While Lily is spacing out in Chemistry one day, she picks up her pencil and scribbles a line from one of her favorite songs on the desk. The next day, someone else has written back to her on the desk! Soon enough Lily and the mystery student are exchanging notes, and lyrics, and even sharing secrets. When Lily finds out that her anonymous pen pal is a guy, she's flustered -- and kind of feels like she's falling for him. She and her best friend set out to unravel the identity of the letter writer -- but when the truth is revealed, the guy is the LAST person Lily could have ever imagined it to be. Now that Lily knows the truth, can she untangle her feelings and gather the courage to listen to her heart? (Pub Date: Jul 26, 2016)
Review based on an ARC provided by Edelweiss. Many thanks to Scholastic for this opportunity!
This book was like an addiction; I initially thought it wasn't strong and then I couldn't think anymore—just read, read, read.
Lily can't write on her lyrics notebook anymore during Chemistry, so she can't resist and ends up writing on her desk. The next class, someone had written her back. Their message exchange becomes so intense she is even afraid she's betraying her best friend, a feeling that doesn't get any better upon the discovery of her pen pal's identity.
Man... this was my third Kasie West, and she's done it again. I find it interesting how each of her novels got me hooked for different reasons. We still get some common elements, the family theme makes a comeback, as well as that of broadening your horizons. I don't even know where to start commenting.
Okay, I'll explain my initial statement: the beginning didn't do it for me. For a long portion of the story I was iffy—where is the magic? I could still see West's way of taking a cliché and making colorful juice off of it but it wasn't appealing enough. I think it's because the first third doesn't feature much of a romance—Lily even thinks her new friend is a girl. We do see her trying to get along with boys and West made sure to insert the book's most comic moments right here. That, however, wasn't enough to make me stick to the read. As much as she tried to differentiate, the plot still felt "the same".
I can't say when the book did it but at some point it cast a spell on me and when I noticed the sun was coming up from my window. I dreamed of the story, too. I simply had. to. read.
Character-wise, I'd say Lily is my favorite protagonist by West (I mean out of all of the three books I've read lol). She does have flaws, and yes she did annoy me with how she just couldn't get over popular boy/her best friend's ex Cade—West could have given her better excuses. Still, I'll miss Lily.
And friendship! I loved this theme. The Fill-In Boyfriend twisted female friendship so much and the main character in On The Fence didn't even have actual female friends before the story started. Here, Lily does have one and has had for a long while. And there is no catch! No betrayal, no faking, they are real and healthy friends like the ones I had during high school. I do know many girls aren't as lucky but when it comes to YA if you have a BFF it means something huge will get in the way and will make you choose between her and a boy. P.S. I Like You does get close but West does it perfectly.
I also want to underline this: I love the dialogues! There, it's done. They aren't too quirky that makes them sound far-fetched for normal conversation but I always laughed. Lily writes songs so you get to read some cute poetry, as a bonus.
Now, what I loved the most were the romantic scenes. All the feels! I even got goose bumps from one —in a good way. Was this author as good at them before? It has been a while since a book last gave me the butterflies in the stomach.
Anyone who likes chaotic family love is also in for a treat, a little like On the Fence but more mixed—they are two little boys and two older girls this time.
And don't fear. I felt in The Fill-In Boyfriend West lost it a little she approached the ending but here she knew to keep it going and keep you stuck until the last page.
So... this isn't the book for you if slow beginnings aren't your thing. Also, I don't think this is a memorable story, either. But you shouldn't let it stop you in case you love those sweet romance scenes. Argh, I need more books like this.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
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