Better Than Revenge

Gr 9 Up–Popular YA author West has created another swoonworthy tale. It’s the end of junior year in high school, and Finley anxiously prepares to audition for the senior hosting spot of the school podcast, something she’s been wanting for years. Her jitters are normal, but what she wasn’t expecting was for her football-loving boyfriend, Jensen, to try out for the same position and beat her out of the spot. Feeling hopeless and betrayed, Finley and her friends plan their revenge. Using her past soccer skills, she’ll train hard to beat Jenson out of his kicker position on the football team, with the help of arrogant senior Theo, who happens to be Jensen’s nemesis. Sparks begin to fly during training as the two get closer, and they must decide whether love is better than revenge. West creates easy reading and characters worth loving, even the supporting ones. Finley’s friends and family dynamics are truly believable and relatable, and the story delivers all the feels. The cast is diverse in race and LGBTQIA+ representation, with Theo having a Latinx background and Finley’s best friend Deja being Indian American.