I read 𝘚𝘶𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 a few years ago and remember really enjoying it, so when I saw 𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘦 on NetGalley to request, I did just that. Immediately. Thank you so much to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for my e-arc. ⁣
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I thought this book was so fun. I love how it wasn’t just about a path to revenge but also a love story. It’s a story about drive. ⁣
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At this point, I will read anything that Kasie West writes. I have really enjoyed both the books I have read by her so far.⁣
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Guess what? The pub date got pushed up and now, 𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘦 is coming out December 31st.

Let me introduce you to a book that has all the right ingredients for a perfect YA novel. It just has it all! You have a strong female lead, planning for her future while dealing with the day to day drama of high school and boys. You have a solid friend group, loyal besties that have our lead’s back. You have stereotypes and high school hijinks; jocks and pranks and parties. And best of all you have a friends/enemies to lovers romance that is truly swoon worthy. It honestly was such a fun, sweet enjoyable ride with no spice and made for the perfect Young Adult novel.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I'm always so excited to read Kasie West's newest young adult novels, and Better Than Revenge was even better than I hoped!
The banter between Finley and Theo was fantastic, and their budding feelings about each other developed at just the right pace. The short chapters kept me reading well past time to get to other responsibilities. Everything about this story just felt right. My romance readers will love this one! I can't wait to share it with them!

Better Than Revenge was a cute YA high school romance. The concept of the plot felt unique and refreshing. The main character Finely wants to be a podcaster and then pivots to try to steal her ex-boyfriend’s spot as the kicker on the football team as revenge when he gets her podcasting spot. I also loved the side story where she interviews her grandmother with Alzheimer's throughout the book. Overall, it’s the perfect, fluffy, quick read if you want a clean romance. Gave 4 stars instead of 5 because some of the side character development felt like it was missing, but not enough to take away from the story too much.

I thought this was the cutest book and I even loved West's little Taylor Swift love note. Finley was a good main character and I liked her self-doubt because I think it's very relatable to girls. I didn't . . . like the message. I mean, I liked that Finley learned you can't feel better by taking something from someone that you don't even want in the first place. I get that. But I mean, why not? Isn't that what auditions and tryouts are? I don't know. I don't like books for girls that send the message that even when someone does you dirty, the girl ALWAYS needs to be the bigger person. Humanity is bad. It's just played out.
I did like the love story and, even as a grown woman, I was smitten with Theo. He was so genuine and really kind. But you know . . . he was forgiven for being human. He got to make a mistake. Yes, he had consequences, but we weren't subjected to pages and pages of shame. It was kind of a bummer.
The only other thing I will say is that the pacing on this was rough. Nothing really happens until about 70% and the conflict between the leads doesn't start until like 90. There wasn't enough of the good and the challenge was too fast to create much tension,

Thank you NetGalley for the Arc of this upcoming book in exchange for an honest review. Overall it was a very easy and enjoyable read. I really liked the storyline with Finley and her grandmother. It was just wonderful! The overarching plot was great as well. Though I enjoyed the main characters, I wanted a little bit more from the romances connection at times. Despite this, I still found myself routing for them throughout. I also wish there was a little bit more explanation behind Jensen's motives. Overall it was a fun, quick read and I look forward to more books from this author in the future

Rounding up from 4.5 stars. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

This is a darling romance where the main character, Finley, learns that karma is greater than revenge. Get ready for a super fun, clean ya romance!

Pretty sweet story about a girl Finley that had a goal to achieve even if it was based in revenge. Her ex stole her spot so she wants to steal his and with a little help from the older super handsome Theo she has the makings to do it. But her revenge plan isn’t what makes this sweet it’s about the relationships Finley grows and the mistakes she makes but learns from. It was an easy to read in one sitting type of story that was engaging and interesting. The romance wasn’t the main point so if you’re looking for a pure romance driven story this isn’t really that.

First of all I would like to thank everyone who made my first ARC happen! I am so grateful to get this ARC for an author from the Central Valley (my hometown)! In this super cute romance, Finley teams up with her ex boyfriend's nemesis to get revenge on her ex-boyfriend who steals her dream position on the podcast team in their high school. The plot made me feel like it was a mix from radio rebel and do revenge (but more pg-13). I love how the author included how Alzheimer's can affect a family and showed Finley trying to capture her grandma's story before she forgets it. I appreciated the mentions of some of my favorite places, such as Morro Bay & Cal Poly! Perfect for readers who love sweet romances, coming of age stories and want to end a book with a warm fuzzy feeling!

This is one of the best Kasie West books I've read in a while. Revenge plot and Taylor references and romance and a grandmother who you can't help fall in love with. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion .

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ok, this was just SO cute! Easy to get into, lighthearted, fun, personal growth, a little teen angst, good banter, cute YA romance, and revenge! It was the perfect read for this dark and rainy Sunday and I finished it in one day. Off to check out other books by this author!

The premise of this book had me wondering if this would be one of those YA books that made me feel old, but Kasie West is able to pull it off. When Finley's boyfriend, Jensen, steals her spot on the high school podcast, she vows to get revenge on him by taking his spot as the kicker on the football team. She is able to get his nemesis to train her and of course they fall in love.
The one part that made it unbelievable was that football tryouts for the fall season were held in the spring, when my experience has been they are held right at the beginning of the school year.

Finley and one of the most popular boys in school, Theo, team up to get revenge on Finley’s ex-boyfriend after he betrays her by taking the spot she has wanted for years on the school’s podcast. Well, Finley is going to take his spot as the football team’s kicker in return, with some help from Theo. Bonding over their plan for revenge, chemistry ensues between Finley and Theo.

Jensen was so hateable I wanted to punch him in his face. He was constantly taking women’s ideas to further himself, and the gaslighting he was doing drove me insane! He deserved all the revenge and karma brought on him.

The moments of Finley interviewing her grandma for her own podcast were so sweet. And the parallels between her grandma and Andrew’s love story and Finley and Theo’s were so well done. The same thing being used as their grand gestures was so perfect. Theo was the sweetest and was so supportive of Finley from start to finish.

This is such a cute, heartwarming book for all ages🩷

*ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Kasie West has done it again. I flew through this book. The dynamic between Finley & Theo is so fun & cute. The familial element with Finley and her grandmother story is so so sweet. If her podcast was real I’d 100% be listening to it. As for Finley’s friend group? Chef’s kiss. 🤌🏻 Talk about people who have your back & support you. They are a fun group of characters. Also, Kasie really knows how to write a villain because Jensen made my blood boil & he deserves all the bad karma. 😤 But seriously this book is amazing so add it to your tbr.

Thank you to NetGalley & Random House Children’s for the advance copy.

Every time the two of them interacted, I couldn't help but smile because it was just the right amount of corny. This high school romance was clean, sweet, and adorable. It was a cute story, even though the plot was pretty obvious.

3.5 actually. I got the ARC of this book as I requested it as I like this authors stories. This one didn’t disappoint as sweet coming of age with good lessons for the main character. No surprises just a sweet story definitely of YA origin. Theo and Finley definitely have chemistry and was a quick fun read

A middle grade romance surrounding love, revenge, and ties between family and friends, Kasey West does it again.
I loved reading this book, especially the side plot of Finley’s personal podcast. I didn’t put a full synopsis because I feel that this book is best going in blind.
Thank you to Netgalley and Delacourte for an eARC of this book.

Better Than Revenge is a cute YA story. It’s actually a very cute story even though it’s based solely around revenge. Finley and Theo are very cute together. Very entertaining book!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children’s for the arc of this book.

This was another cute, really fun YA book by Kasie West. It had a great emphasis on friendship and meaningful family relationships, as well as a delightful slow-burn romance. Finley and Theo were warm yet imperfect, multifaceted characters, whose interactions had me increasingly invested in their growing relationship. I was quickly anticipating their HEA.

Finley’s delightful grandmother is a huge part of the overall storyline. A woman experiencing early dementia, her retelling (via Finley’s podcast) of the story of her own first love actually connects both the characters and ultimately numerous facets of the overall storyline.

As the title indicates, there is also an underlying message of “karma” over the value of revenge.

I was privileged to receive an early digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my own honest opinion

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this beautiful sweet story.

One may say revenge is best served when cold but not to Finley. She wants revenge now and she doesn’t stop till she gets it. But she didn’t expect to fall for the enemy. But was he really the enemy? Or was she just misinformed. Once these two start to plot and engage with the revenge, something else happens. They fall for one another. Finely fights so hard to get revenge but in the end she knows she’s better than that. And Theo helps to make things easier.

I loved the story of her Grandma and her first love…it really made the story come full circle. I enjoyed this sweet read and it was really entertaining.

Highly recommended YA story.