“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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I loved it.
What an amazing friends-to-lovers, opposites attract story! The Perfect First by Maya Hughes is an absolutely perfect introduction to Fulton U! This unlikely relationship between the football star Reece and the nerdy Seph had its swoon-worthy moments along with the times that had me laughing out loud. The banter, the slow burn, and that sexual tension…whew!! I could not get enough! Jason Clarke and Emma Wilder brought these two characters to life and I need more of the Fulton U crew!
Great story, well-written with fantastic characters loaded with chemistry. Expertly narrated by Emma Wilder and Jason Clarke. Definitely recommend picking up this audiobook!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I can’t wait to read the rest of the Fulton U series (and finish the Kings of Rittenhouse series). I’ll admit that while I was fully on board with the male narrator (who opens the book), I almost DNF’ed the book when the female narrator starts in chapter 2. But I persevered because I was engrossed in the story and she grew on me. I loved watching Reece and Seph go from strangers to friends to lovers and I really appreciated that while it is fairly easy to see where the plot is going to go, Maya Hughes doesn’t rake us over the coals and prolong the angst unduly. I also really like how both Seph and Reece go through wonderful character arcs with real growth and emotional epiphany. And the set up for the next books in the series is fantastic – I’m really excited to see Nix, Berk, and LJ (and Marissa) get their HEAs. 4 out of 5 wine glasses.
I loved this book! I loved how Seph and Reece meet, how he runs off other guys at their meeting and how one possible match slips through anyway. I have to admit that I am not a big fan of the ” I need to loose my virginity fast” books, but author Maya Hughes did a great job making it work. I found the gradual build up from friends to lovers sweet and Reece’s protective nature toward Seph and his willingness to help with her “bucket list” was swoon worthy . Each of the characters had issues with a parent but they were able to resolve them in their own way.
This was a great start to the series and I am looking forward to seeing more from the other characters in this book book.
Seph and Reece were one of my all time favorite couples. I loved how Seph had no filter and didn’t even realize it! They were annoyingly cute in all the right ways.
Persephone Alexander isn’t very “socialized” to say the least, considering she’s homeschooled it makes sense. She doesn’t read people well and doesn’t realize how awkward things can get sometimes. Which is hilariously written in this book! I loved how Seph had no filter and didn’t even realize it! When she finally gets to go off to college, the experience is not what she expected… to say the least.
Reece Michaels is a receiver for Fulton U and he has always known that football was going to be his life, no matter how much his father didn’t want it to be. Reece is at the top, life is great, what more could he want.. right?
When a chance encounter has these two working together to help Seph lose her virginity, they both start to question if their friendship is a good idea.
I love the way him and his friends completely accept Seph for who she is and don’t think twice about adding her to their group of friends. The way they accept her and treat her as if she has always been a part of the group is exactly what Seph needed and has never been able to experience. It’s so sweet and made me giddy. The way her and Reece so quickly fall into an easy friendship made my heart soar. It was everything I hoped for and more.
“You are enough” — goodness that got me. I cried. It was perfect.
The best part for me was seeing her mom come back to life in the end. I NEEDED that! SO much! Everything came full circle and seeing the fire and wild come back was just perfect.
Listening to the audio version of this was a auditory delight. Jason Clarke is always a sexy, smooth listen and Emma Wilder does well especially with the voice of Reese! Their performance made this book the perfect balance of drama/angsty/romantic.
The story itself is a MUST READ! I was invested in Reese and Seph from the first chapter. The few times I had to put down the book, had me thinking about it until I could pick it up again. The characters are interesting and I’m excited to read the rest of the storylines that were developing.
Omg loved this book! Seph (Persephone) is hilarious, she starts off as a really quiet shy kind of girl I could totally relate to but as Reece helps her out she comes out of her shell more and more , I loved how the story played out and the characters were all relatable, like you actually knew them as personal friends not just characters in your book .
I listened to the audio version and the narrators did a fantastic job of reading all the parts and drawing you in and keeping you gripped , I can’t wait to read/listen to the rest of the series
A must read/listen
This is the first book in the Fulton U Series, an amazing New Adult, and college romance. I loved it! Persephone (Seph) and Reece’s story is beautifully written. Seph is a lovely young woman, virgin, college senior, math genius, reserved, and funny. Her quest of firsts is definitively audacious! Reece is a handsome young man, a football player, charming, protective, and supportive. A misunderstanding brings them together. Seph couldn’t find a better man to help her to check off all of her firsts on her list. Seph’s story has it all: funny, sexy, and emotional. Some scenes are hilarious, and other are heartbreaking. The cast of supporting characters is great. I love the brotherhood between Reece and his friends. Jason Clarke and Emma Wilder did an outstanding job with the narration. They are perfect as Reece and Seph. I loved it, and I HIGHLY recommend it. Looking forward to listen to the next book in the Series, The Second We Met, Nix’s story.
This was my first Maya Hughes book and I absolutely loved it! Reece and Seph’s story was so heartwarming. I loved how adorkable Seph was and it just intrigued this popular football player. He cared about her after just a chance meeting and wanted to help her with her first everything. Reece was the perfect book boyfriend and I loved watching him draw Seph into his world and show her she was enough. Seph’s childhood has been difficult and she has been made to feel like nothing she ever did was enough. I loved that Reece could be there for her and show her that she was enough.
This story was a college romance with heat. The characters were well written and I can’t wait to read more about this crew! I fell in love with Reece’s friends and I need to know how things work out for them all. It was a great read!
One of my favorite books ever! I loved the characters and the story.
The Perfect First is my first Maya Hughes book, and I absolutely loved it!
Reece and Seph are characters you can easily love and connect with. Reece is a popular and talented football player on the Fulton University team. Seph is smart, sweet, and has been sheltered and bullied by her father about how her life should be lived.
The two of them together are amazing. I loved getting inside both their heads with the dual POV to see their thoughts as they grew closer and struggled with their feelings.
There is a lot of heart and humor, especially Reece and Seph’s first meeting. The story moved along at a good pace, really giving you the chance to know the characters and making the progression of their relationship feel natural.
The secondary characters added a lot of humor and fun to the book, too. So many hints for future books for the rest of the guys! I can’t wait to see what the author has in store next!
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC for an honest review.
Persephone is a math prodigy with one goal before she graduates early and sets off to a PhD program – lose her V-card (and maybe live a little in the process). She’s been sheltered her whole life and she’s ready to bust out of her cage and flex her wild child muscle.
Football star Reece is just trying to keep his head down and make it to graduation with as little scandal as possible. He wants to win the championship, go pro, and live his dreams – but when he encounters Seph and learns what she’s up to, he offers to help her complete her bucket list. Without the sex part, of course, because he’s not looking for attachments or drama.
That rule quickly gets tossed out the window as their resolve erodes with each item struck from the list. Breakfast for dinner, skinny dipping, going out drinking, and eating cold pizza … and eventually, Reece proving he can be the perfect first for her. And now that he has her, he never wants to let her go.
This story is AMAZING! Seph and Reece are each dealing with their own feelings of inadequacy and part of the beauty of their journey is their discovery that they are enough.
The Perfect first is a fantastic listen that will warm your heart, steam your windows, and have you laughing along as they stumble their way through love!
5*
After placing an ad on the college website to help her achieve things from her list before she’s forced to return home Seth is a loner but is hoping to rectify that.
Reece sits in the booth thinking Seth is the woman he’s supposed to be meeting.
He’s surprised by her questions, however they get him thinking.
I really felt the struggles of Seth’s character and loved how the story came together. Reece was such a gentleman and his housemates I need more.
A fabulous start to the series
I’m a sucker for a sports romance and I love when the football player falls for the “nerd.” The Perfect First fit the bill impeccably.
Seph is a math genius who is determined to experience college life to its fullest before she graduates early and starts her Ph.D. Reece accidentally becomes part of her plan and he becomes intrigued by her. He decides to help her cross her firsts off her list except for losing her virginity, but soon they find the attraction is too much to resist.
Seph and Reece were definitely an unlikely couple but somehow they worked. At the beginning of the story, Seph has trouble standing up to the bullies in life. I enjoyed watching her become more self-confident and learn how to stand up for herself. I also loved how supportive Reece was of Seph and how he encouraged her right from the start.
I also loved the supporting cast of characters. I can’t wait to read their stories. The little teases that were in the book made me interested to find out their stories.
If you enjoy a fun, sports romance that had a bit of angst thrown into the mix, you will enjoy The Perfect First. Seph and Reece will have you falling for them as they discover how to navigate falling in love!!
My first Maya Hughes book and it was amazing! From the first chapter I found myself not wanting to put the book down. My kindle was glued to me. I fell in love with Seph (Persephone) and Reece. Seph was home-schooled, math genius, and socially awkward. Now in college her plan is to change that and experience firsts and friendships, with a plan and list to help. A misunderstanding on both their parts has her meeting Reece, football star and a very popular man on campus. Once he realizes the mistake he moves on but can’t seem to forget her or the list. Soon Seph and Reece developed a friendship and so much more. This book was funny, sweet and super sexy. It held my heart until the end. I loved all the characters in this book except one and I’m so happy for this series and can’t wait to read more!!!
Book 1 in the Fulton U series and I really enjoyed it. This is my first book by this author and I am trying to figure out what took me so long to read her work. Loved Persephone and Reece. They had a great friends to lovers’ romance and those are my favorite types of romances to read. I always have a smile on my face watching the characters realize that the perfect person for them was in front of them the whole time and this was no exception. The chemistry between them was so good. I can’t wait to read more of this series and her work.
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Reece and Seph caught totally me by surprise. Their background stories, their chemistry, their interactions were incredible. I love this kind of story in which the H helps the h and without being friends at first, and you can witness the foundation of a friendship at first and later a love story.
Reece was everything!!!! I love how everything about him was written in a way that you couldn’t help but fall for him at the same time Seph does. They were great together.
I just wish I could have read more details in the lat part of the book. That would have been what I needed for this to be a 5-star read.
The Perfect First is, as the title suggests, the perfect book to start a series. I’m so ready to read the next books in the series.
This was such a fun and entertaining read. So enjoyable. I loved the characters and the plot line. It was my first read from this author. I can’t wait to continue this series!
4.5 Stars
Reece and Seph are such a fun, swoon worthy couple! First Time, is full of heart, heat, laughs and friends. I loved the concept of the list, and Seph trying to find who she is. Throw in a yummy football player and you have a romance that sucks you in. It was fresh and romantic. Angst filled and kept me coming back for more. I’m loving this group of characters and I can’t wait to get to enjoy each of their stories! Reece and Seph share such a beautiful, romantic and breath stealing connection. There is laughs, tears, and so much love shared between the two. I could not get enough!
The Fulton U series is very addicting and will have me impatiently waiting for each book to release! Maya Hughes is so good at bringing to life new adult / college romance. The emotions bleed onto the pages. The characters get stuck in your head. She so beautifully captures the emotions of young adults. And gives life to their doubts and fears, hopes and dreams, through each chapter. The feeling of falling in love and having a epic kind of HEA is felt in each story she brings us. I can’t wait to read more and more of her beautiful stories.
·I was provided a ARC by the author·
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