Mainstream-mini ARC Review: A Little Something Different By Sandy Hall

A Little Something Different By Sandy Hall

August 26, 2014 By Swoon Reads 

An imprint of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group

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

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.

If you guys have not heard of Swoon Reads yet, I highly suggest checking it out! It is such a neat program for readers and writers alike. Very interactive. Perfect for us book bloggers who not only love to read, but also love to share our opinions on what we read. Through commenting and rating, you can help to pick books for future publication! A Little Something Different was the first book chosen to be published by Swoon Reads. Since then they have selected five additional titles due to be released throughout 2015. You can visit Swoon Reads HERE.

~ MY REVIEW ~

** A copy was provided by the publisher (Swoon Reads an imprint of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group) in exchange for an honest review. **

"Ahhh, so adorable!" is the first thing that comes to mind. I had trouble with this review, because it is easy for me to get overwhelmed by the cuteness of a romance and overlook the actual substance of a book. And man, I just love Gabe and Lea. Their relationship is exactly what I would hope for and unfolds so perfectly. Plus the amount of supporters their romance has, yea, everyone should be so lucky. Hmmm. Do I sound a bit jelly?

I was a bit concerned with the amount of POVs in this story. Multiple POVs is something that really works or really doesn't. In this case I would say it works really well. Experiencing Gabe and Lea from their peers and other outside perspectives makes it that much more real, since they truly have an objective view of the relationship. The only thing I was hoping for was getting to hear their thoughts directly at least once. Maybe slipped in at the end, to kind of tie things off? I suppose, I would have connected more to Gabe and Lea if I had the opportunity to hear what they had to say, from an inside perspective. But I suppose the squirrel made up for that, although somewhat unnecessary as he was.

I've had to think hard of the things that I had issues with. It's like deep down I knew they were squirming around, but over-all I adored so much about this book that I didn't really want to bother with them. It was such a fast and warming read. Easy to root for characters. But nevertheless, here they are. One of the more important POVs is that of Lea and Gabe's creative writing teacher. She is a lesbian, which gives her a liberal edge. However, despite her love for the same sex, she has a nasty opinion of one of her female students--who also happens to like Gabe. She spends a good deal of her POVs expanding on this hate and trying to drive this girl away from Gabe. Sweet as it would be to have a teacher who cared that much about my relationship succeeding, I did not like her automatic hate for this slut girl. 
I also was left with the feeling that I knew Lea much better than I did Gabe. And I really wanted the story to expand on Gabe's accident and his feelings afterwards. I know Lea's strengths and weaknesses, but apart from his social awkwardness, I do not feel like I could accurately describe Gabe.
Overall, this is a read that is quit worth it. Especially if you are in need of some pick-me-up cuteness. A Little Something Different is just what its title implies. It is different and enjoyable. Reminds me of what I would want to read while I am home alone on Valentine's Day.