(Review) By Your Side

By Your Side by Kasie West
Publication Date: January 31, 2017
Pages: 352 (kindle)
Genre: Young Adult 
My Goodreads Rating: 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:
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 Review: 
I fell in love with Kasie's words the first time when I read The Distance Between Us. I fell hard for Caymen and Xander, then swooned my way through all of her other books. I was thrilled to receive a digital ARC from Edelweiss and Harper Teen (I had a little fangirl moment) and couldn't wait to dive into this one. Which I did on Election Day.

So, here we go.

Autumn gets locked in a library over the long weekend and, as it turns out, she isn't alone. Dax is there and, well, Dax is different than Autumn. Autumn knows about Dax the same way that everyone else knows about Dax. He's got a reputation that precedes him and Autumn isn't sure Dax even knows her name.

Only, he does.  Dax definitely knows who Autumn is, but he also has this preconceived notion about her that she's determined to shake.

I loved reading about their bonding in the library. It was silly and fun and so, so sweet. There seems to be something about Autumn that makes Dax want to open up about his life even though he insists on "no attachments".

After their days in the library things between the two of them change, albeit slowly. What happened with Autumn's friends while she was locked up was upsetting and absolutely added drama to the story. (See also: angst.) The situation with Jeff and her friends only added to Autumn's character development, however.

The way that Dax and Autumn are pulled to each other gave me all the swoons. Dax is an outsider and Autumn has things that she feels she can't share with her friends, but she shares with Dax. The way their relationship unfolds is so innocent and sweet and perfectly Kasie. I loved reading about these two opening up to each other and falling in love despite all of their obstacles.

Definitely one of my favorites from Kasie. It'll be one of yours. Check it out in January.

Thanks to Edelweiss and Harper Teen for the ARC.

It was amazing! 



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