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Kayla's Only Heart

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Kayla's Only Heart

Tag Archives: Kasie West

Book Review: Listen to Your Heart

15 Friday Feb 2019

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in books, Uncategorized

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book review, books, confidence, Kasie West, Listen to Your Heart, love, relationships, romance, teens, Valentine's Day, voice

Kasie West’s Listen to Your Heart makes a fun Valentine weekend read. Kate doesn’t excel at talking to people but ends up hosting her school’s new advice podcast. Finding herself better than she expected, she gains confidence in her voice. Her development in her craft as well as her crush bring the elements of a teen romantic comedy. Wondering if she or her crush would speak up during their playful banter and if the anonymous caller would get revealed on the show keeps me smiling as I turn the pages.

 

Other Kasie West Recommendations:

PS I Like You

The Fill-In Boyfriend (my review)

Love, Life, and the List (my review)

Countdown to Valentine’s Day: Young Love Stories

04 Monday Feb 2019

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in books, Uncategorized

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Always and Forever, Always and Forever Laura Jean, books, Eleanor & Park, Galentine's Day, Jenny Han, Kasie West, Lara Jean, love, meet cute, Peter Kavinsky, Rainbow Rowell, relationshhips, teens, The Fill-In Boyfriend, To All the Boys I've Loved Before, Valentine's Day, YA, young adult

What says young love better than a young adult novel? The angst we associate with teenage years seems to continue to adulthood, so I enjoy the familiarity and nostalgia of high school. In honor of young love, I’ve compiled a short list of young adult stories I’ve read recently that fit a Valentine’s Day theme.

 

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell: This book ranks high on my all time favorite list, and I recently reread it for a book club. Eleanor and Park each fall into the misfit category, and they stand on their own so strongly and uniquely. Reading how they fall in love as they share comic books on the bus and start to spend time together makes me feel like I’m falling in love for the first time with all the thrill, agony and uncertainty that comes with it.

Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han: My Galentine and I have wrapped up our reading of the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before trilogy, and I recommend all three. The third installment moves from the original sweetness to the mix of fun and seriousness that befalls a high school senior. Lara Jean faces choices about college her relationship with the almost too good to be true Peter, and of course she goes to prom. I always say yes to reliving prom, and I can still relate to the weight of decisions about direction in life.

The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West: Prom gets another mention here. In this story, a breakup just before the dance leads Gia’s to find a temporary fill-in. The relationship becomes more real as Gia gets to know her fake date. I love Kasie West for upbeat cute stories with a little relatability. This story gets that and reminds me I don’t stand alone in wondering how much to let people in and how to let go of a desire for approval.

Book Review: The Fill-In Boyfriend

12 Saturday Jan 2019

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in books, Uncategorized

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acceptance, angst, book review, books, fiction, friends, friendship, Kasie West, prom, teens, The Fill-In Boyfriend, YA, young adult

After my best friend spent a weekend reading Kasie West books, she sent me one of her favorites of the bunch. We read a couple of hers together prior to that, and she picked well again with one that exceeded expectations. This one made it to the number two spot of West’s work in my book.

This story starts on prom night, so it has me hooked by its first mention in the parking lot. After a stranger poses as the boyfriend who just broke up with her, Gia has to navigate sharing news of the breakup after the dance. Teen angst surfaces as it tends to do when anyone experiences a breakup, and Gia learns more about herself as well as her friendly stranger. Together they explore vulnerability and acceptance in friendship with each other and with their friend groups. I enjoy the story as well as the kindness of the characters and their friendships.

 

Further reading: My favorite Kasie West book is P.S. I Like You, and I recommend that as well as any of the others I’ve read. They make fun, quick reads but also share a sweet message.

Book Review: Love, Life and the List

20 Monday Aug 2018

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in books, Uncategorized

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Tags

book review, books, connectiion, dreams, family, friends, goals, high school, Kasie West, life, love, young adult

I read Kasie West’s recent Love, Life, and the List with my best friend and book buddy. The book and the buddy reading served as a good reminder of creating and pursuing goals. Abby generated a list of experiences that would help her gain heart to put into her heart, and she pushed herself to fulfill those and learned about life and love in the process. In turn, I received a gentle nudge to keep growing and satisfying my own goals.

Abby was in high school and therefore at least ten years younger than me, but I found her experiences relatable. Learning how to share problems with your family and understanding they have difficulties too applied to anyone. The concept of participating in new experiences to gain understanding, depth and knowledge applied to any relational or professional goals as well. Most importantly, pursuing goals and having a team of supporters fit as an overarching message.

The story had a fun, lighthearted flow. Abby navigated school, family, friends, a developing hobby and love. The situations provided a balance of a little thought with a lot of fun. I enjoyed the ride and rooted for Abby to reach her goals and to connect closer with her friends and family.

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