On the FenceAuthor: Kasie West
Published by: HarperTeen
Publication Date: July 1, 2014
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
For sixteen-year-old Charlotte Reynolds, aka Charlie, being raised by a single dad and three older brothers has its perks. She can out-run, out-score, and outwit every boy she knows--including her long-time neighbor, and honorary fourth brother, Braden.
But when it comes to being a girl, Charlie doesn't know the first thing about anything. So when she starts working at a chi-chi boutique to pay off a speeding ticket, she finds herself in a strange new world of makeup, lacy skirts, and bedazzlers. Even stranger, she's spending time with a boy who has never seen her tear it up in a pick-up game.
To cope with the stress of faking her way through this new reality, Charlie seeks late night refuge in her backyard, talking out her problems with Braden by the fence that separates them. But their Fence Chats can't solve Charlie's biggest problem: she's falling for Braden. Hard. She knows what it means to go for the win, but if spilling her secret means losing him for good, the stakes just got too high.
Ahhh my dark heart has been set a-flutter! Kasie West has a knack for doing that to me with her writing. I’ve loved every book of hers so far, and On the Fence topped them all! I was left grinning like a fool and wanting to immediately read it all over again.
I love Charlie! She’s a 5’11” tomboy, who plays and watches sports right along the guys. Tall girls unite! The girl isn’t only smart and funny, she was confident and had healthy self-esteem. Even when she started to do stuff outside of her comfort zone and questioned things about herself, she still had a confidence about her. I enjoyed her personality and sense of humor so much. I can’t image anyone not liking Charlie. They suck if they do!
Oh, boy! Charlie was raised by her police officer dad and has three older brothers – Gage, Jerom, Nathan. They treat her as if she is another brother, even when it comes to roughhousing. I have two uncles who took no pity on me as I grew up, so I learned quickly that I had to keep up or get left behind. And you know what? I loved it. So I have a special place in my heart for this type of dynamic. The boys were so funny, especially Gage. The guy is a total flirt! Their antics and ‘never date a guy …’ rules for Charlie were too much fun!
That brings me to Braden. Who wouldn’t want their own Braden while growing up? He may live next door, but he practically grew up in Charlie’s home and is considered one of the family. Charlie and Braden’s relationship was so dang cute! I’m not going to get into details into what transpired, but I will say this: best friend romances rock!
This may be a romance, but it doesn’t just focus on Charlie swooning over a guy. Not at all. There is a lot more going on with Charlie and her life, and I loved every moment of it. Also, I got way too excited when I discovered this is set in the same world as The Distance Between Us and certain characters popped up! It was an embarrassing fangirl moment I had all alone.
I said it before and I’ll say again, I loved On the Fence! This is a book I will be forcing people to read by any means necessary. They’ll thank me for it later! So you have been warned. 😉
Note to Kasie: High five for the Woodward Park mention!
Sounds like a really good book! Charlie sounds like an interesting character and that captured my attention. 🙂
Michelle recently posted…{Weekly Wrap Up} 23 Jun 2014 – 29 Jun 2014
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It IS a really good book! 😀
I have this one, and now I can’t wait to start it! These characters sound great, and I have very good luck with Bradens 😉
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Lol – I’m sure that luck will continue in this book. 😀
Tall girls unite!!! I love that it’s not only about the romance but about Charlie’s life too. I got nervous because my last few blogger friends did not fall in love with this book, but I feel like we have the most similar love of certain books.
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They didn’t love it?! Curse them! lol.
I am almost tempted to go hide in a cave for a while now 😛 I seem to be the only one who didn’t enjoy this book .-.
I am glad to see you did though! 🙂
Lovely review, Christy!! 🙂
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Just so you know, I’m giving you the stink eye right now. lol.
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I usually prefer my characters to be +18, but Charley sounds awesome. I’ll check it out 😉
Twitter: i.
It depends on my mood and the story. I like all ages. 🙂
YEAH CHRISTY!!!!! I’m so glad you loved this one as much as I did! Kasie West is just one of those auto buy authors for me, I know her books will always make me laugh and swoon, and this one was absolutely no different. I definitely would not have minded my own Braden growing up! I so hope we get more books focusing on this family. I’m not ready to see them go yet!
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I never hesitate when it comes to one of her books. We need to clone her so we get more books faster! 😀
Okey doke. Well, I was won over by a 5’11” heroine! Shallow? I don’t care! It was always so hard to come across tall heroines when I was a teen, so when I see one now, I always give that book extra consideration.
Thanks for the review, Christy!
Twitter: i.
I always wonder if it’s shallow when I love a character more because she’s tall. It’s just something I connect with.
I really loved this one as well Christy and I am so glad you read it!
kindlemom1 recently posted…Release Day Review, Spotlight and Giveaway: Dark Paradise by Angie Sandro
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As if I wouldn’t like a book that Kasie West wrote. 😉
Funny fact, we have a neighbor boy (next door) named Braden. He’s my daughters age.
Anyway, this is one that I’ve really been wanting to read! It sounds like the perfect summer read!
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Awwww, how cute! 😉 Yup, you need to read this one.
I feel kinda short now that you pointed out how tall she was. I’m 5’7, and my 13 is now taller than me too. (: I am happy that you enjoyed this one! It was sooo good.
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lol. I’m 5’11, so I get excited when there’s actually a tall girl. 😀
Twitter: herdingcats2012
LOL you so have me chuckling. I have a historical series that does that to me when characters from other series by the author pop in or are mention. It totally makes me squee.
I’ve been seeing this one everywhere and dang yall are torturing me! I’ve got it on my list for once I get through my last stack of review books. Sooon!!
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It’s so exciting when that happens!
I keep hearing how great this book is, summer is here I should really dig into this one.
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This definitely a fun summer read.
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Bwahaha you shall be my guinea pig Miss Christy 😀
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Feel free to experiment on me any time. 😀
Yes, I so need to try this author..another fantastic review Christy!
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You haven’t experienced Kasie West? You have my condolences. lol
I really loved this book. I have to say that I enjoyed The Distance Between Us more, not sure why. Mostly I think b/c I wanted more of the romance in this book and I didn’t get it. It sort of fell flat when it came down to that important moment, at least for me.
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I adored TDBU, but I connected with Charlie and her situation more, so that’s why it was bumped up just slightly more than TDBU.
Btw, every time I click on your blog link I get a 404 error code. 🙁
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Sounds like you really enjoyed it Christy, I have this coming up for review and I just love the positive fluffy reviews that are coming out 🙂
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I loved it! I connected a lot with Charlie and her situation, so that added more to my love of it.
Twitter: fictionalcandy
I’ve never heard of Kasie West, but I gotta tell ya – this book sounds like all kinds of awesome. I love that she’s a tall tomboy, something I can relate to! My “I-wish-payday-was-here-already”list is growing quite large, thanks to you!!!
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Yup, tall tomboys always get love from me. Well, you know what I mean. 😀
Tall girl! Main character is a TALL girl! Praise the heaven, but I cannot believe I’m reading this. I mean I have nothing against short people but I’m sick and tired of all those little delicate girls. C’mon we giants need some love too. Anyhow now I’m going to read this one even though contemporary is not really my thing. Great review, Christy 🙂
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LOL! I know, right? I always get excited when when the MC is tall.
AHHHHH I’m so crazy happy to hear you LOVED On The Fence! I keep hearing good things about it and it’s by Kasie West so it’s obvouis this one was going to be good but i’m still excited to hear it! 🙂
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I take it you are tall? 🙂 I’m short, but YaY! 😀
You had me at bestie romance. I don’t see enough of that in the YA genre!
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Awww… great review Christy! This sounds like a fantastic read! I think I need to read it because I was a tomboy growing up and am now about 5’10!! lol I can tell how much you loved these characters!
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I’m 5″1. :/ I was smiling all the way through it, I couldn’t help it, it’s embarrassing. I read it at home (luckily, otherwise people would think I’m crazy) but it was just so damn cute and I couldn’t hate it. I loved the romance (wanted more, that was a bit mean)I did, but I loved the family dynamic more. It was just so nice to read a good realistic family for a change and even though what happened to them, they got closer instead of falling apart and it was just :D. IT was my first Kasie West too, so totally sold now. Buying the rest of hers as soon as I can. So I can be all 😀 again.
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And here is where I admit that I have not gotten around to reading anything by Ms. West. YET. I’ve got Pivot Point at the top of my TBR after I finish my more mandatory reads, and I also have one of her contemporaries. This one will definitely go on my wishlist too, seeing as it’s your favorite 😉
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I loved The Distance Between Us! Mentioning about references to that book made me even more excited for this one! I should really get my hands on it soon! And I would really love to see their whole family dynamic. I grew up with 3 brothers and no sisters. And I can’t wait to meet thus girl who’s brimming with confidence!
Twitter: bookbriefs
awh, yay. I really enjoyed this one too! I thought it was adorable. And I would like a Braden please!
Great review Christy!
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