You Belong With Me

Parkhurst Prep #1

by Clara Nielsen

He’s off-limits. So why does it feel like he’s mine?

Sebastian Novak has been off-limits since the moment I figured out what a crush was.

He’s my brother’s best friend. Basically family. The guy who’s always around but never really mine.

So when he kisses me at a party as a part of game, I know better than to believe it meant something.

He’s already acting like it didn’t happen. And I’m doing everything I can to pretend I’m totally fine with that.

But keeping a secret this big isn’t easy. Not when we’re suddenly spending more time together. Not when every accidental touch feels anything but accidental. And definitely not when I catch him looking at me like he wants to do it again.

I know nothing’s going to come of it. He’s my brother’s best friend. He would never choose me.

…So why does it feel like he already has?

You Belong With Me is a sweet & wholesome slow-burn young adult romance. Get your copy today!

Genres: Romance, Young Adult, Sports Romance, Sports, Contemporary, Fiction, Young Adult Romance

316 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 12, 2025

About the author

Clara Nielsen writes sweet & swoony YA romances set in high school, all about shy girls and the boys who are head-over-heels for them. When she’s not busy writing, you’ll probably find her out on the lake, putting together the perfect playlist, or sipping on a chai latte while daydreaming about her next story.

Reviews

[Maven_Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

You Belong With Me by Clara Nielsen is a sweet, slow‑burn young adult romance about Nora (sometimes called Nellie), a high school girl who has always liked more than friendship to her brother’s best friend, Sebastian Novak, and must navigate the confusing, thrilling, and vulnerable terrain of first love when a kiss at a party sends her heart spinning and makes her question everything she thought she knew about herself and him. It’s a classic brother’s best friend and off‑limits story with warm small‑town feels and emotional honesty that gently explores teenage longing, family pressures, and the courage it takes to admit what’s in your heart.

Right away, I was drawn to how Nora’s quiet affection for Sebastian pulses through the pages with that mingling of eagerness and fear that feels so real to high school blushes and silent glances, and how her internal world opens up with each step closer to him.

I loved how Nielsen handles the slow build of tension in a way that feels authentic to young love, even if some parts lean into familiar YA tropes and the pacing can feel uneven at times, with a few plot threads and emotional beats that could have been fleshed out more deeply.

What stood out most to me was the emotional texture beneath the sweetness, particularly how Nora’s relationships with her family and friends shape her confidence and choices, giving the romance real heart without ever feeling rushed.

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
This book gave me that warm, nostalgic flutter of being young and brave and awkward in love, tender moments that made me smile, and a heroine whose quiet strength felt beautiful and true.

While it occasionally relied on familiar beats from the YA romance toolkit, its earnest emotional core and charming chemistry left me feeling hopeful and genuinely invested in Nora and Sebastian’s journey together.

[Cami♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG, I loved this story so much! Even though it was short, I read it all in one day. I absolutely adored Nora and Sebastian’s love story—it was just so cute. I loved how she helped him with his problems, and how their relationship showed that having a perfect family life is almost impossible.

Although, I do wish Sebastian had helped Nora more too—she was suffering as well, and I felt like her problems didn’t get as much support. They could’ve talked more about the “date,” and honestly, I would’ve loved to see him beat up a certain someone (you know who I mean!).

It would've been amazing if you explored more of their life together, maybe with an epilogue showing them married or something like that. I'm super excited to read the next story!

And I have a question: will you be exploring the love story of the other two characters? I won’t say their names because, spoilers—but I’m really curious!

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

[holly ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Small spoilers ahead

Right so-
I didn’t love this. I’m not going to lie.
Nora’s inner dialogue is SO. ANNOYING. I read her go on about the same stuff multiple different times in different chapters. I have notes on my kindle where i highlighted it and just told her to SHUT UP. She low-key barely has a personality outside of going on about Sebastian.

Don’t even get me started on the big fear of dean finding out about the kiss when he’s dating Lavender (obv she doesn’t know but hear me out) So he wouldn’t have a leg to stand on..

Honestly im also slightly confused about the fact that Sebastian did like her the whole time? What was sebastian’s crush timeline if you will? Did he only start liking her because of the skirt?💀
I did actually like sebastian’s character. He saves the story tbh, he has layers and is an interesting guy, i just wish nora had more to her character and wasnt so centred around him y’know?

Anywho, besides that, i did like the story. The idea was good, i thought it was cute and it was entertaining.
I will probably read dean and lavenders book when it comes out, my guilty pleasure is cheesy romances so i will be there for sure.

Would maybe recommend. I’ll get back to you on this because im not sure. i did appreciate the taylor swift reference in the title. As i was writing my original review in my book tracking book the song was playing on my tv (i felt very main character at the time) Also don’t think the death by a thousand cuts mention was missed!!

[Amelie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.9 🌟 hated most things about it but it was cute and semi enjoyable so yeah rounded up to 3. it wasn't awful just wasn't for me

I am by no means a swiftie but this was really cute?! some parts I liked some parts I hated haha

-song-
ok so I looooved how she tied the plot line into the song you belong with me. I thought it was cute without being over used. it has the bad girlfriend (who happens to be a cheer captain) the girl next door who is so average but was always there. the coming over to the house when the dad left. HOWEVER I wish that they would have held up signs to each other's windows like in the music video!! that would have been the bow tying it all together!!!

-liked-
uhm plot wise there lowkey wasn't a lot I liked. I liked noras friendship with Ainsley!! I'm super excited for her book. I didn't really like anything else other than it's a cute rom com with a hea

-disliked-
everything. jk. but most things😞. I hated Nora's character, how she couldn't stand up for herself at all until the end, Sebastian's character and how he claimed he was holding the fam together when he was not. I hated the bother whose name I forgot bc he lowkey neglected Nora. I hated Thomas he was so gross and manipulative. I ABHORE Tiffany she is so awful. I hated Sebastian and Tiffany's romance together and how they got together and broke back up. I hated the way that the brother And lavender went behind their siblings backs and the Sebastian had the audacity to be mad after catching them making out when he literally just did the same with Nora. clementine annoyed me. Noras family was awful. anyways that's my rant

WAIT I HAVE ANOTHER COMPLAINT. I did not appreciate the way the author displayed cheer as only a way to be popular. as a cheerleader cheer is SO MUCH MORE than that

yeah this book wasn't that good but it was at least cute!

[Georgia Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

it finished and i went “oh” thinking there was more. there was not.

[Lili ⋆˚✿˖° · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really struggled to get through this book. I want to say romance between her and Sebastian was almost a sub plot but I don’t really know what the real plot was. I can see how some people enjoyed this book but it wasn’t for me. I wish we had seen more of them together and when I get to the end it didn’t feel like the end

[ludiary ⁺｡⋆˚⁺ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,75

Me gustó bastante You Belong With Me de Clara Nielsen, especialmente cómo trata los problemas familiares y demuestra que no todo es lo que parece. Siento que ese lado de la historia estuvo bien manejado y le dio un poco más de peso al drama.

Lo que no me terminó de convencer fue la protagonista… demasiado cliché para mi gusto. Ya sabemos cómo es, cómo va a reaccionar y qué va a decir antes de que pase. Estás cosas me suelen pasar con libros de 2016 no libros actuales

Otro punto flojo para mí fue cómo resolvieron el tema con la mamá. Después de todo lo que pasó, un simple “perdón” y ya está todo arreglado… no sé, esperaba que se lo trabajara más, que hubiera una conversación real o algo que le diera más cierre.

Lo que sí me gustó mucho fue cómo llevaron el tema con los hermanos. Agradezco que no se haya armado el típico drama del hermano mayor prohibiéndole salir con su amigo. Que todo se hablara de frente y no se armara el quilombo de siempre fue un buen cambio y lo sentí más natural. Por otro lado tmb amé como la protagonista logró conectar con el resto de las hermanas

[gia · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was really good. first book that i didnt get from abby!! surprisingly it was really good. a tad bit confusing towards the end with the dean thing. they got together pretty far in the book, hard to tell he liked her but i could just be dumb.

[jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

*2.5
i mean it could have been worse 🤷‍♀️

okay here's some real thoughts:

1. i'm gonna be truly honest when i say i don't think sebastian liked her at all. like she kept wondering the whole book if he was as affected as she was by the kiss blah blah blah. in my opinion, he did not gaf about her, like genuinely could not care less.

2. continuing on from that, when he confessed the kiss was "too perfect" and he was soo affected by her he didn't kiss anyone, come on now. it was her FIRST KISS why would she be a pro at it and why would he (a guy who's kissed lots of people) suddenly think she's a natural. be ffr

3. i'm trying to be nice because obviously this is an author who publishes on kindle unlimited and (probably) doesn't have an editor but there was two chapters where the story made no sense. first, she gets a sweater from him, then, the start of the next chapter she says she doesn't want him to know she was there and acts surprised to see her. THEN, one page later he talks to his gf about why she's there and wearing his jumper. HUH??

[Elizabeth Stanton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lowk such a wild book. It felt like everyone was always lying to each other and sneaking around but it’s entertaining. It was so bad it was good, yk? I read it all in one day, but I’m also a fast reader. Idk what to say other than “Crazy man, crazy.” So yeah it’s worth the read but it’s not a literary masterpiece

[♥ mony ♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

i had a fun time, so it was pretty good that i finished it. but the stereotypes and characters didn't exactly land and leave that big of an impact. for a story that's so focused on nora's life (on top of her relationship with sebastian), i wanted to see her friendships up close. i ate up nora and ainsley's friendship and am desperately confused as to how her friendship with clementine even works. i have some thoughts™️about the familial conflicts that the story introduced but didn't fully address by the end of the book.

BUT, it was fun. i had a good time.

[Amee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sweet brothers best friend/off limits story of “Nelly” and Sebastian who live next door to each other and realize their budding feelings for each other. Take its listing as Young Adult as truth, if you’re looking for some heat, it’s probably a pass. But very safe for true young adults. I enjoyed the high school drama of his current and past Ex. She’s mean girl epitomized. Was just a little too sweet for me, but a good change-up in my norm and that can be good.

Thanks to BookSirens I was given ARC to read for my honest opinion.

[Jayden Hughes · Rating 3 out of 5]

if you took a shot every time the main character thought about how she and the love interest kissed one time at a party, you would have to go to the hospital for alcohol poisoning

[Kimara Greyling · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5🌟

[Emily Wiet · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this book! loved the characters and the story. realistic depth in their families and how sweet and cute it was. clean, too! i really enjoyed it

[Nele Dörr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for a 5h flight 🛫

[♡ Kirsten ♡ (☆Taylor's Version☆) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Would not consider this a sports romance more a contemporary romance where both main characters have a hobby

[˗ˏˋ irene´ˎ˗ · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.75⭐️)
Your classic brothers best friend/highschool romance. It wasn’t groundbreaking but it was a nice read. I was suprised with how fast I read this. I intended to read a chapter or two before bed but I ended up finishing it before I knew. There were some aspects of the plot that weren’t my favorite and I wish we got more of cute couple moments.

With that said if you’re like me and want a cute YA high school romance then give this one a shot.

[Lauren Thell · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first time I read this book, I gave it four stars. It's a cute romance, the classic setup of the younger sister crushing on her older brother's best friend. Most of the characters are relatable (the exception being Dean, who's pretty much selfish all around.)

The problem, which I noticed the second read-through, is the sketchy morals of pretty much all the characters. Early in the book, we follow the MC to a party where teens are getting trashed, and even though Nora refuses alcohol, she sees nothing wrong with everyone else consuming it. It pretty much conveys the message that underage drinking parties are normal and okay.

The second issue is the sexual undercurrent. There aren't any sex scenes (just some steamy kissing), but sexual activity and the desire to engage in it is implied. It's assumed certain characters are hooking up. Also, lots of lust and characters checking out each other's bodies. This book is "clean" in the loosest definition of the word.

I also found it kind of disturbing how accepting Nora was of lying to her parents. She would wear skimpy clothes, then hide them until she was out of the house. She lied about where she went. Yes, her parents were selfish, but she could have countered their downfalls by committing to honesty. Her remorse over her dishonesty was underwhelming.

Finally, there is a loose tossing around of the word "love." I can't buy that the characters are in love, given their family and relationship histories. It's a small thing, as everyone knows teen romances are loose with the word "love," but it made me more skeptical of the characters. They were just a little too naive in their expectations.

There is a LOT of interiority (staying in a character's head) in between bits of dialogue, which slowed the story tremendously. I sometimes found myself wishing Nora would stop thinking and analyzing and just let the others talk! I did a lot of skimming, especially in the second half.

The only profanity I recall was the use of "hell", so at least there's that.

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

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

You Belong With Me by Clara Nielsen is a super cute sports romance featuring the brother’s best friend trope (one of the best tropes out there, if you don’t mind me saying 👀)!

I thought this book was really sweet! Nora and Sebastian were absolutely adorable together, and I loved following their story. The way they showed up for each other, especially during tough times, was so heartwarming. Their connection and support for one another was honestly one of my favourite parts of the whole book.

That said, I do wish we had gotten a few more romantic scenes between them. Watching their relationship develop was lovely, but I really can't get enough of these two! A little more romance would’ve made it Chef’s Kiss perfect for me! 🥰

Still, the book left me super curious about Ainsley. I’m definitely looking forward to the next one—I have a feeling her story is going to be really interesting! ^-^

~I received an arc for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily!~

[Miri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another cute and fun romance but with a Taylor Swift title, yes please! Clara did a great job depicting the story of two dysfunctional families, who are neighbours. Elenor (Nora) is trying to navigate through life and school. In between swimming, chaos at home and her friends, she’s not ready to let her emotions get the best of her.

Enter Sebastian. Neighbour, brother’s best friend and not single. His girlfriend is a jealous mess and he has his own drama. Will they give into their feelings or stay friends?


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

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sooooo despite getting an ARC for this book (thank you Clara Nielsen) it took me FOREVER to read because I’ve been in one of those weird book slumps where you pick up a book read a chapter or two and never touch it again for MONTHS—but I am so so so glad that I came back to this one because it was so sweet. “You Belong With Me” is a swoony, brothers-best-friend, YA twist on the Taylor Swift “You Belong With Me” (which i adore) and i ate this book up omgg. Sebastian Novak is DREAMY (all caps, italics AND underlined) and Nora/Nellie is just SUCH a teenage girl it was so perfect that I, as a teenage girl, felt incredibly seen. In other words… READ THIS BOOK!🫶🏽

[Mirte Croughs · Rating 4 out of 5]

You Belong With Me is such a charming YA romance. I’m a sucker for the brother’s best friend trope, and this one hit all the right notes. Sebastian and Nora have this slow-building tension that felt so real and natural. Every glance and touch had weight, and the off-limits angle made it even better.

It’s wholesome, emotional, and takes its time in the best way. A perfect pick if you love sweet slow burns with a lot of heart.

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

[Claira 99 · Rating 4 out of 5]

the slow burn was SLOWWWWW but I enjoyed it!! I literally wanted to bitch slap Tiffiany the WHOLE book especially when she would say something about Nora. I hated Thomas to so much. Nora and Sebastian is cuteee. Ainsley I love her so much but the fact lavender and Dean has been dating and how he was the one that confessed the Novak’s father but how did Nora not notice that Sebastian was taking about her when he said something of kissing a girl( I don’t remember the rest)

[Reader-pops (Taylor’s version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

-4.5 stars ⭐️

You Belong With Me is a heartwarming and emotionally resonant Young Adult romance that centers on the beloved Friends-to-Lovers trope with a comforting small-town twist. It’s a story about recognizing the love that has been right in front of you all along.

The Plot and Characters

The book focuses on Nora and Sebastian
* Riley is the smart, driven girl who has always been happily defined by her close-knit friendship with her next-door neighbor, Sam. She has secured a spot at a prestigious college, but the thought of leaving Sam and their comfortable, shared life behind fills her with unexpected anxiety.
* Sam is the sweet, dependable boy who has secretly been in love with Riley for years. He’s always been content to be "just her friend," fearing that confessing his true feelings would jeopardize the most important relationship in his life.
As their final summer before college begins, an undeniable tension arises. They are forced to confront the depth of their feelings, fueled by jealousy over potential new love interests and the looming deadline of their departure for separate universities. The story is a beautiful exploration of how two people transition from being each other's platonic constant to a romantic couple, and the courage it takes to risk everything for love.

What Works

* Authentic Friends-to-Lovers: The execution of this trope is the book's greatest strength. The characters’ shared history, easy banter, and deep mutual understanding make their eventual romantic pairing feel incredibly natural and earned.
* Small-Town Charm: While part of the Hartwell Academy series, this book embraces a more relaxed, small-town summer setting, giving the story a cozy, nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of classic YA summer romances.
* Emotional Honesty: The novel handles the fear of change and the vulnerability required to admit deeper feelings with sensitivity and warmth. Sam's quiet devotion to Riley is particularly endearing.
* Wholesome and Sweet: As is typical of Clara Nielsen's work, this is a completely clean and wholesome YA romance. It prioritizes emotional connection and cute, swoon-worthy moments over heavy drama.

Conclusion and Recommendation

You Belong With Me is a delightful read that captures the magic and anxiety of first love and major life transitions. It's a sweet, comforting story perfect for fans of the friends-to-lovers trope and those who appreciate a heartwarming, low-angst high school romance. It's a wonderful addition to the Hartwell Academy series.

[Carmen Dieleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

You belong with me

Wat een fijn en lief geschreven verhaal
Ik heb al eerder boeken van haar gelezen en ook dit boek vond ik weer heel leuk. Dit is een wat kleiner verhaal, maar er zit alles in. Humor, diepgang, liefde en zorgzaamheid. Ik ben erg fan van haar manier van schrijven en de manier waarop haar boeken zijn opgebouwd. Het leest gewoon heerlijk weg en verveeld geen moment. Ook dit boek las ik daarom in 1 keer uit.

De personages in dit boek zijn lieve mensen met een bagage. Je leest vanuit Nora, zij is een hele lieve meid, niet helemaal zeker van zichzelf, maar wel doet haar best op haar eigen manier. Sebastian kon ik niet goed peilen op het begin, maar is gewoon heel zorgzaam en super lief voor andere. Ik zag dat er ook een deel twee komt en kan niet wachten op het volgende boek! Ik hoop dat de personages uit dit boek ook nog even terug komen.

🇬🇧What a nice and lovely written story
I have read books by her before and I really liked this book too. This is a smaller story, but it has everything. Humor, depth, love and care. I am a big fan of her way of writing and the way her books are structured. It is simply a great read and never gets boring. That is why I also read this book in one go.

The characters in this book are sweet people with baggage. You read from Nora, she is a very sweet girl, not entirely sure of herself, but does her best in her own way. I could not really fathom Sebastian at the beginning, but he is just very caring and super sweet to others. I saw that there will be a part two and I can't wait for the next book! I hope that the characters from this book will also return.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ sterren
#lezenisontspanning #neverstopreading #spreadthebooklove #reading #bookstagramreadsapril #boekstagram #bookblogger #lekkerlezen #leesmaand #boekenmaand #boekentips #boekenplank #feelgood  #readingisgoodforthesoul #booklover #booksbooksbooks #boekenwurm #spreadthebooklove #sharethebooklove

[Love Emmanuela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm.
I did not like Nora.
Her parents were set out to be trashy and I guess her mom was dismissive of her issues sometimes but it felt like she was just a sad and lonely woman.
I didn't like how they villiani
zed Tiffany, of course the usual ingredients for " she is not good for you and is crazy" were added but she was so right on some stuff. She probably could see the stars in Nora's eyes and became overly cautious but they painted her like she was just an overly paranoid person.
Also Dean's character was a little too mean, but we are seeing it from the sister's perspective so.

I have not finished the book but the double standards this girl has. She stated she just wanted Thomas gone in the early parts of their meeting but when he left cause it was awkward, she tried not to take it personally. The first time they met and she was disappointed he didn't know when her swim meet was. She said herself swimming was a low priority sport, but somehow someone who met her a few days ago with no prior contacts or friends on the swim team should just know and Seb knew that one time and suddenly madam was all giggly inside
.
The repeated "Sebastian Novrak" girl, that's weird.

And at some point she was acting like Seb had confessed his feelings for her but they decided not to go ahead with a relationship or something...i stopped around the side she is about to go on a date with Thomas .

I think my rant ends here.
I kinda enjoyed the writing style and the friendship between Ainsley and Nora...i did find it hard to believe that a supposedly shy person was bold enough to make visible and loud fashion statements with their outfits or that is probably just me

[Linda Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

You Belong With Me is the first book in the Parkhurst Prep duology. It runs parallel to the second book—I Would Stay Forever—and either can be read first.

What captured me was the effect parents have on the lives of children and teenagers, and how it affects their ability to find love.

Nora’s controlling mother pushes her to extremes to perform perfectly in swimming and appearance. For the mother, reputation is everything. Her every move is choreographed by her mother.

Nora’s crush on her neighbor Sebastian takes a back seat to the fact that he is her brother’s best friend. Sebastian is in an on-and-off relationship with Tiffany, which he clings to just as he tries to keep his family from falling apart.

This slow-burn romance pulls at the reader’s heartstrings on every page. The pacing is excellent, keeping the reader’s interest without rushing the storyline. The dialog is fitting for these teens in this setting.

This author, as in her other YA teen novel series, has given us characters that are easy to empathize with. These are teens struggling against self-doubts and family expectations, and they are anything but cookie-cutter characters.

I highly recommend reading both books in this sweet, wholesome series.

[C.Y. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever I read a book written by Clara, I am overcome with nostalgia for my high school days, which seem like an eternity ago. Nevertheless, the characters she creates are incredibly endearing to me. As I have mentioned in my previous reviews, I appreciate how Clara accurately portrays teenagers, capturing their struggles, insecurities, crushes, and disappointments. It is truly satisfying to see them overcome these challenges, although this does not always occur. Sebastian and Nora's story resonated deeply with me, as both characters grappled with family issues. While conflicts with parents are not always resolved, there is solace in knowing that others may be facing similar struggles, providing a sense of community and support.

I was given an advanced copy of this book for free and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Carolina Dionísio · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book!
A fast passed sweet romance was definitely something that I didn’t read for a while.
What a sweet couple! ☺️
I loved the writing!! I definitely think was one of the strongest points. The family issues was too really good.
But, I think the book needed more interactions between characters. Specially between each family...
I definitely think we didn't got the time to meet Nora's brother.
But now that finished, I believe it was on purpose...
Still feels like it was missing from the storyline.

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