Monday, October 19, 2015

Review: First & Then by Emma Mills

First & Then
by Emma Mills
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Publication Date: October 13th 2015
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Pages: 272
ISBN: 9781627792356
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: For Review

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Devon Tennyson wouldn't change a thing. She's happy watching Friday night games from the bleachers, silently crushing on best friend Cas, and blissfully ignoring the future after high school. But the universe has other plans. It delivers Devon's cousin Foster, an unrepentant social outlier with a surprising talent for football, and the obnoxiously superior and maddeningly attractive star running back, Ezra, right where she doesn't want them first into her P.E. class and then into every other aspect of her life.

Pride and Prejudice meets Friday Night Lights in this contemporary novel about falling in love with the unexpected boy, with a new brother, and with yourself. (Goodreads)
As soon as I discovered First & Then by Emma Mills, I knew I had to read this book. It is described as Pride & Prejudice meets Friday Night Lights, which happens to be two of my most favorite things. I have to admit, my curiosity was piqued, as I really love Jane Austen, and football, so I knew this book would make for an excellent read. AND IT DID!!

There were so many characters that I loved in the story, and all for different reasons. I found the main character, Devon, to be very likable, and I love how much she loved football, even if it was just to watch her best friend/crush play under the Friday night lights. Foster, Devon's cousin, is one of those characters that you just can't help but love, because he grows on you more and more throughout the story. And then there's Ezra, who is the strong and silent, yet somewhat awkward type, who is so much like Mr. Darcy, I instantly fell in love with him. These three characters really are the highlight of the book, and it made me love it so much more.

I am becoming a big fan of retellings of my favorite books lately, as I love seeing a book I loved retold in a different light, with a different persons perspective. And honestly, there just aren't enough Jane Austen retellings in my life. I adore Jane Austen, and Pride & Prejudice just happens to be my favorite read of hers. I really love how much influence Austen has in this book. I was hooked, and I read this book in just a few hours time.

Overall; I really love contemporary novels, and when you pair them with Jane Austen, you just can’t lose! First & Then was such a fun read! I loved the characters and the setting, and pretty much everything else about this book. I will definitely be checking out more books by Emma Mills in the future!!
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4 comments:

  1. I am not a fan of football but I love Jane Austen so I am looking forward to reading this and hope to get to it soon. I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. I like classics retold too especially if they are creative in their interpretation. Nice review!

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  2. So glad you enjoyed this one too! It ended up being one of my favorite YA contemporary novels of the year! Great review!

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  3. I just got this one the other day and I am pretty excited to read it! Lovely review!

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  4. You're totally right about there not being enough Jane Austen retelling. Although, truthfully, some of my favorite Austen retellings are the tongue-in-cheek Pride and Prejudice and Zombies books, lol! But I'm going to recommend Enthusiasm by Polly Shulman if you're looking for another Austen inspired book. It's short and sweet--I read it a very long time ago, but I still remember that I enjoyed it.

    Anyway, great review! I'm not actually much into contemporary but perhaps I'll make an exception!

    -Ashley
    What's Your Story?

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