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Firsts
The past year has been hell on Savannah. Not only did her boyfriend dump her on the side of the road—literally—but her best friend, Wes, decided to graduate early. The person he becomes in college is even more confusing, and no matter what she tells herself, she can’t get over the thought of another girl having a piece of him that she’ll never have.
Wes has been in love with Savannah since childhood. Trouble is, she’s never seen him as anything more than a friend, and he’s never been brave enough to push those boundaries. He views college as an opportunity to finally move on. However, their continued close relationship makes moving on difficult, especially since Savannah has no idea she broke his heart.
With her own graduation day approaching, Savannah decides she doesn’t want to be a virgin when she gets to college. Turning to Wes to solve this problem seems sensible. After all, she trusts him more than anyone. Only she isn’t prepared for what her request unleashes—either from him, or in herself.
Wes has been in love with Savannah since childhood. Trouble is, she’s never seen him as anything more than a friend, and he’s never been brave enough to push those boundaries. He views college as an opportunity to finally move on. However, their continued close relationship makes moving on difficult, especially since Savannah has no idea she broke his heart.
With her own graduation day approaching, Savannah decides she doesn’t want to be a virgin when she gets to college. Turning to Wes to solve this problem seems sensible. After all, she trusts him more than anyone. Only she isn’t prepared for what her request unleashes—either from him, or in herself.
74 pages, ebook
First published November 3, 2009
37 people are currently reading
986 people want to read
About the author
Rosalie Stanton
35 books160 followersRosalie Stanton is the retired penname of an award-winning author Holly Denise. All previously released Rosalie Stanton books have been or will be released as Holly Denise, and no new Rosalie Stanton titles are forthcoming.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
November 14, 2012
3 stars
Firsts is a light, fluffy, and predictable friends-to-lovers novella. There's a splash of angst and moderate steam to keep the reader interested. Overall an enjoyable afternoon read but one that more than likely be forgotten.
Firsts is a light, fluffy, and predictable friends-to-lovers novella. There's a splash of angst and moderate steam to keep the reader interested. Overall an enjoyable afternoon read but one that more than likely be forgotten.
February 14, 2010
Our heroine doesnt want to enter college as a virgin. So she asks her BFF (the one with the third appendage, that is) to deflower her. Of course, things get complicated.
I am a bit ambivalent but overall this was a sweet ER to pass two hours on. The good things with stories about high school kids is if they act like stupid teenagers, that's perfectly acceptable because they *are* teenagers.
I find the hero talking like Spike the Vampire (bint, knackered, ponce, etc.) even tho he came over to the US from England when he was 5 a bit unbelievable but other than that, he was a sweetie. And the heroine doesnt take too long to realize what was in front of her all along but, hey! it's only about 75 pages long.
Content warnings: none
I am a bit ambivalent but overall this was a sweet ER to pass two hours on. The good things with stories about high school kids is if they act like stupid teenagers, that's perfectly acceptable because they *are* teenagers.
I find the hero talking like Spike the Vampire (bint, knackered, ponce, etc.) even tho he came over to the US from England when he was 5 a bit unbelievable but other than that, he was a sweetie. And the heroine doesnt take too long to realize what was in front of her all along but, hey! it's only about 75 pages long.
Content warnings: none
December 5, 2010
This was exactly what I needed after the intense Anne Stuart reads that I have been indulging in of late.
I loved:
1- Thorn. From his bloody British accent (which I hear every time he says the word “love” or “kitten”) to his sweetness to his take charge attitude in the bedroom which totally made my day, Thorn is one drool and sigh worthy hero definitely worth your time in gold. I would love me a British accented Thorn if one exists in real life! ^_^
2- Savannah. I loved her right from the very beginning. Her ability to come out and say what she is feeling without being coy about it, the way she owns up to her feelings without beating around the bush, the way she is oh so perfect for Thorn in bed and out of it sealed the deal for me.
3- The feelings that swept through me as I read this short novella. I found myself laughing out loud at the conversations and witty banter that takes place between Thorn and Savannah and the one conversation that took place between Savannah and her girl best friend Allison. I found myself holding in my breathe as Savannah and Thorn coursed through previously unchartered waters in their relationship, how Thorn takes care of Savannah in all the little ways during their journey of discovery which made me fall for him just that much harder. *Sigh*
4- The short and sweet epilogue at the end. If Ms. Stanton can fit in a short but meaningful epilogue into a novella, I wonder why Ms. Stuart cannot. Maybe Ms. Stanton can teach a thing or two about writing a beautiful epilogue to Ms. Stuart one of these days? ^_^
5- Ooh and definitely heart the cover!
I did not like: This novella was absolutely perfect in every way!! Wouldn’t change even one teeny, tiny part of it!
Full review with quotes: http://bit.ly/eiQVYh
I loved:
1- Thorn. From his bloody British accent (which I hear every time he says the word “love” or “kitten”) to his sweetness to his take charge attitude in the bedroom which totally made my day, Thorn is one drool and sigh worthy hero definitely worth your time in gold. I would love me a British accented Thorn if one exists in real life! ^_^
2- Savannah. I loved her right from the very beginning. Her ability to come out and say what she is feeling without being coy about it, the way she owns up to her feelings without beating around the bush, the way she is oh so perfect for Thorn in bed and out of it sealed the deal for me.
3- The feelings that swept through me as I read this short novella. I found myself laughing out loud at the conversations and witty banter that takes place between Thorn and Savannah and the one conversation that took place between Savannah and her girl best friend Allison. I found myself holding in my breathe as Savannah and Thorn coursed through previously unchartered waters in their relationship, how Thorn takes care of Savannah in all the little ways during their journey of discovery which made me fall for him just that much harder. *Sigh*
4- The short and sweet epilogue at the end. If Ms. Stanton can fit in a short but meaningful epilogue into a novella, I wonder why Ms. Stuart cannot. Maybe Ms. Stanton can teach a thing or two about writing a beautiful epilogue to Ms. Stuart one of these days? ^_^
5- Ooh and definitely heart the cover!
I did not like: This novella was absolutely perfect in every way!! Wouldn’t change even one teeny, tiny part of it!
Full review with quotes: http://bit.ly/eiQVYh
March 20, 2014
I love a good friends to lovers storyline and I really loved the idea behind this book but was disappointed with it. I think where this book really lost me was Wes being transformed into Thorn. I hate that nickname and just really was disappointed in how the story evolved after that. Thorn? Really? Yuck! I think this book had a lot of potential but I think it just didn't deliver the story I was hoping for.
September 22, 2020
3.5 stars
June 15, 2011
Well, damn! I'm feeling like I got cheated with my first time! Firsts was sweet and hot and evoked feelings of nostalgia remembering experiencing all the "firsts" life has to offer.
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August 15, 2010
This is one of my favorite friends to lovers stories. In fact, I've probably read Firsts a half a dozen times. If you're looking for something that tugs at your heart but delivers on heat, this is just the ticket.
June 5, 2018
Savannah and Wes have been best friends since they met in elementary school. He has secretly loved her for years. She understood that he was her rock, but was dating the star of the football team who she has crushed on for years.
As Wes graduates from high school early/starting college and Savannah has broken up with her boyfriend, the two go through growing pains in their relationship as friends. After her own HS graduation, Savannah decides she wants a re-invented Wes to be her "first". The conversation and subsequent behaviors make Savannah realize her true feelings resulting in a lot of explicit, down and dirty sexual content and a happily ever after.
As Wes graduates from high school early/starting college and Savannah has broken up with her boyfriend, the two go through growing pains in their relationship as friends. After her own HS graduation, Savannah decides she wants a re-invented Wes to be her "first". The conversation and subsequent behaviors make Savannah realize her true feelings resulting in a lot of explicit, down and dirty sexual content and a happily ever after.
May 16, 2023
2.5 stars
Kinda sweet, kinda silly, kinda cringey.
Childhood BFF to lovers, an unrequited love story.
Wes/19 loved her/18 since they were in kindergarten (aww), but she only saw him as a friend.😞
Silly and cringey parts:
Wes started college and changed his name to - Thorn - and demanded that everyone start calling him by that name.🙄
Also, he suddenly developed a heavier British accent, started dressing like a preppy boy, and lost his virginity to his new bimbo girlfriend.
-love scenes are hot, and only between the MCs are shown.
-no cheating.
On KU, but it had an amateur Wattpad author/book vibe.
Kinda sweet, kinda silly, kinda cringey.
Childhood BFF to lovers, an unrequited love story.
Wes/19 loved her/18 since they were in kindergarten (aww), but she only saw him as a friend.😞
Silly and cringey parts:
Wes started college and changed his name to - Thorn - and demanded that everyone start calling him by that name.🙄
Also, he suddenly developed a heavier British accent, started dressing like a preppy boy, and lost his virginity to his new bimbo girlfriend.
-love scenes are hot, and only between the MCs are shown.
-no cheating.
On KU, but it had an amateur Wattpad author/book vibe.
May 11, 2010
"A beautiful love story!"
Samantha and Thorn have been friends since they were kids, when Thorn and his dad moved in to Samantha's neighborhood. While Thorn has been in love with her since they were three, Sam had no such feelings, treating Thorn like the best friend that he was, until the day she proposed for him to take her virginity. Then, she started to see him in a whole, new different light.
Rosalie Stanton writes a beautiful story of first love. Packed with much emotion and sexual tension of the good kind, the story swept me away with the burgeoning of romantic love between best friends, fraught with all the uncertainties and hopes of a new romance. The sex scenes are sizzling hot and I love the circumstances in which Thorn finally declared his feelings. I agree that it's certainly much better than if he'd declared while they were in bed where the sincerity of his love could've been misunderstood. This way, there was no doubt in Sam's mind that he truly loved her and that he's not just speaking because of the sex. I love this book and the author's voice so much I'm looking forward to her future offerings.
Reviewed by Silver
Samantha and Thorn have been friends since they were kids, when Thorn and his dad moved in to Samantha's neighborhood. While Thorn has been in love with her since they were three, Sam had no such feelings, treating Thorn like the best friend that he was, until the day she proposed for him to take her virginity. Then, she started to see him in a whole, new different light.
Rosalie Stanton writes a beautiful story of first love. Packed with much emotion and sexual tension of the good kind, the story swept me away with the burgeoning of romantic love between best friends, fraught with all the uncertainties and hopes of a new romance. The sex scenes are sizzling hot and I love the circumstances in which Thorn finally declared his feelings. I agree that it's certainly much better than if he'd declared while they were in bed where the sincerity of his love could've been misunderstood. This way, there was no doubt in Sam's mind that he truly loved her and that he's not just speaking because of the sex. I love this book and the author's voice so much I'm looking forward to her future offerings.
Reviewed by Silver
January 3, 2016
I almost passed on reading this one (mostly because the hero and heroine are so young and I prefer couples who have lived a little before finding their way to each other), but I decided to give it a shot since I've read other books by Rosalie Stanton and really enjoyed her style. Sure enough, once I started reading, I was immediately roped right in. I loved the theme (best friends to lovers? Yes, please!), I loved the humor and I loved the characters. Best of all, I loved that I felt a genuine connection between Wesley and Savannah. Unlike a lot of friends-to-lovers stories I've read, nothing about their relationship felt forced or phony to me. They truly seemed to be on the same wavelength and I could easily imagine them running around together as little kids, taking on the world together. They had wonderful chemistry and I was really excited to watch their story play out.
I liked Savannah right away. She's spunky without being all in-your-face about it, she's funny and easy-going and just all-around entertaining. I sympathized with her struggle of capturing the guy of her dreams, only to find out that what she thought she wanted wasn't really what she wanted at all. When Daniel hurt her, my heart broke along with hers. I respected her for sticking up for herself and not letting what he did destroy her. She struggled with it, but she didn't let it ruin her.
And Wesley... Wesley, I fell in love with instantly. He's the kind of hero that is bittersweet to read about, because you just know there's no one out there who can possibly be that good. He's kind, genuine, giving; not at all mopey and entitled. He never once resents or blames Savannah for not loving him back, even though there's no good reason why she doesn't. He wants her, but most of all he wants her to be happy, and that just plain old melted my heart.
And then, in a twist that came totally out of left field, Thorn appeared (and this is where the spoilers really begin, so if you haven't read the book, read the rest at your own risk). I have to hand it to the author, I was just as baffled and horrified as Savannah by what had happened to Wesley during his freshman year. I mean, Thorn? Seriously? What. The. Freak? Honestly, despite being a successful shock, it left me more confused than anything. How does one go to college in Missouri and come out twice as British as he was before? It was so silly it was almost comical. Only, I couldn't laugh, because I really hated Thorn. A lot.
Thorn is an unholy mixture of every douchebag frat-boy I knew in college. He swaggers around arrogantly leering at everyone and everything, takes nothing seriously, treats women like objects and thinks being an asshole and a badass are one and the same. (They're not. Not at all). That's when my enjoyment of the book started going downhill. I felt Wesley's loss like a physical pain. I missed his honesty and kindness and his ability to be open and genuine. Thorn, with all his "kittens" and "innits" felt so childish and phony, I rolled my eyes every time he opened his mouth. He gave me goosebumps - and not the good kind. I felt just as crushed as Savannah did when it was revealed that he was casually sleeping around with Paige - not because I thought he should wait around for Savannah forever, but because when he finally slept with someone it meant absolutely nothing. Somehow, his loss of virginity seemed to represent the complete loss of himself. I was sad that he was on his way to becoming the typical womanizer I mentioned earlier.
Despite my intense dislike of Thorn, I decided to stick with the book, because, as much as I hated it, I understood why Wesley went there - why he needed a change and how desperately he needed to move on. I felt for him, and it broke my heart when he began to despise in himself all the things that I loved about him; that he thought the only way to get over Savannah's not loving him was to lose everything about himself that made him so caring and genuine. Most of all, I hoped that, like Jeremy said, Wesley was just going through a phase and would get over it and find his way back to being the adorable Wesley I loved and missed. I just wanted Wesley back.
But that didn't happen. For some reason, Wesley preferred himself as Thorn, even though being Thorn (gah, that is seriously a stupid name) didn't make him happy at all. And worse, after voicing her initial abhorrence for who Wesley had become, Savannah eventually grew to like Thorn better, too. She didn't seem to miss the old Wesley at all, never even asked him what had damaged him so badly that he literally had to become the opposite of everything he once was just to survive it. She just thought he was sexier this way and that was enough. After all...
"Wesley was a boy she’d known, a boy she loved; Thorn was the man he’d grown into, and the one she’d fallen in love with."
That pissed me right off, because honestly, I felt the complete opposite about it. To me, Wesley was the man - self-sacrificing, loving, putting her needs ahead of himself and always looking out for her, asking nothing in return no matter how much he wanted something more and never once resenting her because of it. Yes, he was afraid and allowed that fear to hold him back, but given the length of their relationship and her level of blindness, it was completely understandable. Wesley wasn't perfect, but he was reliable and good. Thorn, however... To me, Thorn was the little boy. Acting out because he couldn't have what he wanted, purposely trying to hurt Savannah just to get a reaction out of her, having sex with a girl he didn't like and had absolutely no respect for (his attitude toward Paige was horrible, basically calling her stupid and easy and looking down on her even though he was no better. Gross. Thorn is gross.)
By the time I reached the end of the book, all I felt was let down. I had adored Wesley the way he was and I felt cheated that he wasn't enough for Savannah until he became someone else. And that's what disappointed me most of all, I think - I didn't really feel like they ended up together at all. I felt like she ended up with his weird, sex-obsessed, bad-boy evil twin or something. I wasn't reading about Savannah and Wesley anymore, I was reading about Kitten and Thorn and I didn't like it. Yes, the sex scenes were hot (like, seriously hot), but they didn't seem like two best friends having sex, they seemed like strangers having a hot hookup. Everything that I had loved about them in the beginning - their tenderness and easy rapport - was gone. Suddenly their entire relationship was about the sex, and while I liked that they couldn't keep their hands off of each other, I also yearned for a heart-warming scene in which they curled up on the couch and watched tv together again - like old times, only a hundred times better.
I almost went with three stars, simply because I enjoyed the first half so much, but in the end, Thorn just ruined it for me. If a smarmy alpha male hero and some steamy sex is all you're looking for, you'll probably enjoy this book. If, however, you're looking for a sweet love story and a satisfying friends-to-lovers plot, I'd avoid this one.
I liked Savannah right away. She's spunky without being all in-your-face about it, she's funny and easy-going and just all-around entertaining. I sympathized with her struggle of capturing the guy of her dreams, only to find out that what she thought she wanted wasn't really what she wanted at all. When Daniel hurt her, my heart broke along with hers. I respected her for sticking up for herself and not letting what he did destroy her. She struggled with it, but she didn't let it ruin her.
And Wesley... Wesley, I fell in love with instantly. He's the kind of hero that is bittersweet to read about, because you just know there's no one out there who can possibly be that good. He's kind, genuine, giving; not at all mopey and entitled. He never once resents or blames Savannah for not loving him back, even though there's no good reason why she doesn't. He wants her, but most of all he wants her to be happy, and that just plain old melted my heart.
And then, in a twist that came totally out of left field, Thorn appeared (and this is where the spoilers really begin, so if you haven't read the book, read the rest at your own risk). I have to hand it to the author, I was just as baffled and horrified as Savannah by what had happened to Wesley during his freshman year. I mean, Thorn? Seriously? What. The. Freak? Honestly, despite being a successful shock, it left me more confused than anything. How does one go to college in Missouri and come out twice as British as he was before? It was so silly it was almost comical. Only, I couldn't laugh, because I really hated Thorn. A lot.
Thorn is an unholy mixture of every douchebag frat-boy I knew in college. He swaggers around arrogantly leering at everyone and everything, takes nothing seriously, treats women like objects and thinks being an asshole and a badass are one and the same. (They're not. Not at all). That's when my enjoyment of the book started going downhill. I felt Wesley's loss like a physical pain. I missed his honesty and kindness and his ability to be open and genuine. Thorn, with all his "kittens" and "innits" felt so childish and phony, I rolled my eyes every time he opened his mouth. He gave me goosebumps - and not the good kind. I felt just as crushed as Savannah did when it was revealed that he was casually sleeping around with Paige - not because I thought he should wait around for Savannah forever, but because when he finally slept with someone it meant absolutely nothing. Somehow, his loss of virginity seemed to represent the complete loss of himself. I was sad that he was on his way to becoming the typical womanizer I mentioned earlier.
Despite my intense dislike of Thorn, I decided to stick with the book, because, as much as I hated it, I understood why Wesley went there - why he needed a change and how desperately he needed to move on. I felt for him, and it broke my heart when he began to despise in himself all the things that I loved about him; that he thought the only way to get over Savannah's not loving him was to lose everything about himself that made him so caring and genuine. Most of all, I hoped that, like Jeremy said, Wesley was just going through a phase and would get over it and find his way back to being the adorable Wesley I loved and missed. I just wanted Wesley back.
But that didn't happen. For some reason, Wesley preferred himself as Thorn, even though being Thorn (gah, that is seriously a stupid name) didn't make him happy at all. And worse, after voicing her initial abhorrence for who Wesley had become, Savannah eventually grew to like Thorn better, too. She didn't seem to miss the old Wesley at all, never even asked him what had damaged him so badly that he literally had to become the opposite of everything he once was just to survive it. She just thought he was sexier this way and that was enough. After all...
"Wesley was a boy she’d known, a boy she loved; Thorn was the man he’d grown into, and the one she’d fallen in love with."
That pissed me right off, because honestly, I felt the complete opposite about it. To me, Wesley was the man - self-sacrificing, loving, putting her needs ahead of himself and always looking out for her, asking nothing in return no matter how much he wanted something more and never once resenting her because of it. Yes, he was afraid and allowed that fear to hold him back, but given the length of their relationship and her level of blindness, it was completely understandable. Wesley wasn't perfect, but he was reliable and good. Thorn, however... To me, Thorn was the little boy. Acting out because he couldn't have what he wanted, purposely trying to hurt Savannah just to get a reaction out of her, having sex with a girl he didn't like and had absolutely no respect for (his attitude toward Paige was horrible, basically calling her stupid and easy and looking down on her even though he was no better. Gross. Thorn is gross.)
By the time I reached the end of the book, all I felt was let down. I had adored Wesley the way he was and I felt cheated that he wasn't enough for Savannah until he became someone else. And that's what disappointed me most of all, I think - I didn't really feel like they ended up together at all. I felt like she ended up with his weird, sex-obsessed, bad-boy evil twin or something. I wasn't reading about Savannah and Wesley anymore, I was reading about Kitten and Thorn and I didn't like it. Yes, the sex scenes were hot (like, seriously hot), but they didn't seem like two best friends having sex, they seemed like strangers having a hot hookup. Everything that I had loved about them in the beginning - their tenderness and easy rapport - was gone. Suddenly their entire relationship was about the sex, and while I liked that they couldn't keep their hands off of each other, I also yearned for a heart-warming scene in which they curled up on the couch and watched tv together again - like old times, only a hundred times better.
I almost went with three stars, simply because I enjoyed the first half so much, but in the end, Thorn just ruined it for me. If a smarmy alpha male hero and some steamy sex is all you're looking for, you'll probably enjoy this book. If, however, you're looking for a sweet love story and a satisfying friends-to-lovers plot, I'd avoid this one.
February 21, 2014
Wes has been in love with his best friend Savannah for as long as he can remember. They have known each other since they were children and have remained close as they grew up. The only problem is that Savannah doesn't see Wes in that way. She has never looked at him as a potiential boyfriend, she just sees her best friend who also happens to be a guy. In order to get over Savannah, Wes decides to graduate high school early and go to college. While he is there Savannah notices that he is changing and she doesn't like who Wes becomes but she misses her best friend. Then she comes up with a plan that requires Wes' participation and she is sure that it will help them get back to where they used to be. Unfortunetly Wes doens't see it that way.
I can't make up my mind if I loved this book, liked it, or it got on my nerves. Honestly I don't know and here's why. (This is a bit spoiler-ish so please be aware.) I am a picky reader. When I read a book I don't ever want to see my main characters involved in any way with any character than each other. That includes dates, kissing and most especially sex. I know it's fiction and few people will see this my way but when I am reading a love story I don't want to picture the hero or heroine in bed with another person. Especially when the H/h has been having pages worth of internal monolouge about how much they love the other MC and wants to be with them. If you want them so bad, grow a pair and tell them! How hard is that? And then if they turn you down flat then you go about the buisness of moving on (but please not with the first skank that crosses your path..ew.)
This is basically what happens to Wes and Savannah. He has been pining for her forever and she has no idea cause he never tells her. Then he goes to college, decides to get over her and becomes a jerk with a skanky girlfriend. And still Savannah approaches him when she wants to have sex cause she trusts him. Yeah, ok (nope, no sarcasm there). She has barely spoken to him in months and now she thinks sleeping with him is a good plan? I know they are young (19/20) but it just seemed a bit ridiculaous. So that is what got on my nerves.
I did really enjoy Wes before his brain imploded in college and he started thinking with his other head. He was so sweet and loving toward Savannah. He was always there when she needed him and sure, she did take advantage of him a bit but he never minded being her go to guy for things. Plus she usually didn't realize she was taking advantage of him. And shen she did, she made an effort to not do it any longer and be a better firend. I just wish he had spoken up about his feelings instead of letting them perculate for years. And it wasn't until Savannah's bright idea and subsequent feelings that even got him to finally fess up to her how he felt. Savannah felt, to me, like a typical, wallfower-esque high school girl that liked the popular boy but never thought she could get him. When he does throw some attention her way she starts to change things about herself to make him like her but when she won't have sex with him, he dumps her. Then she goes back to her bff (Wes) and licks her wounds. See Savannah never saw Wes cause she had a crush on someone else. But maybe if he had said something, she would have opened her eyes to the great thing sitting beside her and never wasted her time!? (deep breath....okay)
There are some great side characters that we don't get a lot of info on but were still important to the story. Sav has a female bff and she becomes good friends with Wes' collge roommate. There is a ton of internal monoluge from both MC's so get to know where both their heads are at often. Wes hems and haws over Savannah most of the time while her internal monoluge is more about how she could be so dumb when it came to men (her high scool crush that was a jerk), wanting to lose her virginity before college (why I still don't know even after she thought about it forever) and her confusion about what happend to Wes when he went to college.
Now I know it seems like I hated the story but I really didn't. I enjoyed it for the most part, I just have that pet peeve about my MC's and I didn't realize this book would stomp all over it. This is a great book and probably very close to what would happen in real life. Most men wouldn't wait around for years for a girl, they would try to move on. Date, kiss, have sex with other women in an effort to forget about the love of their life. I know this in my head, but I just wish that Wes had manned up and said something to Savannah before he decided to move on. It makes my heart hurt when I think of what all Savannah went through at the end of the story, having to deal with Wes' ex, her changing feelings for him, his new attitude that she didn't understand, ect
This book takes place over the course of about a year and a half (give or take) and both characters gorw and mature quite a bit during that time. We also get a very nice epilogue that was very enjoyable. Overall I did like this book and the main characters. They do talk quite a bit at the end and smooth everything over so I understood the reasoning behind everything (I just don't happen to like it, I know, beating a dead horse). I enjoyed the writing, how real the character's felt and getting to see the story from both perspectives. I will definaltly be looking for more books by Stanton. If I am still running the book through my head days after I read it, thinking abtou the characters, wondering about what all happened with them after the book ended, I know it was good.
I can't make up my mind if I loved this book, liked it, or it got on my nerves. Honestly I don't know and here's why. (This is a bit spoiler-ish so please be aware.) I am a picky reader. When I read a book I don't ever want to see my main characters involved in any way with any character than each other. That includes dates, kissing and most especially sex. I know it's fiction and few people will see this my way but when I am reading a love story I don't want to picture the hero or heroine in bed with another person. Especially when the H/h has been having pages worth of internal monolouge about how much they love the other MC and wants to be with them. If you want them so bad, grow a pair and tell them! How hard is that? And then if they turn you down flat then you go about the buisness of moving on (but please not with the first skank that crosses your path..ew.)
This is basically what happens to Wes and Savannah. He has been pining for her forever and she has no idea cause he never tells her. Then he goes to college, decides to get over her and becomes a jerk with a skanky girlfriend. And still Savannah approaches him when she wants to have sex cause she trusts him. Yeah, ok (nope, no sarcasm there). She has barely spoken to him in months and now she thinks sleeping with him is a good plan? I know they are young (19/20) but it just seemed a bit ridiculaous. So that is what got on my nerves.
I did really enjoy Wes before his brain imploded in college and he started thinking with his other head. He was so sweet and loving toward Savannah. He was always there when she needed him and sure, she did take advantage of him a bit but he never minded being her go to guy for things. Plus she usually didn't realize she was taking advantage of him. And shen she did, she made an effort to not do it any longer and be a better firend. I just wish he had spoken up about his feelings instead of letting them perculate for years. And it wasn't until Savannah's bright idea and subsequent feelings that even got him to finally fess up to her how he felt. Savannah felt, to me, like a typical, wallfower-esque high school girl that liked the popular boy but never thought she could get him. When he does throw some attention her way she starts to change things about herself to make him like her but when she won't have sex with him, he dumps her. Then she goes back to her bff (Wes) and licks her wounds. See Savannah never saw Wes cause she had a crush on someone else. But maybe if he had said something, she would have opened her eyes to the great thing sitting beside her and never wasted her time!? (deep breath....okay)
There are some great side characters that we don't get a lot of info on but were still important to the story. Sav has a female bff and she becomes good friends with Wes' collge roommate. There is a ton of internal monoluge from both MC's so get to know where both their heads are at often. Wes hems and haws over Savannah most of the time while her internal monoluge is more about how she could be so dumb when it came to men (her high scool crush that was a jerk), wanting to lose her virginity before college (why I still don't know even after she thought about it forever) and her confusion about what happend to Wes when he went to college.
Now I know it seems like I hated the story but I really didn't. I enjoyed it for the most part, I just have that pet peeve about my MC's and I didn't realize this book would stomp all over it. This is a great book and probably very close to what would happen in real life. Most men wouldn't wait around for years for a girl, they would try to move on. Date, kiss, have sex with other women in an effort to forget about the love of their life. I know this in my head, but I just wish that Wes had manned up and said something to Savannah before he decided to move on. It makes my heart hurt when I think of what all Savannah went through at the end of the story, having to deal with Wes' ex, her changing feelings for him, his new attitude that she didn't understand, ect
This book takes place over the course of about a year and a half (give or take) and both characters gorw and mature quite a bit during that time. We also get a very nice epilogue that was very enjoyable. Overall I did like this book and the main characters. They do talk quite a bit at the end and smooth everything over so I understood the reasoning behind everything (I just don't happen to like it, I know, beating a dead horse). I enjoyed the writing, how real the character's felt and getting to see the story from both perspectives. I will definaltly be looking for more books by Stanton. If I am still running the book through my head days after I read it, thinking abtou the characters, wondering about what all happened with them after the book ended, I know it was good.
November 8, 2021
Good friends to lovers story. I liked the characters but couldn’t like the nickname thing. Like Savannah, I thought it was kind of lame.
September 30, 2010
LynnMarie’s Review
Firsts is a fitting title for this contemporary romance. Savannah doesn’t want to enter college as a virgin, and she wants her first time to be with someone she trusts, and feels safe with. The perfect choice, in her opinion, is her best friend, Wesley, aka Thorn. When she explains her proposition, Thorn refuses her, claiming sex changes friendships, and he doesn’t want them to lose what they have. Little does she know, her best friend has been in love with her since they were kids.
Savannah is young and inexperienced. Though she jumps into the prospect of losing her virginity with Thorn, she soon realizes it’s much bigger than just sex. She has feelings for him, and when she begins to look at him as a potential sexual object, she becomes aware just how masculine and stunning her buddy has become.
Thorn, with his sexy English accent, is a gentleman and never pushes Savannah to do anything she isn’t comfortable with. Though he knows it will break his heart to be intimate with his friend, and then play like nothing happened, it’s too tempting to refuse. Will what they share together be a highschool fling or become much more? Does sex really change everything?
This was a cute story about two friends discovering themselves and love. The sex scenes are hot, with a humorous edge. Thorn is every woman’s dream man. The ending and epilogue were perfect after the frustration of dealing with two characters that had no clue the other had feelings for them. For a sweet and sexy romance about first times and first love, give Firsts by Rosalie Stanton a read!
4 ½ Tea Cups!
Firsts is a fitting title for this contemporary romance. Savannah doesn’t want to enter college as a virgin, and she wants her first time to be with someone she trusts, and feels safe with. The perfect choice, in her opinion, is her best friend, Wesley, aka Thorn. When she explains her proposition, Thorn refuses her, claiming sex changes friendships, and he doesn’t want them to lose what they have. Little does she know, her best friend has been in love with her since they were kids.
Savannah is young and inexperienced. Though she jumps into the prospect of losing her virginity with Thorn, she soon realizes it’s much bigger than just sex. She has feelings for him, and when she begins to look at him as a potential sexual object, she becomes aware just how masculine and stunning her buddy has become.
Thorn, with his sexy English accent, is a gentleman and never pushes Savannah to do anything she isn’t comfortable with. Though he knows it will break his heart to be intimate with his friend, and then play like nothing happened, it’s too tempting to refuse. Will what they share together be a highschool fling or become much more? Does sex really change everything?
This was a cute story about two friends discovering themselves and love. The sex scenes are hot, with a humorous edge. Thorn is every woman’s dream man. The ending and epilogue were perfect after the frustration of dealing with two characters that had no clue the other had feelings for them. For a sweet and sexy romance about first times and first love, give Firsts by Rosalie Stanton a read!
4 ½ Tea Cups!
August 28, 2014
Savannah is looking at entering college as a virgin. After getting her heart shattered by one of the high school’s notorious playboys, she turns to her best friend, Thorn, and implores him to help her solve the tiny problem of her virginity.
What she doesn’t know is Thorn has been in love with her since the second he laid eyes on her, and asking him to touch what he can’t have is nothing less than torture. After succumbing to her advances, Thorn makes it his mission to convey everything he hasn’t been able to put into words into touch, hoping Savannah will feel in his hands and mouth what she has never seen in his eyes.
It's a nice story to pass some time on, but nothing terribly memorable.
I liked Thorn, with his British accent and the (IMO) bad boy image. Although it was mentioned he moved to USA when he was 4 or 5, I'm not exactly sure that he would still have it, but that's not terribly important.
One of the things that prompted me to read the book is the theme - friends-to-lovers. And the book definitely delivered on that count.
Unfortunately I didn't like Savannah much - she came across as an indecisive, selfish wimp. She so didn't deserve Thorn.
Rating:
4.25 stars
August 12, 2012
“Sex changes everything,” this saying could not be more true for this book. After Thorn agrees to Savannah’s request, things get complicated. Just once kiss and touch from Thorn throws Savannah into a different way of feeling about her best guy friend.
I found this book to have a certain sweetness to it that most books wouldn’t be able to pull off. The deep connection that Thorn and Savannah have makes for a wonderful friendship and a fantastic sexual relationship. Because of the trust and love between these two character, you will find that Savannah is more than willing to let Thorn please her, she can’t say no to him, and that Thorn’s only thought process is to make this the best of everything for Savannah.
I liked that this book wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Savannah and Thorn fight throughout the book and it made me feel like they were true best friends and a true couple that was coming into being. They had problems over feelings that they had to overcome and fought about it. They had exes that posed a problem and they fought about it. But all those feelings worked themselves out when they were alone together.
~BookWhisperer Reviewer MC~
I found this book to have a certain sweetness to it that most books wouldn’t be able to pull off. The deep connection that Thorn and Savannah have makes for a wonderful friendship and a fantastic sexual relationship. Because of the trust and love between these two character, you will find that Savannah is more than willing to let Thorn please her, she can’t say no to him, and that Thorn’s only thought process is to make this the best of everything for Savannah.
I liked that this book wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Savannah and Thorn fight throughout the book and it made me feel like they were true best friends and a true couple that was coming into being. They had problems over feelings that they had to overcome and fought about it. They had exes that posed a problem and they fought about it. But all those feelings worked themselves out when they were alone together.
~BookWhisperer Reviewer MC~
May 16, 2011
This was a very short read, but I didn't feel it was lacking in anything as can happen with shorter stories. It was hot and jealousy-inducing, lol. Some of y'all may have waited for that special someone to de-virginize, but I didn't. I wanted to get it over with like Savannah, but I didn't have a Thorn. And Thorn was perfect. In every way. What he said, what he did. Green-eyed monster is making me want to go back in time so I can find my Thorn! Hindsight is 20/20 and all...I really liked this. Very sweet.
April 8, 2013
This story was hot, which I was expecting. There was language that I wasn't. Now I wasn't offended by the language, because if you've seen my read list you know that'd be a joke. It's just that I was surprised because of the age of the characters and rather how the author had described them initially.
Beyond, that, I'm still radiating heat!
Beyond, that, I'm still radiating heat!
May 27, 2015
Fun, fast paste book. I enjoyed all the characters. I liked Wesley, but not sure about Thor. Paige was trashy. Savanna kept it classy and was pure, realistic, and honest. Daniel was a tool. Jeremy was fun. The story line was good. The ending great.
Only thing I missed in this book, was them having a family. Hopefully there will be another, short book maybe later, after say 5 more years :)
Only thing I missed in this book, was them having a family. Hopefully there will be another, short book maybe later, after say 5 more years :)
August 28, 2010
A hot, steamy, short erotic contemporary read. Two young "best friends" embarking on a relationship beyond friendship and all the fears with it. Everyone should have their own Thorn! Loved Rosalie's style of writing and will definitely read more of her work!
September 9, 2012
I expected more because the storyline looked really interesting. But the writing style was poor - and I got really confused at the begging. There was nothing special about this book and I didn't like the end at all.
August 11, 2013
Super short book so of course it packs a punch. Thorn and Savannah were smoking hot!
September 11, 2013
So sweet and romantic and cute. I loved it from beginning to end. Loved the epilogue because it was nice that they were still so hot for each other even after all that time.
February 24, 2016
2 Stars
April 21, 2019
Great Story, Great Audible Listen🎧 4.5 Sweet & Enjoyable Stars🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Firsts
By: Rosalie Stanton
Narrated by: Jem Matzan
This is a great young adult friends to lovers romance. It is well written and well told. The storylines are interesting and engrossing from start to end. The characters are complex and well developed. Wesley and Savannah have been best friends since childhood, Wesley has developed deeper feeling for her, would love to be more than friends but hasn’t acted on it because he does not think she feels the same and he does not want to ruin their friendship. Wesley is such a nice guy but Savannah is clueless about his real feelings but sometimes you do not see what is right in front of you until it isn’t there anymore. I highly recommend this is beautiful story, there is drama, angst, some sweet moments, funny ones and lots of good loving. Great epilogue too. Rosalie Stanton, thank you for this great story!
I listened to the Audible edition, Jem Matzan is a wonderful narrator and voice performer. She brings the characters to life, gives each their own voice and personality and lots of heart. She switches characters flawlessly and keeps the story in a perfect flow. Does an awesome job with the accents too. She is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for the great listen🎧
Firsts
By: Rosalie Stanton
Narrated by: Jem Matzan
This is a great young adult friends to lovers romance. It is well written and well told. The storylines are interesting and engrossing from start to end. The characters are complex and well developed. Wesley and Savannah have been best friends since childhood, Wesley has developed deeper feeling for her, would love to be more than friends but hasn’t acted on it because he does not think she feels the same and he does not want to ruin their friendship. Wesley is such a nice guy but Savannah is clueless about his real feelings but sometimes you do not see what is right in front of you until it isn’t there anymore. I highly recommend this is beautiful story, there is drama, angst, some sweet moments, funny ones and lots of good loving. Great epilogue too. Rosalie Stanton, thank you for this great story!
I listened to the Audible edition, Jem Matzan is a wonderful narrator and voice performer. She brings the characters to life, gives each their own voice and personality and lots of heart. She switches characters flawlessly and keeps the story in a perfect flow. Does an awesome job with the accents too. She is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for the great listen🎧
March 14, 2025
THIS WAS CUTE BUT ALSO MADE ME WANT TO TEAR MY HAIR OUT. I tried to dumb down my brain cells while reading this because wow, teenage mentality just annoyed the fuck out of me. Savannah took awhile to realize she's also been in love with her best friend her entire life, only she had to act stupidly for awhile before coming to that realization. I don't wanna call her dumb, but her obliviousness was irritating.
And I thought Thorn was a lame name. If I was Savannah and I truly loved Wes, then he'll always be my Wes, because that's the boy and man I grew up to love...so yeah, Thorn was just him trying to be someone else, it screamed fake and I didn't like that.
And I thought Thorn was a lame name. If I was Savannah and I truly loved Wes, then he'll always be my Wes, because that's the boy and man I grew up to love...so yeah, Thorn was just him trying to be someone else, it screamed fake and I didn't like that.
July 26, 2017
Well, wasn't bad but I avoid books about college kids for a reason. I have too little patience for their antics and immature behavior which is of course understandable - they are immature.
June 22, 2018
review to come
June 26, 2019
I skipped through this. I like this author but fairly predictable effort here.
March 14, 2014
3.5 stars. A cute love story about Savannah and Wesley (aka Thorn) who are best friends, yet Wes has always been deeply in love with Sav. I liked both characters a lot, but I had little issues with them. Savannah seemed to have her head in the clouds concerning Wes's true affection for her, which was annoying only because she didn't come across as an airhead. It seemed pretty plain to me (and all the others in the book) that Wesley was crazy about her. She technically never figured it out-- frustrating! Wesley drove me nuts because he just assumed that Savannah could never have deeper feelings for him. He wouldn't man up and tell her, he just decided to run to England, graduate from high school a year early, and sleep with someone he didn't care for-- all to try and forget his feelings for Savannah. So much time wasted! Once Savannah's relationship with her BF ended, Wes should've just come clean, but instead he took the most passive aggressive roundabout route possible to keep her in his life while trying to move on without her as a love interest. I know there was a lot on the line there, but it made me want to scream a bit. I also thought the speed of the story progression was way too slow. The avoidance tactics and misunderstandings went on for a lot longer than I think they needed to. Though I liked a lot when they finally got together, I thought the fact that Savannah randomly decided she no longer wanted to be a virgin for college was a thin excuse to lose it. I would've done that differently. This was a light diversion, and enjoyable in the end.
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