149 books
—
537 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “Keep My Heart in San Francisco” as Want to Read:
Keep My Heart in San Francisco
by
Sparks fly when two ex-best-friends team up to save a family business in this swoon-worthy and witty debut perfect for fans of Jenn Bennett and Sarah Dessen.
Caroline “Chuck” Wilson has big plans for spring break—hit up estate sales to score vintage fashion finds and tour the fashion school she dreams of attending. But her dad wrecks those plans when he asks her to spend va ...more
Caroline “Chuck” Wilson has big plans for spring break—hit up estate sales to score vintage fashion finds and tour the fashion school she dreams of attending. But her dad wrecks those plans when he asks her to spend va ...more
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
Keep My Heart in San Francisco,
please sign up.
Recent Questions
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of Keep My Heart in San Francisco
Sweet, heartfelt, and atmospheric, Keep My Heart in San Francisco is a genuine but light story of romance, family, and home. Think the family struggles of Lauren Spieller's She's the Worst meets the ex-best friends to lovers of Jenn Bennett's Starry Eyes, all wrapped up in San Francisco, bowling, and with mental illness rep!
Would definitely highly recommend for an entertaining and modern romance. ...more
Would definitely highly recommend for an entertaining and modern romance. ...more
Mar 04, 2020
Candace Robinson
added it
ARC received via publisher!
This is a charming and romantic read from author Amelia Diane Coombs that stole my heart for its characters, the setting in beautiful San Francisco, a bowling alley, and ex-best friends trying to fight to save a family business!
I recommend this contemporary YA novel that is full of heart that I really enjoyed!
I recommend this contemporary YA novel that is full of heart that I really enjoyed!
2.5 stars
This might've had the most ridiculous premise of any book I've ever read, but I had fun. Trying to save her family's failing bowling alley by going undercover and hustling games to try and make eight grand in a week with her former best friend and crush, Chuck Wilson has a lot on her plate. Many hi-jinks and adventures ensure in this story. I enjoyed seeing Chuck and Beckett's relationship reform after a fallout in freshman year but the actual plot is so wacky it was definitely hard to ...more
This might've had the most ridiculous premise of any book I've ever read, but I had fun. Trying to save her family's failing bowling alley by going undercover and hustling games to try and make eight grand in a week with her former best friend and crush, Chuck Wilson has a lot on her plate. Many hi-jinks and adventures ensure in this story. I enjoyed seeing Chuck and Beckett's relationship reform after a fallout in freshman year but the actual plot is so wacky it was definitely hard to ...more
A unique, retro contemporary YA romance that revolves around bowling! These flawed, layered characters are written with so much depth and empathy. I'm a huge fan of setting as character, and this book truly captures the heartbeat of San Fransisco. Perfect for fans of Jenn Bennett.
...more
4/3/2020: Quick update that KEEP MY HEART will now be released on July 14th, 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. So sorry for the delay, but I can't wait for you all to meet Chuck and Beckett.
10/16/19: We have a cover! And a release date! KEEP MY HEART will release on June 23rd, 2020!
6/23/2019: I’m so thrilled to announce my debut’s new title, KEEP MY HEART IN SAN FRANCISCO!
I don’t think I can adequately express how excited (and terrified?!) I am to share this book with the world! First, this ...more
10/16/19: We have a cover! And a release date! KEEP MY HEART will release on June 23rd, 2020!
6/23/2019: I’m so thrilled to announce my debut’s new title, KEEP MY HEART IN SAN FRANCISCO!
I don’t think I can adequately express how excited (and terrified?!) I am to share this book with the world! First, this ...more
3.5 stars
• best friends to enemies to best friends to lovers?? (+ bonus points for the slow burn romance)
• bipolar disorder / depression representation
• some parts were predictable, but nonetheless i enjoyed the story
• bowling bowling bowling!!!
• best friends to enemies to best friends to lovers?? (+ bonus points for the slow burn romance)
• bipolar disorder / depression representation
• some parts were predictable, but nonetheless i enjoyed the story
• bowling bowling bowling!!!
The family business is in trouble, and Chuck knows that if it fails, she will be forced to leave San Francisco. She loves this city! It's a part of her, and she would do just about anything to stay. But she wonders if it's worth reconciling with her former best friend after his betrayal?
I won't lie. I expected this to be fluffier than it was. That said, I throughly enjoyed it anyway.
Chuck was looking to keep her heart in San Francisco, and she did a great job showing me why. I absolutely love wh ...more
I won't lie. I expected this to be fluffier than it was. That said, I throughly enjoyed it anyway.
Chuck was looking to keep her heart in San Francisco, and she did a great job showing me why. I absolutely love wh ...more
Loved this book!
Chuck was a great MC, and I liked watching her grow over the course of the novel, even if sometimes she made poor choices.
I stand by my earlier opinion that Beckett is one of the best YA boyfriends ever. He was funny and sweet and very thoughtful, and I really liked how good he was at communicating with Chuck. It was refreshing to see a YA book where miscommunication wasn't used as a plot device.
Also, I loved seeing how much the author loves San Francisco. This book was just as ...more
Chuck was a great MC, and I liked watching her grow over the course of the novel, even if sometimes she made poor choices.
I stand by my earlier opinion that Beckett is one of the best YA boyfriends ever. He was funny and sweet and very thoughtful, and I really liked how good he was at communicating with Chuck. It was refreshing to see a YA book where miscommunication wasn't used as a plot device.
Also, I loved seeing how much the author loves San Francisco. This book was just as ...more
All kinds of ridiculous wrapped into a fun and entertaining book.
Keep My Heart in San Francisco introduces you to Caroline Wilson. She also goes by Chuck. She works at her family-owned bowling alley for free and comes up with this plan to save them from closing down. I mean, yeah, what kid wouldn't do that?
Before she even comes to this idea, we meet her ex-best friend Beckett. Basically gorgeous and overall super sweet. Unless they start to bicker, which gives you some insight into some serious ...more
Keep My Heart in San Francisco introduces you to Caroline Wilson. She also goes by Chuck. She works at her family-owned bowling alley for free and comes up with this plan to save them from closing down. I mean, yeah, what kid wouldn't do that?
Before she even comes to this idea, we meet her ex-best friend Beckett. Basically gorgeous and overall super sweet. Unless they start to bicker, which gives you some insight into some serious ...more
In the interest of full disclosure, my best friend is the author's agent, and I sent her this string of text messages midway through:
DO THEY SAVE THE BOWLING ALLEY
DO THEY GET CAUGHT HUSTLING AND BETTING
THIS ISN'T RELAXING
I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR THEM
Despite how non-relaxed I was while fretting over the characters' well-being, this was the lighthearted read I needed right now and it was a fantastic escape from Pandemic 2020. As far as YA contemporary romance characters go, Chuck and Beckett are a ...more
DO THEY SAVE THE BOWLING ALLEY
DO THEY GET CAUGHT HUSTLING AND BETTING
THIS ISN'T RELAXING
I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR THEM
Despite how non-relaxed I was while fretting over the characters' well-being, this was the lighthearted read I needed right now and it was a fantastic escape from Pandemic 2020. As far as YA contemporary romance characters go, Chuck and Beckett are a ...more
The romance in this book had strong echoes of Jenn Bennett, so if that's your kind of swoony guy--sweet, smart, endearing, funny--then you will enjoy Beckett immensely. Hands down my favorite parts of the novel!
This book was a nice mix of serious and fun. Chuck's grappling with secrets about her mom, her mental health, and that horrible feeling when you're not in control of your own life, specifically when your parent is the one who decides where you rest your head. I think it helps that I have ...more
This book was a nice mix of serious and fun. Chuck's grappling with secrets about her mom, her mental health, and that horrible feeling when you're not in control of your own life, specifically when your parent is the one who decides where you rest your head. I think it helps that I have ...more
![Namera [The Literary Invertebrate]](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1587154687p2/31792110.jpg)
ARC received in exchange for an honest review - thank you!
Well, I really wanted to like this book. It sounded like a cute rom-com with sparks flying between ex-best friends (aka one of my favourite relationship dynamics). But, despite good discussions of mental health, it had a tepid storyline featuring flat and somewhat incredibly stupid characters.
Seventeen-year-old Caroline ‘Chuck’ Wilson is a hardcore loner. Ever since she broke from her best friend Beckett Porter for betraying her, ...more
Well, I really wanted to like this book. It sounded like a cute rom-com with sparks flying between ex-best friends (aka one of my favourite relationship dynamics). But, despite good discussions of mental health, it had a tepid storyline featuring flat and somewhat incredibly stupid characters.
Seventeen-year-old Caroline ‘Chuck’ Wilson is a hardcore loner. Ever since she broke from her best friend Beckett Porter for betraying her, ...more
Thank you to #NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing for allowing me to read a digital ARC of Keep My Heart in San Francisco by Amelia Diane Coombs. This contemporary young adult novel is set to be released in August of 2020. All opinions are my own.
Caroline "Chuck" Wilson plans to spend her spring break antiquing and touring the fashion school she hopes to attend when she graduates. Those plans go down the drain when her dad informs her that one of their employees (they own a bow ...more
Caroline "Chuck" Wilson plans to spend her spring break antiquing and touring the fashion school she hopes to attend when she graduates. Those plans go down the drain when her dad informs her that one of their employees (they own a bow ...more
Charming with deeper twists.
Have to say, I wasn't expecting the story. It took me by surprise. The prose was endearing and kept me interested. Whenever I picked it up again after not reading it for a while, it sucked me into the story. The characters are pretty cool. The plot twists are pretty crazy.
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for providing me with an ARC. ...more
Have to say, I wasn't expecting the story. It took me by surprise. The prose was endearing and kept me interested. Whenever I picked it up again after not reading it for a while, it sucked me into the story. The characters are pretty cool. The plot twists are pretty crazy.
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for providing me with an ARC. ...more
A heartfelt, own voices story about love, mental health, and the meaning of home. When Chuck Wilson finds out that her dad is behind on the rent for the family bowling alley, she leaps in to try to help out. Terrified that if they go under, she'll have to move to Arizona, Chuck's desperate to save the business and finish high school in her beloved city, San Francisco. She'll do anything, including agreeing to her annoyingly attractive friend Beckett's somewhat illegal plan to take part in the Ba
...more
I had the fortune of reading this book before there was a publishing contract and I knew it would sell! A YA bowling alley story set in San Francisco? Yes, please! The main characters, Chuck and Beckett, are former BFFs on the outs, but they work together in an attempt to save her father’s bowling alley. The vibe is a little bit retro, a little bit quirky and a lotta bit fun. I enjoyed it as an adult and will definitely be buying it for my daughter!
Funny, delightful, charming, and perfect for fans of Jenn Bennett.
This review and more can be found at www.thebookbratz.blogspot.com.
I received an ARC of KEEP MY HEART IN SAN FRANCISCO in exchange for an honest review, and I'm so glad that I did, because this book was so sweet and delightful! So without further ado, let's get into my review!
As the summary explains, Chuck Wilson wants to do anything possible to stay in San Francisco, the city of her heart. But when her family's bowling alley is going under with no savior in sight, she takes things in her own ha ...more
I received an ARC of KEEP MY HEART IN SAN FRANCISCO in exchange for an honest review, and I'm so glad that I did, because this book was so sweet and delightful! So without further ado, let's get into my review!
As the summary explains, Chuck Wilson wants to do anything possible to stay in San Francisco, the city of her heart. But when her family's bowling alley is going under with no savior in sight, she takes things in her own ha ...more
This was such an enjoyable read that I flew through! It was very easy to read, and I found myself finishing the book before I knew it! This book does address suicide and mental health, but it doesn’t get super dark. I addresses the important of getting professional help and taking medicine, along with leaning on your family for support.
The romance in this book was very sweet and innocent, but still managed to be swoony! I love a best friends romance, and that’s exactly what this was. With a bes ...more
The romance in this book was very sweet and innocent, but still managed to be swoony! I love a best friends romance, and that’s exactly what this was. With a bes ...more
There was a lot to Chuck's story that worked for me, especially the depiction of her mental health. Her worries about growing to exhibit signs, of bipolar disorder as her mother had were well developed and made her relatable. The premise (illegal bowling!) was just absurd enough to be believable and fun. The writing was fun and light, but strong.
Where this fell apart for me was the setting. I grew up in and around San Francisco and I never bought into Chuck's love of the city. Her fear of leavi ...more
Where this fell apart for me was the setting. I grew up in and around San Francisco and I never bought into Chuck's love of the city. Her fear of leavi ...more
This book completely and utterly captured my heart. Well both Chuck and Beckett did.
This story was so authentic and real. It made me laugh, cry, and gave me those butterflies in my stomach. The representation of depression, bipolar, and suicide in this book truly floored me. It felt real and relatable. And the author’s note at the end? Had a lump in my throat. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that you’re not alone. Even with a mental illness, there are people around you who support you and there’s ...more
This story was so authentic and real. It made me laugh, cry, and gave me those butterflies in my stomach. The representation of depression, bipolar, and suicide in this book truly floored me. It felt real and relatable. And the author’s note at the end? Had a lump in my throat. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that you’re not alone. Even with a mental illness, there are people around you who support you and there’s ...more
That plot did not go how I expected at all. I also didn’t like Chuck, she was too whiny and it had nothing to do with her mental health. Beckett was also a bad influence and I don’t like how everyone thinks he’s so great.
Very cute romance with a solid plot that made me want to go bowling the entire time!
Nicely joins other solid YA titles with mental health at their core (When We Collided, Under Rose-Tainted Skies, Dancing on the Edge, etc.). I especially enjoyed the Bay Area setting and even learned a few things. Hello Lake Merritt? Who knew? Also, very fun to read about Jennie in the acknowledgements. To think I knew her way back when she was just a recovering lawyer starting the FYA Book Club in in SF, now she's a literary agent extraordinaire! :)
...more
This was a great read! It is a sweet romance between ex best friends Chuck and Beckett. I did not expect to love reading a story about the Bay Area bowling scene would be so entertaining but as Chuck and Beckett come together you can’t help but root for them. I truly loved Chuck’s growth throughout the story. She has been through a lot in her life and is a strong character who may not always make the best choices but does it for the right reasons.
My favorite part of this book is how it addresses ...more
My favorite part of this book is how it addresses ...more
This was a sweet and entertaining YA book about the lengths a girl goes to rustle up cash in order to save her family's bowling alley so that she can stay in the city of her heart with the loves. Despite the cover prominently featuring bowling pins, in between obtaining the book and starting to read it, for some reason I'd misremembered the plot as related to saving a diner rather than a bowling alley. Caroline 'Chuck' Wilson is a likeable teen who is struggling with mental health issues. She wo
...more
This one surprised me with its themes on mental health.
A cute hate-to-love childhood friends romance again after a falling out.
Criticisms are that yes the premise and activities our MC and love interest engage in are a tad bit ridiculous for 17 year olds (view spoiler)
...more
A cute hate-to-love childhood friends romance again after a falling out.
Criticisms are that yes the premise and activities our MC and love interest engage in are a tad bit ridiculous for 17 year olds (view spoiler)
...more
A propulsive, compulsively readable YA contemporary that wonderfully showcases San Francisco. I loved recognizing my local SF haunts (Dynamo Donuts! Potrero Shopping Center!). Like Chuck, I think SF is the best city ever even if “Spring is disappointing, the fog soupy and the sky weeping well into June.”
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Readers also enjoyed
Amelia Diane Coombs writes books for young adults. Back in the day, she majored in English and went on to receive her MFA in Creative Writing. Now Amelia writes unlikable female protagonists, positive mental health representation, and swoony romances with soft boys. She’s a Northern California transplant living in Seattle, Washington, with her partner and their Siberian cat. When she isn’t writing
...more
Related Articles
Gothic romance, dueling family restaurants, West African magic, and much, much more! It sure looks like 2021 is shaping up to be a year of...
131 likes · 12 comments
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
