Monday, April 1, 2013

First Comes Love by Katie Kacvinsky



First Comes Love by Katie Kacvinsky
Published: May 8, 2012 by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Received: ARC from publisher
Like his name, Gray is dark and stormy. Dylan, a girl always searching for what's next, seemingly unable to settle down, is the exact opposite: full of light and life. On the outside, they seem like an unlikely couple. But looks can be deceiving and besides, opposites attract.

What starts as friendship, turns into admiration, respect and caring, until finally these two lone souls find they are truly in love with each other.

But staying in love is not as easy as falling in love. If Dylan and Gray want their love to last, they're going to have to work at it. And learn that sometimes love means having to say you're sorry. [goodreads]

This story is a perfect example of when a book has been sitting on your shelf for awhile, forgotten, and then you come across an amazing review for it and think, wait! I have this book! I must go read it right now! Yup, that's what happened when I saw Estelle from Rather Be Reading review Katie Kacvinsky's First Comes Love. Her enjoyment for such a quiet, soft spoken story really grabbed my attention - plus I'm always a sucker for rich romances, of any genre.

Gray is in a very dark place. He's just coasted through high school after a devastating blow wrecked his family from the inside out. He feels lifeless and moves through his days at summer school just as the warm air blows through the hot, dry streets of Phoenix, Arizona. He's cut himself off from any sort of connection to another human being. In his mind he thinks, if he doesn't get close to anyone, then he's more likely to never get hurt again.

All of these thoughts make sense until Dylan, the charismatic full of life girl, shows up in his world. She is every bit the opposite of him and right off it frightens him. It's this fear that draws Dylan in closer though. They begin as strangers, a girl reaching out to a broken boy, but soon become the most important people in each others lives. I felt a serious connection between these two. It wasn't over-done or forced, it came about so beautifully and naturally. But their relationship was not easy by any means. I loved how they taught each other to live in a completely different way.

The writing in this story is a quiet beauty. It causes you to want to re-read a sentence or two, savoring the essence of what first loves are all about. The alternating voices between Gray and Dylan gave a nice perspective to the story as well. Being able to hear both voices completed the story in a way that would have been very different if told from just Gray, or just Dylan. With a little less than 200 pages, this story captures the reality of what happens when you're young and in love, and forced to face the world, even when you may not be ready to. I hope my review causes someone else to pick up this book and read it, just as Estelle's review had done for me.

11 comments:

  1. The writing had the opposite effect for me, unfortunately :( I found it so distracting! But I'm glad there are opposing reviews for it out there so it can get into the right hands!

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  2. Hm, this is a short one. A good, real-like developing romance that doesn't require hundreds upon hundreds of pages to accomplish it? I'm interested. Plus, beautiful writing and awesome character names to boot? Sounds like something I'm definitely interested in. Just as Estelle's review did for you, your review has done for me, so, mission accomplished. : ) Thanks, once again, Ginger. : )

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  3. I am really glad you liked First Comes Love. Like Shanyn, I wasn't entirely into the writing. I also was not Dylan's biggest fan. Alas, it's awesome that you connected with and really liked First Comes Love. :-)

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  4. I have to admit, the part that intrigues me the most is the fact that it's short/is a standalone. I love when an author can write a beautiful story in just one perfect package. I'll have to add this to my list!

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  5. I already had this one on my TBR list, and your review makes me want to read it even more. I like the cover on this one more than the one on goodreads-I REALLY look at covers! :)

    Shannon
    http://www.irunreadteach.wordpress.com

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  6. I wanted to read this book but it wasn't the biggest priority but now I might have to read this sooner than later. I'd love to see how I like the writing and Dylan sounds like an interesting character!

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  7. What an intriguing book! I like that the writing is a quiet beauty. Wonderful review!

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  8. I had the great opportunity to read this one before it came out and I just fell in love with it. I really need to read Second Chance soon. I'm so glad you enjoyed this one!

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  9. Eee! It's always intimidating when you write a review and someone else picks it up... because WHAT IF THEY DON'T LIKE IT? I'm so glad that this one was a winner for you too. I was so surprised by my reaction to it, and I know I read a lot of mixed things about it (seen in your comments too). I also think it has a little to do with reading Katie's over work beforehand and just not feeling it as much as I wanted to.

    I'm still nervous about reading the other books in this series. I'm not sure if it will enhance my experience with these characters and I kind of liked leaving them where they were.

    Yay for good books!

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  10. Great review - definitely one I plan on adding to the book pile. Fantastic blog as well - considered it followed! Have just started a book themed blog at www.chapterhopping.blogspot.co.uk - would be great if you could follow me there too!

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  11. I'm so glad you liked this one! Estelle's review also had me intrigued and I'm intending to read this one when I can. I love the idea of a broken boy and a lively, vivacious girl coming together, and I definitely want to see sparks fly between them!

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