It’s taken Tommy Newsome a while to get his head around being gay. Growing up in a small town in Georgia hasn’t prepared him for the more liberal life of a student at the university in Athens. Add to that the teachings of his parents and his church, and you have one shy young man who feels out of his depth. Working on his daddy’s farm hasn’t given him any chance of a social life, certainly not … certainly not one like the clubs of Atlanta have on offer. Not that Tommy feels comfortable when he gets to sample it–Momma’s lectures still ring loudly inside his head.
All that changes when he goes to his first gay bar and sets eyes on Mike Scott.
When Mike’s not behind the bar at Woofs, he’s busy with his life as adult entertainer Scott Masters. Twenty years in the industry and the times, they are a-changing. Mike’s not had much luck in the relationship department, but as his mom is fond of telling him, you keep fishing in the same pond, you’re gonna reel in the same kind of fish. Maybe it’s time for a change.
And then a beautiful young man asks Mike to be his first….
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Audiobook review:
Overall – 5
Performance – 4
Story – 5
Another great K.C. Wells book!
First was a great love story. Even though I was pretty sure what the main conflict would be, I was still surprised by the way that K.C. handled it and I loved how she did. There were a lot of really hot scenes in the story and yet the tender feelings and naivete of Tommy really came through.
This was the first audiobook I’ve listened to by Gregory Salinas and I think he did a decent job. His voice was easy to listen to but his southern accent left a bit to be desired.
K.C. Wells is one of my favorite authors and I’m very glad that I listened to this book.
A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author and/or narrator.
Beautifully written, intimate, and highly emotional, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about K.C. Wells’ novel First. Just the premise: an older, super sexy porn star and an inexperienced, virginal nineteen year old…, yes it’s hot as hell and as erotic as I’d hoped. (Just imagine learning how to make love from a porn star, the dirty talk is out of this world!) From their first sexual encounter to the Skype scene, this slow-burn picks up speed and never looks back.
The story flows beautifully between Tommy and Mike’s points of view. Their relationship builds gradually, and there’s so much more going on in their lives than just getting naked. I appreciated the way Mike takes the time to draw Tommy out, and go at his own pace. It makes the age-gap work so well here.
One of my favorite aspects of First is the progression of Tommy’s story. Away from home for the first time, this young man is still figuring out who he is. Searching for someone special, when he sees Mike and recognizes their spark, it takes time for Tommy to work up the courage to even talk with Mike. And we get to experience all of Tommy’s emotions along the journey.
I’m not spoiling anything by saying that eventually Mike has to explain himself, and the turmoil Tommy goes through as he processes everything is very emotional. Just imagine the wealth of underlying doubts! Is Tommy mistaking his first sexually intimate experience for love? Is he even capable of knowing it’s real? Seeing “Scott” share the same things with his co-stars forces Tommy to dig deep and ask himself some tough questions.
K.C. Wells creates amazing relationships, some of my all time favorites, but the depth to which she explores these characters is incredible. It’s not just the main characters, but the supporting ones as well. Mike’s interactions with his co-workers, and the intriguing conversations between veteran porn actors which force them to face the changes in their business. And I love Tommy’s best friend Ben and his family members, they’re a story all by themselves.
I have to say that the industry scenes are all very interesting. It’s like an insider’s guide to the goings on in the porn studio. No idea how K.C. Wells did the research here, but it feels incredibly real.
Gregory Salinas performs the audio version of First and he does a wonderful job conveying the sweetness of this story. Never over the top, Salinas captures the intimacy between Tommy and Mike, and makes the most of every moment.
A Young virgin, a porn star, sounds a great start to any book.
This is a great book, full of ups and downs. Hurt, comfort, abuse and love. Just about everything you need in a book. Well worth a read.
First
By: K.C. Wells
Narrated by: Gregory Salinas
Length: 10 hrs and 59 mins
Overall
Narration
Story
Read at 1.15 speed on Audible.
Young Tommy, away from home at college for the first time.
He gradually let’s his brain accept his gayness. All he hears is that being gay is against everything, God, family, his teaching at church and home. His daddy wanted him to work on the farm, but he was far too intelligent for that life.
Mike, works at the local gay bar and earns extra money as an adult film star.
The two meet, but it takes a lot of nudging from his friends for Mike to approach such a young man, but before he has a chance to tell the young man what his extra job is he’s fallen for the younger man.
How will Tommy take it, the young man wants a monogamous relationship.