Pride and Prejudice meets Friday Night Lights is indeed the perfect way to describe this book! A combination I never knew I needed but thoroughly enjoyed 

Devon is a great character and I loved her snarky humour and her growing soft spot for Foster. I would love a future book featuring him. He’s such a sweet and endearing character 

I looooove a slow burn romance, so Devon and Ezra’s was near perfect to me. I do wish we got a little bit more of them together, but I loved the build up enough that I didn’t mind so much 

There were also a few too many side plots and characters that didn’t get fleshed out as much as they could have. But ultimately I really enjoyed my time reading (and re-reading) this book! 

  I liked this alot , it was slow going but in a realistic way , especially when it comes to growing friendships and feelings. I do have some problems with it though 

I was alright with Cas until the mf turned into a predator for a idk?? some gotcha moment towards Dev? like it came so out of left field , him showing up with a FOURTEEN YEAR OLD TO HOMECOMING AND HOLDING HER WAIST?? I know this happens alot in real life but there shouldve been a bigger proble  addresses with that. He should've gotten stomped out for that wtf. And the way he dropped the fact that he knew Dev liked him was so cruel , I'm not surprise  they didnt talk it out since she mentioned they avoided confrontations before. I truly hope thats a friendship that ended bc the mf was WEIRD.

 

 On the other hand Foster was a sweetheart,  a super smart kid going through a tough time , thankfully surrounded by people who care about him. Dev's wake up call being him was nice to see , as someone who takes care of my niece sometimes , kids younger than you can really shake you into action and I'm glad to see that with her. She grew in the end and stood true to herself while doing it. I kinda want a sequel but I understand these are one of those books you gotta let sit by itself. 

[Second Read - 2022 - 4.75 stars]

This is part of a project where I reread books I own to see if they still stand up and if I want to own a copy or unhaul it.

This one definitely stood up to the test of time for me. I loved the relationships and the characters. I loved all the Austen references. I still kind of feel the same way about the romance, but it did hit me a little more this go round. Very sweet book. 

CAWPILE Score: 8.57 = 4.75 stars
Characters: 9
Atmosphere: 8
Writing: 9
Plot: 8
Intrigue: 9
Logic: 9
Enjoyment: 8

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[First Read - 2018 - 4 stars]

Cover: 5/5 (especially under the dust jacket!)

Story: 4/5 (I really liked it)

This is the first Emma Mills book I've read. I like her writing style. I like the main character's sass. I really liked the Jane Austen references in this one. What really shone in this one is Devon's relationship with her cousin Foster. He was adorable and funny and I really liked watching their relationship change and grow. It was very heartwarming and made me tear up several times. The cast of side characters was also a strong element. They didn't feel two-dimensional and I found them interesting and refreshing. I appreciated the presence of positive adult influences and the healthy female friendships. The romance, however, was just there for me. I liked their friendship and I liked that it turned into more, but it was just kind of there. A little bit of angst, which I always appreciate, and a sweet ending between the two, but it wasn't like cuteness overload or anything. However, having said that, this book felt very realistic. Not so dramatic that you're thinking it could never happen. It was nice and sweet.

Reread? Yes

Challenges:
2018 Goodreads Challenge