Author: Reena Jacobs
Released: July 29, 2011
Genre: YA Contemporary
Pages: 212
Published by: Reena Jacobs
ISBN: 9781463529
Source: This ebook copy was given to me by Reena Jacobs for an honest review as part of a blog tour.
Summary from Goodreads:
My best friend was more than just a best friend to me. Three words summed it up: I heart him. I’d never tell him though. I wasn’t stupid. Besides, what he’d told no one, but me, was a little something I wished I could forget… or ignore. He was gay. I guess gay wouldn’t be bad if I wasn’t so in love with him. Now it was just cruel.
Stereotypes run amok in this college love story: Parties, alcohol, hookups, and breakups. Alexandria Carmichael may find it a bit much as she deals with the unreturned love from the boy who completes her. When all is revealed, not only does she risk losing her best friend forever, but also herself. Without her childhood companion for support, Alexandria takes a journey of self-discovery but fears what she’ll find at the end.
I Loved You First is a great book with a fast paced storyline, and wonderfully flawed characters. We've all heard about the girl that has the very best friend who just so happens to be a guy, who just so happens to be gay. Think Will and Grace. Without a doubt this guy is amazing he's sensitive and wonderful, and the girl always falls in love with him only to be reminded, oh yeah he's gay.
What made this story so great and so different from said story is that these characters weren't perfect. Seth isn't always sensitive, in fact he hardly ever seems to realize that his actions hurt Alex. Speaking of Alex, she isn't any better. She is constantly expecting Seth to look up and confess that he's not really gay, and that he has realized that he is madly, deeply in love with her. Sweetie, what part of he's gay do you not understand?
I Loved You First isn't just about a boy and a girl though. This book is about growing up, finding yourself, and learning to be who you are. About realizing that sometimes you have to do all of that, all on your own. A great new addition to the young adult genre.
Thanks for the wonderful review and hosting a stop on the blog tour, Shari!
ReplyDeleteReaders: Show some comment love then enter you and Shari into the giveaways to win signed copies of I Loved You First. Details on the kickoff post: http://reenajacobs.com/blog/2011/08/ilyf-blog-tour-kickoff/
I also wanted to ask Alex what part of he's gay did she not get. I understand that she is young and that she had a lesson to learn. But it wasn't like he hid it from her.
ReplyDeleteShanan
http://thebookaddictnet.blogspot.com/
I think sometimes with Alex, it wasn't so much she didn't realize Seth was gay. It was more on the lines: as long as he's going to put on the act, she wanted to be that someone by his side. And yes, she had a selfish mentality about it. She wasn't above using sly tricks to sneak those little touches, touches she felt she was entitled to receive, though we know she wasn't.
ReplyDeleteIn a way, both Seth and Alex were playing two sides of a same game -- Seth, playing it straight; Alex, the quiet best friend -- to forward their own desires.