Novel Review: Listen to Your Heart by Kasie West

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Genre: YA Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Point (Scholastic)

Release Date: May 2018

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. Powells.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Talking to other people isn't Kate Bailey's favorite activity. She'd much rather be out on the lake, soaking up the solitude and sunshine. So when her best friend, Alana, convinces Kate to join their high school's podcast, Kate is not expecting to be chosen as the host. Now she'll have to answer calls and give advice on the air? Impossible.

But to Kate's surprise, she turns out to be pretty good at the hosting gig. Then the podcast gets in a call from an anonymous guy, asking for advice about his unnamed crush. Kate is pretty sure that the caller is gorgeous Diego Martinez, and even surer that the girl in question is Alana. Kate is excited for her friend ... until Kate herself starts to develop feelings for Diego. Suddenly, Kate finds that while doling out wisdom to others may be easy, asking for help is tougher than it looks, and following your own advice is even harder.

Kasie West's adorable story of secrets, love, and friendship is sure to win over hearts everywhere.

The Cover:

I really like this cover. It's cute and flirty, and gives good hints to what the story is about. The story definitely has elements of the lake, though not necessarily this activity, and it could show the podcast instead. But either way I think this works and it's cute, and I definitely appreciate that the two models look like the main couple.

Review:

This felt more like West's first books. I didn't want to put it down, and I really grew to love the characters.

I liked Kate from the beginning. She's rather straight-faced and quiet, and she doesn't want any attention. And yet she ends up being a host on her school's podcast, by accident. Giving advice to people, when she doesn't even know how to talk on a microphone. She ends up playing the straight-man to her co-host's charm, and it works well for both of them. I was actually surprised they didn't end up closer friends, as that felt a bit like a missed opportunity, but it also made sense.

I really liked the podcast; the shows were fun to read. Then there was a mix-up of crushes, some back and forth and confusion and worrying, because Kate and her best friend Alana end up falling for the wrong guys, without realizing it and without talking to each other. While it could have been frustrating, and did cause some issues, I mostly enjoyed the way it played out. There was some confusion as they mixed it up and tried not to, because they didn't want to hurt each other. And I liked both Frank and Diego, a lot. Kate had a big family, too, and I liked the antics with them, and how it turned out for her brother.

This book was a lot of fun to read, and is probably one of my favorites of West now. It makes me excited to catch up with her books again.

Manga Review: Kimi ni Todoke Volume 9 by Karuho Shiina

  ~4 of 5 Stars

Publisher: Viz Media

Goodreads Synopsis:

Sawako Kuronuma is the perfect heroine...for a horror movie. With her jet-black hair, sinister smile and silent demeanor, she's often mistaken for Sadako, the haunting character from Ringu. Unbeknownst to but a few, behind her scary façade is a very misunderstood teenager. Shy and pure of heart, she just wants to make friends. But when Kazehaya, the most popular boy in class, befriends her, she's sure to make more than just that—she's about to make some enemies too!

Review:

 

I love this series. I have since the beginning. Sawako is so awkward and shy that she comes off as rude and scary. She thinks so little of herself, as well, that it can be annoying, and I see why some people don't like her, but I do. It's, in a way, adorable. Chizu and Ayane are good for her, protecitve and nice, while also being tough on her when she needs it. The characters are all great.

And Kazehaya. Oh, I love Kazehaya. He's so sweet and charming and embarrassed about things, and happy. I love him. And I love him for Sawako. (Or myself, honestly.)

It's been entertaining and mostly heart warming so far, with Sawako getting closer with her classmates, and with her fumbles and cute moments with Kazehaya.

In this volume, though, it's just frustrating. Because they both confess and think that the other means something different. It's so frustrating how miscommunicative they are, and even more so that it makes sense for them to do this. Because they are both so stupid in thinking of themselves as lower than they are, and it's so frustrating when they do this. It's almost painful to read it as they confess and then she cries because they don't talk about it.

This volume is mostly about them and how they like each other but don't think the other likes them, with other people seeing it and being confused by it. It's ridiculous.

And the end of the volume! Such a cliffhanger. At the time that I read this, I also had three volumes to catch up on, and so I was super upset at having to wait to find out what happens. Still am, really, because I haven't gotten the next one yet.

I'm really hoping that they do finally talk it out in volume 10, though.