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For the First Time: A sapphic small town secret love/first love romance set in the 90's
Tess Daniels thought she was broken.Home for the summer after a year away in New York, her small Wyoming town knows her business better than she does. Tess has always assumed her lack of interest in boys meant something was missing in her. Love, desire, that spark everyone else seems to talk about, it’s never belonged to her.
Until one bonfire changes everything.
Katy Werner is new to town, with a confidence and blue eyes that Tess can’t seem to look away from. One shared glance becomes a current Tess doesn’t know how to name, let alone fight. Because wanting Katy doesn’t just rewrite what Tess thought she knew about herself…it threatens everything else. Her family. Her friendships. Her place in a town that watches everything, judges everyone, and never forgets a single thing.
Katy knows better than to hope. She’s learned how quickly small towns turn dangerous when you don’t fit. But Tess, with her curiosity, her honesty, and the way she looks at Katy like the world just tilted, makes walking away harder than staying. And some loves, once sparked, refuse to be put out.
Set in the 1990s against wide skies, dirt roads, and whispered rules, For the First Time is a tender, slow-burn sapphic romance about first love, finding yourself, and how the right arms won’t let go.
Some love stories don’t fade.
They learn to live in the dark.
Until one bonfire changes everything.
Katy Werner is new to town, with a confidence and blue eyes that Tess can’t seem to look away from. One shared glance becomes a current Tess doesn’t know how to name, let alone fight. Because wanting Katy doesn’t just rewrite what Tess thought she knew about herself…it threatens everything else. Her family. Her friendships. Her place in a town that watches everything, judges everyone, and never forgets a single thing.
Katy knows better than to hope. She’s learned how quickly small towns turn dangerous when you don’t fit. But Tess, with her curiosity, her honesty, and the way she looks at Katy like the world just tilted, makes walking away harder than staying. And some loves, once sparked, refuse to be put out.
Set in the 1990s against wide skies, dirt roads, and whispered rules, For the First Time is a tender, slow-burn sapphic romance about first love, finding yourself, and how the right arms won’t let go.
Some love stories don’t fade.
They learn to live in the dark.
396 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 11, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 15, 2026
I was expecting a light-hearted coming of age book set in the 90s…. not to get my heart ripped out of my chest. This book is such a hidden gem. I’m pretty sure I felt every emotion possible.
This book shows the reality of life in a small religious town where families are torn apart simply because of someone loving who they love.
Tess and Katy’s love story was so beautiful. Their relationship was so raw, so real, and so pure. Huge props to the author for creating a love that felt so real between two young girls figuring themselves out. I was so proud of Tess every chapter, she fought and fought and didn’t let anyone tell her who she was.
Life isn’t a work of fiction, and reality does come crashing down.
This book shows the reality of life in a small religious town where families are torn apart simply because of someone loving who they love.
Tess and Katy’s love story was so beautiful. Their relationship was so raw, so real, and so pure. Huge props to the author for creating a love that felt so real between two young girls figuring themselves out. I was so proud of Tess every chapter, she fought and fought and didn’t let anyone tell her who she was.
Life isn’t a work of fiction, and reality does come crashing down.
June 3, 2026
This story is incredibly relatable, raw, and at times absolutely harrowing. Rebecca Dayle doesn't shy away from the difficult realities of life, love, and human emotion, and that honesty is what makes this book so powerful. The characters feel real, their struggles feel real, and as a reader I found myself completely invested in every moment.
One of my favourite parts of the book is how Rebecca breaks the fourth wall. Normally this can feel cheesy or pull me out of a story, but here it does the exact opposite. It adds to the magic of the novel, creating an intimacy between the reader and the author that makes the emotional moments hit even harder.
This book took me on a complete emotional roller coaster. I laughed, I cried, I felt hopeful, heartbroken and frustrated sometimes all within a few chapters. Very few books have the ability to make me feel so deeply, but For the First Time achieved exactly that.
What makes this novel stand out is its authenticity. It isn't polished to the point of feeling unrealistic; instead, it embraces the messy, complicated nature of life and relationships. That honesty is what makes it unforgettable.
One of my favourite parts of the book is how Rebecca breaks the fourth wall. Normally this can feel cheesy or pull me out of a story, but here it does the exact opposite. It adds to the magic of the novel, creating an intimacy between the reader and the author that makes the emotional moments hit even harder.
This book took me on a complete emotional roller coaster. I laughed, I cried, I felt hopeful, heartbroken and frustrated sometimes all within a few chapters. Very few books have the ability to make me feel so deeply, but For the First Time achieved exactly that.
What makes this novel stand out is its authenticity. It isn't polished to the point of feeling unrealistic; instead, it embraces the messy, complicated nature of life and relationships. That honesty is what makes it unforgettable.
January 31, 2026
Fall in love!!
I went into reading this book thinking "some light reading for a glue January day". I came away having fallen in love with book characters! The fact that it has taken this long for a relatable storyline for those of us in same sex relationships always baffled me. The thing was, they were waiting for Rebecca Dayne to write it! This new author came right out of the gate with a winner. The book is for EVERYONE, but feeling included for once is definitely the cherry on top! Loved the perspective writing style and thankfully book 2 is done, or our girl would have left us hanging for more! So make sure you buy both!!!
I went into reading this book thinking "some light reading for a glue January day". I came away having fallen in love with book characters! The fact that it has taken this long for a relatable storyline for those of us in same sex relationships always baffled me. The thing was, they were waiting for Rebecca Dayne to write it! This new author came right out of the gate with a winner. The book is for EVERYONE, but feeling included for once is definitely the cherry on top! Loved the perspective writing style and thankfully book 2 is done, or our girl would have left us hanging for more! So make sure you buy both!!!
May 24, 2026
This was not the light coming of age romance I assumed I'd be reading. Dayle tells the store from a unique prospective and breaks the fourth wall in "For the First Time." It felt like Tess and Katy were telling their love story to a new friend. Dayle did an amazing job of capturing the nerves and fear of discovering your sexuality and falling in love in a rural, uber religious small town. The ending was heartbreaking. Cannot wait to start the sequel.
September 3, 2026
An easy 5 stars.
Funny story - I got confused and somehow ended up reading the sequel before this one. Weirdly, it worked as a standalone. I definitely felt like I was missing some background, but all things considered, I was impressed by how much I could feel and infer about their love story as teenagers just from the sheer emotion in the writing. So that's saying something...
Anyway, imagine my surprise when at 90% into the sequel I realize there's... a first book. Lol. I let myself finish the 2nd anyway, and honestly, I loved doing it this way around. Knowing the ending, knowing they get their happily ever after, made this heart-wrenching first instalment so much easier to bear. It also made a lot of things click into place. I loved experiencing it in hindsight — like one big flashback, already knowing it all turns out okay.
But what a beautiful love story, goddamn. Talk about true love and soulmates — this one nails the concept. The writing is exceptional. The narration pulls you in and doesn't let go. Every glance is electric, and I felt it from head to toe. This book is pretty much the "Being in love for dummies" book. Think back to your first love, or your true love, or your only love - yeah, it's that. It's intense, it's thoughts of her that invade your brain every second of the day, it's falling asleep daydreaming about her, and waking up before dawn running to her, and missing her every minute you're not with her.
Am I a little frustrated they couldn't figure it out before 20 years passed? Yeah, honestly. I mean — Tess could have found her way back home, moved in with Katy and her dad, gotten a job. Katy could have just picked up the phone. Or, maybe, they could have done long distance for four years. I know it's not that simple in the '90s, but come on... it's not impossible.
But okay, love doesn't always turn out that way, and it would've made for a less dramatic story, so so be it.
I loved it anyway. Felt it in my bones. Believed every word those characters said. They're beautiful, mature, wholesome characters. Katy in particular is just about the best human ever written, and I could not get enough of her — kind, patient, compassionate, strong, pretty much the partner everyone dreams of being with.
I will cherish this book. Shelving it as one of my favorites. What a ride.
Funny story - I got confused and somehow ended up reading the sequel before this one. Weirdly, it worked as a standalone. I definitely felt like I was missing some background, but all things considered, I was impressed by how much I could feel and infer about their love story as teenagers just from the sheer emotion in the writing. So that's saying something...
Anyway, imagine my surprise when at 90% into the sequel I realize there's... a first book. Lol. I let myself finish the 2nd anyway, and honestly, I loved doing it this way around. Knowing the ending, knowing they get their happily ever after, made this heart-wrenching first instalment so much easier to bear. It also made a lot of things click into place. I loved experiencing it in hindsight — like one big flashback, already knowing it all turns out okay.
But what a beautiful love story, goddamn. Talk about true love and soulmates — this one nails the concept. The writing is exceptional. The narration pulls you in and doesn't let go. Every glance is electric, and I felt it from head to toe. This book is pretty much the "Being in love for dummies" book. Think back to your first love, or your true love, or your only love - yeah, it's that. It's intense, it's thoughts of her that invade your brain every second of the day, it's falling asleep daydreaming about her, and waking up before dawn running to her, and missing her every minute you're not with her.
Am I a little frustrated they couldn't figure it out before 20 years passed? Yeah, honestly. I mean — Tess could have found her way back home, moved in with Katy and her dad, gotten a job. Katy could have just picked up the phone. Or, maybe, they could have done long distance for four years. I know it's not that simple in the '90s, but come on... it's not impossible.
But okay, love doesn't always turn out that way, and it would've made for a less dramatic story, so so be it.
I loved it anyway. Felt it in my bones. Believed every word those characters said. They're beautiful, mature, wholesome characters. Katy in particular is just about the best human ever written, and I could not get enough of her — kind, patient, compassionate, strong, pretty much the partner everyone dreams of being with.
I will cherish this book. Shelving it as one of my favorites. What a ride.
October 15, 2026
There is so much more to this story than I expected -- two fully realized FMCs and so SO much sapphic yearning. Tess is a rare breed of main character you find while reading sapphic fiction. She has doubts, wants, and even flaws; she feels like someone the reader can relate to or someone the reader may know.
I may be in the minority who loves the ending. There is something in keeping the integrity of the characters instead of throwing it all away just for the sake of a happy ending. I enjoyed that this book could have happened two towns over and not in some perfect utopia. This is beautiful writing and I'm eager to see what else Rebecca Dayle has to offer this genre.
I may be in the minority who loves the ending. There is something in keeping the integrity of the characters instead of throwing it all away just for the sake of a happy ending. I enjoyed that this book could have happened two towns over and not in some perfect utopia. This is beautiful writing and I'm eager to see what else Rebecca Dayle has to offer this genre.
April 21, 2026
Rebecca writes literary magic! You are a part of this story and are invested. These characters are so endearing. It is an absolute phenomenal read and it speaks volumes to her talent because it is a genre I never thought I would be interested in. Excellently done!Love this story and these characters so very much!A Must Read!
September 10, 2026
I read this book back in June and think about it constantly. No book has come close to making me feel the way this book makes me feel. I have been in a reading slump for months with no end in sight. The love and chemistry between these two MCs is undeniable. This book had me smiling and crying. Please give this book a read you won't regret it.
February 8, 2026
I really liked the writing in this book. A bit melodramatic, but with a certain poetry to it, and there's nothing wrong with that. Good character development, a few stereotypes, but satisfying. The lesbian longing was well done, and the FMCs chemistry is very good. Looking forward to book two.
October 31, 2026
a different writing style than what i’m used to, this feels like an autobiography. i enjoyed this story so much, it was so emotional. a rollercoaster of ups and downs. i’m immediately jumping into book two.
February 28, 2026
Ahhh nothing like young first love… realistic heartbreak & yearning.. really really good book! Starting on the 2nd one now!
August 20, 2026
Don’t love the writing style
October 7, 2026
Young ❤️
I’m so in love with Katy and I’m so heartbroken for these girls! I’m so ready for book two because I can’t live like this!!!
I’m so in love with Katy and I’m so heartbroken for these girls! I’m so ready for book two because I can’t live like this!!!
May 1, 2026
I came back ten days after I finished this book to write a review… I cannot stop thinking about Tess and Katy. Finishing the first book had my heart in a vise and finishing the second made my heart happy. Loved the roller coaster that’s for sure.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews