Until Friday Night (The Field Party #1)

3.5 stars

Annoyed & tired. That about sums up how I feel after reading this one.

I’m annoyed at how many times Maggie was pushed into the friend-zone (by others & herself), tired of the excuses EVERYONE made for West’s behavior, annoyed that more wasn’t done with Maggie’s character (the story felt a lil’ more West-centric), tired that I had to wait until the 64% mark for them to get together… *sigh*

That said, the stuff these two had to go through at such a young age (not to mention at all) was devastating & I couldn’t help but feel for them. I’m happy that they found each other & helped one another to heal as much as they have. Hopefully, we’ll get to see more of them & their relationship in the other guys’ stories.

I wasn’t a fan of how little pieces of the story felt unresolved. West’s mom’s behavior after what happened with his dad, the letter from Maggie’s dad we never got to read, that mystery surrounding Brady & the girl in the parking lot… *sigh* I know it’s a series but it felt weird not having more information on those things. And the fact that it didn’t feel super-romance-y was kind of a bummer. Yes, it’s high school but I wanted more swoon. #greedy

I plan on continuing on with this series because I’m excited to read about Nash’s happily ever after (not until book #4, I know) but it’s not next up on my TBR list.

Wow this blew me away. It really goes to show you that sometime the people most quiet have problems we could never even dream of. This book makes you want to help someone who is in need or is lonely. You never know the demons someone hides but it should be a lesson to always try to make someone smile. This was a bit more of an emotional book then what I was used to but this story had alot of meaning to it and is definitely worth reading.

Such a sad but beautiful story about learning to be strong to get through the troubles and struggles and pain of losing someone who is close to you. Not to long ago I lost a very close family member so this hit me a little deeper than I expected but it truly makes you want to hold on to the good times and power through the tough times. The one thing I agree with 100% in this book is to always make sure you have no regrets. We never know when the end will come. Either for us or someone we love.

I liked this, but hit a major no from me in the story line and this became a sad dnf for me at 37%.

The author did a good job with these characters. The H is a popular jock whos watching his father die in the final stages of cancer, unbeknown to his friends. He hides it and parties a lot. The h is new in school, she doesnt speak after witnessing her father murder her mother two years prior.

They formed an unlikely bond, both suffering in silence and putting a face on for the world. The need for each other is there and as a reader, its tangible.

Howeverthe H and h formed a strong emotional bond, but physically he was still getting it from OWseveral OW. This hurts the h, as he only contacts her when hes having a hard time dealing with his fathers situation and he had already made out with the h before hooking up with OWso that was a bad surprise.

I get where the author was going with this, but there are so many characteristics present with these MCs that represented how damaged they are, that the H whoring himself around in front of the h was an unnecessary addition.

And the h is hurt and tries to distance herself a little because their lockers are right beside each other and he brings his OW to his locker to make out. The H is truly puzzled as to why shes pulling awaybecause he wants her, but cant have her so, oh well. He also thinks about the getting it on with OW in his POV and thats almost as bad as having the scene written out.

The h had it hard enough before fighting her blooming feelings for the H, so I hate that the author went this direction. H isnt redeemable for me, which is sad because the book flows well and the characters are decently written.

About This Book:
Series: #1
Release Date: 8/25/15
Format: Paperback
Setting: Lawton, Alabama
Page Count: 352
Genre(s): Romance, NA (or YA), Contemporary, Fiction
Date(s) Read: 9/18/18-9/21/18
Rating: Book: 3.5/5

My Thoughts:

*Some parts will have spoilers so read this at your own risk if you haven’t read the book already.*

Book:

Overall, I liked the book and the characters, but I will take it by each character and talk about them one at a time.Just as an FYI, this book does have cursing in it. Quite a bit actually.

West:
In the beginning, he was a bit of an ass but I understood why he was the way he was. He was hurting due to the fact of his father slowly dying from cancer (in the summary). As the book progressed though, he became very possessive, jealous and controlling. He was jealous of people and situations he shouldn’t have even been jealous. And I mean scary possessive. The kind of possessive made for True Crime TV and what the true crime books are made of! As time went on though, he redeemed himself and got checked, which I was truly grateful for. I wanted to go on to the second book at least but if that had not been handled, I am not sure if I would have or it may have taken some time for me to do so.

Maggie:
I really liked her. She dealt with a lot at her young age (not spoilers, it says so in the summary) and found her own way to cope with it. Although at some points in the book, I felt she allowed things to happen with West that many may not have allowed him to do, especially early on unless there is a heavy amount of insecurity. The relationship between them both seemed dangerously close to obsession. She was smart enough to know when to try to back off though in many cases. I think that had a lot to do with her past and seeing the things she had. There were some other issues I was not liking too much but I won’t give too much more away, but as a parent and an adult, I was just not feeling some things.

Brady:
He was a jerk many times when I am not sure it was needed. I understand his protection of his cousin, yet, sometime things could’ve been left unsaid. I would like to see a book about him though. I am taking this series on a book by book basis. Hopefully, if there is one about him, I will be able to make it to him.

Maggie’s Aunt & Uncle (Brady’s parents):
They both seemed to have been very sweet and accepting of who she was and why she wouldn’t speak. Didn’t push her to talk. They just loved her anyway.

West’s Mother (Olivia) & Father (Jude):
(I think I got their names right)
She was a really sweet to Maggie, even in a time she was hurting herself and trying to make it through her husband’s illness. She didn’t make many appearances in the book but I did like her and the one time dad was able to appear in the book and be able to enjoy the family, even when he wasn’t feeling great at all. Again, this is another situation that I’d like to say more but that is giving too much of the plot away and I have given a lot of that away as it is (in my opinion).

I will continue on to the next book, Under the Lights. This one appears to be about Gunner, Brady (who were in Until Friday Night) and a young lady named Willa. I am hoping to buy Under the Lights soon.

Why did I wait so lont to actually read this lovely story. I’ve had them on my Kindle since releasem and also have the hardback copies on y bookshelves.

I loved spending time with West and Maggie their story was so heartfelt and totally resonated with me. I too lost my Mum in 2018 so felt their pain.

A beautifully written story, that ebbed and flowed, certainly keeping you turning the pages, wanting – no needing to know what happens next.

Maggie was a beautifully written character she had such compasion, far older than her 17/18 years.

West, knew he was being an ass, and initially kept taking, he did however redeem himself and again for someone so young, had older shoulders.

The back story of Maggie so so heartbreakingly sad, and you could definitely see why she introverted into herself.

The other characters, her cousin Brady and her Aunt Coralee & Uncle Boore were so good with her and with Brady’s friends top class pillars of the community.

West’s parents were absolutely great and when we me Dad we got eo experience a little of what West had called him ‘his hero’. Brady’s mom was such a wonderful lady, going through so so much.

West & Maggie got to know each other by becoming each other crutch, and whilst Maggie had not realised , West felt exactly the same way baout her as she did him, there were a few muddied waters, but they both worked it out, to not only become each others crutches but each others best friends and eventually lovers.

Maggie was a fiersty girl, I loved her attidute she had the spirit of an angel and the backbone of a Rhino. Can’t wait to see how their story developes in the rest of the series – well Im hoping we get more…

Beautifully written, heart wrenching YA love story.

Galaxyaudiobook Member Benefit

- Able to comment

- List watched audiobooks

- List favorite audiobooks

- Bookmark will only available for Galaxyaudiobook member