Customer Reviews

First Love: What Would You Give Up To Keep Yours?

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Book Review - First Love
There was a void in the Christian fiction book market for African American teens and young adults and Yolanda Callegari Brooks has filled it with First Love. This is Callegari's first novel and it contains gems of encouragement and wisdom.

The central theme of First Love is abstinence-sexual purity. Yes, First Love is preachy, in part, but that is not necessarily a bad thing in this case. It is not what you say but how say it that matters. "Flee fornication" is about the extent of the teaching church youth hear.

Amani, the seventh daughter of the seventh daughter ( Olivia) falls in love with Marley, a college basketball star with the reputation of being a Christian virgin. The struggle of the young couple is to hold off sexual activity until their wedding night. Temptation comes in a variety of forms, such as groupies, doubting adults who succumbed to sexual sin and peers who have caved to the pressure.

Callegari does a fine job of presenting Amani and Marley's relationship in a realistic way. Carefully constructed plot twists lend authenticity to the storyline. She offers both practical and spiritual answers to the question: Why should I remain sexually pure when everyone and everything around me says, "do it?"

Sub-plots focus on Amani's widowed mother, Olivia, and her inability to move forward after the death of her husband. Olivia cannot effectively relinquish her mourning clothes for gladness until she faces the guilt of the past, which includes a post-rape abortion.

If you are looking for perfect characters and the perfect ending, it is not present in First Love. The flaws of characters and scenarios mimic every day life quite well. This book depicts the realities of teenagers and their parents.
In fact, minor characters such as Taylor, Marley's friend, provide powerful testimony to godly character without appearing "too good to be true." The transformation of Clifton, a trash-talking womanizer is most notable and worthy of further exploration by the author.

First Love is rich in subtext, as well. Rooted in biblical truth, First Love delves into the power of friendships between women; submission to authority and husbands; and envy.

A favorite line in the book, "We can choose our actions, but we can't choose their consequences," catapults the novel from mere backstory to compelling. The tone is set as those consequences are spelled out one-by-one.

The use of contemporary iconography, such as slang to musical references, makes for an engaging read for teens without boredom. It looks like someone has finally figured out a way to present this topic without losing the audience. Bravo.

Beginning passages of First Love were difficult to digest. The book was cramped with too many details, which is normal for a first novel. However, Callegari rebounds successfully beyond this minor glitch and First Love became hard to put down. Callegari has proven that she has the aptitude to join the ranks of other Christian writers such as, Victoria Christopher Murray and Jacquelin Thomas.

First Love demonstrates what most adults have already learned: Even Christian kids, who do well in school and are spiritually sophisticated, struggle with their sexuality. The rise of STDs and teen pregnancy proves we cannot continue to turn a blind eye towards this issue.

First Love is highly recommended reading for book chats and Bible study groups-young and old. If you are seeking a way to step up your teen ministry, then this book offers excellent material to beef up discussions on sexuality and Christian conduct.

First Love serves up a happy ending though it might not be the expected outcome. Yet, the ending is based on the same reality, which threads the story from the start. It is definitely God glorifying.

Note to Callegari: Your characters leave us wanting more. Please bring us up to speed in a sequel.

...

I loved the novel. It was very motivating. While reading the book it felt like I was there with the characters. I caught myself several times, speaking out loud, "No don't do it...it's not worth it!" As I got to the last few pages of the book I thought that I wouldn't be satisfied with the ending. However...After reading the ending pages I realized that the ending couldn't have been better. The book is so well written that I couldn't put it down. I'm sure you won't be able to either.

Yolanda Callegari Brooks is sure to be an author that will be spoken of throughout the communities of America.

Yolanda Callegari Brooks enters the literary scene with a well written Christian novel. First Love is a coming of age novel that delves into staying "pure" until marriage and the pressures placed on a young woman.

Amani Sheppard is the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter. Seven is a perfect number in the Bible and her mother is praying that her daughter saves herself for marriage unlike her other daughters. Being in this special position in this family places intense pressure on Amani and Marley enters the picture.

Marley, the suave, debonair star college basketball player is also a young Christian young man striving to abstain from sex until marriage. Will Amani and Marley make it to marriage? Will knowledge of a family secret cause Amani to falter in her Christian journey?

First Love is the beautifully written love story of these young adults along with the story of the Sheppard women. It captures the reader in the beginning and keeps you engrossed until the surprise ending. Yolanda Brooks has done a superb job of blending Christian principles and the Bible into the storyline. I would recommend this book to any teen group to facilitate discussions on dating, teen sex and the consequences.

Reviewed by Robilyn
The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Yolanda Callegari Brooks' debut novel is timely and realistically written for young adults. Her coming-of-age story about first love intertwined with family values is a delightful read for any age.

Matriarch Olivia Shepherd has successfully raised her seven daughters after the tragic death of their father, her first love. Her one worry lies within her youngest daughter, Amani. All of her other daughters chose to have sex outside of marriage. Amani has now reached an age where life-altering decisions can be made in the heat of the moment.

Seventeen year-old Amani falls in love for the first time with Marley "Miracle Man" Jamison, a star college basketball player. Both Christians, the young couple struggles with their fiery emotions and vows to practice abstinence. When Marley has a change of heart, he begins to pressure Amani to give in to temptation.

Yolanda delivers a novel that tackles a subject prevalent in every young person's life. Parents and teens should grab this book to read. It is definitely an excellent starting point for a parent to approach and for family members to discuss sex and other pressures young adults eventually face.

Yolanda did a great job of capturing and keeping my attention with the storyline. Her well written story can transcend all ages and racial backgrounds. I really enjoyed the way Yolanda displayed the personalities of Amani and Marley. I felt like I knew them. This novel took me back to my younger days because the characters and their issues were so realistic. This is definitly a book for all ages. Drama and humor with a christian undertone makes for great reading! I'm looking forward to Yolanda's next novel.

Yolanda Callegari Brooks' modern day love story is brought to life by her beautifully poetic and descriptive prose. From the first pages to the last, the author skillfully drew me into the world of Amani and Marley with satisfying plot twists and a realistic mixture of peer pressure, family drama and the conflicts brought on when celibacy and Christianity meets young love and sexual awakening. Ms. Brooks' coming of age novel thoroughly explores each character as she cleverly brings to life the wide-ranging emotions of the diverse and multi-dimensional characters in First Love. I was hooked from the beginning and the ending was thoroughly satisfying. I can't wait for the next installment. This is a must read! I guarantee that you too will be left wanting more of Amani Shepard and more from Yolanda Callegari Brooks.

Someone gave me this book to read and I wasn't too particular in reading it because I thought the book was about the couple on the front cover -- and since I don't know them or know of them, I felt like I didn't want to read about average people who have gone through things in life just like I have and everybody else. Unless the couple was a celebrity, I wasn't interested in reading about their lives but I was wrong. It ended up being a cute romance novel on celibacy.

I guess being celibate is a popular subject these days. The talk used to be "safe sex" or "wrap it up," but now I'm reading about these authors who writes about "save sex for marriage," like in this other novel I read called Lust of the Flesh (which, by the way, is an excellent novel).

Kick off your shoes and relax because this may take a while. However, "First Love" is a nicely written Christian-based story of love, strength, respect and family. It's a read-worthy coming of age story that covers the subject of virginity lost, virginity kept and the consequences and rewards of choices made. Very nice freshman novel.

Kendra Norman-Bellamy
author of
"For Love And Grace"

Hi Everyone,

I can tell u that Ms. Yolanda's book is ALL OF THAT and THEN SOME! She will win u over with her style of writting, and her down to earth language that speaks for all languages, & for all cultures! No matter who u are u can really relate to her come alive, and up close & personally characters! The Body of Christ can especially relate! She will keep u on the edge of you seat wanting more when u get down to the ending of how Amani and Marley's love story went down! I recommend this book to anyone of all ages especially the youth! This story is great to show all people and the youth, that u do not have to be lame to serve Christ! U can still have your fun, reading, and being entertained with out all of the junk that is put into secular love stories! Pastors, I highly recommend this book to any of your youth, make, reading this book your next group activity for the youth members in your church! This book was tight, and OFF THE CHAIN IN JESUS NAME! This book also has a well spoken moral and real life lessons taught to the Body of Christ and others, that everyone can put into practice in real life!Yolanda, girl u are truly an annointed woman of God who is truly blessed with the gift of writting! U have truly done a great job on this book and I look forward to reading many other great books in the "First Love" series!

Stay Up In Christ Saints,
Tarneasha

Mrs. Callegari-Brooks novel was written with a pitch for emotion and suspense, First Love captures beautifully the joy of a new love even as it builds to an overwhelmingly moving climax. This is an unforgettable love story,at once heartbreaking and full of hope. I wish that this book could be read by all teenagers and parents. I have recommended this book to my neice and all my co-workers. I belong to a Book Club and have selected First Love for my next hosting in October. Mrs. Callegari-Brooks keep up the good work and I am looking forward to reading more about Amani and Marley in your next novel.