By Your Side
An irresistible story from Kasie West that explores the timeless question: What do you do when you fall for the person you least expect?
When Autumn Collins finds herself accidentally locked in the library for an entire weekend, she doesn't think things could get any worse. But that's before she realizes that Dax Miller is locked in with her.
Autumn doesn't know much about Dax except that he's trouble. Between the rumors about the fight he was in (and that brief stint in juvie that followed it) and his reputation as a loner, he's not exactly the ideal person to be stuck with. Still, she just keeps reminding herself that it is only a matter of time before Jeff, her almost-boyfriend, realizes he left her in the library and comes to rescue her.
Only he doesn't come. No one does.
Instead it becomes clear that Autumn is going to have to spend the next couple of days living off vending-machine food and making conversation with a boy who clearly wants nothing to do with her. Except there is more to Dax than meets the eye.
As he and Autumn at first grudgingly, and then not so grudgingly, open up to each other, Autumn is struck by their surprising connection. But can their feelings for each other survive once the weekend is over and Autumn's old life, and old love interest, threaten to pull her from Dax's side?
BUY THE BOOK
Community Reviews
The Good:
After reading We Are Liars I needed a light and fluffy read. This was definitely that. There was no dark secrets or major conflicts. It was perfect after such hard and emotionally bruising books I've been reading.
Autumn's family is so supportive of her anxiety problem. It's amazing and I'm glad for once a character dealing with this had a great time behind her. I mean, her mom even let her stay home for a few days from school. Who does that? Realistic? No, but who cares. Lucky girl.
I loved the scenes between Autumn and Dax during the library and after. They slowly get to know each other and I adored watching them figure out that they like each other and moving on past their friendship.
The best part: It's an HEA! It ends lovely and without a cliffhanger.
The Bad:
To us book lovers, being stuck in a library is a dream come true. To be able to walk around without being watched by the librarians, being able to browse for books without annoying people getting in the way, and taking in the beautiful books to our little bookish heart's desire. It's all amazing. But to these two, it's not big deal. The whole plot idea is about being stuck in a library yet it's hardly forefront. And they do nothing with the books. I mean, Dax seems to read but its the same book that he's still trying to finish throughout the whole book.
I have a hard time believing in this being trapped thing. Are you telling me there are no phones, or that the computers are off and need a login? Maybe some libraries are different from their computers, like the need max force security on their monitors but what about an emergency exit? And what door doesn't open from the inside? I have too many logical questions and not enough answers.
No one in this book has a personality. They're all like drying wallpaper. I couldn't connect to any of them or their problems. Autumn has anxiety, yet I can't connect to her problems and feelings. And Dax has no depth. Here's this guy with a painful past, one we hardly get to know about, and I feel nothing for him. And what are her friends? I know nothing about them. They're badly written side characters.
Talking about these so-called friends, who leave someone behind? I mean, shouldn't you wait and make sure everyone is there before leaving? You certainly aren't winning friends of the year award.
Jeff is another love interest (don't worry, its a barely there love triangle) and for some reason, he's super happy about his sorta kinda almost girlfriend but not really at all breaking it off with him and dating Dex. Shouldn't you, I don't know, be a little upset about that fact? Or jealous?
There is like no plot to this. All it comes to is the library setting but I feel like there's nothing to this story. Where is the plot? What's after the library? It's like a half-written story. The only thing I got from this is to bring snacks everywhere with you.
This is for sure a light and fluffy read without depth if that's what you're looking for, but I won't be reading this one again, sadly. It had great potential but fell.
Overall i really enjoyed my time reading this novel, as it was my first kasie west novel. I, myself have an anxiety disorder and i felt myself relating a lot to the scenarios. I really appreciated the represented in this novel. I didn't feel like it had the "love will fix you" trope which relived me. I also appreciated the fact that she was on medication and it wasn't shamed in any way.
I also really loved all of the characters, and the family dynamic. Autumn had a great supportive family, and brother! Also her friends were very supportive of any of her decisions.
At first i thought the love interest was going to be "mysterious bad boy" but i was pleasantly surprised by him not being a total jerk to Autumn and caring for her. I really enjoyed how he was there for her through her anxiety attacks, and he didn't "cure" her. She still has anxiety but he's a calm presence for her, which i related to a lot.
Overall, the only reason i didn't give it 5 stars was because of the plot after the library felt weird to me, like it didn't quite connect and there wasn't much of Dax in the rest of the novel. I wanted to see more of them!!
See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.