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A First for Everything
Mike Reed's whole life changed the moment a sixteen year old kid showed up on his doorstep claiming to be his son. There was no denying it really, the kid looked just like him. Even though Mike never knew Calvin existed, he couldn’t throw him out.
While Mike and Calvin got adjusted into their new life together, Mike’s life was thrown another loop when Tyler Ford, his brother's gay police partner, propositioned him. Up until then, Mike had only been with women. But something about Ty had Mike turned inside out.
Things got dicey when Mike's bar was robbed at gun point. People got shot and his good friend and bartender ended up dead. Mike's emotions were hanging on by a thread when only a week later Ty was injured on the job. With a couple of close calls, Mike and Ty couldn't deny that they'd fallen in love with each other. Mike hadn't expected his life to turn out this way, but he was damn happy that it did.
While Mike and Calvin got adjusted into their new life together, Mike’s life was thrown another loop when Tyler Ford, his brother's gay police partner, propositioned him. Up until then, Mike had only been with women. But something about Ty had Mike turned inside out.
Things got dicey when Mike's bar was robbed at gun point. People got shot and his good friend and bartender ended up dead. Mike's emotions were hanging on by a thread when only a week later Ty was injured on the job. With a couple of close calls, Mike and Ty couldn't deny that they'd fallen in love with each other. Mike hadn't expected his life to turn out this way, but he was damn happy that it did.
- GenresM M RomanceGay For You
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 3, 2019
26 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Andria Large
34 books877 followersAndria Large is a traditionally published and self-published contemporary romance author. She doesn’t always follow the rules, so you will find both M/F and M/M books mixed into some of her series.
Henry from the Beck Brothers Series was the first book she self-published. Not expecting anything to really come of it, she was shocked to find the book caught wind and readers were asking for more. Writing books was not something she had set out to do. She wrote stories for herself, as a hobby. Now that it has become her career, she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Andria grew up in Philadelphia, but now lives in New Jersey with her two daughters and wonderfully supportive husband, who frequently accompanies her at signings. The events that she attends every year are one of her favorite things about being an author. She loves meeting and conversing with her readers, but also enjoys finding new ones.
Andria considers herself open and friendly, so feel free to send her a message if you have a question or just want to chat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
May 6, 2019
This wasn t bad but it wasn t good either. It didn t flow normaly, it s like the chapters were put together without having a glue holding them. MC finds out he has a son, 5 minutes later he is the best dad ever and their relationship is perfect. MC was never atracted to guys but after the second MC makes a move he just dives into gay life like no biggie. I adore hurt/comfort it s my favorite thing but come on flu,heart attack, robbed, shot, guned down....give it a rest, the characters got over everything that happened so quickly. One chapter he is shot, the other he is fine the third someone has a heart attack. 🤷🏻♀️
May 8, 2019
I liked this book when it first started, but then the drama started to get out of control. I can understand a couple moments of drama. I get it's purpose, however, there was no time for the reader to fully grasp it before another dramatic moment occurred, and it was one after the other. It became unnecessary and annoying.
The whole bar scene with Carson served no true purpose for the story because there were 5 things that happened after that. There were numerous trips to the hospital because of something or another. All that drama took over the love story and it completely lost its appeal for me. Shame. I really liked Mike's and Ty's relationship.
Could have seriously done without a father telling his son to get his gf "soaking wet" though, that was bit much. The whole referring to one of the female characters as "that" peeved me off. Do not refer to human beings as objects. Just do not. It serves no purpose but to make the character come off as a turd.
The thing with another character having to chose between one brother or the other, was somewhat off putting. Mostly, because each man thought scoring the hot single girl would be a cool game to play. At least that is how it read.
Another thing, these characters must have "rolled their lips to keep from laughing" at least 6 times. Not to the level of EL James' skill for repetition, mind you, but the effort was noticed.
This had so much potential. So much. I really did like how it started, but I could not tolerate how it devolved into this soap opera of a story. I loved how easily accepting Mike's family was. How great Cal was. Ultimately, the book just lost me because the author crammed so much into that I lost the main point of the story itself.
The whole bar scene with Carson served no true purpose for the story because there were 5 things that happened after that. There were numerous trips to the hospital because of something or another. All that drama took over the love story and it completely lost its appeal for me. Shame. I really liked Mike's and Ty's relationship.
Could have seriously done without a father telling his son to get his gf "soaking wet" though, that was bit much. The whole referring to one of the female characters as "that" peeved me off. Do not refer to human beings as objects. Just do not. It serves no purpose but to make the character come off as a turd.
The thing with another character having to chose between one brother or the other, was somewhat off putting. Mostly, because each man thought scoring the hot single girl would be a cool game to play. At least that is how it read.
Another thing, these characters must have "rolled their lips to keep from laughing" at least 6 times. Not to the level of EL James' skill for repetition, mind you, but the effort was noticed.
This had so much potential. So much. I really did like how it started, but I could not tolerate how it devolved into this soap opera of a story. I loved how easily accepting Mike's family was. How great Cal was. Ultimately, the book just lost me because the author crammed so much into that I lost the main point of the story itself.
May 12, 2019
This wasn’t bad but it also wasn’t good.
Calvin shows up on his father’s doorstep and suddenly Mike is Dad Of The Century. No struggles, no adjustment problems. Not very realistic and also boring.
Ty and Mike were hot I’ll give you that, but a gay guy propositioning a straight guy who jumps in without any doubts?
Then there was all this random drama. I love drama but it was like the writer had a few drama topics and sprinkled it on the story.
Also all the women in this story are constantly judged by their looks. Even the teens are complimented by the adults (the family) which felt a bit creepy the way it was written down.
At the end I was bored, counting the pages...
Calvin shows up on his father’s doorstep and suddenly Mike is Dad Of The Century. No struggles, no adjustment problems. Not very realistic and also boring.
Ty and Mike were hot I’ll give you that, but a gay guy propositioning a straight guy who jumps in without any doubts?
Then there was all this random drama. I love drama but it was like the writer had a few drama topics and sprinkled it on the story.
Also all the women in this story are constantly judged by their looks. Even the teens are complimented by the adults (the family) which felt a bit creepy the way it was written down.
At the end I was bored, counting the pages...
May 26, 2019
*´¨✫)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨)✯ ¸.•*¨)
✮ (¸.•´✶ (¸.•Def 5 star with heat!!!
The knock on his door changed his life...literally.
When Calvin showed up on his doorstep, timid and alone, Mike knew that life took on a new meaning. He was now a father and it was time to step up to the plate.
Ty was always flirting with Mike. So one night when he propositioned the man, he never thought the answer would turn out to eventually be yes. Then it was on. What was supposed to be a one off turned into more.
Calvin had lost his mother, but standing before the man he looked so much like, all he wanted was the father he had never known. In the weeks they got to know each other, Calvin knew he had found his forever. Now if only things would not go haywire at every turn, he'd be able to breathe easily. He could not lose another person...
I cannot stop thinking about how well this book was written and how much I enjoyed it. There were surprises and heartache and in the end, things worked out perfectly. Even for Calvin.
¸.•´¸.•*´¨)✯ ¸.•*¨)
✮ (¸.•´✶ (¸.•Def 5 star with heat!!!
The knock on his door changed his life...literally.
When Calvin showed up on his doorstep, timid and alone, Mike knew that life took on a new meaning. He was now a father and it was time to step up to the plate.
Ty was always flirting with Mike. So one night when he propositioned the man, he never thought the answer would turn out to eventually be yes. Then it was on. What was supposed to be a one off turned into more.
Calvin had lost his mother, but standing before the man he looked so much like, all he wanted was the father he had never known. In the weeks they got to know each other, Calvin knew he had found his forever. Now if only things would not go haywire at every turn, he'd be able to breathe easily. He could not lose another person...
I cannot stop thinking about how well this book was written and how much I enjoyed it. There were surprises and heartache and in the end, things worked out perfectly. Even for Calvin.
March 31, 2021
Here's the thing, while I enjoyed the characters, the writing style left me feeling a tad, well, uninterested. The book contained a lot of day-to-day humdrum that didn't advance the plot. I get that not every novel needs to be action-packed, but there was too much everyday life for my tastes. Again, underline, 'my tastes', as this is just my opinion.
While it was from 3 different characters' POV, all of their tones were the same. The way Mike, Ty, and even Calvin processed the minutia of their lives was very similar, containing very little insight into any turmoil being felt. The story really only picked up for me once the two main plot points occurred, which I won't say here, you know, because of spoilers.
The issue of Mike discovering his as of then undiscovered bisexuality was something that could have been explored much further. Not to say that everyone has to have major meltdowns, but a little more into how the character processed going from being a seemingly super straight player to not only being with a man sexually but having it develop into a serious relationship could have been an opportunity for the author to create more depth in the characters.
Listen, I thought the book was a nice Sunday read, but not really something I would put in the REREAD pile. I find it uncomfortable writing anything other than 5* reviews on goodreads.com because I know it takes courage and dedication to follow through with not only writing but publishing a novel. I applaud anyone who has the cajones to do so, even if said product is not something I personally enjoy.
While it was from 3 different characters' POV, all of their tones were the same. The way Mike, Ty, and even Calvin processed the minutia of their lives was very similar, containing very little insight into any turmoil being felt. The story really only picked up for me once the two main plot points occurred, which I won't say here, you know, because of spoilers.
The issue of Mike discovering his as of then undiscovered bisexuality was something that could have been explored much further. Not to say that everyone has to have major meltdowns, but a little more into how the character processed going from being a seemingly super straight player to not only being with a man sexually but having it develop into a serious relationship could have been an opportunity for the author to create more depth in the characters.
Listen, I thought the book was a nice Sunday read, but not really something I would put in the REREAD pile. I find it uncomfortable writing anything other than 5* reviews on goodreads.com because I know it takes courage and dedication to follow through with not only writing but publishing a novel. I applaud anyone who has the cajones to do so, even if said product is not something I personally enjoy.
June 1, 2019
Michael "Mike" Reed is a straight, single owner of a successful bar. He's starting off his day with a way too early wake up from his son Calvin. The son he never knew he had.
Calvin is 16 years old and his mother has just died from cancer. He's always wanted to search for his father but his mother always said no. Now that she's gone, he's decided to find his father.
Tyler "Ty" Ford is Mike's brother Tommy's work partner on the police force. He's gay and has had a crush on Mike for 2 years. He's taken every opportunity to flirt with Mike that he can. Ty decides that he's going to proposition Mike and is amazed that Mike's no becomes a yes in whiplash fashion.
I really liked the first third of this book. I was expecting to get character development from Mike, Ty and Calvin but what the last two-thirds turns out to be is dramaville. Mike and Ty go from a possible one off to friends with benefits in less time that most people think about what they want for dinner. Mike goes from new father to best father ever in a matter of a few days. There's really no growing pains in this new relationship with the exception of one outburst from Calvin. The drama situations start piling up fast. Someone has a heart attack that required stents (which was a rather rapid recovery that I've never seen in 5 years of Cardiovascular nursing), brothers fighting over a woman in an inappropriate way, multiple hospital trips, a death that was gratuitous IMO and that's not all the drama. Mike and Ty seem like a good couple. They have hot sex and really like each other as friends. They don't get to spend much time together as Ty works days and Mike works nights, Calvin has recently moved in and Mike has decided to open a second bar/restaurant. Mike and Ty's families are very supportive but tend to over-share in a cringe worthy way. Mike's mother shares an intimate/sexual encounter about Mike and Calvin's mother to Calvin at the dinner table and apparently she had shared it already with the whole family. That was bad enough but Calvin's girlfriend was there also and being told this and other sexual things that adults shouldn't be talking about to minors IMO. Like I said cringe worthy. I'm a big fan of Ms. Large but this book wasn't very good. Ms. Large's beta reader should've told her less is more.
Calvin is 16 years old and his mother has just died from cancer. He's always wanted to search for his father but his mother always said no. Now that she's gone, he's decided to find his father.
Tyler "Ty" Ford is Mike's brother Tommy's work partner on the police force. He's gay and has had a crush on Mike for 2 years. He's taken every opportunity to flirt with Mike that he can. Ty decides that he's going to proposition Mike and is amazed that Mike's no becomes a yes in whiplash fashion.
I really liked the first third of this book. I was expecting to get character development from Mike, Ty and Calvin but what the last two-thirds turns out to be is dramaville. Mike and Ty go from a possible one off to friends with benefits in less time that most people think about what they want for dinner. Mike goes from new father to best father ever in a matter of a few days. There's really no growing pains in this new relationship with the exception of one outburst from Calvin. The drama situations start piling up fast. Someone has a heart attack that required stents (which was a rather rapid recovery that I've never seen in 5 years of Cardiovascular nursing), brothers fighting over a woman in an inappropriate way, multiple hospital trips, a death that was gratuitous IMO and that's not all the drama. Mike and Ty seem like a good couple. They have hot sex and really like each other as friends. They don't get to spend much time together as Ty works days and Mike works nights, Calvin has recently moved in and Mike has decided to open a second bar/restaurant. Mike and Ty's families are very supportive but tend to over-share in a cringe worthy way. Mike's mother shares an intimate/sexual encounter about Mike and Calvin's mother to Calvin at the dinner table and apparently she had shared it already with the whole family. That was bad enough but Calvin's girlfriend was there also and being told this and other sexual things that adults shouldn't be talking about to minors IMO. Like I said cringe worthy. I'm a big fan of Ms. Large but this book wasn't very good. Ms. Large's beta reader should've told her less is more.
May 12, 2021
Okay, I have to ask it...what was with all the drama?? Like, seriously, I get this is fiction, but for god’s sake, do the MCs need to be close to death every other week??
I went into this thinking it would be a romance. While it was, there was way more POV from the son than I was wanting.
The romance, when it was on page, was good. I liked it. I liked Mike and Ty together. Unfortunately, I felt like there was too much going on. It was ridiculous. So the romance often took a backseat.
The blurb for the book read like it would be mostly about the romance relationship, instead we have several chapters that are told from the son’s POV. It was like it was Cal’s story too. Again, if that’s what you signed up for, cool, but I didn’t. I’m picky about my romance that way.
In the end the unnecessary drama turned me off from this. It could have great if we’d just had less of the horrible things that had to happen to each MC.
Spoiler alert......
Carson dying was so totally from left field that I couldn’t even muster a tear for him. Why? Because the reader had zero opportunity to bond with him as a character. He’s mentioned in passing, as the manager of the bar, but that’s it. Then, all of a sudden, we have him giving his life for Mike. Um...okay.
Then we have the whole perfect father thing. Really?? Mike just got his son and already they’re living fucking happily ever after? Does anyone out there know how fucking hard it is to be a parent? It was just a tad too much “ridiculous-ness”.
Sad to say, but I’ll probably read more of Large’s books because they’re mostly safe for me (meaning I don’t get emotionally invested in them), and right now in my life, I can’t handle any other kind of books. I just need something to escape into, without the possibility of it dictating my moods.
I went into this thinking it would be a romance. While it was, there was way more POV from the son than I was wanting.
The romance, when it was on page, was good. I liked it. I liked Mike and Ty together. Unfortunately, I felt like there was too much going on. It was ridiculous. So the romance often took a backseat.
The blurb for the book read like it would be mostly about the romance relationship, instead we have several chapters that are told from the son’s POV. It was like it was Cal’s story too. Again, if that’s what you signed up for, cool, but I didn’t. I’m picky about my romance that way.
In the end the unnecessary drama turned me off from this. It could have great if we’d just had less of the horrible things that had to happen to each MC.
Spoiler alert......
Carson dying was so totally from left field that I couldn’t even muster a tear for him. Why? Because the reader had zero opportunity to bond with him as a character. He’s mentioned in passing, as the manager of the bar, but that’s it. Then, all of a sudden, we have him giving his life for Mike. Um...okay.
Then we have the whole perfect father thing. Really?? Mike just got his son and already they’re living fucking happily ever after? Does anyone out there know how fucking hard it is to be a parent? It was just a tad too much “ridiculous-ness”.
Sad to say, but I’ll probably read more of Large’s books because they’re mostly safe for me (meaning I don’t get emotionally invested in them), and right now in my life, I can’t handle any other kind of books. I just need something to escape into, without the possibility of it dictating my moods.
May 11, 2019
WOW !!!!!
I was hooked in the first chapter. Finding out you had a teenage son and Mike stepped up and took full responsibilities. The connection between Son and Father grew and over time and the humor with Mikes family and brothers where awesome. Mike supported his son to the fullest and when Ty joined in the mix it was sweet slow loving into a family. Sad cries and a loss of a dear friend of Mikes and the Ty gets hurt on the job but love concurs and family was there and made. MUST READ make sure you have a box of tissues LOVED THIS BOOK.
I was hooked in the first chapter. Finding out you had a teenage son and Mike stepped up and took full responsibilities. The connection between Son and Father grew and over time and the humor with Mikes family and brothers where awesome. Mike supported his son to the fullest and when Ty joined in the mix it was sweet slow loving into a family. Sad cries and a loss of a dear friend of Mikes and the Ty gets hurt on the job but love concurs and family was there and made. MUST READ make sure you have a box of tissues LOVED THIS BOOK.
May 5, 2019
A First for Everything was an engaging story. That was sexy, sweet, tender and easy to read. But boy did it have a lot going on including, a teen pregnancy scare, a car accident and an armed robbery. Yet, it was enjoyable and I did really like the characters and the easy going nature of the romance between Ty and Mike. Not to mention Mike's family's attitude towards it. And I would happily recommend it to others.
September 19, 2019
Great
This story got me by surprise I was actually looking for another book with a similar name and came across this Amazing story I am so freaking happy I was able to read this book. I would love to read a book about Calvin in his adult life(just wishful thinking) Mike and Ty you are Amazing and the love they had for one another yes please this book was Outstanding ....please read you will not regret I promise!!!
This story got me by surprise I was actually looking for another book with a similar name and came across this Amazing story I am so freaking happy I was able to read this book. I would love to read a book about Calvin in his adult life(just wishful thinking) Mike and Ty you are Amazing and the love they had for one another yes please this book was Outstanding ....please read you will not regret I promise!!!
October 12, 2019
A really good story
The father/ son dynamic was the at the heart of the whole book. Mike found himself a father to a teenage Cal who lost his mother to cancer. The trauma of that was bad enough but to add all the close calls thereafter where so much on his young shoulders. You can help but feel this kids heart break over and over but he grew strong. He has Mike and then he has Ty. Mike falls in love with Ty and together they make an incredible family for Cal.
The father/ son dynamic was the at the heart of the whole book. Mike found himself a father to a teenage Cal who lost his mother to cancer. The trauma of that was bad enough but to add all the close calls thereafter where so much on his young shoulders. You can help but feel this kids heart break over and over but he grew strong. He has Mike and then he has Ty. Mike falls in love with Ty and together they make an incredible family for Cal.
May 17, 2019
This book starts off with a bang & gets you hooked. Then the book is going way too good & your like "somethings going to or got to happen because it's going to good." Then bang, not what you expected or read in the blurb, & you still get surprise bangs throughout before the book. So not what you expect. A very good & addictive read. A TBR.
June 7, 2019
So many emotions all packed into one book!
I haven’t felt this emotional over a book in a long while! It was like a roller coaster, I cried, laughed, genuine sadness, and then just joy. I’m not good at writing reviews but this one seriously deserves praise. I’m a fan. Can’t wait to read more!
I haven’t felt this emotional over a book in a long while! It was like a roller coaster, I cried, laughed, genuine sadness, and then just joy. I’m not good at writing reviews but this one seriously deserves praise. I’m a fan. Can’t wait to read more!
June 30, 2019
Fantastic
I love your writing and this book definitely didn’t disappoint! I usually never leave reviews but I felt I should. The writing was spectacular, the story was believable and the characters were relatable! Three things that are top priority when reading. You rock boo! Keep up the outstanding work
I love your writing and this book definitely didn’t disappoint! I usually never leave reviews but I felt I should. The writing was spectacular, the story was believable and the characters were relatable! Three things that are top priority when reading. You rock boo! Keep up the outstanding work
July 1, 2019
Good book
I liked this book but it felt like there were places that were just thrown in at the last minute- they didn’t flow well with the story. And it was a great story I really enjoy this author but this book seems like it was rushed and not as well done as many of her other books.
I liked this book but it felt like there were places that were just thrown in at the last minute- they didn’t flow well with the story. And it was a great story I really enjoy this author but this book seems like it was rushed and not as well done as many of her other books.
May 10, 2019
Great Feel-good Romance
While there are a few grammatical errors, the storyline and romance are well written. There are a couple of tearful events, and a bit of sadness but overall this was a delight to read.
While there are a few grammatical errors, the storyline and romance are well written. There are a couple of tearful events, and a bit of sadness but overall this was a delight to read.
October 18, 2019
Huh?
I’m not sure about the point of the story. There’s no central bad guy to defeat and no real conflict between any main characters, It’s just a story about random events in the life of a few people. And are Tyler and Tommy the only cops in this New Jersey town?
I’m not sure about the point of the story. There’s no central bad guy to defeat and no real conflict between any main characters, It’s just a story about random events in the life of a few people. And are Tyler and Tommy the only cops in this New Jersey town?
July 21, 2020
This one wasn’t my favorite. I loved the premise but felt like so much was given away in the blurb that I didn’t get the opportunity to connect to the characters because you already knew what was gonna happen...
May 6, 2019
Good story
I really enjoyed this story . . . It was very sweet and I would recommend it . . .
I really enjoyed this story . . . It was very sweet and I would recommend it . . .
May 6, 2019
Omg this is amazing and written beautifully from 3 perspectives! A must read stand alone!
May 6, 2019
A first
This book is a fantastic read I loved everything about it. The story is so later back a great book you never want to put down ,from start to finish.
This book is a fantastic read I loved everything about it. The story is so later back a great book you never want to put down ,from start to finish.
May 9, 2019
3.5 stars
May 20, 2019
All the feels in this one.
This is my 1st book from this author and i am glad I chose it. Written beautifully and the characters are relatable to everyone.
This is my 1st book from this author and i am glad I chose it. Written beautifully and the characters are relatable to everyone.
May 30, 2019
Just an overall great read......something to curl up and get lost in! This story and 'Christian' are my fave books by this author!
June 1, 2019
Loved it.....
M/M romance is usually not my genre.....but after reading "Christian" I became a fan of Andria Large. She's my new favorite.
M/M romance is usually not my genre.....but after reading "Christian" I became a fan of Andria Large. She's my new favorite.
June 6, 2019
Wow, love it
I always enjoyed your books. So this one I enjoyed it just the same, from the beginning to the end. Thank you.
I always enjoyed your books. So this one I enjoyed it just the same, from the beginning to the end. Thank you.
June 28, 2019
I enjoyed the story line but the simplistic writing was so annoying that I can only give the book two stars.
August 6, 2019
5 twinkling stars
Full of passion, romance, angst with unforgettable characters. I was immersed in the pages. I really like this author's ability to weave emotional tales. 😍😍😍😍😍
Full of passion, romance, angst with unforgettable characters. I was immersed in the pages. I really like this author's ability to weave emotional tales. 😍😍😍😍😍
October 17, 2024
There is no subtlety to the development of the characters or the situations. Just a bunch of things that happen. This one won’t make you dream, it’ll just barely entertain.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews