"I'd always heard the first love was the sweetest..."
It's summer break of 1984, and Austin Rose has chosen to spend it helping her grandparents on their Oklahoma farm. Whether it's working in the wheat fields or rocking on the old porch swing, there's something about visiting the tiny town of Greenfield that makes Austin's heart sing. And when she unexpectedly meets two boys from different walks of life, summer takes an exciting turn.
James "Cass" Cassedy isn't your typical small-town boy. He has a deep love for Aerosmith, his granddaddy's guitar, and everything that goes against the grain. Billy Diamond, the farmhand who works alongside her everyday, isn't just your boy next door. He's a college athlete with a strong build, a promising future, and high hopes of impressing Austin.
When Austin falls for one of them, she is undeniably swept up in a love affair that burns sweet and wild under the Oklahoma sky. But something is lurking just around the corner that was buried in red dirt long ago, and if it's uncovered, it might be too much for young love to bear.
A new young author writing about teenage love and a love for farming, small towns, and grandparents. Not my typical read but sometimes it is good to read a book that is not your typical read.
This is a Chicks Books Club pick for October 2025.
Great read. I liked the simplicity of the dialogue. The setting of the storyline and characters were spot on. I grew up down the road to the north. the accounts of the parties were spot on.
I loved the small town story line.
I think anyone from 18-80 could put themselves in that timeline of growing up in a small Oklahoma rural community
This story about young love is heartwarming and well written. I love how the ending left me anticipating what will happen in the next book of the series. A perfect summer read, I recommend this book for those who appreciate a love story that feels real.