A girl stuck in a library, the boy who is stuck with her.
By Your Side is a contemporary teen romance written by awesome author Kasie West.



First things first: I love reading Kasie West books. I started with Pivot Point and couldn't wait to read more, and have read almost all of her books so far.
However, I was disappointed the further I got into this book, especially because it's going on my first Blog Review. I want it to be clear that this book does not deter me from reading future books by Kasie West, and if you have not read one of her books yet, please start with Pivot Point or The Fill-In Boyfriend, whichever plot that piques your interest more.

Now for the official Review.

By Your Side has promise of an interesting fun, romantic read (Kasie West is fantastic at her couples, my personal opinion, and she always offers fun little twists and surprises). The first chapter starts off right in the library, to my delighted surprise.
Autumn's friends have left her locked in a library, and they don't even know it. Now, a girl with anxiety, must brave the next four days locked in a freezing building, alone. Or so she thinks.
Dax is the rumored bad boy at school, and now he's in the library, sleeping bag ready, and Autumn doesn't know what to think. The guy she likes, Jeff, is on his way to the cabin with their friends for Martin Luther King Jr weekend. Surely he and her friends will notice at some point she's missing--but after day one, it's clear no one is showing up to rescue her.
Okay, I'm gonna stop right here. I'll be honest and say I don't know how review blogs go, so mine might be a little unconventional. This is really just a personal goal I'm sharing with others that will get me reading more this year because the last couple years I barely read ten books, if even that (eek!).

My rating for this book? 2.5 Stars
Does this rating reflect the talent of the author? No.
It reflects the story line and the characters interaction, mainly Autumn and Dax. Keep in mind I just finished Kasie West and though it has one predictability, the storyline is lovely and enjoyable. I liked how it flowed, the romantic plot was enticing, I wanted the book to keep adding more pages.
By Your Side's romantic plot isn't all that fun. There isn't much character development or adventure. If I was locked in the library (or at least a book character locked in the library because book characters tend to be more bold) I wouldn't let the cute guy get away with being quiet the whole time. It's only until they're about to be done with their weekend stuck in the freezing building that they actually start getting along -- but there isn't much talking, and the little there is, doesn't whet the appetite. They play some games, she learns a few truths, but it's very much surface stuff. And it stays that way majority of the book.
Autumn's anxiety is an interesting add to the story, and will probably help others who experience this. Autumn is reaffirmed that you cannot live your life pleasing others, or risk your own health to make them happy.
Dax helps keep Autumn calm and relaxed, but he also doesn't ever really divulge his true self, or where he's going in life. The premise is interesting, I just wish there had been more depth.
I didn't like that the far and few scenes the romantic characters had together, left everything to the imagination, didn't progress their relationship much, or make you feel like they actually had a connection. This is very unlike the author's other books -- her characters have connections, the scenes they have together are like samples of brownies (I LOVE brownies), always leaving you wanting more but giving you something to wait with in the meantime (does that make sense? No? lol).

A good takeaway is how Dax encourages Autumn not to care what people think, something teens (and older) definitely need reinforced into their hearts and minds. You have to let other people's opinions of you sweep off like water on a duck's back. Dax even proves what he says with action.

The ending left you with ... well, loose ends. We don't get to know what happens with Dax and his mother, but at least Autumn and Dax are together...I guess. Sorry, I just wanted more from them.

So... I do not recommend By Your Side, but if you would like to take a chance on it, then go ahead. FIRST I would like to end this review with a list of books I DO recommend others to read by Kasie West.


Books I Do Recommend by this Author:

Pivot Point (Must Read!)
Split Second (Sequel to Pivot Point -- Split Second is my FAVORITE!)
The Fill-In Boyfriend
The Distance Between Us

I am excited for her next book coming July 2017 is Lucky in Love