First Comes Love

Oh, this lovely, lovely book! It was so wise and quotable! If I persuade only one person to read this book I'll be so happy.

That cover is misleading and distracting. Don't get me wrong, I like it but it doesn't really show Gray and Dylan as they really are. Something like the cover of Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles only with Gray's cap and Dylan's baggy jeans.

Our heroes- Gray and Dylan go to the local community college. Gray is a loner and as he said, numb to the world. That all changes when he sees Dylan taking pictures of two geckos 'talking' (aww :D). She sees Gray is acting defensive and decides to help him come out from his shell. What she didn't expect is falling in love with him.

Eight months ago Gray's twin sister, Amanda died and since then his family hasn't been living a full life. They never talk about Amanda or to each other. Gray avoided his friends and eventually they all stopped coming around and gives up his scholarship to play college baseball.

Dylan wears baggy jeans and carries her camera with her everywhere. She is a free spirit and does a different thing every day. Every day is a new challenge and she convinces Gray to loosen up and join her adventure and road trips. She eventually helps him heal and he finally confronts his parents. Even though his sister is dead, he is still alive and deserves attention.

And now I found out there's a sequel! I had no idea! Hope it's as good as First Comes Love.



“Life is too short to waste time on people who don't lift you up, who don't inspire you-they'll eventually drain you.”

“If you only focus on the things you leave behind, you'll never go anywhere.”

“Live a little," she tells me. "You're never going to experience anything if you wait around for perfect conditions.”

“Look around you. The earth wouldn't exist without the sun. Plants would die without rain. We're all meant to lean on something. Or someone.”

“I think everyone’s caught up in these narrow-minded worlds and they think their world exists in the center of the universe. Relationships only happen when it’s convenient. You have to walk on eggshells for people because that’s about how strong they are these days. And you can’t confront people, because if you do, that brittle shell of confidence will crack. So we all become passive cowards that carry a fake smile wherever we go because God forbid you let your guard down long enough for people to see your life isn’t perfect. That you have a few flaws. Because who wants to see that? My theory is everybody sucks. So, my conclusion is I don’t need anybody.”

First Comes Love is told in dual perspectives and Katie Kacvinsky totally pulled it off. Both voices were distinct and I appreciated seeing both sides of the love story, what each was thinking and both perspectives on love, sex, and problems.
I am a sucker for characters and in this character driven story, Ms. Kacvinsky nails them. When I say its a character driven story, that is not dismissing the plot. There is definite emotions, themes and actions that keep the story going.
Dylan is a character to be admired. She has such a free spirit, and she doesn't care what others think. She is always looking for adventure, and she looks at people for what is below the surface.
Gray is reclusive and dark, but we find out that there is a really good reason for it, and I love how Dylan peels back the layers, helps him heal, trust and to really live again.
I really appreciate seeing their relationship bloom. This is not an insta-love book, and their friendship and falling for each other really makes this book special.
I was pleased with the ending, though at one point, I really wasn't sure how she was going to pull it off. But things were tied up neatly, and even though I want more from Dylan and Gray, I liked the way that she left things.
This is such a sweet story tinged with lots of emotion, stuff to laugh at, and a whole new way to look at life.