Everything About You: A YA Sweet Romance

Westwood Academy #1

by Clara Nielsen

Would a quarterback ever fall for a bookworm? As if.

In the world of Westwood Academy, I’m just one of the triplets.

Seriously. I literally live at this school and I’m pretty sure half the people on my floor don’t even know my name.

There’s only one person who always notices me… star quarterback, Jasper Rennings.

I have no interest in spending any more time with an arrogant jock than I have to. Unfortunately for me, he doesn’t feel the same way about me. Everywhere I turn, there he is—doing everything from insisting on helping me around campus to pretending to be my boyfriend to get boys off my back.

It’s incredibly annoying, but soon, I realize I have a use for I need one more person to join my baking club to get it off the ground and I’m just desperate enough to ask him—even if it means having to spend that much time together.

But seeing him so much might be risky, because if I open up my heart to him… I don’t know if I’ll be able to handle it if he decides I wasn’t worth the chase after all.

QUARTERBACKS DON’T DATE NERDY GIRLS is a standalone sweet & wholesome YA novel set at boarding school. Get your copy today!

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

248 pages, Paperback

Published October 30, 2023

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

[nat!! · Rating 3 out of 5]

a very snowy day today meant reading almost this entire book!

this was pretty cute, but there were a few things that i had problems with. i just randomly found this on my kindle and decided to read it without knowing anything about it, and it honestly didn't disappoint too much! i think that jasper and adi were really good for each other, and i always love a story where the guy helps the girl come out of her shell (even though johnny and shannon are the blueprint lets not get ahead of ourselves here.) i also love settings at a boarding school, i think its super fun but this one didn't get too in depth with the setting so i dont know.

one thing that did get me a little were all of the typos in here, but its okay because im pretty sure its self published so it didn't bother me too much. i was also confused about jaspers ex randomly being mad at adi when there wasn't really an explanation of why, she kind of just came out of nowhere.

but, overall, for a random book i found on my kindle, it was not bad and i did enjoy it!

[Bookstagramtea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Argh, the typos

Such a shame that this book has sooooo many typos. It's only a short story and yet the simplistic writing style is riddled with them. There's also a chapter in which she puts on a jacket twice and there are some duplicate lines. The story is sweet, predictable and a simple YA romance, but it would put me off of recommending or reading her other books to find so many errors in one short story.

[L · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I probably shouldn’t have read this the day before my GCSE’s but i did and now the rating isn’t as high as it might’ve been.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a cute and fast read! sometimes you need a cheesy romance story. Jasper was amazing and so attentive to Adelynn. Adelynn was such a strong character and honestly deserved the biggest hug ever.

This story deals with grief amazingly and really shows how much someone can blame themselves for things out of their control.

[˗ˏˋ irene´ˎ˗ · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.5⭐️) This is probably the cutest book I’ve ever read. I loved every second of it. My only complaint is that I would have given anything for it to be a dual POV book because I need to see how down bad Jasper was. Since the beginning he was there and he would have done anything for her it was adorable. Honestly if you’re looking for a light and good read this is the one. It’s also not super long so it’s honestly just a fun time.

[Daphne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating - 3.75⭐️

My KU sub was ending soon so I decided to binge this and OMG?!? The romance was actually so sweet between a shy introvert FMC and a golden retriever mmc. And thank goodness there was no third act break up 😩😩😩.

[Lacy Goldstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️3.25⭐️

[L. M. Ransom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Jasper Rennings is such a great guy (and a hotshot QB). He truly cares about Adelynn, the FMC, and I love that he has his own special nickname for her (you'll have to read the book to find out what it is ;0). Adelynn is struggling to rediscover herself and misses the close camaraderie she had with her siblings, Archer and Avianna (they're triplets). She's at a new(ish) school and has a lot to work through. Jasper is patient and kind and quite sweet, and this is a really fun feel-good story. I can't wait for book two!

[tay^_−☆ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was actually very cute! I loved how there was no unnecessary breakup and how the ex-girlfriend drama was taken care of quickly. Jasper was a very sweet boyfriend to Addie it was so adorable :) The story does feel dragged out and boring at times tho.

[Stacey Wilcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything About You is a short and sweet romance that blends heartwarming moments with deeper themes. I appreciated how the story explored topics like grief and the challenge of finding one's identity as a triplet. The characters’ journey felt genuine, and reading about a football player during football season added a fun backdrop to the story. Overall, it’s a light yet thoughtful read, perfect for fans of romance with a little more depth.

[Allanah Garay · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️s !!
I deffs enjoyed this book and it was exactly the type of read i was wanting to read so that makes me happy 😌😌

it was super cute for a fast paced y/a sports romance and the characters were very cute 💛💛

[Autumn Pernell · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars. Was it well-written? Not particularly. Did I have fun anyways? Absolutely.

[marrireads · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 borderline 3⭐
I was so BORED

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty low stakes and was predictable although still wholesome

[Addison Halstead · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ! This book was not very good ! But I read it really fast and at this point that's really all I need. I'll honestly probably read the next one because sometimes bad books are just good????

[Talia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like reading lighthearted, fun books in between my usual in-a-depressed-slump for days books, and this was the perfect choice. It was sweet, funny and uplifting, without being just another goofy romance. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

[Once Upon a Page · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf 20%

Too badly written for me. I should’ve known from the first chapter when things don’t make much logical sense. For example:

Our MC is talking to a guy and someone else comes up (presumably behind them) saying “hey man, I’m Jasper. Her boyfriend.” After this she moves her head to see who it is, and she almost groans because, guess what… it’s Jasper! What a surprise!

A few pages later she trips over and drops some books that she was carrying. But don’t worry, the flash is here! Jasper has time to say “I got it” and to catch the books ‘seconds’ before they landed in a puddle.

This book clearly hasn’t seen an editor. Not worth my time when there are so many better reads out there.

[𝓐𝓪𝓼𝓱 · Rating 4 out of 5]

( ARC Review)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Vibes: Slow-burn romance, heartfelt self-discovery, and sweet family dynamics.

✨ Plot Aesthetic:
Imagine being one of a triplet trio, blending into the background of your own life, and quietly carrying the weight of survivor’s guilt. Adelynn is a shy bookworm just trying to adapt to a new school while holding her family together after the loss of her father. Enter Jasper—the smooth-talking, golden-boy quarterback—who sees her for who she truly is. Together, they navigate grief, love, and the tricky art of self-acceptance.

Highlights:

💖 Adelynn’s Journey:
Adelynn is so much more than just the “quiet triplet.” Watching her step out of her siblings’ shadow and redefine herself is the heart of this story. Her struggle with survivor’s guilt and her journey toward self-acceptance are written with sensitivity and depth.

🏈 Jasper:
Charming, kind, and unapologetically in love with Adelynn from the jump. He’s the perfect balance to her introverted personality, always supporting her and encouraging her to shine. Jasper isn’t just the typical “golden boy”—he’s a safe space for Adelynn, and their connection feels genuine and heartfelt.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Dynamics:
Adelynn’s relationship with her siblings is beautifully messy and real. The subtle distance between them post-tragedy, their unique ways of coping, and how they slowly come back together add another layer of depth to the story.

❤️ The Romance:
This is slow burn perfection. Jasper doesn’t just fall for Adelynn—he sees her, respects her boundaries, and patiently works to break through her walls. Their love story is sweet, clean, and full of quiet moments that speak volumes.

✨ Why You’ll Love It:
This book isn’t just about a romance—it’s about healing, growth, and finding yourself in the aftermath of loss. The writing is heartfelt, the characters are relatable, and the emotional beats hit home.

[jae _28 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such a cute story! I felt myself slipping into a slump and this one helped bring me back a little. I finished it in two days and feel ready to jump back into the other books I’m currently reading.

This was simple and fluffy, with a bearable amount of trauma (on my part), though I do think we could’ve gone much deeper. I really liked Bri and Addie’s relationship and Jasper was the sweetest. I kept forgetting this was YA for some reason but Addie always brought me back because the way she thought had me going “Give her grace, her brain isn’t fully developed.” The constant reminder of how “different” she was got on my nerves and really took me out of the story. I wish we could’ve just seen her be who she was instead of constantly being reminded throughout the story that she was a nerdy loner.

The reveal at the end (when Addie talked about what happened with her dad) should've happened in a family setting. It would've made a greater impact, especially since I wasn’t a fan of her family. I wished we’d seen these important conversations with them because I think that would've possibly filled in a few plot holes. But they might be covered in the next books, IDK. This brings up my issue with authors centering romantic relationships to the point where they skim over other integral topics in a story. In this case, the familial relationship was the one that needed more attention, especially at the end. It felt like we got this huge build-up only for it to fall flat.

Overall though, sweet story, quick, and easy to read. I might check out some other works by the author.

[Avery Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read!!!
I got this as an ARC I absolutely loved our main characters Adelynn and Jasper! Jasper is our smooth talking quarterback. He has all the amazing qualities anyone would want in a boyfriend. He’s observant, kind, flirty, and obsessed with Adelynn in the best ways possible. Adelynn is our sweet introvert who prefers the company of her best friend and books.
In the beginning of the book Adelynn is very shy and closed off. As the plot progresses, the reader is able to see more of her personality leak out as her and Jasper get closer. They have a mutual bond and understanding over parental loss, and the struggles of acceptance.
In Adelynn’s case, her struggles of acceptance comes in the realization that her father’s death was not her fault. I definitely empathize with her struggle of survivors guilt and dealing with the process of change. Each sibling handled their dad’s death differently. For Adelynn, her survival afterwards was taking care of her twin by whatever means necessary, which we often saw by then switching places. Overtime, Adelynn lost sight of who she was and what it meant to be truly who she’s suppose to be.
I absolutely enjoyed watching her journey. Her relationship with Jasper was a beautiful compliment to her journey of self discovery.
I absolutely loved every second of this book and highly recommend.

[Shayla Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I shouldn't have stopped in the bookstore, and I very well knew it, but I couldn't resist-they had my favorite series on display in the window, and they had the new covers I'd been dying to get my hands on for weeks.”

…From these first few sentences beginning of this book, I was hooked, and already relating to Adelynn, one of a set of triplets, and also the daughter of a headmistress of a boarding school.

With a love for baking, Adelynn decides to start a bake club to have more access to the kitchens. Requirements need at least one boy to join along with her best friend and roommate, Bri.

Here enters Jasper Jameson, Star quarterback who has nicknamed Adelynn, as “Triplicate,” who’s aim it seems is to make Adelynn smile whenever he is with her, and encourage Adelynn to simply be herself, which is quite the feat for Adelynn. But, with Jasper around, anything is possible…

Clara Nielsen has written an enjoyable, quick, but sweet novel filled with relatable characters, clean romance, humor, some messy drama including red punch, and first high school love, and shows the importance of being oneself, and the impact one can make in the lives of others! I definitely look more in this series to come as this book is well-worth reading! Thank you for my own copy!! 🙌🏻📚🥰

“What we needed, truly, deeply needed was just to stick together like we always used to do.”

[Rebecca Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quarterbacks don't date nerdy girls

3.75 ⭐️

This is a super cute young adult read. I mean the love interest reads out loud to her because she doesnt have an audiobook cute. I really liked them together and that you can tell from the very start that he likes her.

I liked the backstory with the grief our main character is dealing with following the death of her father. It added some emotion and gave them a place to connect on a deeper level.

I also enjoyed the character growth we see in the MC in terms of refinding herself and becoming her own person. I will say I don't think triplicate is a cute nickname at all, and it kind of goes against her becoming her own person for me. I really didn't like her sister Avi for most of the book, but she pulled it back in the end.

I do think there were some issues with pacing. It jumped around a little bit, and we skipped big chunks of time. This comes down to the page count again for me. I really believe that this book had the potential to be a 5 star read if it was longer. It has the emotion, the cuteness, and the right characters. It just doesn't have enough time to get all the development in.

I received an advance review copy of this book, and this review represents my honest opinion. Thank you to Clara Nielsen and the publisher for the opportunity to read the book.

[C.Y. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed every book that Clara has written but this has been my absolute favorite. This book was so incredibly sweet and inspirational. If I had a daughter, Jasper is the kind of boy I would want for her. He saw something in Adelynn despite her shyness and trying to hide from the world. He never stopped being kind and pushed her out of her comfort zone. I loved how their relationship grew from friendship to something more. It was pure.

There were many other factors in this book that made it remarkable. The attentive teacher, the best friend, and even the siblings just added to this incredible book. There was one part that just tore my heart out. I know these characters are not real, but I just wanted to reach into the book and give Adelyn a big hug because no teenager should bear the burden that she was carrying alone.

I definitely recommend this book for so many reasons. It is so wholesome, and I love the fact that the teenagers act like teenagers. It’s been a long time since I’ve been a teenager. Most teenagers could be my grandchildren, but for some reason I keep reading these books because it just makes me think of a good world in which even quarterbacks can be kind to the nerdy girls.

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

[Sâmella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meu primeiro contato com a escrita de Clara Nielsen foi através dos livros da série Texting The Boyband, e nesse terceiro livro que leio dela volto a confirmar a leveza e fluidez de suas histórias. É bom ter autores que não só controem romances fofos e leve, sem precisar apelar para o hot, como, também, que não colocam problemas e dramas desnecessários para os personagens enfrentarem.

Dito isso, deixo registrado aqui que, na verdade, QDDNG foi um 3.6 estrelas para mim, não chegando à 4 de fato mais pela forma um tanto corrida com que o romance se deu, queria ter tido mais chances de aproveitar o casal antes de se tornar um. Isso me distanciou um pouco da história em alguns momentos.

Felizmente, no todo, ainda considero 3 estrelas uma história boa, e assim esse livro o é. Ainda mais com o extra que a autora inseriu de passado para nossa protagonista, e não se prendendo a estereótipos nem com ela, nem com o Jasper, que é um doce. Gostei da carga de drama aqui e ali entre a família dela, e também da participação positiva do treinador/professor Sr. Jamison.

É uma leitura rápida e tranquila para se fugir dos enredos mais densos e até sair de uma ressaca literária.

[Kyra Weiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was just something so beautifully nastolgic about this cute YA Romance. I felt as though I was reading a spinoff of Gossip Girl

The book introduces us to our quirky nerd (and triplet) Addie as she struggles her way across campus carrying a ton of books. Right away we are also introduced to our golden retriever, cinnamon roll boy and quarterback Jasper and learn he loves to go out of his way to get a small rise out of her.
As the book goes on we watch the sweet relationship blossom and learn a lot about Addie and her past.

**
First of all I want I want to thank the author for writing a jock/football player who wasn't a total jerk. It's refreshing and I think there needs to be more sweet boys in YA.

The book was a really sweet, breath of fresh air and step away from my usual and back to what got me started.

I would one hundred percent recommend this book for anyone in a reading slump, that's likes YA, cute sports romances, and sweet, quirky characters.

4/5 stars from me and with the way it ended I'm excited to read the next book in the series!

[Amanda Davanzati · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so cute! I devoured this book in one day and I couldn’t get enough!

Quarterbacks Don’t Date Nerdy Girls is a he falls first, boarding school, YA romance that will have you swooning and emotional! Immediately I fell in love with the two main characters Jasper and Adelynn. I related so much to Adelynn and Jasper was such a cute and fun character for her. The chemistry was easy and they just fit, like a missing puzzle piece found it’s place. This book brought the feelings out too with Adelynn’s tough past. It was really a find yourself type read that I loved! I love getting to know all the characters in this book and all the different interactions they have with each other. It truly is a sweet romance that I think any one will enjoy.

I love these characters so much that I want more! I’m so intrigued on Bri and Archer, I am really giddy with excitement for them! I also would love to see books for the others. This was definitely enjoyable in my eyes and I think others would really enjoy it as well, one hundred percent recommend!

[Tanya Geno · Rating 3 out of 5]

No 🌶️ scenes

Fun simple romantic novel

Jasper ex girlfriend (whats her name?) has no role in this book and her character was irrelevant. Mean girl vibe without context! Overall i immediately shipped Jasper and Adelynn’s relationship.

The book definitely drags on for a while and suddenly picks up at the end with Adelynn’s character development. Adelynn’s hatred for her new school was getting annoying midway in the book like girl get over it, i understand your insecured but shut up!!

13 year old (grade 7) even do there is no spicy scene we do mention things like:

““I was glad the wind was at my back, so I didn’t have to worry about my skirt flying up, flashing everyone behind me.”

““He looked me up and down, and his Adam’s apple bobbed. “Anything to get a chance to touch you again.”

Okay but Archer!! I need the second book NOW i definitely think i might actually enjoy it more!

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

[Kassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't get over how cute this book was! Short and sweet is the best way to describe it. Jasper was absolutely adorable and I loved that he didn't have that typical jock attitude that a lot of MMC's have. I loved Adelynn's development and that she was finally able to be herself, it made me happy to see!

There were quite a few typos that I saw reading this, not that it was something that would make me out it down! I did actually feel like the book was a little too long at times. It felt like there would be a conflict but it would get resolved in about 2 chapters and then it would just continue like normal, an example of that was Josie. So I feel like due to the length of the book, they could have expanded on things just a little more so it wasn't dragging a bit.

Other than that, I always adore a cute book and this had that in loads!

[Tiffanys_Reading_Journey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything About You is a cute YA romance centered around Adi, a high school senior navigating grief, change, and first love. After losing her dad and watching her all-girls school go co-ed, Adi is overwhelmed by change—and no one seems to notice how much she’s struggling. As a triplet, she blends into the background, but popular quarterback Jasper sees the real her and is determined to break through her walls.

This story isn’t meant to be deep—it’s a quick, sweet read with a satisfying HEA (which I always appreciate). While I loved the premise and the characters, the middle and end felt rushed. With a little more development and detail, especially around Adi’s growth and their relationship, it could’ve been even better. Still, if you’re in the mood for a light, feel-good romance with heart, this one’s worth picking up!

[Moni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book an am voluntarily leaving a review. This is the first book of the author's that I've read and I would like to read more from her. This is the first book in the Westwood Academy Series and can be read as a standalone. The book's blurb gives you an idea of what to expect, though be aware the story deals with grief and loss. Quarterbacks Don't Date Nerdy Girls is told through Adelynn's pov and is about her adapting to change.

As one of the triplets, Adelynn has gotten used to not being seen for simply being herself but she doesn't mind not being singled out. She likes keeping to herself and helping her siblings whenever she can, even if there a bit of distance between them. She may appear as a pushover but she's got a reason for behaving as she does. Becoming friends with Jasper, the school's quarterback, isn't something that she would've thought to be possible but he doesn't give her much choice in the matter. He's there for her whenever she needs help and sees her for who she is.

Because they are opposites, the romance was a slow burn. Adelynn was adjusting to a new school and isn't concerned with much else. Meanwhile, Jasper is social and friendly - especially when it came to her. I liked how he liked her for who she was and encouraged her to be herself. I would've liked to know a bit more about him but he was an easy male lead to root for. The romance was a clean one consisting of only kissing and no foul language was used. Aside from her relationship with Jasper, I liked the dynamics of the siblings and how their relationship changed as the story went on. Overall, this was a good start to this series and I would like to continue reading it.