Mike in the Middle

by Gaby Knight

What would you do if your best friend was in love with the guy showing interest in you? In Mike in the Middle, Mackenzie Bishop goes back and forth with herself over the pact she made with her stubborn best friend, Rachel Hoyt, years ago, wondering how to move forward.Mackenzie and Rachel come from two different backgrounds, the former from a typical large Catholic family and the latter as a spoiled only child from a well-off family, but they become best friends despite their differences at St. Joseph High School. For having different tastes in guys, they make a pact the summer before their sophomore year that their friendship will self-destruct if one dated a guy who is better for the other. Enter the sarcastic but caring Mike Sienkiewicz.With classes going faster and faster, car accidents, prom mix-ups, and rock concerts, will Mackenzie and Rachel's friendship pass the test?

Hardcover

Published April 30, 2024

About the author

Gaby Knight is a former journalist and a current hopeless romantic existentialist. She lives in Alabama with her husband, Justin, cats, Luna and Cleo, and dog, Lassie.

Reviews

[Nicole H · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

[Mahlia Kendrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute yet drama-filled story, and I LOVED IT! Best friends Mackenzie and Rachel make a pact the summer before sophomore year that if one of them dates a guy who is better for the other, their friendship will be forever ruined. Now enter in Mike. Will their friendship last or be doomed?

This book was so entertaining! The drama, the love triangle, and the Taylor Swift references were perfect! The pacing was great and flowed nicely. I was hooked and couldn’t wait to find out what happened! Let’s just say I have some strong opinions about Mike too.🤨😂 You guys will love this book!

[Lisa Jansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a big YA reader but loved this book. Lots of drama!

[Caroline Jansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My sister wrote and published this book, and it's super entertaining! Read it if you like:
-high school drama
-love triangles within close-knit friend groups
-quippy dialogue
-the most realistic portrayal of Band Kids
-Catholic Guilt Complexes (TM)
-YA pageturners

Plus it's on Kindle unlimited, if you have it, but personally I like to admire the eye-catching cover on my shelf :)

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

very readable, enjoyable book. highly recommend! would like to see a college sequel?

[Jordyn Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story perfectly captures the highs and lows of high school friendships, and I couldn’t put it down. Mackenzie and Rachel make a pact about dating, which adds such an interesting layer of tension because you know the moment Mike shows up, things are about to get complicated.

I really enjoyed how the book balances lighthearted moments with drama. There are laugh-out-loud scenes, but also plenty of situations that tug at your emotions and remind you just how intense friendships can feel at that age. The high school setting—complete with accidents, dances, and concerts—made it nostalgic while still feeling fresh.

What stood out most to me was how real the characters felt. Their banter, mistakes, and even questionable choices all made them relatable. It reminded me of my own teenage years, both the fun and the awkward parts.

If you’re looking for a character-driven story that mixes humor, friendship, and a touch of drama, this is a book worth reading.

[Nikki Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much fun! Mike in the Middle has it all: high school drama, band kids, a fun friend group, a bit of a love triangle, and some interesting family dynamics. Also have you SEEN the cover? So stinkin cute! Also the author Gaby Knight is the nicest ever, so bonus points there too. Fun read that I think people in my of the categories above would enjoy.