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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
this got three stars bc the beginning wasn’t doing it for me but by the end tho
Pretty typical Kasie West, but I really needed it in between books about terrible things happening. So I'm going to try to be honest about how good it actually was, not how nice of a break it was.
Lily starts writing song lyrics on the desk in chemistry class due to sheer boredom (because, hello, it's chemistry). When someone starts writing back, she begins exchanging a series of notes with this person, never revealing who she is. But the more letters they write back and forth, the more she realizes that she may like this guy.
So this was predictable. I guessed who the letter writer was a ways before it was revealed. And the characters were honestly very two-dimensional for me. I didn't know why I should care about Lily or Cade and I can hardly remember anyone else's name even. But the plot was sweet, so it was a nice break from some of the serious books. If you are looking for anything more than a cute love story, this isn't for you. None of the depth that Sarah Dessen has, for instance. I honestly don't even have that much to say about the book.
But seriously, between kidnapping and murder stories, this was a great read.
Lily starts writing song lyrics on the desk in chemistry class due to sheer boredom (because, hello, it's chemistry). When someone starts writing back, she begins exchanging a series of notes with this person, never revealing who she is. But the more letters they write back and forth, the more she realizes that she may like this guy.
So this was predictable. I guessed who the letter writer was a ways before it was revealed. And the characters were honestly very two-dimensional for me. I didn't know why I should care about Lily or Cade and I can hardly remember anyone else's name even. But the plot was sweet, so it was a nice break from some of the serious books. If you are looking for anything more than a cute love story, this isn't for you. None of the depth that Sarah Dessen has, for instance. I honestly don't even have that much to say about the book.
But seriously, between kidnapping and murder stories, this was a great read.
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
You can find this and other reviews at: owlsandvowels.org
Plot: Lily is socially awkward, plays guitar, and now has a crush on her anonymous pen pal.
Review: Before I lay it all out there, let me just say that the copy I am reviewing from is an ARC. There is a pretty good chance that the plot might be tweaked by publication. This review contains spoilers, so turn back if you don’t want to know. Here’s the pros and cons:
Pros:
• It’s pretty adorable. With Lily and Cade you have the classic OTP of Rocker girl falls for Jock boy, even though they would totally rip out each other’s throats for the first half of the book. Their feelings are unearthed through a series of notes passed anonymously during Chemistry class. While their feels unfold on paper, you learn that Lily and Cade are more than their stereotypes. It’s a darling little mash up, really. In fact, their cuteness overrides the fact that he dated her best friend, they hurl insults like it’s a job, and they both toy with other relationships. That’s high school love, folks. Quick. Reading their letters to each other brought me right back to my own note passing days though, and for that alone, I liked it. Their relationship is sweet and endearing, even if it is a little too textbook rom-com at times.
• It felt authentic. Everything about this book breathes YA. The way they talk, react, the things they do, all of it feels legit. Thank you, West. Lately it seems that YA is all over in the age department, but you really nailed it.
• It’s a good book buddy for those who liked The D.U.F.F.. Cade and Lily feel a lot like Bianca and Wesley. I’m not complaining though, I was into it.
Cons:
• It’s not exactly original. So remember when I said it felt like The D.U.F.F.? It’s a lot like many in the light romance genre, so if you are looking for something new here, you might be disappointed.
• The ending. This was a five star book until the last few chapters. Without giving too much away, when things hit the fan with Sasha (and inevitably Cade and Lily) it feels really rushed and shallow. I think it West moved that plot point to directly after final note is kept from Lily, things would have been way more enjoyable.
Overall, I liked this one, and would read it again in a hot minute.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Who Should Snag It: If you are looking for a light beach read or some rom-com action this one is for you.
*I would like to thank Edelweiss and the publisher for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review*
Plot: Lily is socially awkward, plays guitar, and now has a crush on her anonymous pen pal.
Review: Before I lay it all out there, let me just say that the copy I am reviewing from is an ARC. There is a pretty good chance that the plot might be tweaked by publication. This review contains spoilers, so turn back if you don’t want to know. Here’s the pros and cons:
Pros:
• It’s pretty adorable. With Lily and Cade you have the classic OTP of Rocker girl falls for Jock boy, even though they would totally rip out each other’s throats for the first half of the book. Their feelings are unearthed through a series of notes passed anonymously during Chemistry class. While their feels unfold on paper, you learn that Lily and Cade are more than their stereotypes. It’s a darling little mash up, really. In fact, their cuteness overrides the fact that he dated her best friend, they hurl insults like it’s a job, and they both toy with other relationships. That’s high school love, folks. Quick. Reading their letters to each other brought me right back to my own note passing days though, and for that alone, I liked it. Their relationship is sweet and endearing, even if it is a little too textbook rom-com at times.
• It felt authentic. Everything about this book breathes YA. The way they talk, react, the things they do, all of it feels legit. Thank you, West. Lately it seems that YA is all over in the age department, but you really nailed it.
• It’s a good book buddy for those who liked The D.U.F.F.. Cade and Lily feel a lot like Bianca and Wesley. I’m not complaining though, I was into it.
Cons:
• It’s not exactly original. So remember when I said it felt like The D.U.F.F.? It’s a lot like many in the light romance genre, so if you are looking for something new here, you might be disappointed.
• The ending. This was a five star book until the last few chapters. Without giving too much away, when things hit the fan with Sasha (and inevitably Cade and Lily) it feels really rushed and shallow. I think it West moved that plot point to directly after final note is kept from Lily, things would have been way more enjoyable.
Overall, I liked this one, and would read it again in a hot minute.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Who Should Snag It: If you are looking for a light beach read or some rom-com action this one is for you.
*I would like to thank Edelweiss and the publisher for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review*
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A cutesy lighthearted read. I love my cheesy 2010s romances.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Lets just start off with saying I love Kasie West, even though I've given some of her books lower ratings I still love her as an Author and will buy anything she writes. Why? Because she does cliche plots and tropes so gosh darn well!
P.S I like you is full of you highschool drama, the bitchy popular girl, crazy family, bestfriends, and boy drama and I loved ever part of it.
Lily is our MC and comes from a family that is all of her and each other constantly, she loves them but also wants some time to herself to play and write music. When Lily's busted in science class writing lyrics instead of notes she's forced to put her notebook away and scribbles down some lyrics to a favorite band on the table only to see the next line written in the following class.
Could you imagine this? I think this would have been so awesome to have experienced when you find someone that likes the same music as you and even the more obscure stuff! I was already shipping this mysterious person.
After boundless note passing and creating a list of "suspects" Lily is all to close to finding out who her note passing friend is and doesn't know what to do about it... Cute, funny, adorableness/awkwardness starts from here and just gets better.
4.5 / 5 stars!
P.S I like you is full of you highschool drama, the bitchy popular girl, crazy family, bestfriends, and boy drama and I loved ever part of it.
Lily is our MC and comes from a family that is all of her and each other constantly, she loves them but also wants some time to herself to play and write music. When Lily's busted in science class writing lyrics instead of notes she's forced to put her notebook away and scribbles down some lyrics to a favorite band on the table only to see the next line written in the following class.
Could you imagine this? I think this would have been so awesome to have experienced when you find someone that likes the same music as you and even the more obscure stuff! I was already shipping this mysterious person.
After boundless note passing and creating a list of "suspects" Lily is all to close to finding out who her note passing friend is and doesn't know what to do about it... Cute, funny, adorableness/awkwardness starts from here and just gets better.
4.5 / 5 stars!
Spoiler
Favorite scene was the Thanksgiving party and of course when they finally admitted they liked each other
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I was having a really bad day and the last few chapters made me smile. Otherwise this book wouldn’t have been worth it.
The first half was boring. Really boring. I almost dnf-ed it a couple of times. But I figured maybe I really should give it a couple of more chapters, right? And I'm so glad I did!
Because the last half was everything I hoped for.
Now to the negetive parts, this book has some tropes I absolutely hate.
Aka,
Daddy issues.
Misunderstanding.
Careless parents.
An annoying protagonist (I know, for some people Lily probably was quirky and cute but I just found her annoying and not relatable at all. Maybe that's just me)
Look, I know this problems are real. But this is not something I want in my fluffy book. Specially not when they are written poorly. Cade's father was acting realistically but Cade wasn’t. But I guess at some point I started ignoring it. As much as I could.
Also, let's say I'm not the biggest fan of the cover either. But they say all is well that ends well. And this book really had the cutest ending ever. So cheers to that!
2.5 stars.
The first half was boring. Really boring. I almost dnf-ed it a couple of times. But I figured maybe I really should give it a couple of more chapters, right? And I'm so glad I did!
Because the last half was everything I hoped for.
Now to the negetive parts, this book has some tropes I absolutely hate.
Aka,
Daddy issues.
Misunderstanding.
Careless parents.
An annoying protagonist (I know, for some people Lily probably was quirky and cute but I just found her annoying and not relatable at all. Maybe that's just me)
Look, I know this problems are real. But this is not something I want in my fluffy book. Specially not when they are written poorly. Cade's father was acting realistically but Cade wasn’t. But I guess at some point I started ignoring it. As much as I could.
Also, let's say I'm not the biggest fan of the cover either. But they say all is well that ends well. And this book really had the cutest ending ever. So cheers to that!
2.5 stars.
i HAVE to stop giving ya romances 5 stars so easily but i cant help it. it's an inherently 5 star genre i fear. i can't believe, as a ya romance lover, i've never read a kasie west book?? i want to binge her entire backlist but i'm going to make myself spread them out a little