Kasie West

"Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers knows better thant to trust a rich boy. But then she meets the richest guy of all, who proves money might not matter after all"--Provided by publisher.

Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers knows better than to trust a rich boy, but then she meets the richest guy of all, who proves money might not matter after all.

The distance between us

maryam

4.5/5 stars, but I chose to rate it up because that's how much I enjoyed it.

I read some reviews for this book, so I wasn't interested in reading it initially, but my friend recommended it and said she really enjoyed it, and since we have similar tastes in books, I decided to go ahead and give it a read.

I don't know why people have extremely high expectations for chick-lit? I really enjoyed this book. I started it at 2 AM last night and finished it at 5 AM because I couldn't put it down. The characters were very enjoyable, from Caymen to Toad, and don't even get me started on Xander. There are very few books where I actually like the female lead, and this was one of them. Caymen is witty, bold, and energetic, and I guess I loved her even more because of her humor. I loved her best friend Skye, as well as the other minor characters. A lot of times, minor characters get thrown in just because and don't really add much to the story, but West does a really great job keeping them around and making them important to the main characters' growth.

I love Xander. What a cool guy. I know that a lot of people were saying how even by the end, he doesn't understand how privileged he is. And I agree with that, but only because privileged people will always be privileged even if they come to terms with what that means towards them. I guess people were looking for a more riches to rags story to deal with his internal conflict of choosing a career, but personally, for me, it doesn't take anything away from the story. He's kind, and tries to understand Caymen and her life as much as possible and does admit to his faults at the end of book. But I really enjoy the little things he does for her and how he enjoys Caymen's wit, which actually is what draws him into her initially, as opposed to her status, wealth, or looks.

There were some loose ends with the book or some very slightly anti climatic parts which makes me give it a 4.5, but I think overall it was super refreshing. I feel like after reading a lot of cookie-cutter teen fiction (which is not a bad thing, necessarily), it's nice to read something that kind of diverts from all that. 

Some of the problems I did have were having to do with the end, I guess. (view spoiler)[Her grandparents kind of appear out of nowhere, which might have been the point, but it would have been nice if Caymen's family didn't come from a rich background, particularly because if her grandparents did disown their daughter, and the backstory for that was kind of brief. Matthew was easily dismissed as the bill collector which was slightly anti-climatic, and I would have liked a scene where Xander beats the crap out of Robert (or at least a confrontation). (hide spoiler)]

Overall though, this book was such a fun read. I smiled through it all, and laughed out loud more than once. The characters were lovable, the dialogue was witty, the writing was good, and the plot was something different, which I appreciated. I'm definitely looking forward to what Kasie West has in store for us next.

Victoria

4.5

Now this is what I'm talking about. Nice plot; amazing character personalities; no boring spot. Simply amazing.

My faith in Kasie West has been restored.

dija

I didn't expect to love this... but guess what? I did! and a love it so much! 
going to read all of your books, author. All of them *-*

Nicole Goldstein

I had heard so many things about this book before reading it. It was another one that sat on my TBR list for a long time. I loved the story and the characters. It wasn't a knock you over your head, sweep you off your feet romance. It felt natural in all aspects. It has made me really excited for On The Fence.

I felt like the beginning was a little bit long but towards the ending, I felt like it was too shortt. Enjoyed the dry humor

Money can't buy a good first impression. Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers learned early that the rich are not to be trusted. And after years of studying them from behind the cash register of her mom's porcelain-doll shop, she has seen nothing to prove otherwise. Enter Xander Spence—he's tall, handsome, and oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and the fact that he seems to be one of the first people who actually gets her, she's smart enough to know his interest won't last. Because if there's one thing she's learned from her mother's warnings, it's that the rich have a short attention span. But just when Xander's loyalty and attentiveness are about to convince Caymen that being rich isn't a character flaw, she finds out that money is a much bigger part of their relationship than she'd ever realized. With so many obstacles standing in their way, can she close the distance between them?

The Distance Between Us

When I read the summary and understood what the title meant, I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Coming from a third world country, I am all too familiar with the Cinderella-ish aspect of this book. So he's rich, and she's not and their love goes against all her beliefs,tragic. I couldnt help but roll my eyes. But since a lot of people have asked me to give Kasie West a second chance, I went for it. 

What I read was slightly above my expectations but also slightly lower than my standards. Caymen was an amazing character, witty and funny and decent and very hard working. her banter and sarcasm had me doubled over in laughter. Thumbs up :) her best friend, Skye was also quite good. She wasnt the kind of best friend you'd expect in a non-NA book. The plot, the story was good enough, and the dialogue had me hooked. I loved the build up of their romance, smooth and subtle and gradual but sweet. They had me smiling and giggling a lot. The book was cute and warm.

My problem with this book was that the idea wasn't as original as others. It is actually very very common. And from the reviews and rating I've seen, I expected a lot more from Kasie West. I dont think this was her best, and I really wanted it to be because it had so much potential. What I needed was something riveting and passionate. I think Pivot Point might be better fit for me. 

And,the ending, that was the worst part of this book. The point supposed to be the distance between them, the one they were supposed to bridge with love and all that. That's what I expected.  What actually happened was, ta-da!, Caymen was actually rich. Or had rich grandparents. Wow. WOW. After taking so long to establish their differences and build up their characters, Kasie West makes her rich. What a freaking cop-out. It goes against the whole point of the story, it totally defeats the purpose. The issue wasn't adequately solved for me. She falls inlove with a rich guy, he accepts her poverty and boom! she's rich, money issues solved, yay. Totally disappointing.  

Maybe next time, Ms. West.  I hope you dont disappoint.

When I read the summary and understood what the title meant, I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Coming from a third world country, I am all too familiar with the Cinderella-ish aspect of this book. So he's rich, and she's not and their love goes against all her beliefs,tragic. I couldnt help but roll my eyes. But since a lot of people have asked me to give Kasie West a second chance, I went for it. 

What I read was slightly above my expectations but also slightly lower than my standards. Caymen was an amazing character, witty and funny and decent and very hard working. her banter and sarcasm had me doubled over in laughter. Thumbs up :) her best friend, Skye was also quite good. She wasnt the kind of best friend you'd expect in a non-NA book. The plot, the story was good enough, and the dialogue had me hooked. I loved the build up of their romance, smooth and subtle and gradual but sweet. They had me smiling and giggling a lot. The book was cute and warm.

My problem with this book was that the idea wasn't as original as others. It is actually very very common. And from the reviews and rating I've seen, I expected a lot more from Kasie West. I dont think this was her best, and I really wanted it to be because it had so much potential. What I needed was something riveting and passionate. I think Pivot Point might be better fit for me. 

And,the ending, that was the worst part of this book. The point supposed to be the distance between them, the one they were supposed to bridge with love and all that. That's what I expected. (view spoiler)[ What actually happened was, ta-da!, Caymen was actually rich. Or had rich grandparents. Wow. WOW. After taking so long to establish their differences and build up their characters, Kasie West makes her rich. What a freaking cop-out. It goes against the whole point of the story, it totally defeats the purpose. The issue wasn't adequately solved for me. She falls inlove with a rich guy, he accepts her poverty and boom! she's rich, money issues solved, yay. (hide spoiler)] Totally disappointing. 

Maybe next time, Ms. West. I hope you dont disappoint.

Inês

It was a nice read, even though it feels like the end was so fast. 
I loved Caymen's sarcams but sometimes her attitude bothered me.

Fátima

Ay Kasie West, por favor nunca dejes de escribir. En serio.

Otro libro de la autora que realmente puedo decir que he disfrutado muchísimo. Son frescos y ligeros, lo que hace que las páginas se pasen volando —y me ayudan a practicar mi lectura en inglés por su simplicidad—. Además, esta mujer escribe a los chicos literarios más adorables y tiernos de la historia, y esos son precisamente mi talón de Aquiles. 

Si no le he dado las cinco estrellas es porque el final me pareció muy precipitado, me ha sabido a poco, y con lo bonito que era todo podría haberse esmerado un poco en un epílogo en condiciones. Pero entre el humor sarcástico de Caymen, su relación tanto con sus amigos como con Xander <3, y toda la historia en general, me llevo un buen sabor de boca.

Es definitivamente uno de esos libros que me dejan desconectarme y ser un poquito más feliz, y eso se agradece muchísimo.

Menna Khaled

though the story line is classic u have turned it into something fantastic. it is greatly written. i love ur style and ur dialogues are realllllllllllllly amazing. 
this story i wish it never ends just like all ur stories.

Sven Test

This review was originally published on Latte Nights Reviews.

I went to the book store back in July with Gaby and I snagged myself this copy, which I read in a day! I seriously ate up this whole book. I had no idea what to really expect from it—I was just in a contemporary mood (still am) plus, I had seen this book around a lot and I hadn't read anything by Kasie West so I decided to get it and I'm glad I did!

Caymen and her mom own a doll store and they are barely surviving, keeping the store afloat. One day, Xander arrives at the store and I have to say he was smitten with (or by) Caymen. But Caymen has been warned by her mom to steer clear from the rich people and Xander is just that so she tries to keep his identity hidden since his family owns a big corporation. I have to say I enjoyed Caymen and her dry, sarcastic humor. Once I realized how she was, I stayed glued to my book because I was so entertained! I mean, Caymen and I can be the best of friends because I used to be extremely sarcastic but that would get me into trouble (imagine how sarcastic I was) so now I either tone it down or say it in my head and laugh with myself :D Xander, while being a rich person and kind of stuck up at times, he still was such a sweetheart. This book shows the rich side and the side where you are struggling to make ends meet. While both of these characters and families are different, they have similarities and quite a few things in common. Caymen discovers a secret that shatters her world and leaves her not knowing who to trust. Caymen's mom comes from a rich family who kicked her out when she got pregnant and she has kept this secret all of these years.  I enjoyed having Caymen's best friend in the book. She was kind of crazy at times and so full of life and would get very thoughtful at times. I also really liked her boyfriend. At first I was so frustrated by him but slowly I started liking him! This book has a really great set of characters that many readers will enjoy.

The ending left me bummed because I felt like some aspects of Caymen's life weren't fully resolved at the end and it left me wondering what would happen but this is a stand-alone book so we obviously won't get any answers. Other than that, I fully enjoyed this book and all it's wittiness. I am definitely paying attention to this author and I really want to read more of her books.

Tia Malt 

4.5 stars.

You know those books that you look back at after reading and just grin at? Well this is one of those books. It was incredible. Something that i will absolutely be rereading at some point. Okay, lets go into detail.

Xander. Oh, Xander. He was undoubtedly my favourite character in this book, by a landslide. He made this book for me. I loved his humour and the fact that he cared so much for Caymen and had no qualms about showing it. He was brilliant, and his relationship with Caymen was too.

Onto Caymen. I felt like she was a very relatable character who i really connected with during the story. She liked to think she was in charge of her relationship (or lack of a relationship) with Xander, but really couldnt help but follow her heart. I also loved and got her sense of humour, its definitely the same as mine which made her even more relatable, and the fact that she used her little one liners on Xander which only further endeared him to her was adorable. 

Okay, the one thing i didnt like about this novel was Addies mother. She came across as very selfish, prejudice and unlikable to me. I understood why she was the way she was, but that just didnt excuse her behaviour to me. No, she was not a character i liked. 

I feel like had i liked the ending just a tiny bit better then this would have been a 5 star book. But i will admit to absolutely adoring this novel. Cant wait to see what else Kasie West can come up with.

Cute read! Kasie West has these easy contemporary/romance books. I love her writing style, it’s the only contemporary/ romance I’ve grown attached to!

Lauren Tabor

Mary Horton

Hmmm...

So I thought I would love this book. It was full of sarcasm. I enjoyed the characters. The setting was fun.

But...I guess it kind of fell flat for me? 


  Lovely Things:


- SARCASM. Allllllll the sarcasm. Caymen basically is the equivalent of my thought-life. (Because, as much as I want to say sarcastic things all the time, the majority of my sarcasm is expressed in writing or in my head. Only the privileged few experience my sarcasm in audible soundwaves. ;D)

- The characters. OKAY YES. I actually adored the main character! Caymen was fantastic. She has such a quick wit, and she just seems like someone who would be a fantastic friend. LET'S ME FRIENDS, PLEASE. I also liked Xander...mostly. He got on my nerves a bit, but he was pretty caring and sweet. And Skye? I liked her. *nods* (But what was up with Mason?? Um...no thanks. *coughs*)

- The setting. I know it takes place during the fall, but the book just has this distinct summer vibe that I can't shake. It takes place at a small beach town in California, where the main character works at a doll shop. IT'S GREAT.


  Not So Lovely Things:


- The romance.Alrighty. So I've only read one other book that was basically 100% romance...and I think I've come to the conclusion that there's a reason for that. Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge romantic. I LOVE ME SOME ROMANCE. But I don't think I like it as the entire plot. There's always some bits of drama and cringey kissing scenes. LIKE NO THANKS, I'M GOOD. Most of the kissing in the book didn't bother me, but there was one scene that about made me throw the book across the room. (view spoiler)[In case you're wondering, they did the tongue thing. That. Is. Revolting. I don't care how cute the couple is...I can't stand that. Thankfully, that kiss was the only one of its kind, and their romance didn't extend past kissing. BUT STILL. It made me extremely uncomfortable. (hide spoiler)]

- It just felt...flat. I guess the book just didn't sit right with me in the end. I was expecting it to lead up to something with the plot but it didn't. I guess I just wasn't made for the plotless world of romance books out there...

CONTENT:
Like I mentioned earlier, there was a lot of kissing. Only one kiss made me uncomfortable, but I can't speak for other people. There was also the use of one word which I don't think is considered swearing? But it still made me flinch a little. The main character lies to her mom throughout the book, but she feels guilty about it and does make up with her.

Overall? This book was okay...it just felt a bit pointless to me. I loved the sarcasm, loved Caymen, and apparently that was enough to make me read it in 24 hours. So I guess that says something. ;)

3 stars

Emi Gilmore 

Just wanted a fast and easy read. This was just that.

Samantha 

Nabiha

A good way to spend my last three hours. This book falls directly into my guilty pleasures shelf and made for an enjoyable night. I absolutely love the way this author creates her characters. While the story itself is very cliché, what makes this book different are Caymen and Xander. They are both super well written and fleshed out. I was impressed. Caymen’s humour made for a fantastic narrator!

chloe mcpherson

Ugh the feels! This book was so so cute! Caymen was such a relatable character as in she is sarcastic and ver good at it. 
I love the relationship she had with her mum and how Caymen would often put her needs aside to help her mother. 

I am a big sucker for poor girl meets rich boy trope, one of my guilty pleasures and it was done really well I think. 
And Alexander and Caymen were just too cute!

Autumn 

Apparently, I've read this book but I remember nothing! Just blank!

Kaley Catron

Gosh these books are just too cute. Book #3 in a row that I loved so much! This was such a cute simple story and it was just too adorable okay. I can't.

Kathryn 

I finished this a few days ago but forgot to update my Goodreads....Oops. But anyways THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD. I already know I need more Kasie West in my life because this book was just what I wanted. It was cute, it was funny the characters were awesome! I loved everything about it!

*September 2018 reread update*

GOOD GOD I STILL LOVE THIS BOOK. I know this book will probably not get a sequel but I’d kill for a sequel this book is fantasticccc. The perfect sweet and incredible contemporary.

HeyBiblio Fam Club

I can't help but fall in love with Xander Spence.

Camila 

Más bien un 3.75
Después de leer "On The Fence" quise darle una oportunidad a este libro y no me arrepiento para nada. 
La historia de Caymen me atrapó de inmediato y el personaje de Xander era muy agradable también. Me gustó su dinámica y las cosas que hacían juntos. 
Podemos ver a Skye y conocemos sobre el grupo de amigos de Caymen, aunque me hubiera gustado ver un poco más de la relación con su mamá. 
Fue muy entretenido y a diferencia de "On The Fence" sí me preocupaba por los personajes, creo que eran más realistas que los presentados en ese libro de Katie. 
El libro fue muy dulce y ese toque de suspenso/misterio clásico de las novelas románticas contemporarias no se quedó de lado. 
Una lectura rápida y divertida que recomiendo de todas maneras.