Save Me by Mona Kasten (English Translation: July 1, 2025) Huge thanks to @berkleyromance and @prhaudio for the #gifted print and audio copies of this fun, fast-paced read that brought me all the Gossip Girl vibes! #berkley #berkleypartner #prhaudioinfluencer
Ruby Bell has no interest in the drama or privilege that define her elite prep school. She’s laser-focused on getting into Oxford and keeping her head down. The rich kids? Not her scene. Especially not James Beaufort – entitled, arrogant, and everything Ruby can’t stand.
But when Ruby accidentally uncovers a secret that could wreck James’s family, she finds herself directly in his path. And after one of his infamous pranks backfires, James is forced to join the planning committee for the Halloween Gala – with Ruby. Cue the tension, the slow thaw, and the unexpected connection.
This newly translated release is the first in Mona Kasten’s Maxton Hall trilogy – already a hit in Europe and now coming to English-language readers, with a TV adaptation streaming on Amazon Prime. It’s a great pick if you’re in the mood for something drama-filled but low stakes, especially after finishing a heavier read. Think rich kid chaos, academic ambition and enemies-to-lovers spark. I believe this is categorized as romance but could be read as YA as well IMO.
It didn’t totally reinvent the genre, but it scratched a very specific prep school, secret romance, rich-boy-falls-first itch, and I’ll be continuing with the series!
🎧 Audiobook Notes: Narrators Will Watt and Marisa Calin nail the tension and drama in this dual POV performance. Their voices bring both Ruby’s sharp edges and James’s surprising vulnerability to life. (Runtime: 9h 53m)
- ⭐Book: 🌟🌟🌟💫
- 🎧 Audio: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
- 🔥 Spice: 🌶️
Book Smart Kate 