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The Transfer
Follow Ashlyn Cooper as her final year of high-school turns from ordinary to complicated. All it takes is one look from the new boy. Enter Jamie Russle, tall dark and pretty damn cute. He completely turns Ashlyn's neat little world upside down and drags his best friend, Craig Morgan, into the thick of things. Watch as Ashlyn's life unfolds and takes a direction she never would have dreamed of.
- GenresContemporaryFiction
208 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 8, 2019
1 person is currently reading
444 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Ford
1 book89 followersKathryn Ford has been writing from a young age. Even if it was just about ponies having a picnic or a girl picking up a stray kitten. She has always loved reading and writing. By the age of eleven she had read all the Braille books in the school library and had to join the National Library for the Blind. She read anything she could, but was always drawn to epic fantasy. The ability to get lost in a magical world really appealed to her.
After completing matric she then went to the University of the Free State to study English Literature, French and History. In 2010 she graduated with a B.A. honours degree. After graduating she worked as a researcher, during which time Kathryn attempted to right a number of novels. However none of these initial attempts made it to completion.
It was only in 2019 that she finally managed to complete a novel. The Transfer was far from being an epic fantasy book, but the warm young adult romance really appealed to her. Many of the scenarios in The Transfer actually took place during her own high-school years. She is now working on two more books, an adult romance and an urban fantasy.
Kathryn has been riding horses since the age of eleven and would love to own her own horse one day. She loves cats and shares her life with four of them as well as her husband. She is addicted to coffee and loves chocolate and jelly teddy bears.
After completing matric she then went to the University of the Free State to study English Literature, French and History. In 2010 she graduated with a B.A. honours degree. After graduating she worked as a researcher, during which time Kathryn attempted to right a number of novels. However none of these initial attempts made it to completion.
It was only in 2019 that she finally managed to complete a novel. The Transfer was far from being an epic fantasy book, but the warm young adult romance really appealed to her. Many of the scenarios in The Transfer actually took place during her own high-school years. She is now working on two more books, an adult romance and an urban fantasy.
Kathryn has been riding horses since the age of eleven and would love to own her own horse one day. She loves cats and shares her life with four of them as well as her husband. She is addicted to coffee and loves chocolate and jelly teddy bears.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 19, 2020
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
The Transfer is a delightful, easy read book. It is the story of female Ashlyn Cooper who is eighteen-years-old. Ashlyn is in her last year at high school, her life is very ordinary until one day new pupil, Jamie Russell, is transferred to her class from a school in Cape Town. Things are never quite the same again!
I enjoyed this book. It was so easy to pick up and read, and the perfect book to sit and relax on the sofa with. Ashlyn Cooper’s character is an everyday eighteen-year-old. She is studying hard but enjoys spending time with her friends, taking part in sporting activities, and horse riding. Craig Morgan whom Ashlyn has always known but very often just says hello in passing is steady and reliable and then we have Jamie Russell who’s character is lively and full of fun.
The book kept me interested all the way through and I enjoyed seeing how the three main character’s lives played out. My heart did go out to Ashlyn’s best friend Pria too.
A bonus of this book is that it is set in South Africa so I found the different lifestyles very interesting. It was a good page-turner and many times when I was reading I found myself smiling. There were also a few dramas so a well-balanced book.
I certainly enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it especially for young adults who I feel would certainly love it. Well done to author Kathryn Ford for such a good read.
The Transfer is a delightful, easy read book. It is the story of female Ashlyn Cooper who is eighteen-years-old. Ashlyn is in her last year at high school, her life is very ordinary until one day new pupil, Jamie Russell, is transferred to her class from a school in Cape Town. Things are never quite the same again!
I enjoyed this book. It was so easy to pick up and read, and the perfect book to sit and relax on the sofa with. Ashlyn Cooper’s character is an everyday eighteen-year-old. She is studying hard but enjoys spending time with her friends, taking part in sporting activities, and horse riding. Craig Morgan whom Ashlyn has always known but very often just says hello in passing is steady and reliable and then we have Jamie Russell who’s character is lively and full of fun.
The book kept me interested all the way through and I enjoyed seeing how the three main character’s lives played out. My heart did go out to Ashlyn’s best friend Pria too.
A bonus of this book is that it is set in South Africa so I found the different lifestyles very interesting. It was a good page-turner and many times when I was reading I found myself smiling. There were also a few dramas so a well-balanced book.
I certainly enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it especially for young adults who I feel would certainly love it. Well done to author Kathryn Ford for such a good read.
October 10, 2021
I hate to give a less-than-positive review, but the truth is, I didn't enjoy "The Transfer" very much. The story seemed to ramble, to the point where I asked myself more than once, "Now where are we going again?" As might be expected with a YA romance, the plot revolves around the question of which young admirer, Ashlyn, the narrator, will end up casting her lot with—a good question, and certainly one with potential for a compelling story. Part of the reason "The Transfer" didn't work, I think, was the author kept introducing and then (sort of) resolving other, arguably more serious, problems seemingly at random—a friend sucked into drug dealing—a teenage pregnancy—a binge-drinking mother...
Perhaps the problem is also partly me, as I didn't find Ashlyn particularly appealing—she came across as too self-absorbed and indecisive for me to really be able to sympathize with her indecision, and more damaging still, I wasn't drawn to any of her four potential love interests.
Tellingly, Ashlyn herself didn't seem to think much of them either, until two of them in particular began plying her with treats and attention in an attempt to outdo each other, at which point she settled on...well, I don't want to share any spoilers...
The fact is, in a well-written love triangle (or square, or pentagon) isn't going to have a completely happy ending. Love doesn't work that way. Life doesn't work that way. Somebody is going to be disappointed, even deeply hurt, and the the storyteller should have no shame or hesitation in allowing readers to feel it, too. A story "tweaked" to end otherwise doesn't feel honest or realistic. Maybe that's the real reason "The Transfer" was not the YA romance for me.
I received a free copy of "The Transfer" in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Perhaps the problem is also partly me, as I didn't find Ashlyn particularly appealing—she came across as too self-absorbed and indecisive for me to really be able to sympathize with her indecision, and more damaging still, I wasn't drawn to any of her four potential love interests.
Tellingly, Ashlyn herself didn't seem to think much of them either, until two of them in particular began plying her with treats and attention in an attempt to outdo each other, at which point she settled on...well, I don't want to share any spoilers...
The fact is, in a well-written love triangle (or square, or pentagon) isn't going to have a completely happy ending. Love doesn't work that way. Life doesn't work that way. Somebody is going to be disappointed, even deeply hurt, and the the storyteller should have no shame or hesitation in allowing readers to feel it, too. A story "tweaked" to end otherwise doesn't feel honest or realistic. Maybe that's the real reason "The Transfer" was not the YA romance for me.
I received a free copy of "The Transfer" in exchange for a fair and honest review.
July 28, 2020
A very humerous storry full of fun and laughter. Bringing back so many memories of my own school days. It's great to read something so light hearted and warm instead of all the serious depressing stuff we get today. I loved the storry line and couldn't put the book down till it was finished. A must read for any school book lover and a great read for teens. Every teenager will relate in some way. This book will make a great gift for the hard to please.
January 11, 2020
~~Received for an honest review~~
This books was an alright book in my opinion. My main issue was the main character. She just seems to complain, about, well..literally everything. I didn't think she was a super great friend, and I just didn't find enjoyment reading through her eyes. Its a short book, so you can fly through it pretty easily. If you like angst, this one is for you. If that kind of thing bothers you, maybe don't pick this book up.
This books was an alright book in my opinion. My main issue was the main character. She just seems to complain, about, well..literally everything. I didn't think she was a super great friend, and I just didn't find enjoyment reading through her eyes. Its a short book, so you can fly through it pretty easily. If you like angst, this one is for you. If that kind of thing bothers you, maybe don't pick this book up.
Read
December 15, 2019 ARC provided by the author in exchange for feedback. And a review.
So even though this isn’t what I typically read, this was cute and fun and I enjoyed myself. Certainly makes my high school life very dull in comparison.
This was a fun light read and even though fluffy romance isn’t normally my thing I still actually found this pretty adorable. It had a nice atmosphere and I was fond of the characters. Jamie was definitely my favourite, I’m admittedly a sucker for the whole mischievous prankster type but the fact that he was so pure too is what makes him so wholesome. And I mean like he’s the transfer student so it seems the book is supposed to be centred around him. I liked Craig fine but I found him just a little more bland, but he was still good.
They were both just so wholesome. There was this scene where they were making flapjacks for Ashlyn - whatever they are someone help we don’t have flapjacks in Australia? - and Jamie gets it on the ceiling or something and Craig’s eating the batter and Jamie scolds him for it and it’s just adorable.
As for the other characters I was immersed in Pria’s story, even though she got a bit on my nerves with what she did to Ashlyn, like I wouldn’t forgive my best friend for blurting out to my crush like that, but oh well. I did feel sorry for Pria with her strict parents though. And I was quite immersed in the stuff happening to Roland too. Oddly enough I feel like the character I had the least connection with was actually the protagonist Ashlyn, despite her being the one I was literally in the head of. But she was still fine.
So an aspect I liked and really appreciated about the book was the fact that though Ashlyn’s parents are divorced and her father has a whole new family and everything, he still communicates and interacts with and makes time for Ashlyn and even visits her, so that’s really nice.
I also really appreciated how even though Ashlyn and her mother are kind of having that at odds relationship that many teenagers can have with parents, by the end they talk things out and work on spending more time with each other and building things up again and that’s also really nice.
This book also has some nice rep. I actually really appreciated how there was a scene where a girl kisses Ashlyn and Ashlyn politely rejects her simply because she’s straight and the girl is lesbian and that’s that they work things out there’s no bitterness and it’s just nice, nice to see more of that because that’s actually something I’ve wondered about myself, the awkwardness of rejecting someone of the same gender crushing on you when you are straight. So that was good too.
It was wrapped up quite nicely in the ending too and it was just solid and well done.
Overall just a nice light little book I had fun with.
Oh and that cover is actually gorgeous!
Well done Kathryn! You keep going my friend! :)
So even though this isn’t what I typically read, this was cute and fun and I enjoyed myself. Certainly makes my high school life very dull in comparison.
This was a fun light read and even though fluffy romance isn’t normally my thing I still actually found this pretty adorable. It had a nice atmosphere and I was fond of the characters. Jamie was definitely my favourite, I’m admittedly a sucker for the whole mischievous prankster type but the fact that he was so pure too is what makes him so wholesome. And I mean like he’s the transfer student so it seems the book is supposed to be centred around him. I liked Craig fine but I found him just a little more bland, but he was still good.
They were both just so wholesome. There was this scene where they were making flapjacks for Ashlyn - whatever they are someone help we don’t have flapjacks in Australia? - and Jamie gets it on the ceiling or something and Craig’s eating the batter and Jamie scolds him for it and it’s just adorable.
As for the other characters I was immersed in Pria’s story, even though she got a bit on my nerves with what she did to Ashlyn, like I wouldn’t forgive my best friend for blurting out to my crush like that, but oh well. I did feel sorry for Pria with her strict parents though. And I was quite immersed in the stuff happening to Roland too. Oddly enough I feel like the character I had the least connection with was actually the protagonist Ashlyn, despite her being the one I was literally in the head of. But she was still fine.
So an aspect I liked and really appreciated about the book was the fact that though Ashlyn’s parents are divorced and her father has a whole new family and everything, he still communicates and interacts with and makes time for Ashlyn and even visits her, so that’s really nice.
I also really appreciated how even though Ashlyn and her mother are kind of having that at odds relationship that many teenagers can have with parents, by the end they talk things out and work on spending more time with each other and building things up again and that’s also really nice.
This book also has some nice rep. I actually really appreciated how there was a scene where a girl kisses Ashlyn and Ashlyn politely rejects her simply because she’s straight and the girl is lesbian and that’s that they work things out there’s no bitterness and it’s just nice, nice to see more of that because that’s actually something I’ve wondered about myself, the awkwardness of rejecting someone of the same gender crushing on you when you are straight. So that was good too.
It was wrapped up quite nicely in the ending too and it was just solid and well done.
Overall just a nice light little book I had fun with.
Oh and that cover is actually gorgeous!
Well done Kathryn! You keep going my friend! :)
January 15, 2020
I've read the book and enjoyed the story. I am looking forward to a follow-up on this book... A nice book for young women who prefer such realtime like novel with genuine characters with modern day issues... I felt like a teenager while I was reading this book.. it took me back to my teenage years, all the love and hate relationships between friends. 😉 It was worth my Read, thanks.
August 17, 2020
I really enjoyed this book and it took me back to high school years and all the memories I had as a girl in my last year of school. The book is easy to read and once you start you can’t stop just to find out what will happen. It is a great story of a girl in her final year of school and everything that she has to deal with and decisions she makes that will influence on how her year will turn out! So happy I read the book and will definitely be on the lookout for more books from this extremely talented author. Keep up the good word and thank you for such a nice book!
January 24, 2020
The Transfer was not what I was expecting. Having read nothing in this genre for many many years, it took me a while to connect with the target audience of the book and to try to read it as they would. I loved the fact that this wasn't your average "girl in high school, has best friend/side-kick, meets popular boy, falls in love at the prom, the end" story. I enjoyed the suspense of waiting to see who Ashlyn would choose and was immensely surprised to find out (no spoilers...). I also thoroughly enjoyed the South African-isms in the book. It opens up this genre to many young adults who often cannot relate fully to novels set overseas as many South African Matriculants have never even been outside their hometown, never mind another country entirely. For her debut novel as a blind author Kathryn did an exceptional job and I cannot wait for future novels from her.
July 22, 2020
This book made me think of my teenage years and all the angst I had with what boy I liked and if I liked me back (although perhaps not as popular with them as the lead character). I liked that it was set in South Africa, and gave the book a different tone and setting to the norm. It was well written and I found it easy to flow through the book. The ending surprised me a little and wasnt the normal happily ever after prom ending. This good read for those days when you need to snuggle up in bed with a cup of hot chocolate with a fun, day dreamy kind of book.
March 29, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyable book to read. The easy flowing style of writing makes it a pleasure to read. The characters and setting are relatable and the plot line has a couple of twists and turns that keep one very engaged with the book. I would strongly recommend it to someone looking for an easy and enjoyable read.
August 18, 2020
This book took me way back to the ups, downs and dramas of high school. Once I was immersed in Ashlyn’s world, I didn’t want to leave…
It took me a chapter or two to reconnect with the headspace of my teenage self, but after that I just couldn’t put it down – I had to know what happened next.
I enjoyed the characters, especially Ashlyn. She had depth and enough flaws that I found her believable and likeable, although at times I was silently berating her for the well-meaning and yet questionable advice she was handing out. But that was what made her character even more believable - a teenage girl versus some sage fountain of wisdom.
I especially enjoyed the poetry scattered throughout the book – it was a really unique and special touch. So was the importance of music in Ashlyn’s (and the author’s) life, interwoven throughout the story and explained by the author after the end of the story.
The story took some unexpected turns, especially at the end, and that kept me thinking long after I had read the final page. I really appreciate when a book can do that and I look forward to reading more from the mind of this talented author.
It took me a chapter or two to reconnect with the headspace of my teenage self, but after that I just couldn’t put it down – I had to know what happened next.
I enjoyed the characters, especially Ashlyn. She had depth and enough flaws that I found her believable and likeable, although at times I was silently berating her for the well-meaning and yet questionable advice she was handing out. But that was what made her character even more believable - a teenage girl versus some sage fountain of wisdom.
I especially enjoyed the poetry scattered throughout the book – it was a really unique and special touch. So was the importance of music in Ashlyn’s (and the author’s) life, interwoven throughout the story and explained by the author after the end of the story.
The story took some unexpected turns, especially at the end, and that kept me thinking long after I had read the final page. I really appreciate when a book can do that and I look forward to reading more from the mind of this talented author.
January 12, 2021
I found this book to be very well written. The author colours in the book with dynamic vocabulary and humour. I would also recommend this book for teens in my opinion as it is safe and contains no foul language. I thoroughly enjoyed the read and waiting with bated breath for more books from this author
July 16, 2020
Enjoyable book to read
& the poems are AMAZING 👏🏼
& the poems are AMAZING 👏🏼
August 6, 2020
An easy light read... takes back to my school days
August 27, 2020
This is a fantastic book and I really enjoyed reading it! Well done my friend!!
December 19, 2019
Wow, what a great book, I could not stop reading, I wanted more and more. The charicters were perfect, their names and everything was great, I could live into the book and enjoyed it so. Keep it up Katryn and looking forward to the next book.
December 12, 2019
I WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK.
This is a fantastic book and I really hope there is series, I can't wait to read more from this writer. The characters are written really well and the plot is really good, I wont write any more as dont want to spoil it for anyone else.
This is a fantastic book and I really hope there is series, I can't wait to read more from this writer. The characters are written really well and the plot is really good, I wont write any more as dont want to spoil it for anyone else.
January 18, 2020
I have read the Transfer and found it entertaining and very well written. This Author has a way of expressing herself in a very different way. A person can tell that she is not just writing but has a high command of the English language. The poems are amazing and very unusual when reading a novel.
I look forward to this authors next book and to see what comes next.
I look forward to this authors next book and to see what comes next.
November 15, 2020
This book is about all the teenage angst of a senior in high school. It is a good story.
However, it tries to introduce too many possible story lines among friends. The reader then does not know what happens to her friends. It could use a little more polishing.
However, it tries to introduce too many possible story lines among friends. The reader then does not know what happens to her friends. It could use a little more polishing.
September 7, 2020
3.5-4 Stars!! This book was an interesting read. It pulled me in and I had to keep reading! I had to look some things up since it was based in South Africa and I’m in the US.(ex.- matric farewell in SA, also known as Prom in the US.) I didn’t find a lot of the things that happened believable but it was still worth reading and I enjoyed it nonetheless. I wish the epilogue went into detail of the future! I felt like I was left hanging. Still, all in all, I’d recommend this to anyone that enjoys young adult romances!!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an ARC that was provided to me by the author!*
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an ARC that was provided to me by the author!*
March 29, 2020
I gave this book a 3-star review as while I see what it was doing it wasn't my type of genre. I usually enjoy books with magic in them (I think this and to kill a mocking bird is one of the few nonfantasy non-sci fi books I've ever read) and my romance.... less PG. This is set in high school however so the family-friendly love is understandable.
This is a contemporary debut novel set in Africa where the focus is on the friendship group and the romance of the main character. If this is the type of thing you enjoy reading pick it up! I look forward to seeing more from this author.
This is a contemporary debut novel set in Africa where the focus is on the friendship group and the romance of the main character. If this is the type of thing you enjoy reading pick it up! I look forward to seeing more from this author.
July 17, 2020
An amazingly fun book, for someone who doesn't sit still this was a type of book I couldn't put down I just had to finish it, had me hooked instantly, I put off reading it for so long but once I started it could not be put down the next story my curious brain just needed to know! As a person who loved school who was weird not the typical girl who had no problem with the typical but also had that one girl that made her hair rise out of anger, I related so much! The way she dressed to the shock of ending up with both boys!!! I could never understand why if two perfect guys are in your life why you must always choose and then what if it's the wrong choice! It was so exciting all the ever changing happenings, that's the part that had you hooked it went from just the worst thing that could happen to a poor 18year old to everything turning out so much better and the events showing how quickly the worst can blow over! I of course could not believe the rat phobia as I own rats and they're my life but I know my dear friend has that problem so she's forgiven:) And of course the worst nightmares of the typical matric pregnancies, which was abundant in my school as well it's just an incredibly relatable but fun book the events sucked you into the book and that is a talent not every writer possesses! I loved it and I'm a hard logical realistic person, it was so entertaining for my brain and I recommend it to literally any reader! Cathy I will support you on every book you ever publish as this is only the beginning!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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July 20, 2020The Transfer is a delightful, easy read book. It is the story of female Ashlyn Cooper who is eighteen-years-old. Ashlyn is in her last year at high school, her life is very ordinary until one day new pupil, Jamie Russell, is transferred to her class from a school in Cape Town. Things are never quite the same again!
I enjoyed this book. It was so easy to pick up and read, and the perfect book to sit and relax on the sofa with. Ashlyn Cooper’s character is an everyday eighteen-year-old. She is studying hard but enjoys spending time with her friends, taking part in sporting activities, and horse riding. Craig Morgan whom Ashlyn has always known but very often just says hello in passing is steady and reliable and then we have Jamie Russell who’s character is lively and full of fun.
The book kept me interested all the way through and I enjoyed seeing how the three main character’s lives played out. My heart did go out to Ashlyn’s best friend Pria too.
A bonus of this book is that it is set in South Africa so I found the different lifestyles very interesting. It was a good page-turner and many times when I was reading I found myself smiling. There were also a few dramas so a well-balanced book.
I certainly enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it especially for young adults who I feel would certainly love it. Well done to author Kathryn Ford for such a good read
July 16, 2020
I often found myself confused. I never really knew where the book was going. It often felt like random details were included just to make up a word count, but I'll give the book this. It had a good, solid, unexpected conclusion. Some of the changes the main character made in her life show character development, but I'm not sure this is something I'd read a second time. That being said, there's lots of room for improvement and the author knows how to use her words well.
01-books
December 13, 2019
Have you seen that beautiful cover? it might make my top ten list this year ...
Follow Ashlyn Cooper as her final year of high-school turns from ordinary to complicated. All it takes is one look from the new boy. Enter Jamie Russle, tall dark and pretty damn cute. He completely turns Ashlyn's neat little world upside down and drags his best friend, Craig Morgan, into the thick of things. Watch as Ashlyn's life unfolds and takes a direction she never would have dreamed of.
August 11, 2020
A well ritten and humorous easy read, with nostalgic undertones. The Transfer definitely took me back to high school, where life was new and exciting and first love was on the horizon. Definitely caught myself thinking back on treasured times while reading this:).
If you feel like a laugh and an easy going story, The Transfer is definitely a book you should consider reading!
If you feel like a laugh and an easy going story, The Transfer is definitely a book you should consider reading!
October 26, 2020
It was a pretty good book about high school tribulations and such...I won this as an ebook from Goodreads...I just wasn't very fond of the ending...I think she should've picked one of the boys instead of both..seriously selfish of her
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 25, 2019
Really enjoyed the story line and some parts were really funny. The end left me wanting to know what next for pria and also ash 💞
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2019
This is more of an older teenager book sadly it wasn't for me I wanted something more but it was written and would consider reading others by this author because of this
March 22, 2021
Well I finally got into it. It's a bit unrealistic and the end is really idiotic. I mean come on ... A perfect love triangle.... Never
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews