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Oak Brook Academy #1
The New Girl
A new girl at school who is serious about her studies. A football player with nothing but fun on his mind. Can two teenagers from opposite worlds find love?
Sophie Blake is used to change. She's used to being the new kid at school. But she's never had the privilege of attending a school like Oak Brook Academy. She's certainly never pictured herself at a boarding school with kids who have more money than what she could even imagine spending.
Wes Carter's life is pretty easy. He's popular, he's on the football team and there's no shortage of girls who are willing to spend time with him. Most girls don't seem to challenge him the way that new girl, Fifi does. Something about the new girl is definitely intriguing.
When Sophie stands up to Wes during a playful first encounter and then marches out of the popular kids' secret hideout, she puts her entire high school reputation on the line. She's happy with her decision to be true to herself, but why can't she get his dreamy green eyes out of her mind?
The New Girl is the first standalone book in the Oak Brook Academy teen sweet romance series. If you like charming mismatches, high school antics, and flirtatious twists of fate, then you'll love Jillian Adams’ idyllic tale of love and romance for young adults.
Buy The New Girl to get swept away by a boarding school romance today!Read all the books in the Oak Brook Academy series!
The New Girl (Sophie and Wes)
Falling for Him (Alana and Mick)
No More Hiding (Apple and Ty)
Worth the Wait (Maby and Oliver)
A Fresh Start (Jennifer and Gabriel)
222 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 14, 2019
862 people are currently reading
451 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
August 29, 2024
Man it’s been a long time since I have read something where every character has the mentality of a child. And like nothing happened…If my middle school aged niece told me this story at dinner I would be slightly more invested but barely.
June 12, 2021
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2.5 stars
Well, a second book under three stars. Tsk. Tsk.
While this is an okay story, I just didn't feel like any of it was real. Sophie overreacted to almost everything. We didn't get enough of her past to understand why she was so closed off and pushed everyone away. I really didn't understand why she didn't like Wes in the first place.
Maybe my mind wasn't fully connected. I have already forgotten quite a bit of the book. Nothing resonated with me. I just felt like nothing stood out about either Wes or Sophie aka Fi. The one thing that I did stay for was to figure out what was going on with her mother, only to find out it was just her mom being a lack-luster of a mother. Nothing terrible, but nothing great either. The ending wasn't anything special for me. It just seemed as if it was just wrapped up in a bow to have the happy ending.
Maybe this has something to do with how extremely tired I've been here lately. Or maybe this book wasn't meant for me. I wish things were flushed out a bit more.
2.5 stars
Well, a second book under three stars. Tsk. Tsk.
While this is an okay story, I just didn't feel like any of it was real. Sophie overreacted to almost everything. We didn't get enough of her past to understand why she was so closed off and pushed everyone away. I really didn't understand why she didn't like Wes in the first place.
Maybe my mind wasn't fully connected. I have already forgotten quite a bit of the book. Nothing resonated with me. I just felt like nothing stood out about either Wes or Sophie aka Fi. The one thing that I did stay for was to figure out what was going on with her mother, only to find out it was just her mom being a lack-luster of a mother. Nothing terrible, but nothing great either. The ending wasn't anything special for me. It just seemed as if it was just wrapped up in a bow to have the happy ending.
Maybe this has something to do with how extremely tired I've been here lately. Or maybe this book wasn't meant for me. I wish things were flushed out a bit more.
September 3, 2019
All summer long I've been missing my cute lovey-dovey YA contemporary books. Somehow I had a hard time finding some this year, but then I found this book and was very eager to give it a try while hoping it will satisfy my need for cliche lovestories. :D
The concept of the story seemed really good, but if I had to describe this love story in one word it would be FAST! The story needs in my opinion more depth and has to go way deeper into details. Characteristics of the characters have to be explored more. I know it's hard when some characters are being focused on in the following books and you need to describe them without giving too much away. But the interactions between the group and their thoughts, feelings, behavior could have been explored way more.
Also the love story took really long, which is not a big problem for me as I also love my slow burns. The part irritating me about it was that the main character Fi seemed to be stuck at the same place for 3/4 of the book. Of course you saw some changes, but these were very very small and so you had to read the same situation about 4-5 times. They were at different places, had different discussions, but the outcome and the main picture of the situation was on a basic level similar.
I got my Happy End and a quick preview for the ongoing story in the second book, but the ending seemed way way to fast. It was so fast to me that it kind of felt like there were no ideas left for the story and the author was just trying to end it quick. That's what made me most upset, because the idea of the story and problematic topics it mentioned and focused on were really interesting. The only thing missing was that small spark every story needs and every story gets once you scratch your way through the surface and see all these hidden gems!
Another thing I recognized is that this book/series is probably aimed at the much younger YA readers or even beginners of YA that come straight from kids books. That's also the people I would most recommend this series to. :)
The concept of the story seemed really good, but if I had to describe this love story in one word it would be FAST! The story needs in my opinion more depth and has to go way deeper into details. Characteristics of the characters have to be explored more. I know it's hard when some characters are being focused on in the following books and you need to describe them without giving too much away. But the interactions between the group and their thoughts, feelings, behavior could have been explored way more.
Also the love story took really long, which is not a big problem for me as I also love my slow burns. The part irritating me about it was that the main character Fi seemed to be stuck at the same place for 3/4 of the book. Of course you saw some changes, but these were very very small and so you had to read the same situation about 4-5 times. They were at different places, had different discussions, but the outcome and the main picture of the situation was on a basic level similar.
I got my Happy End and a quick preview for the ongoing story in the second book, but the ending seemed way way to fast. It was so fast to me that it kind of felt like there were no ideas left for the story and the author was just trying to end it quick. That's what made me most upset, because the idea of the story and problematic topics it mentioned and focused on were really interesting. The only thing missing was that small spark every story needs and every story gets once you scratch your way through the surface and see all these hidden gems!
Another thing I recognized is that this book/series is probably aimed at the much younger YA readers or even beginners of YA that come straight from kids books. That's also the people I would most recommend this series to. :)
October 27, 2019
It really was very sweet.
July 13, 2022
okay
I liked Wes, I did not like Sophie aka Fi… she met these really nice people & they went out if their way over & over to make her life better. While she whined & judged, and just sucked.
Mady & Wes saved this book.
I liked Wes, I did not like Sophie aka Fi… she met these really nice people & they went out if their way over & over to make her life better. While she whined & judged, and just sucked.
Mady & Wes saved this book.
September 24, 2021
Romance usually isn't my first genre of choice, which is part of the reason why I decided to read this book. Going in with that mindset of being unfamiliar with the Romance genre, I can say that I enjoyed my time with this book.
Without diving into too many spoilers, I'll try to keep it light, the characters in the book are quite endearing. The main character Fi despite probably frustrating readers at times with her love life choices, I feel that most were justifiable given her circumstance in life. While reading and just wanting to take that leap of faith, you can at least understand her reasoning throughout the whole book.
I do feel that on some level the audience can relate to her as a young person who is hesitant to take risks in her life, afraid of the unknown, and move past the more harsh realities of her past. At least to me, I connected with her on that level and really wanted her to pull through.
Now given that, I do feel there are some aspects that might turn off a few readers if it's not your thing. For one, the book at times can be a bit cheesy in how it approaches the romance aspect. To which personally I was fine with until near the very end of the book which took it to another level. For what it is and the tone the book sets for itself, I was fine with it, even if I had to take a quick pause to when I arrived at the moment. Again, your mileage may vary with how romance is depicted in Young Adult books. Another aspect I think that may be of note are the other characters, there isn't anything notably wrong with them, they are all likable characters. I think my issue arrives on how they are depicted within the context of the story. Part of me feels that it's a bit unrealistic for them to be so open to a new person in their school, it isn't necessarily that they are open but the lengths they go for Fi in the story. I had to suspense my disbelief a bit more during these parts, though again, I took it as part of the cheese to the story, and with that in mind, I was able to enjoy those parts a bit more. I do feel that it was also meant to play into Fi's arc to which it does the job, but felt it could have been handled better.
Another point I would like to bring up quickly, but I felt that one aspect retaining to Fi's personal family life was really good throughout the whole book, but by the end kind of fell flat for me. It was sort of rushed through to a point that wasn't really conclusive enough to what the story lead me to believe where it was headed. That could be the point if there were a follow-up book to this story, to which I do hope so, but as it stands in this book I felt that that aspect could have had more finality to it.
Overall, I enjoyed my read. As for my first dive into the romance genre, I felt that this was a nice intro to what it could offer. Despite a few parts that had me a little puzzled, I keep reading whenever I got the chance to. It's really that drive of wanting to see Fi overcome her personal obstacles that kept me interested in the end. I would be eager to see Fi's story continue in a future book if it's not already out.
I would recommend it if you are looking for a silly, feel-good romance to read while on the road or to pass the time.
Without diving into too many spoilers, I'll try to keep it light, the characters in the book are quite endearing. The main character Fi despite probably frustrating readers at times with her love life choices, I feel that most were justifiable given her circumstance in life. While reading and just wanting to take that leap of faith, you can at least understand her reasoning throughout the whole book.
I do feel that on some level the audience can relate to her as a young person who is hesitant to take risks in her life, afraid of the unknown, and move past the more harsh realities of her past. At least to me, I connected with her on that level and really wanted her to pull through.
Now given that, I do feel there are some aspects that might turn off a few readers if it's not your thing. For one, the book at times can be a bit cheesy in how it approaches the romance aspect. To which personally I was fine with until near the very end of the book which took it to another level. For what it is and the tone the book sets for itself, I was fine with it, even if I had to take a quick pause to when I arrived at the moment. Again, your mileage may vary with how romance is depicted in Young Adult books. Another aspect I think that may be of note are the other characters, there isn't anything notably wrong with them, they are all likable characters. I think my issue arrives on how they are depicted within the context of the story. Part of me feels that it's a bit unrealistic for them to be so open to a new person in their school, it isn't necessarily that they are open but the lengths they go for Fi in the story. I had to suspense my disbelief a bit more during these parts, though again, I took it as part of the cheese to the story, and with that in mind, I was able to enjoy those parts a bit more. I do feel that it was also meant to play into Fi's arc to which it does the job, but felt it could have been handled better.
Another point I would like to bring up quickly, but I felt that one aspect retaining to Fi's personal family life was really good throughout the whole book, but by the end kind of fell flat for me. It was sort of rushed through to a point that wasn't really conclusive enough to what the story lead me to believe where it was headed. That could be the point if there were a follow-up book to this story, to which I do hope so, but as it stands in this book I felt that that aspect could have had more finality to it.
Overall, I enjoyed my read. As for my first dive into the romance genre, I felt that this was a nice intro to what it could offer. Despite a few parts that had me a little puzzled, I keep reading whenever I got the chance to. It's really that drive of wanting to see Fi overcome her personal obstacles that kept me interested in the end. I would be eager to see Fi's story continue in a future book if it's not already out.
I would recommend it if you are looking for a silly, feel-good romance to read while on the road or to pass the time.
December 19, 2019
Fluff with a hefty dose of 'I've only ever used girls, but now that I've known you for more than three minutes I want to commit to you, isn't that great?'
Mostly, though, I'm just left with the feeling that the book hadn't quite decided what it wanted to contain. For example: it seems to want both an urban (NYC) setting and the trappings of a pricey boarding school in the country. Officially, the book (and the school) is set in the Manhattan's Upper East Side, but it's described as having 'sprawling' grounds, the students aren't allowed off campus without express permission, and other than a trip to see the Statue of Liberty, they...don't bother. It would have simplified things a lot, I think, to put the school in upstate New York (where there's actually space for sprawling green grounds...) and then to have them take a once-off trip to the city. (Very little would have to be changed, because the setting barely registers as it is.)
Or: Sophie's mother comes off as perfectly stable when she drops Sophie off, and Sophie's perfectly happy to be in boarding school, and then gradually Sophie starts telling stories off all the trouble her mother gets up to, and the context of her life 'before' gets grimmer and grimmer. And certainly characters and authors can withhold information strategically...but this didn't feel strategic so much as 'figuring things out as we go'. The same is true for a lot of the other characters. Sophie's roommate, for example, is introduced with a distinct sense of 'Ewwwwwwwww, who let the riffraff in?' but she decides to be Sophie's bestie, and...that's the end of that. Probably would have benefitted from going back for another round of edits targeted specifically at making the characters consistent throughout the book.
Mostly, though, I'm just left with the feeling that the book hadn't quite decided what it wanted to contain. For example: it seems to want both an urban (NYC) setting and the trappings of a pricey boarding school in the country. Officially, the book (and the school) is set in the Manhattan's Upper East Side, but it's described as having 'sprawling' grounds, the students aren't allowed off campus without express permission, and other than a trip to see the Statue of Liberty, they...don't bother. It would have simplified things a lot, I think, to put the school in upstate New York (where there's actually space for sprawling green grounds...) and then to have them take a once-off trip to the city. (Very little would have to be changed, because the setting barely registers as it is.)
Or: Sophie's mother comes off as perfectly stable when she drops Sophie off, and Sophie's perfectly happy to be in boarding school, and then gradually Sophie starts telling stories off all the trouble her mother gets up to, and the context of her life 'before' gets grimmer and grimmer. And certainly characters and authors can withhold information strategically...but this didn't feel strategic so much as 'figuring things out as we go'. The same is true for a lot of the other characters. Sophie's roommate, for example, is introduced with a distinct sense of 'Ewwwwwwwww, who let the riffraff in?' but she decides to be Sophie's bestie, and...that's the end of that. Probably would have benefitted from going back for another round of edits targeted specifically at making the characters consistent throughout the book.
June 4, 2020
What a read! Honestly was one of my favorites in a while. I loved the characters in the novel, the friendships that were built. This story showed that not always are "popular people" terrible people. Sophie is another teen that has had to grow up early. She is given the opportunity to attend an expensive academy, where the students live and breathe brand materials. Sophie is used to existing and never living. She's always lived the life of wallpaper because it made it easier to constantly moving around and change schools. She wouldn't have to live life like that if her mother would learn to settle and not leech off of every eye candy she sees. Enters Maby her roommate who decides to practically adopt Sophie, introducing her to the group. When her eyes find Wes piercing green eyes, she feels a string of emotions she didn't know existed. How could she feel so many different emotions when most of them were contradicting? Sophie learns that Wes is more than a flirt, pretty face, and a rich boy.
May 17, 2021
I found this book to be a bit slow and it seemed to jump around quite a bit. I was confused as to what was going on for much of the book and I almost thought it was going to turn out to be a bully romance at one point.
That being said, I think there was definite promise here. It could have been a much better story, if we'd seen a bit more of the situation with the main character's mother and how that had affected her prior to coming to the school. I also think that the friends could have been explored a bit deeper than they were. I am taking into consideration that this is book one in the series, and if I decide to read the rest, I'm hoping we get more background into some of these things.
The writing itself was very descriptive and I liked that, I just wished I'd seen a more clear sense of what the story was about.
That being said, I think there was definite promise here. It could have been a much better story, if we'd seen a bit more of the situation with the main character's mother and how that had affected her prior to coming to the school. I also think that the friends could have been explored a bit deeper than they were. I am taking into consideration that this is book one in the series, and if I decide to read the rest, I'm hoping we get more background into some of these things.
The writing itself was very descriptive and I liked that, I just wished I'd seen a more clear sense of what the story was about.
September 6, 2020
“Once you feel it, Soph, you’ll never want to stop.”
This was a fast paced, well thought out, innocent, high school romance. Wes and Sophie were a cute couple who worked through their own issues to find love in each other. This was a sweet tale. There wasn’t anything really wrong with this book, it just wasn’t my cup of tea. I wanted more depth and less self-depreciating inner monologue from Sophie. This was a watered down version of what I had hoped for. But I gave it four stars because if I wanted a more juvenile romance, then this would’ve been perfect.
This was a fast paced, well thought out, innocent, high school romance. Wes and Sophie were a cute couple who worked through their own issues to find love in each other. This was a sweet tale. There wasn’t anything really wrong with this book, it just wasn’t my cup of tea. I wanted more depth and less self-depreciating inner monologue from Sophie. This was a watered down version of what I had hoped for. But I gave it four stars because if I wanted a more juvenile romance, then this would’ve been perfect.
August 24, 2025
I liked the beginning and the middle. I just didn’t really like the end very much. There wasn’t a lot of them being together, it was rather fast. The Ending was great in the sense that it was fun to see Wes change and also to see him fight for Fi. Fi did wallow and abandon her friends for far too long. She would not accept Help and 3/4 of the book was her saying the same thing in different situations over and over again.
Content:
I don’t remember any curse words. Only a couple kisses, and one mention of lipstick on someone. A mention of a mom that sleeps around and not a very good mom.
Content:
I don’t remember any curse words. Only a couple kisses, and one mention of lipstick on someone. A mention of a mom that sleeps around and not a very good mom.
January 31, 2025
I could jot finish this book. After 17 chapters I just couldn’t read anymore. Conversations between “friends” were only a few sentences. Not much depth or background to any of them. I felt like I was listening to the inner monologue of a paranoid and overdramatic child. She claimed she wanted to start fresh and make friends but the minute she met her roommate she assumed the worst about her.
May 7, 2020
So relatable
I like how this story was so real, and none of it was too crazy. Sophie had real problems that a lot of people can probably relate to, and it's nice to read a book like that. I would definitely recommend, and I loved it all so much!
I like how this story was so real, and none of it was too crazy. Sophie had real problems that a lot of people can probably relate to, and it's nice to read a book like that. I would definitely recommend, and I loved it all so much!
May 2, 2021
Good read
Sophie’s mom is horrible mother. She keeps putting her daughter through all the crap for guys then losing interest five seconds later . I’m glad she has an awesome group of friends to stand by her.
Sophie’s mom is horrible mother. She keeps putting her daughter through all the crap for guys then losing interest five seconds later . I’m glad she has an awesome group of friends to stand by her.
September 18, 2021
Easy read
This was an easy read. Not one of my favorites but it was good. I wasn’t fond of Sophie’s back and forth with Wes, I found it frustrating at times. But if u want an easy read, this will do.
This was an easy read. Not one of my favorites but it was good. I wasn’t fond of Sophie’s back and forth with Wes, I found it frustrating at times. But if u want an easy read, this will do.
November 9, 2021
I enjoyed it. It was not the typical high school love story. They both have to deal with a lot and through a writing class, they both see each other the way no one else has or cares to see them- to their soul. SO it's no wonder they fall in love.
March 10, 2025
I read this in only two days! I absolutely loved every bit of it. The pacing was great, the storyline was easy to follow along. My favorite thing though was the romance. And the friendships. It was all so sweet and wholesome.
May 8, 2020
YA. Poor smart girl goes to rich kids private school and falls for rich popular kid. Typical YA. Rated G.
October 26, 2020
Interesting book
Good story line. Interesting and fun to read. I would recommend for young adult readers.
Enjoyed it. Reviewed by PG.
Good story line. Interesting and fun to read. I would recommend for young adult readers.
Enjoyed it. Reviewed by PG.
June 21, 2021
Light, YA read
This was a quick read, not a lot of depth, but I did enjoy it. It could have had more backstory, but a good read for teenagers.
This was a quick read, not a lot of depth, but I did enjoy it. It could have had more backstory, but a good read for teenagers.
Read
December 30, 2022dnf. i couldn’t get into it and you can tell it’s a ya book. the writing doesn’t really have depth.
March 19, 2023
Sweet storybook.
dnf-2024
March 13, 2024DNF 80 % . I kept trying cause I hated myself obviously but this is just so bad .
September 5, 2024
She’s not like other girls… she’s like… poor and stuff. ::Debbie Ryan smolder::
December 29, 2024
Not the strongest of stories ever, but a quick and easy read. I'm not in a hurry to read any of the others in the series, however.
May 30, 2025
2.6 stars
December 7, 2025
Pretty good book, single POV, new girl and popular boy vibe
January 13, 2024
This book was a good telling of a story of a girl who goes to a boarding school with her step dads money and meets a bunch of new friends and one not so much boy of a friend. Her new friends make her feel welcome and she grows into a perfect piece in their friend group and builds lifelong relationships. Maybe her annoyingly stunning friend isn’t as bad as he seems.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews