By Your Side

Received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Cover image and synopsis from 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?

I have so many of Kasie West’s books, yet somehow I’ve never read any of them before By Your Side. I loved the premise – what bookworm hasn’t thought about being trapped in a library at some point?? I can think of worse places to be.

And yet I came away with just lukewarm feelings for this book. I guess, based on the synopsis, I was expecting that the majority of the story would take place in the library, which wasn’t the case. I liked the main characters, Autumn and Dax, and was definitely rooting for them to end up together, but I really didn’t like Autumn’s friends. I guess I just never felt pulled in to the story and truthfully was a little bored at times.

Still, it was a quick, pleasant enough read, although not one that will stick with me. And I’m still going to check out the other Kasie West books on my shelves – there were enough cute moments in By Your Side to have me interested in reading more of her writing.