Mel's Reviews > First Time for Everything

Since John Goode is the reason I wanted to read this anthology, I started with his story, although it's the last in the collection, and the rating is also for his book, since it's quite difficult to rate an anthology.

What I really liked about this collection is it's diversity. Besides from being a YA collection, the stories don't have much in common. I especially liked to read about the transgender characters, since I hadn't read much about them so far.

Concerning my rating, I want to add some background information. There are only 3 short stories that I have ever rated with 5 stars. I think it is immensely difficult to write a short story that has everything I would want in a story. So when I rate a short story with 3 or 4 stars, it's a really good one, and I probably have nothing to complain about.


Just Right by John Goode

My faith had taken too many hits in a row for me to be able to handle someone that good-looking turning out to be just another douche. I'd rather sit over here and dream that he was perfect rather than walk over there and make it a reality. What did I have to lose? The last shred of a broken heart that hadn't even been able to like someone for real. It was just too much for me to handle.

Bittersweet, snarky, and nerdy. A great combination, and very well written.

4 stars


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Dear Cody by Eric Renner

Beautiful. I loved these letters. They were so intimate and touching. Made me feel good and warm and fuzzy.

4 stars


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Dating my Best Friend by Caitlin Ricci

Huh... Meh...
It was okay, I guess. Neither story nor execution are anything to shout out about, in my opinion.

2 stars or 1.5, dunno


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A Warrior from a Different Tribe by S.A. GARCIA

DNF after 5 pages

Too descriptive for my taste. Too slow. Couldn't get into it.

1 star


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Dressed to Swim by Renee Hirsch

Beautiful. Well written in a first person point of view. Tells the story of a very young teenager who doesn't fit in anywhere. It ends on a hopeful note when he discovers something new about him.

Beautiful, sigh...

3.5 or 4 stars


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Courting Billy Roth by Nick Hasse

Awwwwww :-)))))) A best friends to lovers story. This was really cute and awwww.... the kisses and tender moments. L O V E D

3.5 or 4 stars


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Beautiful by Ella Lyons

Intersting. Nice. Transgender-curious theme.

2.5 stars


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His World by Eric Gober

I'm pissed. So much potential. Such a great, heartwarming idea. But the execution... Gah. Fucked it all up. Bumpy writing style, lengthy in parts, too short in others. Disappointing.

1.5 stars


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It's in their Kiss by Kevay Gray

Since this is supposed to be a journal entry written by a teenage girl, I probably should give this shorty 5 stars. But, oh my... Who the fuck wants to read something like that? Bad writing is bad.

1 star


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Summer Crush by SR Silcox

That was okay... Not bad, but not good, either.

2 stars


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Midnight in the Maze by J. Leigh Bailey

The writing was actually pretty good, but I didn't really like the protagonist. He was a creep and an idiot, and such an idiot. Yeah, so the plot was also wtf-ery, but also somehow sweet.

2 stars


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First Date by Nicole Mccormick

2 boys on their first day, very sweet, writing a bit awkward in parts

3 stars


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Step by Step by Emily Mortan

A very beautiful trans YA story. It was really lovely.

4 stars


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Me and my Friend by Emery C. Walters

Um... So, this wasn't for me. Very detailed, too much overthought inner monologue, and the plot or message was so... I don't even have words for this. I didn't like the message, nor the 'happy' outcome.

1 star


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Kissing Stars by Jo Ramsey

Now, if it weren't for the utterly awkward and unrealistic ending, this story would have been good.

2 stars


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It's not our Fault by Charli Green

WOW. What just happened??? I... I think I feel like our MC Jordan right now, I feel slightly overwhelmed, out of control, turned on, and... wow. I think I just read about my first genderqueer/fluid (need to do more research) character. I... Phew. This was quite intense. What an experience.

4 stars


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When Wolverine met Taylor by Andrea Speed

Cute with Comic Con. Nothing more and nothing less.

2 stars


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Kiss and Makeup by Allison Wonderland

DNF after 5 pages. Just don't have the patience for another overthought inner-monologue right now.

1 star

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This book counts for my following reading challenges 2015:
- 100 books in total
- 20 books about a marginalised group
- 20 books, trying something new