“How long do you last in bed?” Those were her first words to me, swiftly followed up with, “And how big would you say you are?”Cue the record scratching, what?! Persephone Alexander. Math genius. Lover of blazers. The only girl I know who can make Heidi braids look sexy as hell. And she’s on a mission. Lose her virginity by the end of the semester. I walked in on her interview session for …
I walked in on her interview session for potential candidates (who even does that?) and saw straight through her brave front. She’s got a list of Firsts to accomplish like she’s only got months to live. I’ve decided to be her guide for all her firsts except one. Someone’s got to keep her out of trouble. I have one rule, no sex. We even shook on it.
I’ll help her find the right guy for the job. Someone like her doesn’t need someone like me and my massive…baggage for her first time.
Drinking at a bar. Check.
Partying all night. Double check.
Skinny dipping. Triple check.
She’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met. The walls I’d put up around my heart are slowly crumbling with each touch that sets fire to my soul.
I’m the first to bend the rules. One electrifying kiss changes everything and suddenly I don’t want to be her first, I want to be her only. But her plan was written before I came onto the scene and now I’m determined to get her to re-write her future with me.
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This was a fun opposites attract, friends-to-lovers romance, and a great start to a new series by Maya Hughes.
What happens when you have been sheltered all of your life and you finally have a chance to let your wings spread? You soak up every possible thing you can, that’s what you do! For Persehone, or Seph as she prefers to be called, that means making a list of things that she want’s to do and checking them off one by one, the first thing is to loose her virginity so she runs a little ad goes to the coffee shop and waits to see who will answer it.
A chance encounter, fate, destiny, whatever you would like to call it…other than a mistake is what happens when Reese sits at Seph’s table thinking he’s meeting with her for help as requested by his football coach and she thinks he’s there answering her ad. Lets just say this little interview doesn’t go as Reese had expected AT ALL!
I absolutely adored both Seph and Reese. I also loved the way Reese’s friends accepted Seph into there group and made her feel welcomed and not like an outsider. This was soooooo close to being a five star read for me but I have to admit there was one part that upset me and didn’t sit right, it wasn’t a major factor in the story but I felt that it could have been handled differently and yes that is totally on me I am sure others don’t care about it and if they did they most likely let it go after reading it, but it upset me so there it is.
Would I recommend this story? YES! This was a book that I devoured I didn’t want to put it down at all. Both main characters were more than likable and the secondary characters have me wanting to know more about them, which bodes well since this is book 1 of the series, the chemistry was great and the story line was a good one. If you’re looking for a read where opposites attract or a friends-to-lovers I would suggest you grab a copy and settle in because you won’t want to put this down once you start. Happy Reading!!!
This story! These characters! Reece and Seph may be opposites – she’s the nerdy girl, and he’s all jock – but they fit together like peanut butter and jelly. Even as friends, these two are just that good together. And true to form, Maya Hughes gives us an awesome group of secondary characters that are just as interesting as our romantic couple. The romance is a slow burn that turns oh, so steamy, but there’s no idle time in this one. It’s packed full of hilarious situations and dialogue, and we get some tug at the heartstrings feels in there too. The Perfect First is everything I’ve come to expect from this author and more, and it’s certainly the perfect beginning for this crazy group of friends.
I just loved this book. It was so well-written that it captured my mind and I was dragged along for the ride. Once I started reading I could not put it down until I read the last page.
“I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.”
Maya Hughes scores big with The Perfect First! I stayed up way past my bedtime enjoying Reece and Seph. With wonderful characters and witty dialogue, Maya brings something extra special to this story.
Cougar alert! No cougars were harmed in this book but I may have teared up
Lol! I will 110% admit that this cover stopped me in my tracks. I added this book to my TBR before Goodreads even loaded the blurb. I have zero shame in admitting that. I am happy to admit that not only does the cover cause skipped heart beats but wow what a story!
Anyone with a pulse and a romantic streak will be head over heels for these two. If you are a closeted nerd like myself, this is your Cinderella story! If you like hot jocks with protective streaks…sigh. If you love, live, and exist for friends to lovers stories…you may die in peace after devouring The Perfect First. Just before you expire- in your blissful existence, know that this is just the beginning for this series. You may need more stories for your final resting place. Just a heads up!
I plan on enrolling at FU as soon as I find the address to send my transcript!
How could I have missed this book?
Persephone (Seph) Alexander decided to attend Fulton University while she finished her degree in math before going where her father wants in Boston where he can direct her studies. She wants to get the normal school experience after being home schooled so she could achieve her potential. Seph has a list and places an ad but accidently meeting football star Reece Michaels who couldn’t get Seph out of his mind.
I loved Seph wanting to get her experiences in before returning to Boston and Reece wanting to protect her and supported her while she made her choices.
Next on my list is The Second We Met (Fulton U #2 to read.
Seph is a genius, 18 years old and a senior in college. Her dad has pushed her hard her whole life to be perfect and be perfect his way. She has one year to live where she is not under his thumb so she intends to live it up before she has to go back home. And what do all naïve girls do to live it up . . . place an ad in the school paper to lose her virginity. Seems like a good idea. When a mix up occurs and Reece stumbles upon her interview sessions he instantly feels a protectiveness over Seph. He finds out she has a bucket list and wants to give her all her perfect firsts . . . well except for one. The one she really wants from him. Reece never stood a chance.
I really enjoyed this book. Seph was the perfect amount of naïve and quirky without being too over the top. I really enjoyed her and her development. With all that she dealt with at home she grew into a pretty strong and fierce girl. Reece started out pretty awful but he grew as well and I grew to love him. He was so sweet when it came to wanting to give Seph all her firsts. I also loved how he helped Seph realize her worth – she didn’t find it in him, he just helped her see that she always had it. Ugh. However, there were things that seemed to be glossed over and that kind of irked me. The PR nightmare that required a PR coach – what happened? why bring it up if you aren’t going to dive into that? Mention of a girl faking pregnancy last year but not dive into that either, again why bring it up or use it if you aren’t going to explain it? And the resolution with her dad irked me too. It was just thrown into the epilogue, I would have liked to see that play out a bit more within the book. But overall I really loved Reece and Seph’s story.
It is the first book in the Fulton U series which is a series of sports romances and i dont particularly gravitate towards sports romances but it was very hyped so i went for it.
Reece and Persephone or sephs first meeting was a very awkward yet fillled with tension as she mistook him for a contestant to take her virginity and he took her for his social media mangager because who would wear blazers normally without the need to look professional??!!!!
He wants to help her go through all her firsts together except sleeping with her ….they even shook on it but well when he starts seeing life through her eyes…he falls for her and cant imagine else touchin her and being her first!!!!
Reece and Seph are soo adorable together and just so cute and happy.
It is kind of your typical contemprary romance with simple writing and such books once in a while are just what i need.
Seph has a goal initiated by her father to make her the youngest fields medals recipient and cant afford any distractions even if she doesnt want that and wants to enjoy normal college life and then there is reece who wants to go pro and is so close to getting drafted and with scouts circling the games he couldnt afford any slipups.
This book is adorably quirky, steamy and funny and it was great read but it is not my kind of a book even though it was absolutely lovable.
It was a pretty decent read for me and would do great for readers who like sports romances with semi forbidden relationships.
Ratings :-
/5
and
/5
Very nice plot. Very pleasing
I liked the characters but I am partial to nerdy heroines.
I enjoyed every second of this sweet story!
The Perfect First gave me all the feels. I laughed, smiled and cried with all the characters.
Needless to say, the chemistry between the main characters is off the charts. But what I enjoyed the most was seeing Reece and Seph grow and overcome their fears to find their HEA.
Maya is and excellent writer. It amazes me the way she can express every feeling and thought of the characters beautifully. And she can give all of them a deep backstory that adds to their growth.
The Perfect First is the perfect beginning to a series full of charming characters who will steal your heart!
I LOVED this book!!!! This was my first from Maya Hughes – And it DEFINITELY is not my last!!!
I love a good college sports romance, and this book (along with The Deal by Elle Kennedy) are now my top two on my list for college romance. This story followed shy “virginal” intelligent Seph, and the charming footballer player, Reece. They first meet at an accidental meet at the local coffee shop when Reece is meant to be meeting up with a Sports PR, but mistakes Seph as this person due to her conservative fashion choice. When Reece works out Seph is not the the person he is looking for, and what Seph is actually looking for in a person, he’s dumbfounded – But also impressed at her courage in knowing what she wants and going for it. This is when they become best friends. The friendship between Seph & Reece was beautiful. They truly supported and opened up to each other, with Reece not wanting to treat her anything like ordinary. This then of course develops into love.
I adore best friends to lovers trope. And I am excited to read the other books in this series – Importantly Marisa and LJ!
Do you like College Sports Romance? The Perfect First is what you are looking for for your next read.
Reece Michaels is buying into his ego, and after what happened last year, football is all he wants to focus on right now. With her dad breathing down her neck and pulling on her choke-chain, Seph Alexander just wants to have the college experience but doesn’t know where to start. When Seph’s ad for applicants to deflower her goes live, she sets up the local coffee shop for interviews. There she has her meet-cute with Reece, who assumes she’s his media consultant. Yea, Reece, no media consultant will ask you that many questions about your sex life.
I love this book, and I self medicate with it. I’ve read it numerous times, and Reece doesn’t lose his shine. He is the jock with the golden heart who offers to help Seph tick off her bucket list experiences, everything for Seph but take her V-card–and of course, he loses his heart three blinks in.
If you love Sara Ney, Ilsa Madden-Mills, and Abbi Glines, you will love this book!
Sara Ney
Ilsa Madden-Mills
Abbi Glines
“I’d give her the other firsts, as many as I could, because if I gave her too much, I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from never wanting to stop.“
From the bulb I could already tell this was going to be the start of an amazing college/sport romance series . And I was wrong.
IT WAS PERFECT , TERRIFIC , MIND-BLOWING
I simply loved it.
I laugh , I scream , I feel in love all at the same time.
Persephone was one of the best character ever. I loved her inexperienced, her way of asking the most weir and intimate questions without shame . Her being one of the guys when needed but at the same time the strongest and bravest woman ever.
“I was tired of being me, and the only way to change that was to stop being afraid of what I wanted.“
And she was surely a fast learner no matter how inexperienced she was (in any fields) .
And surely didn’t see it coming . She was definitely something else.
She made him questioned everything . Since forever he just wanted to play football and going pro, no matter what. Nothing else mattered , until her …
She challenged him like no one else, she made him see the world with her eyes .
Suddenly he realized that football wasn’t everything , not if you don’t have someone at your side no matter what.
They were polar opposite , but at the same time they completed each other . They were meant to be , and when the finally realized it , it was like fireworks .
“She was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. More than any win on the field, any pair of limited-edition Adidas, she was so many things, and I couldn’t even believe she was there with me.”
It was like being on a constant rollercoaster of emotions , and all the feelings and the sexual tension where just perfect.
It was a real page turner kind of book. I literally couldn’t put it down .
I gave it 643782638 stars
I hope you’ll enjoy it like i did
(now I’m heading straight for the next book in the series , Nix I’m coming for you!)
ENJOY
I am falling in love with sports romances! I loved this Fulton U series that started off with The Perfect First. It was funny, cute, innocent. A great college romance with easy to fall in love with main and side characters.
Persephone (Seph) was a very interesting character. She’s lived a sheltered life, one where all her plans were dictated by her father, and has no real life experience. When he tells her she will no longer be attending Fulton U past this semester, she decides to make a list of firsts she wants to complete before the end of the semester, including losing her virginity.
Reece Matthews, accidentally stumbles into her interview session where she is trying to find the right guy to take her v-card and their interaction during the whole thing was funny. Reece sees how Seph is putting herself in a position to be taken advantage of, so he steps in and offers to help her get through her list – except for sex.
They become friends, and his friends become hers, but the more they check off her list of firsts together, the more Reece starts falling for her. Reece is protective over her against her b*tch of a roommate who I could NOT stand, and he is so encouraging that she begins to stand up for herself more.
These two were so incredibly cute! They had great chemistry. Looking forward to the rest of the books in the series!
I was so excited to listen to the audiobook of The Perfect First by Maya Hughes. I had read the following two books in the series previously and loved them but had not had a chance to read this one until I got my hands on the audiobook. Let me tell you, I am so happy I did! Narrated by Jason Clarke and Emma Wilder, I loved, just loved this story. They did an amazing job brining this story to life for me.
Seph and Reece were just so perfect together. Friends who met when Seph was “interviewing” prospects for her first time, he was intrigued by her. Unexpected friends, they quickly connect as he decides to help her, but not without making it clear he is not a candidate. But as they spend time together, sparks fly. I truly loved listening to this book and cannot recommend it enough!
Happy listening!
I love, love, love this book!! It is the perfect combination of friends-to-lovers, opposites attract, and sports romance. I absolutely love both Persephone and Reece. They are both so much fun, and together they are perfection! They really have it all, great banter, a strong friendship, and all the chemistry. It’s impossible to read this without falling completely for both of them!
Beyond their love story, I loved watching each of them develop as people. They both had such interesting backstories that they needed to confront in order to move forward. I loved watching them both overcome their struggles and move forward. They both has such fantastic characters arcs.
Maya Hughes also has an amazing ability to write side characters that add so much to the story. Not only did I fall hard for Seph and Reece, I fell hard for their whole group of friends. Seeing the way they were with Seph and Reece added a lot to this story, but it also left me so excited for the rest of this series! I want everyone to get a book, because I love them all!
The narration for this was fantastic!! Emma Wilder and Jason Clarke brought these characters to life perfectly. They had all the chemistry and emotion! I had such a hard time stopping once I started listening!
4.5 stars for The Perfect First by Maya Hughes. This is book 1 in the Fulton U series. I am a big fan of Maya Hughes and this book did not disappoint. “This was going to be the year of perfect first” It was in love with Seph from the first page. Seph is 18 years old and a math genius. She has spent her life doing everything her dad wants. Now she wants to do something for herself. She puts an add up to loose her virginity. She is going to take interviews to find the perfect person. In comes a chance meeting with the popular football player Reece. They meet by accident but they still have instant chemistry and it’s hard for them to deny. Reece wants to help her but don’t know if it is a great idea. “I’d give her the other first, as many as I could, because if I gave her too much, I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from never wanting to stop.” I absolutely loved Reece and Seph, there characters had me enthralled. I could not put the book down. I am looking forward to reading the rest of this series.
What an outstanding listen and story line that completely had me listening to this story and staying in my car longer than necessary. Jason Clarke and Emma WIlder did an outstanding job bringing this book to life and really allowing my heart to pull with along with the story and all the emotions.
The premise of the story was fantastic and had me laughing out loud and I loved how the tough alpha football player ends up falling for what he never knew he wanted or needed.
I need more from this author and these characters
Seph is gifted when it comes to math, but her overprotective home life has ensured that her social skills are far behind those of her peers. She is an adorable nerd who is determined to enjoy every moment of her independence before it is taken away and that means doing all the things that she has never been able to with the first item being her lack of experience when it comes to sex.
Reece is a star college football player with dreams of playing in the NFL. When he sees Seph interviewing potential candidates to be her first he is intrigued. He will help her accomplish all her firsts with one exception, but things become complicated when the thought of her with anyone else is more than he can bear.
I really enjoyed both these characters. The transformation of Seph as she tries to experience all her firsts was so much fun to watch and the way that Reece and his friends not only accepted but appreciated her for who she was made it that much better. This is a great start to a new series, and I am looking forward to more stories centered around Fulton U.
I received a complimentary copy of the audiobook and thought that the narrators were a perfect choice for the characters and made a great story ever better.