Listen To Your Heart by Kasie West

Talking to other people isn't Kate Bailey's favorite activity. She'd much rather be out on the lake, soaking up the solitude and sunshine. So when her best friend, Alana, convinces Kate to join their high school's podcast, Kate is not expecting to be chosen as the host. Now she'll have to answer calls and give advice on the air? Impossible. But to Kate's surprise, she turns out to be pretty good at the hosting gig. Then the podcast gets in a call from an anonymous guy, asking for advice about his unnamed crush. Kate is pretty sure that the caller is gorgeous Diego Martinez, and even surer that the girl in question is Alana. Kate is excited for her friend ... until Kate herself starts to develop feelings for Diego. Suddenly, Kate finds that while doling out wisdom to others may be easy, asking for help is tougher than it looks, and following your own advice is even harder.A high school tale involving podcasts, lake life, and... zero twists and turns.Well, Kasie West - the machine- has come out with ANOTHER book. I swear she writes at least 2 books a year. And they are usually all a hit for me, easy enjoyable YA cutesie goodness.   What did I think of her latest endeavor? Read on and find out!This was definitely for a younger audience. A lot of YA can transcend the audience associated with it. This one wasn't a book that could do that.Some parts were so frustrating. I'll tell you where I got the most frustrated. The book was SO OBVIOUS.  I didn't understand any of the drama because the solutions were obvious.Frank.  Let me be more specific as to why he is in the "didn't like" column.  Frank was totally likeable.  Why didn't he have more credit as a love interest?  Are we okay with how things ended for Frank? Because I'm not!There is a supposed twist with the character named Max. I won't spoil it. But seriously, it wasn't a twist. We all knew right? How the main character didn't know- I have NO idea.  Other than to say that she was super self centered if she didn't see that.The story seemed under developed.  You know when things are spelled out instead of understood? That's what the whole book was like.The two main characters acted like they loved each other at the end of the book. This is a huge pet peeve for me. Because even at the end of the book they were asking questions about each other that I feel like I would know about someone  pretty quickly into a friendship.  I don't know- superficial love. It's annoying to read about for me.  Did we even have to read that they loved each other? Could they have just liked each other and been dating in the end?  I mean with the ending already being a little rough for Frank, did West need to tie a bow on the other parties involved?I liked the podcast idea for the school! I am getting really into podcasts thanks to a friend who always talked about them and eventually wore me down. (Thanks, Joy!)  I never knew how much I was missing. Podcasts are AWESOME!  I wish my high school had a podcast class.  I mean, in truth, I probably wouldn't have signed up for it because I was a REALLY good slacker in school. Like I excelled in the slacking department. So anything that required after school activity... uhm no.I liked the character names! I feel like I'm reaching here for things to like when I mention this. But I love a good, easy to pronounce, character name. So I feel like that deserves a shout out.  Kate and Diego.  Did you have any issues pronouncing that? No? Me either. Yay!The highlight of the book for me was the cousin compound. This was a collection of three houses with related families living in them. The adults hung out and got along, the cousins did the same. Cousin, sister/brother friends. It was awesome.As I'm writing this review it makes me think I disliked this book more than I realized when I read it.  But overall it was a quick read, with funny characters. You definitely wouldn't miss anything by skipping it.  If you haven't read a Kasie West book, I wouldn't start with this one.  May I suggest: The Distance Between Us. OR if you like dystopian YA- Pivot Point is a duology.Something I want to mention about Kasie West. She interacts with her fans! REGULARLY! It's amazing!  And you don't have to make a twitter account to interact with her!  She is on goodreads every week answering questions!  I find it SO awesome that she does this- that I always pick up her books, even though I haven't enjoyed the last few books as much as her earlier ones.  Support the kind authors!Labor Day weekend. That seems specific.  haha. How about the end of summer.  This book has August written all over it.Listen to: a podcast!!!  (May I suggest Armchair Expert with Dax Shepherd? His guests are of a wide variety- my personal choice would be the Lauren Graham episode. But he has actual experts on as well, if celebrities aren't your style)Watch: ChoppedEat: TacosClick here.