First Time for Everything

A Novel

By: Henry Fry

Narrated by: Will Watt

A “big-hearted” (The Daily Beast), “LOL-worthy” (Cosmopolitan) debut about a down-on-his-luck gay man working out how he fits into the world, making up for lost time, and opening himself up to life’s possibilities

“Part of a new wave of authors releasing uplifting queer literature that casts its characters as the heroes of their lives . . . crammed with blossoming romances and glittery escapism.”—The Guardian

Danny Scudd is absolutely fine. He always dreamed of escaping the small-town life of his parents’ fish-and-chip shop, moving to London, and becoming a journalist. And, after five years in the city, his career isn’t exactly awful, and his relationship with pretentious Tobbs isn’t exactly unfulfilling. Certainly his limited-edition Dolly Parton vinyls and many (maybe too many) house plants are hitting the spot. But his world is flipped upside down when a visit to the local clinic reveals that Tobbs might not have been exactly faithful. In fact, Tobbs claims they were never operating under the “heteronormative paradigm” of monogamy to begin with. Oh, and Danny’s flatmates are unceremoniously evicting him because they want to start a family. It’s all going quite well.

Newly single and with nowhere to live, Danny is forced to move in with his best friend, Jacob, a flamboyant nonbinary artist whom he’s known since childhood, and their eccentric group of friends living in an East London “commune.” What follows is a colorful voyage of discovery through modern queer life, dating, work, and lots of therapy—all places Danny has always been too afraid to fully explore. Upon realizing just how little he knows about himself and his sexuality, he careens from one questionable decision (and man) to another, relying on his inscrutable new therapist and housemates to help him face the demons he’s spent his entire life trying to repress. Is he really fine, after all?©2022 Henry Fry (P)2022 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“An entertaining, fast-paced read . . . a queer coming-of-adulthood story told with humor, tenderness, and quirk.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Fry brings a refreshing voice to the queer coming-of-age novel with characters whose stories don’t revolve around trauma. Instead, everyday experiences are portrayed with drama and delight.”—The Washington Post (New & Noteworthy)

“[There’s] a new wave of authors releasing uplifting queer literature that casts its characters as the heroes of their lives. . . . This summer, a host of LGBTQ+ romcom novels are coming out (excuse the pun), crammed with blossoming romances and glittery escapism.”—The Guardian

Will Watt is magic

The best thing about this was the performance. Will Watt takes so-so material and elevates it.

Highly entertaining!💜

I’m not sure what I expected but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t this. First let me just say that there is nothing in this review that is intended to be derogatory or mean, and if refer to something the wrong way or using the wrong term please accept my apologies.
I thought this story was going to be about one man’s struggle to find himself and who he was meant to be; and it was. But it was also a story about several individuals trying to deal with their personal struggles as well. I loved that about this book. Admittedly, I’m not very informed on the term “identifies as” and it got a little confusing for me at times. This book also has a variety of different characters ranging from over the top flamboyant to still 1/2 way in the closet, to a straight couple, most of which live together lol. The overall storyline was very good. I cried and laughed and I think I may have even learned a thing or two. 🤷🏻‍♀️
Honestly though, the performance by Will Watt was absolutely brilliant. I’m not sure any other narrator could have pulled off of these characters with the apparent ease that Will did. It was seamless and highly entertaining.
This is a complete standalone!

Sisters Spotlight 💜

Great Listen!

This was a delightful exploration of one man's journey through the twists and turns of modern queer life, relationships, work, and self-discovery. The story introduces us to Danny Scudd, a character who, on the surface, seems content with his life in London as a journalist with a quirky taste in music and an affinity for houseplants. However, his world takes an unexpected turn when a visit to the clinic reveals infidelity in his relationship with Tobbs, who claims they were never adhering to conventional monogamy. As if that weren't enough, Danny's flatmates decide to start a family, leaving him with nowhere to live.

The story follows Danny as he moves in with his lifelong friend Jacob, a flamboyant nonbinary artist, and their eclectic group of friends in East London. What ensues is a vibrant, sometimes chaotic, and often heartwarming exploration of Danny's quest to understand himself, his sexuality, and the life he's been avoiding.

Fry's writing is engaging and relatable, making it easy for readers to connect with Danny and his journey. The character development is thorough, with Danny's growth and self-discovery at the forefront of the narrative. As he navigates the complexities of modern relationships, therapy, and self-acceptance, you just can't help but cheer him on.

The novel beautifully captures the essence of modern queer life, showcasing the diversity and uniqueness of the LGBTQ+ community while tackling important themes such as identity, self-acceptance, and the fluidity of relationships. The portrayal of Danny's interactions with his therapist and housemates adds depth and authenticity to his personal journey.

The audiobook narration is exceptional! A great audiobook narrator can really elevate the reading experience, and it's clear that this one enhances the story and characters. Well done @willmwatt !

A Heartfelt Wild Ride

This story was way out there for me. There are a lot of different characters in this book. You really need to pay attention to keep up with this story. There were a couple of parts that I re-listened to because I couldn’t quite believe what I just heard, however it was indeed what I heard 😳 My heart went out to Danny-el and I wonder how many actual people have had to go through his journey. The narration is fabulous, I absolutely love Will Watt. The inflection in his voice and all the different characters he can create is amazing to me. They could not have asked for a better narrator.