I had such a great time reading Better Than Revenge! Kasie West consistently delivers sweet YA rom-coms, and look forward to reading more of her books.
Finley has been laser-focused on one major goal throughout high school: earning a spot on her school’s podcast. She’s put in countless hours of hard work, and her boyfriend, Jensen, knows just how much it means to her. So, when he decides to try out at the last minute—and uses one of her ideas—it’s a serious betrayal.

Determined to get even, Finley enlists the help of Jensen’s rival, Theo. The chemistry between Theo and Finley was fantastic, and I absolutely loved their dynamic. Another highlight was the heartfelt side story with Finley’s grandma, where Finley uses her personal podcast to uncover her grandma’s story.

This book kept me smiling from start to finish, and I truly enjoyed every moment of it!

I know what I want when I pick up a Kasie West book and she never disappoints. Teen angst & drama and stories full of heart - exactly what the doctor ordered. I will always be excited to read her new releases.

Thanks to the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my review.

Teenage enemies to lovers romance begins with a boyfriend’s betrayal and a desperate move for revenge. Jensen, the boyfriend, tries out for and wins a coveted spot on the high school podcast. His girlfriend, Findley, has been practicing for this opportunity for a long time. Seeking revenge, she enlists her friends and his archenemy to win a coveted spot on the football team-Jensen’s spot. Romance intrudes on the plan and Findley is the prize..
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I read this one with my niece and we both had a fun time with it. West's books have enough plot to keep me interested, while not being too heavy. They're really great for all ages and I love sharing them with my younger family members. This one follows and aspiring podcaster who is betrayed by her boyfriend when he goes after the podcasting gig she's been vying for. She sets out to exact revenge with the help of Theo. I thought Finley and Theo were really cute together and helped each other gain confidence in themselves. Finley's relationship with her grandma was sweet, and had loved how she taught Finley what a healthy relationship should look like. I love how West always weaves life lessons throughout her books without beating you over the head with them. Just like her other titles, this one is great for middle schoolers on up.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Children's | Delacorte Romance for an early copy of this book. I really enjoyed this book. I read it in one day. Just such a sweet romance book! I just loved the revenge also. I would definitely recommend this book.

'Better Than Revenge' by Kasie West is a sweet high school romance. The main character, Finley who recently broke up with her boyfriend, is out for revenge to get back at him. In the beginning I was not a fan of Finely. However by the end of the story I was rooting for Finley and for her life lesson she learned about herself and the consequence of how revenge can take over your life.

** Thank you NettGalley, Random House Children's, and Kasie West for an eARC copy of 'Better Than Revenge'.

Better Than Revenge is a delightful mix of sports, ambition, and swoon-worthy romance that will leave you cheering for Finley every step of the way. From heartbreak to self-discovery, Finley’s journey is inspiring and full of relatable teenage drama, making it impossible to put this book down.

The revenge plot takes a hilarious twist as Finley takes up football (yes, football!) to one-up her ex, and the dynamic between her and Theo, her unlikely ally, is electric. Their banter, chemistry, and shared vulnerabilities add layers to the story, making it as heartfelt as it is entertaining.

Perfect for fans of empowering YA romances with a side of girl power, Better Than Revenge is a touchdown in every way. A must-read for anyone who loves strong heroines, a dash of rivalry, and plenty of feel-good moments.

Finley is young and ambitious, and she is wanting to be a podcaster, and there is this amazing opportunity at school that will help open those doors, but her boyfriend decides to audition as well, and he gets the job. So not only is this embarrassing, because everyone in school knows about it, but she gets a more back-end type of position, so she is hatching a revenge plot, but first she breaks up with him, YASSSSSSSSS GURRRRLLL!!! Anyway, she decides to team up with his nemesis Theo, and of course I knew this was going to end in an amazing romance. Not only does he help her take her ex down, but he also helps in other ways, she has a little podcast of her own where her Grandma is talking about her life, and this brings a ton of interest, and a mini scavenger hunt to some of the things Grandma mentioned. Overall, this book was so sweet, and the characters were so much fun to read, and at times I had to remind myself that these are highschoolers lol.

This was such a cute book! I’ve read 8 books by Kasie West this year and I have to say, this one was probably my favorite!

Better Than Revenge follows Finley Lucas, a high school junior with aspirations of being a podcast host. When her audition for the school’s podcast does not go according to plan, she’s given one of the researcher spots instead. Her boyfriend, Jensen, however, is named a co-host after auditioning with Finley’s idea (and ending their relationship). Hurt and betrayed, Finley hatches a plan with Theo, Jensen’s football team nemesis, to get back at Jensen the only way she knows how: by stealing his spot as the kicker for the football team. As Theo and Finley work together, Finley discovers that there is more to Theo than what meets the eye and that revenge isn’t always a dish best served cold.

If it wasn’t already obvious, I am a huge Kasie West fan (and was even able to meet her earlier this year)! Her stories are always so much fun and relatable to all audiences, despite being young adult. What I especially enjoy about her books are the relationships she develops between the characters - and not just the romantic kind! I LOVED Finley’s relationship with her grandma. As someone whose own grandmother passed away from Alzheimer’s, I really enjoyed how the two interacted and how they continued to strengthen their relationship despite her grandmother losing her memory. And the friendships? They were so good! Finley had such a supportive friend group (and family for that matter) and it was so refreshing to read.

If you haven’t already, preorder or request from your library! This is a fun book that you don’t want to miss.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Children’s Books/Delacorte Romance for the ARC!

Unfortunately, young adult contemporary romance is not for me anymore. I had to put the book down and decided to DNF at around 30%. It wasn't badly written, it just isn't for me.

I'm a huge fan of Kasie West, so I was thrilled to get an ARC of this book.
It was a fast read, mainly because unfortunately the characters weren't as developed as the characters of West's usual books are. (What I like most about West's stories is that they are somehow both light and deep, a difficult task she makes seem easy.)
I liked the characters, the plot was quick.
What made the book special was Finley's podcast featuring her grandmother's story. This subplot was not expected but was wonderful, definitely my favorite part of the books.

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of the book!

Better Than Revenge tells the story of Finley and Theo...who both want revenge against the boy who wronged them.

I thought this book was really cute. I enjoyed the interactions between Finley and Theo and liked watching each of them grow. However, the book seemed a little juvenile (yes, I know it's YA but still). All of Finley's ideas for the school podcast were LAME (wow, never would have thought of interviewing students...so innovative! *eye roll*). I also didn't understand why Jensen tried out for the podcast at all...it would have been nice to have more insight into his motivations. The supporting characters (Finley's friends) were also pretty weak. But overall, I'd recommend this book for a sweet and fun read.

I was given this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I really enjoyed this book. I read it in one sitting and I could not put it down. This is my first Kasie book and it won’t be my last.

I enjoyed the friendships between the characters and obviously the revenge. This was such a sweet book I will be recommending this to everyone

Better Than Revenge by Kasie West centers on high-school junior Finley, who wants to be a podcaster. She's dreamed of hosting her school's senior podcast for years, but when her boyfriend, football-kicker Jensen, tries out on a whim (with her idea) and gets the part, she wants revenge. Finley teams up with Jensen's rival, Theo, to enact her plan.

This book was adorable and had a great secondary arc as well. Finley has her own podcast where her grandmother shares the story of her life, and it adds depth to the novel and creates a compelling plot. Finley's decisions and judgement definitely drove me crazy sometimes, but in a way that felt realistic for a seventeen-year-old with a broken heart. Her friends could have had a bit more dimension, but overall the book was endearing and comforting. 4/5 Stars.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this arc!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was an adorable YA rom-com. I really enjoyed the look into podcasting, which was something I'd never really thought about. While the romance was cute, what I really liked was the story line with Finley's grandma. I felt like the author did a good job of weaving those together. I wanted a little more distinct personality between her guy friends, and a bit more depth into Jensen's motivations. Overall, this was a nice read with a good heart.

I loved Better Than Revenge. It was something I could relate to because well who doesn’t want to get revenge over an ex for something stupid they did. Kasie writes so well and I always see what is going on when reading. Her writing is clear and thats is my favourite.

I loved the relationship between Finley and her grandma and while I won’t spoil anything it makes me miss my grandparents a lot. I was a big fan of The way Finley handled herself with her ex and wish I could have done the same. She is such a strong Woman and everyone should take notes!

I give this 5/5 🌸

"Better Than Revenge" by Kasie West is a fast-paced, entertaining novel that explores themes of jealousy, revenge, and personal growth, all within the framework of a high school setting. The protagonist, Tori, is a relatable character whose emotions and reactions feel authentic as she grapples with the complexities of friendships, relationships, and the desire to get back at those who wronged her. West’s writing is sharp and witty, capturing the nuances of teenage life with humor and relatability. The book offers an engaging look at the consequences of holding onto grudges and the emotional maturity required to move forward.

However, while the novel succeeds in capturing the emotional intensity of teenage angst, its plot can feel a bit one-dimensional at times. The premise, focusing on Tori’s desire for revenge, is intriguing but often lacks depth. Some readers may find the characters’ motivations, especially Tori’s, to be somewhat shallow or reactive rather than proactive, which detracts from the overall complexity of the story. Additionally, the pacing can feel rushed at certain points, with resolutions to conflicts arriving too quickly, leaving little room for the characters to truly evolve or reflect on their actions.

Despite these drawbacks, "Better Than Revenge" remains an enjoyable and relatable read, particularly for fans of lighthearted yet meaningful young adult fiction. Kasie West’s ability to blend humor with lessons about personal growth and forgiveness makes the novel a worthwhile pick for readers who appreciate a quick, engaging story with a hint of emotional depth. While it may not push the boundaries of the genre, it provides a satisfying exploration of the challenges and triumphs of navigating the complexities of high school relationships.

I always love a good Kasie West rom-com to get me out of a reading slump - sweet and light!

📖 The Details:
Better Than Revenge by Kasie West
YA | Podcasting | Enemies to Lovers + Lovers to Enemies

⏱️ Quick Summary:
Finley has her sights set on hosting her high school podcast, but then her footballer boyfriend steals her idea and that dream. So she pairs up with his teammate/nemesis to steal his spot on the football team.

💁‍♀️ My Take:
This was a fun read. Finley was a strong and relatably flawed FMC, Theo was a swoony and surprisingly mature MMC, and Jensen was a pretty typical high school (ex) boyfriend. Predictable and a bit cliche, but we love a good formula that works. Got a little banter, some sweet backstory with family, and a few grand gestures. 3.5 stars!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children’s publishing for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

I adored this cute story between Finley, whose dream is to be a famous podcaster, and Theo, a recovering athlete who is struggling to get back on his feet. When Finley’s dreams are crushed by her boyfriend who decides on a whim to bide for the same podcast hosting gig she has been practicing for months for Finley decides the only way to retaliate is with a little revenge. Her next goal? Taking his starting kicker spot on the football team. The only issue is she needs a little training from none other than Theo who has a few secrets of his own.

I thought this book was very cute and I loved the story line and how the characters stories evolved throughout the story. I loved Finley’s story and her goals, as well as Theo and wished to listen to her podcast myself!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for thisbrelaxing read

If you're looking for a relaxing and enjoyable read, this is for you. I loved it!

Great for a weekend, vacation or snowed in read. I read it over the weekend and loved it

A great cast of characters. Awesome dialog and story line.

Recommend.