If you've ever wondered what might happen if you were trapped in a public library with a mysterious brooding boy who may or may not have a checkered past... Well, this book may answer that question. By Your Side is written by Kasie West, one of my favorite romance authors. Her books are filled to the brim with cliches, but the fun kind, not used in an annoying way.
By Your Side follows Autumn Collins who, as previously mentioned, gets trapped in the library for a weekend with the school's mysterious bad boy, Dax Miller. On the outside, it would seem that Autumn is your typical popular girl. She has a ton of friends, and the perfect boyfriend-ish figure. On the outside, Dax is your typical delinquent character. He's been to juvie, and keeps to himself. Frequently skipping classes and scaring everyone else enough to stay away from him.
Of course, everyone is a whole lot deeper than how they appear on the outside. That made these characters more interesting to follow, especially since their problems seemed to compliment each other (what good couple's don't?)
All in all, By Your Side is a very quick read, and a good romance. I couldn't help but be attached to the other guy-- Jeff, as well. The characters are fairly interesting, but for the most part this book didn't quite do it for me. It didn't have me squealing in excitement or adoration over the heartstopping romance like some of Kasie West's other stories. Still, it was a good read, just not my favorite. I would give By Your Side 6.5/10 stars. It was good, just nowhere near great. I wasn't exactly attached to the characters in any way, or their relationships. But I still did find myself tearing my eyes away from the book in the awkward moments, which means I could feel some of the emotions of the book.
While the main characters are fairly well rounded, most of the other characters are VERY flat. I guess there wasn't enough time to characterize any of them. Some of the parts of the book just seemed unnecessary, like they're just there to add length. That is, the book still was very quick. I would definitely recommend some of West's other books more than this one (P.S. I Like You, On the Fence, The Fill-In Boyfriend etc.), it still was a good read.
Synopsis:
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?
By Your Side follows Autumn Collins who, as previously mentioned, gets trapped in the library for a weekend with the school's mysterious bad boy, Dax Miller. On the outside, it would seem that Autumn is your typical popular girl. She has a ton of friends, and the perfect boyfriend-ish figure. On the outside, Dax is your typical delinquent character. He's been to juvie, and keeps to himself. Frequently skipping classes and scaring everyone else enough to stay away from him.
Of course, everyone is a whole lot deeper than how they appear on the outside. That made these characters more interesting to follow, especially since their problems seemed to compliment each other (what good couple's don't?)
All in all, By Your Side is a very quick read, and a good romance. I couldn't help but be attached to the other guy-- Jeff, as well. The characters are fairly interesting, but for the most part this book didn't quite do it for me. It didn't have me squealing in excitement or adoration over the heartstopping romance like some of Kasie West's other stories. Still, it was a good read, just not my favorite. I would give By Your Side 6.5/10 stars. It was good, just nowhere near great. I wasn't exactly attached to the characters in any way, or their relationships. But I still did find myself tearing my eyes away from the book in the awkward moments, which means I could feel some of the emotions of the book.
While the main characters are fairly well rounded, most of the other characters are VERY flat. I guess there wasn't enough time to characterize any of them. Some of the parts of the book just seemed unnecessary, like they're just there to add length. That is, the book still was very quick. I would definitely recommend some of West's other books more than this one (P.S. I Like You, On the Fence, The Fill-In Boyfriend etc.), it still was a good read.
Synopsis:
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?
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