Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Predictable but engaging high school romance.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
FIRST & THEN introduces high school senior Devon, who's been secretly in love with her best friend Cas since forever and is always hoping that someday Cas will see her in the same light. When Foster, her freshman cousin, comes to live with Devon's family, he quickly befriends Ezra, the aloof, arrogant, all-American captain of the football team. Now it seems her irritating cousin and Ezra are everywhere Devon turns. So in the midst of deciding about college, trying to pad her extracurriculars, and endlessly rereading Jane Austen, how does Devon end up agreeing to go to homecoming with Ezra instead of Cas? As she learns to see things from others' points of view, she also learns to see herself more clearly. But can she figure out what she really wants?
Is It Any Good?
Debut author Emma Mills creates an engaging update to Pride and Prejudice that teen romance fans will enjoy. There's little suspense about the outcome for those familiar with Jane Austen's original, but Devon is a relatable character whose authentic voice keeps the pages turning. Although it lacks Austen's emotional depth, it's a solid, lively entry in the romance genre.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why we love to read romances. Do you like escapist ones or more realistic ones such as First & Then?
Have you read Pride and Prejudice or seen any of the TV or movie adaptations? What similarities and differences do you notice in the story or the characters? If you haven't read any Jane Austen yet, would you like to now? What intrigues you about it?
Do you agree with Ezra about deserving to win because you're better? Are there times when the team or player who's not the best should win? Have you ever let someone win who wasn't as good as you? Why, or why not?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Friendship , School ( High School )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Henry Holt & Company, Inc.
- Publication date : October 13, 2015
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 18
- Number of pages : 272
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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