Firsts are almost unforgettable... First day of school, first crush, first kiss, first love. No matter how dreamy or undesirable, you'll always remember your first rumble in the sheets.
Laila had plans of making her first time memorable on her high school graduation night, but those plans were thwarted by her jailed boyfriend. Now she's headed to college, a virgin. Although her top priority is to do well in school, to thoroughly enjoy the college experience, the horny beast inside of her is begging to be released. After all, her hand can only bring her so much pleasure.
While searching for the right guy to give her virginity to, her natural curiosity leads her to discover the pleasurable, and not so pleasurable, stories of her friends' sexcapades. Finally, she meets Chris, a sexy, senior, frat boy. Is he just a playboy or will he be worthy of taking her virginity?
Amazon Customer Book Review
4.5 out of 5 stars by Diva's Literary World
Laila is now a high school graduate and on this special night, she decides to give her virginity away to her long time drug dealing boyfriend, Travis. She had it all planned out except she wasn't expecting him to get arrested before she could even get to his house to indulge in their special act of love.
Pissed off and over Travis and his situation, Laila decides to embark on a new chapter of her life since she will be going to college in the fall. Once on campus, Laila totally forgets about Travis and has her eyes on a sexy senior named Chris. As her freshman year progresses, Laila develops feelings for Chris and decided to give him her virginity.
Little does she know, one of Chris' exes has plans to get him back. Who will Chris choose? Will Laila lose her virginity in her freshman year of college?
The author does a good job developing Laila and her friend's characters. I think a little bit more could have been given on Chris' background especially since Laila becomes so involved with him. I did enjoy the flow of the story as it gives you a realistic view of college life in regards to the dorms, parties and studying.
*** A complimentary copy was given in exchange for an honest review ***
Freshmen Fifteen Excerpt
My legs begin to shake again. I should have had another drink. I try to calm my nerves. Tonight is going to be everything I have ever dreamed.
With Tanya singing Kendrick Lamar’s Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe at the top of her lungs, I’m surprised I hear my phone ring. It’s Devon. On my phone? Why would he be calling me? I look over at Tanya as I answer the phone.
“Hey Devon, what’s up?” The background is really noisy, which is not what I expect if they are preparing the rooms for tonight.
Between Tanya singing and the background noise, I have to strain to hear him.
“Laila, it’s about Travis. He got picked up tonight...” I couldn’t have heard him say Travis got picked up. That can’t possibly be what I just heard.
“Say that again.” As he repeats himself, I drop the phone. I shake my head to fight back the tears that are forming at the sides of my eyes. Throwing my hands in the air, “Not tonight.”
Tanya picks up the phone from the seat. “Devon, what the hell happened? Where are you?”
Travis and Devon aren’t the boyfriends our parents would choose for us. They both dropped out of high school. Devon at least finished the GED program. I’ve tried to convince Travis to finish, but he just isn’t motivated. They are both small-time street pharmacists. Neither of them has been picked up on any serious charges...yet.
Tanya turns the car around and heads in the direction of Travis’ house. Looking out the window, the tears begin to flow. The breeze isn’t keeping me cool anymore, my temperature is rising. Of all the nights to get in trouble, why tonight?
Tanya reaches over and rubs my hand. Unlike the tears flowing from my eyes, the words I want to speak are stuck in my throat like a lump of food.
Tanya breaks the silence. “Laila, I’m sorry, girl. Devon said it’s serious. He thinks Travis had enough on him for the police to keep him for a while.”
My mouth finally moves, but the only thing that escapes is a loud scream, startling Tanya. Travis has taken me through ups and downs. I stayed with him after my parents forbade me to see him, after he cheated, after all the lies. I just wanted tonight to be special. He couldn’t even do that.
As we turn onto Travis’ street we roll up the windows and make sure the doors are locked. Our usual routine. At this time of night the street is packed. Guys on the corner and women strolling. Both waiting for their regular customers.
Finally, Tanya pulls up to Travis’ house. I look down to avoid making eye contact with the guys waiting in front of his house. Devon jogs over to the car. As Tanya gets out, I glance at the guys. I do a double-take then shake my head when I realize it’s James I see and not Travis.
James and Travis could pass as twins. Tonight, the resemblance is painful. I close my eyes tightly, hoping I can wake up from this nightmare.
I jump when I hear a tap on the window. James is standing there, looking at me with sympathetic eyes. My legs are too weak to hold my body. Instead of getting out of the car, I roll down the window.
“Laila, I’m sorry. I hate Travis had to get picked up on your graduation night. You should be celebrating, not crying.”
Looks are the only thing James and Travis have in common. James is in the military, a straight and narrow dude. If only he could have convinced Travis to leave the streets.
Oddly, I manage to give James a slight smile and shrug my shoulders. I’m sure James doesn’t realize just how special this night would have been.
Jasmine N.H. Sheffield, a loving mother and wife, is a resident of Virginia. She is a graduate of Florida A&M University where she received a B.S. in Computer Information Systems. She went on to receive her M.S. in Management Information Systems from the University of Illinois Springfield. Freshmen Fifteen is Jasmine’s debut novel. She has also written a self-help book titled Journey after School: A Guide to Starting Your Career and Managing Your Finances. She has enjoyed the writing process and has other books on the horizon. You can visit her website www.ourjourneypublishing.com for more information.
BPM: Introduce us to your book and the main characters. What makes each one special? Do you have any favorites?
In Freshmen Fifteen, Laila who is graduating from high school has planned to lose her virginity to her boyfriend. But, on graduation night when it is all set to happen her boyfriend is arrested. With her boyfriend away, Laila goes to college a virgin. Throughout the book, Laila meets different girl friends who have had different experiences with losing their virginity. Of her friends, Nicole is my favorite. She’s a free-spirit and not afraid to tell it like it is.
BPM: What drew you to tackle the questions or topics in Freshmen Fifteen?
For many virgins, the details of sex can be daunting especially around topics not covered in sex-ed. In Freshmen Fifteen, Laila transitioning from high school to college is an age range where these topics are most convoluted. To avoid the “Just don’t have sex” vibe many adults try to force into the heads of the youth, I want to provide a glimpse into the reality of sex.
BPM: Does your faith or education inspire your writing?
I’ve never been a writer, nor wished to publish a novel. It just so happened that my first book, Journey After School: A Guide to Starting Your Career and Managing Your Finances, was an idea suggested by a friend. Then one day, the idea of Freshmen Fifteen popped in my head. I’m a strong believer that God has a plan for us that may be different than the plan we have for ourselves. I’m being obedient and following His path.
BPM: Why did you choose an HBCU as the setting of the book?
I attended Florida A&M University, and my HBCU experience was amazing. By choosing an HBCU as the setting for Freshmen Fifteen I am able to give a glimpse into that experience. Hopefully, those who have a negative perception of HBCUs will be enlightened.
BPM: Ultimately, what do you want readers to gain from your book?
Losing your virginity is an unforgettable time, hopefully for most it was pleasurable. For my readers who have long lost their virginity, I want them to be reminded of that special time. For my readers who are still virgins, I want them to understand how special their virginity is and understand their are many different outcomes of losing your virginity.
BPM: What are your goals as a writer? Do you set out to educate? Entertain? Illuminate? Inspire?
As a writer, I hope to entertain my readers. I’ve always loved reading, but as a teen I found little time to read for pleasure until I read The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah. Reading this book revived my love for books. Like all the great African American authors, I want to provide books that will make our culture fall in love with reading.
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