P.S. I Like You

by Kasie West

Paperback, 2017

Publication

Point (2017), 336 p.

Original publication date

August 2016

Description

Romance. Young Adult Fiction. Young Adult Literature. HTML: While spacing out in Chemistry class, Lily scribbles some of her favorite song lyrics onto her desk. The next day, she finds that someone has continued the lyrics on the desk, and added a message to her. Intrigue! Soon, Lily and her anonymous pen pal are exchanging full-on letters�??sharing secrets, recommending bands, and opening up to each other. Lily realizes she's kind of falling for this letter writer. Only who is he? As Lily attempts to unravel the mystery, and juggle school, friends, crushes, and her crazy family, she discovers that matters of the heart can't always be spelled out...Kasie West brings irresistible wit, warmth, and sparkle to this swoon-worthy story of love showing up when you least expect it.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member HeatherLINC
"PS I Like You" was a delightful read and reminded me very much of "Letters to the Lost" by Brigid Kemmerer, the biggest difference being that this one was a lighter, more humorous read. Katie West knows how to deliver, although I was questioning her in the first few chapters, but I was soon
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engrossed in the story. Yes, it was sugary sweet, predictable and clique, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Lily and Cade were both very likeable characters, especially Lily, who was a budding musician with a quirky, awkward personality, and Cade turned out to be far deeper than he first appeared. I enjoyed the letters they shared and I liked that Lily had a strong friendship with Isabel. However, I think my favourite aspect of this book was Lily's big, crazy and oh so loveable family. I understood Lily's frustration at not having five minutes to herself, but she knew she was loved and she adored her family. The competitions between mum and dad had me smiling, especially over the Thanksgiving pies. A highly enjoyable read.
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LibraryThing member PaperbackPropensity
Funny, awkward, indie band loving Lily puts her foot in her mouth whenever she talks to guys. Except when it comes to her crush Lucas, in which case she can't even make a peep.
In one of the most swoon-worthy plots, Lily (who writes bits of lyrics and dreams of being a songwriter, but has yet to
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complete a song) finds herself a muse - slash - penpal when she distractedly writes lyrics from her favorite band onto her chemistry desk, and the next day finds that someone has added the next line to it.
What follows is a friendship based entirely through correspondence, and finally Lily is coming closer to completing a song.

I enjoyed the humor and the many parts of this book that were so darn cute. I found myself caring for Lily and aching for her to open up more to her best friend Isabel. I found myself wanting to defend her against mean girl Sasha. I found myself unable to put this book down.

Though it was easy to guess who the pen pal was, that really isn't what the book is about. P.S. I like you is about making connections. It is about love and family and friendship, and having the courage to allow oneself to hope, and to try. Kasie West tells a story that is funny, heartfelt, and honest.

I am impressed.

(Review also appears on Goodreads and Amazon)
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LibraryThing member Jessika.C
This was a GREAT ya contemporary.
Lily the magnet is a terrible nickname. It's not even an alliteration. But thanks to that jerk Cade Jennings Lily has had to deal with it since middle school. So now in high school and in boring chemistry class Lily depends on her trusty notebook where she writes
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down all her lyrics and song ideas and sometimes some rants about life. So when Mr Ortega forces her to put it away in his class indefinitely or have it confiscated for life she finds even harder to deal with that class until she finds an escape writing to a mysterious pen pal who responded to the song lyrics she wrote on her desk. Family, friends, prejudices, there's a lot Lily learns about throughout the school year and sometimes the best advice came from her mysterious chemistry friend.
Sometimes I've noticed authors go overboard in the sappy romances for YA. They make it uber obvious who the final love interest is going to be where the MC has this sudden jolt of "omg I really liked him all along didn't I?" which isn't bad but it is when there's no build up or growth within the character. Thankfully Ms West found a lovely way to keep a touch of mystery for a decent amount of time giving our Lily the chance to change her perceptions and learn to be a better person. And even after the sudden shakeup I liked how West explored the "what happens now?" that some authors either ignore or give terrible tribulations for the couples to overcome.
I love cutesy romances that include awesome friendships, family bonds and personal growth. This was a fabulous read.
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LibraryThing member acargile
This novel is a realistic romance.

Lily is not your typical teen portrayed in a book. She’s actually pretty normal. She likes bands that most people have never heard of and has music as the center of her life. She plays guitar and wants to write lyrics; she’s been writing lyrics, but she
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doesn’t share them because they aren’t “there” yet. It’s when her father is reading the paper that she sees a contest and decides to enter her own original song in hopes of winning $5,000 and a three-week “intensive” with a professional at a music institute.

Lily also has a great family even if they are chaotic, crazy, and messy! She babysits her brothers frequently, shares a room with her sister, and votes in competitions her parents devise between themselves. She also has a nemesis--Cade, who used to date her best friend, Isabel. In the midst of this busy, crazy life, Lily begins writing someone in her classes. Someone wrote on her desk in chemistry; she writes back because they seem to like the same music. It ends up being the highlight of her day--these banters with a mysterious boy in another class. It’s these exchanges that help her write lyrics that she may submit for the contest.

This novel is cute and fluffy. There isn’t depth or a real lesson to be learned; it’s just a pleasant distraction. If you want a clean romance where the main character has a great family and she’s pretty typical, pick this up.
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LibraryThing member BrynDahlquis
I LOVE THIS BOOK PROBABLY MORE THAN I SHOULD.

So cute. So heartwarming. So happy.

I don't read a lot of books like these because they're boring and all the same. And yeah, two pages in and I knew exactly what was going to happen. BUT it was still so enjoyable that it didn't matter. Lily is ACTUALLY a
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quirky fun character, unlike all those heroines who claim to be weird and awkward but are just stereotypical mary sues.

Plus, I really like the songs in here. They're really pretty.

This book just made me really happy. It's a happy read.
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LibraryThing member iShanella
While it was obvious from the beginning who the other person at the end of the penned notes would be, I still managed to enjoy this story. It was light, it was funny, it was just the right touch of angsty (not over the top) and it was a charming idea. There were times when I wanted to see more of
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Lily and other people (why only one friend? I don't think it's from lack of interest) and more of why she felt the way she did about her family (sure, they were loud and all over the place, but it was really endearing), but overall the story was entertaining and, in a sense, didn't try to be something other than it is - a lighthearted, fluffy read.
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LibraryThing member AndrewC.BG3
Lily has always dreaded going to chemistry everyday since the beginning of the year. The only way she can get through it is by writing lyrics in her notebook. But that was all before Mr. Ortega took away her notebook and she had to resort to actually taking notes and scribbling on the table. When
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someone starts to write back to her scribbles on the desk, Lily begins to enjoy chemistry, starts writing more lyrics and starts falling for whoever is writing back to her.Kasie West's P.S. I LIKE YOU is an amazing contemporary novel with awesome characters and a fun plot. Lily is a hilarious main character who literally made me laugh out loud multiple times. Throughout the entire book I was really interested in Lily's endeavors with her friends and family because everything was so unpredictable and original. She struggles with finding her place in a large family and expressing herself with the students at school. To see her evolve throughout the book was both inspirational and hilarious. This emotional aspect of the book was really well-displayed, especially through the song lyrics that Lily was writing. The lyrics were really well done, and I would love it if an actual song was written for the book.

West wrote a contemporary plot that never seemed to slow or disappoint the reader which has always been a problem for contemporary authors. They are either unable to provide a satisfying ending or the book loses the attention of the reader halfway through. West is able to both keep the reader's attention and provide an ending that leaves the reader smiling. The combination of hilarious characters with a fast-paced plot made the read quick and fun, but there were times where the author seemed to lose certain aspects of the book. For example, I felt like Lily and Isabel's relationship was a little undermined in order to make more room for Lily's relationship with whoever her mysterious desk writer was, even though the friendship aspect had started off as a major factor in the book. Yet, the book still kept a contemporary feel the entire way through that made it very enjoyable.

Overall, I would definitely recommend P.S. I LIKE YOU to everyone who has read any of West's previous books or is looking for a contemporary to read this summer. The book is an easy, fun read that will make you laugh and smile the entire way through.
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LibraryThing member Nicole_L_Ochoa
Unexpected love in the form of a secret note scribbled on a desk. Kasie West does it again, creating memorable characters in a page turning story.
LibraryThing member AnnaBastos
Review based on an ARC provided by Edelweiss. Many thanks to Scholastic for this opportunity!

This book was like an addiction; I initially thought it wasn't strong and then I couldn't think anymore—just read, read, read.

Lily can't write on her lyrics notebook anymore during Chemistry, so she can't
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resist and ends up writing on her desk. The next class, someone had written her back. Their message exchange becomes so intense she is even afraid she's betraying her best friend, a feeling that doesn't get any better upon the discovery of her pen pal's identity.

Man... this was my third Kasie West, and she's done it again. I find it interesting how each of her novels got me hooked for different reasons. We still get some common elements, the family theme makes a comeback, as well as that of broadening your horizons. I don't even know where to start commenting.

Okay, I'll explain my initial statement: the beginning didn't do it for me. For a long portion of the story I was iffy—where is the magic? I could still see West's way of taking a cliché and making colorful juice off of it but it wasn't appealing enough. I think it's because the first third doesn't feature much of a romance—Lily even thinks her new friend is a girl. We do see her trying to get along with boys and West made sure to insert the book's most comic moments right here. That, however, wasn't enough to make me stick to the read. As much as she tried to differentiate, the plot still felt "the same".

I can't say when the book did it but at some point it cast a spell on me and when I noticed the sun was coming up from my window. I dreamed of the story, too. I simply had. to. read.

Character-wise, I'd say Lily is my favorite protagonist by West (I mean out of all of the three books I've read lol). She does have flaws, and yes she did annoy me with how she just couldn't get over popular boy/her best friend's ex Cade—West could have given her better excuses. Still, I'll miss Lily.

And friendship! I loved this theme. The Fill-In Boyfriend twisted female friendship so much and the main character in On The Fence didn't even have actual female friends before the story started. Here, Lily does have one and has had for a long while. And there is no catch! No betrayal, no faking, they are real and healthy friends like the ones I had during high school. I do know many girls aren't as lucky but when it comes to YA if you have a BFF it means something huge will get in the way and will make you choose between her and a boy. P.S. I Like You does get close but West does it perfectly.

I also want to underline this: I love the dialogues! There, it's done. They aren't too quirky that makes them sound far-fetched for normal conversation but I always laughed. Lily writes songs so you get to read some cute poetry, as a bonus.

Now, what I loved the most were the romantic scenes. All the feels! I even got goose bumps from one —in a good way. Was this author as good at them before? It has been a while since a book last gave me the butterflies in the stomach.

Anyone who likes chaotic family love is also in for a treat, a little like On the Fence but more mixed—they are two little boys and two older girls this time.

And don't fear. I felt in The Fill-In Boyfriend West lost it a little she approached the ending but here she knew to keep it going and keep you stuck until the last page.

So... this isn't the book for you if slow beginnings aren't your thing. Also, I don't think this is a memorable story, either. But you shouldn't let it stop you in case you love those sweet romance scenes. Argh, I need more books like this.
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LibraryThing member tamaranewman
Really this is a 'it's not you it's me' situation. It's a good book, I've just been reading a lot of adult books lately (very adult if you get my drift) so this would be good for much younger readers, but for me this would have worked better if there was more of a sexual tension. There was just
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something missing that didn't make it a knock out.
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LibraryThing member jdifelice
This was a cute read!
I enjoyed the romance, and the cute notes that were exchanged. I liked how the characters developed and how Lily realized that she wasn't always in the right and that she needed to re-evaluate how she was judging certain people and how she treated them.

This didn't blow me
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away, but it was a cute, fun contemporary read.
Would recommend to anyone looking for a light, easy, cutesy romance novel.
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LibraryThing member MyaB
4 Stars - Kasie West is a wonderful Young Adult author, and the premise of anonymous letter writing always appeals to me. This book did not disappoint. I would totally recommend it!


~Paragraphs and Petticoats~
LibraryThing member VavaViolet
I've read Pivot Point, Split Second and The Fill-In Boyfriend a while back upon the recommendation of my daughter, and I enjoyed all 3 books. I've been meaning to get copies of Kasie West's other books, so when I saw that P.S. I Like You is included in this month's Owlcrate, I was thrilled. This
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book is trademark West - main characters you'll root for, romcom storyline, a plot that might be predictable but presented with a twist, all in all a fun read. I like how Lily is a bit eccentric but knows how to stand up for herself. I also like it that she belongs to a big, middle class family, and is not a spoiled, rich kid. I think the cover is adorable, and though the "couple" on the cover doesn't exactly fit the description of the main characters, they do look good together. This book gave me a short respite from being an adult and transported me back to my teen years.
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LibraryThing member karenvg3
I enjoyed this cute, light, audiobook. Nothing groundbreaking but it was fun. Took me back to my high school days of writing and passing notes in class and the days before cell phones when that was our only means of communicating outside of talking. #datingmyself #whatwaslifebeforecellphones
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4⭐️.
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LibraryThing member tjsjohanna
Lily finds herself in a common romance trope - communicating anonymously with someone who seems to be the perfect fit. In real life she has a male nemesis. If you are thinking "Little shop around the corner" high school style, you would be right. But the story also explores ideas of seeing beyond
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the surface and the dangers of judging others. Nicely entertaining.
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LibraryThing member KimmyLola
Be yourself, even when you don’t fit in!

A very sweet, funny contemporary high school romance with awesome characters :)
Two teenagers who both felt like something was missing in their lives and expressed themselves through the words of their favorite bands.
Discovering who the letters were from was
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the cutest part of the book. There was a lot of highs and lows and I followed along the emotional rollercoaster with Lily. Despite everything she had learned about her anonymous pen pal from his letters, Lily couldn’t get past her own prejudices against him. She struggled to find herself, while he was the exact opposite of her. I really liked how it all concluded.

This book is an enjoyable read that will make you smile the entire way through :D My only complaint is that I didn’t want it to end.
I wanted more!
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LibraryThing member Jonez
3.0

Kasie West writes quick addicting little reads. This isn't anything too special, but it was still a fun little coming of age romance. It was a quick read.
LibraryThing member wagner.sarah35
This novel feels like summer on the beach, or what I imagine a summer at the beach would be like. It's a fairly straightforward tale of love developing between two secret pen pals who don't realize they know each other in real life. And, of course, there is also plenty of high school drama,
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including detention, fights with friends, awkward dates, and humiliation at a school rally. Fun reading, if somewhat predictable.
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LibraryThing member vivirielle
Very predictable, but still very fun.
LibraryThing member ms_rowse
After a month of reading some heavy lit, I needed something light and I knew Kasie West would not disappoint. Charming story, much like her others. This was not my favorite of her books, but that's like saying pumpkin chocolate cheesecake is my least favorite cheesecake I make--it's still delicious
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and there's things I love about it, but it's not my go-to.

Also, my friend Peggy needs to know that the cover does not match the book at all. :) I know that's important to her.
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LibraryThing member Kiaya40
Lighthearted, cute and fun quick read.
LibraryThing member amyghilton
This book came in my August Owlcrate box. Normally, I would not choose this type of book to read, but I was pleasantly surprised that I actually enjoyed it. Although the main characters are teenagers, it took me back to my high school days where true feelings for someone are usually hidden and
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present themselves the exact opposite of what they really are. The anonymous pen pal aspect of the plot was different, but highly predictable. That said, high school age females would absolutely love this book. It was funny, clean, and swoon-worthy. Great choice, Owlcrate!
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LibraryThing member DelDevours
P.S. I Like You by Kasie West is a contemporary young adult novel, written in first person, about Lily, a high school student who discovers a mysterious pen pal, after scribbling song lyrics on her desk. Lily is surprised to find a response the next day and starts a secret correspondence with an
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anonymous admirer she nicknames ‘Blue’.

The synopsis reads like a typical YA romcom, which isn’t usually my cup of tea, but I figured it's on my shelf, so I may as well give it a try. The dust jacket on this book is interesting, but I prefer the cover underneath, which is simple but beautiful. I also rather like the cover page, and the font used for the chapter headings. Attractive or unusual features always add to my enjoyment of a book. I must admit I enjoyed West’s engaging and easy to read writing style. The romance is slow to build, and maybe ‘Blue’s’ identity would have been predictable to fans of the genre, but my notes read something like this:

p.8 So, I’m thinking the love interest is going to be either Lucas or Gabriel.

p.34 Or maybe it’s Cade? You know, that whole enemies to lovers schtick?

p.85 I’m finding myself hoping this is Cade.

p.102 I definitely don’t think it’s David. I hope it isn’t David.

p.134 I don’t want it to be Lucas. I want it to be Cade!

p.137 Ha, ha! I knew it was Cade! (or hoped, but we’ll pretend it’s the same thing lol)

I love the choice of Chemistry class as the backdrop for a romance story, and the concept of letter writing in a world dominated by technology adds a nostalgic charm to the narrative. Some of the letters Lily and ‘Blue’ exchanged made me chuckle.

I saw a few reviews praising Lily for her relatability, but I didn’t like her. I felt she was a bit bitchy, and self-centred. Also, dating someone when you are aware, deep down, that you like someone else? Not cool. Her character just didn't resonate with me in the same way it did for others. On another note, some of the minor characters were stereotypical and could have used a bit more depth, and the book could have benefited from greater diversity in its cast.

One aspect I thoroughly enjoyed was Lily's relationship with her brothers. Their interactions lent a sense of warmth and authenticity to the story. I would have loved for that aspect to have been explored more than it was. The dynamic between Lily and Cade was also interesting. Was he really being mean, or was Lily just projecting?

I like how letters continue to play a role past the discovery of identities. The revelation of Cade's feelings, delivered like a verbal letter, was seriously sweet. One of my favourite scenes. And let's not forget Lily's song - I love how it turned out. I’d really like to hear it put to music.

Overall, P.S. I Like You is a light, heartwarming read. I don't usually read these types of books, so I was surprised how invested I was in the story, and how much I enjoyed it. I was immensely satisfied by the end of the book.
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Media reviews

"5 out of 5 stars!! Oh my goodness, you guys!! This novel!!! I don’t know where to begin with this review. *happy sigh* So here we go ... Lily is a shy girl who covers that with false confidence. Yet because of how she portrays herself to everyone else, it means she only has one friend. Her best
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friend Isabel. But even though she has a “hipster” eclectic sole and style, her goal in life is to be a song writer. And she is still on the brink of being great, IF she can get a “muse” to work for her. So, one day she was “working” on her lyrics during Chemistry class and using the desk as her paper. The following day she finds a response on her desk that someone else wrote. And so begins her exchanges with her secret pen pal. Who could it be? As time goes by she decides to find out who her pen pal actually is but will she be happy once she finally knows ... I had originally heard about this book from Julie @ Pages and Pens and I am so glad I did! I agree when Julie said..." Read more of my review and a TEASER here: https://frommetoyouvideophoto.blogspot.com/2019/10/idolizing-in-ps-i-like-you-by-kasie.html
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Language

Original language

English

ISBN

9781338160680

Physical description

8 inches

Rating

½ (157 ratings; 3.9)
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