First Time for Everything: A Novel

by Henry Fry

An honest and heartfelt debut about a down-on-his-luck gay man working out how he fits into the world, making up for lost time and opening himself up to life's possibilities.Danny Scudd is absolutely fine. He always dreamed of escaping smalltown life and becoming a journalist. And, after five years in London, his career isn’t exactly awful, and his relationship with pretentious Tobbs isn’t exactly unfulfilling. But his world is flipped upside down when a visit to the local clinic reveals that Tobbs might not have been exactly faithful. In fact, Tobbs claims they were never operating under the "heteronormative paradigm" of monogamy to begin with. Oh, and Danny’s flatmates are unceremoniously evicting him because they want to start a family. It’s all going quite well. Newly single and with nowhere to live, Danny is forced to move in with his best friend, Jacob, a flamboyant nonbinary artist whom he’s known since childhood, and their eccentric group of friends living in a "commune." What follows is a colorful voyage of discovery through modern queer life, dating, work and lots of therapy—all places Danny has always been too afraid to fully explore. Upon realizing just how little he knows about himself and his sexuality, he careens from one questionable decision (and man) to another, relying on his inscrutable new therapist and housemates to help him face the demons he’s spent his entire life trying to repress. Is he really fine, after all? 

Genres: LGBT

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 10, 2022

Reviews

[Rach Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was emotionally quite heavy for me, which is why it took me so long to read. It’s so honest - in places, so honest that I felt like I could have written it about myself.

It brings out all the little thoughts you have as an LGBTQ+ person and makes you realise you are not the only person thinking or experiencing these little things. It makes you realise that there are actually SO many of these little things, that actually it’s not that little. It makes you realise you are not alone, but also makes you feel sad that other people are experiencing some of the hardships that you are / you have to. It lifts some of the guilt you feel, but also makes you feel the accountability for your own actions.

A hard book to read for me. But a very worthwhile one to read all the same,

[Chris Birkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had me laughing so hard right from the start! So relatable! I literally could not pull myself away from it and finished it in a week!
It kind of reminded me of Queer As Folk but the friends are younger. The relationships are so real and remind me of relationships in my own life. Love, Love, Loved it!

[Daisy Greenwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. For someone who has never felt like they fit in it made me feel heard and valued. I related to or knew almost every character. I feel this book made me a better Ally to all my LGBTQ+ friends and family too. Empathy, love and joy. I laughed and cried and feel like a better person because of this book.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found immense pleasure in delving into the pages of this captivating book. Its genuine sincerity, humble charm, and delightful humour resonated deeply with me. The characters portrayed within its narrative were not merely figures on a page but rather felt like familiar companions, their complexities and struggles adding layers of depth to the story.

[John Clegg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Made me remember my experiences of being in my 20's in London navigating the city, love, a group of bohemian friends and the early days of my career. A story of belonging, coming of age, and finding yourself. It was wonderful. The best book I read in 2022.

[Yan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some parts of this is like watching a trainwreck. The character arc is so worth pulling through, but a true and raw look into how intersectionality and our communities play a role in finding ourselves