*Review* Kissing Max Holden by Katy Upperman

Genre: YA Romance

Published: August 1, 2017

Publisher: Swoon Reads

Pages: 304

Goodreads

Synopsis

Kissing Max Holden was a terrible idea...

After his father has a life-altering stroke, Max Holden isn't himself. As his long-time friend, Jillian Eldridge only wants to help him, but she doesn't know how. When Max climbs through her window one night, Jill knows that she shouldn't let him kiss her. But she can't resist, and when they're caught in the act by her dad, Jill swears it'll never happen again. Because kissing Max Holden is a terrible idea.

With a new baby sibling on the way, her parents fighting all the time, and her dream of culinary school up in the air, Jill starts spending more and more time with Max. And even though her father disapproves and Max still has a girlfriend, not kissing Max is easier said than done. Will Jill follow her heart and allow their friendship to blossom into something more, or will she listen to her head and stop kissing Max Holden once and for all?

Review

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Swoon Reads, through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 

I'm going to start this review by saying that I enjoy drama, at least watching it unfold. You offer me a ticket to a relationship train wreck, and I'm going to jump on board because it's entertaining. And that's what Kissing Max Holden was, a months long relationship train wreck. Reading this book was almost like watching a mini soap opera. Trying to figure out who was hooking up with whom definitely kept me flipping the pages (even after I got a friend to spill the beans). 

I feel like most of the conflict in this story was due to a lack of communication. Like if Jillian would have just been up front with Max from the get go, she wouldn't have had anything to feel guilty about in the first place. But in true teenager fashion, she acted like she's the only person in the world to ever be in her particular situation, so clearly no one else could ever understand what she was going through. So that was annoying and I could have done without that aspect of the story, but I will admit that it was at least authentic. 

In spite of the fact that I don't personally approve of cheaters, I did really want Jill and Max to get together, because they really seemed perfect for each other and Becky just seemed like a drag from the get go. At the same time, I really just wanted Max to realize that he needed to drop Becky, whether he got with Jill or not. Although I'm also sad that I didn't get to see more of that train wreck (my love of relationship train wrecks often leaves me feeling conflicted). 

In the end, this book did keep me hooked even after getting a friend to spoil the ending for me, and the angst satisfied my craving for drama, so I give Kissing Max Holden 4 out of 5 stars. - Katie 

Buy the Book

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About the Author

Katy Upperman is a graduate of Washington State University, a former elementary school teacher, and an insatiable reader. When not writing for young adults, Katy can be found whipping up batches of chocolate-chip cookies, or exploring the country with her husband and daughter. Kissing Max Holden is her debut novel.