First, Last, and Always by Kim Lehman is a young adult coming-of-age story centering on the lives of two teenagers, Miles and Charlotte. As the best friends begin high school, they face different challenges. Charlotte struggles to fit in, not having the perfect figure or best fashion sense. She is taken aback by the attentions of a boy in her algebra class, Grayson, and rapidly develops a crush on him. Miles’s father left when he was five. A high school basketball star, Miles longs to follow in his footsteps and make the basketball team to show his father that he can. All the while, Miles faces internal conflict about his friendship with Charlotte and the growing emotions he has for her. Will both teens finally make the connection and come together?

There is no way I can possibly do Miss Lehman’s book justice in my review. I loved the switch between points-of-view throughout the novel. It is not an easy thing to pull off while creating a distinct voice for each character. I related completely to Charlotte’s feelings about fitting in. I had the same issues and the same bullies that took subtle jabs at me. I felt bad for Miles when his father kept putting down his dreams. I was so happy his mother supported him and finally told off his dad for not keeping his promises. Throw in a crazy third best friend (didn’t we all have one of those?) and what could be better? The novel was wholesome with moments where I wondered what would happen. Lehman kept me on my toes and I found myself holding my breath at certain parts. I am not ashamed to admit I cried happy tears at the end of this book. First, Last, And Always is a fantastic read for people of all ages.

The young adult tale of love in First, Last, and Always is about two freshman in high school who have been best friends since grade school, Charlotte and Miles. We get a glimpse of their mindset because the story is written from both points of view. Both Charlotte and Miles truly detest high school as Charlotte is teased as the big, chubby one and Miles is just shy and quiet. Together with their other best friend, Lani, who is an individual that speaks her mind (nonstop) - they make for an entertaining trio of misfits at school. Charlotte has an older sister, Alexa, who completely puts her down and teases her, when once they were such good friends. Miles has a father who never follows through on any promises and always lets him down. Together through their problems, they must overcome their doormat personalities to get to the real gist of their life - to fall in love and find the "the one."

Author Kim Lehman writes the quintessential teenage angst love story with great dialogue between the three best friends - Charlotte, Miles, and Lani - in a very convincing and effortless manner that brought many smiles and guffaws from me. She infuses her love story with a naïve sweetness that resonates deep in the hearts of readers remembering their first true love or just anyone that believes in true love. This story is endearing because readers feel the emotions and teenage pains that the characters are grappling with. A delightful light romantic read!

First, Last, and Always by Kim Lehman is a young adult romance about a young teen girl coming into her own and realizing that she is worthy of being loved and cherished. It is told from two points of view. Firstly, Charlotte, who feels that she's boring, bland and big and, because of what happened the last time she confessed her feelings to a boy, doesn't hold out much hope for her romantic prospects. Miles is her best friend and aspiring basketball player. Quiet and just as introverted as she is, he hasn't quite gotten up the courage to tell her how he feels, especially when it seems that she's falling hard for a guy in her class. Beginning high-school and on the cusp of love, will these two teens find the courage to move forward and say what's on their minds?

First, Last, and Always by Kim Lehman is a sweet and touching romance filled with the ups and downs of high school life and the trials and tribulations of a first love. Though it's a romance, it is also a coming of age story as both Miles and Charlotte come out of their shells and, especially in Charlotte's case, move beyond the stings and barbs of her peers and refuse to let it bring her down anymore. All the characters are well rounded, the plot twists, while standard YA fare, are well done enough to keep any reader engaged. I also loved the theme of friendship layered throughout Lehman's novel and how through Charlotte's romantic entanglements she still kept in touch with and cared about her friends.

First, Last, and Always by Kim Lehman is the love story of Miles Fiester and Charlotte Hubbard - about two lovers handling their personal complexes and still discovering love. Love has no shape, color, time or age and this story is a beautiful depiction of that. Charlotte Hubbard is not attractive and her beautiful sister does point it out often to make her more unhappy about how she looks. She has no hopes of meeting anyone because she is sure that no one will want to be with an overweight girl. But things change when she meets Miles Fiester and Charlotte realizes that a lot of things in life happen unexpectedly. It is a story of love, family and two friends.

The story speaks about the nuances, unexpectedness and unpredictability of love and relationships. Love happens in the lives of Charlotte and Miles when both of them are so sure of not finding a partner for themselves. The story also revolves around the roles their respective families play, stressing the importance of family in our lives. The story covers all angles of a relationship - friendship, love and family - and the author has blended them together well to make a heartwarming tale. The story is fast paced, original and convincing. Both Charlotte and Miles will steal the hearts of readers with their complexes as they dream of living life like everyone else. The simplicity of the plot and the characters make it a very convincing and relatable story.