Title :
I Loved You First
Author :
Reena Jacobs
Genre/Sub-Genre :
Contemporary Fiction
Book Summary :
Alexandria (Alex) Carmichael guards two secrets close to her heart. One—she’s in love with her best friend, Seth. Two—he’s gay.
As a freshman in college, Alex looks forward to fun times with her best friend. When Seth decides cycling through girlfriends is the way to fit in with the straight crowd, Alex must make a choice: watch Seth give his affections to another while her heart breaks or come clean with her feelings and risk losing his friendship forever.
I Loved You First is a new adult love story told through the eyes of an African-American/Caucasian student who takes a journey of self-discovery while watching her best friend come to terms with his sexuality. Turn the pages and find a message of hope, new beginnings, and positive change.
Connect with the author
Book Review
Author Bio and Interview
Reena Jacobs is a writer who loves to see her words in print. As an avid reader, she’s known to hoard books and begs her husband regularly for “just one more purchase.” Her home life is filled with days chasing her preschooler and nights harassing her husband. Between it all, she squeezes in time for writing and growling at the dog.
Author Interview
How long did it take you to write this book? Did you feel like giving up anywhere along the way?
I never felt like giving up with this book. It was more of a matter of time management. I came up with the idea for the story while writing Shadow Cat (my first novel) in the fall of 2009. Summer 2010 I drafted an outline and worked it sporadically. Then I joined a group who dedicated themselves to writing at least 100 words a day. From January 1 to April 2, 2011, I wrote everyday (save 7), even if it was just 100 words. It's amazing how a few minutes dedicated to writing each day can add up to a book.
What type of writer are you? Do you prefer to create a detailed outline, write by the seat of your pants or something in-between?
I wrote Shadow Cat by the seat of my pants. 2010, I decided to try out NaNoWriMo and worried I'd get stuck and slow my progress without an outline. In college, I'd always been a student who outlined and didn't always write sequentially. I now use the same approach for fiction. Outline, start sequentially, but when I get stuck skip a head. Later, I go back and fill in the missing pieces (sometimes).
How did you come up with the title of your book?
I'm a Regina Specktor fan. One day I was listening to her song Samson, and when she reached the "I loved you first" I knew that was the title. It just fit so perfectly with the way Alex saw herself in a relationship with Seth.
Do you have any interesting stories related to writing this book? If so, please share!
Alexandria is modeled after my middle child, Alexis. As far as looks go, it's the way I'd imagine my daughter would look like in college. Alexis also named a few of the characters. Both Alexis and Alexandria share the same nickname--Alex.
What’s next for you? Are you working a follow-up or a new book? If so, can you tell us a little bit of what it’s about?
Right now, I'm focused on editing Chasing Shadows, the sequel to Shadow Cat. Afterwards, I plan to finish the first book in a series I have planned for Trinity--the gal who shows up toward the end of the story of I Loved You First. Though I Loved You First was written first, Trinity actually has quite a bit of a journey before she becomes the gal she is in I Loved You First.
