OH JEEZ THIS BOOK WAS SO MESSY and I don't just mean the drama, but also the way it gets told. There were parts of it where the writer is relatable and you feel like you can understand the protagonist but once she gets with the older guy, Reid and then she meet his daughter and also falls for her and she gets to try both of them *shudders* I just thought how wild it was that she ends up with neither of them handmade the book trivial but either way, it was an experience

5

setting: California
Rep: sapphic Jewish protagonist

This one just really worked for me. I can't even put my finger on what it is exactly, but while I was reading I felt like I was in good hands - from the writing, and the strength of Allison's voice, I trusted that I'd have a good time, and I did. At times it reminded me of Elissa Sussman, Curtis Sittenfield, and Kate Goldbeck - three authors I've loved - and I didn't want it to end. I will definitely read whatever Amy Silverberg writes next!

SO GOOD and so funny! What a wonderful debut. Perfect for anyone who is feeling lost and silly in life. I adore this.

I had such mixed feelings all throughout this book. The writing style was incredibly interesting, in a way that I still can’t quite decide if I loved or hated. Pretty much every character in the entire book was unlikable on so many levels, but that can mostly be predicted based on the blurb/description, so a reader should be prepared.

Ultimately I do think I recommend this, but it’s a very specific type of reading experience. Don’t go into it expecting a romcom, or even a romance. Go into it expecting complicated characters and emotions, grief, coping, and insane levels of daddy issues.

Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the e-ARC!

3 ⭐️. this book was about messy relationships. this book was about grief and its many forms. this book was about complication family dynamics and "parenting" your parents. however, this book did not successfully engage me in any of its content. I felt it was rushed, distant and the story never really knew where it wanted to go.

thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an advance reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book was such a toss up for me. There’s so much that I loved like the writing and the daughter storyline. I think maybe I’ve just read too many books lately with slimy undeserving old men so maybe I need a break from them.

I was enjoying the story, the ending definitely felt abrupt but in a way that kind of made sense. In life, we don’t get full explanations and closure so it felt more realistic that way.

I definitely enjoyed the writing and plan on reading whatver else Amy Silverberg puts out.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

I really, really wanted to love this one. I've been a fan of Amy Silverberg's standup for years, so I was thrilled to get a copy of First Time, Long Time. It just never took off for me. The writing was good on a line level, but there was nothing pulling me through. It was missing a certain tension or conflict. I found myself forcing my way through it instead of being propelled towards its end.

That said, I will definitely check out the next book she writes!

Sorry, is there a plot to this book? 30% in and bored out of my mind. Really wanted to give it a chance but have to DNF

After reading the description of this book, I couldn't wait to read FIRST TIME, LONG TIME by Amy Silverberg. The narrator's sardonic humor was compelling and engaging. However, the relentless listlessness overpowered everything else about the book. It was like trying to understand a story through thick layers of gauze: it was too hazy. Unfortunately I found myself wanting the book to end rather than wanting anything for any of the characters. This book wasn't for me (personally as well as professionally), but I am curious to see what Amy Silverberg writes next.

First Time, Long Time by Amy Silverberg was a bit of enigma of a book for me. I walked away from it with basically the impression of “okay then.” and that’s about it. The writing style was fresh and interesting and I enjoyed the narration as delivered by the author herself. I definitely enjoyed the book more when the author was narrating it rather than reading it myself. I think that could be because to me, the story felt like something as told by a friend; with the starts and stops and meandering thoughts of a long winded story you could be told over brunch. Similar to that experience I’m walking away from this book with a sense of knowing more about someone but not having gained much of anything. I didn’t dislike the book but also at no point was I moved or connected. I hope this book finds the audience that will cherish it because the voice definitely is unique.
.
**Thank you to NetGalley, Hachette Audio, and Grand Central Publishing for the ALC and eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.**

i really enjoyed the beginning of this book! as it progressed, i think it lost a bit of its sharpness and purpose, but i loved the voice and will be reading more from this author when there's more to read.

28-year-old aspiring writer Allison is languishing in LA. She has a wiring professor job that she tolerates, but she’s lonely and trying to process her brother’s death. One day, she meets much older (like, her dad’s age) radio host Reid Steinman and begins a romantic entanglement that challenges her identity.

Despite the rather difficult and potentially depressing subject matter, reading this book brought me a great deal of joy.

The sardonic humor keeps the sadness at bay, and Allison’s voice fits into the Smart Sad Girl canon beautifully. Her inner monologue is so wise, so sharp, so self-deprecating, so insightful. When there wasn’t much plot to speak of, her voice kept me turning the pages.

This gave me the vaguely stressed feeling of a book by Emma Cline combined with the “omg I feel seen” feeling of reading Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey: A wise and witty and cutting look into the life of a young woman trying to find herself in a world that constantly throws her heartache. I loved this book and can’t wait to read more from Amy Silverberg.

Note: I would go into this book blind because the blurb spoils some major plot events that don’t happen until the last 3rd of the book, and I really wish that I had been surprised.

*3.5

Another fitting addition to the sad girl canon.

This book left me wanting more because the elements that felt interesting to me were under explored. I was more drawn to her reflections on her brother’s life and death, and the complicated relationship with her father (who is a hot mess) than her relationship with Reid.

The ending left me scratching my head.

A well-crafted novel that engages you at word one and keeps you engaged until you turn the last page, First Time, Long Time should definitely be on you TBR pile this summer.

This debut just wasn't for me. It follows a young half Jewish bisexual woman grappling with grief and depression following the tragic death of her brother. Told in a rambling, stream of consciousness style of narrative, she starts a relationship with an older radio dj and then later falls for his daughter. I just didn't really connect with the protagonist but maybe it was the fast talking narrator that contributed to those feelings too? Perhaps one that's better read in print?? For whatever reason it was just an okay read imo and one that I almost DNF'd many times. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This book was enjoyable for the most part, until it became aimless and I just want it to end.

We follow Allison, who is still dealing with the grief of losing her brother and gets into a relationship with her Dad’s favorite radio host.

I feel that this would’ve worked better as a short story, the author is a good storyteller but it just didn’t work for me as a novel.

First Time, Long Time by Amy Silverberg was such an entertaining story!
I was hooked from the beginning!
It was amazing and engaging. 
I was instantly sucked in by the atmosphere and writing style. 
The characters were all very well developed . 
The writing is exceptional and I was hooked after the first sentence.

This was an interesting story of a woman grappling with her grief, which led to absolute chaos. It was like watching reality TV, but in a poetic way.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing. This book is out TODAY!!

28-year-old Allison is in a relationship with a 60-year-old famous radio personality. Although she is given a full backstory of her life, Allison never felt fully developed to me. The relationship also seemed lacking in emotion, even when Allison becomes involved with the radio personality's daughter. Perhaps the point of the book was the absence of emotion and connection, but it didn't work for me.

Allison is still grieving her brother’s death and dealing with her mercurial parents when she meets Reid, an older and notorious talk radio show host. They start dating despite their age difference. However when she meets his daughter, she becomes close with her as well.

The main character’s wit and personality pulled me in from the beginning. I loved her take on the world, and her family. This is not a plot driven story. While there is a plot, it’s more about her character and past. Much of the book is her reminiscing on her childhood and past events that happened. With her dry humor, none of it is boring and I was there for every page!

“Your personality is a direct result of your parents, whether you’re copying them or opposing them, it’s all the same demented bell curve.”

First Time, Long Time comes out 7/22.