Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing the ARC of this new release.

This story followed Mads, a 17 year old field hockey player who’s never been on a date or kissed anyone. Her older brother is getting married to a girl named Catie who he’s been dating for over 4 years. Mads gets invited to be one of Catie’s bridesmaids against her will and at a slumber party with all of them, they devise a plan: ready, set, date. Something akin to the bachelorette show. Mads goes on a few mishap dates but one of her friends continuously happens to be in the same places at the same time. She has to learn the hard way who the right person is for her.

Things I did like:
- Dad and Da, her two dads, so cute.
- the setting
Yeah that’s about it.

Things I didn’t like:

This book was obviously a little too young for me. Though I can usually relate to YA books, this one felt ever younger get. Something I don’t think many would enjoy past high school.

This story felt wholly chaotic with no flow whatsoever. It constantly felt like things were just happening but nothing made any sense or had reasons for going the way it went. I was constantly asking myself “huh? How did we get here?”

There’s no cohesiveness to the romance story line. The entire time you’re wondering who is going to end up being the MMC because there really isn’t one. There’s various people who are there the entire story and you have no idea which way it’ll go until it’s happening.

Not my favorite, not well written in my opinion, would have DNFd if it wasn’t an ARC.

This audiobook was narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya who was mostly good but the audio dipped in volume quite frequently.

I was hoping I’d like it more than I did, but unfortunately, I didn’t.

I liked the premise, and the narrator was great, but I have quite a few complaints about the book itself. And that scares me, because The Summer of Broken Rules is waiting on my shelf, and now I’m not sure how much I can expect from it.

First of all, I didn’t really like the FMC—we just didn’t connect. She complained too much, and it annoyed me how involved she got in her brother’s life. Okay, you like Samira—we get it. But who he decides to marry or not marry isn’t your decision.

Next, I didn’t like the way Katie was talked about throughout the whole book, only for it to be revealed near the end that she’s actually wonderful and didn’t deserve the treatment she got.

The third thing I didn’t enjoy was the “relationship” with Connor. Just because someone is your best friend doesn’t mean you’re meant to be together romantically. And I honestly don’t see the point of “trying out” a relationship if you don’t even feel the desire to kiss each other. On top of that, the whole thing felt so short and insignificant.

I’ll admit I liked Marco—he was my favorite—but even there I had issues with the ending. Why did they have to sleep together at the end? It felt rushed and not particularly well executed.

All in all, I’m disappointed.

I was hoping I’d like it more than I did, but unfortunately, I didn’t.

I liked the premise, and the narrator was great, but I have quite a few complaints about the book itself. And that scares me, because The Summer of Broken Rules is waiting on my shelf, and now I’m not sure how much I can expect from it.

First of all, I didn’t really like the FMC—we just didn’t connect. She complained too much, and it annoyed me how involved she got in her brother’s life. Okay, you like Samira—we get it. But who he decides to marry or not marry isn’t your decision.

Next, I didn’t like the way Katie was talked about throughout the whole book, only for it to be revealed near the end that she’s actually wonderful and didn’t deserve the treatment she got.

The third thing I didn’t enjoy was the “relationship” with Connor. Just because someone is your best friend doesn’t mean you’re meant to be together romantically. And I honestly don’t see the point of “trying out” a relationship if you don’t even feel the desire to kiss each other. On top of that, the whole thing felt so short and insignificant.

I’ll admit I liked Marco—he was my favorite—but even there I had issues with the ending. Why did they have to sleep together at the end? It felt rushed and not particularly well executed.

All in all, I’m disappointed.

I loved this book! K. L. Walther knows how to write a great coming-of-age story. I laughed out loud many times, and I enjoyed that the romantic parts weren't super predictable throughout most of the story. While the main plot revolves around Mads finding a date for her brother's wedding, I enjoyed that Mads, as well as several other characters, had depth. While I found Mads could be a bit annoying at times, I reminded myself that she was just 17. In the end, her development was very apparent, and I loved that she allowed the experiences throughout the book to shape how she interacted with the important people in her life. The narrator was perfect, and I felt that they only added to the enjoyment of the story. Overall, the book was funny and heartfelt. I also appreciated the While We're Young easter egg as well as the (intentional or unintentional) Taylor Swift easter eggs.

Let me start by saying this is one of the books that would make a great movie adaptation. I could see this playing in home theaters for a wide audience to gush about, and I've never felt this feeling since To All The Boys. From the atmospheric settings (especially the farmhouse!), the ensemble of characters, to the dialogue, we have a solid foundation for a great screenplay.

Honestly, I love a good love triangle! This one did it nicely. However, I didn't like who our main character, Madeline, ended up with. He (not saying who) has owned up to his actions by the end of the book, but by then, I was already put off by him. Although understandable that he was the choice, I still wished Madeline had chosen the other guy.

On a related note, I was not particularly a fan of Katie. She's a sweet person, and the way she cares about the people around her reminds me of some of my closest friends. However, between Madeline and Katie, she was the adult, and I wished she had been the bigger person instead of acting immaturely towards her fiancé's little sister and family. Speaking of which, most of the bridesmaids in this book read like teenagers! There was no distinction between them and Mads' other friends.

This is a large reason why I was not a fan of how the book entangled its plots and resolved everything together: most of the issues could have been avoided if the adults acted more maturely! I felt like the dads were the only sensible grown-ups in this book (I love them!). The rest are just upper-middle-class people dealing with upper-middle-class problems they dug themselves into. This lack of distinction between the teenagers and the adults is what I find to be an issue with a lot of YA books.

That being said, this was generally alright. I really do feel like I would've enjoyed it more if it were a movie. I would recommend this for a fun time if you read it for escapism, just shut your brains off and do not think about questionable character decisions too critically.

As for the audiobook: I loved the narration! The narrator delivered the perfect energy and made the story immersive. But while she did try to accommodate the highly diverse cast in this book (why were there so many characters?!), there was not much distinction among them (I felt lost with who's saying what sometimes), which I think is a fundamental flaw in itself of having a single narrator and not necessarily this narrator's burden to carry.

3 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and RBMedia for the advanced audiobook copy!

Absolutely loved this. Who doesn’t understand trying to figure out why their sibling chose the person they love? Especially when they’re seen as not giving any effort to get to know their partners family. Throw in friends to lovers, a protective friend who turns out to be more and a fun bachelorette type game for the Madeline and it was a great book. It ended in a happy open ended way that I love and hope there will be more books in this world

This was cute and had all the YA necessities. Also, when all the characters from her other books were mentioned and even made an appearance, my heart. I needed these crossovers. This, of course, had such good friendship and family dynamics as well as that young love. Jennifer Jill Araya did such a great job of voicing Mads, and her personality shone through.

Thank you netgalley and Tantor Audio for an early arc of this.

Madeline is 17 and has never had the opportunity to kiss a boy or go on a date. After a game of Truth-or-Dare with the bridesmaids from her brother's upcoming wedding, Mads gets roped into letting the ladies set her up on a few dates. Along the way, Mads develops feelings for her best friend (Connor) and a former classmate (Marco) who is now in college yet always seems to be <i>around</i>.

If you want to avoid all the spoilers: The book is fine. If you particularly like YA Romance with love triangles, it's a decent choice. If you don't, you should probably pass on this one.

In full...
There was potential here but some (many) parts of the plot annoyed me. For example, I hate the Samira plotline. I was hoping the entire time that Samira would <spoiler>just turn out to be gay and not ready to come out to her parents</spoiler>. Sam <spoiler>being the boring chick who is still in love with the guy who is about to get married</spoiler> was a disappointing development that could have been used better if it had to be included. It didn't feel impactful enough to take up so much space in the narrative. Additionally, the characterization of Katie is disjointed and while the attempt to warm Mads and the audience to her through those who already love her is a good idea, it left me yelling at Mads to stop being such a willfully-blind child who is oddly possessive over her brother. Katie was so obviously <i>supposed</i> to be a good person that it gets annoying listening to this 17 year old brat badmouth her. Oh and having <spoiler>Marco showing up everywhere kinda make him feel like maybe he was going to turn out to be a stalker</spoiler> and made the love triangle feel a bit ominous, like there was definitely a Right answer and a Wrong answer for who to root for (I was always <spoiler>Team Marco</spoiler> though).

I find it interesting that Madeline is often shown to be hypocritical, judgmental, and short-sighted. For example, <spoiler>she complains about her name being misspelled on a bridesmaid gift yet when she gets the Save-the-Date for the wedding, remarks that she didn't know Katie is a Catherine, not a Katherine</spoiler>. It goes a long way to making it clear that Katie is <i>not</i> the villain. Honestly, Katie is far more relatable than Mads; I ended up wishing this book was just about Katie and Austin by the end.


The audiobook makes this book better than the content. Jennifer Jill Araya is an amazing narrator and her flow is lovely, flowing naturally and transitioning cleanly between the voices for different characters. This is one of the best quality audiobooks I've read in the last few months.


I received this audiobook through NetGalley as an ARC/ALC. Opinions are my own, but many thanks to RBmedia for the opportunity.

4 stars. A First Time for Everything was a cute, young adult romcom. I was intrigued by the plot initially and—having once been a bridesmaid who felt completely out of place—could heavily relate to Mads, our FMC who joins her future sister-in-law’s bridal party to get closer to her (or even start to like her). The characters were easy to love and the romance was so sweet. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about all the changing dynamics: family, friends, romantic partners, potential undergrad schools, you name it. I find it can be hit or miss to be inside the head of a 17 year old, but I thought Mads was a good narrator and had a pretty good head on her shoulders. However, the cherry on top was definitely all the references to The Bachelor/Bachelorette. This book got a rose from me!!

I’m a KL Walther fan and I’m proud of it! If there’s anyone who has the ability to transport me to my teenaged years and make me nostalgic for experiences and memories I never had, it’s her. Because it’s not about the sports her characters play or the scenarios they find themselves in, it’s the feelings her writing elicits — the butterflies of interacting with a crush, the frustration of miscommunication, the anxiety of big decisions. There are so many factors at play at this stage in one’s life and KL brings it to life so well.

The beginning of this book brought me so much anxiety and I was so frustrated with the entire proposal / wedding scenario. Every aspect of it made me cringe. While we’re reading from Madeline’s perspective, Katie immediately raised all the red flags. She didn’t interact with Mads directly, nor did she stand up for her. She also seemed to be distanced or disinterested in any of the family’s feelings, let alone their traditions.

Madeline is so eager to bond with Katie, but a wall remains. Why does she seemingly position Mads up for failure or embarrassment? There’s something there that makes me feel so uncomfortable and I’m pretty frustrated that Austin can’t bridge the gap between his family and Katie. there are things unsaid that seem unbearable and rather inconceivable after 5 years together… it’s a bit concerning that he’s let the lack of communication fester for so long.

If you’re a fan of drama, buckle in because beyond the family drama, Mads’ entry into the dating scene gave me plenty to sink my teeth into. For someone who lives the friends-to-lovers trope, I hold it dearest to my heart because I know what’s at risk. But that also made all the ups and downs in this romance all the more excruciating! I forgot what it was like to be young, unsure and eager to fall in love.

Do you remember when you first expressed interest in dating? Do you remember how terrifying it was? Well, if you ever want o relive those glory days, it’s perfectly described in this book. The fear of not knowing if the other person is interested, the cold dread of not knowing what to say or how to act. This gave me such anxiety and second-hand embarrassment about Mads’ dating experiences and her friendships with Connor and Marco.

But this was also nice reminder that love finds us when we’re not looking for it, and it might not look how other people or how you thought it would. Sometimes it’s loud, sometimes it’s quiet. Sometimes it’s a rush, but it can also be a steady pulse. It’s a gentle reminder to trust your heart and those butterflies. Love should feel safe, like a warm hug… like coming home.

For my audiophiles, transport yourself back in time with the audiobook. Jennifer Jill Araya does a wonderful job emoting throughout her narration — you’ll feel the frustration in the shake of her voice, the realization in slide of her pitch, the hesitation in her intentional pacing. It sent me back to my teen years, in the best way.

A First Time For Everything

This is such a cute read that explores the teenage realities of first love, getting into college, and family struggles.

The narrator was so perfect for the role which made me binge listen to this book. I really liked the main character Madeline, she was written really well and genuinely felt like a 17 year old. I was really curious to keep listening to the book because I was desperate to find out who she would end up with!! I do feel like that Mads was somewhat pressured into wanting a relationship because prior to the ‘Ready, Set, Date’ between the bridesmaids she seemed very content with Field hockey but then after she was very desperate for a relationship. I guess this is pretty realistic in terms of teens feeling pressured to go into a relationship but I’m not sure how I feel about Mads being somewhat pressured into it. Her parents also pointed this out in the book. Otherwise the book was really cute and entertaining.

I love the family dynamics and I loved how the reader is introduced to all of the side characters. However, it did get confusing at times trying to remember who was who but I think that was down to listening to the audiobook and being very forgetful.

Kate’s character was quite annoying but I think that she added an element to the book which made me curious to see what was up with her. Her character growth was really nice though.

I really enjoyed the book and the ending wrapped the book up nicely.

Thank you for the Audiobook ARC in exchange for a honest review.

I will definitely be reading Walther’s backlog :)

If you're in the mood for a charming rom-com with plenty of laughs, awkward moments, and heartwarming surprises, A First Time for Everything is the perfect pick! Madeline (or Mads, as she’s affectionately called) is the ultimate relatable heroine—sweet, a little clumsy, and fiercely loyal to her family. When her brother gets engaged without warning, Mads’s world gets turned upside down, and her hilarious attempts to bond with her future sister-in-law Katie will have you giggling out loud. The wild ride through disastrous dates, mistaken identities, and unexpected romantic tension kept me hooked from start to finish. Plus, the adorable love triangle (or maybe square?) adds just enough spice without overcomplicating things. Mads’s journey to find her “first” everything—her first kiss, her first date, her perfect match—is both adorable and real. K.L. Walther's witty writing and lovable characters make this a feel-good story perfect for anyone who loves a dash of humor with their happily-ever-after. Just a heads-up: don’t be surprised if you find yourself cheering for Mads—and maybe even trying a few “truth or dare” games yourself afterward!

This book follows junior Mads and her year long journey navigating family, friendships and relationships. K L Walther is one of the only YA authors that never feels too young for me to still really enjoy. Audio was the perfect format for reading this book! I didn't want the book to end and finished it in one day. I enjoyed the love triangle between Mads and her two leading men. I feel like Mads' relationship with her brother was the one aspect of the book where I was looking for more to be shown rather than told. Overall - a really solid YA read & would highly recommend!

Thank you to Tantor Media for allowing me to be an early listener. All thoughts are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc. I really enjoyed this book. I don’t always love YA but it was such a cute story and just really had me hooked. Would recommend to anyone who likes Lynn Painter’s ya books. Such a fun read.

A First Time for Everything was such a cute little listen, but didn't quite hit the mark for me. Overall though, enjoyable but eh

Thank you NetGalley and RBmedia for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
K.L. Walthers wrote another great book! So far I have read The Summer of Broken Rules and What Happens After Midnight and this one is just as good!
Madeline's character was so fun to read about and get to know, her family dynamic was so strong and supportive (It did sometimes bother me how Austin seemed fine with Katie not wanting to spend time with his family tho). All the bridesmaids were so sweet and like older sisters to Mads at so many points in the book, and was so happy to see Mer from TSOBR!! I loved the resolution between Katie and Mads' family, it wasn't some calm conversation where the past is forgotten, there was yelling and crying and I felt like we were finally able to see the Katie that Austin loves who is passionate and protective (although I didn't like that she never actually apologized for anything).
I loved who Madeline ended up with! For a while I couldn't decide if I wanted her to be with Marco or Connor, but I am so happy with her choice! Unfortunately, at the end when she loses her virginity, the scene felt very out of place and random compared to the vibe of the rest of the book, mainly cause she never expressed interest in wanting to lose it and ever seemed to think about it.
Overall, would highly recommend this book if you enjoyed The Summer of Broken Rules and What Happens After Midnight! Thank you again for the chance to read this book before it came out and can't wait for K.L. Walther's next one!

A First Time for Everything is all about Madeline, who's trying to bond with her brother's fiancée while figuring out her own love life. She’s never had a boyfriend, and the other bridesmaids convince her it’s time to put herself out there. As she starts dating, things get complicated—especially with the different guys in her life and her own mixed feelings.

The family dynamic is super sweet, funny, and really supportive, which adds a nice touch to the story. Overall, it's a cute and relatable coming-of-age romance. The narrator was great, too—really brought the characters to life. If you’re into quirky, lovable, and slightly messy characters, this one’s for you. It felt kind of like a YA version of Bridget Jones’s Diary.

I absolutly ADORED this book! Everything about it...the characters, the narrator (Jennifer Jill Araya), the story line, the ending, the settings, absolutely everything!!! This is the second book that I've read by K.L. Walther. I went and added all her other books to my tbr list! I highly recommend it and wish I could give it more than 5 stars!

#AFirstTimeforEverything #NetGalley
Publication date- June 3, 2025

A summer coming of age/first love story. I loved all the characters and didn’t want this story to end. It’s YA but well done. The audio was spectacular.

I received an arc from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Admittedly, I am not a huge fan of YA lit, but something about K.L. Walther's stories hit just right.

A First Time for Everything follows Madeline ('Mads') in her quest to find common ground with her older brother's fiancee while also searching for a love of her own. Mads has a super close bond with her brother, Austin and is determined to become more accepting of Katie before she officially enters into the family. As Mads works to navigate her conflicting feelings about Austin's upcoming nuptials, she finds herself also conflicted about the other important guys in her life, Connor and Marco.

What I appreciate about Walther's young characters is that she never writes them as trying to be older than their actual ages - everything they say/do is realistic. Her concentration on family dynamic was incredible ... and, the Taylor Swift references really took me back to The Summer of Broken Rules. That cover?? Let's all take a moment to appreciate how cute and fun it is, shall we??

All in all, A First Time for Everything did not disappoint and was everything that I was looking for in the moment - I recommend giving this one a-go!!