Marking Time

by Tasha Christensen

After moving nine times in twelve years, Kendall Mathis is used to being the new girl. Her foolproof method? Turn up the collar on her leather jacket and don’t let anyone get close. Soon she’ll be off to college and a life she can finally choose for herself. She just has to get through senior year at Itaska High without any distractions.

Enter Jaz, a cute, outgoing drummer whose favorite thing to be is distracting. Kendall tries to keep her at arm’s length, but she’s no match for the sheer power of Jaz Whitaker on a mission.

After sparks fly at band camp, the two make a bet with a prize Kendall can’t pass up. And despite all her efforts to win, Kendall finds it harder than expected to keep from falling in love with Itaska–and the girl who won’t leave her alone.

For fans of Casey McQuiston and Rachel Lynn Solomon, Marking Time is a new queer rom-com filled with teen angst, marching band shenanigans, and a grumpy/sunshine romance.

Genres: Lesbian, Young Adult

Unknown Binding

Reviews

[Lochsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really took me back to high school matching band. I literally teared up at reading "EYES WITH PRIDE" because of the flood of emotions it brought back.
Queer romance isn't a genre I often read (honestly romance in general isn't my top genre), but I did feel invested in Kendall's life and wanted things to work out for her. The characters felt very realistic as high school students and band kids.

[Kaitlyn Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a band geek I am so excited to talk about this book! We follow Kendall as she gets ready to start her senior year at a new school (again) before heading off to college. Any plans of trying to avoid attachments to her dad’s home town are quickly complicated after meeting Jaz, the snare player, in her marching band. As one who has a complicated relationship with romance books, I found this book fast paced, lovable, and I definitely cried. As a saxophonist and a music education grad, I loved Tasha’s attention to detail and absolute love for the band world. I can’t recommend this book enough!
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I received a copy of this book for an honest review

[Jessica Rush · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐
🏍️🚌🥁🎷🏈


Marking Time by Tasha Christensen is a great YA book about learning to trust and finding family.

Kendell Mathis moved to Itaska with her father to live with her grandparents after her parent's divorce. She's already used to moving around a lot during her childhood because of her mother's job, so she doesn't like to attach herself to friends cause she doesn't like losing them, but add her distrust in love she is adamant that she doesn't want to make friends in Itaska.

But then she meets her fellow bandmate, Jaz, and that isn't easy to do especially because Jaz is adamant that she can make Kendell fall in love with Itaska and make her feel like she's home.

Marking Time is a fast-paced, and easy to read. It has great diversity and great characters. I recommend this to all who like cute YA stories.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A super fun, easy read that felt very atmospheric. I fell in love with the town of Itaska almost immediately and felt Kendall was a highly relatable main character. This was full of playful scenes surrounding marching bands and motorcycles, and was endlessly cute. I really appreciated the revelations throughout the story about connection and attachment and how those around us impact our relationships, it was a valuable lesson I know would be useful to many young adults. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun, silly romance that simultaneously teaches the importance of communication and connection.

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first adventure into a story with a queer relationship as its focus, and it felt just as natural as any other teenage relationship. That's where the strength in this series lies--in the humor, heart, and substance of the young characters, just trying to grow up and navigate life while making music.

I couldn't relate well to Kendall's closed-off ways--I was more the kid who would have loved having a group of kids keep trying to include me in things--but I could totally relate to her introverted ways, and once she was drawn into Jaz's orbit, I enjoyed the grumpy/sunshine dynamic. I thought the angst and ups and downs of teenage crushes were all done particularly well too.

[Jo Doolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun , quick read. Though I wasn’t in marching band I’m HS, the rest of the story feels nostalgic and relatable. The themes of not knowing how close to get with others, not knowing our own feelings and dealing with family drama are all something people can relate to when they think about growing up. I felt connected to the MC as someone who likes to be independent but also wants to be surrounded with reassurance and people who care. A big recommend for young adults or for adults who want to relive a bit of their own coming of age story!

[Tasha Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am extremely biased because I wrote this book!! Proceed with caution!!

MARKING TIME has everything you could possibly want in a rom com:

- grumpy/sunshine romance
- teen angst
- found family
- falling in love at band camp
- jumping into rivers fully clothed
- blanket forts
- tension-filled backrub circles
- dramatic revelations at school dances
- teachers who may or may not be secretly dating

....and more!

[Sam B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately I was just bored with this story. I found myself confused at the beginning, not realising she had started school yet and this was solely band practice. Perhaps if I was more interested in band I’d have liked it? And perhaps I’m just transitioning out of YA because I didn’t find the interactions of the kids amusing. A shame, but just really not for me.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Arianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought that it had a lack of suspense. The characters, on the other, were really strong. They came right out of the page. I enjoyed it to a point. The cover caught my attention. It was what sparked me to review it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lars Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put the book down! It's been a while since I stayed up that late reading...
Well written and relatable characters, loads of marching band nostalgia, and a beautiful young romance I thoroughly enjoyed rooting for. Did I mention the nostalgia? I almost want to go volunteer for my local high school band just to keep the feelings going (guess I'm old now?).
10/5 stars from me!

[Words_by_coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marking Time is a well-woven story of a teen coming to terms with family difficulties while she tries to fit into a new school. Kids and adults alike are believable and likable; everyone has their flaws but works to come together. A bit spicy, but lots of fun for a marching band audience!

[Courtney The Corndogg · Rating 5 out of 5]

My band kid heart exploded from this book at 3 separate times. I love it and happily recommend it to all the other band nerds in my life. Once a band kid, always a band kid. Low brass for life!

[Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in advance for an honest review. This book did not disappoint. As a former band kid (percs represent), I loved the portrayal of band camp and the shenanigans that often come with musically inclined kids being in close quarters for extended periods of time. The grumpy/sunshine trope was great, and I really enjoyed the growth of the characters. This book has a lot of representation of diverse individuals and would be great for older teens and young adults.