My Thoughts: Sunkissed by Kasie West

Sunkissed
by Kasie West

Publication Date: May 4th 2021
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pages: 309
ISBN: 9780593176269
Genre: Young Adult / Contemporary / Romance
Source: Netgalley Review Copy / Own

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Will the stars align?

Avery has always used music as an escape. But after her best friend betrays her, even her perfectly curated playlists can't help her forget what happened. To make matters worse, her parents have dragged her and her social-media-obsessed sister to a remote family camp for two months of "fun." Just when Avery is ready to give up on the summer altogether, she meets Brooks—mysterious, frustratingly charming Brooks—who just happens to be on staff—which means he's off-limits.

What starts as a disaster turns into . . . something else. As the outside world falls away, Avery embarks on a journey of self-discovery. And when Brooks offers her the chance of a lifetime, she must figure out how far is she willing to go to find out what she wants and who she wants to be.

Fan favorite Kasie West is back with another unforgettable summer romance that reminds us falling in love is full of wonder, heartache, and—most of all—surprises. (Goodreads)

I absolutely love Kasie West’s books, so of course I couldn’t wait to check out Sunkissed as soon as I possibly could! If you’re looking for books to add to your summer TBR list, then you definitely need to check out this summer-themed romance.

I’m not sure what it is about Kasie West’s books that always make me want to read them in the summer time, but I’ve read two so far this season, and they were both great books! (Even when they aren’t summer-themed, they are just really fun reads.) Sunkissed was one of the books I read, but I also read Moment of Truth and enjoyed it as well!

Sunkissed is Kasie’s most recent release, and yes, it is summer-themed! Avery and her family spending 2 months of their summer at a remote family camp, leaving the outside world and all its distractions behind, sounds like the perfect summer setting and storyline for a book, right? Add in some adorable romance, and yes… this book has all the requirements for a great summer read! I loved so much about this book, but the setting really won me over. I love books about camp!

I also really enjoyed the characters in the book as well. Avery was an interesting main character. Brooks, the love interest, was adorable as well. I enjoyed watching their relationship grow as the book went along! I even liked Avery’s family as well, including the relationship between Avery and her sister. So many great characters!

Overall; If you’re looking for a cute romance to add to your summer reading list, Sunkissed by Kasie West is definitely one you should check out! This book was is such a cute read, and I’m so glad I was able to check it out.

Waiting on Wednesday: Sunkissed & Take Me Home Tonight

Sunkissed
by Kasie West

Expected Publication: May 4th 2021 by Delacorte Press

A lighthearted and swoony contemporary YA romance by fan-favorite author Kasie West about a girl who finds that a summer spent at a family resort isn’t as bad as she imagined…and that falling in love is filled with heartache, laughter, and surprises!

After being betrayed by her best friend, Avery is hoping for a picture-perfect summer. Too bad her parents have dragged her and her sister to a remote family camp for the entire summer. And that’s not even the worst part. Avery also has to deal with no internet, a cute but off-limits staff member, and an always-in-her-face sister.

But what starts as a disaster turns into a whirlwind summer romance as Avery embarks on an unexpected journey to figure out what she truly wants and who she wants to be.

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Take Me Home Tonight
by Morgan Matson

Expected Publication: May 4th 2021 by Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off meets Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist in this romp through the city that never sleeps from the New York Times bestselling author of Since You’ve Been Gone, Morgan Matson.

Two girls. One night. Zero phones.

Kat and Stevie—best friends, theater kids, polar opposites—have snuck away from the suburbs to spend a night in New York City. They have it all planned out. They’ll see a play, eat at the city’s hottest restaurant, and have the best. Night. Ever. What could go wrong?

Well. Kind of a lot?

They’re barely off the train before they’re dealing with destroyed phones, family drama, and unexpected Pomeranians. Over the next few hours, they’ll have to grapple with old flames, terrible theater, and unhelpful cab drivers. But there are also cute boys to kiss, parties to crash, dry cleaning to deliver (don’t ask), and the world’s best museum to explore.

Over the course of a wild night in the city that never sleeps, both Kat and Stevie will get a wake-up call about their friendship, their choices…and finally discover what they really want for their future.

That is, assuming they can make it to Grand Central before the clock strikes midnight.

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•     •     •

Two new books from two authors that I love! Do these books sound great or what? I am super excited to check them out... They are going to make for some great summer reading!!

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

Waiting on Wednesday: Maybe This Time & Truly Madly Royally

Maybe This Time
by Kasie West
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Publication Date:
Publisher: Point
ISBN: 9781338210088

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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. (Goodreads)

Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!
It's a new book by Kasie West, y'all!
I don't know about you guys, but I am ALWAYS excited for a new book by Kasie!
And this one sounds great, so I'm SUPER excited to check it out!!

Truly Madly Royally
by Debbie Rigaud
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Publication Date: July 30th 2019
Publisher: Point
ISBN: 9781338332728

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Fiercely independent and smart, Zora Emerson wants to change the world. She's excited to be attending a prestigious summer program, even if she feels out of place among her privileged, mostly white classmates. So she's definitely not expecting to feel a connection to Owen, who's an actual prince of an island off the coast of England. But Owen is funny, charming...and undeniably cute. Zora can't ignore the chemistry between them. When Owen invites Zora to be his date at his big brother's big royal wedding, Zora is suddenly thrust into the spotlight, along with her family and friends. Everyone is talking about her, in real life and online, and while Owen is used to the scrutiny, Zora's not sure it's something she can live with. Can she maintain her sense of self while moving between two very different worlds? And can her feelings for Owen survive and thrive in the midst of the crazy? Find out in this charming romantic comedy that's like The Princess Diaries for a new generation. (Goodreads)

The Princess Diaries for a new generation??
Count me in!!
This book sounds wonderful, and just the kind of book I love at the moment.
I can't wait to check it out!!


Those are my WOW picks for this week!!
What upcoming books are you excited for??

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

My Thoughts: Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss by Kasie West

Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss
by Kasie West
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: February 5th 2019
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 384
ISBN: 9780062675798
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: Free Copy from Publisher

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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. (Goodreads)

I’m always super excited when an author I like has a new book coming out, and whenever Kasie West has a new book coming out, I get super excited! Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss sounded super cute, and I absolutely couldn’t wait to get started on it. Having finally read the book, I can tell you that I really enjoyed it, though it’s not my most favorite book by Kasie.

Let’s start this off by talking about the characters. Lacey, the main character, is an up-and-coming actress that just got her first big break in a zombie movie. It was really interesting to read the story from Lacey’s point of view, especially the parts on the movie set. I enjoyed watching the relationships between her and her co-stars grow as the story went along, and the relationship between her and her tutor, Donovan, was super cute, even if it did take me a bit to warm up to it. Also, her dad is pretty great as well.

The storyline for this book was a lot of fun. The movie that I mentioned above in which Lacey will star in actually sounded like it would be interesting to watch, and I kind of love that it was based off a book as well. There is also a bit of mystery included in the book, as someone on the set has set out to sabotage Lacey, (not a spoiler, it’s in the synopsis!), and it was constantly trying to figure out what it was. Having that included definitely kept things interesting!

Overall; though Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss is not my most favorite book by Kasie West, it was definitely a super cute read, and just the cute read that I needed at the moment. I think fans of Kasie’s books, and of contemporary stories in general, which definitely enjoy this new release!

Waiting on Wednesday: Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss & On The Come Up

Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss
by Kasie West
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: February 5th 2019
Publisher: HarperTeen
ISBN: 9780062675798

Add to Goodreads

Available for Pre-Order:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

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. (Goodreads)

Is anyone else SUPER excited for the new Kasie West book??
It sounds super cute, and I can't wait to read it!!

On the Come Up
by Angie Thomas
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: February 5th 2019
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
ISBN: 9780062498564

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Sixteen-year-old Bri wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. Or at least make it out of her neighborhood one day. As the daughter of an underground rap legend who died before he hit big, Bri’s got big shoes to fill. But now that her mom has unexpectedly lost her job, food banks and shutoff notices are as much a part of Bri’s life as beats and rhymes. With bills piling up and homelessness staring her family down, Bri no longer just wants to make it—she has to make it.

On the Come Up is Angie Thomas’s homage to hip-hop, the art that sparked her passion for storytelling and continues to inspire her to this day. It is the story of fighting for your dreams, even as the odds are stacked against you; of the struggle to become who you are and not who everyone expects you to be; and of the desperate realities of poor and working-class black families.

This is another book that I'm super excited for! I read The Hate U Give last year,
and really enjoyed it. I can't wait to read Bri's story next!!

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

Waiting on Wednesday #309 - Save the Date by Morgan Matson & Listen to Your Heart by Kasie West

Save the Date
by Morgan Matson
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Publication Date: June 5th 2018
Publisher: Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9781481404570

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Charlie Grant’s older sister is getting married this weekend at their family home, and Charlie can’t wait—for the first time in years, all four of her older siblings will be under one roof. Charlie is desperate for one last perfect weekend, before the house is sold and everything changes. The house will be filled with jokes and games and laughs again. Making decisions about things like what college to attend and reuniting with longstanding crush Jesse Foster—all that can wait. She wants to focus on making the weekend perfect.

The only problem? The weekend is shaping up to be an absolute disaster.

There’s the unexpected dog with a penchant for howling, house alarm that won’t stop going off, and a papergirl with a grudge.

There are the relatives who aren’t speaking, the (awful) girl her favorite brother brought home unannounced, and a missing tuxedo.

Not to mention the neighbor who seems to be bent on sabotage and a storm that is bent on drenching everything. The justice of the peace is missing. The band will only play covers. The guests are all crazy. And the wedding planner’s nephew is unexpectedly, distractingly…cute.

Over the course of three ridiculously chaotic days, Charlie will learn more than she ever expected about the family she thought she knew by heart. And she’ll realize that sometimes, trying to keep everything like it was in the past means missing out on the future. (Goodreads)

Um, does this book sound hilariously wonderful, or what??
Plus, it's Morgan Matson, so you knooooooow it's going to be good.
Just the summary for this book has me longing for summertime.
I can't wait to check it out!!

Listen to Your Heart
by Kasie West
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Publication Date: May 29th 2018
Publisher: Point
ISBN: 9781338210057

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Available for Pre-Order:
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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. (Goodreads)

Ah, and yet another book that has me longing for summertime!
And this one sounds like a lot of fun as well!
And it's Kasie West, who ALSO never fails to disappoint!!
I'm so excited for both of these books!!

Your turn!! What book are you Waiting for this week??

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

My Thoughts: Love, Life, and the List by Kasie West

Love, Life and the List
by Kasie West
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: December 26th 2017
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 384
ISBN: 9780062675774
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source:  e-Arc for Review

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Seventeen-year-old Abby Turner’s summer isn’t going the way she’d planned. She has a not-so-secret but definitely unrequited crush on her best friend, Cooper. She hasn’t been able to manage her mother’s growing issues with anxiety. And now she’s been rejected from an art show because her work “has no heart.” So when she gets another opportunity to show her paintings Abby isn’t going to take any chances.

Which is where the list comes in.

Abby gives herself one month to do ten things, ranging from face a fear (#3) to learn a stranger’s story (#5) to fall in love (#8). She knows that if she can complete the list she’ll become the kind of artist she’s always dreamed of being. But as the deadline approaches, Abby realizes that getting through the list isn’t as straightforward as it seems… and that maybe—just maybe—she can’t change her art if she isn’t first willing to change herself.

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

My Thoughts...
I don't know about you, but I'm always super excited when Kasie West comes out with a new book, and I absolutely couldn't wait to get started on Love, Life, and the List as soon as I possibly could! (This obviously wasn't soon enough, thanks to my always growing TBR. Sigh.)

Let me start by saying that I thought the storyline for this book was super cute. I love the idea of having a bucket list to help you get yourself out of a funk that life has thrown you in. This is something that I may have to consider doing myself this year. I think I enjoyed this part of the book even more than the romance parts, if you can believe that, and I would have loved to see Abby add even more things to her list.

I really like the characters that Kasie creates in her stories, and I have to admit that the main character in this book, Abby, is one of my favorites, mostly because I found her snarky attitude to be very relatable. She made me laugh more than a few times throughout the story, and I always appreciate a good laugh, and I enjoyed watching her growth over the course of the story as well. I loved her relationship with her family as well, especially with her granddad.

Overall; if you're a fan of Kasie's contemporary novels, you're definitely going to enjoy Love, Life and the List! It's a really quick read that is full of fun times and cool characters. Having finally read the book, I will now be anxiously waiting to get my hands on Kasie's next book, Listen to Your Heart, which is set to release in May 2018!

My Thoughts: Lucky in Love by Kasie West (Audiobook)

Lucky in Love 
by Kasie West
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: July 25th 2017
Publisher: Scholastic
Pages: 333
ISBN: 9781338058017
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: Audiobook

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Can’t buy me love…

Maddie’s not impulsive. 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? (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...
I was really looking forward to reading Lucky in Love by Kasie West, as I’ve pretty much adored all of her previous books, and I was super curious to see how this one would compare. Needless to say, I loved it, just as I knew I would, and it’s definitely going on my list of books to re-read again soon!

There are a lot of characters to like in this book, including Maddie, the main character. I found myself relating to her in more than one way, except for the winning the lottery parts. (I would LOVE to know how that feels though!) I love her determination throughout the story, and am definitely envious that she knew what she wanted from her future, and was willing to do what she had to to get it. She has some great friends, though they do go through some trials throughout the story. I have to say that Seth was my favorite character in the story though. While others seemed fake, he didn’t, and I definitely appreciated that.

The storyline for the book revolves around Maddie winning the lottery, and the effects of that. This is the second book I’ve read this year that’s about a character winning the lottery, and I have to say that it really is fascinating to see how different viewpoints on the storyline. I can only imagine what people who win the lottery go through, so seeing it from someone else’s point of view is interesting. And, of course, the romance in the book is sweet, as it is in all of Kasie’s books that I’ve read so far. I think I enjoy that the most.  *grin*.

Also, I listened to the audiobook for Lucky in Love, and I think the narrator, Laurence Bouvard, did a great job with the voices! I will definitely be checking out more audiobooks narrated by her soon.

Overall; Lucky in Love is another great addition to Kasie West’s growing collection!! I can never get enough of her books, so it’s probably a good thing that she’s a writing machine. I just picked another of her upcoming releases for my *Waiting on Wednesday* pick recently, and I’m super excited to check it out as well!

Waiting on Wednesday #284 - Love, Life, and the List by Kasie West

Love, Life, and the List
by Kasie West
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: March 27th 2018
Publisher: HarperTeen
ISBN: 9780062675774

Add to Goodreads

Available for Pre-Order:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

Seventeen-year-old Abby Turner’s summer isn’t going the way she’d planned. She has a not-so-secret but definitely unrequited crush on her best friend, Cooper. She hasn’t been able to manage her mother’s growing issues with anxiety. And now she’s been rejected from an art show because her work “has no heart.” So when she gets another opportunity to show her paintings Abby isn’t going to take any chances.

Which is where the list comes in.

Abby gives herself one month to do ten things, ranging from face a fear (#3) to learn a stranger’s story (#5) to fall in love (#8). She knows that if she can complete the list she’ll become the kind of artist she’s always dreamed of being. But as the deadline approaches, Abby realizes that getting through the list isn’t as straightforward as it seems… and that maybe—just maybe—she can’t change her art if she isn’t first willing to change herself.

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

Publication is slated for winter 2018. (Goodreads)

Is Kasie West a writing machine, or what??

I haven't even had a chance to read her last book,

but I'm already excited to read the next one.
Isn't that how it always works??
*grin*

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

My Thoughts: By Your Side by Kasie West

By Your Side
by Kasie West
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: January 31st 2017
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 352
ISBN: 9780062455864
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: Edelweiss

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Available for Purchase:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

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? (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...
By Your Side by Kasie West was my very first read of 2017. I wanted to pick something that I knew I would love for my first read of the year, and as I adore Kasie's books and contemporaries are my favorite genre, I just know that this book would be the perfect pick. And it was!

The storyline for the book was really cute, just like the rest of West's novels. Imagine being accidentally locked in a library over a three day holiday weekend. Yeah, who of us wouldn't love that?? (Of course, I would also want unlimited amounts of food as well, but, yeah.) Three days uninterrupted in the library? Count me in! That is exactly what happens to our leading lady, Autumn. And when she realizes she's not completely alone in the library, things get even more interesting. This storyline, it was really great, and I flew through the pages in just a few hours time.

I was able to relate to Autumn in more ways than I expected, expect for the fact that she totally didn't take advantage of BEING LOCKED IN THE LIBRARY FOR THREE DAYS. Haha. I know, not everyone can be bookworms, but still. I definitely related to her through her anxiety issues, and I'm sure a lot of you will be able to relate to that as well, and I'm glad that I'm seeing this more and more in books. Dax, the guy that Autumn finds herself locked in the library with, was really interesting as well.

Overall; By Your Side is another great addition to the Kasie West collection! I really enjoyed the storyline and the characters, and I definitely plan to read this book again in the future. And, of course, having read this I am now EVEN MORE excited to get my hands on Kasie's next release, Lucky in Love, due to release in July! Check both of these books out today!

Waiting on Wednesday #266 - Lucky in Love by Kasie West

Lucky in Love
by Kasie West
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: July 25th 2017
Publisher: Scholastic
ISBN: 9781338058017


Available for Pre-Order:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

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. (Goodreads)

Did you know that we are getting not one, but TWO new books from Kasie West this year?!?!
The first, By Your Side, is set to release at the end of this month,

THEN we get Lucky in Love in July!!
*cue happy dance*


I've already had the pleasure of reading Be With You, which was great,
and now I'm anxiously awaiting Lucky in Love!!
Hurry July!!

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

Waiting on Wednesday #256 - By Your Side by Kasie West

By Your Side
by Kasie West
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: January 31st 2017
Publisher: HarperTeen
ISBN: 9780062455864


Available for Pre-Order:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

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? (Goodreads)

I just recently finished listening to TWO of Kasie's audiobooks,
(reviews for both on the blog!)
and now I am even more excited to read By Your Side!!

If you don't already know, I'm a HUGE fan of contemporary novels,

and all of the books I've read by Kasie so far have been great.

I can't wait to read By Your Side,
as well as Lucky in Love, which comes out next summer!!

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

My Thoughts: P.S. I Like You by Kasie West (Audiobook Review)

P.S. I Like You
by Kasie West
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Publication Date: July 26th 2016
Publisher:  Point
Pages: 330
ISBN: 9780545850971
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: Library

Audiobook ISBN: 9781520014890
Publisher: Ideal on Dreamscape Audio

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Signed, sealed, delivered…

While spacing out in chemistry class, Lily scribbles some of her favorite song lyrics onto her desk. The next day, she finds that someone has continued the lyrics on the desk and added a message to her. Intrigue!

Soon, Lily and her anonymous pen pal are exchanging full-on letters—sharing secrets, recommending bands, and opening up to each other. Lily realizes she’s kind of falling for this letter writer. Only, who is he? As Lily attempts to unravel the mystery and juggle school, friends, crushes, and her crazy family, she discovers that matters of the heart can’t always be spelled out… (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...
When I first discovered P.S. I Like You by Kasie West, I knew it would be a book that I wanted to read. All the books I've read by West so far have been great, and I knew this one would not disappoint as well. And, it didn't! P.S. I Like You is probably my most favorite read by West so far!

The main character in the story, Lily, is adorable. I love her love for music, and could definitely relate to her through that. Actually, I could actually relate to her in so many ways. She was great. I love her family as well. They are huge and wild and totally loving. She has the type of family that I LOVE to read about in stories. I guess because it reminds me so much of my little family.

I adore the storyline for the book. I had read a review before I started the story that said it reminded the reader of the movie You've Got Mail, which just so happens to be my most favorite movie ever, so I couldn't wait to read the book to see this for myself. And it did totally remind me of the movie! An anonymous penpal, who is easy to talk to, easy to relate to, and trying to figure out who it is. Ah, I totally fell in love with this story.

P.S. I Like You is the second audiobook that I've listened to by Kasie West in the past week, so yeah, you can totally say I'm hooked. I really enjoyed the narrator for the book, Shannon McManus, who also narrated The Fill-In Boyfriend. She did a great job with the different voices, and held my attention throughout the story. Excellent job!

Overall; I can't seem to say enough about how much I loved this book. SO good, and I'm definitely going to have to get a print version to add to my shelf soon. If you're a fan of fun contemporaries, definitely check out P.S. I Like You, and ALL the books by Kasie West!

My Thoughts: The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West (Audiobook)

The Fill-In Boyfriend
by Kasie West
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Publication Date: May 5th 2015
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 343
ISBN: 9780062336385
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: Library

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When Gia Montgomery's boyfriend, Bradley, dumps her in the parking lot of her high school prom, she has to think fast. After all, she'd been telling her friends about him for months now. This was supposed to be the night she proved he existed. So when she sees a cute guy waiting to pick up his sister, she enlists his help. The task is simple: be her fill-in boyfriend—two hours, zero commitment, a few white lies. After that, she can win back the real Bradley.

The problem is that days after prom, it's not the real Bradley she's thinking about, but the stand-in. The one whose name she doesn't even know. But tracking him down doesn't mean they're done faking a relationship. Gia owes him a favor and his sister intends to see that he collects: his ex-girlfriend's graduation party—three hours, zero commitment, a few white lies.

Just when Gia begins to wonder if she could turn her fake boyfriend into a real one, Bradley comes waltzing back into her life, exposing her lie, and threatening to destroy her friendships and her new-found relationship. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...
I've pretty much completely got off track with my October TBR, and decided to start some new audiobooks through my library's website. They have a pretty awesome selection, including quite a few Kasie West books, much to my delight. I've listened to a few of her books before, but found a few I hadn't yet started, and I was thrilled to give The Fill-In Boyfriend a listen!

We meet the main character in the story, Gia, right as her boyfriend of two months is breaking up with her, minutes before going into her prom. But, being the fast thinker that Gia is, she finds a random guy in the parking lot to take his place, and a lie, and the story, is formed. Gia is one of those characters that totally grew on me as the story went along, and I could appreciate watching her character grow as I turned the pages.

The main love interest in the story, Hayden, was definitely one of my favorite characters. Although I wanted to smack him in the head a few times for some of the decisions he made, he was a really sweet guy. And his sister Bec was awesome too, even if she does have some issues to deal with herself as well. If Kasie wanted to write a book for Bec, I would gladly throw all my money at her to have it. *wink*

The storyline for this book was SO CUTE, as all the books I've read so far by Kasie have been, it also touches base on a lot of different issues that teens will be able to relate to. I found the social media addiction that her brother makes a film about to be very interesting, and totally true. (Twitter is my favorite form of social media, although it's basically just me sending my thoughts into the void.)

Overall; The Fill-In Boyfriend is another great book by Kasie West! I enjoyed it so much, and I'm looking forward to more by her soon! (Like, really soon. Like, my next book. Ha!) If you're a fan of contemporary novels, and you haven't already done so, check out a book by Kasie asap!!