Release: July 14th 2020
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Source: Amazon
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N
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Sparks fly when two ex-best-friends team up to save a family business in this swoon-worthy and witty debut perfect for fans of Jenn Bennett and Sarah Dessen.
Caroline “Chuck” Wilson has big plans for spring break. Hit up estate sales to score vintage fashion finds and tour the fashion school she dreams of attending. But her dad wrecks those plans when he asks her to spend vacation working the counter at Bigmouth’s Bowl, her family’s failing bowling alley. Making things astronomically worse, Chuck finds out her dad is way behind on back rent. It means they might be losing Bigmouth’s, the only thing keeping Chuck’s family in San Francisco.
And the one person other than Chuck who wants to do anything about it? Beckett Porter, her annoyingly attractive ex-best friend.
So when Beckett propositions Chuck with a plan to make serious cash infiltrating the Bay Area action bowling scene, she accepts. But she can’t shake the nagging feeling that she’s acting reckless. It is too much like her mother for comfort. Plus, despite her best efforts to keep things strictly business, Beckett’s charm is winning her back over…in ways that go beyond friendship.
If Chuck fails, Bigmouth’s Bowl and their San Francisco legacy are gone forever. But if she succeeds, she might just get everything she ever wanted.
About the Author:
Amelia Diane Coombs writes books for young adults. Back in the day, she majored in English and went on to receive her MFA in Creative Writing. Now Amelia writes unlikable female protagonists, positive mental health representation, and swoony romances with soft boys. She’s a Northern California transplant living in Seattle, Washington, with her partner and their Siberian cat. When she isn’t writing or reading, Amelia happily fills her days beekeeping, playing card and tabletop games, hiking, and volunteering with cats.
KEEP MY HEART IN SAN FRANCISCO is her debut novel.
Keep My Heart in San Francisco Review:
“Keep My Heart In San Francisco” is a charming, contemporary, and somewhat crazy young adult romance and was a fun novel to read.
Firstly, I must say that I have never read a story featuring a Bowling alley as the backdrop. The theme in itself tempted me to pick up this book and start reading. The author creates a unique plot about how Chuck needs to do questionable things to keep the family business running. Moreover, the author tackles the subject that most of us face in life at one point, which is adapting to change and moving from our comfort zone. I felt that I could relate a lot to the story from this angle.
Another highlight of the story was Chuck. Chuck is the highlight of the story, and I enjoyed how the author wrote her. Chuck has a lot going on, whether saving the business or her complex feelings towards her mother. Also, Chuck and Beckett share adorable chemistry. You know that even though Beckett gets on Chuck’s nerves, she still has feelings for him. The author depicted their friendship beautifully, and it was one of the highlights of the tale. Some of the memorable scenes between them were when she wonders if Beckett wants to be her friend because he does not kiss her or the ideas they come up with to save the alley.
On a side note, I loved how the author portrayed San Francisco. The city is one of my favorite destinations globally, and I adored how the author brought it to life and made me fall in love with it through the pages. Overall, “Keep My Heart In San Francisco” is a charming contemporary story about two ex-best friends coming together, and I enjoyed it.
