4 out of 5 stars

I highly enjoyed this book. Nina was very bookish and I appreciated that. West was bookish as well but a completely different way. I really appreciated the variety of different book type people. Some of the issues I had with this book which makes it a 4 out of 5 rather than a 5 out of 5 is that some of the characters are very flat. I forgot Nina even had a brother. The people that had true character development are Nina, West and West's mom. I really enjoyed reading from the perspective of someone who lives with someone with a mental illness but doesn't have one themselves although the use of OCD when someone doesn't actually have it can be frustrating to people that have it. Other than that I really enjoyed the mental health rep in this book.

The Quick Cut: Girl growing up next to a guy from school finds herself suddenly dating him. Drama happens as their two very different lives intersect.

A Real Review:

Thank you to Entangled Publishing for providing a copy of the book in exchange for a fair review.

This was a quick and easy read: something you'd hope for in a young adult romance book. However, I'm at the end of it and still find myself feeling very tepid about this coupling without being able to put a finger on the reason why.


It starts out with that typical setup you'd expect of a girl hating Valentine's day and a guy being totally alienated from most of society. These two quickly become one another's date for the school Valentine's dance and soon take a larger role in each other's lives. As if living next to each other wasn't enough exposure already right?

Nina is a bookworm with an obsession for Harry Potter and a yellow lab. She also comes off a little bit good two shoes with the whole "I don't like" thing and "bright colors are a great thing!" bit. Nothing against it, but she comes off more like a characterization rather than like a human being many times. People have flaws and too often she feels like an image.

Our leading male West is definitely intriguing though. He's a reader too, but with a smaller social circle and no one is allowed by his house. This guy has the weight of the world on his shoulders with basically absentee parents around, totally checked out as to what needs to be going on. His goal is getting to graduation and getting out of the house he lives in (and if I were him, I'd feel the same way). I felt more than a little disappointed with the ending because I expected his personal problems to have been addressed or resolved. Instead, they were barely touched. What?!?!

West is everything Nina isn't character wise, which is odd. He's dynamic, flawed, and fully developed. I liked him and grew interested in seeing what happened to him next, far more than Nina. How we got 1 character so great and 1 so dull is a total mind bender to me.


Between character development issues, incompleted plot lines, and a generic romance plot - this book is a barely average stander in the YA romance genre.

My rating: 3 out of 5

Nina and West both have family issues that have impacted the way they handle certain situations. In Nina's case, it has made her not tell lies and have trust issues. For West, he doesn't like dust or dirt and won't bring anything new into his house. Essentially they are both weird in their way so it makes sense that they would hit it off. The way their relationship progressed felt like a true high school relationship and I really enjoyed it.

They both like Harry Potter but I felt the mention of that was just a little too forced at times. While their reactions to West's mom hoarding was dramatic and some might call it insensitive, I thought it was realistic. Most teenagers do not realize that is a mental illness and just because someone is physically well doesn't mean they aren't sick.

I thought Gidget stole the show with her cuteness and shedding fur. The fact that she has a happy food dance was adorable and I can totally picture a golden lab doing exactly what was described. I want a big lap dog now.

The pace of this story was a little slow but I found it to be an enjoyable read without angst. It's a good book for when you are stressed out and need to escape for a bit.

I do love a cute YA romance which is exactly what you get with The Debating Debate! It's sweet, funny and full of teen angst and drama!

Think boy-next-door meets coming-of-age story, with a lot of book humour and flirty arguing.

Nina's a book nerd and proud of it. West is the oh-so-handsome, moody, bad boy who lives next door. They have nothing in common and don't socialise until a misplaced snarky comment leads to a future Valentine's dance plan. Neither is really sure what to think but they both want to win the battle. Nina is determined he should take her because he joked he would.

Nina's sassy and determined. She made me smile. Also I'd love my own Gidget. I did find her a little irritating at times (only sometimes). Sorry! As a self-titled book geek and Potterhead, I liked all the Harry Potter mentions, although I would have liked to see her branch out to other fandoms at times. This is only a small thing though. I liked Nina and wanted her to overcome her insecurities and to help West deal with his.

West is closed off. Seriously, the guy is extremely guarded and secretive. This comes from his unusual home-life and family situation (no spoilers here). Most of the time I wanted to do a Nina/Nina's Mum and give him a big old hug!

I enjoyed their squabbling and banter, but what I liked the most was seeing them encourage and support each other. This story is seriously cute!

3.5 - 4 Stars in my Sky!

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review!

This was just so freaking cute. A absolutely adorable clean romance.

Nina was a quirky smart girl who saw life as a when life hands you lemons make lemonade way. That doesn’t mean she didn’t have sadness in there she did. Her dad was a point of contention for her but she didn’t let it get her down. She was also a self proclaimed unvalentine’s day gal. She is also a book nerd and proud of it.

West is the broody next door neighbor who flusters her. He is a mystery that so many want to unravel.West is the closet book nerd. West and Nina love to get the other’s gander up. for West though he is hiding behind a mask. A mask that is meant to protect his family life and his mom. His is a sad but encouraging tale for he loves his mom and just doesn’t know how to let anyone in without hurting her and being embarrassed.

Him and Nina challenge one another and each has to have the last word around one another.For example the dance-each challenges the other until one wins and isn’t wanting to win but won’t back away from it because it proves a point. Their biggest challenges their feelings and a recycling center. For West the work for the recycling center is extra credit but also close to his heart due to his home situation for Nina it was about saving the library until the new one was built..Both have a passion for the project but for different outcomes and reasons and watching them one up each other on it is a hoot.

So is watching Nina wiggle her way into West’s heart. She makes him forget and feel lighter about things. Gives him new perspective and shows her that not everything is as it seems. He is a good listener for her and to an extent he confides in her as well. Slowly they become an item and it is too cute to watch. They fit together and just help the other gain more perspective. Only West’s homelife does come to light and Nina takes a hard stance. A stance that isn’t a black and white issue and he does something to protect her at the same time. IT’s the mom’s that help each see perspective and reason. When West does he does a swoony thing for Nina to get her back…and continues to swoon to the end…

A really cute adorable story with two characters in Nina and West that you can’t help but love and just become engrossed in their entertaining tale.

The dating debate is the story of bookwork and Harry Potter lover Nina who hates valentine's day and school dances untill she falls for her brooding neighbor West.
Nina is a self proclaimed hippy chick and bookworm who wants a guy with similar interests(reading and Harry Potter) she hates lying and being lied to so when West involves her in a lie shes intent on making sure he follows through.
West appears to be a typical brooding teenage guy who keeps to himself and shuts people out. Until Nina forces her way into his life, shes not like the other girls he knows and at first he isnt sure what to do. But just when everything is going great Nina finds out about his secret.
Will love be enough to keep them together or will the weeks of West lying to her tear them apart.

Nina and West are neighbours and only by a chance statement, which was supposed to be an excuse, they start hanging out more and more. Nina being a proper booknerd wants to date somebody who is fluent in Harry Potter and as it turns out West apart from being extremely well looking has all the qualities Nina looks for in a guy. With time they notice that there's more that they have in common both of their families are in some way broken. But even when life throws problems and disagreements their way they know that together they are way happier than being apart. Warning: a lof of swooning moments and some really humorous exchanges between the main characters. Enjoy the reading!

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆☆
5 Banterific Stars

The Dating Debate is sure to please both young adults and those young at heart. Zany, lighthearted, charming, angsty, and swoon-worthy, I was hooked from page one. There was also surprising depth, with intriguing familial background, instead of how most books in the young adult genre have absentee parents, leaving an opening for unlimited interactions. In this case, the parents were both supportive yet also the obstacle.

Another plus in my book was how supportive the side cast of classmates and friends were, with no scheming to inject themselves into the budding relationship. No Mean Girl drama, all of it was realistic, character-building situations.

Nina and West are neighbors, with West's father as Nina's landlord, which adds a few bumps along the road.

Nina is absent a filter, a truth-telling debater, after the betrayal her family was dealt. While she may be cynical when it comes to romance, she's the best friend anyone could ever find. Caring and compassionate, a natural caregiver. She's also a book nerd after my own heart.

West is a brooding, self-sacrificing swoon-worthy hero, who's only made more appealing by the fact that he's always reading a novel. He puts his father and mother's wishes and needs before his own, and this is both heartbreaking and sweet.

Nina and West spar for the entirety of the book, whether they are agreeing with one another, arguing semantics, or using it as age-appropriate foreplay. This witty exchange was both comical and blush-inducing.

Debates. Hugs. Home-cooked food. Libraries and Recycling Centers. Shedding retrievers. Harry Potter. Chocolate. TMNT blankies. Books and more books. What more does a reader need?

Favorite quotes, because it felt like they were taken directly from my head. [Blog Note: The quotes have been turned into the teasers included in this post. Enjoy!]

Young Adult age-range: 13+ kissing and mental illness in a parent.

4.5 ★ – SWOONTASTIC AND CHARMING

I’ve read and swooned over plenty of Entangled Crush books and I honestly don’t see myself stopping anytime soon. They’re light, a bit silly, but incredibly fun to read. I also really love that they’re feel good books that never fail to put a smile on my face. The Dating Debate by Chris Cannon is no exception and I loved it so much I finished it in less than 24 hours.

At first, I wasn’t sure I would love this book. I read The Boomerang Boyfriend by Chris Cannon a few months ago, and while I did enjoy the story, I wasn’t completely in love with it. BUT… the premise for this book immediately intrigued me and the cover was so adorable that I just couldn’t resist. Well, I’ll have you know that this book had me undeniably hooked from beginning to end. The Dating Debate was so swoony and entertaining that I was smiling throughout the entire time I was reading. Nina and West were so cute and hilarious together. The plot was interesting and so fun! I liked that I never knew which way the story was going to go and that made it more exciting and enjoyable to read.

Nina and West were great characters and I absolutely adored them. Their chemistry was amazing and I enjoyed all their playful bantering. They’re both witty, stubborn, quirky, and so darn lovable. Nina and West had so many debates about everything, which may be annoying to some readers, but I thought it was so amusing. Loved that there was never a dull moment between them. They were imperfectly perfect together and I couldn't help but root for them. While I don’t really have a problem with insta-love romances, I did enjoy how their relationship gradually progressed into something more. Nina and West had plenty of swoony and sweet moments that made me smile over and over again and I could not get enough. Sometimes a slow-burn romance is more effective and works wonderfully.

I also really enjoyed getting to know all the side characters. I thought they were charming and funny. They made the story more interesting and I’m hoping one of them will get their own books. The parents added to the conflict of the story and how Nina and West acted. I don’t want to say too much, but their family situations did break my heart. I felt for the both of them and wanted to hug away their pain and anger. Nevertheless, there were some great friendships and family relationships that were positively heartwarming that made me all warm and fuzzy.

The Dating Debate by Chris Cannon is a pleasant, sweet, and cute story. With plenty of hugs, hilarious conversations, flirty moments, and lovable characters, there’s no debate that this is a fantastic YA Contemporary Romance. If you’re looking for something light, fun, and swoony, then I highly suggest this book.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher Entangled Teen via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book which I received through Netgalley.
This was really a lovely and sweet romance story and I loved it.
It was very well written and I loved Nina and West.

Come visit me at https://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/ and participate in the blog tour with prizes for the book!

Nina hates Valentine's Day, which is made even worse by the fact her brother has set her up for a date to the dance. Nina finagles her way out of the date, just to have her broody, grumpy (attractive) neighbor West claim to be her Valentine's day dance date. Well, Nina is not one to lie or back down, so her plan is to make West follow through and take her to the dance, whether he wants to or not. And what follows is a hysterical, heartfelt battle of wills.

"It's not like we're actually dating."
"It's not like you're not dating," Lisa said.
"Interesting way to look at it. So I'm not not-dating West, which makes me not-not his girlfriend, which sounds like some sort of double speak from a dystopian novel."


Entangled Teen has set a very high (and super cute, fun, romantic, sweet...) bar for their YA contemporary reads, I have loved pretty much every book I have encountered by them this last year and I am so happy to report that this is another fabulous read.
There were so many moments where I was absolutely charmed by the characters or burst out laughing while I was reading this book- seriously, I fell in love with the story right from the first chapter. The pacing was absolutely perfect, I was 100% engaged with the story and rooted for the characters, and I found myself speeding through the story because the writing was so approachable as well as I didn't want to put down the book. But this book was not all fluffy rainbows and unicorns, there was also some hard topics like mental illness that needed to be addressed, it was well done and all heart.


Nina was great, and I found so many of my own personality quirks in her- her inability to give a straight answer and her debating just for the heck of it, the fact she likes to keep people on their toes, the sheer force of her stubbornness, her love of books and all things Harry Potter (the references through the book were the best!) and the fact her fun Friday date includes hanging out at the bookstore- yeah, I am pretty sure I just found my book spirit animal (doppleganger?).


"Isn't there some guy out there with a huge library you'd rather spend your time with?"
"Awww." I patted him on the shoulder.
"Are you insecure about the size of your library? I'm sure it's fine."

West was so prickly and I could not help but love him- he was like a tiny, angry porcupine that was more bark than bite.
I could pretty much feel the loneliness oozing off West, he was so isolated and taking on the weight of the world. He had way too much responsibility and worry for a high school student- Nina's forced hug was just what he needed (whether he agreed or not). The two of them together had such a great dynamic, I just wanted to shake him and force my romantic will on him early on. And any guy who can use HP references correct is a keeper.

This is not my first book by Chris, but as of right now it is my favorite (and side note, I really enjoyed her previous books too). She has the ability to build depth and personality in her character, making them into people I love and root for and I am a total sucker for character driven stories. I highly recommend this for anyone looking for a fast, perfect YA read for a winter afternoon.

Nina has a crush for West since moving to the house next to his, but the boy has always been very closed almost inaccessible. One day, Nina has a chance to get close and force West to go to her boyfriend ball. He sees no alternative at the time but accepts, but has no intention of going and will do everything for her to give up. Nina is determined to go with him only to annoy him and begins to show gradually to the closed and serious West that he can trust her and that she is the ideal partner for the ball.
West is a boy who hides from people because of his parents, he begins to accept Nina's attention but forbids her from getting close to his house and his mother.
Nina goes undermining West's reservations and ends up understanding why he is so strange when it comes to family.
The two agree to disagree with each other all the time because Nina loves a good discussion and debating about everything present to her. This funny way of her ends up leaving West fascinated by the sweet girl of the house next door. The debates between them are the high point of the plot and reminded me a bit of the series "Moonlighting" that launched Bruce Willis, success of the 80's.
The story is very funny, full of romantic moments as well as dramatic but even the drama is presented lightly with a perfect resolution

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Entangled's books have always been perfect, since I first started reading them, and this book was no different. In The Dating Debate, two very different people realise that they may not be as different as they first thought. Neighbour's Nina and West run in very different circles, and the only thing they seem to share is a driveway. Nina's life has more of a hippy feel to it, whereas West doesn't let anyone get close, and has a bad boy persona. When West makes a joke about him and Nina going to the Valentine's Day dance together, she holds him to it, and on the way, they discover the truth about each other, secrets they have never told anyone else.

Both of the main characters in this book were wonderful to read about. Nina was so relatable, and her sense of humour made every page a joy to read. Though she tries not to show her emotions to everyone, the abandonment by her father had affected her greatly, and she didn't want to risk opening up to anyone else. West is so similar, but on the outside so different, that they were perfect for each other. His mother has a severe hoarding problem, and West's only friends are his cousins who know the truth about his fragile home life. He's been told again and again by his father not to let anyone get close, in case it harmed his mother's mental health, and he had took that to heart. However, Nina's perseverance pays off, and he can't help falling for her. They both need someone they can talk to and trust about their issues, and by doing so, they start to find ways to come to terms with their past, and their futures.

I love books like this, and Chris created a fantastic story and plot that kept me hooked from the beginning. I can't wait for more from her in the future!

There is something super fun about Valentine's Day Reads.



Nina and West were super fantastic. I loved that Nina was a bookworm just like me and I loved reading about her falling in love. West. Well, West was fun. I loved that it was a setup and I loved ever more how it played out.

I loved when a story has little push and pull and these two were fantastic. Light hearted with a bit of fire. Nina was relatable and funny and a book nerd for the best of us.

A fun teen romance that you can't help but fall in love with. Don't let the idea of it being a run of the mill teen romance stop you, this novel is its own twist and keeps you entertained with characters you really enjoy!

DNF at 35%

Bookish girl, Harry Potter references, and a neighborly romance--all things I thought I would love about this book. However, everything felt forced. The quips and snarky comments, the conversations between Nina and West, and even the Harry Potter references themselves. At one point West compares Nina to Luna Lovegood, but it just doesn't make sense.

I love that Nina was confident and always wanted to tell the truth regardless of the consequences, but she was also incredibly pushy. She threw her thoughts and opinions around like no one could possibly feel differently. It was like she was too perfect at times. She never argued with her family, always did her chores without complaint, constantly thought of others, and even played matchmaker.

I'm not sure I've noticed this with other books, but the author never actually explains what the characters look like (at least not during the 35% I read). This doesn't necessarily bother me, it's just something I noticed. I know some people enjoy thorough descriptions.

In the end, I didn't feel like there was a natural flow to the story. It seemed to jump around, and at times was even hard to follow the thoughts of one person. It also felt like they tried too hard to be "bookish". If Nina and West are supposed to be crazy book people, I'm sure they could have found other books (not just HP) to talk about.

This is my second time reading a book written by Chris Cannon and I must The Dating Debate is an adorable young teenagers romance which I enjoy reading as both the main character itself is a bookworm! What a bonus point in there.

Let me share with you a bit about this book. Nina, she is a bookworm who loves Harry Potter, love her dog very much and I can say that she enjoys her life the way it is even though, her parents have divorced. Speaking of that, it did affect her in terms of trusting someone.

While West. He lives just beside Nina's house and his family is kind of strange because of his mom's illness which makes them not the type of saying-hello-to-the-neighbor somehow they do communicate with Nina's family sometimes due to Nina's family renting their house.


rather than focusing on a pie-in-the-sky-happily-ever-after ending, i'd focus on living the moment and being happy for now. just. - nina, the dating debate by chris cannon.

Their relationship started when West's ex-girlfriend wants him to be her prom date while Nina's brother wants to set her up with one of his friend in which Nina's turn it down and set up the boy with West's ex-girlfriend and West said that Nina will be her Valentine date and that's the beginning of their on and off relationship.

What I can point it here about this whole book was it is a quirky and a fun light reading that I really love reading them. I love Nina and West's character even though both of them like to debate with each other about many other things but Nina knows how to control the situation though she does sometimes lose the battle while I might have to say that sometimes I do hate West (only, sometimes). Geez, he always did something before talking about it which kinda annoying.

Anyhow, the book is perfect to read if you want something light, something easy to get into the characters and story, I think you should give The Dating Debate by Chris Cannon a try!

The Dating Debate by Chris Cannon is the 1st book in the Dating Dilemmas series. This book is a sweet, fun, and a delightful YA contemporary romance and part of the Entangled Teen Crush series. Nina Barnes and West Smith live next door to each other. Nina to avoid being set up by her brother, and West to avoid taking his ex girlfriend to the Valentine dance give the appearance they are dating. I love this genre, there is something so innocent about first loves. I enjoy the quirky people and the serious situation in this book, along with watching the characters grow. I found this book to be a quick read, and recommend it to all readers who enjoy a sweet romance.

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Sweet young love alert! #MyNewObsession

This is my first book from Chris Cannon and I really hope it’s not the last. The Dating Debate is the first book of The Dating Dilemmas Series, featuring the lovely, sweet, funny and heartwarming story of West and Nina.

Nina is a 17 years old girl who loves books, chocolate, her family—even though she insists her brother is adopted LOL—and her happy furry dog, Gidget. She’s a fierce defender of the truth, which makes her an argumentative girl who tends a little bit to always want to have the last word on everything… A little… Just a little… But this is the one thing that first leads her to West, her neighbor from the house next door—one very handsome and grumpy neighbor—they day he came to her doorstep asking her to move her jeep in their joint driveway.

Nina is a little picky with guys and she had reasons to be that way, but Wes has one big point on his side: He loves to read too and he’s fluent in Harry Potter #MyKindaGuyTOO!!

“I couldn’t date someone who didn’t read, much less someone who didn’t understand the fabulousness that was Harry Potter.”

Once I read this line, I knew I’d love this book and the characters so much!! #PotterheadALERT!!

Anyway… Nina and West start hanging out together, and the sweetest young love starts. But everything isn’t just hearts and Valentine chocolates for them. Both Nina and West have their own family issues and despite Nina is completely honest with him, sharing all her family embarrassing secrets and personal fears, he isn’t ready to share his own, and this causes drama between them, and only one big beautiful gesture from West will show her how much she means to him.

I totally loved this book, the story, the characters, the teenage drama and the innocent love was amazing. Aside from the main story, I totally loved Nina and Lisa’s awesome friendship. #SquadGoals

“Lisa was picking me up in an hour for our Friday night Nerd Girl festivities. We go to the bookstore, ooh and ah over all the books, and then pick out a precious few to buy. Afterward, we drink frothy coffee concoctions in the cafe while we discuss how book boyfriends are so much easier to deal with than guys in real life.”

I completely recommend this book for YA readers, and if you wanna start a new genre, you can totally pick this book and enjoy a good debate with Nina and West.

The Dating Debate is the first book in the Dating Dilemmas series by Chris Cannon. The Dating Debate is a young adult contemporary romance. I have read Chris Cannon’s other young adult series, the Going Down in Flames series, which is a young adult paranormal romance. I really love that series, so I was excited to read something completely different from this author. The Dating Debate was a super quick read that was light, fluffy and a lot of fun. The Dating Debate is perfect for when you are looking for a quick fun book that you can easily finish in one afternoon.

The Dating Debate follows our spunky main character, Nina. Nina is an unapologetic bookworm, which I totally loved about her. She cracked me up when she found out that her next door neighbor, West was “fluent in Harry Potter”, which was so obviously a major plus in all bookworms books. Nina cracks me up. She is spunky and adorable and she really loved debating, over everything. Which, in some of her arguments makes her seem more than a little stubborn and a tad immature, but overall she was a pretty age appropriate character.

West is a great guy. I really liked him, and I loved the added illness he was dealing with, with his mom. It is a topic I haven’t seen addressed in many young adult books, and the secret he was keeping was an interesting one. Honestly, I was pretty intrigued to see how that aspect of the story was going to play out. But the main focus of The Dating Debate is the romance between Nina and West. It starts out as a way for both of them to avoid going to a valentines day dance with people that they don’t like, but it turns into a really nice and natural relationship between the two of them. I loved that Nina and West just started hanging out more. It wasn’t so much about a fake relationship as it was the start of a real friendship. It was really cute.

Bottom line: The Dating Debate is a great reader for younger YA readers. It is a cute romance that has a fast paced plot with adorably quirky characters. There are moments of immaturity, but overall this was a very fun read.

Trigger warning for issues surrounding mental health.

Of course I had to read an actual romance novel during 💔 Achy Breaky Heart Month! 💔. Apologies to Chris Cannon in advance for choosing The Dating Debate. Chris, you may recall that I previously reviewed Boomerang Boyfriend and I’m sorry for any therapy bills you incurred as a result. I remain staunchly anti-romance yet your blurbs keep sucking me in. Excuse me while I continue one of my many debates with Nina and West.

Me: Hold on. Weren’t you just having an anti-Valentine’s Day rant a few pages ago?

Nina: Yeah, but -

Me: Yet now you’re planning to go to the Valentine’s Day dance at your school with the boy next door, who is gorgeous and can speak fluent Harry Potter.

Nina: Uh-huh, but note that I’m not going with the gorgeous boy who doesn’t get Harry Potter at all.

Me: Okay, so I get the book thing but why are all of the guys gorgeous?

Nina: Well, I am one of the main characters in a romance novel.

Me: Hmm... So, West. Are all the girls in this book good looking as well?

West: Well, duh! Nina is cute, obviously. I’ll bet that even spatula makeup girl is a stunner. Romance novel, remember?

Me: Gotcha. So, West, you’re named after a direction. Are you a Kardashian offspring by any chance?

West: I dunno. Let me go ask my mother.

Nina: Whoa! You have a mother?

Me: So, Nina, back to the whole Valentine’s Day dance thing. You don’t like Valentine’s Day or Valentine’s Day dances and you don’t want to go, yet you’re going with the gorgeous next door neighbour just to be stubborn. Is that right?

Nina: That pretty much sums it up. You want some chocolate?

Me: Obviously! Thanks! [grabs the chocolate and starts munching] Why don’t you just stay at home and read a book on Valentine’s Day? That’s what I’ll be doing.

Nina: Sounds great, but unfortunately as a main character in a romance novel it’s in my contract that my decisions don’t have to make sense and if I stay at home I can’t all of a sudden fall in love with the gorgeous boy next door, then find something to cry over before we decide we’re meant to be together forever due to our mutual love of Harry Potter.

Me: Okaaaay… So, West. Any thoughts?

West: I just hope Nina doesn’t find out my secret. Any chance we can change this from a romance novel to another genre so I can keep my personal business private?

Me: Nope, but I’d love that because I’m sick of watching you two kiss and argue.

West: This is going to end in tears. I just know it.

Me: Yeah, me too, but what can you do. Romance novel, after all. Personally I think the two of you need some therapy to sort out your trust, self esteem and shame issues before you seriously consider dating. I hear Lisa’s mother is a good therapist. Hey, what’s the deal with you two juggling issues beyond your years within your respective families, yet you act like 12 year olds when you’re dating?

West: You’re asking me? I’m just doing what Chris Cannon tells me to do! You’re the one with a choice here! Why are you reading this book when you’re so anti-romance?

Me: Sucked in by Harry Potter, just like you. Chris Cannon found and exploited my weakness - again. [sigh] And she just had to go and include an adorable dog too, didn’t she.

West: Tell me about it! I’m still trying to get dog fur out of my clothes.

Nina: So, you coming to the bookstore tonight with Lisa and I?

Me: Of course! Got any more mini bars of chocolate?

So, Chris Cannon, you sucked me in again. If I can enjoy the non-romance parts of your romance novels then I can certainly understand the appeal for readers who actively seek out that genre. I really enjoy the way you write, despite the genre.

If you ever decide to write a YA book that doesn’t major on romance and holds onto the social issues themes but delves deeper into them, I’ll be front row centre of your cheer squad. Regardless, I’m definitely interested in reading your next book (sorry!).

My Nitpicking: Without giving anything away I think there was more to one person’s mental health diagnosis than what was revealed in the book and would have loved for this to have been dealt with further as they were an interesting character. Unfortunately they came across as though the wheel was spinning but the hamster was dead and I think they were actually a lot smarter than they seemed.

My Nitpicking - The Sequel: Some of the characters without much page time came across as fairly two-dimensional. However, with the length of the book and the issues raised in it, there probably wasn’t enough room to add another dimension to these characters. Their contribution wasn’t pivotal to the story anyway.

Favourite Sentence Snippet: “then he kissed me again, a slow, deep kiss that scrambled what was left of my brain.” (53%) Vindicated! Kissing in romance novels does cause brain damage in characters!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Crush, an imprint of Entangled Publishing, LLC for the opportunity to read this book.