Love felt like a gift but she didn’t know if she had room for it, where to put it, did she have to get rid of something to make space for it.
During lockdown, good friends Sabrina and Victor spent a few days together in the same apartment. She was starting a cafe; he was teaching her some of his family’s recipes. They made sandwiches, then made out, and almost had sex. At 39 years old, it would have been her first time. She panicked, fled, and did not return any of his calls or messages.
That night looked like a rejection, but Victor was never mad at Sabrina about it. They’d known each other for a long time, and if anything had happened he would have failed a relationship anyway. He was already everything to everyone, from keeping the family business running, to being the reliable eldest son while the world was seemingly on fire. No time to fall in love, even with one of his favorite people.
Two years later, Victor gets a call from Sabrina who asks if they could possibly try again. Which part? Everything.
First Time for Everything (Cafe Titas #1) by Mina V. Esguerra was one of my recommendations for last month’s #StanAsianAuthors7 Reading Challenge under the prompt contemporary romance ☕️ I really loved this one, and I’m obsessed with the gorgeous cover art by one of my favorite Filipina artists, Shai San Jose 💖 The heroine Sabrina seemingly has it all at 41. She owns and manages her dream cafe Yumi & Kit with her best friend Erika, and with her corporate days behind her, she is now living the life of a self-made entrepreneur. She has her own apartment and big dreams for her small business. There is only one goal she hasn’t ticked off her checklist yet: her “first time.” This is a sweet and spicy (heat level 3🌶️🌶️🌶️) story about a modern Filipina going after the things she wants—and getting them 🔥 FMC and MMC are both 41, and as an almost 39 year old I can’t explain why that is such a hot number to get together. I love how Victor nourished Sabrina with not only his love but also with delicious food. For me, this book is all about women sexual empowerment. We love a spontaneous “didn’t make it to the bed” sessions, but this story shows how healthy communication is sexy, too. It values safety and trust as essential parts of intimacy. I loved the reminder that “not miserable” is not the same as being happy. It successfully navigates that fragile transition from physical to emotional needs. As usual, it’s Mina showing us how good romance can really be. Reading about two people making space for love is always such a magical thing for me. It’s not easy to allow someone to be a part of your life, especially when that life is already thriving and full. The story also shows entrepreneurship with a heart—it’s very inspiring and comforting to read about small businesses run by passionate people. It’s also like reading about adulting phase 2, when you’ve lived just long enough to realize that adulting never really ends. Life is a continuous learning process.
I hope you’re also excited for your next “first time,” whatever that may be ☕️🌸
Me after reading First Time For Everything
Overall rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
About the Author
Mina V. Esguerra writes contemporary romance and young adult novellas. She has a bachelor’s degree in Communication and a master’s degree in Development Communication, put to good use in her work as trainer and content management consultant. Mina lives in Metro Manila, Philippines, with her husband and daughter.
She finds inspiration in the lives and experiences of other people, so the answer to “Is this story based on you?” is always, always “No.”
First Time for Everything (Cafe Titas #1) by Mina V. Esguerra Format 144 pages, Kindle Edition Published July 1, 2023 by Bright Girl Books ASIN B0C7GHF6NB Language English
Format 142 pages, Paperback Published June 27, 2023 by Independently published ISBN 9798399971728 ASIN B0C9GWGWZ2 Language English Genres Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Novella, Fiction
