Title: By Your Side
Author: Kasie West
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release Date: January 31st, 2017
Standalone/Series: Standalone
Genre: Young Adult – Contemporary – Romance
Goodreads link
My rating in stars: 3,5 stars
My rating in words: I liked it
What it’s about:
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?
My thoughts (Spoiler-free):
“Books, bringing people together.’ That would make a good slogan for the library.”
So where were the books? I went into this thinking: oh yes, boy and girl trapped in library, bring on the book love! But then… they watched tv? They were surrounded by books and they watched tv? Talk about disappointing.
Seriously, I love Kasie West. All of her contemporaries are cute, fast reads that make you swoon. This was no exception to that. I read it in a day. It was cute and adorable. I swooned.
But… it’s one of my least favorite Kasie West books so far. While I liked it fine for all the reasons above, it lost some points for the following:
– The library plot was a bust. Maybe a silly reason, but the being trapped in a library plot sounded so much more awesome in my imagination. But in reality this story has hardly any bookish references and it’s all over before you know it.
– The characters could have used a bit more development. I liked both Autumn and Dax just fine and had no issues with them while reading. It was only after that I realised I had no idea who these two people were. It’s like their entire personality boiled down to the basic and shallow: Autumn is a girl with anxiety. Dax is a brooding loner. That’s it. That’s all I have on them. Could have used a bit more time to get to know them better.
– Anxiety is used as a single defining personality trait. Ok, I LOVE that Kasie wrote about a character with anxiety. We need more of that. But like I said above, don’t make it their only defining personality trait. A person is more than his or her anxiety. Also, something felt off about the anxiety. I can’t judge because I know it is different for everyone, but it felt a little… convenient? Like, Autumn had it sometimes, but other times almost could ‘turn it off’. Sometimes it felt realistic, and other times I was thinking: how come she can do this? This feels like something to get really anxious about and nothing is happening?
– Annoying friend group. How can you just not notice your friend is not with you when you’re leaving? How can you not notice one of your best friends has anxiety? How can you be so generally annoying? I’m sorry, I usually love friend groups in fiction, but this one annoyed me to no end. They all felt shallow and childish.
But. Other than those few issues I had with it, I did quite enjoy this book. And I would recommend you to pick it up if you’ve loved other Kasie West books or if you’re just in the mood for a cute, fluffy and quick-to-read romance.
Aw, I’m sorry you didn’t love this book as much as other Kasie West books. I’m also pretty surprised to hear almost no book references… Why not have them stuck in a movie theater instead, if they’re just going to watch movies? Haha. Great review! 🙂
Brittany @ Brittany’s Book Rambles
Yes, INDEED! They could have been stuck anywhere, but if they’re stuck in a library, I expect some bookish references 😉
Glad you still found this enjoyable despite the disappointments. SO looking forward to this one especially since I recently read (my first two) novels by Kasie, and discovered they were worth the fuss. 🙂
So happy you read and enjoyed Kasie West’s books! They definitely are worth the fuss 😉
I haven’t read it yet but I do really want to because it seems so adorable and I have heard some fairly positive reviews! I haven’t read any Kasie West yet so I can’t compare but fingers crossed I enjoy this one!
I adore Kasie West in general so I definitely recommend her books 🙂 They are all so cute and adorable <3 Hope you'll enjoy!
I think Kasie West’s novels are adorable. I haven’t read this one, but it’s on my TBR for a rainy day. I’m sorry to see you didn’t enjoy it as much as you’ve enjoyed others.
They are so adorable! Even though I liked this one a little less, I’ll still read all of them 🙂 Hope you’ll enjoy this one more than I did!