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Her Good Side
A swoony, heart-melting YA romance from beloved author Rebekah Weatherspoon about two awkward teens who decide to practice dating in order to be good at the real thing.
Perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon and Jenny Han.
Sixteen-year-old Bethany Greene, though confident and self-assured, is what they call a late-bloomer. She's never had a boyfriend, date, or first kiss. She's determined to change that but after her crush turns her down cold for Homecoming--declaring her too inexperienced--and all her back-up ideas fall through, she cautiously agrees to go with her best friend's boyfriend Jacob. A platonic date is better than no date, right? Until Saylor breaks up with said boyfriend.
Dumped twice in just two months, Jacob Yeun wonders if he's the problem. After years hiding behind his camera and a shocking summer glow up, he wasn't quite ready for all the attention or to be someone's boyfriend. There are no guides for his particular circumstances, or for taking your ex's best friend to the dance.
Why not make the best of an awkward situation? Bethany and Jacob decide to fake date for practice, building their confidence in matters of the heart.
And it works--guys are finally noticing Bethany. But things get complicated as their kissing sessions--for research of course!--start to feel real. This arrangement was supposed to help them in dating other people, but what if their perfect match is right in front of them?
Perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon and Jenny Han.
Sixteen-year-old Bethany Greene, though confident and self-assured, is what they call a late-bloomer. She's never had a boyfriend, date, or first kiss. She's determined to change that but after her crush turns her down cold for Homecoming--declaring her too inexperienced--and all her back-up ideas fall through, she cautiously agrees to go with her best friend's boyfriend Jacob. A platonic date is better than no date, right? Until Saylor breaks up with said boyfriend.
Dumped twice in just two months, Jacob Yeun wonders if he's the problem. After years hiding behind his camera and a shocking summer glow up, he wasn't quite ready for all the attention or to be someone's boyfriend. There are no guides for his particular circumstances, or for taking your ex's best friend to the dance.
Why not make the best of an awkward situation? Bethany and Jacob decide to fake date for practice, building their confidence in matters of the heart.
And it works--guys are finally noticing Bethany. But things get complicated as their kissing sessions--for research of course!--start to feel real. This arrangement was supposed to help them in dating other people, but what if their perfect match is right in front of them?
304 pages, Hardcover
First published May 30, 2023
84 people are currently reading
12343 people want to read
About the author
Rebekah Weatherspoon
33 books2,979 followersAfter years of meddling in her friends’ love lives, Rebekah Weatherspoon turned to writing romance to get her fix. Raised in Southern New Hampshire, Rebekah Weatherspoon now lives in Southern California where she will remain forever because she hates moving.
Her BDSM romance At Her Feet won the Golden Crown Literary Award for erotic lesbian fiction. Her novella FIT (#1 in the FIT Trilogy) won the Romantic Times Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Erotica Novella, SATED (#3 in the FIT Trilogy) was nominated for the the Romantic Times Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Digital Erotic Romance and most recently SOUL TO KEEP VSS#3 won the 2017 Lambda Literary Award for Best LGBTQ Erotica.
Her 2018 romantic comedy RAFE: A Buff Male Nanny received praise from both Entertainment Weekly and the New York Times. You can look for her most recent romantic comedy XENI : A Marriage of Inconvenience now, and a retelling of Sleeping Beauty, A COWBOY TO REMEMBER, late February 2020 from Kensington Books. In the meant time, you can find Rebekah and her books on twitter at @rdotspoon and her website www.rebekahweatherspoon.com,
Her BDSM romance At Her Feet won the Golden Crown Literary Award for erotic lesbian fiction. Her novella FIT (#1 in the FIT Trilogy) won the Romantic Times Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Erotica Novella, SATED (#3 in the FIT Trilogy) was nominated for the the Romantic Times Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Digital Erotic Romance and most recently SOUL TO KEEP VSS#3 won the 2017 Lambda Literary Award for Best LGBTQ Erotica.
Her 2018 romantic comedy RAFE: A Buff Male Nanny received praise from both Entertainment Weekly and the New York Times. You can look for her most recent romantic comedy XENI : A Marriage of Inconvenience now, and a retelling of Sleeping Beauty, A COWBOY TO REMEMBER, late February 2020 from Kensington Books. In the meant time, you can find Rebekah and her books on twitter at @rdotspoon and her website www.rebekahweatherspoon.com,
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 488 reviews
January 1, 2024
It’s books like this that remind me while I’ll never stop reading YA no matter how old I get!! It was so sweet and charming. The premise was also a fun twist on the fake dating, since he was literally dating her friend for a chunk of the book. I’m also used to YA romances with single POV, so I always love a double POV to shake up the script. I enjoyed both audiobook narrators and will definitely relisten!
Their relationship was super slow burn, which really elevated my emotional investment. (I love when there’s a really solid friendship before the romance!!) I enjoyed both of their friend groups and liked that they both hung out with each. Both Jacob and Bethany were which awkward cuties. He wanted to be a filmographer, while she was a basketball player (dream of culinary school).
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
Thanks so much to PRHaudio for an ALC. All opinions are honest and my own.
Their relationship was super slow burn, which really elevated my emotional investment. (I love when there’s a really solid friendship before the romance!!) I enjoyed both of their friend groups and liked that they both hung out with each. Both Jacob and Bethany were which awkward cuties. He wanted to be a filmographer, while she was a basketball player (dream of culinary school).
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
Thanks so much to PRHaudio for an ALC. All opinions are honest and my own.
May 14, 2023
Okay this was ADORABLE!! Her Good Side is a YA romance where two friends who are bad at dating fake a relationship for practice, and in the process catch feelings.
Bethany Greene is the daughter of two WNBA stars and her moms have pushed her into basketball too. Even though she secretly hates it and wants to study cooking instead. She's plus-size and usually good with her body, has a great group of friends, and is a late bloomer who has never had a boyfriend.
Jacob Yeun is a talented photographer and aspiring film-maker who went from scrawny to hot over the summer and isn't sure what to do with the newfound attention he's getting. After getting dumped twice in a matter of weeks, he's realizing he needs some practice with how to interact with girls.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Both characters have their own growth & coming of age arcs, but they also slowly develop this really sweet love for each other. It's so joyful and supportive. And I loved how thoughtfully this handled tentatively exploring your sexuality for the first time- the importance of consent, be able to really take your time, and having a person you trust. The characters don't even have sex in the book, but you see this really healthy progression of figuring out what they might be comfortable with and having conversations about it.
Rebekah Weatherspoon really nailed this in my opinion. It's exactly what a good romance written for teens should be, and it really is swoonworthy. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
Bethany Greene is the daughter of two WNBA stars and her moms have pushed her into basketball too. Even though she secretly hates it and wants to study cooking instead. She's plus-size and usually good with her body, has a great group of friends, and is a late bloomer who has never had a boyfriend.
Jacob Yeun is a talented photographer and aspiring film-maker who went from scrawny to hot over the summer and isn't sure what to do with the newfound attention he's getting. After getting dumped twice in a matter of weeks, he's realizing he needs some practice with how to interact with girls.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Both characters have their own growth & coming of age arcs, but they also slowly develop this really sweet love for each other. It's so joyful and supportive. And I loved how thoughtfully this handled tentatively exploring your sexuality for the first time- the importance of consent, be able to really take your time, and having a person you trust. The characters don't even have sex in the book, but you see this really healthy progression of figuring out what they might be comfortable with and having conversations about it.
Rebekah Weatherspoon really nailed this in my opinion. It's exactly what a good romance written for teens should be, and it really is swoonworthy. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
February 1, 2024
i love how everyone in this books will date someone 2 minutes after breaking up with someone else and literally no one cares… perfectly describes high school i think
August 2, 2023
Her Good Side by Rebekah Weatherspoon
YA contemporary romance. Fake relationship troupe. Diverse relationship. HFN.
16 year old Bethany Greene hasn’t dated yet but she wants to try. Her best friend thinks the best way to start is a double date as just friends. That doesn’t work out very well, so the next option is to talk her best friend into pretending they are now dating. Jacob Yeun is on board with fake dating since he’s been dumped twice already in the school year and figures so practice dating may be just what he needs. As the two friends start with holding hands, they find that maybe they want a little more, but how to approach that is more than a little terrifying.
Bethany is confident in herself and knows who she is. Since she’s on the basketball team, she feels that asking a cute boy to the dance that is also a basketball player is the way to go. Oh, the angst I felt in her asking and him saying he is asking someone else. The comfort she has with Jacob is a relief as they go out the first time as a “couple”. Of course, the we know where this goes. Additional drama is included with family, friends and school situations.
I liked the security and confidence each had in select situations and then the uncertainty in others. So true to life, showing you don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes even if you think you know someone.
Best audience mid teens.
I received a paperback copy of this from the publisher.
YA contemporary romance. Fake relationship troupe. Diverse relationship. HFN.
16 year old Bethany Greene hasn’t dated yet but she wants to try. Her best friend thinks the best way to start is a double date as just friends. That doesn’t work out very well, so the next option is to talk her best friend into pretending they are now dating. Jacob Yeun is on board with fake dating since he’s been dumped twice already in the school year and figures so practice dating may be just what he needs. As the two friends start with holding hands, they find that maybe they want a little more, but how to approach that is more than a little terrifying.
Bethany is confident in herself and knows who she is. Since she’s on the basketball team, she feels that asking a cute boy to the dance that is also a basketball player is the way to go. Oh, the angst I felt in her asking and him saying he is asking someone else. The comfort she has with Jacob is a relief as they go out the first time as a “couple”. Of course, the we know where this goes. Additional drama is included with family, friends and school situations.
I liked the security and confidence each had in select situations and then the uncertainty in others. So true to life, showing you don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes even if you think you know someone.
Best audience mid teens.
I received a paperback copy of this from the publisher.
September 14, 2023
Adorable fake dating YA romance. 'Body positivity' and 'recognising your value' took centre stage in this fun story with a great cast of characters. I loved that this was a celebration of diversity and culture as well. Bethany and Jacob were relatable main characters and their connection felt believable (insert heart eye emoji).
May 14, 2023
I don’t read a lot of romance, but I do love a good rom-com every now and then, and there is something about the fake relationship trope that just works for me. So basically what I’m saying this book is absolutely what I needed in my life and I’m so excited I got to read an advanced copy. The first thing I loved about this story was how great the representation was. There was racial diversity and diverse queer representation. It was wonderful. I loved the characters (not just the two love interests but their friends and families were great too). Bethany and Jacob are both struggling to get into the dating scene and strike upon the idea of fake dating so they can practice and give each other constructive criticism. But of course they make this deal before their first friend date and of course they both develop secret crushes on the other. The story was so sweet and I was cheering for both of them but especially Bethany.
December 19, 2024
This is more of a 3.5 I couldn’t really mesh with the authors writing style, but this book depicts teenagers a lot better than many other novels I have read. RTC
October 12, 2023
Charming and sweet! I know we’re all used to the amazing high heat adult from RW, but their YA debut was a comforting, cozy read about finding your perfect fit.
July 31, 2024
This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and I'm so happy I got to read it early! It's the absolute cutest YA romance, with two super loveable main characters.
There's a lot I loved about this book when it comes to the practice dating, and I think it has a great message. However, I did feel like the "latebloomer" thing could have been subverted a little more. As an aroace person, people used to call me a latebloomer all the time, and I felt like there was something wrong with me. I never want other aroace(spec) people to feel that way, and especially since this book was so queer-inclusive, I would have loved a conversation about it being okay if falling in love or wanting to have sex just never happens to you, and how you should not have to feel like you need to date or have sex for external reasons. I did think this message was implied, to be clear, but I would have loved to see an explicit conversation about it.
Either way, though, I did really enjoy this, and I think it has excellent rereading potential. I loved Bethany and Jacob so much as characters, and it was amazing to see them connect like they hadn't with other people.
There's a lot I loved about this book when it comes to the practice dating, and I think it has a great message. However, I did feel like the "latebloomer" thing could have been subverted a little more. As an aroace person, people used to call me a latebloomer all the time, and I felt like there was something wrong with me. I never want other aroace(spec) people to feel that way, and especially since this book was so queer-inclusive, I would have loved a conversation about it being okay if falling in love or wanting to have sex just never happens to you, and how you should not have to feel like you need to date or have sex for external reasons. I did think this message was implied, to be clear, but I would have loved to see an explicit conversation about it.
Either way, though, I did really enjoy this, and I think it has excellent rereading potential. I loved Bethany and Jacob so much as characters, and it was amazing to see them connect like they hadn't with other people.
Read
July 12, 2023My heart: melted.
An adorable and wholesome fake-dating-to-best-friends-to-mutual-pining romance!
An adorable and wholesome fake-dating-to-best-friends-to-mutual-pining romance!
May 29, 2023
OMG! This book was so freaking adorable! I loved both Bethany and Jacob, and how they refused to be pressured into doing things that they weren’t ready to do. I love that they both follow their passions.
Edit to add:
This book was absolutely incredible!
So let’s do something a little different by giving y’all FIVE reasons to read this book:
✨Refusing to give in to peer pressure - Bethany has never been kissed (is uncomfortable with physical touch) and Jacob wants to save his virginity for the right person/time.
✨Fake Dating trope - listen, I’m a sucker for fake dating, and I love that Bethany and Jacob make a pact with to learn how to date within a safe space for each other.
✨ Normalized queerness - several queer characters including Bethany’s moms (yes moms, that raised her)…implied aroace but not confirmed on page.
✨ BOUNDARIES - boundaries are a huge theme in this book, and it’s something that needs to be normalized and respected for everyone…including young people.
✨ Dismantling fatphobia! - Bethany is plus sized and loves to cook/eat, but constantly reminds her everyone (moms included) that being fat isn’t just what you eat. I also love that Jacob constantly reminds Bethany how beautiful she is, curves and all!
Thank you to Penguin Teen for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
Edit to add:
This book was absolutely incredible!
So let’s do something a little different by giving y’all FIVE reasons to read this book:
✨Refusing to give in to peer pressure - Bethany has never been kissed (is uncomfortable with physical touch) and Jacob wants to save his virginity for the right person/time.
✨Fake Dating trope - listen, I’m a sucker for fake dating, and I love that Bethany and Jacob make a pact with to learn how to date within a safe space for each other.
✨ Normalized queerness - several queer characters including Bethany’s moms (yes moms, that raised her)…implied aroace but not confirmed on page.
✨ BOUNDARIES - boundaries are a huge theme in this book, and it’s something that needs to be normalized and respected for everyone…including young people.
✨ Dismantling fatphobia! - Bethany is plus sized and loves to cook/eat, but constantly reminds her everyone (moms included) that being fat isn’t just what you eat. I also love that Jacob constantly reminds Bethany how beautiful she is, curves and all!
Thank you to Penguin Teen for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
March 21, 2024
3.5 Stars for Her Good Side (audiobook) by Rebekah Weatherspoon read by Marcella Cox and Daniel K. Isaac.
This was a cute fake dating story set in the world of high school basketball. The cast of characters is diverse but many of the problems are the same. Maybe practicing having a boyfriend will help with the love life. But the practice boyfriend was way better than the dream boyfriend.
This was a cute fake dating story set in the world of high school basketball. The cast of characters is diverse but many of the problems are the same. Maybe practicing having a boyfriend will help with the love life. But the practice boyfriend was way better than the dream boyfriend.
August 26, 2023
I guess I can't say I don't read YA. This was adorable and thoroughly sugary sweet. I liked that the characters were all different and not necessarily sexed up and ready to go. I mean, that was happening, but it was boy/girl craziness of high school. I'm happy Jacob was the quiet, shy guy and didn't just become a tool because of his growth spurt. And can we talk about how everyone had actively engaged parents. Besides being slightly long and the book just ends, I really enjoyed this book.
January 29, 2024
i mean it's cute and adorable but felt too slow paced for me and some parts just didn't make any sense.
February 3, 2024
2024 reads: 23/250
bethany greene has never had a boyfriend, and she wants that to change, but as of right now she’s “too inexperienced” for her crush. jacob yeun has been dumped twice in two months, and wants to prove he can hold a longer relationship. they decide to start fake dating to help each other achieve their goals, but soon, the lines between real and fake begin to blur.
though i don’t miss high school at all, sometimes i just need a high school romance as a breather from the other books i read. so, this book came at the perfect time! this was a dual pov and i really enjoyed getting to know both characters through their own chapters. i really loved the discussions in bethany’s chapters about parental pressure (though not entirely intentional), sibling comparison, and feeling like a “late bloomer.” i can’t wait to read more from rebekah weatherspoon!
bethany greene has never had a boyfriend, and she wants that to change, but as of right now she’s “too inexperienced” for her crush. jacob yeun has been dumped twice in two months, and wants to prove he can hold a longer relationship. they decide to start fake dating to help each other achieve their goals, but soon, the lines between real and fake begin to blur.
though i don’t miss high school at all, sometimes i just need a high school romance as a breather from the other books i read. so, this book came at the perfect time! this was a dual pov and i really enjoyed getting to know both characters through their own chapters. i really loved the discussions in bethany’s chapters about parental pressure (though not entirely intentional), sibling comparison, and feeling like a “late bloomer.” i can’t wait to read more from rebekah weatherspoon!
November 12, 2023
The joy Black YA gives me is so undefeated! This was the cutest thing ever! Bethany and Jacob being so into each other but both of them being so oblivious was a mess. The angst fake dating gives in ya is always too good. Both parties falling in love but thinking the other person is just a really good actor like it doesn’t get any better. I love how much they used the way Jacob captured Bethany on camera to emphasize how strong his feelings were for her. A very adorable read!
September 3, 2024
This was the cutest! They decide to pretend to date but they really like each other and then they figure it out and everything is happy.
I've been watching Dimension 20, and Jacob is Gorgug Thistlespring. He is. That's how things are.
Bethany is plagued by a nickname that started in freshman year because she burst out crying when she heard her best friend lost her virginity. She's also a basketball superstar who hates basketball. Her moms are a WNBA/NBA dynasty and her sisters love basketball, but Bethany hates it. She likes cooking. She's a fat Black girl, and because she's fat and has basketball skills, adults freely make shaming comments about her body all the time.
Gorgug has recently gotten tall and hot. Girls have started asking him out. He agrees because he doesn't know how to say no, and then the girls kiss him and drag him around to social things and he's not sure how to make this okay for him. There's a rumor going around that he wouldn't have sex with his last girlfriend, because they'd been dating for six weeks and he didn't want to have sex with her.
Bethany and Gorgug decide to pretend date until December, thus shaking both of their frigid reputations and learning about communication and dating properly from each other so that they will be free to re-enter the high school dating pool without stigma. Then a lot of adorableness happens, and a lot of side characters. So many side characters. I liked Bethany's relationship with Saylor. It felt real. Spoiler: Bethany and Gorgug realize that they shouldn't break up and they like each other for real. It is precious. Highly recommend.
I've been watching Dimension 20, and Jacob is Gorgug Thistlespring. He is. That's how things are.
Bethany is plagued by a nickname that started in freshman year because she burst out crying when she heard her best friend lost her virginity. She's also a basketball superstar who hates basketball. Her moms are a WNBA/NBA dynasty and her sisters love basketball, but Bethany hates it. She likes cooking. She's a fat Black girl, and because she's fat and has basketball skills, adults freely make shaming comments about her body all the time.
Gorgug has recently gotten tall and hot. Girls have started asking him out. He agrees because he doesn't know how to say no, and then the girls kiss him and drag him around to social things and he's not sure how to make this okay for him. There's a rumor going around that he wouldn't have sex with his last girlfriend, because they'd been dating for six weeks and he didn't want to have sex with her.
Bethany and Gorgug decide to pretend date until December, thus shaking both of their frigid reputations and learning about communication and dating properly from each other so that they will be free to re-enter the high school dating pool without stigma. Then a lot of adorableness happens, and a lot of side characters. So many side characters. I liked Bethany's relationship with Saylor. It felt real. Spoiler: Bethany and Gorgug realize that they shouldn't break up and they like each other for real. It is precious. Highly recommend.
April 9, 2023
This was so flipping cute!!!
August 4, 2024
This was a cute YA romance and I would definitely recommend it to a teen. The main characters were charming and relatable and I liked the way the author handled the fake dating trope. The author also dealt with confidence, fatphobia and sex in an accessible and clever way. Bethany and Jacob really felt like typical teens and the author did a great job capturing that youthful “voice”.
I just felt like the ending was anticlimactic and too “smooth”. There was a huge tension built around a moment and when it happened, it didn’t hold up to the hype. However, I am happy that younger Black girls have this incredible representation.
I just felt like the ending was anticlimactic and too “smooth”. There was a huge tension built around a moment and when it happened, it didn’t hold up to the hype. However, I am happy that younger Black girls have this incredible representation.
August 9, 2023
I really like this book, not only because I can relate to the main character Bethany a lot, but because I am a hopeless, romantic at heart. To hear both sides of a love story really warms my heart, and I am the kind of person who cries at any sweet, loving thing, so I was crying a lot within the two days that it took for me to read this book I could not put it down.
May 15, 2023
A cute YA interracial fake dating romance that sees two friends pretend/practice dating to help with reputations and end up developing real feelings. This was fun and good on audio. I liked the diverse MCs, and the body positivity. Perfect for fans of authors like Joya Goffney, Renee Watson or Elise Bryant. Many thanks to @librofm for an ALC in exchange for my honest review!
June 22, 2024
I have had this book on my radar since early last year, but you know, we all have to get through that never ending climbing TBR pile.
I’ll start with what I did Like about the read. The bonds of friendship between Bethany and her friends. I always love and appreciate friendship in stories. I also enjoyed that we got them in school interacting in classes and teachers. A lot of YA books don’t give us school life despite the MCs being in school. So that was quite refreshing. I also like the representation of family bonds. Parents were involved in their kids lives and didn’t hate or neglect them. That was - refreshing read. No sob stories about absent or abusive parents.
Now for all the other stuff. The characters all felt like caricatures. It’s as though author felt that there was a diversity quota she had a checklist to meet for every single character we were introduced to in the story. Whatever you can think of, is apart of the friendship group and it felt so forced. Another thing was the number of side characters. It got so confusing to read and keep track of who was who. In the end, I just recalled Saylor and Tatum and the rest all blurred together for me.
The chemistry between the leads felt lacklustre. I get that they liked each other and that they are 16, but it felt so dull and I couldn’t help but just not really care if they reconciled or just remained friends. Theirs is a flame burning low. Speaking of 16, the casual talks of sex and losing virginity in this book was very questionable. 1. This book is geared towards teenagers. One of the best friends (who’s not Saylor or Tatum) lost her virginity I assume at age 14 or 15 because book said it was the year prior. And the MCs are both 16, so do with that what you will. I was a bit turned off by that. The cavalier talk of sex. Even the parents were, dare I say, almost encouraging the kids to have sex under the guise of “as long as you use a condom.” What parent is going to do that? Now I know this book takes place in LA and while I have been told by many that it’s a different ball ground in terms of how these issues are handled, I find it very hard to believe there are parents who are out here comfortable with the idea of their UNDERAGE children having sex so long as they use a condom. There was even this one character who was only mentioned in passing. (She broke up with MMC because he didn’t want to have sex with her. Again, characters are aged around 15/16. That left a horrid taste in my mouth as again, this book is geared TOWARDS TEENAGERS.
The whole mess around basketball and cooking with her mums was solved way too easily. Let me elaborate. The entire story, one of the mums is painted as this fire breathing dragon who will listen to nary a word Bethany has to say and only speaks in basketball, yet she asks ZERO question about her choice or even try to bargain and do things that her character was hinted at? It was a very sharp 180° from what readers were fed and it was not aligned with the character. I went, “well, that was certainly anticlimactic.” Scratched my head and called it a day. To clarify, I understand that the plot of a story does NOT have to be explosive, however, your characters should line up with the personality traits you’ve set them up with. They can learn, grow and change, BUT you have to set up the groundwork for that. NONE of that was done for the mum, and that made it seem like she accepted it without nary a complaint because… plot and that leaves me unsatisfied and filled with questions.
It was an average read that is a lot forgettable. With on the hour, I will have forgotten that I’ve read it. Which is deeply saddening for me because I liked the cover and synopsis and it was a read I was anticipating. I might try to read something else from this author as this was a debut novel and one can only grow from here.
I’ll start with what I did Like about the read. The bonds of friendship between Bethany and her friends. I always love and appreciate friendship in stories. I also enjoyed that we got them in school interacting in classes and teachers. A lot of YA books don’t give us school life despite the MCs being in school. So that was quite refreshing. I also like the representation of family bonds. Parents were involved in their kids lives and didn’t hate or neglect them. That was - refreshing read. No sob stories about absent or abusive parents.
Now for all the other stuff. The characters all felt like caricatures. It’s as though author felt that there was a diversity quota she had a checklist to meet for every single character we were introduced to in the story. Whatever you can think of, is apart of the friendship group and it felt so forced. Another thing was the number of side characters. It got so confusing to read and keep track of who was who. In the end, I just recalled Saylor and Tatum and the rest all blurred together for me.
The chemistry between the leads felt lacklustre. I get that they liked each other and that they are 16, but it felt so dull and I couldn’t help but just not really care if they reconciled or just remained friends. Theirs is a flame burning low. Speaking of 16, the casual talks of sex and losing virginity in this book was very questionable. 1. This book is geared towards teenagers. One of the best friends (who’s not Saylor or Tatum) lost her virginity I assume at age 14 or 15 because book said it was the year prior. And the MCs are both 16, so do with that what you will. I was a bit turned off by that. The cavalier talk of sex. Even the parents were, dare I say, almost encouraging the kids to have sex under the guise of “as long as you use a condom.” What parent is going to do that? Now I know this book takes place in LA and while I have been told by many that it’s a different ball ground in terms of how these issues are handled, I find it very hard to believe there are parents who are out here comfortable with the idea of their UNDERAGE children having sex so long as they use a condom. There was even this one character who was only mentioned in passing. (She broke up with MMC because he didn’t want to have sex with her. Again, characters are aged around 15/16. That left a horrid taste in my mouth as again, this book is geared TOWARDS TEENAGERS.
The whole mess around basketball and cooking with her mums was solved way too easily. Let me elaborate. The entire story, one of the mums is painted as this fire breathing dragon who will listen to nary a word Bethany has to say and only speaks in basketball, yet she asks ZERO question about her choice or even try to bargain and do things that her character was hinted at? It was a very sharp 180° from what readers were fed and it was not aligned with the character. I went, “well, that was certainly anticlimactic.” Scratched my head and called it a day. To clarify, I understand that the plot of a story does NOT have to be explosive, however, your characters should line up with the personality traits you’ve set them up with. They can learn, grow and change, BUT you have to set up the groundwork for that. NONE of that was done for the mum, and that made it seem like she accepted it without nary a complaint because… plot and that leaves me unsatisfied and filled with questions.
It was an average read that is a lot forgettable. With on the hour, I will have forgotten that I’ve read it. Which is deeply saddening for me because I liked the cover and synopsis and it was a read I was anticipating. I might try to read something else from this author as this was a debut novel and one can only grow from here.
May 21, 2023
4.5 - Thank you so much to Penguin Teen for an advance copy of this book!
This book will be published on May 30, 2023
This is my first Rebekah Weatherspoon book & won't be my last! She has been an author I have been wanting to explore but just haven't gotten around to it until now.
"..but he picks that exact moment to do this entirely erotic hair flip. He usually keeps it up, but maybe he lost his hair tie during the day.
"Okay, that was hot," Tatum says.
"Yeah, I'm in trouble.""
I absolutely adored this book!! It is labeled as a swoony YA which is an accurate description. This gave me all the feels I needed between Bethany and her crushes. It definitely felt like an accurate portrayal of high school. The only thing that was a little weird (but perhaps in the high school sphere of current culture this is okay?) was that it is okay for a girl to start dating her friend's (recent) ex boyfriend? I am not sure if that is appropriate in any context or age.
Despite the fact that Jacob briefly dated Bethany's friend, I really liked them as a couple! I thought they complimented well together. I like how their friendship was gradual & that they shared similar experiences/reputation among their peers. I love that each have their passions - Jacob with filming & Bethany with her love of cooking. I love that he was there to help Bethany to stand up to her moms about her dislike of basketball & how Jacob always manage to take photos of Bethany "of her good side" and she could see what he saw. They were just so cute together & love all their moments.
I did think the end kind of was rushed & wrapped up a little too nice. I don't want to divulge more into that without giving away the conflict & resolution. But it just happened quick & suddenly things were okay.
"I like food 'cause good food taste delicious. Did that cause me to gain weight? Sure did, but I'm pretty sure it didn't turn me into a bad person."
This quote above gave me such life that I want it pinned to everything I do. As a larger body person, this hit me in so many ways. Even as a reminder to myself that I am still a good person despite what my size is. I am in my mid 30s and still deal with self consciousness and being comfortable with myself. Reading about these characters who their size doesn't bother them gives me such hope and it's always rewarding to have their weight not be the main focus of the book. There was also a moment where Beth she talks about how people don't want to touch you while you are fat and my goodness I felt that to my core!!!! While in high school and in my early 20s while dating, that was such a fear of mine.
Also just want to point out that this book has a bunch of different rep which was amazing to read.
4.5
This book will be published on May 30, 2023
This is my first Rebekah Weatherspoon book & won't be my last! She has been an author I have been wanting to explore but just haven't gotten around to it until now.
"..but he picks that exact moment to do this entirely erotic hair flip. He usually keeps it up, but maybe he lost his hair tie during the day.
"Okay, that was hot," Tatum says.
"Yeah, I'm in trouble.""
I absolutely adored this book!! It is labeled as a swoony YA which is an accurate description. This gave me all the feels I needed between Bethany and her crushes. It definitely felt like an accurate portrayal of high school. The only thing that was a little weird (but perhaps in the high school sphere of current culture this is okay?) was that it is okay for a girl to start dating her friend's (recent) ex boyfriend? I am not sure if that is appropriate in any context or age.
Despite the fact that Jacob briefly dated Bethany's friend, I really liked them as a couple! I thought they complimented well together. I like how their friendship was gradual & that they shared similar experiences/reputation among their peers. I love that each have their passions - Jacob with filming & Bethany with her love of cooking. I love that he was there to help Bethany to stand up to her moms about her dislike of basketball & how Jacob always manage to take photos of Bethany "of her good side" and she could see what he saw. They were just so cute together & love all their moments.
I did think the end kind of was rushed & wrapped up a little too nice. I don't want to divulge more into that without giving away the conflict & resolution. But it just happened quick & suddenly things were okay.
"I like food 'cause good food taste delicious. Did that cause me to gain weight? Sure did, but I'm pretty sure it didn't turn me into a bad person."
This quote above gave me such life that I want it pinned to everything I do. As a larger body person, this hit me in so many ways. Even as a reminder to myself that I am still a good person despite what my size is. I am in my mid 30s and still deal with self consciousness and being comfortable with myself. Reading about these characters who their size doesn't bother them gives me such hope and it's always rewarding to have their weight not be the main focus of the book. There was also a moment where Beth she talks about how people don't want to touch you while you are fat and my goodness I felt that to my core!!!! While in high school and in my early 20s while dating, that was such a fear of mine.
Also just want to point out that this book has a bunch of different rep which was amazing to read.
4.5
August 12, 2025
Audiobook. Library. A short and fun YA. I love Rebekah’s writing for romance and her skill translates easily to YA. I loved the characters and the growth our two MC’s saw (as much as they can at 16).
February 26, 2024
It was a cute feel good thing.
August 11, 2024
This was soooo cute!
Read
May 11, 2024This was so cute and I love there is a romance book between “late bloomers”
May 12, 2023
Crybaby Bethany's inexperience in the dating world isn't winning her the homecoming date of her dreams, so when her best friend, Saylor (who's double booked) offers Bethany the chance to go to the dance with her swoony aspiring future USC film school student boyfriend, Jacob, Bethany reluctantly agrees. But after the dance Saylor breaks it off with Jacob, leaving Bethany to swoop in and the two to concoct a fake date scheme that will show everyone at school that Jacob is actually boyfriend material and Bethany isn't the novice dater everyone thinks she is. What could possibly go wrong? Could it be Jacob's hard to win over friends? Or could it be Bethany's pushy moms? And how do her friends really feel about her dating Jacob.
I LOVED this book! First the rep. THE REP! Bethany is a Black, body positive main character with two moms, and her counterpart is a Korean American with tatted up parents. Bethany makes no excuses or apologies for her weight or her love of a well-crafted sandwich (and isn't that super relatable). Everyone needs food right? Plus, she's killing it out there on the basketball court (even if playing pro ball isn't her dream). I just loved her. And Jacob isn't pigeon-holed into an idol or straight-A student stereotype often seen. He's a cool, photo and film obsessed skater kid. What's not to love? This book made me laugh and made my heart go pitter-pat. I definitely recommend Her Good Side!
I LOVED this book! First the rep. THE REP! Bethany is a Black, body positive main character with two moms, and her counterpart is a Korean American with tatted up parents. Bethany makes no excuses or apologies for her weight or her love of a well-crafted sandwich (and isn't that super relatable). Everyone needs food right? Plus, she's killing it out there on the basketball court (even if playing pro ball isn't her dream). I just loved her. And Jacob isn't pigeon-holed into an idol or straight-A student stereotype often seen. He's a cool, photo and film obsessed skater kid. What's not to love? This book made me laugh and made my heart go pitter-pat. I definitely recommend Her Good Side!
June 6, 2023
This book started a bit slow for me, but once I got into it, I absolutely loved it. It was such a cute, heartwarming YA romance. The banter was hilarious, and the friendships were so genuine and warm. What I appreciated most about this book was its realistic depiction of what it's like to be a fat teenage black girl, not only in high school but also in a black family with black parents. Weatherspoon creates such a relatable character in Bethany. I saw so much of myself in her, which reminded me of my time in high school. For the fat black girls who never feel seen.… this book captures us. It captures our good side. It warmed my heart to read about a fat black girl receiving the genuine and honest love, care, and support she deserves. This was my first book by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
September 14, 2023
Okay so this book is perfect. I love Jakob + Bets. Their friend groups are just *chefs kiss* so queer cute the coolest… and a lot of this story reads ace. I am living for all this ace representation 😭 this was just such a sweet read for me, as an ace person and a photographer, which Jakob is also! Rebecca may have written the first photographer representation that not only do I tolerate, but I fully like!!!! There is nothing corny or stupid about it, she wrote his skills and interests in honest and intriguing ways. It’s just all great things 🩵 omg I didn’t even mention how bets is a fat black femme and how they bring it into the story in a beautiful and layered way. Anyway, love! It’s been 4 days since I finished and I miss them so much 💓
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