How can I make my first time special and worthwhile

Throwaway for obvious reasons

I am 24f, born and raised in Nairobi, I spent most of my late teens and early twenties working and had no time to play, I guess that explains the late debut. I guess coming from a struggling background and being ambitious does that to you.

I've been rubbing but I've never inserted anything so I'm abit scared of the pain but fuck it. Ideally the said guy should know what he's doing and aftercare is very important, I'm mentally prepared and I'm doing this for me, so I want the experience to be worthwhile.

I guess this is a question directed to the ladies, is there a way to know if a guy is good at sex? or what can I do to make my first memorable. My life is basically Work - home and I can't have sex with my neighbors or work mates, so I'm at a crossroad. Should I have my first with a stranger, of course after all the necessary screening, I wouldn't want to make things weird with a friend, plus I don't keep male friends so there's that.

PS __I've read a lot of romantic novels so I expect a mind-blowing experience__