We all know how cold it is outside, but that doesn’t mean that we’re not using it as the best excuse to cozy up to some of our favorite reads. Luckily for us, Kasie West has absolutely covered with her incredible releases, including a brand new YA novel that will actually make this wild winter weather a little bit more worth it as sparks fly in this modern-day Romeo & Juliet story that feels like being snuggled in a warm coat.
Cosmopolitan has an exclusive first-look at Kasie’s West Light Up My Life, which is set to be released on October 20, 2026. The novel follows Jasmine Costas and Ryan Moreno, two rival neighbors whose families’ feud takes a new turn when a Best Decorated House contest stirs up the neighborhood. But just a bit alone time together casues some sparks to fly. Can they deny their feelings for one another before the holidays are up? Here’s some more info from our friends at Scholastic Press:
Beloved YA romance author Kasie West (P.S. I Like You) returns with a charming, hilarious modern-day Romeo & Juliet story about two rival families, one Christmas house decorating competition, and a blossoming forbidden relationship. Perfect for fans of Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice and the forthcoming Mint To Be!
Sixteen-year-old Jasmine Costas is a sensitive, shy artist who has spent her entire life going out of her way to avoid the bane of her existence, Ryan Moreno. On top of being an arrogant jerk, Ryan hails from the Moreno family, the Costas's next-door neighboors and longtime enemies.
But this is Jasmine's older brother's last year of high school, so she's determined to make it the Best Christmas Ever. When it's announced that their town is holding an actual contest for Best Decorated House, Jasmine and her family are ready to wage an all-out war to claim the trophy.
Until Jasmine and Ryan are accidentally locked in a pantry together during a holiday party, and she's forced to wonder if there's actually more to Ryan Moreno than meets the eye. And unfortunately, their chemistry is undeniable.
A secret relationship blooms that threatens to completely upend the lives of their families as the Christmas decoration schemes and rivalries get wilder and more chaotic. Jasmine and Ryan want to be together. Can they convince their families to patch things up and embrace the holiday spirit?
This charming story from the master of romantic-comedy, beloved author Kasie West, is a spirited exploration of the chaos of change, and the enduring magic of Christmas.
Basically, all they want for Christmas is each other and all we want is to get to meet Jasmine and Ryan. Luckily, we won’t have to wait for the holidays to come back around again to get to see them. Check out the exclusive cover reveal below include the stunning sprayed edges that will certainly get you into the spirit. The cover art is by Leni Kauffman and the cover is designed by Stephanie Yang:
And that’s not all, you can officially check out an excerpt below that will certainly warm you up in this cold. Just make sure to pre-order Light Up My Life and check out some of Kasie’s other books while you’re at it!
An Excerpt From Light Up My Life
By Kasie West
I wasn’t sure how long I’d been scrolling when a tapping noise sounded at my window. I gasped, fear spreading across my chest. I was on the second floor, so it wasn’t often there was any noise at my window. Just the occasional storm-based events. But tonight was clear.
The tapping continued. I yanked the blanket off my legs and walked to the window. I lifted a slat on the blinds to see a person there. I yelped and threw my hand over my mouth.
“It’s me,” I heard through the glass. “Ryan.”
My bedroom door was closed, but I quickly rushed across the room and locked it. Then I was back at the window, pulling open the blinds and sliding open the glass.
“What are you doing?” I hissed. “How did you get up here?” I wrestled with the screen. I’d never taken one out in my life, so I had no idea how to do it.
“Those tabs on the bottom. Pull up and then toward you,” Ryan said like he professionally took out screens. Or maybe he just snuck into a lot of girls’ bedrooms.
I did as he said, pulling the tabs up and then toward me, freeing the screen from my window. I immediately stuck my head out to see him standing atop an extra-tall ladder. “What are you doing?” I asked.
“You forgot this.” He held out my coat. I took it from him, tossed it onto my bed, and then pulled his arm so he could climb inside. His position on top of the ladder seemed precarious. He got the hint, stepping over the windowsill and into my room.
“You’re crazy,” I whispered, but a smile took over my face. Cold air poured into my room from the open window.
He smiled too, but then he grew serious. “I’m sorry about what my dad said.”
I shrugged, a lump rising in my throat. “Sounds like you might’ve joined in, had I not been there.” That’s what his dad had implied, that Ryan had made comments about my house, about us, before.
“I’ve been stupid.” He brushed a hand along my arm. “I’m sorry.”
“I’ve been stupid too.” I had said some pretty mean things about him and his house over the years as well.
He pulled me into a hug, and I let him—wanted him to. His neck was cold against my cheek, but his arms felt warm around me.
“Did your mom see my coat?” I asked, my arms around his middle.
“Surprisingly, no.”
“Thanks for risking your life to bring it back to me.”
“Anytime.”
I shivered.
“Sorry,” he said. “You’re cold. I should go.”
But neither of us moved. Instead, I snaked my arms into the coat he was wearing. I could feel him smile against my temple as he pulled the sides of his coat around my back, wrapping me up. I laughed and looked up at him. But when I met his eyes, instead of finding humor there, I found intensity, fire. The smile slipped from my face.
We stared at each other for a couple beats and then, instead of waiting for a kiss not to happen again, I pushed myself up onto my toes, pressing my mouth against his.
© Kasie West, 2025. Used with permission of Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic, Inc.
Light Up My Life, by Kasie West will be released on October 20, 2026 from Scholastic Press. To preorder the book, click on the retailer of your choice:
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