The First Time

Rogues of Everly Prep #1

by Wendi L. Wilson

I might have gone from rags to riches, but this is no fairy tale.

I never thought I’d long for the days of pacing the living room of our tiny single-wide trailer, waiting for Mom to get home from her shift serving drinks at The Silver Fox. Or my boring night shifts at the convenience store. Even dodging my skeezy ex-boyfriend’s bumbling attempts to seduce me.

To say my life wasn’t great was an understatement. But at least it was mine.

Or it was until Mom came home and announced she was getting married. That was the day my life became unrecognizable.

As if a new home and a new family weren’t enough, I found myself enrolled at Everly Prep—an exclusive academy where the rich send their pampered and privileged teenagers to be educated.

And it was immediately obvious I didn’t belong.

Patronizing staff members, mean girls, and snobs galore greeted me as I roamed the hallowed halls, but it didn’t bother me. I invited them to do their worst.

Then I met them.

Seth, Theo, Cooper, and Mason—known as “The Rogues”—ran the school with iron fists and wicked tongues, making Everly Prep their own private kingdom. They were powerful, gorgeous, and brutal, a deadly combination that made them invincible.

And I was the perfect target…or so they thought. But I'm Chaz Miller, and I don't go down without a fight.

Genres: High School, Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Reverse Harem, Dark Romance, Contemporary, Young Adult

216 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2020

About the author

Wendi Wilson is a mother to two rambunctious boys, a fat black cat, two ferrets, and a pup named Izzy. She spends her time watching her boys play baseball and football, volunteering at school, reading and writing.

She enjoys reading YA paranormal romance, NA romance, and dystopian novels. Her first book, Shadowed Strength, is the culmination of 20+ years of work, a dream finally realized.

Reviews

[Amara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love it

Great first book. I am so looking forward to the next one. Can't wait to see what happens next. Love it.

[Shyralf · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2 Stars! Bully/ YA romance.

[Athena Que Será, Será · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tags: High School Bully romance with the mean girls/ ow drama. This is NOT a Reverse Harem romance.

[Sophie Koufes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio Review:
The First Time (Rogues of Everly Prep) is a dark high school romance with a light bullying theme and the darkness hasn't come out yet. There is an air of mystery and secrets lurking in the shadows. This ends with a cliffhanger, however it ends att a good point in the story. The author pulls you in and you need to find out what happens next. Betrayal, deception, lies, rumors and passion all blended together to create a exciting listen. Looking forward to listening to the next audio in this trilogy.


Kasi Hollowell is a excellent narrator and she did a fantastic performance with portraying all the characters voices. She gave each character than own individual voice. A flawless performance enhanced the experience of listening.

[Charlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unique

This was not like other Bully I've read before, but I did enjoy it. I liked the writing style,it helped having different kinds of characters where their conversations are humerous and this includes Chaz's inner monolog. Overall not the darkest Bully romance out there, but a fun quick read.

[The Bodacious Bibliophile · Rating 1 out of 5]

Beyond pissed that this was sold as a reverse harem! Because it is absolutely NOT!!!!!!!!!
I just wasted my money for freaking nothing!
And not only that it is absolutely a horrible book in general. And it’s not even really a book. It’s a novella. It’s so short. It’s ridiculous that they’re selling this as a book. What a farce!

[Laura Metz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where has this author been my whole life??? This. Book. Was. Phenomenal. When can I get more? I NEED more right now. I tried not to read it so fast but couldn't help it. The storyline is amazing. The characters uhhh so good. So.... Im wondering who is behind the drama with the rouges? Seth's dad see s likely, the convenient store boss seems he could be something, the ex boyfriend....?? Maybe? This book has me dying for more. Such an incredible book. Will deff be reading more from this author in the future.

[Sacha Fortuné · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sacha's Book Reviews Blog


3.5 stars

This has been on my Kindle awhile so I’m not entirely sure how I got it, but I believe it would’ve been via a newsletter promotion.

The Premise
Trailer-park tough chick Chastity — “Chaz” — is suddenly thrown into the lifestyles of the rich and famous when her mother becomes engaged to one of her patrons at the strip club. She now has a new family — with a seemingly kind-hearted stepdad Atticus and a surly stepbrother Seth; a new mansion of a home; and a new school — Everly Prep.

The exclusive academy contains uber-rich, uber-spoilt cliques — “The Rogues” and “Roguettes” as she terms them, and they soon place her in their sights as an object to torment. She knows she doesn’t fit in, but can’t understand why she’s attracting such venom from all directions — even the teachers. When “Rogue” Mason approaches her, their passion soon escalates — until everything spirals out of control. But is everything as it seems?

The Pros
This was a fast-paced read with spunky characters and tight writing that kept me intrigued all the way through. I enjoyed the rags-to-riches arc as Chaz struggled to come to terms with her new lifestyle. I loved the supporting character of Joshua who was awesome and brought life to the story, and the mean-girl and antagonistic teachers’ actions were shocking and interesting to see portrayed.

The Cons
Though I enjoyed the story, there were some instances that didn’t take me all the way there. A few events happened and then were told in retrospect — I wish they were happening in the present, rather than being told in the past tense. Also as it is a series, the ending seems abrupt as you never quite find out the reason for the bullying… it will be revealed later in the series, but it may annoy some readers that they have to read further to get to the root of it.

Conclusion
This was a good book and I would recommend to other young adult readers (later teens and older, as there’s profanity). The character-building throughout is well done, and there are great messages here that will speak to others, especially if they have also endured cyber-bullying. I look forward to other books by this author. I also note she writes in other genres, and I would particularly like to see something entirely different with her writing skill, as I think this type of story may not have done justice to what she can produce.

___________
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[Shedevilreads Bookstagram · Rating 5 out of 5]

The First Time by Wendi L. Wilson is a dark high school romance that I listened to on audio narrated by Kasi Hollowell. This is the first book in the Rogues of Everly Prep series.

The book comes with a note from author "This is a dark high school romance with light bullying themes. Though there are four male main characters, it will not be reverse harem. There is one main love interest and there will be an HEA... eventually."

This is the first book of Wendi's that I have read and it definitely won't be my last. I was hooked from the very beginning and couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next. I absolutely love Chaz and Joshua's friendship.

I can't wait for the next book in the series The Second Move to be released on audio so I can get more of Chaz, Mason, Cooper, Theo, Seth, and Joshua.

Kasi did an amazing job on the narration. I look forward to listening to more of her work in the future.

I would recommend this book if you like dark romances, bullying romances, or contemporary romances.


The Flock Team
Audiobook Obsession Reviewer

[L.K. Kracek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yas Queen!!

Wendi Wilson has been a favorite author of mine since her first book, and I have to say that while this was different from her other works, I AM HERE FOR IT!

Chaz is a badass and Josh... he’s my Queen. Insert finger snaps here! Mason... holy delicious, Batman. I expected him to be an ass, I expected the rich, entitled aholes but boy was I pleasantly, and not so, surprised!!! Do not keep reading these reviews, go read the series... you will not regret it.

[Samantha Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every minute of it!

Fast paced and page turning, I couldn't put it down! I highly recommend The First Time for contemporary romance readers who love an original and intriguing plot. I can't wait to see what happens next!!!

[T.L. McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wendi Wilson’s new book The First Time, steps out of the supernatural realm she normally writes in and enters into a land far darker in its reality, and I love it. This book is like a mix between Cruel Intentions, Mean Girls, and The Duff, full of teenage angst, blind hope, brutal betrayal, and a strong girl who isn’t afraid to hold her own against her enemies.

I literally had this read in two days. Wendi’s writing pulls you in effortlessly and you can’t help but fall in love with the characters…or hate them. Chaz is feisty and defiant and I loved her right from the start. Josh is now my new book best friend, and The Rogues of Everly Prep, well, let’s just say sometimes you get what you deserve.

I can’t wait to find out what happens next because I get the feeling there’s more than what meets the eye when it comes to The Rogues and why they did what they did, and Chaz is not one to back down in finding out what it is.

[Deborah Cope · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very excited to read what happens next

First time author for me to read and I really enjoyed this book. The verbal abuse is is horrible and what Chaz goes through every day is unimaginable, but you know that the revenge will be sweet. It's just a pity that I have to wait to see how she extract said revenge.

[Megan megsbooktique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!! I love Chaz and Josh is the best friend we all want! Can’t wait to see Chaz get her revenge on the Rogues and Roguettes!

[Mona Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chaz is not your ordinary girl next door. And she is definitely not what the fancy kids at school were expecting. She doesn't want to be there, and they don't really want her there. She makes the mistake of trusting the wrong people, and it definitely bites her. I absolutely love this girl and her BFF Josh. They are both characters that you can relate to.
This book just draws you in and doesn't let you go. I can't wait to see how Chaz takes down the mean girls.

[Bette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Gripping & Exciting Series Start! Fantastic Story & Narration🎧
The First Time
Rogues of Everly Prep
By: Wendi Wilson
Narrated by: Kasi Hollowell

Wendi Wilson is a new to me author, and she wowed me completely with this amazing start to what is going to be a fantastic series. I loved everything about this book, from her wonderful writing style to the complex characters and interesting storylines she created to the perfectly cast narration. The story captured my attention right from the start and held it hostage the entire time, I just could not put the book down because I needed to know what was going to happen next. The characters are realistic, easy to relate to and connect with. The lead female, Chasity Ann Miller aka “Chaz”, is absolutely amazing, not your typical in your face bad ass, more of a subtle one, but still a badass in her own right and I was rooting for her for the entire book. Her Mom surprises her announcement, she is newly engaged and they are moving in with her fiancé. Her new home is so far removed from the trailer parker where she grew up, it is grandeur and luxurious in comparison, it also comes with a step-brother to be, Seth, and Seth is not welcoming at all. Her step-dad to be enrolls her in Everly Prep, the same school Seth attends. She quickly learns that she does not fit it, quickly learning that most of the students are pretentious rich kids who are followers of the popular crowd led by Seth and his friends Theo, Cooper and Mason, also known as “The Rogues” and they run the school. Chaz nicknamed their minion bitches the Roguettes. These bullies target Chaz the moment she steps in the school, they are relentless and do not hold back one bit. They try to knocking her out, but Chaz’s strength shines and they may knock her down but she gets back up, shakes them off and comes back even stronger. Ms. Wilson masters bully romance, the story is brilliantly plotted with plenty of drama, lies and betrayals, twists and turns, heartfelt emotions and a slow burn enemies to lovers romance. I like like how hints were dropped making you wonder what the real deal is with Mason, Seth, Cooper and Theo. Love, love, loved Josh, Chaz’s one and only trusted friend, I was glad there was another ally as well. I was thrilled with Chaz’s revenge plot and can not wait to see what happens next. Wendi Wilson, thank you for this fantastic story and series start.

🎧📚🎧 And for the fabulous narration, Kai Hollowell is a wonderfully talented narrator and versatile voice artist. She has a complete understanding of the characters she portrays, giving each a voice that fits that character’s persona to a tee, sounding believable and just as I picture the character to sound. You could hear how much heart and conviction she put into his work as she captures the characters’ emotions and projects them into her performance. She sets the perfect tone for the story, handles the back-and-forth dialogue with ease and never misses a beat. She is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another wonderful listen.

Thank you @PinkFlamingoProductions @AudiobookObsession TheFlock AudiobookObsessionReviewer🎧

[FS Meurinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Rogues of Everly Prep series, it's a dark romance, with a bit of bully and well even though we get more than one male character it is not an RH. Chaz, Theo, Cooper, Mason, and Seth are all great characters, I can't wait to find out what happens, Chaz had me all twisted in the best way, I really liked how the author did this character. The story will capture you from the start, I can't wait to find out more, it ends on a cliffy so we need the next one asap. The audiobook was narrated by Kasi Holloway was quite good, and I would recommend hearing it while reading or just go the audiobook mode it adds a better experience to the story.





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[Sandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rags to riches, bully academy dark romance. But Chas isn’t your typical FMC in a bully romance. Yes, she gets targeted by the elitist, self absorbed, spiteful, spoiled, rich kids at Everly Prep when she starts school there after her mom gets engaged to a very wealthy man. But she doesn’t let it completely destroy her sense of self. Chas is very good at brushing off the juvenile behavior - until it goes too far. But then suddenly, she finds herself with some unlikely allies, and the romantic attentions of Mason Bellamy, one of said elitist, rich kids. Things seem to improve, until a nuclear bomb of bullying goes off, and Chas’ whole world seems to implode. And that’s where you would like she would go off the rails, not be able to deal with the torment any longer. But with the help of the only 2 people who have truly stood by her as friends, Chas finds her vindication - on her own terms. That’s what helps make this more unique of a story. She’s a strong character, and she pulls herself out of the depths, and yes, she has a little help, but the strength and fortitude are hers, and she takes control back of her own life. It’s a powerful shift, and at the end, she’s looking to take it even further - revenge. Book 2 is going to be VERY interesting.

Compelling, strong, and interesting, the story and characters kept me intrigued and wondering what was coming next. Josh is the best friend that every high school girl needs. Heck, not even just high school, just every girl needs a Josh in her life. Seriously, he’s the absolute best. I know there’s still plenty behind the scenes we don’t know yet in this story, and I’m very much looking forward to uncovering it all.

[Kreela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steam Level: 🌶🌶-🌶🌶🌶

Compared to other bully academy romances, this was not that dark. Sure, Chaz (for Chastity; how ironic) was a rags-to-riches tough nut, and I loved how she demonstrated true grit in responding to the rumors and outright snobbery. The staff gave her detentions like Halloween candy; the students created a social feed to ruin her reputation; but her reactions were epic.

Well, isn’t he friendly?” I mumbled under my breath.
“You shall adapt,” Gerald whispered, repeating his earlier words.

First there was the loser boyfriend. Her words; not mine. I wish I had had the backbone she does. When she discovered her mom found a moneybags husband while working at a strip club? Disbelief. Chaz decided to work her way into success, and I wanted to cheer for her. The three witches she meets were classic snobby clique, but she just held her head high and found a new friend who was awesome with a capital A.

This is why I have been reading bully romances. I want to see the MC overcome obstacles. I failed my charisma check in school, and I want a redo. I want a strong female who succeeds and gets her HEA.

This story ticks my wishlist:
— single POV
— angst and drama
— a well-rounded story that has an end but still leaves questions for a next book
— Interesting side characters
— That mom and dad interaction was a good mini-plotline
— Strong climax at the end

It could have been darker from the potential boyfriend, but only if you need it. I didn’t.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The First Time is a wonderfully written bully romance and fantastic start the series. The storyline is packed with drama, teenage angst, mean girls, hot guys. My attention was grabbed right from the beginning and all the way through the end. The characters are well-developed and great. Chaz is spunky, defiant, and resilient with a steel backbone. Being new and poor, she stands out, putting a target on her back. The Rogues, Seth, Theo, Cooper, and Mason, are entitled, rich boys and the kings of the Everly Prep, an elite school. Thanks to the Rogues, Chaz goes through a nightmare of bullying. I really liked Chaz, especially her BBF Joshua. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.

Kasi Hollowell did an excellent job bringing Wendi Wilson's words to life. Through her narration, she portrayed the characters and all the teenage emotions flawlessly. Overall, The First Time was an enjoyable listen, one I'll recommend to the fans of the high school bully romance genre.

🎧 AudiobookObsession, TheFlock, PinkFlamingo🎧

[Kathy Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I hear a bully romance done right, I think to myself that’s what I love about this genre! Wendi has done that with the start of this series.

It’s full of angst, rebellion and deceit as well as a lot of sexual tension and one feisty gal who won’t stand back and take all the bullying thrown her way. Chas Miller is that girl and I’m so excited to see what she does in the next book to the Rogues of Everly Prep.

Chas is thrown into attending Everly Prep now that her mom is engaged to be married and the rich man who her mom has been dating just happens to have a son her age. Seth treats her with snotty indifference at first then he and his mates; Mason, Theo and Cooper befriend her. She’s weary at first and it turns out she should have listened to her heart.

Kasi Hollowell is prefect voicing this genre and really pulls me into the story. I throughly enjoyed this start of the series and can’t wait for the next book. Not sure why this audiobook was under my radar but I’m listening to book 2 right away.

#PinkFlamingoProductions
#kasihollowell #BullyRomance

[Kari Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

When her mother gets engaged to a wealthy man life as Chaz knows it is no longer. Although there are perks to her new lifestyle and living arrangements there are drawbacks as well. Seth is her mother’s fiancée’s son and he along with his best friends Theo, Cooper & Mason along with a group of spiteful girls are not content to just ostracize her from others at school but they are determined to make the experience as difficult. The one thing she does have is her best friend Josh and he proves over and over that he will have her back no matter what.

Josh is the kind of friend that anyone would be lucky to have. Since this is the first book in the series the story is far from over and I am looking forward to learning more about Seth and his boys as who they truly are, and their motives are still unclear.

I thought that the narrator did a great job of bringing the characters and their story to life. 🎧 AudiobookObsession

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect, absolutely perfect!

Chaz Miller, smart, take no nonsense, show no weakness, never let them get the better of you Chaz Miller. Her world is turned upside down when her cocktail waitress mother becomes engaged to a wealthily older man. The next thing Chaz knows she’s living in a mansion and attending Everly Prep, an exclusive academy that is the playground of “The Rogues”, four rich, bored, brutal, seemingly invincible young men who just might have met their match! The First Time is a fabulously written, beautifully narrated series opener that held me spellbound. These characters felt so real! I could see them. They provoked such strong feelings in me. Honestly, at times, my heart was in my throat. And that ending! Whoever said revenge is a dish best served cold was wrong! It was so satisfying! I was cheering! I can’t wait for the next book in what promises to be a fabulous series!

[Scarlet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this audiobook at my request via promo code from The Flock and this is my honest voluntary review.

Book One of the Rogues of Everly Prep series.

Chaz aka Chasity Ann Miller is a girl displaced, her mother has bagged herself a wealthy guy and now they have traded up from their trailer park to Elite Private Schools and Dynasty level Mansions. Set (her soon to be stepbro) and his friends Theo, Cooper, and Mason—known as “The Rogues” have decided that Gold digging Chaz has to go. I absolutely adored Josh, her GBFF! He certainly made for good moral support considering the bullying reached some Veronica Mars level snooping. Hidden cameras, bugs etc, it all got quite James Bond gadgets for a bunch of teenagers, but I suppose they are all a bunch of privileged bratty snobs.

I finished this in one sitting, Kasi Hollowell did an amazing job bringing all the teen angst to life.

[Gabriella Herman · Rating 1 out of 5]

They Are you people stupid? This book was not worth 4 or 5 stars hell its not even worth 1! This story was absolutely terrible! I love enemies to lovers but not even that could save this story! For 1 it's ridiculously slow and boring, nothing happens until like 50% of the book and no I'm not talking about the romance! (Or lack there of) 2 it was just plain stupid, Chaz got detention for being late to her first day a school, like hello it's her fucking first day and she's at a prep school of course she won't know where to go, then she got another detention for being late to her next class and was made into a meme like seriously, even the teachers are assholes, they constantly criticize her for no damb reason, I cant I honestly can't! The only thing and I mean THE ONLY THING that was good about this story was josh and Chaz's friendship

[Megb · Rating 4 out of 5]

So the lead up is enough to drive me mad, the drama is so good, but the slow burn/slow start to a series makes this book seem incomplete. It needs something else.. I'm not completely sure what though. I'm really hoping for book 2 to give me the answer I'm looking for.

The Rogues are intriguing but the question marks surrounding them are confusing. I'm not really sure what is going on or what is happening but the stuff they have already thrown at Chaz makes me weary of them. I don't know whether I love or hate them yet and that makes me uneasy.

I love Chaz Miller and her feisty self and her strength. She is resourceful and doesn't go down without a fight and I love a heroine like that.

I can't wait to see what drama unfolds in book 2. I am hoping for answers but not sure I want to know the answers at the same time!

[Trisha c · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chastity and her mom lived in a trailer park. Their lives changed when her mom announced she marrying the very rich, Mr. Atticus Kincaid.
Trailer trash is what she became known at the elite Everly Prep. The relentless bullying on social media and at school, made Chaz the target by the students,
Chaz tough exterior shows she can take anything, but secretly inside she was vulnerable, hesitant and overwhelmed what her new lifestyle had given her.
The group called the Rogues. and the girls, the Roguettes, try to break her. They almost did, but her only friend reminded her she was fierce, a queen, and to keep her head up.
Revenge has its sweet rewards or does it?
I can't wait to see what Chaz has in store for them.
Kasi Hollowell is superb in this angsty, high school bully story. She gives all the characters their own voice and personality. A great listen.
🎧🎧audiobookObsession

[Lynn Zagrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this audiobook free for an honest review as a member of The Pink Flamingo Productions Review Team. This story was awesome. The author gave us a quality book that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to ending. However, I am going to have a hard time awaiting Book #2. There was so much angst that I was afraid I was going to have an anxiety attack. I couldn't stop listening. I listened until late a night and now I can't go to sleep. I haven't listened to a story in a while that kept my attention and kept me on edge, like this one. Love to see bad girls and bad boys get their comeuppance. The narrator did an excellent job with the characters, their personalities and the overall story. This is my first with this author and I am going to look into her other books. Thank you so much for this terrific story.

[Tammy Bulcao · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t trust anyone!

This is a fantastic bully romance so far. What a great way to suck readers in. It’s a very intriguing page turner. I’m totally suspicious all all the characters even her mom 😂. I’m sorry but sometimes you gotta err on the side of caution. This story has me on the edge of my seat ready to throat punch a few characters. And I’m not a violent person, I swear 😂 One of the things I found refreshing is, the female character is vulnerable yet tough. She’s definitely breakable but they are going to have to work hard at it.
It’s always fun when a book gets you going.
The narration is absolutely fantastic. Kasi Hollowell has the perfect voice for these characters. Even her male characters are easy to distinguish. Well done.
This is book 1 and continues in this trilogy.
I highly recommend this book!

Sisters Spotlight 💜

[Fallen Star Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by the author, I enjoyed it. It’s about Chaz who ends up attending Everly Prep and being the poor kid does her no favors. However she’s not one to back down and let others run all over her it’s just not her style. However not everything goes as she plans because regardless she’s an outsider at the elite school. That is until she meets Josh and she quickly realizes that he could become her best friend and what she needs to survive in a world that is foreign to her.
*
Overall, I enjoyed the story it is set in high school and does have the bullying aspect to it. It was a page turner and not overly long or drawn out it was a decent length. It definitely engages the reader and wondering what will happen in the next book.