A review by del_devours
P.S. I Like You by Kasie West

funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

P.S. I Like You by Kasie West is a contemporary young adult novel, written in first person, about Lily, a high school student who discovers a mysterious pen pal, after scribbling song lyrics on her desk. Lily is surprised to find a response the next day and starts a secret correspondence with an anonymous admirer she nicknames ‘Blue’.

The synopsis reads like a typical YA romcom, which isn’t usually my cup of tea, but I figured it's on my shelf, so I may as well give it a try. The dust jacket on this book is interesting, but I prefer the cover underneath, which is simple but beautiful. I also rather like the cover page, and the font used for the chapter headings. Attractive or unusual features always add to my enjoyment of a book. I must admit I enjoyed West’s engaging and easy to read writing style. The romance is slow to build, and maybe ‘Blue’s’ identity would have been predictable to fans of the genre, but my notes read something like this:

p.8 So, I’m thinking the love interest is going to be either Lucas or Gabriel.

p.34 Or maybe it’s Cade? You know, that whole enemies to lovers schtick?

p.85 I’m finding myself hoping this is Cade. 

p.102 I definitely don’t think it’s David. I hope it isn’t David. 

p.134 I don’t want it to be Lucas. I want it to be Cade! 

p.137 Ha, ha! I knew it was
Cade!
(or hoped, but we’ll pretend it’s the same thing lol) 

I love the choice of Chemistry class as the backdrop for a romance story, and the concept of letter writing in a world dominated by technology adds a nostalgic charm to the narrative. Some of the letters Lily and ‘Blue’ exchanged made me chuckle.

I saw a few reviews praising Lily for her relatability, but I didn’t like her. I felt she was a bit bitchy, and self-centred. Also, dating someone when you are aware, deep down, that you like someone else? Not cool. Her character just didn't resonate with me in the same way it did for others. On another note, some of the minor characters were stereotypical and could have used a bit more depth, and the book could have benefited from greater diversity in its cast.

One aspect I thoroughly enjoyed was Lily's relationship with her brothers. Their interactions lent a sense of warmth and authenticity to the story. I would have loved for that aspect to have been explored more than it was. The dynamic between Lily and Cade was also interesting. Was he really being mean, or was Lily just projecting?

I like how letters continue to play a role past the discovery of identities. The revelation of
Cade's
feelings, delivered like a verbal letter, was seriously sweet. One of my favourite scenes. And let's not forget Lily's song - I love how it turned out. I’d really like to hear it put to music.

Overall, P.S. I Like You is a light, heartwarming read. I don't usually read these types of books, so I was surprised how invested I was in the story, and how much I enjoyed it. I was immensely satisfied by the end of the book. 
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