Resisting What's Real

Haven Valley High #5

by Kenzie Brayne

I’m on a quest for love, and I know who I want.

Allie

My best friend’s brother, Josh, would make the perfect boyfriend—he’s fun, protective, and loyal. But even though we’d be amazing together, he refuses to give us a chance. I wish I understood why.

Josh knows how badly I want to fall in love. So, after witnessing the disaster of my latest date, he promises to help me find a worthy guy. One who’ll see me for more than my body.

When he shares his plan, I’m skeptical, but I’ll do what he asks. Maybe it’ll work and I’ll fall for someone new. Or maybe my plan will work.

Could this bonus time with Josh be what I need to win him over?

Josh

Allie’s the sweetest girl, but she attracts the wrong guys. I want to protect her from creeps like the last one.

She deserves so much better than him. Better than me.

I thought my plan would work, but Allie’s disaster date knocked her confidence. And when she comes to me asking for kissing lessons, I can’t resist temptation.

Allie’s determined for us to try a relationship, but I’m not boyfriend material.

How can I help her get everything she wants, when what she wants is me?

Genres: Romance

240 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 26, 2022

About the author

A lifelong fan of storytelling, Kenzie originally studied film before turning her attention to the written word. She loves to read and write romance with kind heroes, crushes, awkward moments, temptation, and heart-pounding new experiences.

Reviews

[Alexis Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

i’m lowkey so disappointed, i feel like they had so much potential but it was like the lowest bar. ally was so desperate for love and made things move so fast. also when he said yes to them dating it was so anti climactic. she kept saying “he’s the one” to every guy. but i did like her and noah’s friendship. but overall real disappointment

[Megan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I loved this series until this book. It was so disappointing. Allie had no personality at all no hobbies no career no college her whole life goal was to get a boyfriend. Josh had these goals and he was trying to be a better boyfriend and person and he was like "hey I wanna take this slow no touchy". She just kept pushing him till he broke the no-touching rule (yes he also had a choice but if someone has a good goal you should help them achieve it not force them to do something else). I'm sorry did you not ask in the beginning for a boyfriend who wasn't after sex... clearly that's not what you wanted BECAUSE you kept pushing him. She should have spent more time working on herself and life goals and getting a personality and a hobby instead of trying to get laid. This book made me so mad. No wonder he didn't want to date you in the beginning you have the personality of a saltine cracker!! She made me cringe so much! Even her best friend was like cringing the whole time!

[Kennah Wis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall, it was good writing and sweet storyline. I just felt like there wasn't a lot of emotional development between the two characters. I know they already knew each other but there was kind of a lack of chemistry like there is in the other couple of the Haven Valley High series. It felt like they needed to kiss to show that they were romantically interested and it made me uncomfortable how much Allie tried to pressure Josh into having a relationship when he was obviously so uncomfortable with the idea.

[Libbie Locke · Rating 2 out of 5]

this was uhm, not my fav
felt like Allie was forcing the relationship and Josh was so not into it, it made me cringe.
the relationship was literally so one sided, and then when something happened it was so anticlimactic.
also the ending? it just seemed rushed.
i feel like there was very little development in honestly every part of the book, so things kind of felt like they were just thrown in there for the plot.

[Leilah 🎧📖🫶🏼 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book a lot like the romantic plot did have a bit of some spic scenes. I personally don’t love spice scenes within books, but it was a very fun read and I did enjoy it a lot and I do recommend. Also I love how she fell first, but he fell harder as he fells that he can’t live without her. 📖📚

[amanda king · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING

This book is perfect. It has so much emotion that feels real and takes you on a roller coaster ride. I was giggling, smiling and just having the best time thinking I was actually in the book while reading Kenzie Brayne did a fantastic job

[Tara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hated this book. I had high hopes for Allie and Josh, but it fell flat.

[Scylee Rosalyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute enough to read. Once they got together though, I kinda quit. Got through. 76 percent of the way

[Dakota Windspirit · Rating 3 out of 5]

not gonna lie if I were her I would not get back together with josh

[kinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was cute

[Reader-pops (Taylor’s version) · Rating 3 out of 5]

-3.63 stars ⭐️

[Helena · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel really bad insulting these books but why is the plot non-existent??? 😭😭😭
Also I get Josh's whole trauma thing, but it kind of just makes him a stupid jerk. Again, the whole book would be so much better if the characters would just. Talk. To. Each. Other.

[alexis · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

the characters in this book PISS ME OFF. allie, girl i GET IT. you like the guy, but you can also NEVER take the hint. like she’s been rejected FOREVER and yet still is delusional enough into thinking she has a chance. miss girl literally SHOVES herself onto josh and kisses him. thats not love, thats HARASSMENT. like i agree with mia, i am CRINGING at the sight of allie and josh. josh, you are so STUPID. i get the whole “i don’t think i deserve love” like reason because of his family, sure. NOT because he’s simply a manwhore and believes he doesn’t deserve happiness? HONEY WHAT- and then mia confessed her love and he goes and SHOVES his tongue down another girls throat?? EW. and allie, you asked your best friends boyfriend if he enjoyed kissing you. good thing chloe is chill because I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN. like what the hell? that is so wrong and invasive. nate is so real for feeling uncomfortable. both main characters piss me off, this was a lost cause and bad end to this series. i’m sorry.

“you have a star too?”
“it’s a binary system. my star orbits yours.”
“you orbit me?”
“yes. always.”
dating era was TAINTED from the get go, sorry.