The Fill-In Boyfriend - Kasie West

The Fill-In Boyfriend

by Kasie West

Series: Standalone

Publication: HarperCollins, HarperTeen on May 5, 2015

Format: Paperback, 352 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Friendship

Jacket copy:

When Gia Montgomery's boyfriend, Bradley, dumps her in the parking lot of her high school prom, she has to think fast.  After all, she'd been telling her friends about him for months now.  This was supposed to be the night she proved he existed.  So when she sees a cute guy waiting to pick up his sister, she enlists his help.  The task is simple: be her fill-in boyfriend - two hours, zero commitment, a few white lies.  After that, she can win back the real Bradley.

The problem is that days after prom, it's not the real Bradley she's thinking about but the stand-in.  The one whose name she doesn't even know.  But tracking him down doesn't mean they're done faking a relationship.  Gia owes him a favor, and his sister intends to see that he collects: his ex-girlfriend's graduation party - three hours, zero commitment, a few white lies.

Just when Gia begins to wonder if she could turn her fake boyfriend into a real one, Bradley comes waltzing back into her life, exposing her lie, and threatening to destroy her friendships and her newfound relationship.

Okay.

It's official.

Kasie West is crazy.

A crazy amazing author.

Everyone, she's done it once again.  Kasie West has written yet another practically flawless, unputdownable YA contemporary romance that you need ASAP on your own bookshelf.

For weeks I've been eagerly awaiting this day, May 5, simply for the fact that Kasie's newest contemporary, The Fill-In Boyfriend, would be released in stores.  Oh my, let me tell you: this book was worth the wait.  After school, I hurried off to Barnes & Noble just to receive my own copy.

And after reading The Fill-In Boyfriend from cover to cover, it's been confirmed: fans of Kasie West will not be disappointed.  (Does she ever disappoint, though?)

From page one, the reader is whisked off into Gia's realm at the start of everything - the start of a whole lot of problems and the start of new beginnings, too.  We find our beloved main character in her prom dress, in the prom parking lot, breaking up with her then-boyfriend, Bradley.  Yup, not too pretty.  The problem is, Gia needs to show up with Bradley to prove, once and for all, she wasn't lying all these many months leading up to the event.  Not to worry, quick-on-her-feet-Gia sees the solution to her woes and enlists the help of Fill-In Bradley all while in the parking lot, still in her prom dress and heels.

Thus, my friends, is how it all begins.  Thus, my friends, is the moment we are introduced to Fill-In Bradley, and as Gia only later learns, his real name, Hayden.

I absolutely love how Kasie West can so expertly build up a budding romance between two characters over the course of just one 300-or-so page story.  And the best part?  Nothing feels rushed.  Kasie West always, always takes her time, ever-so-careful with dialogue, situations, actions, and feelings between her characters.  Everything feels so genuine and so real.  I love it.  I loved it so much, in fact, I just had to write this review immediately after closing the cover.

And perhaps from reading the jacket copy, prospective readers will be turned-off by the "fluffy," somewhat cheesy sounding summary.  If you're, shall I say, on the fence (only some people will get this), make the choice to give The Fill-In Boyfriend a try.  Heck, not only this read, but Kasie's other written works as well.  The cover and the summary may suggest a simple, shallow story, but Kasie West always delves further, always delivering what we, as the reader, so very much crave.  

If you want a cute contemporary, read this book.  If you want a funny contemporary, read this book.  If you want a heartwarming contemporary, read this book.  Point being?  This book has bits of everything and caters to all.  Basically, read this book.

Everyone says this, but seriously?  I laughed.  I smiled like an idiot.  I felt that unmistakable aching in my chest as I felt for Gia.  I couldn't seem to stop turning the pages.  I wanted more.

I have no regrets whatsoever rushing off to the bookstore after school today.  The much awaited newest contemporary from Kasie West, The Fill-In Boyfriend, delivers.  

But then again, I'm sure that much is obvious from my rave review.

Since You've Been Gone - Morgan Matson

Since You've Been Gone

by Morgan Matson

Series: Standalone

Publication: Simon & Schuster on May 6, 2014

Format: Hardcover, 489 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Friendship, Romance, Realistic Fiction

Jacket copy:

It was Sloane who yanked Emily out of her shell and made life 100% interesting.  But right before what should have been the most epic summer, Sloane just . . . disappears.  All she leaves behind is a to-do list.

On it, thirteen Sloane inspired tasks that Emily would normally never try.  But what if they could bring her best friend back?

Apple picking at night?  Okay, easy enough.

Dance until dawn?  Sure.  Why not?

Kiss a stranger?  Um . . .

Emily now has this unexpected summer, and the help of Frank Porter (totally unexpected), to check things off Sloane's list.  Who knows what she'll find?

Go skipping-dipping?  Wait . . . what?

I think it's safe to say I'm pretty much a diehard Morgan Matson fan.  After reading Amy & Roger's Epic Detour and Second Chance Summer, (and loving both), I was on the lookout for her newly published book in 2014, Since You've Been Gone.  And only now, after a year of scrounging around, did I finally get the chance to read it!

Everyone wants a friend like Sloane.  She's spontaneous and fun, stylish, and full of energy.  She's always in center of the spotlight, but Emily doesn't mind - Emily likes it that way.  Over the years Emily's become known to others as something along the lines of "Sloane's shadow."  So when Sloane suddenly disappears from town, it's understandable that Emily feels rather . . . miserable.  Confused.  Lost.  All Sloane left behind for Emily was a list of thirteen things to accomplish over the summer. 

I thought that Sloane's list for Emily was so cute.  Sure, other books have done the whole "bucket list thing," but just by glancing over this one, you know Emily's in for an unforgettable summer.  You soon find out that each item on the list has special meaning for Emily, its recipient.  Each task helps to tackle Emily's fears one-by-one.  For example, number six on the list: Ride a dern horse, ya cowpoke.  For some peculiar reason, Emily is deathly afraid of horses.  This seemingly simple mission takes Emily three visits to the stables until it can finally be officially checked off and accomplished.  Sloane's list shapes Emily's summer as Emily finds herself continually stepping out of her comfort zone and meeting new people.

Though Sloane isn't actually present during the majority of the story, the reader is still able to get to know her.  With flashbacks interlaced throughout, you truly get a feeling for the two girls' friendship starting from the very first day they met.  Friendship is the core of Since You've Been Gone, and I'm sure every reader will love Emily and Sloane's.

And of course, there's that super cute romance that's a must in every Morgan Matson read.  Frank Porter, guys.  You'll love him.

Since You've Been Gone was a fun story about friendship, and though I didn't quite love it as much as Second Chance Summer, it is yet another Morgan Matson book worth reading.