You Say it First

Kids say
Based on 2 reviews
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
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.
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What's the Story?
YOU SAY IT FIRST is about a long-distance romance between opposites. Meg lives in a wealthy Philadelphia suburb, goes to an elite high school, and was accepted into the Ivy League for college. Colby lives in rural Ohio, barely graduated high school, and carefully avoids getting his hopes up about anything. They "meet" when Meg calls Colby's house for her job trying to help people register to vote. The call goes badly, and Meg can't leave it like that. So against all the rules she tracks down Colby's number and calls him again to apologize. Somehow talking to a stranger makes it easier for both Colby and Meg to open up to each other in ways they can't with the people they've known forever. Soon they're talking for hours every day, and realizing that as impossible as it seems they're falling for each other, hard. But they live an eight-hour drive apart. Impossible, right?
Is It Any Good?
Romance fans will enjoy this pretty standard, opposites-attract, long-distance romance by veteran author Katie Cotungo. It's rather predictable, and at first the characters come across more as types than as real people. But as we get to know them they become relatable and more fleshed out. Meg's problems are mostly "first world," but as she changes and grows she becomes someone we hope will really make a difference. Colby comes from a less-privileged background, and learning more about him, especially about his father's death, make him easy to sympathize with. Both main characters' journeys give the story some depth and keep it from being just a breezy, fluffy romance.
It's also enjoyable to see how Colby and Meg challenge each other. Sometimes the sparks really do fly. Strong language, excessive alcohol use, the aftermath of suicide, and other mature themes make it best for high-schoolers and up.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about alcohol use in You Say it First. Is the depiction of teen drinking accurate? Is it OK? What about Meg's mom? How does her drinking affect her and Meg?
How did you feel about the strong language? Is it a big deal? Is it realistic?
Have you been affected by suicide, or do you know someone who has been? Where can you get help? How can you help someone who's hurting?
Book Details
- Author: Katie Cotugno
- Genre: Romance
- Topics: Friendship, High School
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Balzer + Bray
- Publication date: June 16, 2020
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 13 - 17
- Number of pages: 368
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: June 21, 2020
Our Editors Recommend
For kids who love romance
Themes & Topics
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