Defending Taylor by Miranda Kenneally

Defending Taylor by Miranda Kenneally

Release Date: July 5, 2016

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 304

Summary:  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?

My Thoughts: I just adore the Hundred Oaks books! I always anticipate them, and then as soon as I can get my hands on them, I read them quickly!  And Defending Taylor was just as good.. At first I thought Taylor would be the boy’s name but it actually wasn’t! It’s a girl!

We are introduced to Taylor who is from the perfect family. There's her dad who's a Senator, her mom who plays the Senator's Wife pretty well, her sister and brother who both go to college and seem to have the perfect  lives.  They are the perfect family. Until Taylor gets expelled from her school. She has to move back home to Hundred Oaks and attend a public high school. She has no friends there at first and nothing to really count on. Except soccer. I really loved hearing about her play. I loved how into it she was and how she enjoyed it.

There's also two boys in this story. First off there is Ben who was her boyfriend at her school that she got expelled from. Honestly, didn’t really like him much from the get go. He just wasn’t right for her. And you will see why as the story progresses. And then there is Ezra. Oh Ezra, how I love thee. Ezra had my heart from the get go. It also helped that Taylor has a long past with him. Ezra is her older brother’s best friend. Talk about a little bit awkward.  But Ezra and Taylor were just drawn together, and I loved their moments together. I loved how they saw one another and how they got along

And then once everything really comes out; the truth.. Wow…. I really liked the concept of this one. I liked where it all went and how things turned out. I did enjoy reading it and I’m still left a few days later with a cuddly sweet feeling.

Overall:  Another winner from Kenneally. I just adore this series and I always know going into it there may be some drama but it’s all worth it. I loved the family and friends aspect with the romance dribbled in!  I’ll read whatever Kenneally writes!

Cover:  Love it!! Love how we can’t really see their heads but the soccer aspect is cute! And the colors just work.. CUTE!!!!

What I’d Give It: