You Say it First

Parents need to know that Katie Cotugno's You Say it First is the story of a long-distance romance between 18-year-olds Meg and Colby, opposites who happen to encounter each other on a voter registration call. One has already graduated high school, the other is a senior. The older teens in the story talk frankly about sex, using strong language like "d--k" and "jerking off." But nothing is directly narrated or graphic. There's some kissing and making out. Teens sleep on the same bed in a motel after making out, but don't have sex. Other strong language includes "f--k," "p---y," "bitches," and "bulls--t." Parental loss is a strong theme. Colby lost his father to suicide less than a year ago. Meg's parents recently divorced. Both of them are present, but her mother struggles with alcohol use. Teen drinking is pretty normal, beers, hard lemonade, and once a cola bottle mostly full of rum. Teen excess is shown only once or twice, and there's not much in the way of consequences. Violence is rare and isn't graphic. Colby remembers finding his father's body when no one else was home. Meg's mother falls down the stairs while drunk and is hospitalized. There's one fistfight with punching and kicking; pain and injuries are briefly described. An adult man and adult woman are each in positive same-sex relationships. Meg mentions briefly that she kissed a girl once and would be open to the possiblity again if the right person came along. Brief mention that a mom had a late-term miscarriage when the teen was in first grade.