A review by vividaway
Borrow My Heart by Kasie West

challenging funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

 I've said this in the past, but i think its SO CUTE when books have little quirks or unique features. This book features "rules" at the start of each chapter! i love it. I love how nerdy Asher and Wren are, and the way they converse with each other is just so sweet. The fake identity thing is REALLY interesting and i can't wait to see how that plays out. It's interesting to see how Wren has to deal with Karen's at the animal shelter, and the dynamics of different people is so cool. The concept of Wren reverse-catfishing Asher is genuinely very cool to me and i think it's very interesting the way that it's all played out. Asher slowly falls in love with her, and Wren breaks all her rules. On top of this all, she's lying to him, and hiding the truth. The reveal that Wren creates these rules to protect herself from her mother is heartbreaking, and it makes sense psychologically. The drama between Wren and her mom is such a smart way to draw a divide between the sisters, and Wren wants to make up for it by going on a trip with her sister to her moms. Involving social media in the efforts to get Bean adopted was such a smart and cute thing. I love all the different events, and how people come out of their comfort zone to make it all happen. The reveal that Asher knew the entire time is breath releasing like oh my god yesssss i love this trope. Wren's mom ditching them again is a good way for the author to get Wren's sister to realize that she's a deadbeat parent, without having to manufacture too much drama to create it. Dale and Asher posting the videos about the catfish to go viral literally has anxiety spiked in my chest, like I can't believe he would do that. I don't think this is redeemable imo because Wren is such a shy and reserved person who doesn't like to be on social media and this just betrays her trust despite what she may say. It's a great wrench thrown into a dynamic where she started out the bad guy, and Dale is trying to paint her slightly that way (unintentionally) by doing so. I had to skip some parts because its a hard cringe read when Wren finds out that he's used her to go viral. Bean getting adopted before Wren could say goodbye was so heartbreaking and it literally makes me want to CRYYYY THAT WAS HER BABBYYYYY!!!! Her eventually getting to see him again is so sweet, and im just so glad that no dogs die in this book. it's so amazing. Asher making his brother delete the video and the two of them getting shamed by their mom for posting it was satisfying. It made it alright that Wren and Asher got back together in the end. This is the first time i would've been okay if Wren got together with Chad.... just saying! In general, this was a nice book that i'd recommend to other YA readers but outside of that niche, I'm not sure if others would like it as much. It was an alright book for me.