I haven't read a Kasie West book in a hot minute, but picking this one up, I remembered how well I love her novels. "Better Than Revenge" is worth the read!

“Better Than Revenge” by Kasie West is a delightful YA romance that combines high school drama and unexpected love into a heartwarming and engaging story. Known for her ability to create lighthearted and sweet tales, West once again delivers a feel-good story with relatable characters and a satisfying message. If you’re in a reading slump or you’re feeling down, this book will definitely help re-motivate you and help you feel warm inside.

The story centers around Finley, a seventeen-year-old who dreams of becoming a podcast creator. Her ambitions come crashing down when her boyfriend, Jensen, not only takes her idea but also nabs the coveted spot on their school’s podcast team. Heartbroken and furious, Finley decides to seek revenge. With the help of Theo, Jensen’s charismatic rival on the football team, she sets out to claim Jensen's spot on the team and give him a taste of his own medicine.

Finley is a fantastic protagonist—funny, determined, and unapologetic about what she wants. Her character is both relatable and engaging, making it easy to root for her as she navigates her complicated feelings of betrayal and ambition. Theo is a standout character as well, quickly becoming the ideal book boyfriend with his witty banter, kind heart, and support for Finley, not only in her revenge plot but also in her personal growth.

One of the highlights of the book is the refreshing way Finley and Theo communicate with each other. Their open and honest dialogue avoids the common miscommunication tropes found in many YA romances, allowing their relationship to develop naturally and sweetly. Their chemistry is undeniable, and their journey from rivals to something more feels authentic and well-paced.

Beyond the romance, “Better Than Revenge” shines in its exploration of family dynamics, particularly the bond between Finley and her grandmother. The inclusion of her grandmother's old stories, shared through Finley's podcast, adds depth and warmth to the story. It’s a touching aspect that grounds the story and adds a layer of emotional resonance, highlighting the importance of family ties and memories. I enjoyed this aspect the most throughout the book as someone who recently lost a grandparent. These old stories almost made me tear up a few times as I was reading.

While the book has its share of lighthearted and humorous moments, it also delves into themes of self-discovery and the complexities of seeking revenge. Finley’s journey is not just about getting even; it's about understanding what truly matters to her, whether it's success, love, or simply being true to herself. As she grows and learns, she must decide if revenge is really the answer or if there's something more fulfilling to be found in forgiveness and moving on. This is a relatable message for young readers who may be tempted by feelings of revenge based on their own experiences.

Overall, “Better Than Revenge” is a cozy, heartfelt story with a dash of drama. It’s a must-read for anyone looking for a sweet YA romance with strong characters, witty banter, and a message that goes beyond just getting even. Kasie West once again proves why she's a go-to author in the genre, delivering a story that feels like the literary equivalent of a warm, comforting cinnamon roll.

GUYS this book is so cute! The banter was my absolute favorite and had me giggling! Im not the biggest fan of revenge stories but Kasie West knows how to do it right. I loved how unapologetic Finley was in doing everything. Theo was the perfect book boyfriend( can I have him for myself?!) he was seriously the sweetest with Finley. Overall this book is perfection I cant wait for everyone to get the chance to read it!

what a cute read. kasie west’s books have gotten me back into reading so when i received this i was so excited. i don’t typically read revenge plots but this one was good!! i love the characters in this cute ya romance.

Mein Leseerlebnis

Die Grundidee des Jugendromans wirkte auf mich vor dem Lesen etwas unrealistisch, aber gleichzeitig auch frisch und interessant. Die Umsetzung konnte mich teils, aber leider nicht vollständig überzeugen.

Das lag primär daran, dass mich nicht jede Entwicklung in dem Roman packen konnte und dass die Hauptcharaktere etwas blass blieben. In manchen Szenen wirkten sie älter, als sie es sind, in anderen deutlich jünger. Das fand ich etwas verwirrend.

Die eigentliche Liebesgeschichte war ganz nett, aber leider nicht mehr. Auch sie blieb ein wenig blass und konnte mich emotional nur leicht berühren.

Ich denke, dass man aus dem Buch und vor allem den Charakteren mehr hätte rausholen können. Und ich denke auch, dass das Buch definitiv besser für Leser:innen geeignet ist, die im Alter der Hauptcharaktere sind.

🖤🖤🖤 1/4

Für wen?

Wer kurzweilige Jugendbücher mag, in denen die Rache am Ex zu unerwarteten Entwicklungen führt, für den könnte sich ein Blick in den Roman lohnen.

I absolutely loved 'Better Than Revenge' and how relatable Finley was as a main character. She was a believable amount of petty in her revenge plot but also handled everything with such grace - better than I could have! Her group of friends and their ideas for revenge were hilarious and some of my favorite moments were when they were all together scheming. Theo was a charming, mysterious love interest for Finley and I loved watching them go from strangers to friends to more! Finley's personal podcast with her grandmother was a sweet touch with an endearing story, though it took me a while to really get interested in that plot line.

Kasie West inspired by Taylor Swift?! Count me in! This was so fun, and I enjoyed it so very much! The characters were great, and the story was enticing and entertaining! I know this is going to be great for some displays and to recommend to anyone who shows interest in Swift’s music.

Thank you for the ARC, publishers and NetGalley!

In true Kasie West fashion, this book was everything I hoped for and more. I have lots of younger students asking for "romance" novels and this is one that meets the mark for all of my demographics. The storyline was well developed, but the lesson/message the main character learned about herself was the best part. I also thoroughly enjoyed the sub plot surrounding her podcast about her grandmother. All in all, it was a great read that will be sure to capture my students' attention.

An adorable YA read. Kasie West writes fantastic and relatable young adult stories that resonate with a broad audience. Charming romance that was well written, entertaining and memorable

Kasie West has been an autobuy author for many many years. Better Than Revenge is now in the top 3 of Kasie West books I've read.
Finley gets her dream of hosting the school podcast taken from her when her then boyfriend tries out and gets the part. Finley wants in return get her revenge on and try out to for the kicker for the football team. To do so, she enlists the help of Theo, the nemesis of her ex boyfriend.
I really loved Theo, while he was cocky, he was really sweet, and owned up when he made mistakes.
I love how Finley realize revenge isn't the answer and figured out what she wanted.
And the pod cast with Grandma was my favorite.

4.5 stars

Thanks you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. All thoughts are my own.

I have read a few Kasie West books and I always appreciate that they feel modern and sweet. I couldn't imagine going through all of the public embarrassment that she went through but I am glad that she was able to get into a good head space by the end.

I really loved the author's note at the end about how Karma is better than revenge and that we can learn to focus on ourselves, our goals, and our peace.

Do I think it was realistic that they both took the position the other had worked years for without much effort. not exactly, but it was still a cute story and it was an easy read.

I plan to share this story with my instagram followers a few days before publication.

I knew from the moment that I read the dedication that I was going to LOVE this book and it did not disappoint! Better Than Revenge is an adorable story about love, history and most importantly revenge on awful men. Finley was hilariously unique and I absolutely loved her relationship with Theo as well as the colorful cast of friends she surrounds herself with. I loved the subplot of her grandma and her story with Andrew and the surfboard. A beautifully unique book.

This was a really cute romance! The main characters were very likable and I enjoyed reading this book a lot!

Kasie West is probably my go to author when it comes to YA contemporaries. I can always count on her for a lighthearted, fun, and sweet story. I’ve read all of her books, and while I’ve enjoyed some more than others, she’s still a favorite YA author for me for sure and I will read literally anything she writes.

I really liked seeing Finley and her friends come up with all the different revenge schemes. I also loved the relationship she had with her grandmother. As someone who has worked in caregiving for dementia patients, I could definitely relate to how painful it can be to see at times.

The romance wasn’t my favorite by this author, but Theo was a definite sweetie and I liked seeing the relationship he had with Finley develop and change.

This was a quick and breezy read, and I liked the overall message of it as well.

Reading this book and finding out it takes place close to my hometown was really awesome! I could easily picture the locations described throughout the book even with it being a work of fiction. Kasie West’s writing style is always one that is so fast paced and keeps the reader captivated from the first few pages and this book was no different. I loved the concept as well of it being not only about our main character and her revenge plot and potential new romance but also I loved the subplot around Finley’s podcast with her grandmother and the mystery that unfolds through learning more about her grandmothers younger years. The side characters in this book as well feel like a true friend group that the reader could witness in the wild beyond the pages.

Is this my new favorite Kasie West book? I've been pretty loyal to PS I Like You for the past 8 years. But before that, I was pretty sure nothing could beat On The Fence. But, friends, Better than Revenge is adorable! It's, well not enemies but what else do we call it? Haters to more? That sounds silly. They weren't friends, k? And this book features sports and high school and drama and friendships and the cutest grandma and families and I seriously loved every page.

If you like good books, YA, football, soccer, revenge, and romance, read this one. It would be an absolutely lovely way to spend your NYE.

Omg this book has my whole heart! 🩷

Finley had one dream: to be on the school’s podcast. She had worked her whole life for it and even had her own podcast. All that came crashing down when her boyfriend Jensen tried out with her idea. Suddenly, her dreams were ripped away from her and so was her boyfriend. While she still made the team as a researcher, it wasn’t the same. Soon a plan of revenge took place. When someone takes something away from you that you love, the only logical choice is to do the same to them, right? Enter Theo: Jensen’s enemy. Him and Finley share a common goal. While he helps her become the best football kicker in school, will they both get more than they bargained for?

I loved the banter between Theo and Finley! I adored how Finley’s grandma’s story came out in her podcast and was a precursor to Finley’s life. I was invested in that story just as much as Finley’s for sure.

This was so cute, super fast paced and the characters were both likeable and interesting. I highly recommend this adorable light read! 🩷

A very sweet story about deciding what you want. I found some of the revenge plan a bit confusing about (2/3 of the way through the book), but overall I really appreciated the sensitivity with which the story touched on having a loved one with Alzheimer's. The friendships were definitely a strength in this book!

This book was so good and I really enjoyed reading it! I loved the growth Finlay had throughout the book and the overall message. I have loved every book that I’ve read from Kasie West and this book was no exception.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions expressed above are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kasie West for this ARC. I have read most of Kasie West books. I found it similar to the "listened to your heart" with the whole podcast thing.. Most of her books are about finding love but this one was about trying to get revenge on a ex boyfriend. Finley seeks out get revenge on Jensen. Jessen ends up getting a spot on the school's podcast. She ends up having a podcast at home about her grandmother's stories. She found she is sick and can't remember a whole lot. That's when she decides she wants get revenge against him. She and her friend Theo planned to try to take his kicking position in the football team. I like the banter between Theo and Finley. It makes it cute and reliable to YA readers.