[Review] A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall

Title: A Little Something Different
Author: Sandy Hall [ Facebook | Twitter | Website]

Publisher: Swoon Reads, imprint of Feiwel and Friends/ Macmillan

Genre: Young Adult Fiction - Contemporary, Romance

Release Date: August 26, 2014

Source: Review copy provided by the publisher, opinions are honest and my own. – review policy here.

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.... - via Goodreads

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Told from 14 different points of view Hall whips up a quirky tale of boy meets girl through their first year of college. Intertwining viewpoints patch together the story of Lea and Gabe as they encounter a slew of awkward situations, just misses and try to navigate towards their own way of being together. 

With a squirrel, a bench, best friends, and observers the humor and relationship shines through without ever giving the reader the couple's viewpoint, but their second hand dialogue, which can come off as clunky at some points. In the end, the slate of narrators showcase Gabe's growth and struggle, creating a well rounded character but leaves Lea falling flat. 

Hall's risk with the storytelling pays off to create a light, fun read that will have you giggling and swooning as you root for the couple.  

Fourteen viewpoints is a lot...

But I like it! However, I really would've liked to have had the MC's viewpoints thrown in there. This is especially true for Gabe since there is more depth to his character and he is a man of few words. I would've also liked more expansion on Lea's home life which comes up but is never discussed in depth.

Why I'll be buying a finished copy...

It's different, light, refreshing and real. Hall does a great job giving Gabe's pain and adversity attention without making it all that he is and integrating it into part of who he is. There's also a healthy does of diversity without playing into stereotypes and making it a thing. 

You'll like this if...

You enjoy movies similar to Love Actually, Valentine's Day and New Year's Eve. The changing viewpoints are very similar however there's only one couple everyone is rooting for and I find that special. 

Or if you're going to college. Every freshman should be reading this... the truth is, it's hard to make friends, meet new people, and ask strangers out while you're navigating your own experiences and making independent decisions. And that's okay. 

3.5 Stars