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First Impressions #1
First Impressions
College romance isn't that complicated. When you can read people like a book, what else is there to know? Marzia Benagli wasn't impressed with Dylan, not that he was lacking attention from every other girl around. But what happens when you find out your first impressions were wrong?
Dylan may have been the object of any other college girl's dreams, but Zia's first impressions of him left her less than impressed. A chance meeting in a coffee shop off campus leads Zia to offer her psychology skills to help Dylan get out of his own way and meet girls with more to offer than just a pretty face. Seeing a different side of Dylan brings about a change of heart, but with their arrangement underway, it might be too little, too late.
Book 1: First Impressions (Zia's POV)
Book 2: Second Thoughts (Dylan's POV)
Dylan may have been the object of any other college girl's dreams, but Zia's first impressions of him left her less than impressed. A chance meeting in a coffee shop off campus leads Zia to offer her psychology skills to help Dylan get out of his own way and meet girls with more to offer than just a pretty face. Seeing a different side of Dylan brings about a change of heart, but with their arrangement underway, it might be too little, too late.
Book 1: First Impressions (Zia's POV)
Book 2: Second Thoughts (Dylan's POV)
Audiobook
Published September 15, 2016
5 people are currently reading
223 people want to read
About the author
Nicole R. Locker
23 books257 followersNicole R. Locker is a social worker by day and author by night, writing about strong women and the hunky Heroes brave enough to take them on. She's an avid lover of pit bull softies, Scottish accents, and audiobooks. She lives in Lubbock, Texas, with her nephew and three dogs. Find her at www.nicolerlocker.com.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 31, 2016
I liked this book a lot! Do you know how you are watching a movie and you are so emotionally invested in a character ... and she is so oblivious to what's happening around her? That's what I felt like with Zia. (In my head) I was yelling, "ZIA! DYLAN!! DUH!" And then there's that little scary twist that makes everything come to a head. All in all, I thought it was a good short little romance novel. I will definitely be interested in reading "Second Thoughts"!! I loved Dylan's character. It is nice to see a main man who isn't an a-hole ;)
May 31, 2016
This is a Goodreads win review. This is Zia who enjoys people watching and she is watching an wealthy playboy who has a big ego. By this time though he knows he is not finding the right girls and enlists her help to find a good one. It is a really cute story.
January 5, 2019
Great short story!
This story has such a great title! It fit perfectly with the theme. It did take a bit for me to get into the story, but once I did, I couldn’t wait to see how it ended! I would’ve loved to read POVs from Dylan’s side, but it was great with Zia. She was super easy to like. Enjoyable short story. I definitely recommend reading it.
This story has such a great title! It fit perfectly with the theme. It did take a bit for me to get into the story, but once I did, I couldn’t wait to see how it ended! I would’ve loved to read POVs from Dylan’s side, but it was great with Zia. She was super easy to like. Enjoyable short story. I definitely recommend reading it.
March 13, 2017
Check out this review, and many more, on my blog https://jessjesinghaus.wordpress.com
4.5 out of 5 stars
First Impressions and Second Thoughts are a pair of romance novellas following the characters Marzia "Zia" and Dylan. Each novella is told first person from one of the characters' perspectives. Zia is our narrator for F.I. and Dylan for S.T. I'm reviewing these two together as they create a full-color tapestry. Alone, they are both a great read, but together they're fabulous!
I really liked how the author was able to stay true to the story and dialogues between the two tellings, while maintaining unique character voice for each of the narrators. It was a cute plot device with a couple fun twists thrown in. A particular treat is in store for readers when they get to Second Thoughts and find out what Dylan was doing while he talked with the girls Zia tried to point him toward. So sweet!
These two are absolutely a must read if you're looking for a sweet romance.
4.5 out of 5 stars
First Impressions and Second Thoughts are a pair of romance novellas following the characters Marzia "Zia" and Dylan. Each novella is told first person from one of the characters' perspectives. Zia is our narrator for F.I. and Dylan for S.T. I'm reviewing these two together as they create a full-color tapestry. Alone, they are both a great read, but together they're fabulous!
I really liked how the author was able to stay true to the story and dialogues between the two tellings, while maintaining unique character voice for each of the narrators. It was a cute plot device with a couple fun twists thrown in. A particular treat is in store for readers when they get to Second Thoughts and find out what Dylan was doing while he talked with the girls Zia tried to point him toward. So sweet!
These two are absolutely a must read if you're looking for a sweet romance.
August 31, 2016
Reviewed by: Annie Arcane
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
Initial thoughts:
Well-paced college romance with a cute premise. Part one, told from the heroine’s perspective.
What I loved:
The pacing was perfect. I’d wager a bet that Locker did some meticulous planning to map out this story because it kept on moving and didn’t drag even once. No easy task, especially in the short scope of a novella.
Even though this book is told from Zia’s POV, the few glimpses into Dylan’s thoughts were sheer brilliance. They conveyed his emotions in so few words and made me believe in their chemistry. The scene where he offered to treat her to a burger? I grabbed my pom-poms and joined Team Dylan.
Chapter nine was wonderful. The dynamic between Dylan and Zia was so crystal clear that I couldn’t help but root for them.
My favorite paragraph: Short and oh-so-sweet.
What left me wanting:
While Zia was extremely likable, I found her character to be a bit “mechanically” written and had difficulty connecting with her emotions. I found myself wishing for more showing versus telling because when Locker did it, she did it well!
Something was also lacking for me with their “agreement.” I wasn’t convinced by Zia’s motivation; more background about the psychology behind her decision might have helped. In the end, she came off as more of a wing(wo)man than a teacher.
Lastly, the detailed descriptions of clothing often took me out of the story and had me wondering, “Why do I care what so-and-so is wearing?” There were a few grammatical errors and run-on sentences as well, but nothing that took away from the story.
Overall, a quick and enjoyable read!
Final thoughts:
I would recommend this novella to readers looking for a light-hearted college romance with likable characters.
NOTE: I highly recommend the sequel, Second Thoughts!
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
Initial thoughts:
Well-paced college romance with a cute premise. Part one, told from the heroine’s perspective.
What I loved:
The pacing was perfect. I’d wager a bet that Locker did some meticulous planning to map out this story because it kept on moving and didn’t drag even once. No easy task, especially in the short scope of a novella.
Even though this book is told from Zia’s POV, the few glimpses into Dylan’s thoughts were sheer brilliance. They conveyed his emotions in so few words and made me believe in their chemistry. The scene where he offered to treat her to a burger? I grabbed my pom-poms and joined Team Dylan.
Chapter nine was wonderful. The dynamic between Dylan and Zia was so crystal clear that I couldn’t help but root for them.
My favorite paragraph: Short and oh-so-sweet.
What left me wanting:
While Zia was extremely likable, I found her character to be a bit “mechanically” written and had difficulty connecting with her emotions. I found myself wishing for more showing versus telling because when Locker did it, she did it well!
Something was also lacking for me with their “agreement.” I wasn’t convinced by Zia’s motivation; more background about the psychology behind her decision might have helped. In the end, she came off as more of a wing(wo)man than a teacher.
Lastly, the detailed descriptions of clothing often took me out of the story and had me wondering, “Why do I care what so-and-so is wearing?” There were a few grammatical errors and run-on sentences as well, but nothing that took away from the story.
Overall, a quick and enjoyable read!
Final thoughts:
I would recommend this novella to readers looking for a light-hearted college romance with likable characters.
NOTE: I highly recommend the sequel, Second Thoughts!
September 26, 2016
So, this was a wonderful romance I read over the weekend. Pretty much spent my Friday night reading it well into Saturday morning (◔◡◔)
The storyline pulled me in, and I fell in love with Zia & Dylan. I liked how it's not your usual "guy meets girl" kind of story and they're all of a sudden in love, but rather a slow build, a friendship forming. In my honest opinion, those are the best kind of relationships to have!
The author does a great job at setting the stage - in college, the hangouts, the dialogue, the descriptions... It all worked for me, no exceptions!
Zia & Dylan are also complex characters, both motivated by more than just "animal lust", and I loved the intricacies in their interactions. Again, the slow build into a "romantic" interest was what really did it for me in the story, and set it apart from others.
My only regret is that it was a novella, as I kept wanting to read. When I was done, I wasn’t quite done with the characters, and that's when you know a book really "did it" for you. I wanted to keep reading, and was happy to have Second Thoughts to look forward to.
*I received a free copy of the book in exchange for my true. honest and unbiased opinion*
The storyline pulled me in, and I fell in love with Zia & Dylan. I liked how it's not your usual "guy meets girl" kind of story and they're all of a sudden in love, but rather a slow build, a friendship forming. In my honest opinion, those are the best kind of relationships to have!
The author does a great job at setting the stage - in college, the hangouts, the dialogue, the descriptions... It all worked for me, no exceptions!
Zia & Dylan are also complex characters, both motivated by more than just "animal lust", and I loved the intricacies in their interactions. Again, the slow build into a "romantic" interest was what really did it for me in the story, and set it apart from others.
My only regret is that it was a novella, as I kept wanting to read. When I was done, I wasn’t quite done with the characters, and that's when you know a book really "did it" for you. I wanted to keep reading, and was happy to have Second Thoughts to look forward to.
*I received a free copy of the book in exchange for my true. honest and unbiased opinion*
September 25, 2016
I know it's advertised as a novella, but I wish it was longer. Zia and Dylan have chemistry and I wanted more time with them.
June 7, 2016
First Impressions is a great, cute, chic book and best of all a short read! It is a wonderful read for young adults, especially ones who are in the dating game! This book is told from the females point of view, the second will be the males point of view, and I can't wait for it!! The author really made it easy to be able to put yourself into the characters situation, which I truly think that always makes for a good book! Thank you Nicole for the chance to read and review this book, keep up the great work!
December 30, 2016
I enjoyed reading this book. It's a college romance that sort of starts as friendship. It flows so easily that I finished reading it in a day. I give out 3 1/2 stars.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews