Welcome friend! Though I didn’t mention Catching Feelings by Emily Charlotte in Fall vibes, this is a book that belongs in seasoning reading. It is set in the last year of high school and taking place at the start of the term, the Fall season is an important part of the atmosphere. Take a look at the synopsis below and then read on for my thoughts.
The first rule for a drama-free senior year? Don’t fall for the mysterious new football transfer. A swoony young adult romance full of undeniable chemistry and school spirit perfect for fans of Lynn Painter and Friday Night Lights, from the author of Heart Check.
When Sabrina and Tyler meet by accident outside (okay, inside) the football locker rooms, it’s not a big deal. After a rocky summer, Sabrina is focused on leading the Spirit Committee to its best year ever, while Tyler is eager to leave behind the mess from his old school with a second chance playing football as a transfer. Neither is looking for romance.
But as the team’s newest (and most eligible) varsity athlete, Tyler is suddenly the center of attention. And Sabrina is busy dodging Ryan, her longtime flirtationship who is determined to take her to the homecoming dance. Ryan is exactly the kind of chaos Sabrina doesn’t need, so she asks Tyler to go as friends instead. Eager to fend off other unwanted advances, Tyler is happy to accept.
Of course, this was before Sabrina realized Tyler is Ryan’s cousin. But as long as they’re just friends, everything should be fine. Tyler is less willing to ignore the connection he feels toward Sabrina, but he’s also desperate to keep his past buried. When the chemistry between them becomes impossible to deny, can their carefully laid plans survive the fallout, or will secrets and social pressure threaten everything they’ve built?
Catching Feelings – Review
I occasionally pick up a Young Adult novel nowadays for a light read. Catching Feelings did not disappoint! Sabrina and Tyler are both starting their senior year with hopes of a fresh start. Sabrina is deeply ingrained in the school community, finding stability in her role as Spirit Committee head while navigating her parents’ divorce. Tyler, the newest recruit to the football team, is hesitant to get close to his teammates after being let down at his previous school.
Both characters are trying to protect themselves from further disappointment, even though they go about it differently. Neither is looking for romance.
You know the plot when someone doesn’t want to get into a romantic relationship… Life usually has other plans.
As Sabrina helps Tyler settle into school, the walks to class and car rides home give them opportunities to get to know each other. They find each other a breath of fresh air and enjoy each other’s company. What begins as a friendship, with plans to attend homecoming together, gradually develops into something more. Of course, there’s the complication of Ryan, Tyler’s cousin, whom Sabrina has been avoiding all summer.
I like the pace of the story. Though I haven’t read the first book which focuses on a different couple – Harper and Dawson – I didn’t feel like I had lost anything. The writing was immersive and I found myself swept away into pep rallies, football games, car rides and more.
I liked that the story had moments of friendship, team spirit as well as supporting other people. Sabrina’s friends were supportive and had their own personalities that helped flesh out the world more. Kate is Sabrina’s best friend and I enjoyed how protective she is of her. Tyler’s team mates were good too. Tyler is a keen observer of his team mates’ emotional states and helps out one of them, Gabe, by giving a pep talk when he is nervous. Will is Kate’s boyfriend and the Quarterback on Tyler’s team. I liked how he took efforts to keep it a no-nonsense group and encouraged Tyler to talk to him when the time felt right.
Tyler’s true reasons for transferring were an important part of the plot and I felt its reveal was done well.
Though as an adult, some things felt trivial but in a teenage setting, I totally understand them being huge. And maybe that is what makes this a light read. The characters are adolescents discovering themselves and their place in the world. Reading Catching Feelings took me back to my senior year. Though it isn’t anything like this story, it was good to walk the halls of a school with nostalgia.
Many thanks to the publisher and Beth Parker PR for a review copy of Catching Feelings for my honest thoughts. I am forever grateful for the books that meet me in my mailboxes.
Check back for an interview with the author in the next post!
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