Little Something Different
Ratings24
Average rating3.7
15
Ratings24
Average rating3.7
Lea and Gabe are in the same creative writing class. They get the same pop-culture references, order the same Chinese food and hang out in the same places. Unfortunately, Lea is reserved, Gabe has issues, and despite their initial mutual crush it looks like they are never going to work things out.But somehow, even when nothing is going on, something is happening between them, and everyone can see it. Their creative-writing teacher pushes them together. The baristas at the local Starbucks watch their relationship like a TV show. Their bus driver tells his wife about them. The waitress at the diner automatically seats them together. Now they just need to realize that they're meant for each other, and start falling in love . . . This irresistible romance is told by all the people who are willing love to blossom in a unique multi-voice narrative structure. It is perfect for fans of Rainbow Rowell and John Green.
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The idea of this book was unique, a love story told in 14 different POVs and none of those were the actual members of the couple. But it fell short for me. I struggled to relate to Lea and Gabe and I found it hard to follow their love story because we were witnessing it through the eyes of their friends, acquaintances, and other random people/animal/objects. The bench and the squirrel POVs were definitely a stretch. And while I enjoyed the characterization of the squirrel, it was a little too much for me. Overall this book I think tried to do too much and suffered as a result.
It was an interesting concept, and as it is a first novel, I feel like the author has potential. But as a book itself it really didn't live up to its own challenges. Though I love the idea of 14 different perspectives, some of them just fell flat–the bench POV was creepy, honestly. I also had a hard time believing these 12 different people were that involved in the romance of other people for over a year.
I did enjoy Gabe and his brother and best friend. They were a sweet bromance trio.
Otherwise...not so much.
A Little Something Different is about college students Lea and Gabe. Everyone can see their chemistry, except for them sometimes. That's why their meet-cute story is told from 14 different viewpoints, none of them theirs.
I cannot tell you how many times I've picked up this book in any number of bookstores, carried it around, found something I thought sounded better, and then put this one back. SO many times. Finally, I saw it at my local book exchange and committed. It doesn't hurt that it has a few small books on the cover, which works for one of my PopSugar challenges.
I didn't have high hopes for this book for some reason (I just always had a feeling), so I wasn't necessarily disappointed in it. This is some fluff writing, y'all. This is absolutely the least inventive story you'll read this year. Boy meets girl, boy and girl stare at each other for an entire semester without talking, boy and girl finally talk. That's the plot. There's little to no character development. We never hear from Gabe or Lea, which is actually okay, but that means we never find out anything about them.
Honestly, the only reason I gave this book two stars instead of one was because of the 14 viewpoints. We hear from people like a Starbucks barista, a teacher's spouse, and a squirrel (my favorite part of the book.) That was super neat. I loved reading it from all those perspectives and the concept of being outside looking in. But it also fell flat.
Would I recommend?
For the plot, definitely no. But if you're looking for a quick read and are intrigued by the 14 viewpoints, it's not the worst thing.
Super cute YA that I listened to while driving from PDX to Victoria. I was pleasantly surprised by this one!
