Sophie Reads YA: Black & White

2022 Beat the Backlist challenge

ARC Review: The Wrong Side of Kai by Estelle Maskame

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The Wrong Side of Kai
Series: None
Author: Estelle Maskame
Published September 19th 2019 by Black & White Publishing

Goodreads Synopsis
Vanessa Murphy doesn't do relationships.

With a father who doesn't notice her, it's easy for her to sneak around with her latest fling, Harrison Boyd. But when an explicit video of Vanessa hooking up with Harrison is leaked the morning after she ends things with him, her life is thrown into chaos.

And Vanessa wants payback. Enter Kai. With his own vendetta against Harrison, Kai proposes revenge, and the two pair up to ruin Harrison Boyd's life. At first, they are nothing more than an illicit partnership. Teammates working towards the same mission.

But – between late-night stakeouts and crime committing – Vanessa is drawn into Kai's life. And, as the two grow closer, she finds herself letting Kai into hers.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

After an explicit video is spread of Vanessa Murphy with her latest fling, Harrison, Vanessa is out for revenge. She doesn't do relationships, and is very sex positive, but having her private images leaked is a betrayal, and when Kai appears, and seems to have his own vendetta against Harrison, Vanessa is ready to team up. But as the stakes hot up, and their petty actions turn into real crimes, will Vanessa regret meeting Kai?

I've read most of Estelle's books now, and though I enjoyed The Wrong Side of Kai, it definitely was not my favourite of hers. Vanessa was quite an immature character at times. She lost her mother when she was younger, and her father is absent most of the time, so she seeks out attention in different ways, including with finding a new partner regularly. She's very body positive and confident, but I felt like there were definite times in the book when she acted very young, and made easily resolved mistakes. I did like the chemistry between her and Kai, but think it should've been less of an instant attraction, and taken a little longer for them to fall for one another. This definitely isn't a lighthearted book though. It covers very important and hard hitting topics, particularly around slut shaming, online harassment, and grief, and I think it would be a great read for anyone.

Dates Read:
March 30-31, 2022

Rating
4 Stars

2021 New Release challenge

ARC Review: Becoming Mila (The Mila Trilogy #1) by Estelle Maskame

10:00

Becoming Mila
Series: The Mila Trilogy #1
Author: Estelle Maskame
Published June 3rd 2021 by Black and White Publishing

Goodreads Synopsis
Set in Los Angeles and Nashville over a long, hot summer, Becoming Mila is the first book in an irresistibly addictive and exhilarating new trilogy from Estelle Maskame, shimmering with love, friendship, family frictions – and lots of romance.

Sixteen-year-old Mila lives in LA with her mom and A-list actor dad, whose fame constantly thrusts their lives into the media spotlight. But when Mila's antics around town make waves ahead of her dad's next big movie, something needs to be done. So Mila is dispatched 2,000 miles away to Nashville, Tennessee, where she can cool off for the summer with her aunt and grandfather. The perfect solution – right?

Mila's not so sure. She's dreading the idea of a summer away from her friends, not to mention being shipped to the other side of the country. Apprehensive and out-of-sorts when she arrives, it doesn't take long for her to get off on the wrong foot with the mayor’s son, Blake. In spectacular style.

But Blake's no stranger to Mila's issues. He knows exactly what life's like with a parent in the public eye – the pressures and politics, dramas and dynamics ... Perhaps Mila and Blake have far more in common than either of them care to admit.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.

Growing up as the daughter of an A-list actor has not always been glorious for Mila Harding. She is monitored constantly by her dad's PA, and when she steps a foot out of line, it'll come back to haunt her. After inadvertently getting drunk at a press event - luckily without the press realising - and falling ill, her dad decides that 16 year old Mila should spend the summer at his family's horse ranch in Tennessee. There is next to nothing to do, and anyway, her aunt has been instructed to keep Mila at home. But, her aunt remembers what it's like to be a teen, and allows Mila the freedom to reconnect with old friends, and even make some new ones. However, her first few meetings with Blake, the son of the local mayor, have not been great. But, there's an attraction there that both try to fight, but knowing what it's like to be in the public eye, and the dynamic of always being scrutinised, is more connecting than they expect, and it's hard to stay away. But, will family history come back to haunt them, and will the try reason behind Mila's exile to Nashville also be revealed?

I remember reading Estelle's debut series, DIMILY, a few years ago, and enjoying them, so being given the opportunity to review her newest series, I couldn't help but jump at the chance. All of the characters, but especially Mila, were amazing to read, and so well written and characterised. Mila's life may be one of privilege, but with the glitz and the glamour come a lot of rules, and she has barely any time with her parents to be herself, and not having to be on all of the time. Everything she does is watched, and she can't make any mistakes, otherwise it could harm her dad's career. Being shipped off to Nashville, where she hasn't been since she was really small, is more like an exile, especially when her social media access has been revoked too. But, she reconnects with old friends, and finds a way to have fun, even if she isn't exactly welcomed with open arms. I will admit, that at first, I wasn't too invested in Mila and Blake's relationship, but the chemistry was there, and soon I couldn't wait for the scenes they had together. The parental figures - barring Mila's aunt - were all definitely lacking the caring gene, but the friendships in the book were worth it, as was the romance. The ending of the book was a definitely cliff hanger, and I can't wait for Trusting Blake. All in all, an enjoyable new series from a wonderful YA author.

Dates Read:
May 18-20, 2021

Rating
4 Stars