Katie is marrying Mads brother, and Mads isn’t sure she loves that idea!
I think this was way more YA than I expected to be reading! It was entertaining but at times a little overdramatic. The characters in this book are multilayered, specifically Mads and Katie. However, I felt like Mads was kind of unlikable and that it was all about her all the time. There was also a huge emphasis on how close Mads and her family are, and sometimes it was a little bit much. It left me with the feeling that everyone needs to go get their own life and get out of each others!
It was a cute read but I think it also meandered in content a lot more than necessary.

This is the PERFECT romance book!
I blushed, giggled, and gasped countless times while reading this!
The vibes of this book were immaculate!! What do you mean they live on a Christmas tree farm? And have a little fenced in garden with a coy pond?
And it has the characters from 'The Summer Of Broken Rules' in it!!
100% recommended if you are in the mood for a cozy rom com💗

I LOVED this read! I read the ARC in 2 days, and it only took me that long because I had to put it down to go to work.

What a fun plot first and foremost! Everything about the set up truly felt like a 90s/early 2000s romcom. Having Mads go on blind dates - Bachelorette style - to connect with the other characters was a great way to expand on character dynamics while also building the cast list without feeling like an info dump.

I also really loved the relationships Mads has with her soon to be sister in law and the other bridesmaids. K.L. Walther did a great job of setting up Mads as an unreliable narrator while also giving readers hints about Katie's true nature through her relationships with the other bridesmaids. Katie actually ended up being a much more likable character than I expected.

Now, the romance. THE ROMANCE. I genuinely had no idea which way Mads was gonna go by the end of this book. I wanted her to choose [redacted], and I'm so glad she did! I was really worried some of the other male characters were going to be torn down or forgotten in order to highlight the main love interest, but that didn't happen! The romance between Mads and [redacted] felt very sweet and genuine. I'm really really happy with the way his character was written and the way he and Mads worked as a pair. In 2025, we swear off the lowkey toxic coupling! And this book has none of that - at least, none that last.

Truly, my ONE harp on this book was the ending. Did I love this read? Duh. Did there need to be a sex scene in the last 10 pages? Absolutely not! Honestly, it made the relationship the book had been building feel cheap. I didn't need that to believe they were in love. It did nothing to solidify their relationship for me as a reader. If anything I rolled my eyes because it seemed like something thrown in at the last minute to satisfy a particular audience. I don't really care if there's physical intimacy in books as long as it makes sense, but I just felt like it was completely unnecessary in this case. Reading it made me sigh - not in a good way.

Still, this book was absolutely a 5 star read! The plot was great, the characters were engaging, the conflicts gave me someone to root for, and the writing was well done. I would recommend this to any romance reader I know!

4.5 stars rounded up! This might be my favorite K.L. Walther book yet. A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING follows Madeline "Mads" over the course of a life-changing year. When Mads' older brother Austin gets engaged to his longtime girlfriend Katie, Mads secretly isn't too thrilled—she's never quite warmed up to Katie, and Katie has never exactly seemed to fit into their super-close family unit. Still, in an effort to bond with her before the wedding, Mads reluctantly agrees to be a bridesmaid. During a late-night bridesmaids-only game of "Truth or Dare," Mads is forced to reveal that she's never been kissed or been on a date before, leading the other bridesmaids hatch a plan to get her a plus-one for the wedding. Suddenly, Mads is off on a quest to find her perfect date...which has some disastrous results along the way. But soon, she finds herself pulled in a few different directions she never would have expected. Will Mads find the dance partner of her dreams—while also making sure her brother doesn't make a huge mistake?

I was so excited to read this one, and loved it from the very start! I really enjoyed the journey of self-discovery Mads goes on throughout the story, and as a fan of the Bachelor franchise, thought it was such a fun choice to make Mads the "Bachelorette" as she embarks on all her different dates and figures out what—and who—she truly wants. I'm always drawn to books that center around weddings, too, and I liked the unique path this one takes with some of the storylines, particularly the relationship between Mads and Katie, which I thought was so well-done. Even though I, like Mads, wasn't a huge fan of Katie initially, I grew to enjoy her character—I really related to her being more of an introvert and feeling like she didn't totally fit in with some of the bigger personalities in the family, yet also being very loyal and supportive once she felt comfortable enough to let people in. The dynamic between them honestly ended up becoming one of my favorite parts of the book! The romance aspect of the story was so sweet, too, even though I felt like it was a little skewed towards one character all along (which I didn't mind, because I was really rooting for him and Mads). I also loved seeing Meredith and Wit make an appearance again, and spotting a few other cameos of characters from K.L. Walther's other books! And as always with K.L. Walther's books, the pop culture references were perfection, from the Bachelorette comparisons to the subtle Taylor Swift references interspersed throughout the story.

Overall, I would highly recommend A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING, especially for fans of YA romance/contemporary romance in general! And of course, if you already love K.L. Walther's books, this one will definitely not disappoint. I can't wait to see what she has in store next. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC.

I started reading K.L. Walther's books a couple of years ago because she graduated from the University of Virginia, got hooked on The Summer of Broken Rules & have kept up with her books ever since. Once again, Walther's latest novel, A First Time for Everything is simply addicting to read. A coming of age tale about discovering yourself, keeping & building connections with others, and how you cannot make assumptions about others--there are deeper layers to everyone. Within a year, Madeline "Mads" goes through a roller coaster of emotions and events from boys, friendship, being part of a wedding party, field hockey, and getting into college all while being 17 (almost 18). Throughout, she learns to build connection with her found family, even if it comes with bumps along the way. I loved rooting for Mads throughout the story & finding all of the Taylor Swift references throughout the novel.

If you read The Summer of Broken Rules, you will love the cameo from Meredith and Wit.

Thank you NetGalley & Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. A First Time for Everything will release on June 3, 2025.

I really enjoyed this book, but I am a huge a K.L. Walther fan, so that's no surprise. I loved the characters, especially Madeline, and how she was navigating how different family can be from you but how important they are. I also loved watching her figure out who she had feelings for while trying to bond with Katie. This is going to be a good one for summer!

I am trying really hard to make this review the most unbiased review l've ever wrote but it so hard when I love K.L. Walter's books so much.
Every single one. I really liked the cameos from other characters in this book even though it's a standalone.
This book was super cute and I've never seen a format so unique like this one spaced into seasons between chapters. Even with the jump in time the story telling was very clear and I feel that made the book even more enjoyable. The rest of this review contain spoilers!!!! At first I was on the fence about Katie and was shipping Samira but I knew there was more to Katie and I am so glad that she and Austin got married. I also predicted Marco and Mads even though the first few seasons I was routing for Conner cause I have to agree with Austin friends to lovers is everything. Ready-Set-Date was also really entertaining, I enjoyed the second hand embarrassment of Mads new experiences. Sorry Mads but it was so real and such a good coming of age story of teen development in the romance word.

Ugh this book had me in my feels. I loved it. There’s something about K. L. Walther’s ability to capture the feeling of being a teenage girl. It’s so interesting because I think you’d assume this is a book about a girl finding love, but I don’t think it is. I’m not going to give anything away, but by the end of the book, it felt like it was a story between two people but it wasn’t the teenage girl and her love interest.

Really enjoyed it. Devoured it quickly. If you like her other books, for sure read it.

I LOVED this book! It was the perfect read, I could not put it down once I picked it up. I have read almost all of KL Walther's other books and I was loving the character cameos + references (especially the Meredith and Wit ones)! Something I particularly enjoyed about this book was how each character had their own story and layers, which made the story really enjoyable. I wasn't really left in the dark with any character which was nice. I had fun finding out who Madeline was going to end up with although it was pretty obvious, but I was excited because that was my favorite pick! Another great aspect of the book was how the book was split up into seasons, which created a lot of anticipation for the big wedding. Also, I really enjoyed how all of the plotlines blended, the wedding, field hockey, and the romance. Overall, this book was a 5/5 read and I would definitely recommend to all readers!

K.L. Walther wins every time! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and loved the past characters make cameos in it. It was fun and interesting to have the book be Bachelorette themed. It made it relatable and funny. I would definitely recommend it to others if they enjoy the same interests.

Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire for the digital eARC.

Such a cute journey following Mads as a bridesmaid to her brother and future sister. She navigates, sports, love, wedding drama and life. I didn’t love the first but as all characters were unlikeable, but came around to them in the end!

My favorite K.L. Walther book by far. I started this not knowing exactly what to expect, since the book was split into parts, but I'm so happy with what I got. With an emotional route, this book was great! I love the relationships made throughout the book and how they developed to the end, and I'm especially happy with how everything was resolved. The characters were great and seeing the way the story was written, they fit perfectly. Thank you so much for this arc!

I thoroughly loved A First Time For Everything. I thought all of the characters were full of life, and I enjoyed the journey that this book took me on. I love K.L. Walther’s books and can’t wait for more!

A YA romance perfect for fans of 10 Blind Dates and We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This.
💍
Madeline is all about family so it’s a surprise when her brother proposes to his girlfriend without including them or letting them know it was happening! Mads isn’t a fan of her soon-to-be-sister-in-law, Katie, and is less than enthused to be a bridesmaid. When a game of Truth or Dare with the wedding party leads to Mads admitting she’s never been kissed or on a date, the bride and her posse make it their mission to find Mads a date for the wedding. Now Mads is going on date after date, some fun, some not and some confusing like her thoughts on Connor, the boy next door and Marco, a former classmate who pushes her buttons. As the wedding gets closer Mads’ feelings about her suitors and the bride all come to a head.
💒
This title is full of family drama, an adorable romance and self-discovery readers will eat up. For me, nothing will live up to The Summer of Broken Rules, but this was a close one! I enjoyed this sweet, coming-of-age book that fans of hers will love. She is the new face in this genre and fans of Kasie West and Lynn Painter will be in good company when this novel releasing June 3!

CW: broken bone, hospitalization, body horror

3.25 ⭐️

I genuinely love a closed-door romance that isn't full of purity culture. It is such a special unicorn in my life.

This book follows a full year of 17/18 year old Mads' life. This starts out when her brother Austin gets engaged to his girlfriend Katie in Paris. Mads feels a bit left out because she assumed she would know Austin was going to propose prior to hearing about it. She likes Katie but doesn't quite love her yet. Then Katie asks her to be a bridesmaid, and she becomes fully part of the bridesmaid culture and group chat. The girls find out that Mads has never had a real boyfriend and they encourage her love life. Throughout the seasons she goes to prom, commits to a college, and dates several different boys as she seeks to find her "favorite person."

There are a couple of different love interests, but for the most part this is essentially a love triangle. I like to keep my reviews spoiler-free, but I will say I was disappointed in which one she ended up with. The really great story, though, is Austin and Katie, their ups and downs, and how Mads learns to love Katie and accept her as a part of her family. That is a story not often told, and that is really well done. Mads is well written, appropriate level of maturity for her age and intelligence. She is both interesting and likable.

If you like YA romance, absolutely recommend this one. Its is fun and heartwarming.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC. Book to be published June 3, 2025.

K.L. Walther’s A First Time for Everything is a delightful and heartwarming coming-of-age romance that masterfully blends humor, self-discovery, and the complexity of family dynamics. After the massive success of The Summer of Broken Rules, she once again delivers a story brimming with relatable characters, tender moments, and plenty of awkward (and hilarious) situations that will have readers laughing and rooting for Madeline.

Madeline, or Mads as she’s known, has always been incredibly close to her family. So when her older brother gets engaged without so much as a heads-up, her world is shaken. She’s not exactly thrilled about his fiancée, Katie, and to bond and preserve the peace before the wedding, Mads agrees to become a bridesmaid. This sets off a series of events that includes a hilarious and cringe-worthy Truth or Dare game, where Mads ends up revealing she’s never been kissed, let alone been on a date. The plot quickly takes off as the bridesmaids unite to help Mads find her first date, leading her to a series of comedic and often disastrous dating escapades.

What makes A First Time for Everything stand out is how Walther taps into the awkwardness and beauty of first experiences—whether it’s a first kiss, first date, or first love. Mads is both relatable and lovable, her journey filled with the kind of emotional growth that feels earned. Her interactions with Connor, the boy next door, and Marco, the mysterious former classmate, are dynamic and full of chemistry, making her romantic choices intriguing and full of tension. And let’s not forget the band of bridesmaids who add extra fun and drama, propelling the story forward with their antics and support for Mads.

While the romantic tension is a central part of the plot, K.L. also dives deep into family relationships, particularly the complexities of sibling bonds. Mads’ efforts to navigate the rocky terrain of her brother’s engagement while managing her feelings about Katie is done with nuance, offering a refreshing perspective on family loyalty, love, and the tension between growing up and staying connected.

This book is perfect for readers who love heartwarming, laugh-out-loud romance with a dash of self-discovery. Mads’ journey of finding love—both romantic and familial—is both touching and fun. The pacing is perfect, keeping readers hooked from start to finish, and the chemistry between Mads and her love interests will have you eagerly turning pages.

In short, A First Time for Everything is a wonderful, feel-good read that will remind you of the beauty of firsts, the importance of family, and the messy, glorious adventure of growing up. K.L. Walther has once again delivered a captivating story that will leave you smiling long after you turn the last page. Highly recommend!

such a beautiful book that follows 17 years old Mads and her brother’s weeding; family; and first love!

this was such a great read, especially for the valentine’s day because it had everything a ya romance needed: tension, friendships, drama and well developed plot. i enjoyed almost everything about it and at some point i was convinced this book is a 5 star read, however, there were some … weird moments.

firstly, i was truly impressed with the plot and each character’s storyline! each character was distinguished and had a unique detail to their characteristics. they were especially seen at the end when you get to know all of them better. therefore, i’ll start with characters:

mads was a nice teenager, very realistic and positive for her age. i really don’t have anything to say about her because she seemed nice, kind and open to something fun and existing. however, i do believe her whole storyline wasn’t something she wanted. for preview: the book basically follows mads as she tells her brother’s fiancée about not kissing anyone. and the whole bridesmaid group is encourages a romance throughout the book. why am i telling this? because mads did not seem interested in romance before this whole thing. what i’m saying is, it felt very pushed toward mads wanting to date and see guys. especially, when she started to intensely look for a guy, instead of going with the phase.

however, here comes the fun part. <u>i loved who she ended up with. it was kind of obvious throughout the book, but i was still so glad with the last chapters and the finale.

i can’t say that i was expecting this from kate because she genuinely felt very weird the whole time. i mean, nice for the drama to go away but i was kind of confused with her personality🤷‍♀️

Oh I love Marco oh my gosh!

The writing is really good but sometimes I was more interested in the subplot of the dynamic between Katie and Mads. I loved seeing the growth of their sisterhood. Mads’ back and forth love triangle thing got tiring for a little bit, so I loved seeing her other relationships develop too. The romance was so cute and blush-worthy but Mads and Katie’s sister-in-law storyline is what stole my heart!

Obviously, I was so excited to see Meredith and Wit make a few cameos too!

In love with this author, this book, and the characters.
It was a perfect read

Thanks to NetGalley and sourcebooks fire for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A First Time for Everything is the perfect blend of nostalgia, YA romance, and self-discovery. K.L. Walther nails that bittersweet, coming-of-age vibe with relatable characters and a dreamy setting. The story is heartfelt, the romance is sweet, and the writing flows effortlessly. A little predictable? Sure. But sometimes, that's exactly what you need.