Editorial Content for Defending Taylor

Miranda Kenneally is the author of the bestselling Hundred Oaks series following teens in the same area of Tennessee. Miranda is a native Tennessean herself, and worked and went to college in Washington, D.C. DEFENDING TAYLOR is the seventh book in this series of companion novels.

Soccer has always been Taylor's escape from the pressures of school and family, but it's hard to fit in and play on a team that used to be her rival. The only person who seems to understand all that she's going through is her older brother's best friend, Ezra. Taylor's had a crush on him for as long as she can remember. But it's hard to trust after having been betrayed. Will Taylor repeat her past mistakes or can she score a fresh start?

"DEFENDING TAYLOR...successfully captures...all of the pressure that a lot of teens put on themselves to succeed. I found it to be incredibly relatable."

DEFENDING TAYLOR is one of the only young adult books that I have found that successfully captures the difficulties of high school with academic stress, college admissions, family expectations and all of the pressure that a lot of teens put on themselves to succeed. I found it to be incredibly relatable. Taylor has the “perfect family” and that really drives her to succeed. Taylor’s choices actually make sense and you understand her motivations even if you don’t agree with her actions.

I have enjoyed all of the books in this series --- and they all aren’t just a romance. They focus on so many other issues as well, which is so important. I found that in DEFENDING TAYLOR, the romance was not at the forefront of the story. Taylor’s relationship with her family and friends was just as important, if not more important, though Ezra was definitely a great love interest! I really appreciated how they both pushed each other to do what they really love to do. Also, Miranda Kenneally always makes sure she inserts a few characters that we love from the past books in the series to give advice to the new characters.

I definitely recommend DEFENDING TAYLOR and the Hundred Oaks series. These books are actually perfect to marathon read! I read the first six in six days over a school break. These books are such accurate depictions of teenagers that you will find that you really relate to these characters.