ARC Review: I Kissed Her First by Betty Cayouette

Publication Date: August 25, 2026

I was so enamored with the love story between Luna and Riley in I Kissed Her First! Seeing them go from stolen touches and quiet flirtations to realizing their feelings and sharing them with the world was amazing. While I am not a world-famous pop star like Luna or an incredible chef like Riley, they were both still deeply relatable in so many ways.

Luna and Riley’s relationship goes through some serious struggles with the public scrutiny that Luna faces. It’s a true testament to the friendship that Luna and Riley had built that they were able to communicate throughout it all. Being in the public eye cannot be easy, and this book really captures that perspective with an honest look into that world.

Both Luna and Riley experienced serious grief in their personal lives prior to meeting, and it plays a role in the connection between them as well as in shaping them as individuals. They both feel so grounded, which is especially tough for Luna, who is literally a famous singer. I Kissed Her First portrayed their love in the sweetest way while also being so honest about life in the public eye, and I loved every moment. 

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Saturday Books for the opportunity to read and review this book! I received a free advance copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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