Not with the Band by Kelli Warner
Published May 5th 2017
Genre: Young Adult, Sports, Contemporary, Romance
362 pages
Format: eBook
Source: Book Review Request
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Add on Goodreads
Get it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3qeGhgi
Drama. Jerks. Another new school.
Those are three things Kassidy Perry vows to avoid her senior year of high school. Unfortunately, it looks like the Universe didn’t get the memo. When her mom marries the football coach from a rival high school, Kassidy’s forced to move (again), enroll in a new school (again) and adapt to life with three stepbrothers, including the school’s star quarterback who’s barely said two words to her. And what’s up with her incredibly hot-yet-cocky neighbor who’s developed a weird habit of climbing the trellis to her bedroom’s balcony? Nothing about her senior year is turning out the way Kassidy planned—and that’s before a revealed family secret drops the biggest bombshell yet.
Jordan Lawson could care less about football, even though he’s starting his senior year on the radar of college recruiters. He just wants to play music with his band, win a national contest with a record label and pursue his dream of being a musician. When those plans are threatened, his saving grace lies in the hands of his new stepsister. But how can he ask Kassidy for a monumental favor, when he’s partly to blame for derailing her life? And what if getting what he wants puts her dreams in jeopardy?
Review
This book really got to me as early as its first page. I love the writing style and I’m beyond happy that I also enjoyed its overall story.
I wasn’t a big fan of sports romance before but after reading some really good sports romance stories last year, it instantly became one of my favorites in the romance category (especially if it’s YA, *wink). Looking at the cover and reading the title, I never would have thought that this book would be one of them!
It’s been so long since I’ve read and enjoyed a good book and this story made me realize what I’ve been missing out during those two months while I was gone. What is that? It’s the giddiness I always feel when I read a book that affected me so much.
Not with the Band had me deal with different emotions. I love that it didn’t just focus on the romance but it also talks about family. I love that it also shares some really heartwarming scenes and gave me something to really ponder to.
It also doesn’t share the same ending with your typical romance story but I assure you, it’s still HEA! Some may find it a bit unrealistic or it was just too easy but once in a while, that’s exactly what we needed. And as for this case, it’s totally what I am looking for for today, *wink.
Although I genuinely enjoyed this story, I have some few parts that I didn’t like that much. There were some cheesy corny lines and scenes that totally didn’t sit well on me. There were also some scenes that were executed in a weird way. But other than that, Not with the Band was still a pretty good read. It kept me awake ‘till 3 AM, so I guess that speaks a lot for itself eh?
Aside from that, I also adored the characters. I love that the author didn’t just make them like the typical characters you read in a romance story but she also added something to their characters that we can all relate into. I love the character development and it was also great that there’s no bitchy ex ruining everything. (thank goodness!)
And not just that, I also love that this story doesn’t just involve sports but it also tapped into the music scene! Isn’t that just sweet?
So, if you’re up for a story that doesn’t just melt your heart with romance but will also squeeze them because of the heartwarming family scenes, then look no further and try Not with the Band now.
Favorite Lines
“I shouldn’t even be here with you now,” he breathes. “I tried to stay away, I swear I did, but something keeps pulling me back.”
“I don’t want to hurt you. But I can’t promise you I won’t. Tell me to go, Kassidy. Please.”
When nothing in my world made sense, she did. We did. Even when I didn’t believe, what I couldn’t see. She did. She saw me. She saw the real me.
“Blood may not bong us, but love does. That’s something that can’t be taken away by a birth certificate.”
Challenges
- Goodreads Reading Challenge
- Alphabet Soup
- eBook Reading
- Review Writing
- New Author
- You Read How Many Books?
Book Preview
Check out my book shelf for book suggestions and recommendations!
I absolutely love stories about blended families and new beginnings, this sounds so genuinely lovely Vanessa despite the cheesy lines. It sounds like such a familycentric, feel great read, can’t wait to dive in. Beautiful review Vanessa and thanks for putting this one on my radar ♡♡♡
Love when a book gives you that giddy feeling!
Despite the few quibble sit sounds like a fun one.
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
I would not have thought this was about sports! LOL Glad you enjoyed it overall though. 🙂
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
Sports AND music? Yes, please! 😀 When you love the writing style, the characters work, and the story drags you in, you know you found a good book for you 😉 Glad you gave this one a go and ended up loving it, Vanessa!
I love it when books are not just focused on just the main theme, be it romance or mystery. I love it when other aspects are included like how this one included family. I thing it makes the story more relatable. Great review, Vanessa.
I like that he’s drawn to music and the focus is more than just romance and includes a lot about family. Sounds like one I would read.
Thanks for sharing about it, Vanessa!