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It's flashback time!

Hey, friends. It's time for another flashback feature, and since Endless Love is coming out this month, I thought this would be the perfect time to go back to the beginning and highlight the book where it all started...

First Love

First Love is kind of where it all started. Not writing or the plan to publish, but it was the first thing I ever published (first on Kindle Vella before it bit the dust). It was also a story that I'd been building since 2017. I dropped it into the Ida universe, rounded out the story and characters, and unleashed Maia, Braden, Vince, Nick, Leigh, and all their drama on the world.

What are the vibes?

It's not quite a romance. I like to call this series, and particularly this book, a romantic drama. It's giving One Tree Hill meets Teen Mom meets Parenthood. Maia and Braden's relationship is a key part of the book, but it's less about the romance aspect and more about their overall relationship and how life challenges both of them.

First Love is told from Maia's POV. A lot of the story is laying the groundwork for the future books while Maia navigates a teen pregnancy. We get to see the depth of the friendships and relationships surrounding her and get a glimpse of some of the things that are coming.

I love this story so much because it really is an emotional roller coaster. Not just the story, but each individual arc for the characters. Maia is strong but stubborn, Braden is messy but wants to be who Maia needs, Vince and Nick have pain from their past that rears its head, and Leigh is... fierce, but she has some wounds from the past too.

This book is just the beginning of a bigger overarching story with the main themes being friendship, healing, growth, (eventually) plenty of romance... and love. Stupid, freaking love.

Tropes

Accidental pregnancy, first love in trouble, chosen family, tight knit family, cozy small town.

Blurb

You’ve got to be freaking kidding me.

Seventeen and knocked up was not how I saw my life going. Yet, somehow, here I am. And I already know… this isn’t going to go well.

My mother? She’s gonna kill me. This is pretty much the one thing she asked me not to do. The only thing she never wanted for me.

My dad? He might hide it, but seeing disappointment in his eyes would be enough to break me.

My best friends? Well, let’s face it, they’re pretty much the most supportive people on the planet, but I don’t think any teenager is excited to hear their best friend is pregnant. Not to mention it’s going to change everything because then there’s…

Braden. The boy I’ve loved since I was six. I don’t think he can handle it. I know he’s not ready for it. We’ve always had an easy time. I thought our love was different, that it could last a lifetime. But now, I’m not so sure. I’m afraid this might be the thing that destroys us.

Can first love survive real life? Can we survive this?

Some notable songs from the playlist include:

Scenes from an Italian Restaurant by Billy Joel- Maia & Braden's song

Blow Me by P!NK- really hits how explosive Maia's anger can be

Far More by The Honorary Title- classic teen angst in a song

Miracle by Foo Fighters- for Harper's first moments in the world

Ship to Wreck by Florence and the Machine- did I build this ship to wreck?? LOL!

If you haven't read it yet, now's the perfect time to dive in and fall in love with these characters before the final book comes out in a few weeks!

Read First Love

And speaking of Endless Love...

How about a little teaser?

And yes, that last line absolutely needs to be a sticker.

Pre-order Endless Love

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Have you binged the Freaking Love series yet? Now is the perfect time to start it or dive into a reread before we come full circle and close out this era of the Ida universe. I can't wait to give this one to all of you. Stay tuned for more teasers leading up to it!

Until next time, take care & happy reading!

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