I'm a big fan of Kasie West and I've read a number of her YA novels, so I was really excited to get this one. It did not disappoint! The plot line is a fresh take on the tropes and it's one of the better revenge plots I've read. The characters are adorable and lovable, while also being age appropriate for the audience. They're also nuanced and flawed, which make them feel real and relatable. I loved the combo of podcasts and football. It was unexpected and yet, it works. The only thing that used some work is that some of the dialogue feels a little forced and unnatural, but hopefully that'll get smoothed out with more editing. Overall, a great addition to the Kasie West line-up. Her fans and new readers are sure to love it.

Ok. This was probably not a 5 star book, but definitely above a 4 star, so I'm saying 4.5. But I bumped it up because, well, can't give a half star and because this came after a couple real duds so it felt just a bit stronger because of that.

I am a fan of Kasie West and have yet to encounter a book by her that is not one I enjoy. Some are definitely stronger than others, but generally speaking, no duds. If the worst rating you have given is for a story in an anthology, then the author is definitely worth keeping on your TBR list.

The characters are likeable, well except Jensen but that's because he's an idiot. Finley is likeable and doesn't seek revenge the easy way and by hurting others, even though she may think she does on occasion. And her relationship with Theo is fun to watch evolve into something more. The friends around her are strong enough characters to have personalities and flaws, even if they are not featured very much on their own; and the way that West weaves in Finley's grandmother's story was so much fun. I truly expected things to go one way and then, well, they didn't.

Sure, there was the conflict at the end which, in good romance fashion, leads to the. main characters falling out. But the HEA does happen, and it's nicely done because Finley comes into her own without relying on Theo to build her up.

The plot moves, and I found it hard to put down. If you are fan of this type of story, it won't disappoint. Great for any Kasie West fan, as well as someone looking to try a new author along the lines of Dessen. Also, it's stand alone which means you don't need to have read any books prior to pick this one up.

I had never heard of this author before but the blurb caught my attention and I wasn’t disappointed. It is a YA book but it’s very well done. Watching all of the characters grow and learn was very good to see! Highly recommend to those who love a good clean romance especially high school romance.

I received this via NetGalley for my honest review

Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Once again, Kasie West shows with Better Than Revenge why she is at the top of my recommendation list when it comes to YA contemporaries. Better Than Revenge had everything I would have asked for from West:

* Finley, a bright and determined heroine who was determined to get revenge after her now ex-boyfriend for ruining her school podcast aspirations, was easy to relate to and root for
* Jensen, the ex-boyfriend who was so in the wrong disliking and rooting against him was natural
* Theo, a new love interest who was surprisingly helpful
* a group of friends who stood with Finley and helped her plot when she needed it most
* a revenge plot that was entertaining, thoughtful, and taught a great lesson
* a cute love story
* a side of sports romance
* a family side plot revolving around Finley's grandma, a famous local artist, and a surfboard

Overall, this sweet romance was a great read and perfect for all readers tween to adult.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Children’s for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟🌟💫 4.5/5 stars

Better Than Revenge is the adorable YA romance about a girl who decides to get revenge on her ex for taking her podcasting job. How will she get him back? By having a cute football player teach her how to kick so she can take her ex’s spot on the team. Hijinks ensue. Banter is said. Adorableness occurs.

I loved this book. Such a quick, fun read with great characters and plenty of romance. Fans of Lynn Painter will love this book!

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have to first start out by saying that I grew up with Kasie West's books. I mean, I'm pretty sure I've read every single one and enjoyed each one in their own ways. "Better Than Revenge" was no different. Kasie jumps right into the action and makes us really feel for the main character, Finley. Anyone who has ever had a dream and tried to pursue it only to miss out on the opportunity can relate to her struggles. Even her passion for her own personal podcast and feeling like a fraud? We can all relate to that, especially bookstagramers that are trying to connect with others and are comparing themselves to other accounts. That's just a small example, but relatable nonetheless.

Theo was a great love interest. The thing I love about Kasie West's books are that they are clean, fun, lighthearted romances. This hit the spot, that's for sure. The dynamic between Finley and Theo was so interesting because he was helping her get revenge on her ex, but those two spent so much time together that they (Spoiler!) fall for each other! I loved the aspect of sports being included, but not overpowering. It wasn't technically a "sports romance" but football was definitely a main theme.

One thing that I was a little disappointed about was that we didn't really see much of Finley's friends. Sure, they showed up every now and then, but by the end, I didn't know much about Deja and her relationship with Finley. Same with Max and Lee. Which, again, this is a small thing because obviously the story was about Theo and Finley.

My favorite part was the plot-line with her grandmother. I just thought that was so fun and made me want to interview my family members even though I don't have a podcast or any reason to!

All in all, I would definitely recommend anything by this author. I was obsessed years ago, and I'm still obsessed now!

Kasie West never disappoints me. She writes realistic love stories with characters that are written so well that they really seem real. I also know that I can trust these romance books to be clean and appropriate for my middle school readers. Better than Revenge does a fantastic job exploring the consequences of seeking revenge instead of peace within yourself.

**Spoiler Free Review of Better Than Revenge by Kassie West**

4.5⭐️

This gave me all the high school rom com feels. A little bit “What I Hate About You” mixed with Taylor Swifts Speak Now album.

I read Kassie West in high school, and always loved her books. When I submitted for the ARC, I loved the title and cover. When I got the ARC and was able to read it, I absolutely loved it. It reminded me of Lynn Painter’s YA romances (which are some of my favs). Wholesome, funny, and endearing.

The story follows Finley who dreams of being a Podcast creator. When her boyfriend, Jensen, steals her dream school podcast role and her ideas, he soon becomes her ex-boyfriend. And all she wants is revenge. Enter, Theo, Jensen’s football nemesis who decides to help Finley get revenge on Jenson by helping her try out for his position on the football team.

This book had some sweet moments between friends and family members. My favorite part was Finley’s relationship with her grandmother, and the history of her life as told throughout the story. The characters were likable and the writing was effortless. This was definitely an enjoyable read for me, and I can’t wait for everyone to read it in January of 2025!

Thanks to Net Galley and Random House for the ARC!

Kasie West is an award-winning YA author, so I was excited to see that she has a new book coming out! "Better Than Revenge" is centered around high schooler Finley, whose years-long dream of becoming part of the school's podcasting team comes to a dramatic halt. Not only does she not make the team, but she's cut out by her football-star boyfriend, who betrays her by trying out himself and stealing her ideas. As if that's not bad enough, he's caught on a live podcast badmouthing her as well. After breaking up with him, she plots her revenge: recruiting her boyfriend's nemesis (Theo) to destroy him. He even helps her with her own podcast, interviewing her grandmother who is suffering from Alzheimer's.

I enjoyed reading about Finley and Theo working together and discovering that the two of them have more in common than they thought. I also enjoyed the sidestory about Finley's grandmother and her memories about her first love. I just wish there had been a little more (age-appropriate, of course) romance. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This was a really cute young adult romance. I loved following Finley in the revengeful romance. I loved seeing the character growth and how the relationships developed throughout this book. I also really liked reading the scenes with Finley talking with her grandma on her podcast. There were so many cute and feel good moments in this story that made this an enjoyable read.

Read this if you like:

📖 Sports romance
📖 Podcasts
📖 Revenge stories

Thank you to Delacorte Romance and NetGalley for the gifted arc.

"We all make mistakes. it's how we deal with our mistakes that really define our character."
"Can mistakes be purposeful, though? I did this very much on purpose. I knew what I was doing.
"You thought it would help you?"
I breathed in. "I did."
"But it didn't."
"What are you going to do about it?"

This book follows Finley Lucas, a teenager living on the coast of California, as she grapples with something that's turned into far more than just a high school breakup. After spending years trying to make the senior podcast, her boyfriend Jensen not only steals her spot on a whim, but humiliates her by telling the entire school she doesn't have what it takes. Cue Theo, his cute (but cocky) nemesis - helping her exact her revenge by going for his spot on the football team. The question is - is all this effort spent pulling one over on Jensen worth it? Will she be happy with her decisions in the end? And what will happen as her and Theo get closer and closer?

Maybe she'll end up with something... a whole lot better than revenge. :)

I thought this was a super cute read! I devoured it in one sitting. After reading several pretty dark books, I needed a little palate cleanser, and Kasie West came through beautifully. The romance was adorable, Finley's scenes with her grandma were so sweet, and her friends were so supportive and funny. This is the first YA romance I've read as an adult. A lot of romance-leaning books I read as a teen were on the more traumatic side, but for the most part, this was fun and light the whole way through. I think any romance lover looking for a quick, upbeat read will love this one!

Thanks to NetGalley I received an advanced electronic copy of the book to read and provide a review.

Okay, this was ADORABLE!! I gobbled it up in a day and it was a pure delight. I enjoyed this angsty YA high school revenge with cute banter and a fresh story. I also liked the layered and parallel storytelling with the Grandmother!

I mean, did Jensen deserve revenge and more? Yes! He’s the worst kind of gaslighting “good guy.” But I’ll take Finley, Theo and all the lessons they learned because they are the best.

Read for a feel good cute read!

Kasie West is one of my favorite young adult authors and I was so excited to read this book! This book is about Finley whose favorite hobby is podcasting, she’s waited for a few years to finally try out for co-host for her school’s podcast. She is in complete shock when her boyfriend Jensen tries out for the podcast and gets the co-host spot over her. Upset, she and her friends come up with a few ideas to get revenge on Jensen, her now ex boyfriend. The number one idea is to try out for the boys football team as kicker with getting help from Jensen’s rival Theo. As Finley and Theo practice football they learn new things from each other and their relationship grows. Very cute read and I just love these young adult books! Kasie West is just the best! 5 star review! Thank You NetGalley and Random House Children’s for this early copy in exchange for my honest review! Publishing date of January 7, 2025.

Probably Kasie West's best work so far. As a huge fan of her, I was thrilled to have the chance to read this as an advanced reader copy through Netgalley. I loved Finley and Theo's love story, as well as Finley's growth and her relationship with her grandmother. This was exactly what I wanted from this novel.

Finley enjoys podcasting and is hoping to be one of the hosts on her schools podcast team. After auditioning Finley finds that her boyfriend Jensen all of a sudden decides to audition for the team as well. Not only does Jensen audition for the team, but he uses one of Finley's ideas as well. Angry and hurt by his betrayal Finely decides that the best way to get even is revenge. What better way to get back at Jensen than to try out for his spot as kicker on the football team and who better to train her than Jensen's nemesis Theo.

I enjoyed watching Finley train with Theo as he helps her learn how to be a kicker. It was fun to watch Finley and Theo together and banter with each other. Theo works to help Finley prepare by setting up workout routines and fun activities, such as goat yoga. The more time they spend together the closer they become. Finley has her own personal podcast where she interviews her grandma who has Alzheimer's. Finley is determined to record her grandma's memories about her first love. Theo wants to help Finley track down a certain object that her grandma remembers fondly, it was sweet to see them work together.

Finley's ex Jensen is unapologetic about his betrayal and doesn't understand why she is upset, this helps drive Finley's desire for revenge. Finley soon finds out that Theo himself may have his own reason for helping her get revenge on Jensen.

I enjoy Kasie West's books and look forward to each new release. This was a fun, quick, cute read that I thoroughly enjoyed and shows that revenge is not the best way to move forward.

Another excellent Kasie West young adult romance! Kasie never fails to capture me with funny plots, fun side characters and sweet romances. Also, Jensen can kick rocks! Pun intended.

My teen is finally getting into reading books other than what is required for school. I read BETTER THAN REVENGE before her and I know she's going to love it.

I thought Finley and Theo's relationship was an interesting one. Each have their own baggage - Finley's ailing grandmother and Theo's injury - to overcome.

The pacing was good. I thought there were a few plot holes and the romance between the two was a bit sidetracked with the story of her grandmother's own high school romance. I would have liked more about Theo's injury and maybe just a bit more about what he was going through.

While it's not one of my favorite Kasie West books, I think BETTER THAN REVENGE will be a lot of fun for teen readers.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children's Delacorte Romance for an e-copy of BETTER THAN REVENGE to review.

I rate BETTER THAN REVENGE four out of five stars.

To all my Taylor Swift book lovers out there - here’s another swiftie reference romance book that was too cute to put down.

After being betrayed by her now ex-boyfriend Jensen, Finley partners with Theo, her former flames nemesis to seek her revenge. Sounds like a perfect back story to a song Taylor should have included in Speak Now or Folklore right? While I am a Swiftie, the references to my favorite artist weren’t what drew me to request this book from NetGalley (and thank you to them and the publisher for providing and ARC for me!) What drew me into this novel (and provide such a high rating) was the fact that Finley experienced real growth, not because of a boy but because she was forced to confront the fact that she is a perfectionist. She beat herself up because what she was doing was never enough and she grew her self confidence through her attempt at revenge. The discussions between Theo and Finley and Finely and her grandmother were real without being cheesy. Not to mention the way Kasie wrote about Charolette’s battle with Alzheimer’s was gut wrenching and beautiful all at the same time. The brief breakup between Theo and Finley wasn’t due to a miscommunication (although let’s be honest I LOVE that trope) but two people falling back into old patterns and habits and the growth the two of them see in their time together was honest and adorable. Let’s face it, Kasie captured the way a great Taylor Swift song can be interpreted- layered, complex and heart warming all in one book. Trust me - this is one book you’re not gonna wanna skip.

📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 High school sure has changed since I attended and I’m not sure I could keep up with the speed of kids these days but I sure can throw down and enjoy a Kasie West novel! What resonates across the generations is the heartbreaks that feel like the end of the world (spoiler alert: they aren’t), the relationships that shape you, and the dreams that inspire you. Layered beneath this adorable young adult rom com is an amazingly touching and beautiful multigenerational tale about the stories we pass down and the importance of compassion and forgiveness. Better Than Revenge is such a heartwarmingly entertaining read for all ages 💗.

Review is on Goodreads and will be posted on instagram closer to publication date and on Amazon when published!

i have read and enjoyed ALL of Kasie West's books so of course I was excited to read this, and I was not disappointed!

In this one we follow Finley after her boyfriend (now ex-boyfriend) has stolen the spot on her school's podcast team that she wanted. As revenge, Finley started training to take the spot as the kicker for the school's football team. There is no one better to help her train for tryouts than Theo. Theo has been the school's starting kicker up until recently, when an injury left him sidelined and gave Finley's ex, Jensen, the opportunity to step up.

Finley is also dealing with her grandmother's Alzheimer’s diagnosis, recording a podcast where she interviews her grandma on different stories that have happened in her life. To add to it, her grandma keeps forgetting that Finley and Jenson have broken up.

I will read anything Kasie West writes, forever.