VERY easy to read, and fairly cute. some of the side characters didn't really seem necessary, and it didn't need to actually bring up Jane Austen over and over again for readers to see the pride and prejudice connection.

I would definitely recommend this book to fans of sara dessen. It's just a well written, sweet book and I couldn't put it down because I wanted to see how everything worked out.

Sweet awkwardness, poor communication, and a high school culture completely unlike my memories of high school.

Reading this > studying for midterms

Cute and easy to read high school love story.

4.5* I read this book from 11pm one night to 5am the next morning. It's not that I couldn't put it down, it's just that I didn't want to. It was an extremely cute, yet simple story. I enjoyed the relationship between Devon and Foster and how it developed over time. Ezra is an interesting character to read about and his and Devon's relationship warmed my heart. However, I wish the author showed Devon's personality more because there weren't a lot of unique traits for her. If you're looking for a quick and simple, yet very cute read, this is it.

I love Emma Mills. I love how she weaves in great literature so skillfully into teen novels. I love how real and lovable and unprentious all her characters are. In this case Devon Tennyson loves Jane Austen, but sees herself as a completely average senior in an average public high school in Florida. Or as Jane would put it "undistinguished." She has a crush on her best friend, a football player named Cas, and is quite content to let it rest at that. She knows she has to bestir herself to get into college but she somehow she isn't moved. Until her socially maladroit cousin comes to join her household and turns out to be an amazing football kicker, and gets taken under the wing of an aloof and maddening football star. Devon and Ezra's unprepossessing beginnnings take a tumultuous road not unlike those of Devon's own favorite heroines created by Miss Austen. Altogether a fun and enjoyable read with interesting character arcs for everyone involved.

I've read this book last month and gave it 5 stars. Since then, I've reread it a couple of times. I'm just in love with the simplicity of this story and how it captures the vibes that I usually look for in a contemporary book.

The romance didn't take over the plot, it's just a smudge. It's hate to lovers slash friends to lovers. Kind of. The family dynamics is perhaps my favorite. I've come to love Foster, he's a good complimentary character to Devon and Ezra.

The author narrated the audiobook, I really like her voice. In some ways, this is how I imagined Devon to sound like.

The only thing I didn't like about the plot is the characterization of the two character of colors. Every time, they appear they're only there to help Devon. It seems like they're only there as a pillar for the white heroine. Another thing is the way Devon describes the other female characters. She doesn't hate them but the way she illustrate their physical looks and traits, I can hear a sneer. It's not a good look, since, she doesn't have female friends. She's also very different than those feminine girls. She's more of a simpleton. Though, at the end, I like how Devon confronts her own bias towards Lindsay (another female character).

Overall, I really love First & Then. It reminds me of how I want my YA books.

Only thing wrong is I wish it was longer. Also the main character lowkey hates women in the beginning.

Devon Tennyson, much like this book, doesn't fit neatly into any single category. She is reasonably popular, but not completely so. She has a crush on her football-playing best friend, Cas, but manages not to be completely ridiculous about it. She can hang with the guys, but she can also manage a shopping trip with the girls. And, though she isn't completely obsessed with popularity, she is somewhat concerned about the impact her cousin Foster will have on her own social life when he comes to live with her family. Why? Probably because Foster is slightly awkward and just plain doesn't care what other people think.

After his father's death and his mom's subsequent plunge into depression and drug addiction, Foster learned to focus his energy on taking care of his mother and himself. He had no time to waste on the frivolities of sports or hanging out with friends. When a gym class drill revealed Foster's incredible natural talent for punting a football, nevertheless, Devon's whole life seemed to flip upside-down. With Foster suddenly hanging out with the jocks, Devon started to worry less about how he might impact her own popularity and worried, instead, whether people would treat him well. This was a great story about what it means to look beyond stereotypes and outward appearances and to take the time to get to know people (including yourself) so you can appreciate them for who they truly are.