FIRST

FIRST                                                               M. A. GRANT

Best friends do everything together—including falling in love…

Maya and Cat have been there for each other through thick and thin, the good and the bad, the laughter and the heartache. But with college graduation on the horizon and real life looming, they find themselves facing an uncertain future: one where not even friendship can save them from confusing choices, bad decisions, and the risks of falling in love.

Maya knows that love only leads to pain, and the best relationships are short—one night short. But after waking up with Jake, her best friend’s older brother, in her bed, suddenly things aren’t as cut and dry. Cat and Jake are close, a tight unit since their parents’ death, and Cat will never forgive her if Jake gets hurt. Jake is a firefighter, and is used to running into flames—not away from them, and Maya can’t seem to resist. But she’s already decided her future, and it’s far away from here. The only way to get what she’s always wanted is to burn every bridge behind her, and destroy the possibility of a future with the one man she may be willing to love.

When Cat Jacobs’s parents died while she was in high school, her brother’s best friend Dallas Miller was there to help pick up the pieces. Several years and a looming college graduation later, Cat’s motorcycle-riding, tattooed knight is about to ride off into the sunset—and leave her in his dust. She only has six days to convince him to fulfil her secret fantasy of having him for her first before he’s gone forever. She’s stubborn and he’s tempted, but this is a battle for more than just some time in the bedroom—it’s a fight for both their futures.
MY REVIEW:

     Maya Rayes is BFF to Cat Jacobs.  Although Maya would never admit it willingly but she has a secret crush on Cat’s older brother Jake.  But there’s always been this issue of control that has driven Maya crazy.  She hates it.

     Well you see Cat and Jake’s parents died while Cat was in high school.  Jake is 5 years older than the girls.  He was nineteen when they died and was at the fireman’s academy when he got the call about the accident.  So, Jake was the one who took over the care of Cat with the help of his best friend Dallas (Dally) Miller.  Their goal was to keep Cat safe.  Maya can’t understand how they are friends.  Jake is controlled and boring and Dally is funny and relaxed.  So go figure.

     Maya though came from a controlling father and a mother who just walked away.  She has no example of what love looks like.  To her Jake is just too nice, too controlled in his manners, too reserved, and too apple pie.  No one can possibly be that way all the time twenty four seven.  Can they?  One the other hand she thinks…

     He is sexier then all hell!  He has a mean six pack maybe even a twelve pack.  He has an ass of steel to go with it.  Yet, she has to admit there are moments that Cat tells her stories of things he does that cause her heart to flutter.

    But this one morning when she wakes up dreaming of Jake it seems so real.  The phones ringing she’s trying to answer but can’t when she hears a male voice.  It sounds so familiar.  Like really familiar.  In fact it sounds close to.  Her brain is foggy but is trying to clear when the bed shifts and her eyes open one at a time to hone in on the voice and sure enough she knows that voice.  It’s her BFF’s big brother and crush’s voice, Jake.

     She shuts her eyes in hopes it’s not.  When she pulls up on the sheets to look under them while he is on the phone she takes a look under.  Yup! He is all naked and in all his glory.  Jake!  Cat’s brother!  WTF!  Last. Night. Cast. Party. OMG!

     This portion of the story was not only funny it was emotionally charged also.  It was interesting to watch the relationship unfold.

     Cat Jacobs is the younger sister to Jake and best friend to Maya who is at this point secretly dating Jake.

     Cat is on a mission to lose her V-card you know her virginity.  Not to worry though she has the perfect candidate in her scope.  She just needs to reel him in and have the “perfect storm” as they say.  Who is this lucky man well, “Dallas (Dally) Miller of course.

     Dally is the go to guy for Cat for everything.  Especially, since her parents died.  In fact when the Highway Patrol contacted her and Jake was at the fireman’s academy she called Dally.  He left Arizona where he had gone once he and Jake had graduated to go work for his uncle at his garage he would one day be taking over the business.

     Dally dropped everything to come care for Cat the way their parents care for him when he needed someone.  He stayed on even after Jake finished the academy so he could work.  He knew he was the breadwinner and had Cat to provide for and would need the help.  Dallas took care of all of Cat’s daily needs and he got his own job at a garage too.

     The three of them lived in the house together but being a fireman Jake had odd hours.  Dally was a constant.  For the most part Cat and Dally were a couple without the fringe benefits.  And those he took care of other places.  But now Cat was graduating from college in 6 days and Dally will be leaving to finally resume his life in Arizona.  She wanted Dally to be her first.  She wants it to be with someone special and someone she loved.  She knew he would never feel the same but it was okay because he at least cared about her.  That was enough for her. 

     She devises a plan and does her endless research on the internet.  See how this works out for Cat.  Does Dally feel anything for Cat?  Or is it all one sided?  Maya seems to have some really strong ideas on the subject.

     I loved this story it was so cute and beyond funny.  The things Cat gets herself into was hilarious.  The adult shop was so funny.  I just love the love and care that Dally gives her, never really getting mad at her just always showing his love for her.

I give this 5 stars.  Provided by netgalley.com.  Follow us at:

www.1rad-readerreviews.com.