Well, well. It comes as no surprise, but Ms Kasie West, you've done it again!

The characters are so fun, they felt authentic in their interactions and how they acted and reacted was true to their arcs.

If you like animals, TikTok, sisters, good dads, family drama, cute boys, dogs, social media, sarcasm, and sweet romances, this one is for you! (FYI: I don't actually like all of these things (cough dogs, tiktok cough) and I still loved this book. So don't let one of my list items turn you off!

Thoroughly enjoyed this one! West is the queen of YA romance, and I absolutely devoured this one.

I loved the more in-depth look at the negative affects of social media on the lives on teens and the questions arising around dysfunctional family dynamics. I loved the romance between Wren and Asher, and I thought the premise was super fun and fresh, with a really enjoyable twist!

*Actual rating is 4.5 stars*

Kasie West is back again with a wholesome and sweet YA contemporary romance. Animals make everything better, and this also includes books. Set with the backdrop of an animal shelter and connected through a headstrong pitbull, this book is just as cute as the animals within its pages. The main characters, Wren and Asher, borrowed my heart through the story and gave me a well needed serotonin boost.

When it comes to YA contemporary I’ve noticed myself not reading as many of them as I used too, it just not as easy to relate to them most times. But Borrow My Heart has a story and character that’s not tied to being high schoolers. The story could easily have been set at uni, which makes it work for me. It just feels relatable, and I enjoyed the time I spent with this book.

Borrow My Heart is a perfect summer read - it’s quick, fun and lighthearted but still with depth to the characters.

Another solid read from Kasie West! While I never truly love her books, they're always super consistent and I know exactly what I'll be getting out of them whenever I pick them up. The amount of fluffy goodness within these novels is an instant serotonin boost for a gloomy day. This new book is no exception. The main love interest is an open, carefree guy, which pairs well with the closed-off heroine. The one thing that kind of irked me about this novel is that about 70% of it centers around miscommunication, which isn't my thing at all. If they had just been open and honest with one another from very early on, a lot of the anxiety and uncertainty surrounding the pair would have been eliminated. I think this aspect of the book was okay, but it just lasted too long for me to the point where I started getting irritated at the main characters. JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER IS THAT SO HARD?!? I get that the heroine is supposed to be very guarded, but I was literally screaming at the page for her to be honest. As a side note, it seemed a bit far-fetched that like EVERYONE knew about the TikTok post. I know it was kind of viral, but a few million views isn't enough for like every kid in the area to have seen it. I've banned TikTok from taking up space on my phone, so maybe I'm out of the loop. Besides these bits of the book, everything else was super enjoyable and easy to read. I'm interested in seeing what the next book in this new series will be and who it will focus on!

I loved everything about this book. Wren, the main character, works at a pet shelter and forms an adorable bond with one of the dogs named Bean. Their relationship, as well as the dog's personality, was so cute and funny it had me cracking up at times.

Asher, the love interest, is expecting to meet his online girlfriend and ends up meeting Wren. It was so entertaining reading a romance that was so different from others I've read in the past. It was so entertaining to read how their relationship started and the twists and turns it takes throughout the book. It kept me wondering what was going to happen, and at some parts wondering what the heck was going on. It really kept my attention the whole way through.

Wren's relationship with her mother and how it was written about felt real and raw. The way Wren and her sister each handled their mother and how it effected their relationship really tugged at my heart. It was emotional to read sometimes, but the book has such light hearted elements to it that it never felt too intense for a young adult/teen book. I think a lot of teens could relate and find comfort in this book. I also liked the bond between Wren and her sister Zoey and their dad.

This book had me smiling, laughing and almost crying at some parts. I never expected to get so attached to a dog in a book, but I did. Wren and Asher's relationship as well as their friends and family was also something I grew attached to.

If you love authors like Emma Lord and Lynn Painter this book really felt like a combination of the two. The character Wren felt similar to character's from Lynn Painter's books and the romance and cuteness reminded me of Emma Lord's books. This book is probably going to stay up there as one of my all time favorite reads.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Children's for this ARC so I could leave a review!

100% the best thing about this was the dog. This was a pretty quick read and it was ok but I think I’m too old now for books like this. I thought the lying went on too long and I wasn’t a fan of the conflict being what it was. I think this would be a fun book for someone younger, maybe 12-15ish? It was good, just not what I was expecting.

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

A cute YA romance that sees a sympathetic teen girl standing in for the girl who catfishes a complete stranger in the cafe where she hangs out. Despite the unusual meet-cute, Wren and Asher find themselves bonding over a rescue dog they work together to get homed. Only to have things backfire on Wren when Asher posts a tiktok video about Wren that goes viral. A feel-good summer romance full of humor and adorable rescue animals. Good on audio too. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!

Kasie West is the master at writing lighthearted YA romance novel. Borrow My Heart is exactly that with elements of situations that, I believe, will connect with teens. It is about Wren who jumps in to help when she sees that Asher has fallen victim to catfishing. He is waiting for his friend he met online when Wren pretends to be the online friend. They develop a friendship through working at an animal shelter and getting a grumpy dog adopted.

What is nice about this book is how realistic it is. Everything from the catfishing, working at an animal shelter, effects of social media, and relationship difficulties with a parent are all relatable.

This book was cute, but it didn’t grab my attention like most Kasie West’s books. It is not bad, but not one of my favorites.

4.5 stars

Another hit by West! She is always an insta-read for me, her stories have great romances and always hit me right in my feels.

After Wren's mom left her family to live a free-spirited life, Wren has kept her heart in a cage, safe from being broken again. To make sure that any future love interests are just right, she has a long list of rules and criteria that a boy must meet before he can be considered. That all starts to go out the window when she impulsively decides to help out Asher, who may have been catfished online.

I loved how much rescue dogs played a part in this. Bean was a sweetheart who just needed the right person to love him. The social media challenges were a lot of fun and I wish I could participate in real life.

The plot had some interesting and surprising turns and I really rooted for Wren to open herself up and start taking some chances. This is another summer smash and I hope everyone loves it too!

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for the copy.

This one started really strong for me! I liked Asher and Wren's meet-cute, and the adorable chemistry that flared between them instantly. Unfortunately, it lost me shortly after that. I didn't love that Wren wasn't able to tell the truth to Asher right away. This seemed like unnecessary conflict/drama that would come back to bite them later, and I wasn't able to invest in them.

I also had trouble staying patient with the pacing of the story. I think this may be a problem for me with YA in general these days, and this might be where I admit that I may have finally outgrown this genre. In the end, this was a DNF for me.

I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to read and review.

Thank you to Kasie West, Delacorte Press, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

First, how cute is this cover!? I was instantly drawn in and knew I wanted to read it before I even read the blurb,

Second, this was a really good, lighthearted YA book. The premise of the story is original and the writing is good. It was a fun, quick read that I will recommend.

"Borrow My Heart" by Kasie West is a sweet young adult romance that takes readers on a journey of unexpected connections and personal growth. Set in a world where negative social media issues loom large, this novel tackles themes such as catfishing, lying, consent to post, and the marketing frenzy surrounding online personas.

The story revolves around Wren, a self-proclaimed control freak who finds her carefully constructed rulebook thrown out the window when she meets Asher, a charming and cute guy who happens to be a victim of catfishing. Wren, known for her adherence to rules, impulsively decides to pretend to be Asher's online crush, saving him from embarrassment. What follows is a fake dating scenario that brings Wren into uncharted territory, as she gets to know Asher without revealing her true identity.

One of the highlights of this novel is the depiction of supportive friendships and well-developed side characters. The author beautifully explores the dynamics of friendship, showcasing how genuine connections can help us navigate challenging situations and discover our true selves.

Incorporating dogs and an animal shelter into the story adds a heartwarming touch, infusing warmth and compassion into the narrative. It not only enhances the overall reading experience but also sheds light on the power of animals in our lives and their ability to heal and bring joy.

The character development in "Borrow My Heart" is exceptional. Through Wren's journey, readers witness her breaking her own rules, challenging her comfort zone, and learning to let go of control. Her growth is authentic and relatable, allowing readers to root for her every step of the way.

Additionally, the cover of the book is simply delightful. It captures the essence of the story, exuding a sense of romance and intrigue, inviting readers to dive into the world created by Kasie West.

Overall, "Borrow My Heart" is a heartwarming YA romance that addresses relevant social media issues while exploring the complexities of relationships and personal growth. With its engaging plot, relatable characters, and themes of love and self-discovery, this book is sure to captivate readers of all ages.

Borrow My Heart
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

While sitting in a coffee shop, Wren overhears a conversation about a potential catfishing situation. When she hears how much this guy’s friend is making fun of him, Wren decides to step in and show up as the date that he’s (Asher) been waiting for. Borrow My Heart is a sweet and innocent YA romance, but it also accurately depicts the real life hardships.

🐾I love that Wren works at an animal shelter, and a majority of the book is Wren and Asher thinking together on how they can get Bean (the goodest boy) adopted. This book showed that even when a dog isn’t automatically affectionate towards others, it doesn’t make them any less deserving of love and a happy home.
🐾I found myself being able to really appreciate the boundaries Wren set with family. The author did a really great job at narrating the complexities of parent-child relationships and navigating at your own pace with them. Wren really struggled with hearing the opinions of others, while also recognizing the changes her mom wasn’t willing to make and learning how to not let that dictate her own life.
🐾 While a lot of Wren’s sarcasm was due to deflection, I really did like her personality. I think I could find myself enjoying being around her.
🐾Now we know that every romance book has the miscommunication trope that leads to breaking up, and then realizing how much they want to be together. Keeping in mind that this is YA, I wasn’t the biggest fan of TikTok leading to the conflict between Wren and Asher.

All in all, I really enjoyed this story and the characters (especially the furry friends). The romance between Asher and Wren was very PG rated, but the two of them together makes me smile! It was a sweet read. If you’re interested in checking this one out, it will be published on June 13, 2023.

Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Children’s for a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Like all of Kasie West's novels (at least all of the ones that I've read, which is most), this is a quick, easy, feel-good read. It's not the deepest book you can read, which isn't to say that there's no depth there, because there is some, but you always know what you're going to get when you go into her books. This particular book was for the most part one of her better ones. I'm somewhat torn about the third act break-up because, without spoiling anything, because I'm still not sure how I feel about it. Part of me thinks it really wasn't that big of a deal, while the other part of me thinks it was perhaps a bigger deal than it was made out to be. All of me can agree on the fact that it's a rather ridiculous plot point, although because of today's day and age it's not insanely far fetched. That part of it keeps it from being in my top 3 Kasie West books of all time, but it was still exactly what I expect when it comes to her, and I certainly enjoyed it more than some of her others. I will without a doubt be more than pleased to recommend it to anyone coming in looking for feel-good fluffy YA romance, as well as mention it to fans of similar books because it's sure to be a hit. I will also once again be eagerly awaiting whatever it is West comes out with next, because even if I'm not the target audience for them they still make me smile.

Thank you Netgalley, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I’m very selective with YA books, but I’m glad that I read this one. I liked reading about Asher, and when I got to the dog (iykyk), it made my heart melt. Additionally, I felt like both characters were just genuine and real. It was nice to read a book that didn’t have too much drama, but when it did, it was dealt with in a real way, where nothing was too idealistic, covering topics of the issues of social media that impact teens). Overall, I think it was a cute and easy YA read and had a great message for teens.

Actual rating: 3.5 stars

I didn’t realize I had read some of Kasie West’s books before until I started this but I have to say while this is not my favorite of her books, I still liked it and enjoyed reading it.

I really liked the last several chapters and I feel like if I hadn’t I probably wouldn’t have rated the book as high.

I also liked that there were some parts that were predictable and some that weren’t. I definitely didn’t expect the plot twist that happened towards the end (is it even considered a plot twist? I’m gonna call it one).

I liked Asher a lot and Wren was great too. Wren has some character growth and Asher didn’t really seem to but he was still great.

Overall, this was a cute, short read and I enjoyed it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Every Kasie West book I read becomes my favorite Kasie West book! She keeps getting better and better with each one. I love that her books are guaranteed to be solid YA contemporary romances with swoony love interests, fun settings, and sweet side characters and subplots. This was such a fun and quick read, perfect for the beach or pool!

How cute that the mc works at a dog shelter and that Asher starts volunteering there to spend time with her. Bean is the cutest pupper ever, and I loooove that Asher and Wren bonded over him.

Overall: super enjoyable and charming! I loved the social media aspect and how deep the book dives into truth and motivations on social media. It was surprisingly deep!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Borrow My Heart by Kasie West is a young adult romance about a girl who sees a boy in distress who is seemingly being catfished so she pretends to be his date. The characters in this book didn't feel fully fleshed out, nor did the plot. It was hard to follow in some places. I have read many of Kasie West's books before I got this one and I was surprised that this one just wasn't the one for me. I thought it was fake dating but really it's dating by deception. It was awkward and I didn't really believe they knew each other enough to really care for one another. The redeeming part was all of the parts about the animal shelter and the unlovable dog. I found myself rooting for the dog more than I was the main characters.

As always Kasie West kills the YA rom-com game. I never wanted to put this book down.

Once again I saw pieces of me in the female main character. Insert "wait is this a movie about us?" sound bit.

Wren is a witty, sarcastic, caring girl and loves animals. She sees a boy in need of a rescue and steps out of her comfort zone to do so. Thus a small lie ends up helping her to let her walls down.

I loved the relationship between Wren and Asher. They weren't an instant thing and it showed that sometimes people need to move slower than what we see in movies. I also loved Bean because it reminded me of my dog Beans (seriously that was my dogs name 😆). Not just because of the name, but in the same way that Bean was skeptical of others and had their own personality. It made me want to adopt a fictional dog 😂.

We also explore a mother/daughter relationship and how sometimes there are no happy endings.

I adore this author and her stories always have me feeling good. The young romance is perfection and I highly recommend!