Review: By Your Side

By Your Side

Author: Kasie West
Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages: Paperback, 352 pages
Genre: YA
Release Date: January 31st 2017

Summary:

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?

Review:

By Your Side is classic Kasie West.
It's exactly what I want from her books and the reason I love this genre.

It's got a cute & fluffy romance, interesting characters and then West throws in something astoundingly serious, without dragging the light and sweet feeling of the book down.
It this case one of them is anxiety. I love that West brought it up. I even love more how she dealt with it. It was absolutely on point. She got the balance just right. It added depth and realism to the character. Yet it didn't overshadow the cute & fluffy vibes. The same can be said about the foster system. Interesting how this West, tackled such a major problem, yet kept the overal feel of the story lighthearted.

Autumn is a classic West female protagonist. She is witty, fun and at times insanely awkward. In one word great female lead.
Dax, was at first a bit the cliche solemn, quiet broody hottie. But I quickly grew to care for him. We get to see other sides to him and at the end I was totally head over heals for Dax.
Both MCs go through and interesting amount of growth in this book.
The support cast left me a bit divided. I love Autumns family. But her friends? Seriously the worst friends- EVER. And yet, I remember having friends who acted that stupid and carless. Seriously. We all did to a degree. So I kinda rather quickly forgave them at the end, even if throughout the book, I kept wondering why Autumn hang out with a seemingly shallow lot.
Jeff was - well, the hot happy boy cliche. I honestly didn't get his reaction in the end. I mean I am all for being happy for others, but his reaction meant either he was not sincere before or at the point.
The kinda love triangle though funny enough didn't really bother me. Which is a feat in itself.
My biggest issue was the mother. I think while realistic, I felt like those issues were just left hanging and it felt unresolved.
Still I can gripe about the characters because the felt real. There is depth to the two MCs and the cast in general. They- well most of them- somehow fall out of the usual tick-box in some way and managed to endear themselves to me.

Well written, great character building, interesting topics and a good dose of swoon make this heartwarming novel a must read.

Rating: