I throughly enjoyed reading First! And it wasn't just that the story itself was amazing. I loved that it addresses some of the sexual stereotypes that it does. Yes society, it's true! Some young men do get nervous about their first time having sex!!! For some reason there seems to be this stereotype in place for men that says they just want to get their first time having sex over with and out of the way. Believe it or not...not all guys are like that and I love that this book shows that.
“Virginity is supposed to be something a girl gives up only when she is ready and feels comfortable, something a girl discusses at length with her friends and flip-flops over a million times in her mind before actually doing it. A guy is expected to be born ready.
But what I realised after Tommy is that they’re not. They’re just as scared as their girlfriends, maybe even more so because the onus is on them to be gentle, make it last, make it memorable.”
The double standard is there and it's true. So very, very true. Most girls want candles and rose petals, generally a special occasion made out of the whole thing. Then that is put all on the man's shoulders and then becomes a burden for him to carry because we females mostly expect them to be the ones to make it all happen for us. Not only does he have to worry about the sex itself being everything the girl dreamed of but most times he has to worry about the whole night going as planned. So much is expected of young men to make a young womans first time special but in all reality, what do we do to make it special for them when it's their first time? I'm guilty of it. I know when my high school boyfriend and I lost our virginity to eachother...I didn't even think to ask if there was anything special he wanted to do. It was something that both he and I made about me because...I am the female and it's a much bigger deal for the girl, right? Wrong.
Then the other big stereotype that this book addressed was something I've always felt strongly about...IT IS OK FOR GIRLS TO ENJOY HAVING SEX!!! News flash people...it's not the 1800's anymore. I have read some other reviews of this book and some of them downright pissed me off. The slut-shaming has got to stop people! If a woman wants to have sex with multiple partners she's a slut, but if a man does the same thing it's no big deal and he's just getting laid. Because men have needs right? Guess what people? So do females!! The only thing the main charater did that even I believe was morally questionable is sleeping with other girls boyfriends. And hell, it's not like I don't know of girls who have done the exact same thing. Actually, I believe I slept with someone else's boyfriend once. I have also heard that our female protagonists sex life is "unhealthy". In fact she has a very healthy sex life. She isn't addicted to sex, she has all willing partners, she's willing, she practices safe sex, and her partners all seem to respect her, value her, and the sex enhances her self-esteem. There is nothing wrong with that.
The story itself was emotional and gripping. I felt compelled to keep reading and I had trouble putting the book down at all. This book really had it all. It was a book that had a lot to do with sex, while also respecting the choice some people make to wait until marriage. It sends a deeply meaningful message, while being funny in parts and fun to read. Laurie Elizabeth Flynn takes a big risk writing a sex positive book about a teenage girl but she pulls it off beautifully.
4.5 Stars
