Friday, January 27, 2017

By Your Side by Kasie West




By Your Side by Kasie West
Release Date -  January 31, 2017
Publisher Website - Harper Collins
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader/Frenzy
Pages -  352 pages
My Rating - 3.5/5
**received for review from the publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis
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? 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? 
Stranded in a library for an entire long weekend. Pretty much every book nerd's dream come true, at least on the surface but maybe not so much in theory. There may be all the books you could read but there are thing like the lack of food and heat that make this the opposite of fun. Kasie West mixes this premise with some sweet romance to create a novel that is classic Kasie West.

There is a lot of cute fluff within these pages, especially in the beginning of the novel, but the story does take a more serious turn once Autumn's panic attacks and Dax's past begin to play a larger role. Their romance is slowly built on how much they actually have in common and how right they are together. Dax calms Autumn and vice versa. They are simply what each other needs. It's like a perfectly fitting puzzle piece, even if it takes them a little while to realize this.

Autumn's need to please others, and not create waves stems from her desire to be liked. She doesn't want her friends looking at her differently. Her panic attacks ensure that she doesn't like being the centre of attention either. Plenty of people will be able to relate to aspects of her personality.

The biggest stand out, however, were the friends Autumn has. They were so supportive of Autumn and each other in general. Kasie West always tends to write really great friendships and this is no exception. It showcases how friendships should be, and I think that is an incredibly important message for everyone to learn.

This is a story of finding the courage to seek out what you actually want for yourself, and discovering what is good for you versa what is not. It's about knowing your limits and not being scared to voice what makes you uncomfortable. It may be about romance on the surface, but underneath each of the characters is discovering how to use their voice to get what they really need.

A cute, feel good novel for when you need to escape. A novel that will delight Kasie West fans as it gives you exactly what you're hoping for. It's exactly the kind of read you want to pick up after finishing something heavy as it'll leave you with a smile on your face.

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