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The Beckett Effect
A girl pledges revenge on her school’s playboy—only to start falling for him—in this hilarious teen rom-com perfect for classics like John Tucker Must Die and Clueless.
There’s no one teenage filmmaker Wren hates more than notorious playboy Beckett Lane. Girls love him because of his famous dad, and Beckett revels in the unearned attention. It seems like everyone is under his spell but Wren—including Wren’s sweet, naive sister Kennedy, who has a huge crush on him.
When Beckett humiliates Kennedy in front of the entire school, Wren swears to bring him down once and for all by teaming up with her BFF Chelsie to make a documentary showing everybody exactly who he really is. They launch an investigation meant to expose him, which includes Wren cozying up to Beckett to get inside information—because she’s the only one in school not susceptible to the Beckett Effect.
Only, as she gets closer to Beckett, Wren wonders if the line between love and hate is as obvious as she thought it was. Could there be more to the school’s biggest playboy than she realized?
There’s no one teenage filmmaker Wren hates more than notorious playboy Beckett Lane. Girls love him because of his famous dad, and Beckett revels in the unearned attention. It seems like everyone is under his spell but Wren—including Wren’s sweet, naive sister Kennedy, who has a huge crush on him.
When Beckett humiliates Kennedy in front of the entire school, Wren swears to bring him down once and for all by teaming up with her BFF Chelsie to make a documentary showing everybody exactly who he really is. They launch an investigation meant to expose him, which includes Wren cozying up to Beckett to get inside information—because she’s the only one in school not susceptible to the Beckett Effect.
Only, as she gets closer to Beckett, Wren wonders if the line between love and hate is as obvious as she thought it was. Could there be more to the school’s biggest playboy than she realized?
336 pages, Hardcover
Published May 5, 2026
About the author
Nashae Jones
3 books106 followersNashae Jones is a freelance writer and an educator. Her pieces have appeared in publications such as HuffPost, McSweeney’s, Yahoo Voices among others. Currently she lives in Virginia with her husband, two kids, two cats, and one dog. She is passionate about diversity initiatives, especially in children’s literature.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
May 8, 2026
3.5 ★— I’m always here for a referential YA romance that plays with tropes in a self-aware way, but while this one sets out to do that, I felt like the book was ultimately just okay.
Wren is 18 and dealing with a sisterly relationship that is tested as the plot unfolds, alongside her desire to work in film clashing with her mother’s wish for her to pursue something more stable in college. These are very relatable teenage experiences, and I appreciated how the author took the time to flesh them out!
The book faltered for me when it came to her bond with Beckett, her love interest and the boy she wants to use for a class project that exposes his heartbreaker tendencies, as she pretends to be romantically interested in an effort to get close to him. This is a great setup! But I felt like the story really did not give me enough scenes of these two genuinely connecting and ultimately failed to sell me on their chemistry.
I did enjoy the many teen movie and book references (we get a 10 Things I Hate About You one that I really loved!), but I also got the sense that the author was spoon-feeding the themes and messaging in the last chapter and epilogue. Yes, this is a young adult novel, but it felt so heavy-handed at times that it almost took some of the joy out of the reading experience. Comparing this to something like Better Than the Movies, it’s kind of insane how much more this book felt like it was overexplaining itself to its readers.
So still cute, but this is definitely a book that would work best for the younger end of the YA spectrum.
_______________
Thank you to Simon and Schuster for the gifted copy.
Wren is 18 and dealing with a sisterly relationship that is tested as the plot unfolds, alongside her desire to work in film clashing with her mother’s wish for her to pursue something more stable in college. These are very relatable teenage experiences, and I appreciated how the author took the time to flesh them out!
The book faltered for me when it came to her bond with Beckett, her love interest and the boy she wants to use for a class project that exposes his heartbreaker tendencies, as she pretends to be romantically interested in an effort to get close to him. This is a great setup! But I felt like the story really did not give me enough scenes of these two genuinely connecting and ultimately failed to sell me on their chemistry.
I did enjoy the many teen movie and book references (we get a 10 Things I Hate About You one that I really loved!), but I also got the sense that the author was spoon-feeding the themes and messaging in the last chapter and epilogue. Yes, this is a young adult novel, but it felt so heavy-handed at times that it almost took some of the joy out of the reading experience. Comparing this to something like Better Than the Movies, it’s kind of insane how much more this book felt like it was overexplaining itself to its readers.
So still cute, but this is definitely a book that would work best for the younger end of the YA spectrum.
_______________
Thank you to Simon and Schuster for the gifted copy.
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May 18, 2026thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review all thoughts are my own
i don't know if it was me or if it was the time that i read this book but i fear it did not hit enough for me. the reason i'm not rating this one is for one reason and one reason only. i literally dont know what to rate it. because on one hand, it deeply annoyed me. but on another hand i had a great time! and then i also genuinely was so annoyed because the fmc was insufferable at times but i also saw myself in her (great...self reflection time....) and i wasn't a fan of how the playboy plot with beckett because he...really was a playboy? like he was full on making out with this girl at the fair (like get a room pls) and then the fmc is like "well....maybe he's not" but he lowk is? he moved on from girls so fast? like sure all the rumors about him were false rumors or spun but i am not defending a man in 2026. sorry not sorry.
on that note, i loved the multi media level in this novel with the script and how that flowed with the plot, i love when books have that because it just enhances the reading expierence. i did find wren (fmc) insufferable but she did truly just love her sister and genuinely depised beckett (real) so i can't even hate on her for standing her ground. however her plot to "fake date" him was kind of...just lost because they ended up just dating?? idk it was confusing.
all in all this was a confusing book for me because i really can't place how i feel about it. its a fun romcom though and it is quite funny at times. pick up if you want a fun romance!
i don't know if it was me or if it was the time that i read this book but i fear it did not hit enough for me. the reason i'm not rating this one is for one reason and one reason only. i literally dont know what to rate it. because on one hand, it deeply annoyed me. but on another hand i had a great time! and then i also genuinely was so annoyed because the fmc was insufferable at times but i also saw myself in her (great...self reflection time....) and i wasn't a fan of how the playboy plot with beckett because he...really was a playboy? like he was full on making out with this girl at the fair (like get a room pls) and then the fmc is like "well....maybe he's not" but he lowk is? he moved on from girls so fast? like sure all the rumors about him were false rumors or spun but i am not defending a man in 2026. sorry not sorry.
on that note, i loved the multi media level in this novel with the script and how that flowed with the plot, i love when books have that because it just enhances the reading expierence. i did find wren (fmc) insufferable but she did truly just love her sister and genuinely depised beckett (real) so i can't even hate on her for standing her ground. however her plot to "fake date" him was kind of...just lost because they ended up just dating?? idk it was confusing.
all in all this was a confusing book for me because i really can't place how i feel about it. its a fun romcom though and it is quite funny at times. pick up if you want a fun romance!
May 18, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ RTC
May 7, 2026
In her 3rd book, Nashae Jones leaves the middle grade romance arena of her Courtesy of Cupid and As You Wish and turns to romance clearly targeted towards high school/young adult readers. Her main characters are high school seniors at a private school and, as the publisher summary details, features a film class documentary that wreaks havoc on siblings, friends and classmates at a private school where most of the students have known each other for years.
Quite honestly, I completely disliked the female main character Wren/Sunny at the beginning and her over the top hatred of the womanizing, popular Beckett made her look so petty and mean that I almost stopped reading. But as she and her best friend really began to dive into their film project, I found myself pulled in and intrigued by how many relationships would get fouled up and how they would resolve. I also found myself laughing frequently at how awkward Beckett and Wren often acted around one another, not to the level of the awesome On Again, Awkward Again by Kelly and Mbalia, but enough that this became a fun romance. And if the reader is interested in acting producing, and directing, all the references to those careers and the inclusion of mini-scripts with scenes from Wren’s imagination will be an added bonus. By the book’s end, the distinct changes in Wren, and some in those around her, all came together with the romance and friend/family drama to make a solid choice for those in grades 9 and up.
Personal comment: In the author’s notes, Nashae Jones acknowledges that The Beckett Effect is a nod to 90s movies, specifically John Tucker Must Die. Being a wife plus mom to 2 littles in the 90s, I didn’t watch many movies then but one of Wren’s movie script entries is virtually a rewrite of Cat’s big essay read scene from 1999’s Ten Things I Hate About You, discovered and loved later when watching movies with my then teen daughter.
*Profanity: gd-2, shit-4, ass/asshat/hole-6, hell-2, damn-1 in 1st 100 pages. Regular but not terribly excessive profanity continues but no F-bombs until two when everything is beginning to fall apart and the drama escalates at the book’s end.
*Representation: Wren, her mom and sister are Black; Beckett is biracial Samoan/White; Serenity and Trinity are White; most other characters’ ethnic identities are vague or completely unknown; family configurations are widely varied
*Underage drinking at a classmate’s party
*LBGTQ+:
-Wren’s best friend Chelsie states she is gay & likes girls as she turns down a rich classmate who propositions her; later develops a crush on Serenity, one of the twins who are interviewed for documentary and by the end of the book is dating her
-Chelsie lives with her two moms
-one of the twins who are part of Wren and Chelsie’s film documentary makes a brief reference to their two dads
*Sexual content: lots of kissing, some of it quite passionate, but no nudity or intercourse
*Violence: none
Quite honestly, I completely disliked the female main character Wren/Sunny at the beginning and her over the top hatred of the womanizing, popular Beckett made her look so petty and mean that I almost stopped reading. But as she and her best friend really began to dive into their film project, I found myself pulled in and intrigued by how many relationships would get fouled up and how they would resolve. I also found myself laughing frequently at how awkward Beckett and Wren often acted around one another, not to the level of the awesome On Again, Awkward Again by Kelly and Mbalia, but enough that this became a fun romance. And if the reader is interested in acting producing, and directing, all the references to those careers and the inclusion of mini-scripts with scenes from Wren’s imagination will be an added bonus. By the book’s end, the distinct changes in Wren, and some in those around her, all came together with the romance and friend/family drama to make a solid choice for those in grades 9 and up.
Personal comment: In the author’s notes, Nashae Jones acknowledges that The Beckett Effect is a nod to 90s movies, specifically John Tucker Must Die. Being a wife plus mom to 2 littles in the 90s, I didn’t watch many movies then but one of Wren’s movie script entries is virtually a rewrite of Cat’s big essay read scene from 1999’s Ten Things I Hate About You, discovered and loved later when watching movies with my then teen daughter.
*Profanity: gd-2, shit-4, ass/asshat/hole-6, hell-2, damn-1 in 1st 100 pages. Regular but not terribly excessive profanity continues but no F-bombs until two when everything is beginning to fall apart and the drama escalates at the book’s end.
*Representation: Wren, her mom and sister are Black; Beckett is biracial Samoan/White; Serenity and Trinity are White; most other characters’ ethnic identities are vague or completely unknown; family configurations are widely varied
*Underage drinking at a classmate’s party
*LBGTQ+:
-Wren’s best friend Chelsie states she is gay & likes girls as she turns down a rich classmate who propositions her; later develops a crush on Serenity, one of the twins who are interviewed for documentary and by the end of the book is dating her
-Chelsie lives with her two moms
-one of the twins who are part of Wren and Chelsie’s film documentary makes a brief reference to their two dads
*Sexual content: lots of kissing, some of it quite passionate, but no nudity or intercourse
*Violence: none
May 6, 2026
Thank you @simonteen #simonteeninfluencer for my free finished copy. Also thank you to @simon.audio for my free audiobook copy!
“A girl pledges revenge on her school’s playboy—only to start falling for him—in this hilarious teen rom-com”
This one reminded me of high school dramas, and over exaggerated imaginations teenagers can have. But, it was fun to read/listen to.
Being in Wren vindictive mind while she plays cinematic scenes in her head plotting against Beckett was so fun! She was such the drama queen but all for the love of her sister and hate for Beckett. But, she gets caught up in “The Beckett Effect” in more ways than one.
What I liked about this one is that it shows readers young and old how sometimes people aren’t always what they are portrayed to be. Maybe there is rhyme or reason why they act the way they do. This is so prevalent in teens when they are trying to be popular or just find out who they really are. It also shows forgiveness and being honest.
The audiobook was also fun while in Wren’s head. Tyla Collier did a fantastic job of shows the young teen’s mindset in the book. But with this one, you can’t go wrong with either format.
“A girl pledges revenge on her school’s playboy—only to start falling for him—in this hilarious teen rom-com”
This one reminded me of high school dramas, and over exaggerated imaginations teenagers can have. But, it was fun to read/listen to.
Being in Wren vindictive mind while she plays cinematic scenes in her head plotting against Beckett was so fun! She was such the drama queen but all for the love of her sister and hate for Beckett. But, she gets caught up in “The Beckett Effect” in more ways than one.
What I liked about this one is that it shows readers young and old how sometimes people aren’t always what they are portrayed to be. Maybe there is rhyme or reason why they act the way they do. This is so prevalent in teens when they are trying to be popular or just find out who they really are. It also shows forgiveness and being honest.
The audiobook was also fun while in Wren’s head. Tyla Collier did a fantastic job of shows the young teen’s mindset in the book. But with this one, you can’t go wrong with either format.
March 19, 2026
This book was a very cutesy YA rom-com! I won’t lie, the characters did annoy me a bit in the beginning but the book won me over in the end. Beckett’s entire first date that he thought of was so perfect and honestly I love a guy who pays attention and remembers what a girl loves! He’s definitely a “let me show you how much I like you” kind of guy rather than just simply saying it. I also really liked the hate-to-love/fake dating aspects of the story!
If you’re looking for a quick, light hearted young adult rom-com, then this book is for you!
Thank you so much to Simon Teen for the advanced copy! The Beckett Effect releases on May 5th, so be sure to check it out!
If you’re looking for a quick, light hearted young adult rom-com, then this book is for you!
Thank you so much to Simon Teen for the advanced copy! The Beckett Effect releases on May 5th, so be sure to check it out!
Did Not Finish
May 11, 2026I felt like I was being lectured.
May 6, 2026
Content Warning: divorce
+~ Wren wants to make movies, so she’s always thinking of life in scenes, which made this an interesting but fun story to read. She’s also over protective over her sister Kennedy and despises school heartthrob Beckett Lane (who her sister has a crush on). I loved Wren, but yes there were times she did a little too much when it came to her sister or Beckett and it leads her to some disastrous situations. I think some readers will not Wren as much as I did, she is so stubborn.
+ This story reminded me of my favorite teen rom-coms that dominated the early 2000’s. II kept thinking they should make this into a movie on Netflix because I’d totally watch it for all the shenanigans Wren and her bestie was up to while doing this school project that revolved around Beckett Lane. You already know it’s a bad a idea but Wren was on a revenge kick. And though things blow up in Wren’s face, I loved seeing her trying to fix everything and acknowledge that she was in the wrong. I loved the humor throughout the story and it made for such a quick read.
+ The romance is so cute – Wren hates Beckett, but Becket is a heartthrob for a reason – he’s gorgeous but such a charmer too! I can see why he was so hard to resist. So as much as Wren is using Beckett, he eventually gets under his skin when she learns the real him.
Final Thoughts:
I had a fun time reading this one because it reminded me of early 2000’s teenage rom-coms, and would love to see this made into a movie. Wren is a stubborn FMC who has a lot to learn but the main thing is she does learn in the end. I thought the romance was super cute because Beckett is such a charmer – how could Wren resist? Overall, I enjoyed this one.
Read if you like:
high school drama
humor, banter
sweet dislike to like romance
+~ Wren wants to make movies, so she’s always thinking of life in scenes, which made this an interesting but fun story to read. She’s also over protective over her sister Kennedy and despises school heartthrob Beckett Lane (who her sister has a crush on). I loved Wren, but yes there were times she did a little too much when it came to her sister or Beckett and it leads her to some disastrous situations. I think some readers will not Wren as much as I did, she is so stubborn.
+ This story reminded me of my favorite teen rom-coms that dominated the early 2000’s. II kept thinking they should make this into a movie on Netflix because I’d totally watch it for all the shenanigans Wren and her bestie was up to while doing this school project that revolved around Beckett Lane. You already know it’s a bad a idea but Wren was on a revenge kick. And though things blow up in Wren’s face, I loved seeing her trying to fix everything and acknowledge that she was in the wrong. I loved the humor throughout the story and it made for such a quick read.
+ The romance is so cute – Wren hates Beckett, but Becket is a heartthrob for a reason – he’s gorgeous but such a charmer too! I can see why he was so hard to resist. So as much as Wren is using Beckett, he eventually gets under his skin when she learns the real him.
Final Thoughts:
I had a fun time reading this one because it reminded me of early 2000’s teenage rom-coms, and would love to see this made into a movie. Wren is a stubborn FMC who has a lot to learn but the main thing is she does learn in the end. I thought the romance was super cute because Beckett is such a charmer – how could Wren resist? Overall, I enjoyed this one.
Read if you like:
high school drama
humor, banter
sweet dislike to like romance
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
📚 On Casey’s Bookshelf
Book: 50
Dates read: 03.11.2026 – 03.11.2026
Title: The Beckett Effect
Author: Nashae Jones
Format: digital ARC
#caseysbookshelf
This book was so much fun.
Like genuinely laugh-out-loud, shake-your-head-at-these-kids fun.
Now… as a YA, yes, these teens will get on your nerves. But as the mom of a 17-year-old? Every single thing tracked. The decisions, the drama, the logic that is not logic-ing… all of it felt very real.
At the center, you’ve got Wren, who is fully committed to her one-sided beef with Beckett. Meanwhile, the whole school is under the “Beckett Effect,” and she’s determined to prove he’s not who everyone thinks he is.
What unfolds feels like your favorite early 2000s teen movies in book form. If you loved She’s All That, Clueless, or John Tucker Must Die, this is absolutely your vibe. It’s funny, a little messy, and surprisingly sweet underneath it all.
But what I appreciated most is what’s happening beneath the surface.
This story quietly explores how rumors, gossip, and perception shape the way teens see each other. And how quickly narratives can form without truth being a factor. It creates space for conversations around emotional intelligence, accountability, and actually getting to know people beyond what you’ve heard. The overall growth in that area was one of my favorite parts of the book. It is also what makes this book a perfect summer read or even a buddy read with your favorite teen while they are on break.
This author is new to me, but this one definitely has me ready to check out her backlist.
Releases May 5.
Thank you Simon Pulse for the #giftedcopy in exchange for an honest review.
Another book off the shelf. We keep reading with intention. 📚
Book: 50
Dates read: 03.11.2026 – 03.11.2026
Title: The Beckett Effect
Author: Nashae Jones
Format: digital ARC
#caseysbookshelf
This book was so much fun.
Like genuinely laugh-out-loud, shake-your-head-at-these-kids fun.
Now… as a YA, yes, these teens will get on your nerves. But as the mom of a 17-year-old? Every single thing tracked. The decisions, the drama, the logic that is not logic-ing… all of it felt very real.
At the center, you’ve got Wren, who is fully committed to her one-sided beef with Beckett. Meanwhile, the whole school is under the “Beckett Effect,” and she’s determined to prove he’s not who everyone thinks he is.
What unfolds feels like your favorite early 2000s teen movies in book form. If you loved She’s All That, Clueless, or John Tucker Must Die, this is absolutely your vibe. It’s funny, a little messy, and surprisingly sweet underneath it all.
But what I appreciated most is what’s happening beneath the surface.
This story quietly explores how rumors, gossip, and perception shape the way teens see each other. And how quickly narratives can form without truth being a factor. It creates space for conversations around emotional intelligence, accountability, and actually getting to know people beyond what you’ve heard. The overall growth in that area was one of my favorite parts of the book. It is also what makes this book a perfect summer read or even a buddy read with your favorite teen while they are on break.
This author is new to me, but this one definitely has me ready to check out her backlist.
Releases May 5.
Thank you Simon Pulse for the #giftedcopy in exchange for an honest review.
Another book off the shelf. We keep reading with intention. 📚
May 7, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, and Simon Pulse for an early digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I apologize for being two days late with this. I am just restarting using NetGalley again and I am a little rusty... BUT I am here now and I LOVED everything about this book!
This book was just such a fun read from start to finish and I could not stop smiling or laughing throughout the entire story. A few times I even wanted to cry... BUT this is a spoiler free review, so if you would like to know why you are going to have to go read the book! :)
I thought that Wren was an amazing MC. She is smart and witty and talented and you just can't help but root for her.
However, it's not all sunshine and rainbows in Wren's world.
And the main reason for the lack of the sunshine and the rainbows at all times has a name and his name is Beckett Lane.
I do not want to go into many more details to give out any spoilers for the book because I absolutely hope that everyone who sees this review will just want to read it instead. I can't recommend it enough.
I also just requested the author's previously published books as well from my local library and I can't wait to dive into them.
The formatting of this book was also really fun and I absolutely LOVED and had so much fun with each and every movie reference in this book. (I even knew about 95% of them which is AMAZING for me actually!).
I was able to read this book in about 24 hours because once I started I did not want to put it down.
I think that is all for right now, but I do hope that if you pick up this book that you will enjoy it as much as I did.
I apologize for being two days late with this. I am just restarting using NetGalley again and I am a little rusty... BUT I am here now and I LOVED everything about this book!
This book was just such a fun read from start to finish and I could not stop smiling or laughing throughout the entire story. A few times I even wanted to cry... BUT this is a spoiler free review, so if you would like to know why you are going to have to go read the book! :)
I thought that Wren was an amazing MC. She is smart and witty and talented and you just can't help but root for her.
However, it's not all sunshine and rainbows in Wren's world.
And the main reason for the lack of the sunshine and the rainbows at all times has a name and his name is Beckett Lane.
I do not want to go into many more details to give out any spoilers for the book because I absolutely hope that everyone who sees this review will just want to read it instead. I can't recommend it enough.
I also just requested the author's previously published books as well from my local library and I can't wait to dive into them.
The formatting of this book was also really fun and I absolutely LOVED and had so much fun with each and every movie reference in this book. (I even knew about 95% of them which is AMAZING for me actually!).
I was able to read this book in about 24 hours because once I started I did not want to put it down.
I think that is all for right now, but I do hope that if you pick up this book that you will enjoy it as much as I did.
May 3, 2026
Wren despises Beckett Lane, even though all of the girls seem to swoon over him. He has a terrible reputation of being a playboy. Her sister, Kennedy, is “in love” with him the way that all of the other girls are. So when Beckett embarrasses Kennedy, Wren wants revenge. With her friend Chelsie, for her film class, they decide to make a documentary about how terrible Beckett is. Except, the plan seems to backfire a bit. Wren seems to think she’s immune from “The Beckett Effect” but as they conduct interviews and she gets close to him, she may not have been right about him after all.
This is such a cute YA read! It’s wholesome, so absolutely perfect for teenage girls, especially those in high school as this takes place in high school. I found Wren to be a bit annoying at times, but maybe she was supposed to be. She just couldn’t let go how terrible of a person that she thought Beckett was. Beckett on the other hand seemed to be a typical high school boy, but he was more than that. He riled Wren up because it was fun for him. For their first date, he was so thoughtful and sweet. I absolutely loved his out of the box idea for the date.
This book is definitely more than just a sweet YA romance book, though. Once you really sit with the book, you realize that this book explores the idea of how much rumors will shape views of people – especially when you’re in high school. One of my favorite relationships in the book was between Kennedy and Wren. Because of Wren’s obsession with revenge on Beckett, it drives a wedge between the two, but it also makes them grow.
Make sure to check this out if you like YA romance!
This is such a cute YA read! It’s wholesome, so absolutely perfect for teenage girls, especially those in high school as this takes place in high school. I found Wren to be a bit annoying at times, but maybe she was supposed to be. She just couldn’t let go how terrible of a person that she thought Beckett was. Beckett on the other hand seemed to be a typical high school boy, but he was more than that. He riled Wren up because it was fun for him. For their first date, he was so thoughtful and sweet. I absolutely loved his out of the box idea for the date.
This book is definitely more than just a sweet YA romance book, though. Once you really sit with the book, you realize that this book explores the idea of how much rumors will shape views of people – especially when you’re in high school. One of my favorite relationships in the book was between Kennedy and Wren. Because of Wren’s obsession with revenge on Beckett, it drives a wedge between the two, but it also makes them grow.
Make sure to check this out if you like YA romance!
May 5, 2026
If you already worship at the altar of Lynn Painter's teen romcoms, this one hits best!
10 things I hate about You x pop culture references x sassy FMC x prince charming MMC x every fund teeny bopper movie you ever watched!!
Nashae Jones has dones fabulous job in marrying the teenage x movie lover genre into its own dreamscape for the angry, willful and sassy Wren Richardson, whose scene cuts are laugh out loud escapades to escape the drudgery of reality. I mean, as booklovers, are we any different? Do we not also dive headfirst into the pages of a book to outrun our emotions?
With that deep analysis, I will stop. This book was BRILLIANT!! Between the sisterhood of Kennedy and Wren, the brocode of Jeffrey and Beckett, the friendship bonds that bound Chelsea and Wren, everything was perfect!! From delving into her own personal hell, to the unpacking of the change in her mom post the divorce, to being her sisters' keeper and her wonderful obstinacy to not see the obvious, Wren is a character after my own heart! And Beckett plays her foil as the mischievous, dreamy and often soulful friend, who listens and reciprocates with kindness and grace despite his social status defining him as a womanizer and the rumors that abound.... The only miss was where am i supposed to get the mini raspberry croissants????
My wicked thank yous to Simon and Schuster Childrens Publishing and Netgalley for this opportunity. This was a delicious and sweet escape!!
10 things I hate about You x pop culture references x sassy FMC x prince charming MMC x every fund teeny bopper movie you ever watched!!
Nashae Jones has dones fabulous job in marrying the teenage x movie lover genre into its own dreamscape for the angry, willful and sassy Wren Richardson, whose scene cuts are laugh out loud escapades to escape the drudgery of reality. I mean, as booklovers, are we any different? Do we not also dive headfirst into the pages of a book to outrun our emotions?
With that deep analysis, I will stop. This book was BRILLIANT!! Between the sisterhood of Kennedy and Wren, the brocode of Jeffrey and Beckett, the friendship bonds that bound Chelsea and Wren, everything was perfect!! From delving into her own personal hell, to the unpacking of the change in her mom post the divorce, to being her sisters' keeper and her wonderful obstinacy to not see the obvious, Wren is a character after my own heart! And Beckett plays her foil as the mischievous, dreamy and often soulful friend, who listens and reciprocates with kindness and grace despite his social status defining him as a womanizer and the rumors that abound.... The only miss was where am i supposed to get the mini raspberry croissants????
My wicked thank yous to Simon and Schuster Childrens Publishing and Netgalley for this opportunity. This was a delicious and sweet escape!!
May 13, 2026
THE BECKETT EFFECT – by Nashae Jones
Yes, Yes There Was Crying—My Heart!
‘There’s no one Wren hates more than Beckett Lane.’
‘Girls love Beckett because of his famous dad, and Beckett revels in the unearned attention. It seems like everyone except Wren is susceptible to the Beckett Effect—the phenomenon that makes people, most of all teen girls, fall for him despite his glaring red flags. Unfortunately for Wren, her sister, Kennedy, is vulnerable to Beckett’s charms, and she has a huge, misguided crush on him.’
Wearing a mask is commonplace in life; when you think about it, one for each role we play in our day-to-day lives. But are the different masks we wear forged by our hands alone, or are some placed upon us created by others without regard to the fact or fiction they depict?
THE BECKETT EFFECT centers around family, love, relationships, friendship, revenge, truth, lies, fear, hope, forgiveness, and being true to yourself—who you really are in the world.
Thank you, NetGalley and Simon Pulse (Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division), for providing me with an eBook ARC of THE BECKETT EFFECT at the request of an honest review.
Grade Level: 7 – 9
Reading Age: 12 years and up
Yes, Yes There Was Crying—My Heart!
‘There’s no one Wren hates more than Beckett Lane.’
‘Girls love Beckett because of his famous dad, and Beckett revels in the unearned attention. It seems like everyone except Wren is susceptible to the Beckett Effect—the phenomenon that makes people, most of all teen girls, fall for him despite his glaring red flags. Unfortunately for Wren, her sister, Kennedy, is vulnerable to Beckett’s charms, and she has a huge, misguided crush on him.’
Wearing a mask is commonplace in life; when you think about it, one for each role we play in our day-to-day lives. But are the different masks we wear forged by our hands alone, or are some placed upon us created by others without regard to the fact or fiction they depict?
THE BECKETT EFFECT centers around family, love, relationships, friendship, revenge, truth, lies, fear, hope, forgiveness, and being true to yourself—who you really are in the world.
Thank you, NetGalley and Simon Pulse (Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division), for providing me with an eBook ARC of THE BECKETT EFFECT at the request of an honest review.
Grade Level: 7 – 9
Reading Age: 12 years and up
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC for this book.
I think this book is fun but probably not for me. It's definitely meant for high schoolers and not adults based on the themes and the setting of the book.
The story follows Wren, an aspiring filmmaker who is tasked with creating an independent film about Byronic heroes similar to Mr. Rochester in Jane Eyre. In steps, Beckett Lane, he appears to be a womanizer with lots of unsavory rumors swirling around him. Wren hates him for most of the book and especially when he appears to humiliate her sister at a party. Wren takes it upon herself to use her film project to take down Beckett. Over the course of it, she learns that appearances and rumors aren't at all what they seem.
While I usually like enemies to lovers as a trope, there was something over the top in this book. Wren's reasons for hating Beckett are really lame and don't rise to the level of epic disgust she has for him. It just doesn't make any sense. I also found the movie scenes interspersed throughout the book to be too much and I started skipping them after the first few. I didn't find that they added anything interesting to the story.
I think this book is fun but probably not for me. It's definitely meant for high schoolers and not adults based on the themes and the setting of the book.
The story follows Wren, an aspiring filmmaker who is tasked with creating an independent film about Byronic heroes similar to Mr. Rochester in Jane Eyre. In steps, Beckett Lane, he appears to be a womanizer with lots of unsavory rumors swirling around him. Wren hates him for most of the book and especially when he appears to humiliate her sister at a party. Wren takes it upon herself to use her film project to take down Beckett. Over the course of it, she learns that appearances and rumors aren't at all what they seem.
While I usually like enemies to lovers as a trope, there was something over the top in this book. Wren's reasons for hating Beckett are really lame and don't rise to the level of epic disgust she has for him. It just doesn't make any sense. I also found the movie scenes interspersed throughout the book to be too much and I started skipping them after the first few. I didn't find that they added anything interesting to the story.
May 20, 2026
When Wren's sister Kennedy falls for the wrong guy and ends up in an embarrassing mess, Wren is desperate to make things right. But everything she does seems to make her sister more mad at her. Wren is sure playboy Beckett is the root of all of her problems and sets out to prove what a terrible person he is. Except she ends up falling for him instead!
This is one of those books where it's obvious the main character is going about everything in the wrong way, but you still can't help but feel for her because she's trying so darn hard to make everything right (even if she's failing). It's easy to see how Beckett is misunderstood (the rumor mill works overtime for people in any sort of limelight), and it becomes apparent early on that he's not as terrible as Wren thinks he is, so it's easy to root for them together--and to wait anxiously while Wren figures out there's more to her nemesis than she thought. The chemistry and banter makes this a fantastic YA romance, and it will especially appeal to younger YA readers (works great for kids who've just graduated beyond Jones's middle grade books).
This is one of those books where it's obvious the main character is going about everything in the wrong way, but you still can't help but feel for her because she's trying so darn hard to make everything right (even if she's failing). It's easy to see how Beckett is misunderstood (the rumor mill works overtime for people in any sort of limelight), and it becomes apparent early on that he's not as terrible as Wren thinks he is, so it's easy to root for them together--and to wait anxiously while Wren figures out there's more to her nemesis than she thought. The chemistry and banter makes this a fantastic YA romance, and it will especially appeal to younger YA readers (works great for kids who've just graduated beyond Jones's middle grade books).
May 6, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC of The Beckett Effect.
I really enjoyed the creative touch of having the main character slip into imagined screenplay moments—it added a fun, introspective layer that made the story feel personal and relatable. It actually reminded me of my teenage self, replaying and rewriting moments in my head to make sense of them.
Wren, the main character, is definitely someone who may test your patience at times. Her “I have to fix everything” mindset can feel overwhelming, especially when it affects how she shows up for others. But that complexity also makes her growth feel meaningful, as she begins to better understand herself and the people around her.
Beckett was a standout for me. From early on, there’s more to him than meets the eye, and his dynamic with Wren added depth and warmth to the story.
The ending felt just right for a YA romance—satisfying and emotionally grounded. I’d recommend this for teens and young adults, especially those navigating relationships, self-awareness, and emotional growth.
I really enjoyed the creative touch of having the main character slip into imagined screenplay moments—it added a fun, introspective layer that made the story feel personal and relatable. It actually reminded me of my teenage self, replaying and rewriting moments in my head to make sense of them.
Wren, the main character, is definitely someone who may test your patience at times. Her “I have to fix everything” mindset can feel overwhelming, especially when it affects how she shows up for others. But that complexity also makes her growth feel meaningful, as she begins to better understand herself and the people around her.
Beckett was a standout for me. From early on, there’s more to him than meets the eye, and his dynamic with Wren added depth and warmth to the story.
The ending felt just right for a YA romance—satisfying and emotionally grounded. I’d recommend this for teens and young adults, especially those navigating relationships, self-awareness, and emotional growth.
May 7, 2026
✨ ARC REVIEW ✨
📖 The Beckett Effect
⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ | 3/5
This was a fun and easy YA contemporary read with strong early 2000s rom-com energy. I enjoyed the mix of drama, humor, and messy teenage emotions throughout, and the “girl trying to expose the school playboy” premise definitely kept things entertaining.
I liked that the story explored rumors, reputation, and how quickly people form opinions about each other in high school settings. Wren and Beckett’s dynamic was predictable at times, but still enjoyable to follow as the story progressed.
That said, I did find some parts dragged a bit, and I wanted more emotional depth from both the characters and the romance. While I liked the overall vibe of the story, I never felt fully invested emotionally.
Overall, this was a solid 3-star read for me, especially if you enjoy YA romances with enemies-to-lovers vibes and nostalgic teen movie energy.
Thank you to @netgalley and Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing for the ARC! 💕
📖 The Beckett Effect
⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ | 3/5
This was a fun and easy YA contemporary read with strong early 2000s rom-com energy. I enjoyed the mix of drama, humor, and messy teenage emotions throughout, and the “girl trying to expose the school playboy” premise definitely kept things entertaining.
I liked that the story explored rumors, reputation, and how quickly people form opinions about each other in high school settings. Wren and Beckett’s dynamic was predictable at times, but still enjoyable to follow as the story progressed.
That said, I did find some parts dragged a bit, and I wanted more emotional depth from both the characters and the romance. While I liked the overall vibe of the story, I never felt fully invested emotionally.
Overall, this was a solid 3-star read for me, especially if you enjoy YA romances with enemies-to-lovers vibes and nostalgic teen movie energy.
Thank you to @netgalley and Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing for the ARC! 💕
May 9, 2026
The Beckett Effect is a cute, quick read for teens. Wren and Beckett have history, I liked that the author made a point to show how each of them aided in the years of tension/meanness between them, ultimately due to jealousy. It’s a lighthearted story that highlights the truth in, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” In Wren and Beckett’s case, their assumption of each other’s lives compared to their own had robbed them of opportunities to really get to know one another.
They’re both likeable and relatable, although I liked Beckett more. I do wish more of his backstory had been fleshed out on the page. And there are some plot holes I wanted answers for as a reader.
My only complete dislike was the use of a word I find unnecessary, especially in YA. However, I will likely keep this author on my radar for future reads.
I received this book courtesy of NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing | Simon Pulse
Thank you so much for the advance review copy!
They’re both likeable and relatable, although I liked Beckett more. I do wish more of his backstory had been fleshed out on the page. And there are some plot holes I wanted answers for as a reader.
My only complete dislike was the use of a word I find unnecessary, especially in YA. However, I will likely keep this author on my radar for future reads.
I received this book courtesy of NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing | Simon Pulse
Thank you so much for the advance review copy!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
The cover on Edelweiss looked a lot like this author's As You Wish and Courtesy of Cupid; the one shown on Goodreads more accurately reflects the more YA feel of the book.
Wren is a high schooler who wants to be a filmmaker, and has plans to go to LA with her best friend Chelsie and waitress while trying to make it big. When Beckett Lane, son of teen heartthrob from thirty years ago, Sloan Lane, shows up in her language arts class, she's super angry. Of course, throughout the course of the book, she changes her mind.
I think the enemies to lovers trope is more convincing in young adult than in middle grade novels. I don't like this trope myself; if I hate someone, I will hate them until I die. There are a couple of f words, so I'll pass, but I would probably buy this for high school where romance books are popular.
The cover on Edelweiss looked a lot like this author's As You Wish and Courtesy of Cupid; the one shown on Goodreads more accurately reflects the more YA feel of the book.
Wren is a high schooler who wants to be a filmmaker, and has plans to go to LA with her best friend Chelsie and waitress while trying to make it big. When Beckett Lane, son of teen heartthrob from thirty years ago, Sloan Lane, shows up in her language arts class, she's super angry. Of course, throughout the course of the book, she changes her mind.
I think the enemies to lovers trope is more convincing in young adult than in middle grade novels. I don't like this trope myself; if I hate someone, I will hate them until I die. There are a couple of f words, so I'll pass, but I would probably buy this for high school where romance books are popular.
May 17, 2026
Fans of John Tucker Must Die will love this YA debut romcom!
🥰
Teen filmmaker Wren is determined to expose notorious heartbreaker Beckett Lane after he publicly humiliates her younger sister. Teaming up with her best friend to create a documentary about his bad behavior, Wren gets closer to Beckett in hopes of uncovering the truth only to realize he may be more complicated than the image everyone sees. As her investigation deepens, the line between hatred and attraction starts to blur.
💋
I think I fell victim to the Beckett Effect myself after reading this novel! This was such a lighthearted young adult romance that I think would work in a MS and HS library. It gave me 10 Things I Hate About You vibes and I was so here for it! I adored this author’s middle grade romance so I knew I’d eat up her YA debut.
CW: divorce, alcohol, mental health issues
🥰
Teen filmmaker Wren is determined to expose notorious heartbreaker Beckett Lane after he publicly humiliates her younger sister. Teaming up with her best friend to create a documentary about his bad behavior, Wren gets closer to Beckett in hopes of uncovering the truth only to realize he may be more complicated than the image everyone sees. As her investigation deepens, the line between hatred and attraction starts to blur.
💋
I think I fell victim to the Beckett Effect myself after reading this novel! This was such a lighthearted young adult romance that I think would work in a MS and HS library. It gave me 10 Things I Hate About You vibes and I was so here for it! I adored this author’s middle grade romance so I knew I’d eat up her YA debut.
CW: divorce, alcohol, mental health issues
April 28, 2026
This was a cute YA, “enemies” to lovers romance that I enjoyed.
I didn’t find Wren’s character particularly likable so it was a little rough routing for her happy ending. She made a lot of mistakes and hurt a lot of people and behaved childish at times. I liked that the story gave her a redemption, but it felt a little like she felt more sorry for herself at times than the hurt she caused others.
I ended up loving Beckett. It felt like character development when really it was more just getting to know his true character vs how he was perceived. There were a few scenes that didn’t entirely make sense if they wanted his character to be believable.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and thought it was cute. I was able to finish it in a day.
I didn’t find Wren’s character particularly likable so it was a little rough routing for her happy ending. She made a lot of mistakes and hurt a lot of people and behaved childish at times. I liked that the story gave her a redemption, but it felt a little like she felt more sorry for herself at times than the hurt she caused others.
I ended up loving Beckett. It felt like character development when really it was more just getting to know his true character vs how he was perceived. There were a few scenes that didn’t entirely make sense if they wanted his character to be believable.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and thought it was cute. I was able to finish it in a day.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Independent, big sister Wren is one of the few kids of color at her high school and she’s fiercely protective of her slightly younger sister Kennedy. When Kennedy succumbs to the “Beckett Effect,” crushing on Wren’s classmate who is a notoriously charming womanizer, Wren decides to pay back Beckett’s rejection of Kennedy by filming an exposé comparing Beckett to caddish Byronic heroes in literature. Wren compiles a list of Beckett’s bad dating behavior to investigate, but it turns out none of them are true. A charming enemies to lovers rom com with interesting characters and punctuated by short scripts that Wren imagines filming. Earc from Edelweiss.
May 6, 2026
This was such a fun read!! The writing of this book and the layout was very different which I liked and don’t think I’ve seen before! A lot of the parts in this reminded me of older 80s rom-com movies, and I like how it felt like watching a movie come to life in a sense! I really enjoyed the writing in this and the character growth was really enjoyable. The plot held strong throughout and everything flowed so smoothly! There were a few parts that were a tiny bit predictable and left me wanting more, but I’m really happy with this one! It’s a good palate cleanser too if you want something cute and a little laugh here and there!
May 15, 2026
As Wren dives into her film project trying to prove the school playboy is unredeemable, she finds that maybe she is actually the villain.
Fans of the Byronic hero will enjoy this YA modern spin. It has romance, revenge, and family drama - the best of Brontë and Austen in a new era.
I enjoyed the story framing with film scenes building Wren’s personality. I did cringe when she came up with the documentary idea knowing it wouldn’t end well. Cute story overall that proves there is always more to people than is on the surface. Perfect addition to high school libraries.
*** NetGalley ARC Review ***
Fans of the Byronic hero will enjoy this YA modern spin. It has romance, revenge, and family drama - the best of Brontë and Austen in a new era.
I enjoyed the story framing with film scenes building Wren’s personality. I did cringe when she came up with the documentary idea knowing it wouldn’t end well. Cute story overall that proves there is always more to people than is on the surface. Perfect addition to high school libraries.
*** NetGalley ARC Review ***
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you @simonteen #simonpulse #partner for the gifted copy of this book.
I’ve been fully in my romcom era lately so I was really excited to pick this one up!
This is a cute YA romcom that really leans into that high school relationship feel. There are some genuinely sweet moments throughout and I loved seeing how everything came together in the end. The character growth was there for these young whippersnappers. I personally appreciated how the story showed them learning from their mistakes and finding their way back to what really matters, which is being a good human :)
What stood out most to me was how real the messy parts felt. The drama and the gossip felt like watching my own kids navigate friendships and relationships…or like being transported back to those “puppy love” days where everything felt big and overwhelming. I do think this book delivers an important message about how gossip and careless words can truly impact others. That “be kind” theme definitely came through loud and clear.
That said, this one didn’t fully hit the mark for me but I think it really comes down to audience. While I read and love YA often, this felt very specifically geared toward a younger, high school aged reader. The tone, dialogue and character dynamics all leaned heavily into that space. It made it a little harder for me to fully connect since I’m...a little far removed from that timeframe. HAHA.
Overall though this was a easy and sweet read. I think it will absolutely resonate with its intended audience of younger readers. I think especially readers who love high school romance and all the drama that comes with it!
I’ve been fully in my romcom era lately so I was really excited to pick this one up!
This is a cute YA romcom that really leans into that high school relationship feel. There are some genuinely sweet moments throughout and I loved seeing how everything came together in the end. The character growth was there for these young whippersnappers. I personally appreciated how the story showed them learning from their mistakes and finding their way back to what really matters, which is being a good human :)
What stood out most to me was how real the messy parts felt. The drama and the gossip felt like watching my own kids navigate friendships and relationships…or like being transported back to those “puppy love” days where everything felt big and overwhelming. I do think this book delivers an important message about how gossip and careless words can truly impact others. That “be kind” theme definitely came through loud and clear.
That said, this one didn’t fully hit the mark for me but I think it really comes down to audience. While I read and love YA often, this felt very specifically geared toward a younger, high school aged reader. The tone, dialogue and character dynamics all leaned heavily into that space. It made it a little harder for me to fully connect since I’m...a little far removed from that timeframe. HAHA.
Overall though this was a easy and sweet read. I think it will absolutely resonate with its intended audience of younger readers. I think especially readers who love high school romance and all the drama that comes with it!
May 19, 2026
A fun YA rom-com about a girl in Richmond, Virginia who is making a documentary about a boy who spurned her sister. Wren hates Beckett. HATES him (which of course means she secretly is attracted to him). As she is putting together a documentary for her film class about all the terrible things Beckett has done, she realizes that he's not as bad as she thought.
There's a lot of miscommunication in the book between pretty much all the characters and Wren, and that is at time frustrating. And things resolve (too?) neatly at the end. I listened to this one and the narrator did a good job.
There's a lot of miscommunication in the book between pretty much all the characters and Wren, and that is at time frustrating. And things resolve (too?) neatly at the end. I listened to this one and the narrator did a good job.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Beckett Effect is very reminiscent of 2000s romcoms. The story is told in different acts and is very fast paced. I really liked the side characters and how sweet Beckett was to Wren. I found Wren frustrating and the whole book I was annoyed with her actions. Beckett didn’t really seem to have much personality but he was not evil as Wren made him seem. Overall this wasn’t my favorite book but there were some parts I enjoyed.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Overall the book was adorably cute.
I found myself enjoying the plot and liking the romance , even though the FMC was very hardheaded .
But it felt like a high school romance. The storyline itself was intriguing and i definitely felt the weight of it towards the end when everything started to get wonky
I found myself enjoying the plot and liking the romance , even though the FMC was very hardheaded .
But it felt like a high school romance. The storyline itself was intriguing and i definitely felt the weight of it towards the end when everything started to get wonky
Did Not Finish
May 15, 2026I was really enjoying this book and was looking forward to learning about how Beckett wasn’t really the villain Wren was making him out to be. But then the author made a Harry Potter reference and suddenly I no longer cared what happened in the book. I’m so tired of this happening. Stop including HP references in books. It’s unnecessary and harmful.
November 2, 2025
Interspersed with screenplay snippets brimming with irrepressible love for fan-favorite movies and shows, The Beckett Effect is a laugh-out-loud romcom full of lovable characters and pull-at-the-heartstrings vulnerability, proving that the best love stories aren’t ever scripted!
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