Before High School Ends

by Mitchie Gonzales

Upon realizing that they only have two years left in high school, geeky wallflower Bettie and her friends, the artistic Gayle and the rebellious Annie, make the Wildest Dreams list—a list of everything they hope to do before high school ends. As they set out to complete the list, they meet twins Ryan and James, who bring several twists to their year. Through love triangles, forbidden relationships, family troubles, and awakened sexualities, these three friends try to navigate junior high and deal with the complexities of their coming of age.

353 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2024

Reviews

[The Owl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hoot Hoot, another coming of age story. to which I deeply relate to as during my elementary years I also made a list for myself (I still have that list to this day to be honest). though it wasn't completed I still resonated with this story. It captures the essence of high school life, from the excitement of new experiences to the uncertainty of the future. It highlights the importance of making the most of the time before high school ends, as the characters learn valuable life lessons and form bonds that will last a lifetime.

It was a sad, nostalgic read for me. having the regrets of not enjoying my highschool life to the fullest. But I hope that the author will make more stories like these in the future.

[Aimy Madayag · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before High School Ends is a wonderful read for anyone looking for a coming of age, young adult read with plenty of references to Taylor Swift and her music.

Seeing Bettie, Annie and Gayle’s story progress on the page reminded me a lot of my high school days. Their friendship made me recall the many adventures I encountered throughout high school, and the endless support my own friends have given me across the years.

This story is made more realistic by the bumps and obstacles in the road as they traversed through their days before high school ends, as well as their high hopes and dreams, made concrete by the “Wildest Dreams” list. Their list and aspirations allowed me to look back on my own experiences with hoping to do something great before my days in high school were over, and I’m sure this is relatable for many others as well.

This book has a certain charm to it. A certain nostalgia lies between its pages that is made possible by the book’s themes of friendship and growth among friends. And, of course, as a Swiftie, I had fun highlighting each and every Taylor Swift reference mentioned in this book.

Overall, I would recommend Before High School Ends to anyone who would like a coming of age story about the strength and challenges of friendship, romance, and all relationships in between.

[Alyssa L. Caballero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mitchie Gonzales's Before High School Ends is a feel-good, drama-packed, and 'hormone-filled' story about the lives of the trio Bettie, Annie, and Gayle. Each one had their own battles (and crazy situations) to deal with and it really made me think of the days when I was back in high school.

The story is well-paced and beautifully descriptive at the right times, making me imagine each scene vividly and even the character's way of speaking. The dialogues are fun and spunky, and oh-so relatable for my inner awkward teenage self. There were times I felt kilig, especially with the inclusion of the polar opposite twins Ryan and James, as well as the flippant Inez, and giggled at the scenarios these teens faced (I should stop now before I spoil something haha). Honestly, it made me want to go back to high school just to experience it all again, but maybe with a Mercedes to fully capture the magic.

I recommend this book since it feels like a Taylor Swift (and a bit of Olivia Rodrigo) playlist on each page. Congratulations, author! It was a fun read!

[Patrick Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

“And I said, "Oh my, what a marvelous tune". It was the best night, never would forget how we moved.” A lyric from the song Starlight by Taylor Swift.

When I read Before High School Ends by Mitchie Gonzales, I was like reading each chapter with a Taylor Swift song in the background of it. Marrying Taylor Swift inspired concepts with life themes like friendship, family, love, daily high school struggles, and self-discovery, which is a unique way of storytelling. Think about the movies “Mean Girls”, “The Duff”, “The Kissing Booth” and “The Clueless”, It has the same vibe as this novel. Gonzales also created relatable characters for teenagers who will definitely read and enjoy this book. Every chapter was a must-read not just for Swifties but for people who celebrate youthfulness, individuality, and love. Congratulations, Mitchie. I can’t wait to read more and more books created and written by you.

Actual Rating: 4.6/5

[Leepoy Ifurung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before High School Ends is a coming-of-age story inspired by the famous songs of Taylor Swift. I may not be familiar with most of her songs, but the story captures the emotional moments and nostalgia of high school drama. The three main characters, Bettie, Gayle, and Annie, compile a bucket list of what they called the wildest dreams with the goal of making their years of high school memorable. Their journey also includes love triangles and self-discovery difficulties. This book also reminds me of my favorite coming-of-age with teenagers with attitude films like The Breakfast Club and The Edge of Seventeen.

[Jeb · Rating 5 out of 5]

All in all a pleasant read that depicts common pubertal issues and unfolds into a meaningful story about interpersonal relationships, grit, and self-awareness. Loved the simple design of the storyline and how the author was able to intricately complicate and reasonably resolve each dilemma faced by each character with justice. The dialogues are well-described and portrayed in a way that is very familiar and close to home. Impressive work!