5/5 stars

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Avery can't wait to escape the drama that has recently taken over her life. Unfortunately, the family vacation involves a camp in the middle of the mountains with no internet or cell service. A cute staff member catches her eye, but the employees aren't supposed to hang out with guests--let alone date them. Meanwhile, Avery's little sister won't leave her alone, making it hard to spend any quality time away from her family. Avery comes to realize that she has no idea who she is or what she wants to do with her life, so she decides to spend the summer attempting to find out. The family vacation doesn't go the way they expected at all, but maybe that's a good thing.

A Kasie West book? Count me in! I really enjoyed this book, though it did make me long for a vacation during this pandemic. Avery's realization that she has no idea who she is or what she wants to do was very relatable. I loved the concept of her trying to figure it out by leaving her comfort zone. All the camp activities sounded like fun, despite the lack of internet (I've actually been to a camp without internet before anyway!) Brooks is a great character and I enjoyed his interactions with Avery. I've seen other people say this book has Dirty Dancing vibes, but I'm ashamed to admit that I've never seen it! This book was cute and enjoyable, like every Kasie West book that I've read! Her books never fail to make me happy, and this one was no exception!

I'd highly recommend this book to Kasie West fans, people looking to take their mind off the pandemic, or anyone looking for a cute YA romance!

Avery Young and her family always take some kind of trip in the summer. However, as this is the last summer before Avery starts applying to college, they decide to spend the whole summer at Bear Meadow Camp, where they are surrounded by nature, but no Wi-Fi or TV. Avery's sister, Lauren, is a YouTuber who absolutely hates this predicament, but Avery is willing to see the good in it. Until another camper spills hot coffee on her and the front-desk worker, Desiree, has already started to hate her.
But it turns out that the coffee incident has a silver lining: it introduces her to Brooks, an employee her age who is the guitarist in the camp's band. He's cute, understanding and he shares Avery's interest in music. The only problem is, camp staff aren't allowed to date at all, especially not guests.
Avery and Lauren start spending most of their time with the camp staff and at band rehearsals, while Lauren films a documentary and Avery helps Brooks write new lyrics. Eventually, a diving accident causes the singer to be sent home, and Avery steps up to fill in, despite her fear of performing for audiences. The band tries out for a local music festival with Avery as the singer, and they make it in. However, her parents don't know anything about it, and she doesn't know how long she can keep it a secret.

I'lll start by saying that I related SO much to Avery. I don't have a specific "passion" for anything, just a few interests that I don't see as much more than that. I also have a younger sister who seems to have everything figured out. However, unlike Avery, I love being onstage. (Damn, remember when we could do that?)
I still don't like books that involve lying as a major plot point, especially when the lie is revealed and the characters are met with an unnecessary punishment. Avery and Lauren really weren't doing anything wrong otherwise, so I didn't see why this part of the book was necessary. But I was willing to overlook it. There was also the cliché argument between the main couple- you know the one, with overdramatic dialogue, yelling and the phrase "stormed out" used. It was resolved about five pages later, so it really wasn't necessary and it felt like it was just thrown in to fit the formula of a typical romance story. Again, I didn't mind it too much, because the book was too good otherwise. I know I grew up on music-based romance stories on Disney Channel, but how often do we see it in a YA book? I think I can count on one hand.
One note: Would a big resort-type camp like that really not have Wi-Fi? I went to a similar location two years in a row for school trips, and we weren't allowed to bring our own devices, but the teachers still had their phones in case of emergency. I found it kind of hard to believe that a place like this would only have an old payphone. Bad service maybe, but not intentionally none. Maybe if it was a kids' sleep away camp or if it was focused on wilderness skills, but it wasn't either. But then again, I could be wrong.

I'm only rating this book 3 stars JUST because I couldn't get it to download. Thankful to NetGalley for providing me a copy and I hope to get to read it soon.

Wow! Any Katie West novel guarantees you full package of 3S: softness, sweetness,swooning!

If you need something to brighten your mood after surviving at new not so normal pandemic craziness and spend your time with something motivating, inspirational, lighthearted to warm your heart , help to forget your daily stress, your worries, troubles, getting urgent appointment to be vaccinated, you find the best book which will check your boxes to give you a genuine smile!

This reminded me of innocent version of Dirty Dancing ! A family trip at the camp, young heroine’s crush to the staff member who is off limits and an annoying sister who is always in her face! Yes, did you catch the resemblances? I was expecting Brooks tell Avery’ s parents nobody puts her in a corner at the last chapter of the book!

Our sweet couple’s passion was music, instead of showing their mambo moves!
Both of the characters are sweeter than upside down pineapple cake ( which I’m devouring now after my 7 days torturous cleansing diet killed me slowly) , more relatable than your entire siblings ( or irritating aunt, wanker uncle, asocial cousin, pick any or your weird family members! )

As like the author’s previous works , this is easy to read, easy to connect with characters, easy to get lost in their story! Avery’s struggles, her personal growth was motivational and her blooming romance with Brooks makes your heart pound faster, widen your smile, brush your soul!

Overall: I got what I expected! I finished so fast ( it took only three hours of mine!) I feel lighter, relaxed, joyful! That’s the cure Kasie West books provide us! Giving my four musical notes, self discovery, growing pains, sweet liberty, camping fire stars!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children’s/ Delacorte Press for providing me this digital reviewer copy in exchange my honest thoughts.

As much as I would love to read this book, I am unable to read it because of the formatting. I downloaded the book then opened it on my Adobe Digital Editions App, where I can usually read files like this. However, the font is so small I can't see it and has been locked at that size (I can't zoom or increase the size).

However, I'm sure I will greatly enjoy it once it comes out and I am excited Kasie West has a new book coming out in 2021. I find all of her books to be enjoyable fast reads that always leave me in a great mood, and I highly recommend everyone read her books for an instant pick-me-up.

Kasie West books never fail to make me happy and this one is no different. As I am mired in this never ending pandemic I dream about normal days do escaping into this delightful summer camp book was sheer perfection.

I can't open this file but I love Kasie West and I'm sure this will be amazing! I always enjoy her books and look forward to the next one!

I received this free eARC novel from NetGalley. This is my honest review.

Kasie West is the only author I can think of whose books (all of them) make me completely happy. They just have this warm feeling for me and make me feel good, so when I saw this eARC, I instantly downloaded it and devoured it.

I love the idea of a camp that has no connection to the internet world. Today, people are always stuck in their phones, tablets or computers and never really LOOK at people anymore. So this camp that Avery and her family went to is has a FANTASTIC concept, in my opinion!

I'm also so proud and happy for Avery. She's been bogged down by everything and kinda just existing without really having passion for something. Not only did she find that passion, but she also overcame a huge fear of hers. She grew so much during this novel and I couldn't be more happier for her!

As always, Katie West made my day with this book and I'm already anxiously awaiting for her next masterpiece!