Each author interpreted the prompt given by the anthology's title differently, which speaks to the range in experiences. The stories' format, voices, and level of self-reflection (whether by characters or by the writer for more autobiographical pieces) vary greatly.

I agree with another reviewer that the story about a boy being attracted to older women, including one he is related to, was hard to read.

I really enjoyed the concept of this book, however I feel it could have been narrated more authentically and true to the title.

This book was a great read. It made me think of my first time. It was not a good one. I love the different experiences and the openness of each story. I would definitely recommend this book.

Most young adults/webs are taught from a very young age that losing your virginity or having sex with a partner for the first time is a beautiful and sacred thing that should be honored as such. When in reality, most of the time the first time really just.. sucks. It’s awkward and even uncomfortable at times. This collection of short stories really brings this reality into perspective. Almost NONE of the people in this story end up satisfied at the end of it, and I loved that because it’s so realistic. Sex is a learning progress. It takes time, attentiveness, and paying attention to your own partners needs and desires. Some of the stories are serious, others are funny, and others are witty with lots of banter.. so there’s really something for everyone in here! There’s a lot of emotions that the reader will feel while reading as the writers recount their experiences. I think this is a great collection of short stories that a lot of people will find themselves relating to.

Overall a really relatable, well written, and lighthearted book.

The subtitle feels a little bit misleading, because quite a few of the stories are about something that really isn't sex: a bad first kiss, masturbation, or failed relationships (these may have been "first times," but they're not about sex). The writing from story to story was a bit uneven, but I appreciated that the individual authors' voices came through strongly and were distinct from one another. There are a diversity of identities, sexualities, and experiences represented.

However, I am really finding it difficult to get past the story of the teenage boy who finds a photo of his aunt naked in the bathtub. He uses this photo as “inspiration.” Like, all the time. And he never comes to the realization that this is such a violation of his aunt’s trust, and also just gross.

The range of experiences in this collection is very refreshing and I'm so thrilled it includes LGBTQIAP+ stories, too. FIRST TIMES: SHORT STORIES ABOUT SEX is the perfect addition to the reading list I have for a summer class on writing sex scenes. I look forward to hearing what my students have to say about these stories as well.

I loved this collection so much! I am so glad that the authors stories were so gender and sexuality diverse. I loved the author's honesty and vulnerability in telling these stories about often awkward and fumbling firsts.
I can safely say that I felt SO SEEN in "Leap into the Unknown." My late-in-life coming out paralleled Vanessa's story so closely, and it was so comforting to have seen my anxieties and stress validated and reflected. That is the power of stories like this, and books as a whole; to make people not feel so alone in situations that are so universal, but feel so isolating when in them.
One negative that I am hoping is resolved in the final publishing is the format. A lot of disconnected letters and sentences as it currently sits. Please don't let this discourage you from reading it, this book is worth piecing it together!
Thank you to all the authors for sharing their stories, and thank you NetGalley and House of Anasi Press for the ARC!

I thought this book was going to be coming of age type stories or funny but it wasn’t. That’s my bad for misinterpreting. The short stories felt incomplete. Wasn’t my cup of tea.

Just as the title states - this is a book of short pieces written by authors detailing their first time having sex. I enjoyed it. I think it's a powerful thing to have a book like this exist instead of shame that often comes with sharing stories like these intimate ones. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.