By Your Side by Kasie West #BookReview

Title: By Your Side
Author: Kasie West
Published: January 31st 2017 by Harper Teen
Buy: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

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?

Kasie West does a great job of delivering stories that are fun to read with swoon. By Your Side definitely had those super cute swoon-worthy moments but It does deal with some issues, especially mental health. Which I thought was executed well through the main character..

Autumn was one of those characters that I liked for most of the book but there was definitely times where she annoyed me. I was frustrated with the most towards the end of the book when I felt she should have more faith in her friends. I liked how Autumn’s anxiety is dealt with and shown. You really get an understanding of how she feels and how people who don’t know would perceive it.

I really liked Dax. He is supposed to be the “bad guy” but it turns out that he was dropped into bad circumstances. None of his doing. He’s very calm and collected but I think it’s more because he doesn’t want to let anyone in. I wish there was a little more with his behind the scenes life. Only because of something that happens in the end of the book that I felt was a little unresolved.

I had mixed feelings about the Jeff situation. Not because of the love triangle or anything, just that it felt too easy. I’m not sure how to explain that really.

My favorite part of the book was Autumn and Dax being locked in the library. Ya I thought it was a little unrealistic that they couldn’t find a phone. Especially this day and age but I didn’t care. I thought all their interactions from beginning to end where great. They don’t become instant friends but being stuck together they find common ground. They start to feel close because they are seeing sides that nobody else sees. The relationship between Autumn and Dax is really what sold me on the book in it’s entirety. They just had such terrific chemistry.

I really loved Autumn’s group of friends. It was nice to have a book where people are not backstabbing you or turning on you because you have a problem. Dallin’s frustrations with Autumn are completely legit, even if he’s being a jerk before they work it out. I also like Autumn’s family and how close they are.

I would consider the book to pretty adorable. I really liked Autumn and Dax and their chemistry. It makes for a fun read.

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About Jen S

I love books, tea/coffee(by the gallon) and sour candy. I wear my nerd badge with pride and have two children ages 5 and 3 that keep me on my toes.