Firsts

by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn

[Joséphine]

Initial thoughts: Firsts was such a satisfying read. I absolutely loved the depth of the characters as well as the sensitive treatment of moral ambiguity. As much as Firsts revolved around sex, friendship was an equally huge theme. There were some elements that normally make me feel rather uncomfortable but here everything was so well balanced that I could see them fitting in as crucial parts of a whole. Besides, books that tackle tough topics in ways that wondrously blend absolutes of black and white deserve every single star.

That's not to say that I condone cheating. In fact, I usually downrate books that involve cheating. However, in the case of Firsts, there were consequences and it wasn't glorified either. Sure, Mercedes had a warped perception of things. To some degree, I'd say she had sociopathic tendencies, which made the book all the more compelling to read since I tried to understand the reasoning from her point of view. At the same time, I was glad for the inclusion of more conservative views from Angela. I also lived spirited and the non-judgmental Faye. All in all, Firsts brought together quite a spectrum of moral positions.