The Fill-In Boyfriend

Author: Kasie West
Series: Stand Alone
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Release Date: May 5, 2015

Summary: 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 new-found relationship.  

Review: If you've read my other review involving Kasie's work, (On The Fence) you know just how much I adore her writing style! I first saw this novel back in February and was completely overjoyed with the premise and cover! I loved everything about it! Then . . .  I saw that it wasn't going to be released until May . . . needless to say, I was then completely devastated!!! I could not believe I was going to have to wait 3-4 months?! WHAT IS THIS?!!

Anyway, when The Fill-In Boyfriend arrived in the mail last Tuesday, I was totally freaking out over it! From page one, I was completely and utterly devoted to this book. I didn't put it down until I read the last page. Yes, it was that good!

Gia's relationship with her friends kind of had that Mean Girls feel to it. Like they're friends and everything, but the first chance they get (well, really the first chance Jules gets) they'll backstab you. Anyway, Gia and Bradley have been dating for the past two months, but since he is in college and Gia is only a senior in high school they don't get to see each other that often. Needless to say that Gia's friends (with some major help from Jules) think he is imaginary.

Within the first few chapters, we learn all of what was previously mentioned and to be the cherry on top, Bradley dumps Gia in the parking lot. Gia improvises and asks the first guy she sees to be her date for prom and miraculously, he agrees!!

I adored the relationship between Fill-In Bradley/FIB and Gia. And the fact that she doesn't find out his name until like 1/3rd of the way through the book was perfect! Since I love his name and want to keep it a secret, I'll keep calling him FIB.

FIB was . . . sigh . . . just wonderful. I loved the relationship between him and his mom and sister. It was sweet, but still realistic. The constant witty banter between him and Gia was so fun to read and is also what kept my eyes glued to the page for hours straight.

One of the last things that totally made this book a home run was the attention it brought to social media. Although I felt bad for what Gia's brother did to her, it was really great that West decided to include and expound upon the fact that you shouldn't be basing your status in life on how many 'likes', 'favorites', or 'retweets' you're getting. I appreciated that aspect a lot and enjoyed that it made Gia question her social activity.

Such a splendid read! Perfect for those planning on relaxing poolside on the hot summer days to come! If you have read any of West's other novels and enjoyed them, this one is such to please!

On The Fence

Author: Kasie West
Series: Stand Alone
Genre: Contemporary, Romance,
Release Date: July 1, 2014

Summary: For sixteen-year-old Charlotte Reynolds, aka Charlie, being raised by a single dad and three older brothers has its perks. She can outrun, outscore, and outwit every boy she knows—including her longtime neighbor and honorary fourth brother, Braden. But when it comes to being a girl, Charlie doesn't know the first thing about anything. So when she starts working at chichi boutique to pay off a speeding ticket, she finds herself in a strange new world of makeup, lacy skirts, and BeDazzlers. Even stranger, she's spending time with a boy who has never seen her tear it up in a pickup game. To cope with the stress of faking her way through this new reality, Charlie seeks late-night refuge in her backyard, talking out her problems with Braden by the fence that separates them. But their Fence Chats can't solve Charlie's biggest problem: she's falling for Braden. Hard. She knows what it means to go for the win, but if spilling her secret means losing him for good, the stakes just got too high.

Review: **WARNING: Do not read this book unless you are willing to read it all in one sitting. Believe me, you'll want to!**

My initial reaction after reading the last sentence . . . I'VE FOUND A NEW LOVE!! In other words, this book was absolutely amazing! There are so many things that I just adored about this book! The first of many was the story idea in general. It's a little bit of She's the Man with a touch of Clueless. I mean, come on! If that doesn't make you want to read it, I really don't know what will! Charlie was basically everything I wanted in a main character. She was smart, sensible, relate-able, and realistic. Braden was also everything I ever wanted in a love interest! He was gorgeous *sigh*, friendly, and actually cared about Charlie and was willing to put her, and her happiness, before himself!

The story progressed at a great pace. I was never bored, but also was never left wondering what in the world had just happened. West did a great job developing her characters and tying up all of the loose ends throughout the novel. She also did a great job of tugging on my heart-strings and tear ducts in some parts, as well as having me laughing my butt off a few pages later with some great one liners including: The quote isn't exact, but fairly close. 'The librarian ball thingy! A bun!' This is a read that I'd recommend to those who are looking for a short (only 296 pages), adorable read. I can almost guarantee that the likelihood of you enjoying this novel is extremely high.