Review: Defending Taylor by Miranda Kenneally

Defending Taylor by Miranda Kenneally

Captain of the soccer team, president of the Debate Club, contender for valedictorian: Taylor’s always pushed herself to be perfect. After all, that’s what is expected of a senator’s daughter. But one impulsive decision—one lie to cover for her boyfriend—and Taylor’s kicked out of private school. Everything she’s worked so hard for is gone, and now she’s starting over at Hundred Oaks High.
Soccer has always been Taylor’s escape from the pressures of school and family, but it’s hard to fit in and play on a team that used to be her rival. The only person who seems to understand all that she’s going through is her older brother’s best friend, Ezra. Taylor’s had a crush on him for as long as she can remember. But it’s hard to trust after having been betrayed. Will Taylor repeat her past mistakes or can she score a fresh start?

Publishes in US: July 5th 2016 by Sourcebooks Fire
Genre: ya contemp
Source: earc from netgalley
Disclaimer: I received this book as an ARC (advanced review copy). I am not paid for this review, and my opinions in this review are mine, and are not effected by the book being free.
Series? Hundred Oaks but can read as standalone
my other series reviews:
Catching Jordan
 Stealing Parker
 Racing Savannah
Breathe, Annie, Breathe

Buy it: Amazon | Apple iBooks |Barnes and Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound |Powell's | Wal-Mart

Author stalk away: ~site Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Wattpad

 

   I wanted to read this one because I have enjoyed Miranda's other books in this series. I usually like the characters and romance, and hoped this would follow the same pattern. 

   Taylor is new to the high school since she got kicked out of her private school. She worries about grades and college, and losing the approval and support from her parents. She has a hard time fitting in her new school and the soccer team doesn't really feel like a team. She struggles with covering up the lie, and the consequences of both the drug charges and the lie building up everywhere she turns. 

   The romance is nice, Taylor and Ezra has liked each other for a while, but miscommunication and timing has always gotten in their way of becoming more. I liked that they were finally able to talk and work things through then act on their attraction. They were able to encourage the other to figure out what they want as far as college and careers, and pushed the other to go after it. 

   The family aspect was interesting as well. She felt a lot of pressure from her parents, because her dad is in politics and trying to get re-elected. Her getting kicked out of school and the misunderstanding about the prescription pills (not hers) that was in her system and found in her possession does not look good for the presses. But she came to more of an understanding with her parents and siblings, and they all acknowledged how they'd been hurt and worked on their relationship, and that was nice to see. 

   It was a quick read with a nice HEA.

Bottom Line: Good read, what I have come to expect from this trilogy.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
any extra curriculars in high school?