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bookishlychar 's review for:
Save Me
by Mona Kasten
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Ruby Bell is a scholarship student at the elite Maxton Hall, where she tries to keep her head down and focus on her dream of getting into Oxford. When she accidentally uncovers a scandal involving James Beaufort, the school’s wealthy, arrogant golden boy, her quiet world is turned upside down. Forced into his chaotic orbit, Ruby finds herself drawn to a side of James that no one else sees. However, the closer they get, the more tangled their lives and secrets become.
Save Me has all the ingredients of a story I should have fallen for: an ambitious heroine and an aloof rich boy, featuring a classic enemies-to-lovers/opposites-attract setup. I was intrigued by the premise and ready to be swept up into Maxton Hall.
Ruby is a refreshingly focused and determined protagonist. I appreciated her ambition and the way she stayed true to herself in a world filled with privilege and manipulation. James, the broody, damaged love interest, exhibited flashes of complexity that kept me curious, especially when his walls started to come down. The world-building surrounding Maxton Hall was immersive.
That said, the emotional connection between the characters felt a bit rushed at times. I wanted more build-up, more internal struggles, and more tension. Instead, I noticed that the pacing occasionally skipped over opportunities for deeper development, particularly regarding James’ backstory. Some scenes seemed to set up drama for its own sake.
Still, I recognized a definite promise here. The writing is clean and accessible, and I’m curious enough about where the story goes and am contemplating continuing with the series. I just wish the first installment had gone a little deeper.
If you’re into a fast-paced YA romance with a splash of prep school scandal, Save Me might be your thing. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Romance for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.
Save Me has all the ingredients of a story I should have fallen for: an ambitious heroine and an aloof rich boy, featuring a classic enemies-to-lovers/opposites-attract setup. I was intrigued by the premise and ready to be swept up into Maxton Hall.
Ruby is a refreshingly focused and determined protagonist. I appreciated her ambition and the way she stayed true to herself in a world filled with privilege and manipulation. James, the broody, damaged love interest, exhibited flashes of complexity that kept me curious, especially when his walls started to come down. The world-building surrounding Maxton Hall was immersive.
That said, the emotional connection between the characters felt a bit rushed at times. I wanted more build-up, more internal struggles, and more tension. Instead, I noticed that the pacing occasionally skipped over opportunities for deeper development, particularly regarding James’ backstory. Some scenes seemed to set up drama for its own sake.
Still, I recognized a definite promise here. The writing is clean and accessible, and I’m curious enough about where the story goes and am contemplating continuing with the series. I just wish the first installment had gone a little deeper.
If you’re into a fast-paced YA romance with a splash of prep school scandal, Save Me might be your thing. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Romance for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.