Book: The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave

★☆☆☆☆ 

January 2026 (DNF)

Genuine question - Did Laura Dave actually write this book?

I thoroughly enjoyed The Last Thing He Told Me, but this book is pretty much its antithesis. It reads not only as unedited, but formulaically inflated with filler words to the point that it seems like absolutely nothing is happening. I have never read a published novel this repetitive before. Upsetting to have something feel so blatantly like a cash grab. The acknowledgements read more naturally than the entirety of the book - which is why I am left with my initial question.

Additionally, I feel like I had one pulled over on me because I was really looking forward to reading this - because what is UP with the initial reviews? The book clubs (I’m looking at you Reese) absolutely raving about it? Is society trying to gaslight us into thinking this is what we should be excited about now?

I’m just so confused. I was suspect going in knowing it was written concurrently with the new season of the show, and I should’ve trusted myself. I would just skip this if I were myself 24 hours ago. I do hate to review things this negatively, but this is the point – intense, true feelings must be shared!