I seriously had the BEST time with this book. Finley is a whole mood—she’s got that drive to make it as a famous podcaster but gets completely betrayed by her football-obsessed ex, Jensen, who literally steals her idea for his podcast tryout. Cue the revenge plot, and let me tell you, I was HERE for it.
What I loved most was how Finley grew throughout the book. She starts off all fiery and determined to get her revenge, but it’s clear she’s learning about herself and becoming stronger along the way. Also, watching her stand up to Jensen? Pure satisfaction. Like, get him, girl!
And Theo—swoon! That boy is EVERYTHING. He’s cocky but also charming and sweet. Finley and Theo's chemistry was off the charts, and their banter had me giggling nonstop. Seriously, they are the perfect duo. Their romance was sooo cute, and the whole football twist was a great touch. Plus, the Taylor Swift references? Chef’s kiss.
The grandma storyline was also super adorable and added so much heart to the book. Honestly, this was such a fun, swoony read!
If you're into YA romance with a lot of laughs and a whole lot of heart, this is definitely your next read!

This book was beyond adorable. Literally chuckled throughout this entire book.

I loved it! The beginning was jaw drop after jaw drop with "No, he didn't" "He did not" "The audacity!" replaying throughout my head. Jensen is the worst.

Finley, Finley. I was so upset with her for a minute. I mean a lot did happen to her, I get that, but I needed her to actually SEE Theo. Not just base everything off of what Jensen said.

THEO. Sweet Theo. Oh my goodness the love I have for him. He could not be more obvious about his feelings for Finley. And his story ahhh I just love him.

Deja, Lee and Maxwell. The comedic relief! They are hilarious and honestly the best friend group. I don't know if Finley would have been tolerable without them. Finley is great but without them bringing her to life I fear she would have toppled over the edge.

Anyway if you are looking for a funny, sweet YA romance this is it.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review.

This was a cute, YA read but I didn’t really connect to the characters. The main characters came across more self-centered than anything, which made it a challenge. However, I loved the Grandma and thought she added some needed interest to the story.

I’m sure this book will resonate with some who read and enjoy but it won’t be one I recommend.

Kasie West has an amazing novel on her hands. This was a fun and cute story about exacting revenge and finding unexpected commonalities along the way. Finley and Theo had great banter and made the podcast something I would listen to! Easy read with some heartfelt moments to give you a little sparkle in the eye.

I feel like any book that I read in one setting deserves a 5 star review. It might not be perfect, but I was so drawn into this story. I was supposed to read a chapter, then move on to the next one in my rotation, but before I knew it I was at chapter 13, and then only breaks I would make was to share quotes with friends so they could laugh with me.

Finley is finally getting a chance to interview for the high school podcast team. She's been dreaming and working toward this since seventh grade, and now it's really here. When Jensen shows up in the line, Finley thinks her boyfriend is there to support her. She's shocked when he decides to try out of the podcast team as well.

Finley's hurt, expecting an apology. When the team is announced, Jensen gets the host spot, and Finley is named as one of the researchers. Finley leaves the meeting in a daze, not realizing that the new team is supposed to introduce themselves at the end-of-school announcement. Not that Jensen bothers to text and tell her. When the mics don't shut off after the announcement, Finley learns that Jensen gained his host spot using one of her ideas. If that weren't bad enough, Jensen goes on to detail all the ways Finley wasn't cut out for the host spot. To the entire school.

Finley and her friends meet, and they decide the best route going forward - revenge. First, she breaks up with Jensen over text, deciding he doesn't deserve a face to face conversation after what he's done. His bland response of "I figured" only fuels Finley's rage even more. She needs to find something to hurt him. Not only has the podcast team been her dream, but the host positions are direct lines to a scholarship at Finley's school of choice. She's planned her whole future on getting this. It's not enough to hurt him, she needs to take something away from him the same way he has to her.

Later she's caught writing Jensen's number on the bathroom stall in the men's room at her best friend's family restaurant by none other than Theo, the person Jensen hates most.During their year together, Jensen has complained almost daily about Theo, and what better way to get under his skin than to team up with his nemesis?

To her surprise, Theo actually talks to her. When he's hanging out with friends, he's always standing to the side with earbuds in. She's heard that he's arrogant and stand offish, and can't be bothered to help anyone. When a miskicked football goes awry, and Theo compliments her for it, she has the perfect plan. If she can practice and get good enough, would she have a chance at taking football away from Jensen? Theo has been the starting kicker for years, now that he's graduating Jensen will finally get the spot and the chance he's been waiting for. Unless she can steal it from him.

Along the way, Finley has her own personal podcast. Nobody listens to it but her family, but she's been interviewing her grandma, who has Alzhiemer's, in short segments. A way to preserve her grandma's failing memory, as well as learn more about her growing up. Things revealed in the podcast lead to a search for a missing surfboard, and a sudden surge in listeners.

Finley hasn't been able to talk to her family about her break-up. She knows how her mom feels about revenge, and no way is Finley going to have her support. It hurts every time her grandma asks her about Jensen, and she has to remind her that they've broken up. Finley even has to dogde the question about why she's been training so hard, and what she's up to on her days off.

This book had all the things. A plot that lured you in, a break-up that got you angry, the perfect villain-turned-ally, supportive (and at times not so supportive when you're making questionable choices) friends, laughs and all the feels. As I was reading, I wished I had people around me that were reading too, because I wanted to share all the moments that made me gasp, or laugh, or groan in apprehension. I'll definitely be reading more books by Kasie West, and good thing there are quite a lot of them!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for this ARC. The book is already out now, and I can't wait to read more reviews and connect with readers about it! All opinions are my own.

Such a cute YA read!

You get the revenge aspect, enemies to lovers, past and present love stories. It’s a lighthearted quick read and the main characters are very likable! Not to mention I love her grandma and getting a glimpse into her love life was my favorite part of the book.

kasie west romances always hit. from p.s i like you to better than revenge, i always get that same warm feeling everytime i read the banter between the two characters. it's beautiful as always

the characters were so loveable and the romcom plot was so funny

Book Review: A Captivating New Romance from the Author of Sunkissed!
"A swoony new romance" perfectly captures the essence of this delightful read! The story follows seventeen-year-old Finley, a determined aspiring podcaster whose dreams are put to the test when her football-player boyfriend, Jensen, unexpectedly lands the podcast job she's always wanted. Feeling betrayed after Jensen uses her pitch for his own tryout, Finley takes matters into her own hands with the help of his nemesis.
What unfolds is a tale of resilience and empowerment as Finley hatches a revenge plan that leads her to discover unexpected talents, including a knack for kicking! By taking Jensen's spot on the football team and enlisting the help of the charming yet conceited Theo, Finley embarks on a journey that intertwines friendship, rivalry, and budding romance.
The chemistry between Finley and Theo is electric, adding depth to the story as they both navigate their own challenges and secrets. What starts as revenge quickly evolves into something much more meaningful. The question remains: can Finley balance her aspirations with her feelings for Theo, or will the quest for revenge distract her from true love?
This book beautifully explores themes of ambition, friendship, and the complexities of young love, making it a must-read for any fan of romantic comedies. With relatable characters and engaging plot twists, readers are sure to be captivated from start to finish. It's a heartwarming reminder that sometimes, the journey to finding oneself can lead to the most unexpected and rewarding connections. Highly recommended!

Better Than Revenge by Kasie West is a fun story about a girl named Finley who has a dream of being a podcaster. However, when her boyfriend Jensen steals her point as a podcast host at their high school by stealing her ideas, she breaks up with him and wants revenge. Nothing is successful until she discovers she is good at punting and plans to try to take his spot on the football team with the help of Theo, Jensen’s rival on the team. As she starts falling for Theo, they must decide what’s more important - revenge or love?

This was a cute story and a fun, fast read. At times, I felt the schemes were a bit outlandish but still enjoyable. I would definitely recommend this book, especially to those around high school age.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for access to an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I loved reading Better than Revenge by Kasie West. I loved the plot, and the friendship circle Finley has and the plot to try to join the football team was unique.

I really loved the dynamics between her and Theo and I loved the fact that she shared her grandma’s story and others loved it as well. This was a cute, sweet read with some revenge thrown in to her ex as the title states.

I would recommend this book for anybody who loves Kasie West or young adult books in general. This was a five star rating. Thank you Netgalley and publishers for allowing the chance to read and review this.

This was a super cute sports rom-com! I adored Finley, her grandmother, Theo, Deja, Max, and Luke! I did not like Jensen. 😒 I could not imagine what it would be like for someone you love to take something from you that they know means so much to you. So, of course, I LOVED the revenge plan! There were several moments that made me cry, especially the parts with Finley and her grandmother. I will definitely be checking out more of Kasie West’s work!

He stole something she wanted, so she sought revenge! Who doesn't love a little revenge plot in a book? I absolutely adored this YA novel, and wasn't able to put it down until I finished it. The character development was great, and I found that I really enjoyed the characters, except for Jensen he really made my blood boil. Definitely pick this up if you are looking for a cute fast paced YA novel. It did not disappoint.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Better Than Revenge is exactly the kind of fun, swoony, and slightly over-the-top rom-com that can only really be pulled off in a YA book. The premise is so delightfully chaotic — Finley, a determined and ambitious aspiring podcaster, decides to get back at her ex for stealing her idea and taking her spot on the school's podcast by taking *his* spot on the football team. Naturally, this means enlisting the help of his nemesis, Theo, who is equal parts charming, cocky, and (of course) secretly a total softie.

What I loved most about this book is how much heart it has beneath all the antics. Finley isn’t just out for petty revenge — she’s dealing with disappointment, self-doubt, and the fear of not being good enough, all things that make her super relatable. Her journey of discovering her own strengths (both on and off the field) was just as satisfying as the romance. And speaking of the romance — Theo and Finley have the best dynamic. Their banter is top-tier, and the way their relationship shifts from reluctant allies to something deeper had me absolutely hooked.

Sure, the setup is a little unrealistic, but that’s part of the charm. It leans into the fun, fast-paced nature of YA romance while still delivering great character growth and swoon-worthy moments. If you love stories with playful revenge schemes, unexpected connections, and just the right amount of heart, this one is definitely worth picking up!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy!

Finley has worked since her freshman year to be one of the hosts of the school podcast her senior year, but on the day of auditions, her boyfriend Jensen, decides last minute to try out- using one of Finley's ideas- and HE gets the job. Finley is outraged and sets out to steal his greatest dream as well: place kicker for the varsity football team.
During her junior year, Finley quit playing soccer to focus on preparing for the podcast position, but now that she no longer needs to spend her time there, she decides she is going to kick her way onto the football team, and she is going to enlist the help of Theo, Jensen's nemesis, to accomplish her goal. However, the more time she spends with Theo, the more she realizes that Jensen's stories of how awful he is might be exaggerated, and they may have more in common than just a desire to see Jensen suffer.
This romance was funny and brave and nostalgic and hopeful, and I loved every minute. As a former athlete and the wife of a football coach, I was hesitant to start a book where a girl is trying to find a place on a boy's football team, but once I began reading, I couldn't put it down. The approach to the football practicing was well written and believable, and the relationship that developed between Theo and Finley was heartfelt and genuine and made me root for the two of them.

This was such a cute book. I love Kasie West and this one did not disappoint. I will certainly be recommending it to my students to read in high school

Better Than Revenge is a young adult romance about a high school junior named Finley, who is navigating a difficult time. Finley loves podcasting, she has her own podcast and is trying out for her schools podcast as well. Things don’t go her way, which makes her plot revenge.

This was a cute story. Finley’s struggles were not something I necessarily related to, but that was part of the entertainment factor. Jensen, Finleys ex-boyfriend, did not feel fleshed out enough. It was a shorter book, so I can understand, but some chapters he seemed like a complete jerk, and other chapters he seemed to still care.

The best part of the story to me was Finleys grandma. She seemed very sweet and sassy. I am glad that we were able to see her story, even while having Alzheimer’s.

Overall, I enjoyed this story. I would recommend this to anyone who would want a quick and cute read.

Such a cute sports romance with a podcast thrown in. I loved this story! This was the first story by Kasie West that I have read and I can't wait to read more.

Better Than Revenge had such a great premise, but I just felt it didn't deliver as well as it could. This is a YA book, but I felt the prose was very simple, even for the target audience. The plot with the grandmother--along with the podcast sessions covering it--were a little bland, and I would have liked the dialogue to be a little more nuanced and realistic.

This book did make me laugh, however. My favorite part was when our main character showed up to Theo's house for a party, only to find out it was for his grandma's birthday party.

I gave this one a three-star rating because I enjoyed it, but I wouldn't recommend it to a friend or read it again.

In Better Than Revenge, a high school girl with dreams of being on the school podcast loses out to her boyfriend. So to get him back, she tries out to be the kicker for the high school football team since she used to be a soccer player. This book was fluffy fun. High school angst, high school friendships and relationships and high school emotions. All entertaining and fluffy. And it sort of made me wonder if my former soccer playing daughter should be a kicker.

This was a great YA book. Perfect balance of petty, positive revenge, working through adult situations and growing. Add in the great friendships, the daily mysteries life holds, and growing with family too.

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