Beloved YA romance author Kasie West (P.S. I Like You) returns with a charming, hilarious modern-day Romeo & Juliet story about two rival families, one Christmas house decorating competition, and a blossoming forbidden relationship. Perfect for fans of Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice and the forthcoming Mint To Be!
Sixteen-year-old Jasmine Costas is a sensitive, shy artist who has spent her entire life going out of her way to avoid the bane of her existence, Ryan Moreno. On top of being an arrogant jerk, Ryan hails from the Moreno family, the Costas's next-door neighboors and longtime enemies. But this is Jasmine's older brother's last year of high school, so she's determined to make it the Best Christmas Ever. When it's announced that their town is holding an actual contest for Best Decorated House, Jasmine and her family are ready to wage an all-out war to claim the trophy. Until Jasmine and Ryan are accidentally locked in a pantry together during a holiday party, and she's forced to wonder if there's actually more to Ryan Moreno than meets the eye. And unfortunately, their chemistry is undeniable.A secret relationship blooms that threatens to completely upend the lives of their families as the Christmas decoration schemes and rivalries get wilder and more chaotic.
Jasmine and Ryan want to be together. Can they convince their families to patch things up and embrace the holiday spirit? This charming story from the master of romantic-comedy, beloved author Kasie West, is a spirited exploration of the chaos of change, and the enduring magic of Christmas.
Sixteen-year-old Jasmine Costas is a sensitive, shy artist who has spent her entire life going out of her way to avoid the bane of her existence, Ryan Moreno. On top of being an arrogant jerk, Ryan hails from the Moreno family, the Costas's next-door neighboors and longtime enemies. But this is Jasmine's older brother's last year of high school, so she's determined to make it the Best Christmas Ever. When it's announced that their town is holding an actual contest for Best Decorated House, Jasmine and her family are ready to wage an all-out war to claim the trophy. Until Jasmine and Ryan are accidentally locked in a pantry together during a holiday party, and she's forced to wonder if there's actually more to Ryan Moreno than meets the eye. And unfortunately, their chemistry is undeniable.A secret relationship blooms that threatens to completely upend the lives of their families as the Christmas decoration schemes and rivalries get wilder and more chaotic.
Jasmine and Ryan want to be together. Can they convince their families to patch things up and embrace the holiday spirit? This charming story from the master of romantic-comedy, beloved author Kasie West, is a spirited exploration of the chaos of change, and the enduring magic of Christmas.
Title: Light Up My Life
Author: Kasie West
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publication Date: October 20, 2026
Review:
Thank you to Scholastic Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I've been a fan of Kasie West for a long time. She really does right quintessential young adult romance. This title is right in line with what I've always loved from her: just a little angsty, conflict, swoon worthy moments, and much more. Plus she takes the classic Romeo and Juliet theme and gives it a cute little Christmas twist.
Jasmine and Ryan's families have been enemies for as long as she can remember. So falling for Ryan is the last thing on Jasmine's bucket list when she just wants to win the annual Christmas decorating contest. But with the threat of a lawsuit hanging over her small town well knows for it's Christmas spirit, she's determined to find out just who the Grinch is who wants to ban Christmas decorations and holiday fun. In order to do that, she slowly becomes friends with her rival, Ryan, only it blossoms into more and she starts having to keep secrets from her moms and brothers. As the secrets pile up, Jasmine finds herself wondering if the stress is causing is really worth keeping what she believes will hurt her family all to herself.
I really liked Jasmine. As a teen character she's very relatable. There's so much that happens as a teen that you wonder if you should tell your family. And what they think of you is often so important you don't want to disappoint them. It's no wonder she keeps her relationship with Ryan and her sleuthing to find the grinchy neighbor who wants to ruin futures Christmas's a secret.
I will be honest and say it was hard to get to know Ryan. Since the book is single POV from Jasmine's side, you only get to see what she wants to show you. I wish we had had his POV to even things out. He definitely comes across as a golden retriever boy mixed up with the wrong crowd. He's smart and sweet and really seems to care for Jasmine. But he's also worried about his family.
I liked the underlying mystery West weaves into the story. As someone who loves Christmas, I don't understand those who turn their noses up at all the joy it brings. But once we found out the reasoning behind the Grinch's law suit, you could understand it. I just wish that neighbor would have been honest with those around him. Communication is so important with neighbor relations.
Overall, this is classic West. She sets a great scenes during this fun Christmas season romance. As with her other young adult romances, this one is firmly in that spot. Some light kissing are all we get from the couple. And the side characters really are fun and lend a lot to the story. I'll continue to read her titles as long as she continues to write them.
3.5 stars rounded to 4
Author:
I write YA and adult romance novels. I eat chocolate cinnamon bears. Sometimes I go crazy and do both at the same time. A few of my works are: SUNKISSED, PS I LIKE YOU, MOMENT OF TRUTH, WE MET LIKE THIS, and more. My agent is the talented and funny Michelle Wolfson.
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