She’s forbidden.Too young, too pure, and not mine.I’ll break all the rules to be with her. She belongs to me, even if she doesn’t know it yet.He’s taboo.Too old, too experienced, and my stepfather.I’ll cross every line to be with him. He’s not mine, and never will be.It’s not about the danger of what’s forbidden, it’s about the pleasure we get from it.All consequences be damned.
Firsts
By clmatthews
Great Story! Great Audible Listen4.5 Intense & Emotional Stars!
Firsts
By: C.L. Matthews
Narrated by: Lacy Laurel, Aaron Shedlock
This is my first C.L. Matthews book and I enjoyed it. It is well written and well told, the storylines are interesting and intense at times. The characters are well developed. Leia, a young girl growing up with an absentee father and a mother who is busy working. Silas, a long time friend who always looked out for Leia’s Mom comes back in the picture when Leia is 13. Silas, 100% Alpha male wanted Leia at 1st sight, but he knew it was wrong and he tried to stay away. Over the next several years, lines are drawn and lines are crossed by both Silas and Leia. Leia wants Silas or at least she thinks she does but she is also seeing her best friend Brax in a new light after feelings are exchanged. So much drama, angst & warring within happening. There are some hot scenes too. Leia gets a lot of firsts here, I can not wait to find out what else is in store for her, will it be Silas or Brax or could it possible be both? There are a lot of unanswered questions about her Mom as well. I hope the next book “Lasts” comes out on Audible soon.
I listened to to the Audible edition, narrated by the talented Aaron Shedlock and Lacy Laurel. They are outstanding voice performers, they bring their characters to life and give them personality and attitude. Loved Lacy Laurel’s Spanish dialogue and how she played Leia, an angsty teen at times, as well as naive to naughty at times. And Aaron’s Silas, he had that alpha attitude by the, well you know and that accent, woohoo!! Their performances brought a lot to this great story and enhances it another level. Thanks for another great & entertaining listen
Firsts
By: C.L. Matthews
Narrated by: Lacy Laurel, Aaron Shedlock
WOW…talk about taboo! I went into this first book completely blind and was caught up in the story. The romance of Silas and Leila is not only sizzling, but will make you shudder each minute you listen. If the age difference isn’t enough to make you wonder what will happen, the unexpected marriage making Silas her stepfather will. Not only does CL Matthews dish up a naughty romance, but she weaves in a best friend you can’t help but love and an ending that leaves you just itching to hear what is going to happen next.
Picking the narrating team had to be perfect for a story like this to be credible. The choice of Aaron Shedlock and Lacy Laurel is perfect. Shedlock is incredible in this book. Sporting a hispanic accent, he brings Silas into the folds, and makes him both the man you love and hate! Lacy Laurel with her phenomenal voices gives us Leila, both with innocence and naughtiness. She delivers Spanish like a second language and the two together make this listen a book to devour.
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This series is so unique in the book world! It breaks stereotypes and norms of romance and melds it with cliffhanger after cliffhanger. The book feels fast, but its worth every minute of reading. The twists and turns left me grabbing for more and hopefully, will leave you grabbing at the next book (Lasts).
CL Matthews’ writing is H.O.T. Its dirty and raw and real. I loved reading about Leia’s story and growth. She’s got a lot in her life and her story will take your breath away. Reading this book was so easy, yet so hard. The story flowed seamlessly but the DRAMA kept making me pause. It’s a completely captivating read.
SO GOOD!
Leia, the forbidden temptation, makes it hard for Silas to keep his hands to himself. They both know it’s wrong but when Sy has a taste of her his self-control breaks. They give in to their desires, knowing they are going to hurt loved ones. There is no going back.
Wow – this was a hot, steamy read! One of the best taboo books I have read! The characters are flawed & imperfect & they must now deal with the consequences of what they’ve done. Can’t wait to read book 2!
Silas has been a family friend for many years. Every time Leia’s father messed up Silas would step up so they wouldn’t do without. Leia has always had a crush on him even though he’s older. Silas saw her at bus station and had instant attraction but didn’t recognize her since it had been a few years. They both are attracted to each other but when they meet again at dinner table things get confusing. She’s a teenager so they have to keep there distance. Will they ever act on their feelings? What will happen if they do? Can a older man and a young girl be in love? I loved this book! I can’t wait to read next book!
This book was absolutely amazing, the best kind of taboo! The hot parts were absolutely steamy. The angsty parts were so full of tension that I was holding my breath. It left me needing the sequel so bad! CL Matthews wrote an amazing book that is easily one of my top reads for 2018 and she deserves all tacos!
I couldn’t finish it.
A naughty, sexy, little read that will leave you squirming just a smidge while the two main characters get to know each other.
C.L. Matthews really hit the ball outta the park with this one. Firsts is panty-dropping-I-want-to-lick-my-Kindle hot!
Do you have a guilty pleasure, I do and it’s age gap stories and this fits very neatly into this genre. I’ve never read this author before and I am myself why not? You can be sure I’m going to be checking out her other work.
Silas is a mysterious enigmatic man, he’s the type of man who sees something he wants and just takes it. Leia is the very young daughter of life long friends she’s forbidden on so many levels.
It’s inevitable with these types of books that you’ll pick a side but the author throws a curveball into the story and the sides become harder to pick. I loved Leia she’s what I would call an old soul, she’s mature for her age. Growing up is hard enough without all the conflicting feelings she has for Silas.
This isn’t a typical age gap story there is an undercurrent of mystery running throughout regarding Leia’s family and where Silas fits into it all.
I’m looking forward to book
I like my reads dark, dirty and taboo and Firsts hit all of my buttons. A very alpha older man and young inexperienced girl. Oh Sy how I wish I was about 35 years younger and living between the pages of this book. This was my first read by C.L. Matthews and she did not disappoint – I devoured it and want more now. There are secrets being kept and I cannot wait for them to be revealed. And then there’s Brax, Leia’s best friend. I have a one track mind where he is concerned and know what I want, just hoping my wish is granted and it’s for the long haul. If you enjoy a good age-gap story with a twist of taboo, then this story is for you – one click it, I promise you won’t be disappointed.
This was a very fast paced gripping read. I liked both main characters and the taboo aspect was hot. There’s not a ton that goes on in this story but what did go on hooked me and has me wanting to dive into the next book as fast as I can. Silas and Leia were great characters with solid personalities and I can’t wait to see what is going to happen and the different things that led up to what happened on this book. 4 stars #2OCCJD
From page one I was hooked.. There were points where I thought WTH am I reading but I couldn’t stop.
What a cliffhanger! I have only read a small handful of angsty taboo books, and this one is whoa… This whole entire read had me trying to figure the characters out, and what the secrets were to why they made the decisions they made. I was rooting for one hero then switched to another and then back again, I just need more! I’m so angry at the heroine and I need things to get better, it’s killing me! Leila’s struggles are real, I feel for her but dang she’s stupid sometimes! Haha, I kept yelling at the book as if that would change what she ended up doing or saying. This is the first book I have read where I actively got involved I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the continuation of this story! This is a story that I hate so much right now that I love it….I had to keep on reading and get through the agony, and am greedy to find out what happens, even though I know I’m not going to like it. This book challenged my inner morals and I’m putting myself through so much angst, but I absolutely love the new feeling its giving me! If any of you feel the anger,and angst and love/hate relationship with this book that I do…then C.L. Matthews did her job correctly!
Two forbidden tropes in one. Age gap and step daddy. This book has it all. I blew through this book because I was hooked and couldn’t put it down., I can’t wait to see what comes next!
Firsts was my introduction to C.L. Matthew’s work and she absolutely blew my mind with this deliciously forbidden and taboo read. The storyline grabbed me from the very beginning and the characters drew me into their world and made me remember all those unforgettable firsts. The push and pull between Leia and Sy kept me glued to my Kindle and before I realized it I had devoured Firsts in one sitting. I loved how the author infused this book with the characters’ culture and language. Firsts was one of the most intense, sexy and naughtiest books I’ve read in a while and it left me rather impatiently waiting for more of Sy and Leia’s story. If you want a fiery, heart racing, all-consuming taste of the forbidden then Firsts is a definite must read!
a taboo twisted love triangle!
The moment I heard about this story I jumped at the chance to read it because it seems that I have been in a forbidden romance mood lately and I am absolutely loving every freaking moment of it. Let me just say that this book was no exception and I quickly found myself captivated by Silas and Leia’s intensely addictive attraction. My heart bled for these two and I was in a trance throughout the entire story.
Firsts by C.L. Matthews is one of those stories that you cannot help but LOVE and HATE all at the same time. I loved it because the writing was unbelievably beautiful and the characters spoke to me, but in another sense I hated it for that freaking epic cliffhanger. Yes I have been known to love cliffhangers in the past for the intense angst that I feel anticipating what will happen next, but lately I have been rethinking that stance. My heart is still racing over this story and I cannot even fathom what state it will be in after I finally get to my hands on Lasts. I seriously want to fast-forward to the next book like RIGHT NOW…if you don’t believe me just check out below what I was thinking just moments after finishing it!
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OMG…NO…YOU…CAN…NOT…LEAVE…US…HANGING…LIKE…THIS! I cannot wait for the next book in the duet. GIVE IT TO ME NOW! I mean RIGHT NOW!!!
Whoa!!!!
Seriously, big whoa! I don’t even know what to say right now. This book was amazing!! I absolutely love reading taboo, forbidden, age gaps stories. They make me lust so hard.
**happy sigh**
This story isn’t just about a forbidden age gap, there’s a triangle happening here, too. Trust me when I tell you, you’re going to have a hard time choosing one or the other. Do you go for #Sy or #Brax. In my opinion, can’t we give Leia both men? She’s a strong woman. She can handle both men. GIVE HER BOTH MEN! Don’t make me choose, I refuse. I want her to keep ‘em both!
Team One Man Team Other Man.
This book really surprised me. C.L Matthews really surprised me. Her writing is really, really freaking good! I was in there with Leia the whole time. I felt her inner turmoil as if it were my own. I wanted one man and then wanted the other.
And, that cliffhanger… really??? Wwwwhhhhyyyyyyyy?! **le sigh**
I want to know the rest right now. Give it to me, please. (That’s what she said, lol.) Seriously, Leia wants it, too, though. I just wanted one more page. I wanted to see the following day.
The only thing about this I didn’t like, is that I wanted a longer story. Lol, it’s not even a bad thing. I’m just a huge bookwh*re and demand ALL. THE. STORIES.
C.L Matthews, you’ve found yourself another fan. Perfection. 10 Stars indeed.
Now, if you’d just go ahead and tell me when Lasts is releasing that’d be great. I needs it right meow!!
This wasn’t badly written just not my bag.
On paper, this should have been a good fit for me; I’m a big fan of age gap romances being in one myself with a twenty year age gap; they are just so my guilty pleasure.
But “Firsts” for me was a strange one; I found it ever so difficult to connect to either Sy and Leia and I’m not sure why that was.
So I’m just going to give you a brief idea of where this went wrong for me.
I didn’t love the fact that Sy was initially lusting after a thirteen-year-old girl.
I know taboo and all that, but that’s the truth; it made me feel really uncomfortable and icky.
I know he never acted on his feelings until later and we only briefly meet thirteen-year-old Leia but I struggled with this all the same.
I would have much prefered the feelings Sy had towards Lei to develop at a later date or even for Sy not to meet Leia until she was sixteen.
Still young; but I could have dealt much easier.
I met the father of my children when I was twenty-one and he was twenty years my senior, so I’m the last one to judge; I just felt the timeline used here was a trifle young.
I also felt that if Sy cared as much as he claimed to about Leia he would have (A) not married her mother whatever the reason or (B) at least have the decency to treat Leia like an adult; if you want to bone her then she’s mature enough to know the reasoning behind the desition that was made.
Cant have it both ways boyo.
I also thought the mother was a waste of space; so much is said about how she really does care but you hardly see her for dust; Leia was practically raising herself; not acceptable in my eyes.
Leia’s mum so deserves the crappiest parent of the year award for sure.
I still could have somewhat dealt with things as they were progressing but then Bran was thrown into the mix and that I wasn’t cool with.
I detest love triangles with a bloody passion sorry, and this just happened to be the final nail in the coffin for me.
I really do wish I could have liked this so much more; “Firsts” was really just a very bad fit overall.
If you like your taboo romances this will probably be a much better fit for you.
I usually do love them, but this one just wasn’t for me sorry and I won’t be continuing any further
Heres hoping you find this a much better fit than I.
Thank You to the Author for providing me with an ARC of “Firsts” of which I have reviewed voluntary.
All opinions expressed are entirely my own.