Keeping Her: A YA Sweet Romance

by Clara Nielsen

My plan was simple.
Sneak into Hartwell Academy for a week. Join my friends on their class trip to Niagara Falls. Try not to get caught.

What my plan did not include was Jace McIntyre.

He’s the first person to figure out I don’t actually belong at Hartwell—and instead of exposing me, he offers to help keep my secret.

Which would be great… if it didn’t mean spending almost all my time with him.

But every laugh, every late-night conversation, every moment alone makes one thing painfully my feelings for him are here to stay.

And falling for a boy when I’m about to disappear from his life? That might be the worst plan I’ve ever had.

Keeping Her is a sweet & wholesome young adult romance. Get your copy today!

This is Mako and Elodie's book.

Genres: Romance

362 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 20, 2026

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

[alexandra ౨ৎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

☆4

⋆ no spoilers ⋆

now playing:
⤷ cardigan - taylor swift ˎˊ˗
01:46 ━━━━●───── 03:59
      ㅤ ㅤ◁ㅤ ❚❚ ㅤ▷ ㅤㅤ↻    

𓆉⋆｡˚⋆❀ ⋆.˚.

❛❛ vintage tee, brand new phone / high heels on cobblestones ❜❜

𓇼 ⋆.˚.𖥔˚

pre-read˚.🦩⋆
been on hold from the library for sooo long! can’t wait to finally read this !!

𓆉⋆｡˚⋆❀ ⋆.˚.

❛❛ when you are young, they assume you know nothing ❜❜

𓇼 ⋆.˚.𖥔˚

• ꒰ overall thoughts ꒱ •
i loved this book! it was such a fun read! first of all, i loveddd the plot! the idea that elodie was sneaking into a different school to hang out with her friends and then going on a field trip with them to niagara falls! and then there just happens to be a cute boy there hehehehe!! this plot was really really good! next, the characters!! well i fell in love with the boy-girl friend group!! they got along sooo well and were always hanging out with each other ! and alice.. she was interesting .. lastly, the setting! the setting was in niagara falls and there were some points where it was in a water park! it was pretty good! now you’re probably like, okay you’re saying all of this nice stuff why isn’t it five stars?? well its not five stars because it was a really good book, but the romance between elodie and mako was kind of forced i feel like at some points. i wish it just felt a little more real. i know im a harsh critic im sorry!! but this book was honestly really good!!

𓆉⋆｡˚⋆❀ ⋆.˚.

❛❛ but i knew you, dancin’ in your levi’s / drunk under a streetlight, i ❜❜

𓇼 ⋆.˚.𖥔˚

• ꒰ ratings ꒱ •
plot ♡ 4/5
spice ♡ 1/5 kissing
cursing ♡ 0/5

𓆉⋆｡˚⋆❀ ⋆.˚.

❛❛ i knew you, hand under my sweatshirt / baby, kiss it better, i ❜❜

𓇼 ⋆.˚.𖥔˚

• ꒰ characters ꒱ •

—▷ mako/jace
STOP IT HE IS SO SWEET !!! there is a girl he barely knows and HE OFFERS HER HIS SWEATSHIRT AND TO STAY IN HIS ROOM SO HE DOESN’T GET CAUGHT ?? we all need a man like mako !! he was honestly such a great character and such a lovable person !! he was just a little guarded about some personal things and i just wish he would open up a bit more!

—▷ elodie
lovedddd her !! she was a good fmc ! she was really nice and funny!

—▷ alice
oh… if you see her mako, run for your life !! she was honestly a bit creepy like she followed mako around everywhereee !! like can you tell he is not interested it you?? she was very manipulative ! and i feel bad for mako since he had to be nice to her since alice was related to his coach.

—▷ the friend group
omgggggg i loved them smmm !! they were hilariousss!

𓆉⋆｡˚⋆❀ ⋆.˚.

❛❛ and when i felt like i was an old cardigan / under someone’s bed ❜❜

𓇼 ⋆.˚.𖥔˚

• ꒰ recommendations ꒱ •
age ⋆°•☁︎⋆ 13+ years old
interests ⋆°•☁︎⋆ waterpark // field trip // dual pov // friends to lovers
genre ⋆°•☁︎⋆ romance

𓆉⋆｡˚⋆❀ ⋆.˚.

❛❛ you put me on and said i was your favorite ❜❜

𓂃𓂃𓂃 𓇼𓂃𓂃𓂃 𓆉𓂃𓂃𓂃𓇼 𓂃𓂃𓂃

thank you so much for taking the time to read my review! i hope it was helpful in your reading experience. if you enjoyed this review, please consider following me to receive more valuable reviews! xoxo, alexandra ୨୧
˗ˏˋ ꒰ ♡ ꒱ ˎˊ˗

[Emma Feest · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 stars)

💬 "I stared at the ceiling wondering hiw she so quickly shifted drom the girl who kept getting me in trouble to the girl who made me smile without even trying." 🤍✨

How am I supposed to write this review without crying again? 😭🤍

This wasn't just my favorite book in the series... it became one of my favorite books ever. I absolutely loved every single page, and when I finished it, I actually cried. Not because it ended badly, but because it ended at all. Saying goodbye to these characters honestly broke my heart. They all found a special place in my heart, and I know I'll never forget them. ❤️📚

I genuinely don't know what I loved most because... EVERYTHING. 🥹 The chemistry between Mako and Elodie was absolutely perfect. Watching them slowly grow closer, from complete strangers to people who couldn't imagine life without each other, was so beautiful to read. Every little moment between them felt meaningful, and I couldn't stop smiling.

Let's talk about the characters...

Mako... 😭❤️ He completely stole my heart. He was caring, protective, patient, and always put Elodie before himself. Even though he was the more serious one, he still had so many fun moments with her, and together they were just perfect. Their relationship developed so naturally that I believed every single moment between them.

And Elodie... 🥹🤍 She was simply amazing. She was kind, funny, a little chaotic, and full of love. I honestly felt like everyone would want to be friends with her because she had such a warm personality. She was one of those characters you can't help but love.

One of my favorite scenes was definitely the "Hallway" scene in the hotel. If you know, you know. 😭🤍 That moment had me completely speechless, and I'll probably never stop thinking about it.

This book made me feel every emotion possible. I laughed, I cried, I smiled, I got emotional, I screamed internally, and I completely fell in love with these characters. I honestly don't have a single negative thing to say. Everything about this story felt so special.

The ending was absolutely beautiful. 🥹❤️ It was the perfect ending for Mako and Elodie, but at the same time it was heartbreaking because it meant saying goodbye to this incredible series. Clara Nielsen created something truly special, and I'm so grateful I got to experience it.

I would recommend this book (and the whole series) to anyone who loves:
● heartwarming romance 🤍
● strangers to lovers ❤️
● school trips 🚌
● emotional rollercoasters 🎢
● the sweetest moments ever 🥹

This book completely stole my heart, and it will forever be my favorite in the series. Thank you, Clara Nielsen, for creating characters I'll never forget. 🤍📚✨

[Margaret Winser · Rating 4 out of 5]

okay i’m not writing a review on every book in this series but i will say it is a 5 star series i can’t believe it’s over im so sad this one was my favorite and what was made this series 5 stars! all the books by them selves were amazing but the series together and the friend group and the setting and everything was just AMAZING! i miss them already ive never cried at a sweet romance book but im still crying about the ending of this one it was so bittersweet… anyways i am not okay that it’s over and i miss them already

[Carmen Dieleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keeping her

My plan was simple: Sneak into Hartwell Academy for a week. Join my friends on their class trip to Niagara Falls. Try not to get caught. What my plan did not include was Jace McIntyre. He’s the first person to figure out I don’t actually belong at Hartwell—and instead of exposing me, he offers to help keep my secret. Which would be great… if it didn’t mean spending almost all my time with him. But every laugh, every late-night conversation, every moment alone makes one thing painfully clear: my feelings for him are here to stay. And falling for a boy when I’m about to disappear from his life? That might be the worst plan I’ve ever had.

Het volgende deel in de serie! Ik heb altijd blij als er boeken uitkomen van Clara Nielsen. Ze heeft zo'n fijne schrijfstijl en leuke boeken. Totaal spicy vrij en heerlijke verhalen. Ook dit deel was weer geweldig! De vriendschap die ze allemaal hebben is geweldig, je wilt allemaal zo'n groep. Ik vond het nu ook leuk dat er iemand van een andere school in het verhaal meedeed. De niagra falls trip was een perfect verhaal om zonder dar iemand het weet een kijkje te nemen in de school van een ander. Hun trip was ook zo leuk beschreven, doe mij ook zo'n trip met waterpark. En hoe krijg je studenten stil, laat ze een baby ontmoeten was een prachtig moment en maakte het verhaal helemaal af!

The next story in the series! I am always happy when books by Clara Nielsen come out. She has such a lovely writing style and fun books. Totally spicy-free and delightful stories. This part was amazing again! The friendship they all share is wonderful; you all want a group like that. I also liked that someone from another school joined the story this time. The Niagara Falls trip was a perfect story for taking a peek inside someone else's school without anyone knowing. Their trip was described so nicely too; I’d love a trip with a water park like that. And how do you get students to be quiet? Letting them meet a baby was a beautiful moment and completed the story perfectly!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ sterren
#lezenisontspanning #neverstopreading #spreadthebooklove #reading #bookstagramreadsapril

[Mona M · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review let’s get into it!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Clara does slow burn so well and this book is just more proof of that this made me want to read more of her books and I can’t wait to ( they’re on my list ) I’ve only read two of the books in the series and I can’t wait to dive into the other two and see where it started.

Mako and Elodie were perfect for each other and it was the perfect end to the series and a cute send off either into another series connected to this one or just an end for these 4 couples.

Tropes:

Forced Proximity
Strangers to Friends to Lovers
Rival Schools
Slow Burn

Quotes:

“You want a pinky promise”
“I want a pinky promise”

“I’m starting to think you’d be worth getting in trouble for”

“You should keep it, it’s looks better on you”

Thank you to BookSirens for the ARC

[Miri · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you think will happen when you sneak into your friend’s school? Most definitely not fall in love with the hottest boy on campus!

Elodie always chases an adventure and thinks that trouble finds her. She decides to go visit her friend at school, but is not allowed to be on campus because her parents don’t know that she has left. Not to mention sneaking on a trip to Niagara Falls in a duffle bag. With the help of her friends, their boyfriends, and Mako (by the way does not want a relationship… or so he says), Elodie is in for an adventure of her life.

Now she just has to figure out how to not be heartbroken when she goes back to school away from Mako.

Will their adventure and connection be enough to continue their relationship?

I really enjoyed the story. I connected with The characters and wanting an escape/an adventure. I really enjoy Clara Neilson’s writing and have read most of her books.

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

[i’m Bookishh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This final book was EVERYTHING. The humor? Perfect. The tension? Unmatched. And the ending... just felt so right. A truly perfect way to close a story that's given me so much.
Even though Tino & Lilah will always be my favorite couple, Mako & Elodie now have such a special place in my heart Their dynamic... it's just so beautiful.
One of my favorite things was seeing all the previous couples still happy, still in love, still growing together. I love getting those glimpses into their lives and how they each continue to explore love in their own way.
And that final moment with Coach... wow. It added such a nostalgic, emotional layer to everything. I'm not over it. Not even close.
This book has been the perfect ending to this series. I'm going to miss it so much.

[Veronica]

ARC REVIEW







Imagine this: sneaking into a fancy academy just to spend one week with your friends on a trip to Niagara Falls… and then getting caught by the one person who could ruin everything 👀

Enter Jace McIntyre.
He knows she doesn’t belong - and instead of exposing her, he helps keep her secret.

And yeah… you already know where this is going 😭

What starts as a risky plan turns into late-night conversations, stolen moments, and feelings that hit WAY too fast. And the worst part? She’s only there for a week.

Thanks @booksirens and @claranielsenbooks for the opportunity to be an advanced reader.

[~• Annie •~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book… my gosh.
as the ninth Clara Nielsen book that i’ve read i can say that with each one i read they get better. this is one of my favourite stories and just what i needed in my book slump. in fact, i pretty much finished this in three or four sittings.
the ending was so bittersweet! as the end of the Hartwell Academy series i was so happy to see everyone in love and happy, but so sad to see the end of such a good era!
do i wish that i had read all her books in chronological order? yes. but would i sacrifice reading Hartwell now rather than after? no, not at all.
i loved every moment of this, and i hope you do, too!!

[Nsaasira Nkolebilungi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I waited so hard for this book and finally i got read it. It was so amazing! But the end was so sad because Hartwell Academy series has ended...I'm gonna miss these guys so much! But before i start to tear up a bit. Mako very well deserved his own love story. Elodie was amazing. From start to finish this book was a masterpiece. I'm gonna miss these guys so much. And yes i will read the series again and again but it won't be the same as reading it all for the first time. To Crossy, Bear, Milo Mako, Poppy, Saylor, Lilah and Elodie-I love ya'll!!!!!!! But anyways......Mako [Jace] and Elodie Foreverrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[whimsical reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazon recommended it to me, I read some of her previous books. I didn’t really remember them so this book was still fun but would have been better if I remembered who the other couples were.

Anyways, the story was different than other teen stories that I have read. It was interesting and a little bit unbelievable at times but still sweet. It was a quick read with no ridiculous breakups or bullying. It was a good palate cleanser that didn’t require too much thinking.

However they (Mako and Elodie) do “fall” for each other very quickly over like 3 days. So wouldn’t recommend that quick for other teen girls.

Content
Kisses only
Swimming park
Shared hotel room (nothing mentioned other than a couple kisses and tangled legs after sleeping)
Lying to join another school
Stalker

[𑣲┆𝑜𝑟𝑙𝑎 ˚.⋆ֹ 🪽 · Rating 2 out of 5]

while this whole series was entertaining, i just can’t rate it higher than 2 stars. there was a lot of spelling and grammar mistakes in every book. there was a lot of small inconsistencies in the stories—what the characters are wearing, where they are, whether the group chat name changed or not. i feel like all the epilogues written were just ignored in the next book. i also think all of the couples moved way too quickly, especially for things like ‘falling in love’. but, again, this was entertaining

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keeping Her is Book 4 in the Hartwell Academy Series by Clara Nielsen. I believe that this author knows how to write really fun rom/coms. Elodie wants to sneak with her friends to Niagara Falls in a class trip. Mako is being stalked by a Southmore, Alice. I felt that this story was fun and very funny. I believe that this is a wonderful story to spend some time reading, laughing and falling in love. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Teya Teya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect ending of for this series. I absolutely love it. I wasn't too fond of the coed room sharing, however, it was still clean and sweet and nothing happened. It was interesting to read about all of Elodie's interesting adventures and how he "kept" her by his side. I love the bus diversion to the hospital for the coach's baby delivery. Those things would frankly never happen but it's really fun to read about in a fictional story.

[vinca]

i swear i can get into clara nielson books.. despite their grammar errors and borderline cringe tropes i really enjoyed the series and the friend group. however, this was too much. i found myself questioning why im rooting for this couple when everyone is already trying to force them to be together?? the SHARING bedrooms was wayyy too forced and the cherry on top for me. didn’t pick up this read again 💔

[Sara · Rating 1 out of 5]

didn’t even finish

I loved the plot line but it got so unbelievable that I stopped reading it. Also inappropriate. Girls and guys sleeping in the same room in a romantic relationship at this age or as forced together isn’t ok

I think Clara Nielsen needs better editors. Too many errors and things not lining up. But I will admit I am picky with the small details

[Shiloh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the aspect of having to hide but also have a good time with your friends. I like that they went to Niagara Falls, had the rainforest cafe experiences, and went to a water park in the later half of the book. I do feel like the apperence from take 5 was forced into the book and wasn’t really needed. Overall a good read would change things but I liked it.

[haaniem · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.3 stars. i wish i could rate this higher, but it didn’t quite pull me that much :(
however i will say they were very cute, and their friends were the ultimate matchmakers.

him being on a date and the date saying “She’s not even here, and I’m still competing with her for your attention.” like that was good, ate it up!! all he was thinking about was elodie

[Jen Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keeping Her

Perfect ending to the series that I’m not ready to say goodbye to yet. I loved this couple and the yearning. I loved the chase. I loved the HEA. The epilogue and flash forward was perfection.

[Diana James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the perfect one to end the series! The banter between Mako and Elodie was fun and I enjoyed seeing how each of the couples relationships progressed. I loved how everything came full circle in the end and I’m excited to possibly see some of the characters in future books.

[Camille Blais · Rating 5 out of 5]

This feels bittersweet, i loved hartwell and its students. I love everything Clara writes, and I’m a big fan of series that are interconnected and this was perfect. I think Elodie and Mako’s story was my favourite so far. I could feel the love blossom and it made my heart really happy.

[Maja · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an okay read. While the description said no knowledge of the previous books was required to enjoy this one, I still felt like I was missing out on things because of it. Therefore, while it was a fun story I did really enjoy, I am only giving it 3,5 stars overall.

[Anna Steehler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read every single one of this authors books and this one did not disappoint. I can’t wait for a new book to come out!

[Scarlett Rhodes · Rating 4 out of 5]

love love love it!! thank you for the arc! 🫶🏼

[mikayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

honestly liked this one a lot, it was a very lighthearted change of pace and I liked the break it gave me from the real things of reality, you know.

[ANNIEEE (im pulling up, get in the car guys) ♪⋆˙⟡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

AHHHH SO GOOD I READ IT IN ONE SITTING!!! (dont ask)

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

better than the other ones but dragged out
nice end to the series

[Lana Loftis · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Hadley · Rating 4 out of 5]

👙☀️Pre-Read☀️👙

HOW DID I NOT KNOW THIS WAS GETTING PUBLISHED? I LOVE THIS SERISE AND I CANT WAIT TO READ THIS!! March 20th can’t come any sooner

[Lia · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
i absolutely love the hartwell academy series, poppy and bear, crossy and saylor, lilah and tino, they were all so adorable and such fun reads, not 5 stars but almost. but this story? this one was just perfection, i honestly had so much fun with it. i love series with friend groups and every book is about a different couple it’s PERFECTION.

mako, well he is just the definition of a MAN, he cared so deeply about elodie even before he CARED about her in a romantic way. i love the trope of one of the main characters doesn’t do relationships and the other one brings them out of that and shows them that relationships and love can be beautiful. this made me laugh out loud, swoon and had some emotion.

elodie, i absolutely loved her, she wasn’t stuck up or annoying, she was just her. i loved the waterpark setting, it was so fun and i loved seeing the childish side of elodie and how mako jist loved her being happy. the alice storyline was perfect, with elodies jealousy but calmness and mako realizing it was the wrong girl, so cute! and this being the end of the series?? stop i kind of got emotional with crossy’s toast. this was the perfect end to the series and im so glad poppy and bear were made partners in that gym class 🥹🥹. i’ll miss hartwell but it was so worth my time and i will definitely reread it at some point!

queue up “Enchanted” by Taylor Swift 🎶🎶🎶

“Please don't be in love with someone else, please don't have somebody waiting on you” 😞

~TROPES~
•strangers to lovers
•fake dating (ish?)
•hockey player x shy girl
•summery vibe but in winter
•big friend group vibe
•school trip