Skip to content
  • HOME
  • THE DREAMER
    • CONTACT
  • DISCLOSURES
  • HOME
  • custom-logo
  • THE DREAMER
    • CONTACT
  • DISCLOSURES
Uncategorized

Book Tour // First There Was Forever by Juliana Romano

April 21, 2015August 25, 2015 Crystal // Dreams, etc. Post a comment
Book Tour // First There Was Forever by Juliana Romano

Note – Thank you to Penguin Random House for sending me a copy of the
book for review! All opinions are my own. No affiliate links were used
in this post.

At the end of each year I start to look through YA books that will be released in the next year and I compile a list of books to take a look at once they’re released. First There Was Forever by Juliana Romano was on that list. Talked about as a YA contemporary perfect for fans of Huntley Fitzpatrick, I was immediately intrigued. Once I read the synopsis, I knew I wanted to read it. So when I was asked if I wanted to read and review this book, I jumped at the opportunity!

First There Was Forever is about Lima, whose best friend has always been Hailey. Tenth grade starts to change their friendship as Hailey seeks out new friends and spends her time partying and chasing after her long-time crush Nate. Hurt and confused, Lima also develops new friendships–including Nate. As Lima and Nate spend more time together, their feelings start to grow, and they do something that could change the dynamic of Lima and Hailey’s friendship forever.

What really drew me to this book when I read the synopsis was the strong friendship dynamic and I was so happy to see that dynamic reflected in the novel. Nate’s character and his interaction with both Lima and Hailey is a big part of the novel–and one that I really enjoyed–but for me, this book is about a friendship, and I appreciated that. Of course, it’s also about the possibility of watching a friendship come to an end and that was a storyline that really resonated with me. When I was a teenager I had a “best friendship” that slowly dissolved and reading this book took me back to that time. I really connected with Lima as she dealt with all of the emotions that come up when two close friends start to walk down separate paths.

I loved Romano’s descriptions of the beach and the city in this novel. She transported me to the ocean and and at one point my breath almost caught in my throat at her description of the city from an apartment window. I loved that she so easily was able to take me to these places based on her descriptions.

I also appreciated that Lima and Hailey were believable as tenth graders. Sometimes in books (and movies and TV shows) I watch and think, “High school was never like that!” The high school experience is different for everyone, but sometimes I still find the teenage perspective to be a little far-fetched and I loved that this one wasn’t. There are parents that are present and the teenagers need to find a way from Point A to Point B. I loved that authenticity of the novel!

This is a quick read. I loved the shorter chapters, because it was a book that I felt like I could pick up if I only had a short amount of time to get some reading in, and it held my attention all the way through. I really enjoyed watching all of the events unfold and seeing how the characters changed and grew throughout the novel. This is definitely a great summer read for lovers of YA contemporary.

You can find the book at: Goodreads // Amazon // Barnes & Noble // Book Depository

ETA: You can find my follow-up Q&A with the author here.

HAVE YOU READ THIS BOOK? WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

// Check out my Q&A with the author of Finding Jake and my latest reading roundup!

// There is a little bit of time left to nominate a book club read for May! A voting post will go up on Thursday, April 23rd.

>> Follow me on: Bloglovin’ // Instagram // Twitter // Pinterest // Facebook

About Crystal

About Crystal

Hi! I'm Crystal, a millennial learning how to live slowly and sustainably, while still seeking adventure and following my dreams, etc.

Post navigation

Book Tour // Q&A with Bryan Reardon (Finding Jake)
Little One’s Adventures // A Sunday Morning Adventure

Share Your Thoughts! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

hi!

I'm Crystal, the storyteller behind Dreams, etc. I'm all about learning how to live slowly & sustainably, while also seeking adventure as we follow our dreams, etc.

I took these in early January when the snow still I took these in early January when the snow still felt a bit magical, but right now I’m just ready to walk barefoot in grass.

When I was younger I used to imagine what it would be like if we got so much snow that it would be piled high above our doors. I wondered if we’d be able to create tunnels in the snow to move around in.

And this year might just be the year we find out. I’m kidding, of course, but at this point I feel like we’ve been buried in snow. We’re even on track to beat some snow records I think (the amount of snow and the number of consecutive days with snow on the ground.

So. What’s the weather like where you are?
February was here and gone in the blink of an eye February was here and gone in the blink of an eye but contained moments I’ll carry with me forever.
When it’s almost halfway through February and yo When it’s almost halfway through February and you still haven’t posted January’s recap. January was filled with lots of family time. 💙
Hello, friends! 👋🏼 Swipe through for a few g Hello, friends! 👋🏼 Swipe through for a few glimpses from January. As 2022 came to an end I had this feeling that I was preparing to hibernate and I guess, in a way, I have. I’ve been slowly easing into the new year, focused on getting back into a few routines after Iceland and the holidays. And it’s been a great month. I can’t believe it’s almost over. What have your favorite moments of January been?
2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of 2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of so many dreams experiences. Whales. Cape Cod/Nantucket. Iceland. I saw musicals that have I’ve been dreaming of with Moulin Rouge, Wicked, and Six. 

It wasn’t without its stresses and rough moments but I’m grateful for the good that can be found, even when it’s hard.
Let’s journey back to November for the second we Let’s journey back to November for the second weekly dam walk of the month. My dad joined me for this one and we made it somewhat fast because it was a chilly day. “The water looks cold,” I said when we back to the car.

Between Iceland and the below zero, windy, and snowy weather we had last week (which came with requests from my parents not to go) it’s been a few weeks since I’ve been to the dam and I miss it!
Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Vienna and it still lives in my memory today as such a special time. I know December in Reykjavik will be the same—and not just because I came home with a little over $100 worth of ornaments of all 13 Yule Lads AND their mom AND the Christmas cat. (There was a little bit of miscommunication between my mom and me on that shopping trip. 😂)

It might have been cold (and when that wind hits you don’t want to be outside or by the harbour…I speak from windswept, breath-stolen experience and will forever be grateful for the library we eventually found respite in) and we only saw the sun a few hours each day, but seeing this already charming city decked out in Christmas lights with a skating rink and the prettiest tree secured it’s place in my heart.

Reykjavik, I hope to see you again one day. Soon. Probably not in December, but I’m glad I got to see you in December once.
Last year my niece and I visited New York at Chris Last year my niece and I visited New York at Christmastime and it was fun to see the city decked out in lights. I can also now say that I’ve seen the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and skating rink and the Saks Christmas lights, but I’ve also seen the crowds they draw.

It was completely different in Reykjavik this year. You actually had a chance to skate on the ice rink if you wanted (and I never did the conversation, but I think it’s cheaper) and you could actually walk up to the Christmas tree. Two very different Christmas in the city experiences.
Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle tour with a stop at Thingvellir National Park. My fingers froze as I took these photos but it was worth it to capture this view. 😍 PS - the last photo is from a lake we stopped at on our way from Geysir to Thingvellir.
See More Follow on Instagram

RECENT POSTS

  • Saying Goodbye to Crystal the Writer
  • The Day the Sorcerers Visited Baby Jesus
  • Thoughts on Hope
  • Christmas Playlist // 2022
  • Life Under Construction

CATEGORIES

  • Adventures (52)
  • Beauty (16)
  • Books (147)
  • Creativity (57)
  • Entertainment (18)
  • Life (224)
  • Uncategorized (539)
  • Wellness (8)

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?

Follow
  • Book Review Policy
  • BOOKS
  • Contact
  • DISCLOSURES
  • Insta Links
  • Seint Links
  • THE DREAMER
Copyright © 2023 | All Rights Reserved | © 2023. All text and photos belong to Crystal Brutlag, unless otherwise stated. Theme designed by Little Theme Shop: https://littlethemeshop.com

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

Dreams, etc. // Minneapolis Lifestyle Blog
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.