Series: standalone
Author: Kasie West
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: January 31, 2017
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romance
Told: First Person (Autumn), Past Tense
Content Rating: Teen (kissing)
Format Read: Paperback
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase: Azon | B&N | BookDepo | Indiebound
Summary:
When Autumn Collins finds herself accidentally locked in the library for an entire weekend, she doesn’t think things could get any worse. But that’s before she realizes that Dax Miller is locked in with her. Autumn doesn’t know much about Dax except that he’s trouble. Between the rumors about the fight he was in (and that brief stint in juvie that followed it) and his reputation as a loner, he’s not exactly the ideal person to be stuck with. Still, she just keeps reminding herself that it is only a matter of time before Jeff, her almost-boyfriend, realizes he left her in the library and comes to rescue her.
Only he doesn’t come. No one does.
Instead it becomes clear that Autumn is going to have to spend the next couple of days living off vending-machine food and making conversation with a boy who clearly wants nothing to do with her. Except there is more to Dax than meets the eye. As he and Autumn first grudgingly, and then not so grudgingly, open up to each other, Autumn is struck by their surprising connection. But can their feelings for each other survive once the weekend is over and Autumn’s old life, and old love interest, threaten to pull her from Dax’s side?
* * *
By Your Side is a sweet teen contemporary romance about situational relationships and self-care. After accidentally getting locked in the library for three days, Autumn imagines her biggest worry will be explaining how she survived the time with the sullen and mysterious Dax. But as circumstances and obligations strain her secret anxiety disorder, she finds herself turning to him for comfort and more as she starts to question how she's been living and who she should be living for.
With its library setting I expected this to be my favorite Kasie novel yet, but due to the limited location, limited opportunity for action, and a lone boy with a limited desire to speak, there was little for the story to offer other than Autumn's reflections and flashbacks. Luckily the library was only a third of the book, and once they were outside of it Autumn and Dax's friendship and subsequent romance were engaging and engrossing. Realistically I'm not sure if they would last as a couple past high school, but despite a bit of volatility on Dax's part the fall was sweet and they were really good for each other in the moment.
The highlight of the book for me, which was imprudently missing from the cover summary, was Autumn's anxiety disorder. As a sufferer myself I completely related to her struggles, and especially her reluctance to tell her friends. Her journey to accept herself as she was and start putting her health first was one I really connected with, and [upon first read] it even helped me understand myself and my own condition a little better.
Conclusion: Although the surprisingly unfortunate library setting proved a little too limiting, I really related to Autumn's anxiety struggles and her relationship with Dax was sweet. As I do with all of Kasie's books I highly recommend By Your Side for contemporary romance readers, especially if you like them a little heavier on the contemporary.
Scribble Rating:
4 of 5 Scribbles
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