The Importance of Extracurriculars & Other Assumptions

by Kelly Elizabeth Huston

You know what they say when you assume...

Amelia allows herself two fibs a day. Only two. And only fibs—nothing bigger. It’s not always convenient, but it has worked—earning her a job as Vice-Dean of Admissions at Chastain University, her Southern Ivy alma mater.

But lies—big or small—might still be her downfall.

Raised by her single mom in a working-class Atlanta neighborhood, Amelia—Mimi outside her carefully curated professional life— devoted herself to earning a full scholarship to Chastain University. Since then, she has tried to make good on the opportunities she fought so hard to achieve. Her fib policy started in college, after a small assumption snowballed into a campus-wide humiliation she’s never quite lived down.

These days, Amelia plays everything by the book in her structured, efficient, and safe life—filled with few people, endless nonfiction, and a deep belief in meritocracy.

A chance run-in with Ethan, a nomadic truth-teller of a different sort, sparks attraction. But when Chastain U stands accused of a ripped-from-the-headlines admissions scandal, ethics suspend the love-match, and Amelia becomes complicit in ways she never imagined. Fighting for her place in a world that offers more obstacles than opportunities; good intentions go horribly wrong. Amelia strives to make things right while the hijinks of a cabal of well-meaning geriatrics and the old boys’ club of higher education help and hinder but if Amelia’s already-lonesome ivory tower crumbles, she’ll lose everything—her career, Ethan... and the fragile relationship with her mother she’s only just begun to repair.

A witty, heartfelt romance for anyone who’s ever bent the truth, tried to break the system, or been bowled over by love for someone they absolutely shouldn’t.

358 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 22, 2025

About the author

Hello, dear readers!
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Reviews

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

A romance in higher academia— the perfect fall read! This story has everything— a whip-smart protagonist (who wears fabulous fall jackets!), a dreamy journalist, a college admissions scandal, one my favorite familiar faces from Huston’s earlier work, AND the cutest dog ever. Now I have to admit that Asher Cray, from A Very Crowded House, has always been my favorite of Huston’s leading men (Who wouldn’t want to fall in love with a brilliant writer???), so it’s no surprise journalist Ethan grabbed my heart in this story’s entanglement of somewhat-forbidden-love (I won’t spoil the VERY real conflict keeping our lovers apart). This fall, give yourself a cozy evening in with a good red wine and this book!

[Kelly Huston]

This fun and flirty book, full of nerdy factoids with fight the patriarchy vibes, will be perfect for fall. Feel the nip in the air and the leaves crunch underfoot in a light-hearted story that hits some hot-button issues of the day. If you like a forbidden grumpy(she)/sunshine(him) trope, a Southern Ivy university setting, and Easter eggs from other Found Families series books, The Importance of Extracurriculars & Other Assumptions could be for you. Please consider putting it on your "want to read" shelf and be on the lookout for a Good Reads Giveaway to kick off fall season.

This book publishes October 22, 2025.

[Heather Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plan to set aside big blocks of time—you’ll want to binge this one! Huston once again delivers a storytelling experience that draws you deep into characters you can’t help but love and a plot you have to unravel. The slow-burn romance and quirky character details make it easy to root for these two lovebirds from the very start.

The southern university backdrop hooked me right away, especially the way Huston weaves humor, current events, and institutional politics into the story. And the Easter eggs nodding to the other Found Families books? Pure delight—they left me ready for a re-read!

This is the perfect fall must-read for anyone craving a story that makes you laugh, think, and walk alongside characters as they navigate complicated situations with heart and humor.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m absolutely giddy after reading this book! I’m sitting here, writing this review, realizing that the book hangover I’m about to feel for this story and the characters who have become like real friends (how do authors do that? Make fictional characters so lifelike?! It’s astounding) is going to be massive.

I will be thinking of these characters often, wishing they were real and I could follow them for the rest of their lives. Haha but I’d settle for a sequel (or a few book series!)

Good books are worth their weight in “hangovers”— and when they are this enjoyable, I’d never turn them down! Now I’m off to find more books by Kelly Huston…

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Hal Ralston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Kelly Elizabeth Houston did it! I found that the story was so engaging that I couldn’t put it down. As usual, I laughed out loud at times and couldn’t wait to see how the story unfolded. Like the other books, there are definitely some twists and turns to this one. You can't help but root for these characters and you will want to stick with it to see how it all resolves. I love the Easter eggs from the other Found Families books (see if you can spot them) they definitely add to the joy of reading these books. Rest assured, this book stands on its own, you don't have to read the others first. If you enjoy this one, you will want to read all of the Found Families Series.

[Kyle Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved The Importance of Extracurriculars & Other Assumptions—a smart, tender, and delightfully sharp story about personal truths and the burdens they carry. With conflicts lurking around every corner—from an admissions scandal that unravels more than just reputations to the tangled emotions of falling for the “no I shouldn’t” person—this novel hits every emotional note.
It’s a witty, heartfelt story in which the characters feel wonderfully real, their mistakes painfully relatable, and their growth deeply satisfying. By the end, I was both laughing and aching, reminded that sometimes the most important lessons aren’t learned in the classroom at all.

[Aly Gimbel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book checks ALL the boxes for me! It’s funny, warm, sexy, sweet and smart! The characters are super realistic and relatable. They aren’t perfect but they are trying to do what they can in an imperfect system with a new forming love. I can’t say enough good things about this book! Keep writing KEH!

[Suzanne Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky to get an early copy of this good read. It was the perfect book for curling up on the sofa after a stressful day. I fell in love with the characters as they fell in love with each other. In these crazy times it is wonderful to have a book you can't wait to escape to. Ms. Huston's writing is smart, crisp and always witty. I highly recommend it.

[Bree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book from an underrated author. Kelly creates family, friends and communities you want to stay with. I loved this unlikely pairing (their meeting) and the patient and humorous way they came to love one another. A story about discovering and loving someone for who they are. I’ll look forward to re-reading this in future.

[Texas · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE IMPORTANCE OF EXTRACURRICULARS & OTHER ASSUMPTIONS - I like this author's books. I enjoyed the last paragraph a lot. Good characters, although sometimes I thought Mimi was silly. Interesting story lines. Source: Won a GoodReads Giveaway. 4*

[Roxanne Belden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Won this and binged all her books on KU