Firsts Taken: A Forbidden Why Choose Romance

by James Reese Bordings

Still carrying my v-card at twenty years old wasn’t supposed to be the plan.

I’ve never even been kissed, and it’s all because of the two boys I’ve been attached to since childhood: my best friend, Renford Sultreno—the ultimate serial bachelor—and my stepbrother, Vanderbilt Springs.

We’ve never spent more than a day apart. But with them around, no guy has ever made it within a ten-yard radius of me.

Not that I minded before.

They’re my world—my very platonic world—but I also don’t want to stay a virgin forever.

So I make Ren an offer: teach me everything he knows and take all of my firsts in secret.

What starts as a private arrangement quickly spirals into something far more complicated. Because somewhere between stolen touches, blurred boundaries, and hidden feelings, I find myself torn between the thrilling connection with Renford and an unspoken bond with Vanderbilt… who has some secrets of his own.

Am I making the biggest mistake of my life with Ren? Will Vanderbilt find out what I’ve been keeping from him?

In the end, will I lose the two people I can’t live without?

🍒 Virgin FMC

🍒 MMF / Why Choose

🍒 Friends to Lovers

🍒 Stepsiblings

Firsts Taken is a high-heat MMF/why choose romance with three POVs, taboo themes, and a guaranteed HEA.

This is the first book in The Pretentious Prénoms Club series. Each novel can be read as a standalone but is best enjoyed when read in order.

Please check content warnings before reading.

378 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 22, 2026

Reviews

[Chris Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spicy and Sweet

I am shocked that this is the author’s first published book because it is so good. The characters are funny, witty, and so well written. There’s just enough angst and conflict to keep the book interesting but not sooo much that it gets annoying. And the spice was spicing!! This book was delicious and I devoured it in one sitting. I cannot wait for Bordings to release her next book. This is definitely an author I will follow!

[Mikka Hmg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please FILL my….. roster 🫦

I started Firsts Taken thinking I’d read a little before bed. Cute. Delusional behavior on my part. 😭

This book had me kicking my feet, clutching my Kindle like it contained state secrets, and aggressively ignoring my responsibilities. The chemistry? Illegal. The tension? Criminal. My emotional stability? Missing.

I loved every second of it.

10/10 would gladly lose sleep again. Cannot WAIT to start the next one because apparently peace was never an option for me anymore. JRB please keep feeding my addiction. 📖✨

[Jordan Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

SOOOO good for a debut!!!

[Alyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a debut novel, I was BLOWN away. I tore through this and the spice - WHEW child!

Just the right amount of Taboo. Looking forward to the next story 😀

[Danielle Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a one sitting read. There was a mix of spice, intrigue and romance. Would highly recommend!