Title: First Love Last Love
Author: Adele Griffin
Publication Date: November 3, 2026
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Format Read: Kindle e-ARC
Genre: Literary Fiction, Women’s Fiction
First Love Last Love’s synopsis describes it as a blend of Christina Lauren’s Love and Other Words and A Star Is Born. I’ve seen and enjoyed the most recent remake of the famous film, starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, so I figured I’d see how accurate the claim was. Turns out, it was pretty accurate.
Vida and Elijah have loved one another in one form or another for most of their lives, including for a long while after Elijah became an insanely famous musician. Vida, though, has always craved stability and calm. Needless to say, this is a large part of why they ended up going their separate ways while Vida was finishing college. Elijah is back in town now, and they spend a night catching up and getting reacquainted… and then there’s the accident. The rest of the novel is spent with Vida trying to determine if Elijah was her greatest mistake or the person she’s meant to be with forever.
Bittersweet would be the best word I could use to describe the vibe of this book. Parts of it are quite sad, while others are more warmhearted. It’s certainly a story that knows how to pull the heartstrings. The main characters are complex, even if not always likeable. Elijah can be almost hopelessly oblivious to how real life works for most people, and Vida feeling so torn between her first love and her super reliable husband, who is clearly crazy about her, was frustrating at times, as well. That’s fitting, though, isn’t it? Love often doesn’t fit into a tidy little box, especially a person’s first love. So I will grant them both a bit more grace.
The story is mostly narrated by Vida and Elijah. However, there are also chapters where Elijah’s mother and Vida’s son narrate. It also jumps back and forth in time. These transitions are marked very clearly, though, so readers won’t have a hard time figuring out who’s talking and when. The part of the story before the accident moved quickly, but it seemed to stall somewhat afterwards. It was still a relatively quick read overall, though.
First Love Last Love explores first love, second chances, and the way memories can both comfort us and keep us caught in the past. It asks how much of the life we build comes from what we truly want and how much comes from choosing what feels safe. Griffin’s writing is warm and conversational, with touches of humor and gentle, lyrical descriptions. She gives ordinary moments emotional weight, whether it’s playful banter, a familiar gesture, or popcorn and a movie. There’s a wistfulness to it, too, as the past keeps finding its way into the present.
I was moved by First Love Last Love, especially the ending. I did shed a few tears. Bittersweet is the word that bears repeating: vibes similar to P.S. I Love You and The Notebook. And yes, it has quite a bit in common with A Star Is Born. Readers and viewers who have enjoyed any of these titles may find something to like here.
Nerd Rating: 🤓🤓🤓🤓— bittersweet, tender, and quietly moving
Click here to learn more about Adele Griffin and First Love Last Love.
Let’s discuss: Do you think we miss our first love, or the person we were when we loved them?
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I read a digital copy made available by Sourcebooks Landmark through NetGalley, and this review reflects my honest opinion.
Ahh your review is so good it makes me wanna read this! I’ll add it when I want something emotional and bittersweet
Thank you! 🩷 This would definitely fit that mood. Just keep some tissues handy for the ending! 🥹