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A Blossom Valley Book #14
Love at First Sight
As the new girl in town, Janine Anderson had no way of knowing that she had just flipped over one of the most popular boys in school. Craig Matthews was a public figure, a star athlete already dating a cheerleader.
When an after-school job brought Janine and Craig together, Janine's happiness knew no bounds. But being friends with Craig turned out to be more complicated than Janine expected -- especially when a jealous classmate stirred up rumors that came between them.
When an after-school job brought Janine and Craig together, Janine's happiness knew no bounds. But being friends with Craig turned out to be more complicated than Janine expected -- especially when a jealous classmate stirred up rumors that came between them.
188 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1981
95 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 8, 2012
This is a constant re-read since first reading it when I was 12. It is kind of like a candy bar -- good old reliable junk food for the brain. I appreciated that Janine took a lot of responsibility for her grades and finances but the parents were, like, nowhere except to complain about the cost of living... there was nothing even listed about their reaction to her winning the foreign exchange scholarship ... but maybe she didn't tell them, the way she didn't tell them about getting fired from the Weichers and starting at the Creamery. And again, that meme of "she didn't want to appear too smart to him or it would turn him off" thing --- ugh!.
A family friend who was 26 found it on my shelf when I was 14 so she could see "what the kids were reading" and without any irony or rancor, she said, "Did you like this book?". I said yes, and she read me a few lines, such as "how could nature have produced such virile perfection" and I cringed (yes, even at 14!)and said, "I skip that stuff, it is really just the dialogue I like".
Alas, this was the start of the Blossom Valley series in which everyone has to be matched with someone with an alliterative first name (so Adele pairs with Art, Sarah pairs with Steve, etc.) or I guess either the authors or the readers would not be able to keep track of them.
And something wonderful drove Harper to write the "What REALLY happens to couples like Janine and Craig" in the sequel where that idyllic life of owning a house full of kids and him doing the chores while she is baking cookies a la Weichers is replaced by the reality of a lazy, irresponsible husband, a screaming baby, a small apartment and a working mom who can't believe how that cute guy can't manage to wipe a dish, cook a meal, or take care of the baby without near killing him. Just replacing one sterotype with another, I guess.
A family friend who was 26 found it on my shelf when I was 14 so she could see "what the kids were reading" and without any irony or rancor, she said, "Did you like this book?". I said yes, and she read me a few lines, such as "how could nature have produced such virile perfection" and I cringed (yes, even at 14!)and said, "I skip that stuff, it is really just the dialogue I like".
Alas, this was the start of the Blossom Valley series in which everyone has to be matched with someone with an alliterative first name (so Adele pairs with Art, Sarah pairs with Steve, etc.) or I guess either the authors or the readers would not be able to keep track of them.
And something wonderful drove Harper to write the "What REALLY happens to couples like Janine and Craig" in the sequel where that idyllic life of owning a house full of kids and him doing the chores while she is baking cookies a la Weichers is replaced by the reality of a lazy, irresponsible husband, a screaming baby, a small apartment and a working mom who can't believe how that cute guy can't manage to wipe a dish, cook a meal, or take care of the baby without near killing him. Just replacing one sterotype with another, I guess.
April 9, 2009
This is one of the more intense First Love books. I remember being so drawn in and how intense the feelings were. I think this book is geared towards older teens who can envision the idea that one might meet the person that one would want to spend a lifetime with. My sister owned the books and I read hers, but she let me have this one and the two sequels. One of my favorites.
March 9, 2018
Huh, that was...interesting. Janine falls for celebrity/god Craig and constructs a shrine to him after meeting him once. For his part, Craig was an overbearing jackass so I didn’t feel too bad for him that he was likely to end up chained in Janine’s basement. Plus, my inner editor gave up the ghost about midway through. Terribly written teen novel about unpleasant, off-putting characters. I suggest passing on this one.
March 10, 2022
This book hits all the teen romance tropes from the 80s and early 90s - instant attraction, nerd/athlete mismatch, tutoring, school spirit, afterschool jobs, misunderstandings, reunions, and a happy ending. Oh, and let's not forget the ombré prom dress (which in my imagination is still one of the most gorgeous dresses ever).
This was one of my comfort reads when I was in high school. The school library had a copy, and I think I was the only one to check it out in all my years as a student there. Many years later, and I regret that I didn't steal the book when I had the chance. Hoping that if I find a copy it's satisfying as I remember.
This was one of my comfort reads when I was in high school. The school library had a copy, and I think I was the only one to check it out in all my years as a student there. Many years later, and I regret that I didn't steal the book when I had the chance. Hoping that if I find a copy it's satisfying as I remember.
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January 18, 2023I can't rate this, because I read it back around 87 when it was reissued.
But it cracks me up, because when I read it, I read the fmc's name as Jay-nine. LOL
But it cracks me up, because when I read it, I read the fmc's name as Jay-nine. LOL
September 1, 2007
I read this book when I was 13 years old and it was sooo romantic (back then), especially the Boz Scaggs soundtrack. I bought a Boz cassette. Another example of how I was warped by reading cheesy books.
February 24, 2008
I read almost of all the books by First love from Silhouette when I was very young.
July 8, 2010
I loved this book when I was in high school.
August 10, 2011
One of my first intense love books. I still remember it after more then 25 yrs.
September 13, 2014
read this as a teen
March 10, 2016
Great teen book. Timeless even for today's teen.
January 7, 2014
Another favorite.
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July 4, 2018Was it an impossible love ?
As the new girl in town, Janine Anderson had no way of knowing that she had just flipped over one of the most popular boys in school. Craig Matthews was a public figure, a star athlete already dating a cheerleader.
When an after-school job brought Janine and Craig together, Janine's happiness knew no bounds. But being friends with Craig turned out to be more complicated than Janine expected -- especially when a jealous classmate stirred up rumors that came between them.
As the new girl in town, Janine Anderson had no way of knowing that she had just flipped over one of the most popular boys in school. Craig Matthews was a public figure, a star athlete already dating a cheerleader.
When an after-school job brought Janine and Craig together, Janine's happiness knew no bounds. But being friends with Craig turned out to be more complicated than Janine expected -- especially when a jealous classmate stirred up rumors that came between them.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews