Review: A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall

9 September, 2014 Reviews 10 comments

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: A Little Something Different by Sandy HallA Little Something Different by Sandy Hall
Series: Standalone
Published by Swoon Reads on August 26th 2014
Pages: 272
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
Amazon Good BooksBook Depository
Goodreads
two-stars

The creative writing teacher, the delivery guy, the local Starbucks baristas, his best friend, her roommate, and the squirrel in the park all have one thing in common—they believe that Gabe and Lea should get together. 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 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. Even the squirrel who lives on the college green believes in their relationship.

Surely Gabe and Lea will figure out that they are meant to be together....

Lea and Gabe belong together…or at least that’s what the majority of the people in this book want to believe. So why do strangers, from bus drivers to squirrels, want this relationship to blossom? Because Lea and Gabe are practically the same person! And two boring people must realize that they have feelings for each other, even though they barely speak to one another. Are you following this? Because A Little Something Different left me wishing that I had read, well, something different.

The first issue that I have with this novel, and unfortunately it is the only reason this one stands out from other stories, is the multiple points of view. While some were okay, others were pointless. Why do you need to know what a bench (yes, you read that right) is thinking? How does that help the story? And why do I care that the main characters like to talk to the same squirrel–because that makes sense–and it can’t find its acorns? Since the story takes place over a year and the plot moves at a slower pace than it should, I lost interest rather quickly. This leaves me very unimpressed, especially considering the fact that this book is so short.

Aside from the very simplistic (if not outright immature) writing, I was left with one question: why in the world is EVERYONE interested in getting Lea and Gabe together? I don’t know about you, but life is hard enough to take the time to worry about somebody else’s love life. Other than some physical attraction between the two, I feel like everyone’s interest doesn’t have a foundation at all. As far as I’m concerned, there’s nothing special about Lea or Gabe to instantly make them great for each other. This might be a side effect of having so many points of view. Since everyone gets a chance to comment in this story but the main characters, I didn’t feel like I got to know them at all. Also, I need you to keep in mind that this story takes place in college, apparently, in one so small that everyone runs into each other. I’m not sure why the author set this in college if the story reads like it takes place in high school.

The only reason I gave this novel two stars instead of one is because I think some of you might enjoy it. Unfortunately, I can’t talk about any positives because I didn’t like anything enough to take the time to tell you about it.

Paola Carolina

Paola Carolina

Reviewer at Cuddlebuggery
Anglophile, bookworm, and occasional fangirl. Find me on Goodreads.

10 Responses to “Review: A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall”

  1. Katherine
    Twitter:

    I’ve heard some good things about this book, but this is the first negative review I’ve read so far! I’m looking forward to picking this book up and seeing what I think of it. I can understand how all the POVs might get annoying (especially inanimate objects…), but I’m interested to see how the author pulls it off.
    Katherine recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Underrated BooksMy Profile

  2. Mawa Mahima
    Twitter:

    It’s unsurprising that I have a dislike for this genre as a whole. A lot of it seems very childish and immature…and so my patience wears thin with these types of books. But then again, if I’m in a reading slump and need some ‘fluff’ to read, I resort to this. It’s a bit of a light novel, but definitely something I need when I’m not in the mood for reading something that will make me ‘feel’ for it.
    Mawa Mahima recently posted…On Beauty: That Middle Class Race IssueMy Profile

  3. Sydney
    Twitter:

    I’ve seen this book around a bit but haven’t been particularly interested in it. I’m not much of a contemporary reader and have to be in the mood for it, especially when it comes to YA. There are a few authors I love, but in the end Contemporary YA is something I come to when I need fluff. The likelihood that I’ll pick this up is slim mostly because it isn’t really up my alley. :/

  4. Emily

    I saw this book and didn’t have a lot of interest in it, so thanks for your review confirming some of my suspicions!

  5. Joy @ The Bookshelf Intruder
    Twitter:

    Oh no!!! I was really looking forward to reading this book because of the cover. I know, I’m shallow that way. I’ve read some good reviews, but now that I think about it, I don’t think I’ve seen a great review of it. And this is the first negative one. I guess that just solidifies the tenet that we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Ugh… This is so sad. I still want to read this though but maybe not this year.
    Joy @ The Bookshelf Intruder recently posted…Book Review: Dangerous Reflections by Shay WestMy Profile

  6. Kari
    Twitter:

    It’s funny. I’ve seen this book talked about a lot recently, but never felt the urge to add it to my TBR list. Now I see why. And it’s disheartening because the main character in my WIP is named Lea and now, I’ll think of this novel every time I see the name. Ugh!

  7. Alex / AnimeGirl

    I had heard mostly good things about this one, but your comments just put a lot of stuff into perspective. They do sound a bit on the boring side, so I keep that in mind if this crosses my path!
    Thanks for the honest review.
    Alex / AnimeGirl recently posted…This Be MeMy Profile

  8. Georgie

    I have read this book and this review sums up exactly what I thought throughout- thank you for being the first review that I can actually relate to

  9. Michelle

    A romantic story. Too cute! Althougt it”s seem that I did not really like the couple on this, I really enjoy the time that I read this book. BTW, you have a nice review. 🙂

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