YA Fiction for Christians: An Honest Look at Kasie West

Back in early 2022 when I first published this post, I called it a clean YA fiction spotlight and raved about how Kasie West’s book hit that sweet spot between mainstream fiction and Christian fiction. To quote myself from that time that seems so long ago:

“In my search for mainstream YA fiction suitable for a Christian audience, I have found authors who still hold virtue in high regard, and Kasie West is one.”

It wasn’t a lie. Kasie’s books are indeed engaging and lighthearted, her characters are full of wit, and her books are the very definition of clean: no sex, no profanity, no violence. At that point, I had no problem recommending them to Christian readers.

Unfortunately, several of her more recent books have forced me to retract my sweeping endorsement of Kasie West for Christian readers. The reason might surprise you.

Lauren Thell, author of YA Christian Fiction

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Kasie West, Author of Stories With Heart and Humor

One thing that hasn’t changed: Kasie West still tackles friendship, budding romances, and a wide array of issues relevant to teens without resorting to sensuality, violence, or vulgarity. All her YA books are sweet clean romances and her characters are both lovable and relatable. Fans of Jenny B. Jones‘ Christian YA fiction will like Kasie West’s style.

On top of that, you won’t find the characters poking fun at God or Christian ideals—which, in my opinion, is a huge point in her favor. In a world that is becoming increasingly more hostile to Christiasity, it’s getting harder and harder to find books (especially YA books) that don’t belittle people of faith in some way. Kasie West walks that fine line of neutrality that makes her books appeal to a wide range of readers, including readers of faith.

This is still true for the most part.

So what changed?

Update: Caution for Christian Readers

Christian readers should never accept immorality in fiction because that leads to accepting immorality in life.

While Kasie West continues to put out sweet clean YA romances with dependable regularity, her more recent books have embraced homosexuality with the inclusion of secondary LGBTQ characters, portraying such a lifestyle as both normal and acceptable. (Is it normal and acceptable? Check out the two nonfiction books about gender identity on my list of 11 Shameless Books On Sex And Gender For Christian Teens.)

Some readers might be able to overlook this. Honestly, I wish I could tell you to brace yourself against the immoral content and simply enjoy the rest because even those stories are sweet reads.

But then, isn’t that the point of clean YA fiction—eschewing questionable content? I wouldn’t tell you to ignore graphic sensuality and frequent profanity in another book simply because it was a great story, so why should this be any different?

I talk more about this in The Problem With Clean YA Fiction For Christian Teens.

“Not a Hint” Applies to Fiction Too

The Bible leaves no wiggle room. Ephesians 5:3 says “but among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality.” I doubt the apostle Paul—or God—would make an exception for fiction.

Christian readers should never accept immorality in fiction because that leads to accepting immorality in life. So while it’s safe to enjoy most of Kasie West’s books, skip the ones that cross this line of morality.

Kasie West Books With LGBTQ Content

Places We’ve Never Been (published 2022) – Skylar’s brother is openly gay
Better Than Revenge (published 2024) – two of Finlay’s friends are homosexual
Lonely Hearts Day (published 2024) – contains a platonic same-sex kiss during a game

Five Kasie West Books Christian Teens Can Enjoy

Fortunately, Kasie wrote a lot of books before 2022 and I’ve found them all suitable YA fiction for Christians to enjoy. So go ahead and check them out!

These are my favorites:

P.S. I Like You

One day in Chemistry, Lily scribbles some of her favorite song lyrics onto her desk. The next day she finds that someone has continued the lyrics and added a message, thus beginning a back-and-forth exchange of notes with an anonymous pen pal. A pen pal that Lily finds herself falling in love with…

You’ll love the exchanges between the pen pals, but you’ll also find yourself laughing at Lily’s crazy home life while sympathizing with the bigger issue of her simply not fitting in anywhere.

The Fill-in Boyfriend

The storyline might not be anything new—girl is dumped by her boyfriend right before prom, girl convinces cute boy to pose as her boyfriend—but the characters really come to life in this novel. You’ll meet Gia, the popular socialite, and Hayden, the budding actor.

And don’t forget Hayden’s brooding sister whom one just can’t help but laugh at and love.

Between the funny and light moments, however, Gia learns about truthfulness and righting her wrongs.

On the Fence

As a tomboy being raised by a single dad and three older brothers, Charlotte, aka Charlie, knows how to run with the guys. But she doesn’t know the first thing about being a girl. Then she finds herself thrust into the world of makeup and skirts and a boy who has never seen her rougher side, so she starts coping with the stress through late-night fence chats with her neighbor and honorary fourth brother, Braden. Which would be helpful…if she weren’t falling hard for him.

I love stories about family and loyalty—and brothers, since I never had any. On the Fence will make you wish you had Charlie’s brothers. The romantic side of the story is very satisfying, but it goes deeper as Charlie sorts out what happened with her mother.

Pivot Point

Addie has the power to see potential futures when faced with a choice. So when her parents tell her they’re getting a divorce and she must pick who she wants to live with, she does a search. In one future, she’s pursued by the most popular guy in school. In the other, she falls for a cute, quiet artist. But when the paths turn dark, she has to decide which one she’s willing to live through…and who she’s willing to live without.

Pivot Point is unusual in this list because it includes paranormal elements. Its sequel, Split Second, is equally captivating. (I mention one of its characters in Standout Characters in YA Novels.)

Borrow My Heart

When Wren overhears a guy getting verbally destroyed by his friends for being catfished, she makes an uncharacteristically impulsive decision and pretends to be his online crush. Suddenly she’s fake-dating a boy she knows nothing about. And it’s . . . amazing.

I was rooting very strongly for Wren, especially later in the book. Asher is a sweet guy, and the animal scenes balance the heavier themes of dishonesty and betrayal. The storyline did not move along too predictably.

Note: Borrow My Heart was published in 2024 but doesn’t contain the controversial moral content of other recent books—much to my happiness because it’s a really cute story!

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And check out my other clean & Christian YA book lists:

YA Fiction for Christians: An Honest Look at Kasie West

In This Article

Kasie West, Author of Stories With Heart and Humor

Update: Caution for Christian Readers

“Not a Hint” Applies to Fiction Too

Kasie West Books With LGBTQ Content