The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West Pages: 352
Published by HarperCollins, HarperTeen on May 5, 2015
Genres: contemporary, Friendship, Love & Romance, Young Adult
Source: Paperback ARC from Publisher
When Gia Montgomery's boyfriend, Bradley, dumps her in the parking lot of her high school prom, she has to think fast. After all, she'd been telling her friends about him for months now. This was supposed to be the night she proved he existed. So when she sees a cute guy waiting to pick up his sister, she enlists his help. The task is simple: be her fill-in boyfriend—two hours, zero commitment, a few white lies. After that, she can win back the real Bradley.
The problem is that days after prom, it's not the real Bradley she's thinking about, but the stand-in. The one whose name she doesn't even know. But tracking him down doesn't mean they're done faking a relationship. Gia owes him a favor and his sister intends to see that he collects: his ex-girlfriend's graduation party—three hours, zero commitment, a few white lies.
Just when Gia begins to wonder if she could turn her fake boyfriend into a real one, Bradley comes waltzing back into her life, exposing her lie, and threatening to destroy her friendships and her new-found relationship.
The Fill-in Boyfriend is Kasie West’s latest young adult contemporary romance. I loved her last book, On the Fence, so I was super excited to read The Fill-in Boyfriend. And I thought it was really cute. It dealt with some deeper friendship and self identity issues that were unexpected for me. I really liked the growth that Gia went through. She was a real winner in my book. That paired with the cute romance, made the Fill-in Boyfriend a hit for me. I ran into a couple of bumps with her friends, but I think they were intentionally pretty awful.
Gia is a popular girl in her senior year. She is going to UCLA in the fall with scholarship and a best friend as her roommate. Life seems pretty sweet, right? Well the book opens with Gia getting dumped in the parking lot before prom. So maybe not so sweet. But luckily for Gia, she meets Hayden- her fill-in boyfriend. I thought it was super cute how he wouldn’t tell her his name, and it was a big build up between them. So why did Gia need a fill in boyfriend? Because in her group of friends, there is a total mean girl that is hell bent on taking Gia down it seemed. I couldn’t stand Jules. Even when Gia tried to make an effort Jules was a total snob. I have no idea why the rest of Gia’s friends couldn’t seen through to Jule’s mean girl act, but oh well. The silver lining is that it was a big component in Gia’s character growth.
I loved getting to know Gia, and really watching her become her own person. And I loved watching her with Bec and Hayden. Hayden is a great guy, but even he made he have a sad moment towards the end of the book. I was really protective over Gia and I felt like he let her down a bit, but don’t worry- he makes up for it. The Fill in Boyfriend does and does not have a happily ever after. I want to see another book to see what is going to happen with the unresolved characters. I think there is a great follow up book still laying in wait.
The fill-in boyfriend is a great book for fans of cute contemporary romances, but also like a surprise side of tension and friendship issues thrown in. While some aspects of the Fill-in Boyfriend were predictable (just like I wanted them to be), Kasie West did take me on a few turns that I wasn’t expecting. I do kind of wish that one of those turns would have been to push Jules and Gia’s brother over a cliff. (oh come on, not to die…but just to get a little scare….) Kasie West please do a follow up book! I want to see what is going to happen next year with all of the characters!
@BookBriefs explains what the deal is with The Fill-in Boyfriend by @KasieWest @HarperTeen #Review #YA Click To Tweet
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kindlemom1
I just adore this author and even though I haven’t read this yet, I will, even despite the fact that most people agree this isn’t her best work. Wonderful honest review!
Michelle @ Book Briefs
I liked it, but I liked on the fence more. Still worth checking out though
Jenny
I really need to read this book. It has two of my most favorite things. Fake relationships and character growth. I’m sad to here that the ending is a little open ended. I hope she plans on writing a follow up book.
Michelle @ Book Briefs
haha I love fake relationships too. and who doesnt love some good character growth. This was a cute one and I am hoping that we get a follow up book.
Thanks for stopping by Jenny!
Zoey @ Uncreatively Zoey
I just recently finished my first Kasie West book, and while it was kind of a disappointment, it was definitely pretty cute. It sounds like On The Fence is her best one, so I think that’s the next one of hers I’ll be reading! And don’t you just hate those kind of characters? I want to throw them into a huge bonfire sometimes.
Michelle @ Book Briefs
On the Fence was my favorite of hers for sure. Def check that one out! This one was good too.
Thanks for stopping by Zoey
jazmen
I keep eyeing this book on Amazon. It’s decently priced. I think I’m just going to go ahead and take the leap, despite the fact that you want to throw two of the characters off the roof. Haha! Great review!
Michelle @ Book Briefs
I can’t wait to see what you think of those two characters Jazmen haha
Jenny @ Supernatural Snark
This let down moment you mention isn’t cheating is it? *crosses fingers* I’m thinking it’s probably not as Kasie doesn’t typically do cheating in her books but I always get nervous anyway! So glad you enjoyed this one overall Michelle, I have a feeling I’m going to as well. Though I’m going to dislike Jules for sure. I’m not a fan just after reading your review:)
Michelle @ Book Briefs
nope, not cheating. I hate that as well. haha I will be interested to see what you think of Jules after you read Jenny! 🙂
CJ Listro
Hm, I think I need to make this my next guilty pleasure read. Maybe the next time in a bad mood. Cute, fluffy teen romances are the best medicine. Although, this one sounds like it has some deeper issues and coming-of-age themes, so even better. Nice review!
C.J.
Sarcasm & Lemons
Michelle @ Book Briefs
this one is cute but it does also have some deeper issues. It was a nice mix!
Thanks for stopping by CJ 🙂
Olivia Roach
The idea of a fill in boyfriend is one that interests me. But it seems like the ending to this one wasn’t completely satisfying because you wanted to know what happened to some of the characters yet!
Preethi @ Time Turning Reads
I’ve never read any of West’s other contemporary romances, but this one won my heart for sure! I loved Hayden so very much since the moment we first meet him, and it was great getting to know the other characters as well – West really brought them to life! I’m thinking I should definitely check out some of her other romances now. Great review!
Eva @ All Books Considered
I’ve only read one book by Kasie West but I wasn’t blown away like everyone else (The Distance Between Us). I’ve seen people raving about this book and I do want to read it but I have a feeling I will feel the same as you…I will like it but probably not a five star read for me.
Great review!!
Cari
I have always wanted to read Kasie West’s books. Contemporary is one of my favorite genres and I even think I have her first novel.
Tiffany (About to Read)
Hayden and Gia were really cute together and I also liked seeing her develop throughout the novel. Glad you enjoyed this one too!
Kirsty-Marie
Yeah, her friends were definitely awful. No doubt about that. And I mean, yeah, she was kind of awful in the beginning but unintentionally so, and like Bec said something along the lines of it’s one thing to be oblivious but another to be intentionally mean. Bec was definitely an awesome character. 😉 But so adored all of it.