User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
“And I’d give it all up for you.”
There is nothing new and surprising about
The Perfect First, but considering this is compared with the
Off Campus series by Elle Kennedy, this was everything I wanted the that series to be. I found myself smiling from beginning to end, it felt like the romance developed nicely, I was able to feel the chemistry between the characters, and I adored the friendships and families.
Unlike my encounter with the
Off Campus series, I appreciated how Reece and Seph started off as strangers, actually became friends, and slowly made their way up as a couple. While they would describe their first encounter as awkward, I like how, despite the fact that we weren't shown each and every second between them, we were told how they had developed as friends, which made their affections for one another more realistic. Not only that, but we also do see enough scenes about them hanging out. As I would see it, their relationship grew pleasantly—not very fast yet in addition not very slow either. They hung out, and a piece of that time was accustomed to becoming more acquainted with one another while others were used to check off a portion of Seph's list, which made me accept how their affections for one another developed. I also never found Reece to sexualize Seph in any way whatsoever, which is something that I felt all the Off Campus men did.
Adding on to that, I loved how respectful Reece was. What started off as confusion for why Seph plastered an ad to help her with her first became something he wanted to continue being a part of. I found him to be patient, caring, and overall a good man. His friendship with Seph was delightful and I liked how defensive he was. It was not full of possessiveness or jealousy but rather concern, and I loved how he defended Seph when she didn't understand the help she required. Examples include when her roommate, Alexa, is rude to Seph and she shrugs it off, pretending it’s not something that hurts her, but he reminds her how valid her feelings are. Another example is how he notices early on how abusive and problematic her father is. While he offers the choice of leaving with him, he doesn't drive her to settle on any choices and cause her to feel invalid for feeling the manner in which she does and protecting her dad.
Some may say she has a doormat personality as a result of how she didn't defend herself (like with her rude roommate and father), yet considering the controlling dad she has and how she had no socialization with her companions, there wasn't a lot to expect about her history. She's been accustomed to being told she's insufficient and isn't valued for what she's refined, continually being pushed to accomplish more and not have a say in her life. She obviously improved, which I was appreciative for. I liked to see how she wanted to take advantage of the time she had so she wouldn’t regret it later on. She saw how short life is and how tomorrow isn’t promised so she decided to take into consideration how many things she can do that she hasn’t. Her list can be inspiring in that reason, in how caught up we get in life that we don’t realize what we’re missing out on. Her innocence was additionally not the exhausting kind for me since it wasn't utilized as a benefit to Reece. I feel like virgins and heroines who are really innocent are taken advantage for that reason. Their emotions are played with and they’re used by others as a distraction. I liked how Reece didn’t do this with her because it showed he actually cared about her as a friend first and then as someone he started catching feelings for.
“Maybe it’s like that because people run into it headfirst. Just because it’s that way for a lot of women, it doesn’t mean you need to force it to be that for you. If you’re with the right person, it will be amazing.”
Adding on to that, I loved the friendship and family dynamics here. Reece’s friends accepted Seph like anyone into the group. There were never any mean or snarky comments about her or what she’s doing but instead, they treated they would treat any friend. Not only that but Reeces’s family was also a beautiful addition. The love his parents had was adorable, and I loved how they weren’t embarrassed or ashamed to show the world how in love they are. It makes me really happy when parents act this way, with no care of the worlds judgement because of how in love they are.
Overall, I throughly enjoyed this. My only quibble is the near end and how the common break up scene we see in many NA romances made its appearance. It felt superfluous and unreasonable, particularly due to how that choice came to be framed. We were tossed some back history of Reece that wasn't referenced once more, which I didn't completely mind, yet it was irritating how rapidly it occurred and how rapidly it was fixed. I realize this was written in 2019, yet I actually trust writers will quit adding that pointless separation. I’d rather read about some other type of drama, like more drama between Seph and her family, how Reece helped Seph stand up to her father, or anything else, really.
All things considered, this was quick and sweet, and it was everything I needed and more. After reading both angsty and messy reads recently (that I enjoyed and didn’t enjoy), this was a good break all of it. I’m planning on just binge reading the rest of the series because I can’t deny the fact that I really liked all of Reece’s friends, and knowing they get their own stories makes me all the more excited.
“No fair, Seph’s stealing bacon.” Berk’s chair skidded on the kitchen floor.
“Are you five?” Nix leaned against the counter with his mug in one hand, reading a folded newspaper.
“What are you, fifty? Who reads the paper anymore?”
Rating: really liked it
The Perfect First is book one in the brand new Fulton U series by Maya Hughes. You know those books where by the end of the first chapter, you’re already in love with the characters? Well, that happened in this one. I couldn’t love these two more.
“This was going to be the year of perfect firsts.” 
Persephone (Seph) Alexander is an eighteen year old mathematical prodigy. She is attending Fulton University for two years before entering a PHD program. She’ll be there an even shorter amount of time if her father gets his way. Seph spent her life under the rule of her domineering father and was home schooled. This time away from home was finally supposed to be her time to spread her wings, make friends. Only that wasn’t happening. Seph decides that if she really wants to experience life, experience her list of firsts that she has made, she’s going to have to take some drastic measures.
“I needed to get proactive. If I wanted to finally start living, I needed to jump-start my life.” 
Reece Michaels grew up in a close knit family, knowing at an early age that football was his life. He is a senior at Fulton U and is a receiver for the football team. All he wants is to make the pros and he is so close. Scouts are at every game and this is the year that their team is going to make the championship. All his focus needs to be on his team. Except that a chance encounter in a coffee shop changes everything when he meets up with a cute girl taking interviews for the right man to take her virginity.
“I was tired of being nice and quiet and small. I was tired of being me, and the only way to change that was to stoop being afraid of what I wanted.” Reece agrees to help Seph with her list of firsts, with one exception, no sex! But with every check mark off that list, Reece experiences life through Seph’s eyes, and falls a little more. Can he really stand the thought of someone else touching her, of being her first? Because he wants that man to be him, only he doesn’t just want to be her first, he wants to be her only.
“She’d gotten so fully and completely under my skin, I didn’t know how I’d existed before I met her.” 
These two were adorable. I fell so in love with Seph. She was the bravest girl I have ever known. She thought she was weak but she really was so strong. And I loved the way she experienced the things Reece introduced her to. The simplest things gave her so much joy.
But both of these characters have outside issues that needed to be dealt with. Their time together had an expiration date. Reece was moving on to a pro career after graduation and Seph was supposed to move on to a PHD program. So that just made them cherish their time together more. Because that’s all they had, right?!
I loved everything about this book. I especially loved all of Reece’s friends and the way they took Seph in to their fold and gave her their friendship, showing her something she’d never before had. This book was fun, sweet, and sexy. The angst level was pretty low but there are going to be some characters that you aren’t going to like. I can’t wait for the next book in this series, The Second We Met, which will be Reece’s friend Nix’s story. Until then, I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!
For more about this book and so many more, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/44036...
Rating: really liked it
I find this book a bit lacking, probably in terms of plot development because the shift to solely romance felt sudden (not that I am complaining) but it is still enjoyable and adorable.
I actually kind of like them better than Hannah and Garret (I know, it's hard not to compare this to the Off-Campus series) but the second half (the part where they're together) didn't win me as much :( I love the chase and the pining part more eheks.
Also, I kind of love Nix so, pretty excited for his book 👀
Full RTC
Rating: really liked it
4.5 STARS 
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.
Calling all New Adult Romance fans, because The Perfect First is an absolute must read. It was a swoony, quirky, steamy, funny and utterly endearing page-turner. I devoured this. I binge read it. I couldn't put it down for even a minute.
I've read my fair share of New Adult romance and some of these stories are a dime a dozen. But this was not one of those stories! There was this uniqueness to this book that just resonated with me. It made it into one of those books that I won't be forgetting any time soon.
Shy virgin meets sexy college football superstar? Yes, please. But this book was so much more than that! I think what really made the story for me was Seph. On paper, she's not a heroine that I gravitate towards. She's a shy and totally sheltered genius. She has no friends because she has no idea how to handle social situations. She's never so much as been exposed to them outside of school mixers with older professors and tutors. But she's not the quirky introvert that I was expecting. Her father is a domineering tyrant that expects nothing short of extraordinary from her and it's been a weight on her shoulders for her entire life. Being away from home and in college, she's determined to have all of the firsts that she's missed out on her entire life, even if she has to take an ad out for the perfect first to take her virginity.
Reece doesn't answer her ad. He has no shortage of willing females on campus being the football superstar that he is. But when he inadvertently stumbles on Seph's "interview session" he can't help but be intrigued by the girl. What starts as an unlikely friendship soon begins to develop into something neither one of them were expecting.
I can't tell you enough just how much I loved Seph's character. There was this sweet and naive quality to her. It was so entertaining to see her grow into herself with each new experience she has with Reece. Until she finally grows into someone that stands up for what she wants. I loved watching her become more and more comfortable in her own skin. I loved the way her friendship with Reece slowly develops into that something more. I seriously couldn't get enough of the two of them together.
The Perfect First was simply delicious! I'm talking finger-licking good sort of NA and I'm beyond excited for this brand new series. Every secondary character that's been introduced already has my full attention and all of the grabby hands. I need LJ and Nix's books like YESTERDAY. If you're a fan of fun and quirky NA with plenty of steam, unique characters, and a romance that you will root for from begging to finish, The Perfect First is NOT TO BE MISSED!
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest reviewFind me on:
Rating: really liked it
4.25 starsOh my gosh… this book was so
fun but also had a bit of emotion. I haven’t read anything by this author before but now I want to binge all the other
Fulton U books!
Persephone isn’t your average eighteen year old girl. She’s super intelligent, but hasn’t lived a normal teenage life. She’s almost done with her college experience and she wants to live a little, so she has a list of ‘firsts’ she wants to do.
“This was going to be the year of perfect firsts.”
Reece is the star of Fulton U’s football team and is headed to the draft after this year. He’s focusing on football and nothing else this year. Until he meets Seph. He knows helping her with this list could be trouble, but he can’t stand the thought of someone else doing it so he does.
I could see the writing on the wall with these two and yeah, it was a bit predictable but I didn’t even care. These two were the most adorable! I loved their story. It made me laugh so hard and gave me so many feels! I loved both of these characters and I especially loved seeing Seph stand up for herself.
This was a great new adult/sports romance and I can’t wait to read the others from this series! Reece’s friends seem like a hoot and I’m sure their books will be great as well.
Audio book source: Audible
Story Rating: 4.25 stars
Narrators: Jason Clarke and Emma Wilder
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Contemporary Romance (NA)
Length: 8h 48m
Rating: really liked it
"Sometimes memories are all we have, and there’s no amount of money in the world that can get those back.” There's something in this book that made me loved it right from the very start. It's because it made me elated the entire pages or because Reece and Seph's relationship made me giddy? Whichever reason is it, all that matters is this book captured my heart.
Seph is unbelievably good as a heroine. She is a resemblance of brilliant, alluring, compassionate and naivety.
“Okay, this might seem a little invasive.” I cleared my throat again. “But how big is your penis? Length is fine. I don’t need to know the circumference, you know—the girth.” Reece is painstakingly beautiful inside out. He aspired to be a part of NFL, which his dad also played. But this gradually changed when Seph entered his life. He soon realizes that there is more to the boundaries of football.
"A pro career lasted however long it took for my body to fail, but her love…that was forever." Overall, this book is engrossing. It only takes one chapter to fully captured my attention and never stop reading. This book is a must read!
“There wouldn’t be a day that went by without you that I wouldn’t feel that never-ending sense of loss, knowing I gave up something I could never get back, knowing I sacrificed being with the person I love for fame and glory to strangers who could never mean as much to me as you do.”
Rating: really liked it
I never thought this book could be very entertaining. From the blurp I thought it is about rom com. For NA audience. And it is delivers more than rom com.
It is a very sweet story between a football player and a genius geeky heroine. They first met is a meet cute scenario. It stars with an advertisement and morphs into a love story. The jokes, the college wild adventure is surreal.
I enjoy listening to the audiobook very much. So much that I just sat on my cubicle listening to this audiobook without doing ny work done. It is that worth it.
4 stars
Rating: really liked it
NOW LIVE!Amazon US * Amazon UK
The Perfect First quickly became my perfect first read from Maya Hughes. It also has me kicking myself for not reading her before now because I really liked her writing. Seph and Reece were the quintessential college romance couple. Him, a football legend that's living his life to the fullest, and her a sheltered good girl looking to let lose. It's a popular trope for a reason, but if you want to know more of why it's so popular, just read this book.
I'm not going to lie, I had my reservations about Seph in the beginning. I'm not one to be totally in love with the innocent heroines. But I do love me some hot bad boys that can make them let loose. Which is why I was so excited to jump into this story. But Seph actually shocked me and she wasn't a super naive person. Instead I found her to be a breath of fresh air. She knew what she wanted and, even if it wasn't always in the best way, she went after it and I admired that about her. Especially when it was Reece she was going after and I was rooting them on the entire time.
I also fell in love with all of the secondary characters and now I'll be stalking this author until I get their stories. In a fangirl way, not a Joe Goldberg way of course. The bottom line is that you need to read this book. Especially if you're a fan of some really amazing NA romance.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for and honest review.
Rating: really liked it
A novel full of firsts, yet finding a funny aspect to it all Seph and Reece know how to connect in the both the intimate and physical level... For once I am keeping this review short and sweet, the reason being is because this is a first novel that I have read
by Maya's that has a lot of ups and downs from my point of view. At first Reece is not my favorite that's for sure, and the reason being is because he is actually kind of a jerk and very cocky in the beginning. Not something I am really invested when it comes down to male characters. With Seph, I guess you could say I can relate to her common innocence emotionally, and when she meets Reece it is a strange interaction yet they end up together and their chemistry is off the roof!
As previously mentioned, keeping this nice and sweet because Maya deserves so much high praise for this bad boy!
My hands are already itching for a the next books from all the bad boys featuring in this one. Thank you to Maya for letting me read her novel, this one is a must read!
ARC galley kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review...Follow Me On:Blog ❁ Instagram ❁ Facebook ❁ Twitter
Rating: really liked it
The Perfect First was the perfect New Adult romance that I didn’t even know I wanted!! From the first chapter this book reeled me in with the curiosity but it held me with the quick witty humor and lovable authentic characters. Football heartthrob and a shy genius with some quirks of her own? What more can you ask for?!
Reece is living some of the best moments of his life right now. Top player on a winning team, popular guy on campus, life-long friends through his teammates, and a good family, life isn’t too bad for this twenty one year old star. Already trying to put his professional career at the forefront, Reece is off to a perfect start. But when a mix up lands him on the radar of the shy and timid woman, life as he knows it, is about to get hilariously complicated.
From the moment she learned how to talk, Seph was a rule follower. A genius in her own right, her social life has suffered tremendously and that has forced her to be a loner of sorts. When she meets the big man on campus due to a hilarious misunderstanding, she quickly learns that there is more to life than just living in the moment and she’s more than determined to make what she wants, come true.
I honestly had no idea how I was going to feel about this one but I had faith because based on the author’s previous books, I fell in love and this story was no different. Seph was this breath of fresh air in a female heroine that I didn’t know I wanted to breathe in. She had her quirks and her hang-ups, but those imperfections made her real and genuine. I also really loved seeing her evolve into this confident strong female even when she was unsure of herself. The chemistry between her and Reece were palpable and I liked that their friendship was and love for each other was always at the forefront and it meant a lot to them.
If you’re looking for a sexy funny NA romance, then this one is for you.
Rating: really liked it
The Perfect First is LIVE! You can read a chapter of Reece and Seph's story HERE!His jeans went down right along with his boxers. I spun on my heels, trying not to think about his toned ass. And, oh, what an ass it was. A warm water droplet hit my face, which quickly turned into a cold splash as the freezing air cooled it. The sharp sound of him hitting the water was the only thing I heard over the thundering jackhammering of my heart.
“I’ll turn my back. Get naked, Wild Child.
******
Grab your copy today at the special release price or read it for FREE in KU!
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU |
Are you ready for a spit take? Cover all electronics! Keep liquids away! Read at your own risk! ;-)
Rating: really liked it
2.5 Stars➤ This was pretty insta for me even though they didn’t love each other at first sight. Insta-protective-instincts, insta-attraction, insta-possessiveness. After their first encounter, both already couldn’t stop thinking about each other so the chemistry fell flat.
➤ I couldn’t connect with the heroine at all! She’s everything I don’t like rolled in one. I’m okay with an awkward-dorky h from time to time but does she have to possess every attribute I usually dislike? She’s a fumbling, bumbling virgin with no confidence whatsoever and a pushover who blurts out awkward things from time to time that DON’T embarrass her but then gets embarrassed by other things even though they weren’t even her fault. I was exasperated with her! It got better later on because backgrounds were revealed that made me understand her more (thankfully), but unfortunately, this couldn’t erase the first half of the book where I just couldn’t stand her…
"Sometimes memories are all we have, and there’s no amount of money in the world that can get those back."
➤ The end was pretty cute and I loved the dad’s story/revelation. It was something I’ve never read before and it actually moved me a bit so kudos to the author.
**Reader’s copy generously provided in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Rating: really liked it
I love new adult sports romances and some of my favorite books ever fall under that category. I was so excited when Maya Hughes sent me a copy of The Perfect First because it is a romance between a college football player and a math genius determined to make her last year of college a memorable one.
Reece loves football and knows that's his only future, which means he has to buckle down and be serious when it comes to NFL scouts. What he doesn't need is the distraction that is Persephone. Seph has been driven to be perfect by her father her whole life, which is not including her next year in school. Left feeling like her life is out of her control, Seph decides to make a list of everything she hopes to do before the school year is out. Reece was definitely not part of those plans, but when the two accidentally meet, Reece can't stop thinking about Seph and decides to help her on her quest.
I love a romance between two unlikely people and you can't get more different than Seph and Reece. I loved how Seph was determined to try new things and really live her life and it was so fun how Reece decided he was the one who was going to help her do it. There was an inexplicable draw to Seph that Reece felt and I loved how he slowly realized he was actually kind of falling for her.
What I also tend to love about new adult books are the entire cast of characters that surround the two main characters. In this book, Reece had some pretty awesome friends and, as soon as I finished this book, I ran to Goodreads to see who was getting the next two books. I am so excited for the next books because I fell in love with all of the characters and their quirky personalities in this book.
Overall, this was such a fun sports romance and I loved how both characters really grew and learned from one another. If you're a fan of the Off-Campus series or the Game On series, you have to try out The Perfect First!
Rating: really liked it
I LOVED this book. It was my first from Maya Hughes and OMG! IT HAD THE BEST FEELS. So swoony, so sweet, so flirty and fun and STEAMY! GAH! When it got hot, it was HOTTTTTT AF, you guys. Like soooooooo sexy, and the emotion in the steamy scenes was THE BEST. My heart MELTED. I just loved the way these characters connected. It was so natural, so organic, so real. I adore watching them fall in love. Dreamy, dreamy,
dreamyyyyyy! I felt wooed!! I can't wait to read more from this author. I grabbed the rest of this series and I'm planning to devour them soon! So incredibly good!! 4.5 stars!
PS: If you like authors like Elle Kennedy, DEFINITELY pick this up! NA sports romance with STEAM AND HEART AND SWOON!
Rating: really liked it
i stick with my first review lol
---
ngl this book would be five a stars if Seph's dad had died at some point
