Mini reviews: Ride with Me, A Disaster in Three Acts

Hi friends! It’s been a little while since I’ve done these mini reviews, but I thought I’d bring them back today with these two lovely YA contemporaries I read while on vacation this June. I devoured them both quickly, so… I think it’s fair to say they were quite good reads overall, so yay!

I’d love to know your thoughts on that quick reviewing format, so please let me know in comments if you like it!

There are no spoilers in these reviews.

This blog post contains affiliate links. If you buy something on my recommendation, I will receive a small commission. Purchasing via these links will not cost you any extra and will help me cover the costs of book blogging. You will find more info on my privacy policy and disclaimer pages. Thank you!

Review: Ride With Me, Lucy Keating

Ride With Me by Lucy Keating
Published by Clarion Books on June 28, 2022
Genres: contemporary, romance
Format: ARC
Source: Harper360UK
Buy on Amazon, Book Depository, Bookshop, Blackwell's
Goodreads

In this charming, contemporary YA novel, neighborhood rideshare driver Charlie Owens embarks on a collision course with love when she crashes into the school’s cute but annoying party boy and wrecks his car and her no-strings-attached attitude toward life.
As a driver for her local ride share app, Charlie Owens loves what the open road gives her: freedom, extra cash for an epic road trip, and a path to getting out of her sleepy town of Chester Falls, Massachusetts. She’s seen her fair share of mysterious passengers and explosive break-ups in the backseat of her car, but Charlie lives a no-strings-attached lifestyle and never gets involved.
But when a routine post-party pick-up ends with Charlie crashing into Andre, her school’s notorious party boy, she’s forced to make a deal to drive him anywhere he needs to go, anytime, until his car can be repaired. Suddenly Charlie and Andre are stuck together, and they couldn’t be more different. But Andre’s charm wins over Charlie’s passengers, and she soon finds herself at risk of breaking her most sacred rule: don’t fall in love.

I received this book for free from Harper360UK in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

☂️ TRIGGER WARNINGS:

none found in particular. If you found some triggers, please let me know so I can add them!

Ride With Me gave me exactly what I expected from it: a light-hearted, sweet, summery YA contemporary romance. It may lack a little bit in depth, but it entertained me and honestly, that’s all I asked.

This has:

• A small town setting,
• Enemies-to-lovers vibes,
• A lot of banter,
• Shared car rides and adventures,
• Re-discovering your hometown
• Lovely friendships

While, at times, the miscommunication and lack of depth bothered me, I still ended up rooting for the main character as she questioned and tried figuring out what she really wants after high school. Overall, if you’re looking for something quick and fun to read, I’d recommend this book!

FINAL RATING : 3,5 stars!

Buy this book:

Review: A Disaster in Three Acts, Kelsey Rodkey

A Disaster in Three Acts by Kelsey Rodkey
Published by HarperTeen on July 5, 2022
Genres: contemporary, romance
Format: ARC
Source: Harper360UK
Buy on Amazon, Book Depository, Bookshop, Blackwell's
Goodreads

Saine Sinclair knows a little something about what makes a story worth telling.
Your childhood best friend refuses to kiss you during a pre-adolescent game of spin the bottle? Terrible, zero stars, would not replay that scene again.
The same ex-friend becomes your new best friend’s ex? Strangely compelling, unexpected twist, worth a hate-watch.
That same guy—why is he always around?—turns out to be your last shot at getting into the documentary filmmaking program of your dreams?
Saine hates to admit it, but she’d watch that movie.
And working with Holden Michaels on this doc is going to get her into college—even if she has to take a few. . . cinematic liberties as a director. But there’s something about Holden that makes her feel like she’s the one in front of the camera—like he can see every uncomfortable truth she’s buried below the surface. Saine knows how her story’s supposed to go. So why does every moment with Holden seem intent on changing the ending?

I received this book for free from Harper360UK in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

☂️ TRIGGER WARNINGS:

mentions of cancer, throwing up.

I loved Last Chance Books, the author’s debut, SO much, I was so pumped to read A Disaster in Three Acts and I’m happy to say: it didn’t disappoint. I know Kelsey Rodkey is an author I’ll be following now.

This has:

• A fat, cheerleader main character
• Lovely, yet complicated friendships
• Ex-childhood friends losing touch and getting back together again
• A passion for documentaries
• A whole damn lot of adorable banter
• An absolutely lovely little sister

While I had some issues with the way the friendship was handled overall, I really fell for the romance in this book, where these two childhood friends reconnect. It’s a bit of a childhood friends to enemies to friends to lovers and I ship it okay. The banter was on point and I adored every single one of their interactions. The main character’s determination to reach for her dreams and her passion shone through the story as well, which I loved. She’s far from being perfect, especially when she’s ambitious like that, but I really liked her.

Definitely recommending this one to any YA contemporary fan!

FINAL RATING : 4 stars!

Buy this book:

📌 Pin my reviews of Ride With Me and A Disaster in Three Acts on Pinterest!

Did you read Ride With Me and/or A Disaster in Three Acts? Do you want to?

What are some of your latest contemporary reads? Let me know in comments!

Twitter ☂️ Bookstagram ☂️Goodreads ☂️ Bloglovin’ ☂️ Support the blog