SOMEWHAT SPOILER: The problems arise when Kate is dragged into Alana’s hyped expectations for their high school podcasting class and, much to her dismay, is named the host of the show for the year.

While her living situation is unusual, her siblings and cousins and aunts and uncles and parents all have tight, heart-warming connections that bring her both chaos and love and increase the charm of this story.

She’s not the most social girl, either, so her bestie Alana is her perfect girl-mate to balance her droll temperament (and get her in predicaments she wouldn’t otherwise touch with a ten-foot pole).Īlso, Kate has an unusual family, and they are half of the joy in this book. (Seriously, she’s one of the best character-builders out there.) Her heroine in Listen to Your Heart is Kate Bailey, a chill, sarcastic, lake-loving girl whose first boyfriend moved away and forgot her over the summer. They are well-researched with consistent, often quirky characteristics that make you love and relate to them. And since I’ve been revisiting Listen to Your Heart this week, I thought it was a perfect fit for Friday Book Talk. A few of hers are so funny and draw you in so well, that I can’t help but go back to them over and over again. Suddenly, Kate finds that while doling out wisdom to others may be easy, asking for help is tougher than it looks, and following your own advice is even harder.Kasie West's adorable story of secrets, love, and friendship is sure to win over hearts everywhere.I’m pretty sure our entire team of YA writers has read and loved Kasie West’s clean and clever teen romance books. until Kate herself starts to develop feelings for Diego. Kate is pretty sure that the caller is gorgeous Diego Martinez, and even surer that the girl in question is Alana. Then the podcast gets in a call from an anonymous guy, asking for advice about his unnamed crush. Now she'll have to answer calls and give advice on the air? Impossible.But to Kate's surprise, she turns out to be pretty good at the hosting gig.

So when her best friend, Alana, convinces Kate to join their high school's podcast, Kate is not expecting to be chosen as the host. She'd much rather be out on the lake, soaking up the solitude and sunshine. Talking to other people isn't Kate Bailey's favorite activity. Perfect for fans of Morgan Matson and Jenny Han, this latest from YA contemporary queen Kasie West is an adorable rom-com loosely inspired by Sleepless in Seattle.

Listen to your heart kasie west