**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: https://bookbriefs.net**

Don't Kiss the Messenger is a the first book in the young adult contemporary series, called Edgelake High School by Katie Ray. Katie Ray is actually a new name for YA author Katie Kacvinsky (who wrote the books- First Comes Love, Second Chance, Finally Forever, Awaken, Middle Ground, and Still Point). I have never read any of Katie's books, but I have to say I absolutely LOVED Don't Kiss the Messenger. I can't wait for the next book in the Edgelake High series. Don't Kiss the Messenger is a retelling of the classic tale of Cyrano de Bergerac. I can't even tell you how much I loved this version of the story.

Our main character, and this tale's Cyrano is a young lady named CeCe. Cece was in a very bad car accident and has really significant facial scarring from reconstructive surgeries. CeCe is a school superstar student. She is brilliant but she is also a really excellent student athlete. I loved how well rounded CeCe is. She is a really hard worker and I admired that about her. Plus, she is super sweet and honestly, she is a great friend. I loved watching her hit it off with Emmett, the new transfer student. Emmett and CeCe have a really great friendship that I thought developed very naturally. I believed it and their feelings 100%. This is what I wish all YA romances grew out of. Katie Ray did an excellent job showing their chemistry and their bonding. I love Emmett and CeCe!!

But, Emmett falls for the other new transfer student, and CeCe's volleyball teammate- Bryn. Bryn is beautiful and really sweet, but I found myself wishing she were not so one dimensional and superficial. I kept wanting to see a glimpse of more from her. Don't get me wrong, she is a sweet girl...but I was kind of with CeCe, I have no idea how Emmett fell for it for one second. One conversation with Bryn and you know everything about her. I am very ready to be proven wrong about her. I have a feeling that the next book is going to be about her and I can't wait! I have an inkling as to who is going to be her romantic interest and I am really excited for their story.

But now back to CeCe and Emmett. I loved watching their journey. I thought this was the perfect modern take on Cyrano de Bergerac. I laughed, I cried, I cheered when they finally got together. This book made me feel great. Plain and simple. And I loved that about it. I can't wait to read more from Katie Ray. This was a total hit with me. If you like really well written YA romances with awesome characters and a real, believable connection and slow build romance, Don't Kiss the Messenger is going to be a favorite of yours. Trust me, you do not want to miss out on this gem.

This review was originally posted on Book Briefs