First & Then by Emma Mills Review!

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.

Buy Now: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Review:

This book is such an incredible read!! When I first picked this book up, I wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did.

The story follows Devon, a high school senior and her life when her cousin Foster comes to live with her and her parents. Although Devon is conflicted with Foster staying with her, she understands why and that it is for the best. Throughout the novel, Devon is forced to deal with figuring out her plans after high school, the idea of a new "brother" figure, battling feelings for a friend and the idea of a new love interest, Ezra.

"When you love something, you can’t be happy all the time, can you? Like, that’s why you love it. It makes you feel all kinds of things, not just happy. It can hurt, it can make you fucking mad, but…it makes you feel something, you know?”

This story isn't one of a perfect love match. It is not the stereotypical girl meets guy and they fall in love. This story is twisted and heartfelt. It contains an emotional depth that is very rare to find in a teen romance novel.

"You don't want to make yourself different for anyone." 

I fell in love with Devon. I loved that she was flawed and had issues to work through. She is hilarious in her own way and had me laughing at some of her awkward moments. I enjoyed reading about her connection and relationship to Ezra. One thing I would have liked slightly more in this novel was a bit more conversation and romance between these two characters. The backstory of Ezra was kind of thrown in without much explanation, which I would have liked a little more of.

"What must it be like to have a path do clearly delineated for you? To have talent and a passion that guide your future like that?"

Overall, I definitely enjoyed this novel and will be recommending it to all of my reader friends!!

4.5 Stars!