November 1, 2024
A Central California high school junior experiences betrayal--and learns the consequences of seeking revenge. Finley has big dreams of becoming a podcast host. Her football player boyfriend, Jensen, has been supportive and has helped her prep for the auditions for the school's podcast, which is hosted only by seniors. Finley is hoping to garner a co-host gig--a coveted spot that opens the door to an internship at the community college. But Jensen surprises her when he tries out, too. To her shock, he's named a co-host, and she only gets a research position. Making it worse, during a hot mic moment on the school's PA system, Jensen insults Finley's podcasting abilities. Finley decides that since he stole her podcast host dream, she's going to hit him where it hurts: football. Theo, Jensen's nemesis on the team, is popular, good-looking, wealthy, and well-dressed. At a party at Theo's house, former soccer player Finley discovers she's good at kicking a football. Theo agrees to coach her, with the goal of taking away Jensen's coveted spot as kicker. There's chemistry between Finley and Theo, and their flirtatious relationship intensifies during their training. Finley's first-person narration explores the ups and downs of self-esteem, self-doubt, and self-reflection that many high schoolers grapple with. Romance is the driving force of this endearing story's momentum. Finley and Jensen read white, while Theo is cued Latine. A page-turning, character-driven romance that promotes girl power. (author Q&A)(Romance. 12-18)
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December 1, 2024
Gr 9 Up-Popular YA author West has created another swoonworthy tale. It's the end of junior year in high school, and Finley anxiously prepares to audition for the senior hosting spot of the school podcast, something she's been wanting for years. Her jitters are normal, but what she wasn't expecting was for her football-loving boyfriend, Jensen, to try out for the same position and beat her out of the spot. Feeling hopeless and betrayed, Finley and her friends plan their revenge. Using her past soccer skills, she'll train hard to beat Jenson out of his kicker position on the football team, with the help of arrogant senior Theo, who happens to be Jensen's nemesis. Sparks begin to fly during training as the two get closer, and they must decide whether love is better than revenge. West creates easy reading and characters worth loving, even the supporting ones. Finley's friends and family dynamics are truly believable and relatable, and the story delivers all the feels. The cast is diverse in race and LGBTQIA+ representation, with Theo having a Latinx background and Finley's best friend Deja being Indian American. VERDICT YA romancers will not be disappointed in this coming-of-age narrative! Recommended for all school and public libraries.-Lacey Webster
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