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Don't Kiss the Messenger
(Edgelake High School #1)
by
For most of her teenage life, CeCe Edmonds has been dealing with the stares and the not-so-polite whispers that follow her around Edgelake High. So she has a large scar on her face—Harry Potter had one on his forehead and people still liked him.
CeCe never cared about her looks—until Emmett Brady, transfer student and football darling, becomes her literature critique partne ...more
CeCe never cared about her looks—until Emmett Brady, transfer student and football darling, becomes her literature critique partne ...more
ebook, 285 pages
Published
April 10th 2017
by Entangled: Crush
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Start your review of Don't Kiss the Messenger (Edgelake High School, #1)

As a child Cece Edmonds was in a serious car crash that left her with a horrible scar upon her face. Now a senior in high school Cece has developed a tough girl persona to deal with those that comment about her scar. The captain of the girls volley ball team she has her circle of friends that she's close to but has trouble letting anyone else into her life.
Emmett Brady just started classes at Cece's school and when the two end up paired together Cece is immediately taken to him but won't allow ...more
Emmett Brady just started classes at Cece's school and when the two end up paired together Cece is immediately taken to him but won't allow ...more

Mar 26, 2017
Annika
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-to-review-arc,
romance-young-adult

Ugh. I can't recall ever reading a romance less satisfying.
Which is a shame considering the promising premise of a prominently scarred heroine. The thing is, had the author left out the entire romance part and focused on CeCe's character and her struggles, her friendships and family drama instead, it might have been a great book, as those were the passages that really touched me deeply.
The love story, however, has left me wanting for so much more. I wasn't expecting anything profound. I was anti ...more

Yess!!! I needed this book! Been reading a lot of fantasy and paranormal that I was starting to feel a little burned out. So happy I got the chance to read this one early. Not only is it written by one of my favorite authors, but it was exactly what I hoped for and more. Love Katie Ray's (Kacvinsky) books!
Full review to come! ...more
Full review to come! ...more

4.5 Stars
I don't read a lot of YA. To be honest, I don't like YA that much. Reading about teenagers who fall in love? Ughs. Not my cup of tea.
Anyway, i enjoyed 'Don't kiss the messenger' a lot.
It's the story of CeCe, a girl who had a serious car accident years ago and is left with a big scar on her face. She's a fighter and has developed a bad ass attitude to deal with her looks. I really liked her. She's this girl who is too smart, too witty, too strong to be real. It's all a strategy to cope w ...more
I don't read a lot of YA. To be honest, I don't like YA that much. Reading about teenagers who fall in love? Ughs. Not my cup of tea.
Anyway, i enjoyed 'Don't kiss the messenger' a lot.
It's the story of CeCe, a girl who had a serious car accident years ago and is left with a big scar on her face. She's a fighter and has developed a bad ass attitude to deal with her looks. I really liked her. She's this girl who is too smart, too witty, too strong to be real. It's all a strategy to cope w ...more
![Lala_Loopsie [fire breathing B!tch Queen]](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1477498129p2/41378358.jpg)
I'm confused as hell, yet i'm still quite enjoying it.
Don't kiss the messenger. Why is it called like that? How does this even relate to the story? I don't know
When I saw the title, I thought it was the love story between a milkman or a postman and a married woman. Let me tell you, it's not between a milkman and a woman, not even between a postman. Strangely enough, I wasn't put off by the idea, and I read the blurb. Yes, I did. So I read it, liked it, and got the book.
Aaaaaaaaaaand, I didn't ...more
Don't kiss the messenger. Why is it called like that? How does this even relate to the story? I don't know
When I saw the title, I thought it was the love story between a milkman or a postman and a married woman. Let me tell you, it's not between a milkman and a woman, not even between a postman. Strangely enough, I wasn't put off by the idea, and I read the blurb. Yes, I did. So I read it, liked it, and got the book.
Aaaaaaaaaaand, I didn't ...more

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of Don't Kiss the Messenger provided by Entangled Teen and the author. Thank you for showing me that scars can be beautiful too.
"Love has two sides. First, it amazes us with its force. Then it humbles us with its sincerity."
Entangled Crush is best known for their cute and straightforward high school romances, some titles make you laugh, while some make you feel young at heart. On the other end of the spectrum, there are books like this whose blurb and ...more
"Love has two sides. First, it amazes us with its force. Then it humbles us with its sincerity."
Entangled Crush is best known for their cute and straightforward high school romances, some titles make you laugh, while some make you feel young at heart. On the other end of the spectrum, there are books like this whose blurb and ...more

Original review
Don't Kiss the Messenger tells the story of CeCe Edmonds. CeCe had a car accident when she was younger and because of that she has a scar on her face. She's been dealing with a lot of stares and whispers about her scar, so now she's tough and doesn't back away when someone's mean to her. It looks like she's fine, but she's not. She desperately wants someone to love her for who she is, but everyone only sees her scar... Until Emmett...
I really liked Don't Kiss the Messenger. I tho ...more
Don't Kiss the Messenger tells the story of CeCe Edmonds. CeCe had a car accident when she was younger and because of that she has a scar on her face. She's been dealing with a lot of stares and whispers about her scar, so now she's tough and doesn't back away when someone's mean to her. It looks like she's fine, but she's not. She desperately wants someone to love her for who she is, but everyone only sees her scar... Until Emmett...
I really liked Don't Kiss the Messenger. I tho ...more

What I got from this tale: it doesn't matter if you have an attractive personality, if you're ugly, that guy will never notice you. Ever. Unless you make it obvious--even then he still won't notice you, not when there's an ethereal beauty in front of him. Looks matter, people!!
So yeah if you're ugly? Tough shit.
I'm mostly, sarcastic.
Not really. ...more
So yeah if you're ugly? Tough shit.
I'm mostly, sarcastic.
Not really. ...more

Many thanks to Entangled Teen Crush for the free review copy in exchange for my honest opinion!
Wow! This little book completely blew me away! Although I've read a few books from this particular imprint before, they in no way gave me any indication that I would fall in love with "Don't Kiss the Messenger". I expected a cute, contemporary YA romance with a few fun times and a couple of swoons, maybe some sweet characters, but a predictable plot and an overall lack of depth. Still, sometimes that i ...more
Wow! This little book completely blew me away! Although I've read a few books from this particular imprint before, they in no way gave me any indication that I would fall in love with "Don't Kiss the Messenger". I expected a cute, contemporary YA romance with a few fun times and a couple of swoons, maybe some sweet characters, but a predictable plot and an overall lack of depth. Still, sometimes that i ...more

CeCe Edmonds is used to people not being able to see past the disfiguring scar that runs down the side of her face. She's used to the staring, the pointing, and the taunting. To protect herself she's hidden behind a thick emotional armor and a witty talent for self-deprecation. She spends so much time focusing on her classes and her varsity volleyball team at her prep school, Edgelake, in Madison, Wisconsin that she can almost forget that she never gets asked out on dates and guys usually don't
...more

Too many shades of Cyrano de Begerac’s tragicomedy are at work here as CeCe lets herself get carried away as she helps a flighty teammate win the new Quarterback she likes through lyrics and poems (synchronicity matters in hobbies, after all), as things go predictably pear-shaped and minds get scrambled.
Yet ‘Don’t Kiss the Messenger’ has put me in such a bind. It’s cleverly written really, with bona fide depth to it like those arty teen movies of the ‘90s, with a kind of teenage-philosophising ...more
Yet ‘Don’t Kiss the Messenger’ has put me in such a bind. It’s cleverly written really, with bona fide depth to it like those arty teen movies of the ‘90s, with a kind of teenage-philosophising ...more


3.5 “Scars, Sports & Illusions” Stars
ARC via NetGalley.
Thank you, Entangled Teen (Crush).
I'm still not sure how to rate this book, to be completely honest. While the main character took me on an emotional ride, giving me all the feels, I had problems with how the romance was portrayed here among other things.
Don't Kiss the Messenger didn't go at all as I expected. I've read my fair share of Entangled Crush books to expect sweet and cute stories with popular tropes (like the "falling in love with ...more

Actual Rating: 4.5
Thank you Sharon J for recommending this book to me. This was an amazing read. It tugged at my heartstrings a bit. There were a few points where I cried while I read the book. The characters were great. Although, I did get annoyed by the heroine, Cece. She is a girl who write emails to a boy for another girl. I wished that she would have told the truth. Emmett was a sweet guy. I thought that he had a way with words because he had a very poetic way of speaking. Bryn is an arro ...more
Thank you Sharon J for recommending this book to me. This was an amazing read. It tugged at my heartstrings a bit. There were a few points where I cried while I read the book. The characters were great. Although, I did get annoyed by the heroine, Cece. She is a girl who write emails to a boy for another girl. I wished that she would have told the truth. Emmett was a sweet guy. I thought that he had a way with words because he had a very poetic way of speaking. Bryn is an arro ...more

Thanks to Chapter-by-Chapter and Entangled Teen for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
When Emmett and Bryn start attending Edgelake High their senior year they re-enact their own modern Cyrano de Bergerac love story with CeCe smack in the middle. CeCe, while a leader on the volleyball court takes a back seat in love due to the large scar on her face. Emmett, the new football quarterback is blindsided by the gorgeous looks of fellow new student Bryn but falls in love with ...more
When Emmett and Bryn start attending Edgelake High their senior year they re-enact their own modern Cyrano de Bergerac love story with CeCe smack in the middle. CeCe, while a leader on the volleyball court takes a back seat in love due to the large scar on her face. Emmett, the new football quarterback is blindsided by the gorgeous looks of fellow new student Bryn but falls in love with ...more

Wow, this book drew me in! From the first page on I was hooked and didn't put the book down till the end.
I can't even tell what I felt exactly, because due to the unusual circumstances (and some insecurities and some stupidity and...well, you get the point, right?) my feelings changed every other minute. I was sighing and grinning foolishly, was really really upset the next minute, started ranting and swearing am second later and would have loved to kick somebody or other - well, sometimes.
Tak ...more
I can't even tell what I felt exactly, because due to the unusual circumstances (and some insecurities and some stupidity and...well, you get the point, right?) my feelings changed every other minute. I was sighing and grinning foolishly, was really really upset the next minute, started ranting and swearing am second later and would have loved to kick somebody or other - well, sometimes.
Tak ...more

This is, like, the most adorable and the most frustrating book I've come across. Ever. Which wasn't at all what I expected to get from this. Honestly, I just couldn't sleep so I figured why not read a few pages just to tire myself out? But before I know it, it's already three in the morning and I was already turning the last page. Don't Kiss the Messenger surprised me in a really welcome and pleasant way.
Let me start off by saying that our MC, CeCe, puts a whole new twist at badass-ery and sass. ...more
Let me start off by saying that our MC, CeCe, puts a whole new twist at badass-ery and sass. ...more

A book with lots of playlists recommends itself to me instantly. Cece and Emmett aren't average sports people, they are both very passionate about music and literature. I loved their eloquent and frequently artistic discussions, the metaphores they used. Cece feels alert all the time since people pay a lot of attention to her scarred face, but she learns that the scare actually made her who she is and she slowly accepts it. It's a romantic love stroy full of uncertainties and love letters. I rea
...more

This was a really enjoyable read about a strong female character and a refreshingly multi-faceted male character. I really loved getting to know Ceecee and Emmett, in particular Ceecee who the book tended to show a deeper perspective on. So many times characters with a so called "flaw" whether it's social anxiety or pimples or weight or a medical condition tend to be portrayed as very weakened and ashamed, and I thought it was neat how although CeeCee certainly had some work to do before she col
...more

Mar 28, 2017
Erica Chilson
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
wickedreads,
music,
4-star,
young-adult,
school-is-cool,
writer-protagonist,
disabilities,
athlete
I received a copy of this title to read and review for Wicked Reads
4 Angsty Stars
Young Adult age-range: 14+ due to sexual situations and adult language.
Katie Ray is a new-to-me author, and I was instantly hooked from the first paragraph. Swift pacing, easy to relate to characters, and realistic emotions. Beyond frustrating for an adult to read.
CeCe is a strong character: athletic, a true leader, crazy about music and literature- deep and cerebral-centric. She is also scarred on her cheek from ...more
4 Angsty Stars
Young Adult age-range: 14+ due to sexual situations and adult language.
Katie Ray is a new-to-me author, and I was instantly hooked from the first paragraph. Swift pacing, easy to relate to characters, and realistic emotions. Beyond frustrating for an adult to read.
CeCe is a strong character: athletic, a true leader, crazy about music and literature- deep and cerebral-centric. She is also scarred on her cheek from ...more

Don’t Kiss the Messenger is a gender-reversed, high school retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac. It’s a story about disguise, miscommunication, and hidden crushes. Often I find stories about deception frustrating because I am so impatient for the truth to be revealed, but in this book the use of modern technology to disguise flirtation is creatively thought out and well executed. I thought (and loved) that the book gave off vibes that reminisced the classic independent heroine and witty banter that i
...more

Don't Kiss the Messenger was an absolutely adorable, quick read. After reading that it is a retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac, I wanted to immediately go read the original.
Cece is an incredibly smart, vivacious character. Captain of the varsity volleyball team at a school where sports are everything, she should be one of the most popular students at school. However, the large scar on her face from a childhood accident seems to define her to her classmates more than anything else. I loved how tough ...more
Cece is an incredibly smart, vivacious character. Captain of the varsity volleyball team at a school where sports are everything, she should be one of the most popular students at school. However, the large scar on her face from a childhood accident seems to define her to her classmates more than anything else. I loved how tough ...more

"Don't Kiss the Messenger" was a sweet (albeit predictable) book about the misunderstandings and missteps of young love- in the style of Shakespeare. The book takes place at Edgelake, a combinating high school/college where the students live, attend classes, and compete on athletic teams. It's senior year, and CeCe is captain of the volleyball team. She is taking Shakespeare as an elective, and on the first day, she is paired up with the handsome new transfer the football team has been raving ab
...more

****I received a copy of this title to read and review for Wicked Reads****
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I ended up liking Don't Kiss the Messenger (DKTM) and was immediately hooked after just a few pages! CeCe Edmonds, the main character, is a strong female and very relatable. Katie Ray has easily won me over with this one. DKTM is a modern day retelling of Cyrano Bergerac, which I haven't read, but I am certainly intrigued by it now. Although, this is Katie Ray's first book under thi ...more
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I ended up liking Don't Kiss the Messenger (DKTM) and was immediately hooked after just a few pages! CeCe Edmonds, the main character, is a strong female and very relatable. Katie Ray has easily won me over with this one. DKTM is a modern day retelling of Cyrano Bergerac, which I haven't read, but I am certainly intrigued by it now. Although, this is Katie Ray's first book under thi ...more

Amazing!
I had so much fun reading this. I loved both Emmett and Cece. For me this felt real. You didn't need sex scenes to feel this two feelings. I know that I will rate a book high when no sex scenes or dirty talking is needed to feel the chemistry between the two leads, and Katie Ray did that exactly. I loved the friendship CeCe had with her roommates. I loved that guys even do they weren't romantically interested they weren't rude or mean to Cece. We did get to read about her being bullied ...more
I had so much fun reading this. I loved both Emmett and Cece. For me this felt real. You didn't need sex scenes to feel this two feelings. I know that I will rate a book high when no sex scenes or dirty talking is needed to feel the chemistry between the two leads, and Katie Ray did that exactly. I loved the friendship CeCe had with her roommates. I loved that guys even do they weren't romantically interested they weren't rude or mean to Cece. We did get to read about her being bullied ...more

I received a copy of this book in exchange for review.
Emmett: I'm so hot. I'm a star football player, but I'm also a deeply emotional pianist. I speak in lyrics.
CeCe: I have a scar on my face. I'm so hideous. But not my 10/10 body. I'm also very deep/emotional and speak in lyrics.
Bryn: I'm a complete moron. I buy shoes. I have hair the color of soft wheat in the afternoon sunlight.
Tuba: I'm the only remotely normal character in this book.
These are the main characters. Despite my snarkiness about ...more
Emmett: I'm so hot. I'm a star football player, but I'm also a deeply emotional pianist. I speak in lyrics.
CeCe: I have a scar on my face. I'm so hideous. But not my 10/10 body. I'm also very deep/emotional and speak in lyrics.
Bryn: I'm a complete moron. I buy shoes. I have hair the color of soft wheat in the afternoon sunlight.
Tuba: I'm the only remotely normal character in this book.
These are the main characters. Despite my snarkiness about ...more

This was such an adorable read, I loved almost everything about it. I had every intention of reading a chapter or two before bed but ended up finishing the entire book in one go because I just couldn’t put it down. Rarely does a book really surprise me but this one did, very different than what I was expecting.
Our protagonist CeCe takes the badass, 'I don’t care what you think of me’, sassy attitude to a whole new level and I love it. Emmett is the perfect love interest for her, he is old schoo ...more
Our protagonist CeCe takes the badass, 'I don’t care what you think of me’, sassy attitude to a whole new level and I love it. Emmett is the perfect love interest for her, he is old schoo ...more

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley.
Don't Kiss the Messenger is all things I usually hate: a 'damaged' girl, popular guy, denial of feelings and cheesy cliche teen romance. Despite this, I LOVED this book.
CeCe is captain of the volleyball team and finds it hard to fit in due to a prominent scar on her cheek from a car accident. She meets Emmett, the new quarterback, in her English class and soon helps set up Emmett with the new volleyball team member, Bryn. Poor Bryn cannot string ...more
Don't Kiss the Messenger is all things I usually hate: a 'damaged' girl, popular guy, denial of feelings and cheesy cliche teen romance. Despite this, I LOVED this book.
CeCe is captain of the volleyball team and finds it hard to fit in due to a prominent scar on her cheek from a car accident. She meets Emmett, the new quarterback, in her English class and soon helps set up Emmett with the new volleyball team member, Bryn. Poor Bryn cannot string ...more

Mar 13, 2017
Kristi Housman Confessions of a YA Reader
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
netgalley-books,
advanced-reader
I received a copy of this book from netgalley for review.
What I loved most about this book was CeCe. Her intelligence and strength covered how vulnerable and sweet she really was. I know she was guarded because of her scar, but I do believe it made her who she was. I loved Emmett, too. Bryn made me crazy. I know I was probably supposed to like her, but she was shallow and clueless. Not my favorite qualities.
I loved the music and the writing in this book. The chapter with the chemistry experiment ...more
What I loved most about this book was CeCe. Her intelligence and strength covered how vulnerable and sweet she really was. I know she was guarded because of her scar, but I do believe it made her who she was. I loved Emmett, too. Bryn made me crazy. I know I was probably supposed to like her, but she was shallow and clueless. Not my favorite qualities.
I loved the music and the writing in this book. The chapter with the chemistry experiment ...more
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Hi, my name's Katie and I write teen and new adult fiction novels. My latest book, Don't Kiss the Messenger, is published under my new pen name, Katie Ray. I also have six books published under my legal name, Katie Kacvinsky (First Comes Love, Second Chance, Finally Forever, Awaken, Middle Ground, and Still Point).
My books have been nominated for YALSA awards, and First Comes Love was a finalist f ...more
My books have been nominated for YALSA awards, and First Comes Love was a finalist f ...more
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“I loved that sports gave women a reason to be unpretty, in the traditional sense. It made stamina, strength, endurance, and mental toughness attractive. Flushed cheeks were your makeup, muscles your accessory, and sweat your glitter. I fit in well in this fashion runway show.”
—
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“The heart is the anarchist of the mind. The naughty child that never grows up. The hopeless romantic. The dreamer. The optimist. The risk taker. The sail that always wants to move. The wings that never want to land." CeCe”
—
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