Waiting on Wednesday (#314): Maybe This Time by Kasie West

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week, I'm featuring:

Maybe This Time by Kasie West

Publisher: Point

Publication Date: July 9, 2019

Summary (from Goodreads):

One year. Nine events. Nine chances to . . . fall in love?

Weddings. Funerals. Barbecues. New Year's Eve parties. Name the occasion, and Sophie Evans will be there. Well, she has to be there. Sophie works for the local florist, so she can be found at every big event in her small hometown, arranging bouquets and managing family dramas.

Enter Andrew Hart. The son of the fancy new chef in town, Andrew is suddenly required to attend all the same events as Sophie. Entitled, arrogant, preppy Andrew. Sophie just wants to get her job done and finish up her sketches so she can apply to design school. But every time she turns around, there is Andrew, getting in her way and making her life more complicated. Until one day she wonders if maybe complicated isn't so bad after all . . .

Told over the course of one year and following Sophie from event to event, this delightful novel from master of romantic comedy Kasie West shows how love can blossom in unexpected places.

Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Ivy Bookshop

I love Kasie West's books! She has two publishing this year - this is the second one. It sounds lovely!

Swoon Thursday (#301): Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss by Kasie West

- From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering

- Try to make the swoon excerpt 140 characters (or less), if you are going to tweet about it. Use the hashtag #YABOUND when tweeting

This week, my swoon is from Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss by Kasie West!

There was something so comforting about that actin that I pushed my forehead against his lips again and his complied with another kiss there. Then I lifted my eyes to his. He paused, his mouth lingering near mine, his hands still holding my face. This felt real. I was done thinking, and I didn't wait for him to analyze this. Because I knew he would analyze this, and I knew he'd come to the wrong conclusion: that now might not be the right time for this. I took a breath and pressed my mouth against his. 

Maybe he wouldn't have come to the wrong conclusion, because he didn't hesitate at all, he kissed me back. He kissed me like this wasn't the first time the idea had occurred to him. And for the first time that day, I was able to forget about everything but that moment - his hands, now in my hair, his mouth moving across mine, my hands, pressed against his chest, feeling his heart hammering fast. My heart sped to match the pace, taking my breath away.

- eARC, 73%

Blog | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Ivy Bookshop

I love Kasie West's books! This one is an interesting one; I typically don't like books involving actors/actresses as heroes/heroines, but I like this one so far!

Waiting on Wednesday (#287): Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss by Kasie West

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week, I'm featuring:

Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss by Kasie West

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication Date: February 5, 2019

Summary (from Goodreads):

Lacey Barnes has dreamt of being in a movie for as long as she can remember. However, while her dream did include working alongside the hottest actor in Hollywood, it didn’t involve having to finish up her senior year of high school at the same time she was getting her big break. Although that is nothing compared to Donavan, the straight-laced student her father hires to tutor her, who is a full-on nightmare.

As Lacey struggles to juggle her burgeoning career, some on-set sabotage, and an off-screen romance with the unlikeliest of leading men, she quickly learns that sometimes the best stories happen when you go off script.

Blog | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Ivy Bookshop

New Kasie West book! I can't wait. I've read all of her books. 😍😍

Review: Listen To Your Heart by Kasie West

Listen To Your Heart by Kasie West

Publisher: Point

Publication Date: May 29, 2018

Rating: 4 stars

Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

Talking to other people isn't Kate Bailey's favorite activity. She'd much rather be out on the lake, soaking up the solitude and sunshine. So when her best friend, Alana, convinces Kate to join their high school's podcast, Kate is not expecting to be chosen as the host. Now she'll have to answer calls and give advice on the air? Impossible.

But to Kate's surprise, she turns out to be pretty good at the hosting gig. Then the podcast gets in a call from an anonymous guy, asking for advice about his unnamed crush. Kate is pretty sure that the caller is gorgeous Diego Martinez, and even surer that the girl in question is Alana. Kate is excited for her friend ... until Kate herself starts to develop feelings for Diego. Suddenly, Kate finds that while doling out wisdom to others may be easy, asking for help is tougher than it looks, and following your own advice is even harder.

Kasie West's adorable story of secrets, love, and friendship is sure to win over hearts everywhere.

What I Liked:

I adore Kasie West's books. I've read all ten of her books (with Listen To Your Heart being her tenth) and I have to dislike one of them. Listen To Your Heart was cute! It was exactly what I expect from West - humorous, subtle romance, tough-issue social themes that are very present but not heavy and pressing, and a happily-ever-after that makes one sigh. I had been in the mood to read a light, cute romance, and I knew West would not let me down.

This book is set in a small town with a big lake, and the lake is Kate's favorite place to be. She knows she wants to take over her parents' marina at the lake when she gets older. What she doesn't want to do is her new podcast class, for which her best friend Alana convince her to sign up. Kate doesn't really like people, and so talking to people on a podcast isn't really her thing, so it's not ideal when she gets chosen to be the cohost of the school's podcast. Go figure! But the more Kate does the podcast hosting, the more comfortable she feels. Especially an anonymous caller keeps calling, asking for advice about his crush, and Kate is sure it's Diego Martinez (Alana's latest crush), asking for advice about his crush on Alana. Everything is peachy until Kate realizes that she is falling for Diego, and she isn't about to go against the girl code. But maybe it's time to take her own advice and be brave. 

At first I wasn't totally sold on Kate, because she came across as a little close-minded. She was so stuck on the lake being the only thing she wanted to be around, and how she was definitely going to work there for the rest of her life, and how she didn't need school because she was going to be at the lake forever. She doesn't like people and she doesn't like school. I can understand all of these things, but Kate didn't want to try anything new, and I could see that being frustrating for her parents. But then Kate started to do the podcast hosting (grudgingly, I might add), and she started to open up to trying new things and being more comfortable outside of her comfort zone. I could clearly see Kate's growth throughout the story. It was lovely to see her get away from the lake so much, even though she still loved the lake and drew comfort from it. 

Kasie West always builds in positive relationships in her books. I'm talking about familial relationships, and friendships, and of course the romance. Kate has a younger brother who has just started high school, and a whole bunch of cousins who live in the neighboring houses. The marina is family-owned so Kate and her cousins are very close - literally. I love the closeness of the cousins, and wish I had that with my cousins (except we're a sea apart so that doesn't really work). Kate and her parents also have a really positive, healthy relationship. Both of her parents are very active in her life and care a lot about her personal growth and success, and her happiness. I also loved Kate's friendship with Alana. The two girls are very close and supportive, from start to finish. They are each other's sidekicks and wing-women, the ride-or-die types.

I can't not talk about Diego! He's a fascinating secondary character and a great love interest. He's such a sweetheart, the gentlemanly polite type that is also charming and a little flirtatious. He struggles with his parents' high expectations for him, which is something I understand even now at age 22. Diego is by no means perfect, but he is wonderful.

The romance is adorable and subtly swoony! The whole time you're wondering, is Diego crushing on Alana? Alana is crushing on Diego... right? And Kate, Kate is definitely crushing on Diego. So at first I thought this would turn into some bizarre love triangle. But it didn't! Things worked out perfectly and there was no weird love triangle. I admired how Kate was so determined not to fall for Diego or let on that she had feelings for him - she is a good friend. But in the end, I'm also glad she aired things out. But I don't want to spoil how things ended, so I'll stop there!

Some of the social themes in this book included bullying, which was so heartbreaking. West unraveled that plot really slowly and I actually missed it entirely. Looking back, the signs were obvious, and I should have picked up on things. Like I knew something was weird, but I didn't piece together the correct pieces. I like how West addressed the bullying, and how important it was in this book, without being a central part of the plot. 

Despite the heavy themes, this book had a light, fun tone, and there was some good humor (as is West's forte). I giggled, and smiled, I swooned (mostly towards the end, where West saves up all the kisses). I loved the ending, not just in terms of the romance, but also in terms of how Kate changed and how she is evaluating her life a little differently.

This was a wonderful story, and yet another hit by Kasie West. I will definitely be rereading this book soon, and I'll be eagerly awaiting her next one!

What I Did Not Like:

I think I say this in all of my reviews of West's books - more swoons! More kisses! Maybe earlier on, not just in the last chapter or two. I love the subtle romances but hey, I wouldn't mind more kissing, and earlier on in the story. Wink!

Would I Recommend It:

If you love YA contemporary romance, you'll love Kasie West's books. I'm not even a YA contemporary person but West is my go-to author when I'm wanting to read a contemporary romance novel. Her romances are sweet and well-written, and I always swoon over the pair. Her stories are more than romances though, which I appreciate. West fans, this new book won't disappoint!

Rating:

4 stars. This was adorable! And it made me curious about podcasts, which I've never really tried out. What a unique topic to write about. I love West's blend of romance and social themes, and how she always manages to write a sweet contemporary novel with good lessons/messages. I can't wait to read more Kasie West books!

Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Ivy Bookshop

Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!

Swoon Thursday (#253): Love, Life, and the List by Kasie West

- From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering

- Try to make the swoon excerpt 140 characters (or less), if you are going to tweet about it. Use the hashtag #YABOUND when tweeting

This week, my swoon is from Love, Life, and the List by Kasie West!

When I didn't stop he signed and said, "Fine. I guess our first kiss is going to be awful."

I had to purse my lips even harder to control my smile. I put my hands on his shoulders and stretched on my tiptoes. He rolled his eyes and pressed his tightly puckered lips to mine. It was just as bad as I knew it would be. I smiled and pulled away.

"See, it can only get -"

He slid his hand to the back of my neck and pulled me to him. His lips were soft this time as they found mine. He kissed me once, then twice, then ran his lips along mine. "Better," he whispered, finishing my sentence. 

- ARC, pages 363-364

Blog | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Ivy Bookshop

Love, Life, and the List review | Other Kasie West reviews

This book was adorable! I love a good friends-to-more romance. This book felt more like "old-school" Kasie West and I loved it!

Review: Love, List, and the List by Kasie West

Love, List, and the List by Kasie West

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication Date: December 26, 2017

Rating: 4 stars

Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

Everyone knows Abby Turner is in love with her best friend, Cooper Wells. Including Cooper Wells. But despite what people tell her, it doesn’t affect their friendship. And she’s practically over it, anyway. What she really can’t get over is when her boss at the local museum tells her that her paintings lack heart. 

Art is Abby’s passion and she hopes her future as well. She is determined to change his mind and earn her way into the upcoming exhibit at the gallery. So along with her family’s help, she compiles “The Heart List,” a series of soulstretching experiences that are sure to make her a deeper person and better artist in six weeks or less. When Cooper decides to complete the list along with her, she realizes this list is expanding her heart in more ways than one. Maybe she needs to start another project.

Love, Life, and the List is about a girl who, in an effort to bring more emotional depth to her art, compiles a list of soul-stretching experiences to complete with her best friend—a boy she also happens to be in love with. 

This is the first in a set of three standalone books with crossover characters.

What I Liked:

I'd seen early reviews of this book and for some reason, I thought I wouldn't enjoy the book. I've read all of West's books. Her latest two books, By Your Side and Lucky in Love, were okay, but not my favorites. I missed the earlier stories like The Distance Between Us and The Fill-In Boyfriend. Personally, I thought Love, Life, and the List, was more like Kasie West's older stuff. It was sweet, thought-provoking, and very shippy.

Abby has the whole summer ahead of her, and she plans to work at the art museum, and hopefully ask the director to feature her paintings in an upcoming exhibit gallery for which she technically doesn't mean the requirements. But Mr. Wallace tells her that while her art is good, it lacks "heart". And so begins the Heart List, which includes ten things that Abby will try to do give her more experiences and depth. With the help of her best friend Cooper, who she has been in love with for years, she hopes to gain new experiences to be able to improve her painting, so she can paint five new paintings for the exhibit - if Mr. Wallace lets her feature her work. But in trying to expand her experiences, she also opens her heart.

This is probably West's longest novel, clocking in at 384 pages. It takes place over a summer between junior and senior year of high school. Abby is one fourth of a friend group, including herself, Cooper, Rachel, and Justin. Rachel is off to Europe with her family, and Justin is doing religious work in South America, and that leaves Abby and Cooper. This sounds great in theory, except a year ago, Abby declared her feelings for Cooper... and that wasn't well-received. So she played it off as a joke and a year later, they are still friends. But the more they hang out, trying to cross things off her Heart List, the more she feels herself falling for him (like she ever stopped to begin with). 

Abby is driven by her desire to want her artwork showcased in the exhibit, despite her not meeting the age requirement. I liked seeing this drive in a Kasie West heroine - oftentimes, the heroines are kind of go-with-the-flow, not terrible driven. Not wrong with that, but it was nice to see things shaken up, even if Abby was laid back in various regards. I liked Abby; her determination to improve her painting was really respectable. Her persistence in getting her work showcased was admirable. And her ability to stay friends with the guy she has been in love with for forever - very remarkable.

Abby has the trademark sarcasm and wit that most West heroines have. She is hilarious and definitely someone I would get along with. I love her interactions with Cooper. Both of them are witty and funny, and their senses of humor mesh well. It's so clear that they are meant for each other! They make great friends but they care about each other so much, and they get along so well. I love seeing that kind of friendship but it's even more fun when that kind of friendship becomes more.

I suppose, in terms of the romance, you can kind of infer what happens here. There's unrequited love on Abby's part, as Cooper sort of shut her down a year ago, with everything he could have said but didn't. Abby wants to get over Cooper but he always had a hold on her heart. This was a bit heartbreaking to watch because I've so been there with a former best male friend, and I know how it hurts. Still, I found Cooper and Abby's friendship really fun and sweet, and to me it always seemed like they had great chemistry. I thought Cooper was fairly swoony! Even if he did have his mouth shut during the entire book, in terms of the romance.

I won't say more on the romance but I promise it's cute! It's very slow-burn and definitely worth the wait. I had a feeling things would work out as they did and I'm not complaining.

There isn't a ton of drama in this book, though there were times when I wasn't sure how the romance would end, or how the book would end in general. Trust me when I say that any "drama" in this book is very minimal and doesn't affect the romance. 

As with most of West's books, there are some "tough issues" in this story that are important but don't bog down the story. Abby's mother deals with anxiety and it becomes a key point in the book, when Abby's mother does something that ends up making Abby really upset. I thought West wrote about the mental disorder well, and the resolution was good too.

I loved the ending! It's so sweet. Things work out for Abby, for the Heart List, for the paintings, for her relationship with her mother, father, and grandfather, for her friends. I have no complaints about the ending! I love a good HEA.

What I Did Not Like:

I always want more physical swoons in West's books! I think that's something that I always say in my reviews of  her books. No one does swoony contemporary romance like she does! But I always want more kissing. Always!

Would I Recommend It:

I really enjoyed this book and I definitely recommend it! I didn't have issues with it like some others might have. It's a sweet, swoony read and I breezed right through it so it's also a quick one. I was so relieved when I liked it because I didn't want to feel meh about yet another West book!

Rating:

4 stars. My faith is restored! I absolutely cannot wait to read more by West, like Listen to Your Heart. I believe there will be books to follow this one (Love, Life, and the List) that feature crossover characters, so I'm excited about that! Hopefully Rachel, or Justin, or Lacey, or Elliott. Or some combination of them!

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Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!

Waiting on Wednesday (#250): Listen to Your Heart by Kasie West

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week, I'm featuring:

Listen to Your Heart by Kasie West 

Publisher: Point

Publication Date: May 29, 2018

Summary (from Goodreads):

Talking to other people isn't Kate Bailey's favorite activity. She'd much rather be out on the lake, soaking up the solitude and sunshine. So when her best friend, Alana, convinces Kate to join their high school's podcast, Kate is not expecting to be chosen as the host. Now she'll have to answer calls and give advice on the air? Impossible.

But to Kate's surprise, she turns out to be pretty good at the hosting gig. Then the podcast gets in a call from an anonymous guy, asking for advice about his unnamed crush. Kate is pretty sure that the caller is gorgeous Diego Martinez, and even surer that the girl in question is Alana. Kate is excited for her friend ... until Kate herself starts to develop feelings for Diego. Suddenly, Kate finds that while doling out wisdom to others may be easy, asking for help is tougher than it looks, and following your own advice is even harder.

Kasie West's adorable story of secrets, love, and friendship is sure to win over hearts everywhere.

Blog | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Ivy Bookshop

Pivot Point | Split Second | The Distance Between Us | On the Fence

The Fill-In Boyfriend | P.S. I Like You | By Your Side | Lucky in Love

You can probably tell that I love Kasie West's books! I'm excited for a new one. And the one coming before it too! (Love, Life, and the List)

Review: Lucky in Love by Kasie West

Lucky in Love by Kasie West

Publisher: Scholastic

Publication Date: July 25, 2017

Rating: 3 stars

Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

In this new contemporary from YA star Kasie West, a girl who wins the lottery learns that money can cause more problems than it solves, especially when love comes into the picture. 

Maddie doesn't believe in luck. She's all about hard work and planning ahead. But one night, on a whim, she buys a lottery ticket. And then, to her astonishment --

She wins!

In a flash, Maddie's life is unrecognizable. No more stressing about college scholarships. Suddenly, she's talking about renting a yacht. And being in the spotlight at school is fun... until rumors start flying, and random people ask her for loans. Now, Maddie isn't sure who she can trust.

Except for Seth Nguyen, her funny, charming coworker at the local zoo. Seth doesn't seem aware of Maddie's big news. And, for some reason, she doesn't want to tell him. But what will happen if he learns her secret?

With tons of humor and heart, Kasie West delivers a million-dollar tale of winning, losing, and falling in love. 

What I Liked:

Well, it finally happened. I rated a Kasie West book below four stars. I've read all of her books - Pivot Point, Split Second, The Distance Between Us, On the Fence, The Fill-In Boyfriend, P.S. I Like You, By Your Side, and now this book - and sadly this has been my least favorite. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed the book. I just didn't love or really like it. Some aspects were great, and other aspects were a little disappointing, given my expectations.

Maddie has just turned eighteen and she is having a terrible birthday. On an impulse - rare of her - she buys a lottery ticket for the $50-million-dollar lottery. And she wins! Suddenly she has enough money to pay off her family's home debt, her brother's college debt, to give her parents and brother each one million dollars, to throw massive parties, to buy really expensive clothing, to buy herself a sports car... but money doesn't buy happiness and it certainly doesn't fix every problem. She doesn't know who actually likes her for her, and she doesn't know who to trust. Only Seth Nguyen, co-volunteer-worker at the zoo and fellow senior at a difference high school, doesn't treat her differently - he has no idea that she is a multi-millionaire. Maddie doesn't want to tell him because she doesn't want him to act like everyone else around her. But she doesn't want to be dishonest with him either. What happens when he finds out? What happens when someone betrays her - someone close to her?

This book had many strong points. For one, I adored Maddie's work ethic. I was Maddie in high school - top five student, brainy, known for being smart and dedicated and constantly studying. Maddie has her choice of colleges and with her windfall, she can pay for whichever college she wants. In the beginning, Maddie is reserved and a little timid - she thinks things through and doesn't act spontaneously. But after she wins the lottery, she starts hanging out with the "popular" crowd and changes. She doesn't become snobby, but she becomes more assertive and confident. Maddie is a likable heroine, and I felt for her, with all of the drama that came with winning the lottery. It felt very real to me - I wonder if the author interviewed past winners of multi-million-dollar jackpots.

Which leads me to another really well-written aspect of the book - all of the drama that goes with winning the lottery. Maddie begins spending money in chunks, without any thought. She doesn't see a financial adviser and probably should have, from the start. Everyone finds out that she won (despite her discretion), and suddenly everyone wants to be her friend. Maddie gets sucked into an expensive lifestyle that catches up with her when record of her expensive lifestyle gets caught and spun into a very negative light. Maddie kept making questionable choices and I wanted to scream at her to stop but I loved that she made these choices, because it made the story feel more real and authentic. 

There are a lot of positive relationships in this book. Maddie has a good relationship with her parents, despite her parents having a terrible relationship with each other. She and her brother have a fun camaraderie, despite her brother being terrible with responsibility and money. Maddie's two best friends are supportive and fun. I like how the girls went through a lot of obstacles throughout the book, and didn't simply have a perfect friendship throughout the story. Maddie makes some new friends too, some positive, some negative. And then there is Zoo Seth (just Seth, but that's a reference!), who is an easygoing, kind guy who likes everyone and is liked by everyone. Seth and Maddie are friends, but Maddie has a crush on Seth that has been growing and growing.

I'll talk about the romance in the next section. 

The story is entertaining, though filled with drama in the second half of the story. While this felt authentic, it could be tiring at times. I liked the ending a lot though - it was a great ending that didn't involve a ton of drama, though the story definitely did overall. No one does a HEA better than Kasie West!

What I Did Not Like:

I'm so sad that I didn't enjoy the romance. I expected the romance to be sweeping and exciting, especially given the title and cover of the book. And because Kasie West writes such good contemporary romance novels. The romance in this book? Was boring.

I feel like Seth and Maddie would have worked better as "just friends". I just wasn't getting a romantic vibe from either of them, or a sexual vibe ("dang his arms in that shirt", "omg his hair looks extra floppy today", "mmmm those cheekbones" - you know what I mean). Their relationship was very friendly in a friend sense, and they got along really well, but I wasn't getting a "relationship" vibe from them. Yes, your romantic partner should be your best friend, but I wasn't getting any romance or sparks flying or that sort of thing.

Does that make sense? The romance seemed dry and boring. Maybe too subtle? I don't know. I just wasn't sold. When Seth proclaimed his feelings, that felt too surprising to me, because I wasn't getting any romantic vibes from him. We read from Maddie's first-person POV and even from her, I wasn't feeling the romance.

Seth was so one-dimensional! He felt like a cardboard cutout or something - too perfect and sweet and friendly, with no depth. There were small parts to him that West shined a light on - how he isn't good at math, how he hates when people ask him where he is "really" from, etc. But overall, Seth didn't seem like a real person to me, let alone a protagonist in this book, let alone a love interest (the love interest). 

And then there was the drama. Yes, I felt like the post-lottery drama was authentic. But it was a lot of drama! It took away from the light and fun and humorous and romantic mood that the book was supposed to be portraying. Instead the story felt bogged down and tense.

I feel like the trademark Kasie West humor and snark was missing in this story. Which is sad, because the snark was always so fun to read, in her previous books.

Anyway, like I said, I enjoyed the book for the most part. But it disappointed me a little.

Would I Recommend It:

I recommend this book because I'm on the fence with it (a true three-star rating) and all of my "complaints" could very well just be me (I don't think so though). This book wasn't West's best, and it isn't a new favorite of mine. I enjoyed it overall, but I can't see myself rereading it. I didn't swoon nearly as much as I'd hoped! I shared a swoony excerpt on my Swoon Thursday post but in general, this book needed more swoon in the romance. The romance was disappointing. So, I do recommend the book especially if you're a huge West fan like me, but I don't recommend it if you've never read any of West's books. Start with one of the others!

Rating:

3.5 stars -> rounded down to 3 stars. I enjoyed the book, but I didn't love it. Sadly this won't be my new favorite book of West's. But I am still very much looking forward to reading new stories by her - especially her upcoming companion series with HarperCollins!

Blog | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Ivy Bookshop

Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!

Swoon Thursday (#229): Lucky in Love by Kasie West

- From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering

- Try to make the swoon excerpt 140 characters (or less), if you are going to tweet about it. Use the hashtag #YABOUND when tweeting

This week, my swoon is from Lucky in Love by Kasie West!

He turned around, and looked at me. The light from the projector lit his face, his eyes. Those eyes seemed to be asking me a question and I wasn't sure what it was but my entire being was saying yes. I needed him closer. I reached forward but before my hands made contact with him, his were on my shoulders, pulling me toward him. Our lips collided. I gasped. His body pressed against mine, his arms wrapping tightly around my waist, stealing my breath. Our lips moved together and everything felt right. Seth was made to kiss me forever, I could live in this moment forever.

I threaded my fingers into his hair, deepening the kiss. The music from the movie rose in a crescendo around us and I couldn't help but smile.

- ARC, pages 299-300

Blog | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Ivy Bookshop

Pivot Point | Split Second | The Distance Between Us | On the Fence

The Fill-In Boyfriend | P.S. I Like You | By Your Side

Catch my review of this book tomorrow! This book was pretty cute. =)

Waiting on Wednesday (#213): Lucky in Love by Kasie West

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week, I'm featuring:

Lucky in Love by Kasie West

Publisher: Scholastic

Publication Date: July 25, 2017

Summary (from Goodreads):

In this new contemporary from YA star Kasie West, a girl who wins the lottery learns that money can cause more problems than it solves, especially when love comes into the picture. 

Maddie doesn't believe in luck. She's all about hard work and planning ahead. But one night, on a whim, she buys a lottery ticket. And then, to her astonishment --

She wins!

In a flash, Maddie's life is unrecognizable. No more stressing about college scholarships. Suddenly, she's talking about renting a yacht. And being in the spotlight at school is fun... until rumors start flying, and random people ask her for loans. Now, Maddie isn't sure who she can trust.

Except for Seth Nguyen, her funny, charming coworker at the local zoo. Seth doesn't seem aware of Maddie's big news. And, for some reason, she doesn't want to tell him. But what will happen if he learns her secret?

With tons of humor and heart, Kasie West delivers a million-dollar tale of winning, losing, and falling in love.

Author Blog | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

I can't wait for a new West book! I've read her previous seven books, and I have yet to be disappointed. =)

Swoon Thursday (#204): By Your Side by Kasie West

- From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering

- Try to make the swoon excerpt 140 characters (or less), if you are going to tweet about it. Use the hashtag #YABOUND when tweeting

This week, my swoon is from By Your Side by Kasie West!

"We made a rule," I whispered.

"Unlike you, I don't follow rules." He didn't give me a chance to respond. His lips met mine and stole my willpower. I pressed closer to him. I tried to move my right hand to his hair but the seat-belt prevented me from getting closer. I searched blindly for the release button, not willing to separate myself from him to find it. He was faster. He unlatched my belt then pulled me closer.

My hands found his hair, his neck, his shoulders. His hands found my lips, lifting and sliding me across the center console and onto his lap. There wasn't enough room between him and the steering wheel but that didn't stop me. 

- ARC, page 277

By Your Side review | Other Kasie West books

I liked this one! Perhaps not quite as much as I liked her previous books, but this one was really enjoyable and definitely worth the read. =)

Review: By Your Side by Kasie West

By Your Side by Kasie West

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication Date: January 31, 2017

Rating: 4 stars

Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

In this irresistible story, Kasie West explores the timeless question of what to do when you fall for the person you least expect. Witty and romantic, this paperback original from a fan favorite is perfect for fans of Stephanie Perkins and Morgan Matson.

When Autumn Collins finds herself accidentally locked in the library for an entire weekend, she doesn’t think things could get any worse. But that’s before she realizes that Dax Miller is locked in with her. Autumn doesn’t know much about Dax except that he’s trouble. Between the rumors about the fight he was in (and that brief stint in juvie that followed it) and his reputation as a loner, he’s not exactly the ideal person to be stuck with. Still, she just keeps reminding herself that it is only a matter of time before Jeff, her almost-boyfriend, realizes he left her in the library and comes to rescue her.

Only he doesn’t come. No one does.

Instead it becomes clear that Autumn is going to have to spend the next couple of days living off vending-machine food and making conversation with a boy who clearly wants nothing to do with her. Except there is more to Dax than meets the eye. As he and Autumn first grudgingly, and then not so grudgingly, open up to each other, Autumn is struck by their surprising connection. But can their feelings for each other survive once the weekend is over and Autumn’s old life, and old love interest, threaten to pull her from Dax’s side?

What I Liked:

Kasie West does it again! This is the seventh novel of hers that I've read, and I enjoyed it. I can always rely on West to deliver a cute, swoony, uplifting, and meaningful story. I love how she tackles certain "tough issues", and yet captivates readers with likable characters and a beautiful story. Suffice it to say, I'm addicted!

It's Friday evenning, and Autumn and her friends had just finished up working on a big paper. They decide to leave the library and go to a bonfire. With a huge group and four different cars, it can get confusing. Autumn doubles back to the library to use the bathroom, leaving her bag and belongings in her crush's car. But when she is finished and goes to leave the library, she realizes that the library is locked down and closed. What's more, her friends are gone. And it's snowing. And it's the weekend of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day... which means she's going to be stuck in the library for three days. No phone, no service, no computer, nothing. She quickly finds out that Dax Miller, a loner who has trouble written all over him, is locked in as well. He's closed off and a boy of few words, but Autumn cracks his exterior as the weekend goes on. They survive the weekend together - but can they survive the aftermath?

Autumn is as wonderful as any of West's other female protagonists. She has quick wit and she's funny. But she's also a little awkward and clumsy, and she suffers from anxiety. She gets panic attacks, and she doesn't want any of her friends to know. While she's in the library, she has panic attacks, and she tells Dax. Autumn really cares about what others think of her, which is why she hasn't told any of her friends about her condition. Autumn is sweet and genuine, and she's also relentless. She is determined to make nice with Dax while they're stuck in the library,

Dax is... at first, a mystery. He has a reputation for being trouble; he spent time in juvie, and he lives with foster parents. People say he's a criminal (he's not), a druggie (he's not), a loner (that, he is). He keeps to himself and opens up to no one... but Autumn gets to him. He reveals why he's in the library, and a lot more. Dax is probably the most "troubled" of any of West's male protagonists, with the most difficult past/present. He seems closed off and emotionless, but he's a very considerate and chivalrous guy, and he's straightforward.

Contrary to what I originally thought, this book does not take place entirely in the library during that three-day weekend. Half of the book is spent in the library with just Dax and Autumn, and the other half is spent in the "after". What happens when Dax and Autumn are back in school? Are they friends? Do they go back to ignoring each other? Will Autumn finally get with Jeff?

I don't want to give away any details about the middle to end of the book, but I loved the second half of the book probably just as much as (if not more so) I loved the first half. Dax and Autumn become closer (as friends) in the library, but they grow more closer after the library. They need each other for different reasons, and I loved seeing them rely on each other.

Speaking of, I loved the romance. It's all Dax and Autumn, despite what the synopsis sort of implies. Autumn had a crush on Jeff, who is a genuinely nice guy. But she never really likes him, and realizes that he isn't for her. Dax is a steady, calming presence that Autumn needs and wants, and she really likes him. Autumn is a ray of sunshine for Dax, and he really likes her. I always want more kissy scenes in West's books, and this book was no exception, but I adored the progression of the romance!

So, no love triangle! Just a whole lot of swoon between Dax and Autumn. Subtle swoon, at first. And then obvious swoon. 

I also loved how West handled anxiety and panic attacks. There are a few scenes in which Autumn experiences a panic attack, and I thought West captured those moments really well. My heart broke for Autumn, but at the same time, I love how strong she is. West also handles Dax's backstory well. I don't want to say too much about Dax, but let's just say that he has a difficult past, and again, West writes in those issues well. 

West also does a great job with portraying a lot of solid friendships! Autumn's bond with her friend Lisa is sweet and rock-solid. Autumn has a large friend group and it's often hard to connect directly and personally with all of them, and I think West does a great job of expressing this kind of friendships (the large groups, as well as the best friend).

So! Good characterization, good character development, fun story, cute romance? Sold. I liked this book a lot. It's probably not a new favorite of West's (then again, I really love them all), but it does not disappoint. I am looking forward to reading her next book (Lucky in Love, with Scholastic)!

What I Did Not Like:

Nothing specific coming to mind! I suppose I wish there were more kissy scenes (heh). But that seems to be West's style, and that's completely fine!

Would I Recommend It:

Whether you like YA contemporary or not... I would always put West's book on my recommended list. I've read seven of seven and I have yet to be disappointed. I am not a YA contemporary person, but West is my #1 auto-buy author (and she doesn't just read YA contemporary, mind you!). If you love her books, then this one won't disappoint!

Rating:

4.5 stars -> rounded down to 4 stars. This book has such a cute premise (stuck in the library!), and West really delivered. Uplifting and mesmerizing, By Your Side is sure to leave readers with a smile on their face!

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Swoon Thursday (#179): P.S. I Like You by Kasie West

- From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering

- Try to make the swoon excerpt 140 characters (or less), if you are going to tweet about it. Use the hashtag #YABOUND when tweeting

This week, my swoon is from P.S. I Like You by Kasie West!

"P.S." He brushed a piece of air off of my cheek.  "I like you. A lot."

My breathing was shallow, my eyes starting to water from starting too long. "That's a great P.S."

"For our first one, I thought it was solid."

It didn't take much because he was so close. All I had to do was rise up on my tiptoes and our lips met. He tasted like mint gum and all my hopes and dreams. Well, not all of them, but a lot of them. His hands moved to my back where they pulled me against him. He deepened the kiss. My arms slid their way under his, finding his back as well. Why had we waited so long to do this? His breath was warm, his kiss as intense as his stare had been.

- Page 289

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P.S. I Like You review | Other West books reviews

I loved West's latest novel! Such a sweet story. If you liked any of West's previous books, be sure not to miss this one!