Cute and breezy! A super quick read.

Theo was easy to love. Deja, Lee, and Maxwell were the perfect group of supportive friends. Jensen is scum of the earth.

I really liked Finley and I found her easy to connect with. (She’s very much an immature high schooler, but this is a YA book, so it worked haha.) Give her some time and she’ll grow into a wonderful, thoughtful young adult.

I liked how football and podcasting were explained but not mansplained. I appreciated understanding more about what was going on without feeling inundated with useless information.

Overall, my favorite Kasie West book! Sweet, easy, artsy, beachy, and swoony. Everything I want in a YA romance!

I love Kasie West novels both for myself and for my 8th grade classroom! Better Than Revenge is cute and clean - and probably could happen if it hasn't already. There's a strong protagonist and a supportive band of besties, plus a couple of bad boys set in a California high school. The podcasting element is very current, and I especially loved the connection between Finley and her grandmother. Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to preview #BetterThanRevenge by Kasie West. I'm already looking forward to her next release!

What a charming read this was! It had the perfect balance of humor, heart, and lightness, all while featuring a cast of characters who felt both real and refreshingly complex. Each one brought something special to the story, making it impossible not to connect with them.

For readers who crave a lighthearted and hopeful romance with a strong coming-of-age theme, this is a delightful fit, offering a swoony and humorous tale of self-discovery, friendship, and the power of love to overcome even the most hurtful of betrayals.

I received an advanced Copy from netgalley and Random house in exchange for an honest review.

First, with all YA books, I want to remind you that adult reviews are often skewed because we've lived these experiences and already learned from them. Something that might feel obvious to a 30 year old woman might be less obvious to a younger person and a book can really help them see a new perspective.

This book is about a 17 year old girl, Finley, who wants to be a podcaster for her school program. She spends all of high school preparing, only to have her football boyfriend of a year swoop in and grab it for fun. Then she begins plotting her revenge.

I think this book was fantastic. It really highlights the frustrating realities of women in male dominated spaces, and kind of gives readers a delightful revenge story. I've seen a few people say this story is lighter and more fun, less deep, than her previous books, but I kind of disagree. Finley is starting to see some really attention seeking and manipulative behaviors from Jensen and she begins questioning her relationships. I think it's a fantastic way to highlight some early toxic behaviors of narcissism, and a lot of young people can benefit from learning how to question these behaviors. Of course there's also a romantic story and a friendship learning moment. Overall very fun, sweet, and worth a read.

“When are you going to realize that I just want to be near you, Finley? All the time.”

Thank you to Delacorte Press, Random House Children's and NetGalley for the free advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

I had so much fun reading this adorable YA!! Kasie West writes the sweetest stories! If you are a fan of rom-coms then this is one that should definitely be on your list!

Finley has been dreaming of becoming a podcaster for as long as she can remember but when her football playing boyfriend decides to try out for their school’s podcast team and steals her spot, she immediately sees red. She decides that her only course of action is to enlist her ex’s nemesis to help her exact revenge. As a former soccer player Finley knows she can kick a ball but can she get good enough to try out as the kicker for the football team and steal her ex’s spotlight?

Better than Revenge is full of such fun characters and captivating banter. The writing is so well done and I was hooked from start to finish! Theo (the nemesis) turns out to be the cutest book boyfriend but Finley’s grandmother was my favorite character of all. I love mixing YAs into my reading plans because they always leave me feeling warm and fuzzy. If you are in the mood for a feel-good rom-com with a hint of high school angst then this is one you can’t pass up!

Better Than Revenge is available today!

Read if you like
YA
High school setting
Friends to lovers
Single pov
Sports romance
Sweet family dynamics
Adorable banter

When her boyfriend thoughtlessly destroys her dreams and publicly humiliates her, Finley is out for sweet revenge. He auditioned for the spot on the school podcast team and took the position that she had trained for using her idea. since he stole her position, she decides to attempt to steal his dream and tryout for the kicker position on next year's football team. When his nemesis helps her train, the sparks fly. This cute romance has a secondary storyline. Finley's grandmother has Alzheimer's and Finley uses a personal podcast to walk down memory lane recording her grandmother's story. West handles this story with care and tenderness. I loved this sweet romance and devoured it in one afternoon.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

I have my ups and downs with Kasie West ranging from adoring to luke warm feelings...this one was a total hit! The friendships, family relationships, romance was all well done. Our couple, Finley and Theo were ultra cute and I loved the progression of their relationship. And the podcast with the grandma and her story added a special layer to the whole book.

I especially enjoyed the fact that there was an "aha moment" of the whole revenge thing. The ending was totally satisfying and left me smiling...

4 stars

Even if you are way past high school, this book is worth reading.

At the beginning of this story, Finley is dating Jensen who has to be among the top 20 worst book boyfriends ever. After he betrays her extremely publicly by trying out for and getting a hosting spot on the school's podcast, she vows revenge and is determined to try out for the football team and take his position as kicker. In comes Theo, the outgoing kicker with his own reasons for disliking Jensen, who advises Finley he will coach her, but there are signals from the beginning that Theo probably would have helped her even if he didn't dislike Jensen.

The story is a sweet high school romance, but beyond that it is a story about granddaughter and grandmother, dealing with dementia and coming to terms with the person you want to be. There are so many things I want to say about this book, but they would ruin the story for other readers, so I am not going to do that. What I am going to say it that this book is definitely enjoyable and that there are larger issues addressed by the book beyond that of a high school romance. I really enjoyed the interactions between Finley and Theo and watching their relationship blossom, and I really enjoyed experiencing Finley's relationship with her grandmother. The author has a quote in her acknowledgements which I highlighted and would love to include here (and which immediately made me think of Taylor Swift), but again it would ruin experiencing the book for others. If pressed for contructive criticism, I would say that the relationship Finley has with her best friend Deja and the larger issues there could have been explored more thoroughly, but the fact that they weren't doesn't detract from the story.

This was the first Kasie West book I have read and now I am looking forward to reading others. This one is definitely worth reading.

Unfortunately, it was a cute premise, but it wasn't for me. I ended up DNFing it at about 20%. I couldn't connect to the writing style or the FMC as much as I had hoped.

I was super excited for this book when I got the approval for it and I’m so so so glad it didn’t disappoint! I will say I’m always scared to read a YA romance book because sometimes I feel like I’ve outgrown them lol but this one was super fun and I really enjoyed it! I liked the different storylines that were explored throughout the book, I felt like it kept me entertained and engaged and there was never really a filler chapter which I appreciated. I really liked the FMC and her growth throughout the book. I definitely would’ve liked to see Theo grovel a bit more but of course they’re in high school, they can only do so much lol. Overall I really liked this one! Thank you for the opportunity!!

loved this romance about a girl who loves podcasting and the football player that helps her find some things of her grandmother. loved that they found a common connection.

This was a charming and engaging YA romance with a touch of humor. Finley is relatable and determined, and Theo is a charming and complex character. Their banter is witty and entertaining, and their unexpected connection adds depth to the story. It’s fun seeing their relationship blossoming naturally from enemies to lovers amidst their competitiveness. There was also a side story about Finely’s grandmother that made my heart melt. Overall it was a fun and sweet YA read!

In the past I've read a few books by Kasie West and really enjoyed them. Better Than Revenge caught my eye because of this adorable cover and the fact that our main character wants to become a famous podcaster. I don't listen to them myself, but for some reason I love that element in the books I read. When I picked up this book, I couldn't put it down and read it all in one sitting.

My heart broke for Finley. Working towards a spot on her school's podcast for her senior year has taken up a lot of her time. So when her boyfriend decides to audition without showing any sign of wanting it at all really hurts Finley. Even more so when Jensen gets the position she was hoping for and doesn't seem to understand why she's mad. Her emotions lead her to wanting revenge against Jensen and this turns her life upside down in many ways.

What I really appreciated about Better Than Revenge is that this wasn't just a romance or revenge plot. This book was filled with friendship, family, working on your dreams, and even believing in yourself. Theo and Finley's grandmother really stole the show for me, and if I'm being honest I teared up a few times while reading this book. Finley's personal podcast and the grand gesture at the end of this book was everything I wanted and more.

Better Than Revenge is a book I'd highly recommend and I'd have to say it's become my favorite Kasie West book. I didn't want to go in to too many details because I enjoyed going into this book knowing near to nothing. It was an emotional roller coaster, and it ended up being very heartwarming and left a smile on my face.

I have been an avid Kasie West fan for several years - to the point where I've read nearly everything she's published. I've loved her characters, their storylines, and the artful way she weaves real problems into a light and fluffy story.

I think Better Than Revenge is my favorite novel to date. Finley has spent her entire life preparing to be a part of the school's podcast team - a spot that is taken due to a last-minute try-out from her jock boyfriend. Crushed, Finley vows to get revenge on him by trying out for his spot on the football team. She enlists the help of Theo, fellow football kicker and nemesis to her (now) ex-boyfriend. So what if he's cute and rightfully cocky? She's too busy getting her life back on track and getting revenge to notice. Mostly

I felt that the main female character, Finley, was relatable, witty, and entertaining and that the main male character, Theo, was cocky, thoughtful, and kind. Their relationship and banter were reminiscent of a teenage entry to Darcy and Elizabeth from "Pride and Prejudice" (with her being slightly oblivious and him going out of his way to help her in the background). I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy so I can mark up some of my favorite quotes from their conversations.

If you are not a teenager (like me), you do have to remember to take this book with a grain of salt. I found that Finley often reacted in rash or juvenile ways that left me frustrated - but then I had to remember that it is a young adult book and that my own siblings who are the same age would react in a similar manner. Frustrating yes, but realistic to the age range.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of Better Than Revenge by Kasie West. I could not put this down 5 stars ✨️!
This was an absolutely adorable story about finding your footing and strength when you feel like your world has fallen apart. Finley's podcast with her grandmother was so cute and heartwarming. The banter and tension between Finley and Theo was so good! This had me giggling like a school girl. So cute!

This was a cute young adult book! It was very lighthearted and felt like I was watching an old Disney channel tv show. Finley is trying to get back at her ex boyfriend for taking her spot in the podcast show. She does this by trying to take his spot on the football team.

I liked the premise and the characters! I wasn’t too connected to the grandmother story but I wish I was. Has a lot of potential!

Forget "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." Hell hath no fury like Finley, a teenage podcaster with a stolen pitch and a grudge the size of a football field. Better Than Revenge is a chaotic symphony of teenage angst, sports drama, and just the right amount of swoon-worthy moments to make you simultaneously roll your eyes and clutch your heart.

Our heroine, Finley, dreams of podcasting stardom. She’s got her pitch, her passion, and a boyfriend named Jensen… who promptly yoinks her idea, lands her dream spot on the school podcast, and expects her to cheer him on. Big mistake. HUGE. Instead of wallowing in heartbreak like a normal person, Finley decides to channel her inner petty queen and destroy Jensen’s life. Cue the revenge montage.

Step one? Sabotage his football career. Step two? Steal his position as kicker. Step three? Enlist the help of his arch-nemesis, Theo, who’s irritatingly talented, undeniably attractive, and hiding a tragic backstory because of course he is. What follows is a delightful spiral of Finley’s increasingly unhinged schemes, awkward football practices, and a slow-burn romance so sweet it’ll make your teeth hurt.

Let’s talk about Theo. This boy is the human equivalent of a grumpy cat with a secret soft side. He’s cocky, clever, and—against all odds—actually helpful in Finley’s quest for revenge. Naturally, their banter turns into flirting, and their flirting turns into full-blown heart eyes. Meanwhile, Jensen is on the sidelines, watching his life implode and wondering why he ever thought it was okay to mess with Finley in the first place.

The plot is gloriously over-the-top in the best way. Finley’s transformation from “quiet, podcast-loving girl” to “football-kicking, revenge-plotting badass” is as unrealistic as it is entertaining. The side characters add extra spice, especially her friends, who alternate between hyping her up and questioning her life choices.

Sure, the book leans hard into its tropes (enemies-to-lovers, revenge backfiring, "oh no, we’re falling for each other"), but who cares when it’s this fun? Also, the football scenes are surprisingly engaging for someone who knows as much about sports as they do about rocket science (read: absolutely nothing).

Final thoughts? This book is like an angsty teenage rom-com with extra glitter, a dash of chaos, and a soundtrack full of girl power anthems. It’s messy, it’s dramatic, and it’s utterly delightful. Five stars for pettiness, podcasts, and a romance that proves revenge is great, but falling in love with your ex’s enemy is better.

This book was so cute! Finley’s story of revenge and developing relationship with Theo really kept me interested, and I loved the parallels in Theo/Finley and Grandma/Andrew’s stories. It was really sweet and I also thought Theo was so charming and I really enjoyed the tension between him and Finley.

A Taylor Swift song reference in the title and a new book by my comfort author?? Sign me up. I loved this story! Finley, the protagonist, has always wanted to become a famous podcaster. She even has her own podcast where she interviews her grandmother, but only her mom and her best friend ever listen to it. Finley believes that, to make her dream happen, she needs to become a host for the school podcast. To her utter dismay, her (horrible) boyfriend also auditions for the host role without telling her, stealing her dream (the absolute nerve!!)

Finley knows exactly how to get revenge--by taking lessons from her boyfriend's (cute) archnemesis so she can steal her (ex) boyfriend's starting spot as the kicker on the football team. But pretty soon, she stops falling on the field and starts falling in love...with the one person she thought she could never like. Will Finley get back at her boyfriend from stealing her dream? Or will she find out, perhaps, that some things are indeed better than revenge? ;)

Excuse the poor puns. But this really was a cute, easy read. I think I might be getting a tad too old for Kasie West because some of the characters came off a little cheesy (but I think she has an adult debut releasing soon?? Please please please??). She is forever my comfort author, though!

Thank you to Netgalley and Delacorte Romance for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.