Want an “at a glance” look at what I thought? Check out my Review On A Post-It or my “Final Thought”
It’s a romance between two college students that is revealed through the perspective of 14 different people (friends, baristas, professors, etc.) in their lives who watch their story unfold who all want the two to get together!
A Little Something Different was well…a little something different as far as romances go. I was smitten with the unique way this story was told and was just a refreshing sort of read that defied the norm!
1. I swear this book was a love letter to my people-watching soul: I am a people-watcher. I make up things in my mind about the people I observe. This book was told from 14 different perspectives — baristas, friends of Gabe and Lea, A SQUIRREL, a professor etc. All of these people observed some facet of their interactions and were wanting them to get together! THESE ARE MAH PEOPLE. Watching it all unfold. Willing it to happen. SHIPPING THE CRAP OUT OF IT. I loved the observations and watching this love story unfold from the eyes of friends, strangers and at times INANIMATE OBJECTS. YEAH YOU HEARD ME.
2. The 14 perspectives sound confusing but it wasn’t at ALL to me: It was labeled with the name and who they were (example: waitress, Gabe’s friend, etc.) so I remembered who they were easily from the beginning. I was worried about how this would be pulled off and I thought maybe it would be confusing and jumbled but somehow it just really worked well for me!
3. Can we talk about how adorably awkward this romance was??? I used to observe a lot at my small college and I TOTALLY used to see the beginnings of relationships just by sitting in class or in the lounge. I HAVE SEEN COUPLES LIKE THIS. Maybe not quite as awkward and frustrating (in the way that you are like OMG TALK TO EACH OTHER AND STOP BEING SO AWKWARD) but I just loved how down-to-earth and realistic this romance was. It wasn’t a sweeping, grand gesture-y romance but just the kind you know happen. There’s a lot of frustrations, because as readers, we know things that Gabe and Lea don’t know about the other because we see THEM through interactions with different perspective so the NEED for them to figure it out so they can KISS already is overwhelming. It’s just a cute, awkwardly romantic story and I really enjoyed it. SO CUTE.
+ uniqueness, cute & fun read, storytelling
– Honestly nothing was negative. It just didn’t take me to higher FEELS, ya know? Nothing wrong with it.
Re-readability: Probably not! The fun in reading it was in the unraveling. But I’d sure pass it on!
Would I buy a copy for my collection? Because it wasn’t an all time favorite or one I’d reread (my criteria for keeping books/putting them on my shelves), unfortunately no!
readers who are looking for something different and aren’t afraid of the unique approach this book offers, fans of sweet romances, fans of contemporary YA romances
A Little Something Different was delightfully unique. I loved watching a love story unfold from the perspective of the people around them — friends, strangers, etc. It was a super adorable and light read that sets itself apart with the storytelling!
* Have you read this one? What did you think? Similar or different from me? I would LOVE to hear regardless!
*If you haven’t read it, does this feel like something you’d be into?
*
Lena says
I love stories that are told from different perspectives or episodic (like Love Actually) and this book definitely goes on by TBR list! I also like that it’s set in college, but doesn’t sound like the typical New Adult book.
Jamie says
Yes if you really enjoy that kind of storytelling I highly recommend it! And not at ALL the typical NA book which I loved!
Bear Allen says
Heard them talking about this for the past few months on the BookRiot podcast and although romance is so not my genre… I’ve been tempted to pick it up. I’m also swayed by the way-too-adorable cover art!
Thanks for the review!
Jamie says
I saw the cover for the first time IRL the other day and it was SO CUUUUUTE!!! It’s a cute, quick read! You’ll have to let me know what you think if you pick it up!
Patty @ Bookish Wanderlove says
Great review! I’ve only read up to October (Casey – Gabe’s friend) via Wattpad and I loved every minute of it! I found it to be an extremely unique set up, plus I love how cute Gabe and Lea are!! I can’t wait to finish it, hoping it’ll be available in stores in Canada.
Jamie says
Loved Gabe’s friends!! I can’t wait until you read the whole thing!!
Ren says
I’m a people watcher myself so, even though 14 perspectives sounds like a lot, I’d love to give this one a try. Hopefully the library will get a copy so I can check it out. Great review, Jamie!
Ren says
Forgot to mention that I also really love the cover for this one!
Frannie Pan @ In clouds of Pages says
Don’t get freaked out but I’ll be a stalker of your blog! I just love how you write your reviews and express your thoughts and that rating system? Love it!!
Anyway, this book seems particular. I mean, 14 points of view? That sounds actually a bit confusing but I really want to try it out cause experiencing is kind of my thing when it comes to books 😉
I’m looking forward to getting to know you better, fellow reader! 😉
Tori @ Bookish Affairs says
Awe, I saw this one at Target the other day and thought about getting it…but didn’t want to spend $15 for a paperback. I’m glad that you liked this! I’ll definitely get it if I see it somewhere cheap or if it’s a Kindle Daily Deal or something 🙂 I love people watching too! I think this book would be a good, light read for me after all the fantasy and dystopian that’s on my TBR. Great review! 🙂
Jamie says
I know I’ll probably never reread/it isn’t favorite (my criteria for keeping a book on my shelf) but THAT COVER really tempted me because it’s so pretty. $15 is expensive for a paperback honestly :/
And yes this is the PERFECT book after stuff like that!!
Brittany T says
So as we discussed last night (yay to meeting you again) I’m not on the contemp wagon. Should I go for it? I do enjoy people watching for sure i just call it creeping lol
~ Britt
Jamie says
Hmm I would give you other contemporary novels I love MORE if I’m going to get you to read contemporary 😛 It’s not that I WOULDN’T recommend it it’s just that I want you to read other things first hahah
AND YEP…creeping is what it is pretty much lol.
Amaryllis Turman says
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Rebecca @ The Library Canary says
I’ve heard really good things about this one! It definitely sounds adorable and I feel like I need to read it just because of the whole squirrel’s POV. Lol how does that even work? Isn’t there a POV of a bench too? I feel like I read that in someone’s review. I’ll definitely keep this one in mind when I need something light and fun!
Jamie says
YES THERE IS EVEN A BENCH. It sounds super corny/weird but I’m telling you the squirrel and the bench parts were quick little bits that made me laugh!
Brianna says
This sounds adorable. You can feel free to pass it on to me. I love these kinds of books where there’s a lot happening and a lot of different perspectives.
Ebony @ Daring Damsels says
Fantastic review – I’m glad you found this enjoyable! I definitely want to pick this book up sometime soonish.
Heidi says
I felt pretty much the same about this one! I didn’t love it, but I thought it was adorable and such a fun and unique way to look at such an awkward couple. Instead of being painful like it could be to see from their perspective, it was frustratingly fun to look at them as an outsider.