and that Henry will adapt his own novel for television. I can’t wait to see Danny’s journey on screen. And Jacob's, of course. Because we all need a Jay in our lives 😍!
I received an ARC from Penguin Random House and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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April 4, 2022
Henry Fry's debut novel,
First Time for Everything
will be a smash hit for those who have always wanted a gay spin on Bridget Jones' Diary. Taking place in London, Danny Scudd is a young gay man trying to figure out what he wants in life. His relationship with Toby "Tobbs" is very unfulfilling, his family is distant, and his professional career is at a very corporate standstill. After finding out the hard way that his boyfriend hasn't been faithful nor on the same page as Danny about their relationship, Danny ventures into a new chapter of being single. However, when he is forced to move out of his current living sitution, Danny is placed with nowhere to go. After being taken in by Danny's nonbinary, flamboyant best friend Jacob, Danny starts realizing that there's a whole other world to explore.
First Time for Everything is a refreshingly honest book about the struggles of accepting who you are in a world that makes queer people have to break out of their heteronormative shells. There were many parts of the book that I related to, but also many other sections that I didn't, which made for an interesting perspective on how I see myself within the queer community. At times, this book is very funny, but I think it's mainly due to the raw, honest depictions that Danny is conveying to the reader. This coming-of-age story is best suited for those in similar situations as Danny, so I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is struggling with their own sense of self. It's a fun debut by an author that I will definitely be watching out for in the future.
First Time for Everything is a refreshingly honest book about the struggles of accepting who you are in a world that makes queer people have to break out of their heteronormative shells. There were many parts of the book that I related to, but also many other sections that I didn't, which made for an interesting perspective on how I see myself within the queer community. At times, this book is very funny, but I think it's mainly due to the raw, honest depictions that Danny is conveying to the reader. This coming-of-age story is best suited for those in similar situations as Danny, so I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is struggling with their own sense of self. It's a fun debut by an author that I will definitely be watching out for in the future.
October 13, 2024
1.5, rounded up to 2.
At first, I thought this was a case of 'It's not you, it's me', or maybe more accurately 'wrong book, wrong time'. And true, I am probably at least 45 years too old for its target audience. But even for a debut novel this is not very good. Aside from protagonist Danny and his bestie, the (of course) multi-racial, non-binary, gender non-conforming Jacob, every character is essentially one-dimensional; it's rather funny that Danny can't tell the difference between workmates Marc and Mark - because neither could I.
The story is also mawkishly cloying - poor Danny doesn't know who he is or how he fits into the queer scene after the (stereo)typical hard childhood of uncomprehending parents and bullying schoolmates. And a major portion of the book is Danny working through his issues with shrink Nina, in a pro forma kind of way we've seen in countless books. Nothing new here at all, and in discovering himself, Danny becomes really rather unlikeable at points. Worse, everyone says how 'hilarious' this is, but I couldn't even muster up a chuckle - I found it relentlessly depressing and considered DNF-ing it at several points - and kinda wish I had.
And it's got the poorest editing of any book I've read in quite some time - at one early point the narrator introduces a friend he had at school named Billy Winters. A couple of pages later, he talks about a (presumably other) friend named Will. Another 100 pages on he talks about Will Winters ... and it was only THEN that I realize it's the same friggin' person!!
Then in one scene, the protagonist goes to see Nina and tells what he's wearing, including 'black patent leather Doc Martins'. As he is leaving the shrink's, he says he got his 'trainers' (i.e., sneakers/tennis shoes) wet in a puddle. Hello?!! When/where/why did he change shoes?!!!! Mind-boggling ineptitude!
At first, I thought this was a case of 'It's not you, it's me', or maybe more accurately 'wrong book, wrong time'. And true, I am probably at least 45 years too old for its target audience. But even for a debut novel this is not very good. Aside from protagonist Danny and his bestie, the (of course) multi-racial, non-binary, gender non-conforming Jacob, every character is essentially one-dimensional; it's rather funny that Danny can't tell the difference between workmates Marc and Mark - because neither could I.
The story is also mawkishly cloying - poor Danny doesn't know who he is or how he fits into the queer scene after the (stereo)typical hard childhood of uncomprehending parents and bullying schoolmates. And a major portion of the book is Danny working through his issues with shrink Nina, in a pro forma kind of way we've seen in countless books. Nothing new here at all, and in discovering himself, Danny becomes really rather unlikeable at points. Worse, everyone says how 'hilarious' this is, but I couldn't even muster up a chuckle - I found it relentlessly depressing and considered DNF-ing it at several points - and kinda wish I had.
And it's got the poorest editing of any book I've read in quite some time - at one early point the narrator introduces a friend he had at school named Billy Winters. A couple of pages later, he talks about a (presumably other) friend named Will. Another 100 pages on he talks about Will Winters ... and it was only THEN that I realize it's the same friggin' person!!
Then in one scene, the protagonist goes to see Nina and tells what he's wearing, including 'black patent leather Doc Martins'. As he is leaving the shrink's, he says he got his 'trainers' (i.e., sneakers/tennis shoes) wet in a puddle. Hello?!! When/where/why did he change shoes?!!!! Mind-boggling ineptitude!
July 2, 2022
This debut is fresh and funny and a bit like a gay version of Bridget Jones’ Diary. The narrator, Danny Scudd, is realizing that the pieces of his life aren’t fitting the way he hoped. He is a gay man, but he has spent his time being invisible and doing his best to fit in. His straight friends are evicting him because they’re having a baby, things with his boyfriend are rocky, and he’s miserable at work. While Danny wasn’t always a likable character he was very relatable. The work he does during this book on himself (therapy on top speed) is impressive and he does become by the end a person I liked. The writing was excellent and I loved the characters. Also huge points for representation - not only with a wide variety of queer folx but with race and intersectionality.
May 15, 2023
2.5, rounding down to 2, "It was okay."
Not sure what I expected going into this book. In many ways, this debut novel is a good effort, but I wish I could have liked it more. Partly it was because I could never quite connect with the characters. Honestly, they often felt a bit cliched and stereotypical, as well as some of the situations and issues. Having said that, this could be a great read for a fair cross-section of readers, and more importantly, I could see this being adapted to an entertaining movie or TV limited-episode show, especially with the young MC character's moving into a house of outsized personalities and their effect on his journey into a more self-assertive self.
Not sure what I expected going into this book. In many ways, this debut novel is a good effort, but I wish I could have liked it more. Partly it was because I could never quite connect with the characters. Honestly, they often felt a bit cliched and stereotypical, as well as some of the situations and issues. Having said that, this could be a great read for a fair cross-section of readers, and more importantly, I could see this being adapted to an entertaining movie or TV limited-episode show, especially with the young MC character's moving into a house of outsized personalities and their effect on his journey into a more self-assertive self.
December 9, 2021
Danny Scudd is a queer man trying to find his place in the world. He feels somewhat invisible until he realizes his boyfriend may be cheating on him. His life begins to spin as soon as the book starts. Suddenly needing a place to live, Danny is forced to move in with his best friend Jacob, an old friend who happens to be nonbinary and they a HUGE personality. What follows is Danny's journey to finding himself as a queer person: dealing with past problems, work problems, and a deep fear of living as his true self leads him on a bumpy path to being his best self.
The most fulfilling part of this novel that Henry Fry has created is just so much queer culture and references that so many queer people of different ages can relate to. It's like there were constant easter eggs that made me smile each time one popped up.
We have all had a toxic relationships, and Danny is not immune from that. It was interesting to see him navigate through his relationship problems as soon as the book began. The snooty Toobs is someone that we have all come to know in our lives.
The relationship highlight is definitely the one between Danny And Jacob. Jacob is such a fun and real person. An artist just like many of the people I have worked with in my life, I felt like Jacob was my friend, too.
The one criticism I have is that there were SO many characters in the book that there would often be many people gathering and I would get halfway through a chapter and forget where it is taking place and who all of the people are.
I do think this read will be especially good for young LGBTQIA+ people to read because there is so much to relate to that they can learn from when it comes to the journey of Danny,.
I can't wait to purchase a copy of this book with this BEAUTIFUL cover. I am extra excited because it releases on my birthday!
Thank you to Penguin Random House, Net Galley and Henry Fry for free access to an ebook copy of the novel for review purposes.
This review will be posted to my bookstagram at https://www.instagram.com/readwithjd/ during publication week.
The most fulfilling part of this novel that Henry Fry has created is just so much queer culture and references that so many queer people of different ages can relate to. It's like there were constant easter eggs that made me smile each time one popped up.
We have all had a toxic relationships, and Danny is not immune from that. It was interesting to see him navigate through his relationship problems as soon as the book began. The snooty Toobs is someone that we have all come to know in our lives.
The relationship highlight is definitely the one between Danny And Jacob. Jacob is such a fun and real person. An artist just like many of the people I have worked with in my life, I felt like Jacob was my friend, too.
The one criticism I have is that there were SO many characters in the book that there would often be many people gathering and I would get halfway through a chapter and forget where it is taking place and who all of the people are.
I do think this read will be especially good for young LGBTQIA+ people to read because there is so much to relate to that they can learn from when it comes to the journey of Danny,.
I can't wait to purchase a copy of this book with this BEAUTIFUL cover. I am extra excited because it releases on my birthday!
Thank you to Penguin Random House, Net Galley and Henry Fry for free access to an ebook copy of the novel for review purposes.
This review will be posted to my bookstagram at https://www.instagram.com/readwithjd/ during publication week.
May 17, 2022
Closer to a 3.5 than a 3. I was really looking forward to this book being released and was excited to start it. Towards the middle I found myself thinking "I wish I liked this book more" quite frequently. It started off strong, and I enjoyed Danny as the protagonist. I actually felt I had a lot of similarities with him, right down to being 27. I absolutely loved the mental health representation that the book focused on, and also felt that the subject of trauma was handled well. Here was my issue: every single character was toxic. Danny was toxic. Jacob was toxic. Danny's parents were toxic. His THERAPIST was toxic. I work in the realm of mental health and some of the things that Nina did / said were... incredibly concerning. I also felt that a lot of the dialogue was incredibly overdone and an exaggeration of how queer people speak and act. I felt that characters were reduced to typical queer stereotypes, which was really a bummer. The book was not awful -- it had a lot of great elements to it and there were many things I enjoyed. Overall though, it was not quite what I was expecting.
December 12, 2021
Danny Scudd is a mess. And we all get a front row seat to his life. This book will hit home for anyone who has ever struggled. We need more books that address mental health and approach it this way. The struggles that Danny faces...as a reader, I could relate to each new disaster he encountered. I feel like this is such an important read for the Queer community. It sheds light on so many relevant topics within our community today. And the most important topic touched upon..gay people can do more than f*ck and fight. Danny Scudd is a real, flawed character. He makes mistakes. He can be selfish. He doesn't make the best choices. This is not a coming out story. This is a story about a guy who wakes up and realizes that he hasn't been living his life the way he wanted, the way he envisioned. He struggles with his mental health. He accepted so much less for himself than he deserved in every aspect of his life. He's not living his best life. And even when he decides he wants more--that he wants to change it-- he doesn't know exactly how to go about doing it. That is the one thing I absolutely loved about this book...wanting to change your life and actually changing your life is hard work. It doesn't happen over night. Ignoring it altogether can have detrimental effects. Henry Fry takes us on a journey with Danny. Nothing worth anything in this life is easy.
January 21, 2023
So this is one of those 3 star books for me. I liked it, I enjoyed it but I certainly didn't love it.
I really enjoyed the first half where Danny started to make some self discoveries and I really thought I'd be following his journey to getting to a) know himself and b) believe in himself, BUT I found the second half to be a bit clichéd as Danny ticks off life drama, after life drama, after life drama all whilst living his best London life!
I definitely think RuPaul said the plot of this book first, said it best, and said it in less than 350+ pages when they said "If you don't love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?"
I really enjoyed the first half where Danny started to make some self discoveries and I really thought I'd be following his journey to getting to a) know himself and b) believe in himself, BUT I found the second half to be a bit clichéd as Danny ticks off life drama, after life drama, after life drama all whilst living his best London life!
I definitely think RuPaul said the plot of this book first, said it best, and said it in less than 350+ pages when they said "If you don't love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?"
April 6, 2022
This is easily one of the funniest books I have ever read. First Time for Everything is poignant and real for anyone who has ever experienced inner struggles that literally broke your spirit. Henry Fry...you nailed it!
Danny Scudd age 27, thinks he's handling life great until he finds himself in an STI clinic. He believed he was in a monogamous, loving relationship with Tobbs that was anything but. Now Danny is forced to deal with the humiliating pain of a breakup and find a suitable new place to live.
Jacob, Danny's life-long best friend offers Danny a room at his place. Jacob is a flamboyant non-binary professional entertainer with some very whimsical friends. In the wake of the move, Danny begins to realize how little he knows about the inner struggles that pull him down. He seeks counseling for answers. Is he coping with life as well as he thought? Does he really accept himself as he is? How can he find happiness?
This is definitely a 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ book. Thank you Henry Fry for this heartfelt message. The world needs more writers like you!
I appreciate NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, for sending me this book to review.
Danny Scudd age 27, thinks he's handling life great until he finds himself in an STI clinic. He believed he was in a monogamous, loving relationship with Tobbs that was anything but. Now Danny is forced to deal with the humiliating pain of a breakup and find a suitable new place to live.
Jacob, Danny's life-long best friend offers Danny a room at his place. Jacob is a flamboyant non-binary professional entertainer with some very whimsical friends. In the wake of the move, Danny begins to realize how little he knows about the inner struggles that pull him down. He seeks counseling for answers. Is he coping with life as well as he thought? Does he really accept himself as he is? How can he find happiness?
This is definitely a 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ book. Thank you Henry Fry for this heartfelt message. The world needs more writers like you!
I appreciate NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, for sending me this book to review.
August 25, 2024
A cute, funny novel about a young gay man struggling to work out who he is after a lifetime of trying to fit in with the people around him.
At times it could stand to be a little more subtle and at others a little less opaque. (I could have used some more internality with regards to his behaviour when he starts acting out.)
But it's a good if unsubtle message, and I really liked Danny and his friends. I also haven't had anywhere near my fill of (relatively) light gay happy-ending fiction that isn't focused on a romantic relationship as the end all, be all of life.
I gather it's being adapted for TV or streaming or whatever, which makes sense. It does have a vibe that's more new media than dusty pages in the library.
Hopefully we'll be seeing something more from the author soon.
At times it could stand to be a little more subtle and at others a little less opaque. (I could have used some more internality with regards to his behaviour when he starts acting out.)
But it's a good if unsubtle message, and I really liked Danny and his friends. I also haven't had anywhere near my fill of (relatively) light gay happy-ending fiction that isn't focused on a romantic relationship as the end all, be all of life.
I gather it's being adapted for TV or streaming or whatever, which makes sense. It does have a vibe that's more new media than dusty pages in the library.
Hopefully we'll be seeing something more from the author soon.
May 13, 2022
Written from the perspective of Danny Scudd, Henry Fry's debut novel captured my interest right away. Danny is freaking hilarious and the way he goes through life is so awkward and terribly relatable. I’m in love with and strive to be as cool as his best friend, Jay, a mixed-race unapologetically queer nonbinary style icon who hails from the same small town that stifled Danny so much.
While gay himself, Danny has spent most of his adult life around less than tolerant straight people for so long that he’s never had a chance to develop an identity that wasn’t him shying away from anything that brought attention to himself and how different he is from them. With the help of his best friend and his newfound family, he starts to try finding himself for better or worse. And while it takes a while to find the proper fit, the journey is 100% worth it.
The queer side characters are fabulous. The side plots are hilarious. Excellent pacing, engaging but approachable prose, and funny as hell to boot.
I’d recommend First Time for Everything to literally anyone, but most specifically this is a great read for adults and young adults that are a fan of humorous contemporary reads with themes of finding yourself, found family, queer characters, diverse side characters, being gay but not knowing how, and even a passing interest in a certain Miss Dolly Parton.
Thanks to NetGalley, Ballatine Books, and Henry Fry for providing me with an eARC to read and review.
While gay himself, Danny has spent most of his adult life around less than tolerant straight people for so long that he’s never had a chance to develop an identity that wasn’t him shying away from anything that brought attention to himself and how different he is from them. With the help of his best friend and his newfound family, he starts to try finding himself for better or worse. And while it takes a while to find the proper fit, the journey is 100% worth it.
The queer side characters are fabulous. The side plots are hilarious. Excellent pacing, engaging but approachable prose, and funny as hell to boot.
I’d recommend First Time for Everything to literally anyone, but most specifically this is a great read for adults and young adults that are a fan of humorous contemporary reads with themes of finding yourself, found family, queer characters, diverse side characters, being gay but not knowing how, and even a passing interest in a certain Miss Dolly Parton.
Thanks to NetGalley, Ballatine Books, and Henry Fry for providing me with an eARC to read and review.
June 29, 2022
3.5 rounded up.
Full of humor and heart this was a great debut about a young gay man living in London trying to find love and satisfaction with his career. The story starts off strong with Danny in a doctor's office getting his balls fondled while also getting a rude awakening that his first and only sexual partner might not be as loyal as he assumed.
What follows is Danny trying to figure out how to be out and proud despite a decided lack of support from both his family and co-workers. I did love his nonbinary friend Jacob a lot! The secondary characters in the book are really strong and the mental health rep was excellent!! Danny regularly sees a therapist and the story gave me a lot of Bridget Jones's vibes (if only she had gotten help from therapy for her issues).
Great on audio and definitely recommended especially for fans of books like Ryan O'Connell's Just by looking at him. I LOVED the Canadian cover and Danny is definitely a character you can easily root for and one I won't soon forget.
Full of humor and heart this was a great debut about a young gay man living in London trying to find love and satisfaction with his career. The story starts off strong with Danny in a doctor's office getting his balls fondled while also getting a rude awakening that his first and only sexual partner might not be as loyal as he assumed.
What follows is Danny trying to figure out how to be out and proud despite a decided lack of support from both his family and co-workers. I did love his nonbinary friend Jacob a lot! The secondary characters in the book are really strong and the mental health rep was excellent!! Danny regularly sees a therapist and the story gave me a lot of Bridget Jones's vibes (if only she had gotten help from therapy for her issues).
Great on audio and definitely recommended especially for fans of books like Ryan O'Connell's Just by looking at him. I LOVED the Canadian cover and Danny is definitely a character you can easily root for and one I won't soon forget.
April 29, 2022
A beautifully written book revealing the self actualization of a gay man, while providing a better understanding of the queer community. Danny Scudd is a twenty-seven year old, pasty-faced shy and skinny, writer for an app, called the Cultur. He grew up with his best friend Jacob in a small provincial town in the UK. He spent most of his formative years being invisible … his attempt at trying to be “one of the crowd” was a lie …. as he continually tried to act the part of a straight person. While his best friend, the only mixed race individual in school, embraced and experimented with his queerness. He flitted between groups, jumping from art-weirdos to the sexually ambiguous stoners. We find Danny, bewildered in an STD Clinic with a swollen testicle and being tested for possible gonorrhea or chlamydia. How could this be? I’ve been in relationship for the last year, with my boyfriend “Tobbs”. The nurse opines : “Isn’t it an open relationship ?…. I know you boys are into that sort of thing.” She thrusts several pamphlets at him in regards to “risky sex” - he counters with: “I’m not having risky sex! I’m having consensual, loving sex with one partner.” Danny soon learns that his boyfriend was frequently enjoying other partners, and had no idea that their relationship was exclusive.
As this stress in his life rages, he is presented with other anxiety ridden problems, Since finishing University, he has been living with Laura and her boyfriend Luke. He has known her since secondary school and reconnected after university. They were comfortably living together in a flat bought by her parents. Laura announces at a party that “their pregnant and going to be married.” Within minutes she turns to Danny and suggests he move out quickly , so they can make room for the baby. ( As Jacob tells Danny: not surprising … they initially like to have “a little pet faggot” around , to show off to their friends … but quickly realize there are more pressing issues to attend to ). Another interesting issue arises at this same party. While talking about the sex of the baby. “We don’t know the baby’s gender”. A hip-type discussion ensues …. Sex refers to the biological body …. And gender is a social construct, usually ascribed at birth. And Laura couldn’t understand why gay people made such a big deal about “coming out”
Tobbs insisted that monogamy is a heteronormative paradigm steeped in misogyny, designed to control us, and queers have the right to define our own relationships. Blame is the last thing we need in the LGBT+ community. With the aid and advice of Jacob … Danny seeks counseling to address his anxiety and torment over issues of relationships and acceptance of his queerness. Ultimately Danny moves into “The Centerfold” …. a massive dilapidated Victorian townhouse… housing seven queer housemates and his binary friend, Jacob. This madhouse is a virtual Addam Family house filled with gays, dykes, binaries and other assorted
“amazing people, from all over the world, all talented, and unique…. Each with their own story to tell”. ( in other words .. all happy in their own skin ). On Jacob’s door to his room is a placard: “Black Queer Lives Matter”
Henry Fry crafts a masterful narrative with an assortment of colorful characters that allow the reader to enjoy and understand Danny’s road to enlightenment and understanding. Don’t we all want to fit in and try to be the perfect version of ourselves. The real goal: Can’t every LGBTQIA person live freely, openly, and honestly? Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group / Ballantine Books for providing an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review. Publication Date: May 10, 2022
As this stress in his life rages, he is presented with other anxiety ridden problems, Since finishing University, he has been living with Laura and her boyfriend Luke. He has known her since secondary school and reconnected after university. They were comfortably living together in a flat bought by her parents. Laura announces at a party that “their pregnant and going to be married.” Within minutes she turns to Danny and suggests he move out quickly , so they can make room for the baby. ( As Jacob tells Danny: not surprising … they initially like to have “a little pet faggot” around , to show off to their friends … but quickly realize there are more pressing issues to attend to ). Another interesting issue arises at this same party. While talking about the sex of the baby. “We don’t know the baby’s gender”. A hip-type discussion ensues …. Sex refers to the biological body …. And gender is a social construct, usually ascribed at birth. And Laura couldn’t understand why gay people made such a big deal about “coming out”
Tobbs insisted that monogamy is a heteronormative paradigm steeped in misogyny, designed to control us, and queers have the right to define our own relationships. Blame is the last thing we need in the LGBT+ community. With the aid and advice of Jacob … Danny seeks counseling to address his anxiety and torment over issues of relationships and acceptance of his queerness. Ultimately Danny moves into “The Centerfold” …. a massive dilapidated Victorian townhouse… housing seven queer housemates and his binary friend, Jacob. This madhouse is a virtual Addam Family house filled with gays, dykes, binaries and other assorted
“amazing people, from all over the world, all talented, and unique…. Each with their own story to tell”. ( in other words .. all happy in their own skin ). On Jacob’s door to his room is a placard: “Black Queer Lives Matter”
Henry Fry crafts a masterful narrative with an assortment of colorful characters that allow the reader to enjoy and understand Danny’s road to enlightenment and understanding. Don’t we all want to fit in and try to be the perfect version of ourselves. The real goal: Can’t every LGBTQIA person live freely, openly, and honestly? Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group / Ballantine Books for providing an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review. Publication Date: May 10, 2022
June 19, 2022
Henry Fry, what a debut!! Welcome to my auto-buy authors list. First Time For Everything really was EVERYTHING!
Oh my gosh, where do I even begin? First of all, this book was absolutely hilarious! I found myself laughing out loud SO many times!! The beginning of the book had me howling! I was so into the writing that over the last two days I have found myself completely losing track of time.
The characters are FABULOUS. Extremely well written and REAL!! Danny and Jacob, my new fictional best friends! Seriously, I absolutely adored both of them so much. And the side characters, slay the house down boots!!! (I freaking LOVED seeing this expression in the book. It's used a LOT in our house!!)
But beyond being hilarious it's also a truly wonderful storyline, and one that really resonated with me. Especially the mental health aspect of the story.
I highly recommend this book to ANYONE! Give me ALL the LGBTQIA2S+ book recs! I plan on passing this one on to my son to read.
Thank you SO much to Penguin Random House Canada and Doubleday Canada for my gifted copy!
Oh my gosh, where do I even begin? First of all, this book was absolutely hilarious! I found myself laughing out loud SO many times!! The beginning of the book had me howling! I was so into the writing that over the last two days I have found myself completely losing track of time.
The characters are FABULOUS. Extremely well written and REAL!! Danny and Jacob, my new fictional best friends! Seriously, I absolutely adored both of them so much. And the side characters, slay the house down boots!!! (I freaking LOVED seeing this expression in the book. It's used a LOT in our house!!)
But beyond being hilarious it's also a truly wonderful storyline, and one that really resonated with me. Especially the mental health aspect of the story.
I highly recommend this book to ANYONE! Give me ALL the LGBTQIA2S+ book recs! I plan on passing this one on to my son to read.
Thank you SO much to Penguin Random House Canada and Doubleday Canada for my gifted copy!
August 28, 2022
First Time For Everything by Henry Fry. DNF.
This book is complicated. It’s very well written and engaging, but it’s also blatantly offensive. I read a little over half the book before I had to give it up.
Starting off with the positive: the book begins with a chapter at the Sexual Health Clinic, having a conversation dealing with positive sexual health and advocating for testing. Also talking about the nerves, anxiety, stress and embarrassment of a sexual health clinic. Sex is actually a huge topic in the book. The main character is uncomfortable with sex and how it’s so ingrained and prevalent within the queer community and regularly questions his own identity with sex. This book is not afraid to have the difficult conversations. It calls people out on their misgendering, acknowledges the difference between sex and gender, has an extremely diverse cast in both sexuality, gender identity, race, sex, background, body type, etc, and even calls out peoples privilege. This book also largely deals with therapy and mental illness, encouraging positive mental health and treatment.
Now for the bad. This book is riddled with homophobia and racism. Reading this book is to be constantly berated and exposed to it. It’s covered up to look normalized and appear casual, but the entire novel is nothing but homophobic remark after homophobic remark. With tons of sexism, racism, and transphobia thrown in for good measure. It hurt to read at times.
Additionally, this book pins heterosexual people and queer people against each other repeatedly. Every heterosexual in the entire novel, says homophobic or transphobic things to the main character and treat him like their pet gay. Then every queer person in this novel has to verbally shun straight people and refer to them in such a negative light. How dare the main character be friends with heterosexuals! It’s the most horrendous thing they could ever imagine. Behaviors like this are toxic and negative and so absolutely nothing to help the queer community. Heterosexuals and queer people should not be enemies forced to draw a battle line between us.
To expand on that, the blatant homophobia in the book says that all gay people have to be living breathing stereotypes. In order to be gay, you have to sleep around and have orgies and defecate on peoples chests. Gay people are unable to commit or be monogamous. Gay people must wear sheer sequined shirts and wave dildos around in public. Gay people go out to bars wearing nothing but thongs. Marriage is strictly a heterosexual ideal and does not belong to queer people. Etc etc. and the worst part, is that these statements and behaviors are coming from all directions. Both the heterosexual characters and the queer characters. They are all preaching this attitude and insisting upon these stereotypes. And the main character follows and abides by them. The whole book is a story for a man coming to conform to those stereotypes as the only way to exist as a gay man, and if he doesn’t, it means he’s full of internalized homophobia.
No. Not ok. This book is toxic.
This book is complicated. It’s very well written and engaging, but it’s also blatantly offensive. I read a little over half the book before I had to give it up.
Starting off with the positive: the book begins with a chapter at the Sexual Health Clinic, having a conversation dealing with positive sexual health and advocating for testing. Also talking about the nerves, anxiety, stress and embarrassment of a sexual health clinic. Sex is actually a huge topic in the book. The main character is uncomfortable with sex and how it’s so ingrained and prevalent within the queer community and regularly questions his own identity with sex. This book is not afraid to have the difficult conversations. It calls people out on their misgendering, acknowledges the difference between sex and gender, has an extremely diverse cast in both sexuality, gender identity, race, sex, background, body type, etc, and even calls out peoples privilege. This book also largely deals with therapy and mental illness, encouraging positive mental health and treatment.
Now for the bad. This book is riddled with homophobia and racism. Reading this book is to be constantly berated and exposed to it. It’s covered up to look normalized and appear casual, but the entire novel is nothing but homophobic remark after homophobic remark. With tons of sexism, racism, and transphobia thrown in for good measure. It hurt to read at times.
Additionally, this book pins heterosexual people and queer people against each other repeatedly. Every heterosexual in the entire novel, says homophobic or transphobic things to the main character and treat him like their pet gay. Then every queer person in this novel has to verbally shun straight people and refer to them in such a negative light. How dare the main character be friends with heterosexuals! It’s the most horrendous thing they could ever imagine. Behaviors like this are toxic and negative and so absolutely nothing to help the queer community. Heterosexuals and queer people should not be enemies forced to draw a battle line between us.
To expand on that, the blatant homophobia in the book says that all gay people have to be living breathing stereotypes. In order to be gay, you have to sleep around and have orgies and defecate on peoples chests. Gay people are unable to commit or be monogamous. Gay people must wear sheer sequined shirts and wave dildos around in public. Gay people go out to bars wearing nothing but thongs. Marriage is strictly a heterosexual ideal and does not belong to queer people. Etc etc. and the worst part, is that these statements and behaviors are coming from all directions. Both the heterosexual characters and the queer characters. They are all preaching this attitude and insisting upon these stereotypes. And the main character follows and abides by them. The whole book is a story for a man coming to conform to those stereotypes as the only way to exist as a gay man, and if he doesn’t, it means he’s full of internalized homophobia.
No. Not ok. This book is toxic.
December 29, 2021
I could not put this book down. It is wonderfully written, witty, charming and describes the coming of age intensely. Danny is an gay 20 something year old finally figuring out who he is. After leaving a toxic relationship, he is enlightened to be his true self and navigates his purpose in life. Between standing up for LGBTQ rights at work, to advocating in the world, and finding a whole new set of housemates to lean into. Our relationships are constantly evolving and this book shows the true meaning for friendship by building each other up.
Thanks to the publisher and the author, Henry Fry, and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to the publisher and the author, Henry Fry, and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
April 11, 2022
There really is a first time for everything as this is my first read on my Kindle. Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this ARC ebook!
First Time for Everything by Henry Fry is a story of truest finding yourself and where you belong. Danny is fresh from a break up, getting evicted, and generally just lost after his world has been flipped.
I thoroughly enjoyed this ebook ARC. It was well thought out and had lots of really enjoyable moments. It is a must read for anyone who feels lost, especially in the queer community.
First Time for Everything is out on May 10, 2022!
First Time for Everything by Henry Fry is a story of truest finding yourself and where you belong. Danny is fresh from a break up, getting evicted, and generally just lost after his world has been flipped.
I thoroughly enjoyed this ebook ARC. It was well thought out and had lots of really enjoyable moments. It is a must read for anyone who feels lost, especially in the queer community.
First Time for Everything is out on May 10, 2022!
July 11, 2022
DNF: 45%
It was a difficult decision for me to DNF this novel. I was contacted by Penguin Random House’s marketing team to read this ARC novel; but, at the end of the day, I don’t think I was the right audience for this novel. Regardless of how much I read, I do have a few thoughts on what I did experience.
I will admit, there are moments in this book where the writing style and comedy truly shine. For instance, the first chapter was hilarious, and I genuinely laughed out loud (although the phrase “boggy balls” will be something I won’t forget, no matter how hard I try). Henry Fry has a great instinct for knowing when to draw out the comedy and when to back off from it, which is something to admire from a writer's perspective.
Another strength of this novel was the representation in anxiety in Danny, our main character. Mental health journeys are plots that I love to see in a book, as it can explain some character behaviors, motivations, and really steer their character development. Anxiety can alter a person’s personality negatively, which was what we saw in Danny. While I found the anxiety representation to be great, I did struggle with Danny’s characterization at the beginning because of the second-hand embarrassment I felt over his actions. While his self-centered worldview sets him up for development later in the story, his character wasn’t compelling enough for me to see his story through to the end.
I also appreciated the author tackling some difficult cultural/societal issues. That was refreshing to see, as there were actual debates about subjects in the book. All of these issues (from pronoun use, to gay rights) are topics that I am somewhat familiar with but I am by no means a scholar on the topics. It was interesting to see the different sides of the debate within the LGBTQIA+ community.
Although, I had a tough time overlooking some of my personal writing pet peeves, which made it hard for me to continue reading this book. For example, there are a few moments (mainly, in chapter two), where Danny breaks the fourth wall and speaks directly to the reader. That is a narrative mode I have never enjoyed, as I prefer sinking into the character’s head and experiences. Having the main character talk directly to the reader took me out of the novel and I never found my stride after it.
I also found it difficult to bridge the sheer cultural differences from reading a British novel. While I am a fan of British pop culture, but it was difficult at times to get through some of the conversations. There was a definite disconnect between myself, as an American, and the British colloquialisms used in this text.
I would also like to note that I’m not a huge fan of character-driven plots, which this novel is. If you are also someone who struggles with character-driven plots, I’m not sure that this novel would be for you.
Overall, I do think there is an audience for this book out there. This book has great representation, humor, and a character journey that is sure to deliver. I just needed to experience a little less second-hand embarrassment and more development before the 45% mark.
TW: anxiety, homophobia
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.
It was a difficult decision for me to DNF this novel. I was contacted by Penguin Random House’s marketing team to read this ARC novel; but, at the end of the day, I don’t think I was the right audience for this novel. Regardless of how much I read, I do have a few thoughts on what I did experience.
I will admit, there are moments in this book where the writing style and comedy truly shine. For instance, the first chapter was hilarious, and I genuinely laughed out loud (although the phrase “boggy balls” will be something I won’t forget, no matter how hard I try). Henry Fry has a great instinct for knowing when to draw out the comedy and when to back off from it, which is something to admire from a writer's perspective.
Another strength of this novel was the representation in anxiety in Danny, our main character. Mental health journeys are plots that I love to see in a book, as it can explain some character behaviors, motivations, and really steer their character development. Anxiety can alter a person’s personality negatively, which was what we saw in Danny. While I found the anxiety representation to be great, I did struggle with Danny’s characterization at the beginning because of the second-hand embarrassment I felt over his actions. While his self-centered worldview sets him up for development later in the story, his character wasn’t compelling enough for me to see his story through to the end.
I also appreciated the author tackling some difficult cultural/societal issues. That was refreshing to see, as there were actual debates about subjects in the book. All of these issues (from pronoun use, to gay rights) are topics that I am somewhat familiar with but I am by no means a scholar on the topics. It was interesting to see the different sides of the debate within the LGBTQIA+ community.
Although, I had a tough time overlooking some of my personal writing pet peeves, which made it hard for me to continue reading this book. For example, there are a few moments (mainly, in chapter two), where Danny breaks the fourth wall and speaks directly to the reader. That is a narrative mode I have never enjoyed, as I prefer sinking into the character’s head and experiences. Having the main character talk directly to the reader took me out of the novel and I never found my stride after it.
I also found it difficult to bridge the sheer cultural differences from reading a British novel. While I am a fan of British pop culture, but it was difficult at times to get through some of the conversations. There was a definite disconnect between myself, as an American, and the British colloquialisms used in this text.
I would also like to note that I’m not a huge fan of character-driven plots, which this novel is. If you are also someone who struggles with character-driven plots, I’m not sure that this novel would be for you.
Overall, I do think there is an audience for this book out there. This book has great representation, humor, and a character journey that is sure to deliver. I just needed to experience a little less second-hand embarrassment and more development before the 45% mark.
TW: anxiety, homophobia
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.
May 10, 2022
Received from NetGalley, thanks!
I really liked this book! Once again I went in blind, knowing nothing of what it was about and this time it was a win!
Danny Scudd is in his late 20s and the book starts with him at a sexual health clinic and honestly, that was a great way to start a book. Despite how things start, it seems like Danny has his shit together; he has a job he sort of likes, a boyfriend who seems like a complete wanker, a best friend, and a good place to live with some old school friends.
However, things fall apart pretty quickly, and we learn that Danny is kind of a hot mess.
Throughout the book Danny is trying to find himself, figure out who the real Danny Scudd is. I really love how important therapy is to the story. And that it feels so accurate; that the therapist gets Danny to a place where he can figure things out on his own, that she’s not giving him answers or solutions. Mental health is also really prevalent throughout the book. Danny goes through a lot and figured things out about himself and his past that really have an impact on him.
While there is a splashing of romance here and there, overall this book is about friendship, found family, and finding yourself. It looks a lot at gay relationships and what it’s like to be gay in a small, conservative town and the things you do to survive.
While a lot of the content is about gay men, I really liked that it was also about the queer community as whole, as well as other marginalized communities. There was good diversity in the side characters and they all felt well written and like actual characters, not just thrown in there to meet the diversity quota.
Overall, a good book, a really solid debut. There were some great lines and I highlighted a bunch of them. I’ll definitely be watching for more books from this author.
I really liked this book! Once again I went in blind, knowing nothing of what it was about and this time it was a win!
Danny Scudd is in his late 20s and the book starts with him at a sexual health clinic and honestly, that was a great way to start a book. Despite how things start, it seems like Danny has his shit together; he has a job he sort of likes, a boyfriend who seems like a complete wanker, a best friend, and a good place to live with some old school friends.
However, things fall apart pretty quickly, and we learn that Danny is kind of a hot mess.
Throughout the book Danny is trying to find himself, figure out who the real Danny Scudd is. I really love how important therapy is to the story. And that it feels so accurate; that the therapist gets Danny to a place where he can figure things out on his own, that she’s not giving him answers or solutions. Mental health is also really prevalent throughout the book. Danny goes through a lot and figured things out about himself and his past that really have an impact on him.
While there is a splashing of romance here and there, overall this book is about friendship, found family, and finding yourself. It looks a lot at gay relationships and what it’s like to be gay in a small, conservative town and the things you do to survive.
While a lot of the content is about gay men, I really liked that it was also about the queer community as whole, as well as other marginalized communities. There was good diversity in the side characters and they all felt well written and like actual characters, not just thrown in there to meet the diversity quota.
Overall, a good book, a really solid debut. There were some great lines and I highlighted a bunch of them. I’ll definitely be watching for more books from this author.
May 16, 2022
This book was a delightful journey and a remarkable debut and I'm rounding up to 5 stars.
The opening of the book is a bit . . . uncomfortable but I quickly fell into the story. I found the writing to be sharp and witty.
A great combo of subtle and not-so-subtle jokes, and a mix of over-the-top and earnest characters made this a funny and endearing read that felt just the right amount of theatrical.
There are times when Danny is unbearably frustrating - particularly at the beginning it feels like he has surrounded himself with only shitty people (except Jacob - who is awesome!) and making questionable choices. But in retrospect, it's clear why this is part of his story arc.
Ultimately, this story was about growth, self-love and discovery, community and friendship. There was a lot of examination and recognition of the struggle of growing up different and the way that affects you later in life. And also about how most of the time, everyone has their own shit that they are projecting on to you.
What stood out the most for me was the beautiful reverance for queerness and queer community:
The author's dedication shows up at the end and was just right:
I will happily read whatever he puts out next.
Content warnings: anxiety, outing, homophobia, misgendering, sexual harrassment, slurs on page, racism, xenophobia.
I received a digital Advanced Review Copy from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
The opening of the book is a bit . . . uncomfortable but I quickly fell into the story. I found the writing to be sharp and witty.
A great combo of subtle and not-so-subtle jokes, and a mix of over-the-top and earnest characters made this a funny and endearing read that felt just the right amount of theatrical.
There are times when Danny is unbearably frustrating - particularly at the beginning it feels like he has surrounded himself with only shitty people (except Jacob - who is awesome!) and making questionable choices. But in retrospect, it's clear why this is part of his story arc.
Ultimately, this story was about growth, self-love and discovery, community and friendship. There was a lot of examination and recognition of the struggle of growing up different and the way that affects you later in life. And also about how most of the time, everyone has their own shit that they are projecting on to you.
What stood out the most for me was the beautiful reverance for queerness and queer community:
"The massive task of our lives as queer people is to unpack the parts of ourselves that are truly us and the parts we've created to protect ourselves," Gin says to the mirror, with sudden sagelike wisdom. They turn around and smile at me. "Read that in a tweet once."
The author's dedication shows up at the end and was just right:
"For everyone else who's late to the party. Let's make up for lost time."
I will happily read whatever he puts out next.
Content warnings: anxiety, outing, homophobia, misgendering, sexual harrassment, slurs on page, racism, xenophobia.
I received a digital Advanced Review Copy from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
January 1, 2022
Danny, a gay man in his late 20s, has just been dumped, kicked out of his apartment, and is struggling to find himself. There were many elements that made Danny a great character. He loves plants, Dolly Parton, and my favorite, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He is uncomfortable with some parts of himself and this novel was a look into what it means to feel ok in your own skin.
I found this to be a quick read. It definitely pushed me as a reader as this was not a book I normally would have read. There were parts that were funny and I was rooting for Danny to figure things out but this really was not a book for me. It was well written but I am not the target audience for this novel.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine Books for this advanced copy.
I found this to be a quick read. It definitely pushed me as a reader as this was not a book I normally would have read. There were parts that were funny and I was rooting for Danny to figure things out but this really was not a book for me. It was well written but I am not the target audience for this novel.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine Books for this advanced copy.
May 12, 2022
I think this is one of the bigger bummers of the year for me. With a lot of readers saying it was a "queer Bridget Jones diary" I had to know, but unfortunately some of the humorous elements and story telling from our main character fell flat for me.
I received an ecopy of this through netgalley; however all opinions are my own
I received an ecopy of this through netgalley; however all opinions are my own
May 22, 2022
⭐️ This book was pretty unbearable, mostly because the main character was awful, whiny, and completely oblivious.
January 22, 2022
At first, I thought this story was going to be a quirky book full of wild and zany characters. While there certainly was that aspect to it, it also ended up being a fascinating journey of self-discovery and healing for a young man named Danny Scudd. This book could have been easily titled “The unraveling of Danny Scudd” because that’s what has to happen before our main character can pull himself together: he must totally fall apart.
Through his unraveling, Danny has to deal with internalized homophobia and learn how to live his life without hiding in the background. Up until now, he seemed to prefer being “invisible” and wasn’t one to engage in any confrontation, letting others trample all over him in the process. So in this way, parts of the story were a tad cringey. But though Danny’s journey is undoubtedly bumpy and a bit dark in places, the author portrays it in a heartfelt and humorous way that makes Danny ultimately likable and relatable. Danny’s story is layered with complexities of identity, loss, mental illness, rage, and toxic relationships that were expertly articulated in the voice of our narrator.
Throughout the pages of the book, I enjoyed seeing Danny confront his issues and slowly come to accept his identity and accept his true self. Though he does have a tough time of it — and even transforms into a major jerk at one point — his friends stand by him and guide him back to himself. Speaking of friends, the secondary characters were phenomenal, with my favorite being the larger-than-life Jacob. The clever, witty banter between the characters caused me to cackle out loud on more than one occasion, and they all added an essential element to the narrative.
All in all, I loved this complete whirlwind of a novel. It was a strange, wonderfully weird, immersive book that explores some dark themes but in a unique and fun way. Thus, it’s messy and dark but without ever falling over the edge. First Time for Everything is a poignant portrait of a journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance that really resonated with me, and I’m glad this story caught my attention.
Through his unraveling, Danny has to deal with internalized homophobia and learn how to live his life without hiding in the background. Up until now, he seemed to prefer being “invisible” and wasn’t one to engage in any confrontation, letting others trample all over him in the process. So in this way, parts of the story were a tad cringey. But though Danny’s journey is undoubtedly bumpy and a bit dark in places, the author portrays it in a heartfelt and humorous way that makes Danny ultimately likable and relatable. Danny’s story is layered with complexities of identity, loss, mental illness, rage, and toxic relationships that were expertly articulated in the voice of our narrator.
Throughout the pages of the book, I enjoyed seeing Danny confront his issues and slowly come to accept his identity and accept his true self. Though he does have a tough time of it — and even transforms into a major jerk at one point — his friends stand by him and guide him back to himself. Speaking of friends, the secondary characters were phenomenal, with my favorite being the larger-than-life Jacob. The clever, witty banter between the characters caused me to cackle out loud on more than one occasion, and they all added an essential element to the narrative.
All in all, I loved this complete whirlwind of a novel. It was a strange, wonderfully weird, immersive book that explores some dark themes but in a unique and fun way. Thus, it’s messy and dark but without ever falling over the edge. First Time for Everything is a poignant portrait of a journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance that really resonated with me, and I’m glad this story caught my attention.
May 12, 2022
This is a witty story about a young gay man trying to figure out who he truly is and what will make him happy. He has been living as everyone expects him to be and not living as who he wants to be. I really liked all of the characters, especially the friends! Jacob was a great friend, even when Daniel was being a crappy friend to them.
I think it was a good story about figuring out your identity and the amount of screwing up that can go into that which many readers could identify with. I think the use of anxiety was relevant and helped better explained Daniel’s questionable behavior. It did feel like it went on longer than needed at times but overall a solid hilariously worded read!
I think it was a good story about figuring out your identity and the amount of screwing up that can go into that which many readers could identify with. I think the use of anxiety was relevant and helped better explained Daniel’s questionable behavior. It did feel like it went on longer than needed at times but overall a solid hilariously worded read!
May 10, 2022
First Time for Everything is the chaotic and joyful story of a man on the brink. Danny is not having a good time. This holds true for most of the book. From discovering his partner hasn’t been monogamous (as he assumed), a brush with illness, and desperately needing a new housing situation- Danny is about to implode. He may make it through, but only with the help of his best friend Jacob, their flatmates, and a new therapist.
This is a book with a breakneck pace, not in terms of plot, but humor and dialogue. So much of it is blink and you’ll miss it! I do see the comparison to Bridget Jones, though this led me to believe there would be more of a focus on romance. And there is, but Danny primarily goes on a journey of self-acceptance towards himself and identifying as a gay man. I loved the wisdom laced through pages, about the work queer people must do to acknowledge their trauma and in many cases their privilege.
First Time for Everything is a book that pulls no punches, yet successfully balances heavy content with lots of tongue-in-cheek humor. I would recommend this for readers who enjoy lots of witty banter, found family, and fabulous LGBTQ+ characters. And of course, Dolly Parton fans. Thank you to Henry Fry, Ballantine Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a book with a breakneck pace, not in terms of plot, but humor and dialogue. So much of it is blink and you’ll miss it! I do see the comparison to Bridget Jones, though this led me to believe there would be more of a focus on romance. And there is, but Danny primarily goes on a journey of self-acceptance towards himself and identifying as a gay man. I loved the wisdom laced through pages, about the work queer people must do to acknowledge their trauma and in many cases their privilege.
First Time for Everything is a book that pulls no punches, yet successfully balances heavy content with lots of tongue-in-cheek humor. I would recommend this for readers who enjoy lots of witty banter, found family, and fabulous LGBTQ+ characters. And of course, Dolly Parton fans. Thank you to Henry Fry, Ballantine Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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