Book Review: A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall

A Little Something Different

by Sandy Hall

Genre: YA/NA, contemporary, romance
Published August 26th 2014 by Swoon Reads
Source: Publisher
Purchase: Amazon* Barnes and Noble * Book Depository
Local purchase/order: Fullybooked * National Bookstore

Blurb (Goodreads):

The distinctive new crowdsourced publishing imprint Swoon Reads proudly presents its first published novel—an irresistibly sweet romance between two college students told from 14 different viewpoints.

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....

My Thoughts:

Everything about A Little Something Different will catch anyone's eye. From the cute romantic cover to the fact that it was told in 14(!) viewpoints. Who wouldn't want to read that? It looks like it's as sweet as cotton candy and I don't know why, but whenever I see or think about this book, I remember the Disney movie Enchanted.

This book is about a girl and a boy who met, liked each other...but too shy and afraid to talk to one another. As their attraction grew, people around them noticed the chemistry and their cuteness and these people (and other things)--from friends of both sides, match-making creative writing teacher, a barista, a waitress, a bench, a squirrel, and others--basically told their story.

From these perspectives I get to know the main characters, Gabe and Lea. Gabe is an uber shy guy which made him adorable and cute in Lea's eyes (and on some of the narrators). But his shyness made the story a little slow-paced. I don't know if I think he's cute or became annoying at that time. Lea, on the other hand, is not far different from Gabe. However, Lea is the braver one, finding a way and having the guts to talk to Gabe even if she would end up looking stupid. These two, their story, and their connection with the narrators are simple yet fun to read. I like the closeness and the connection of all the characters. The way Lea and her friends act on a guy she's crushing is relatable. I can imagine me and my friends, especially on the stalking part. XD

My unforgettable narrator was Victor, a creative writing classmate, who doesn't seem like fond of the two. He hated them and even call Gabe Big Foot and Lea Giraffe. I swear, everything about him is annoying but I also can't hide the fact that he was the narrator I kept laughing with. The way he is bothered with Gabe and Lea was so funny. I can also relate when he rolls his eyes when the two are being "annoyingly cute" and why they don't just "get on with it". Like you wouldn't know if he's bitter, just annoyed or what. I couldn't also forget the bench, for its love with butts (particularly Gabe's) and the squirrel and his missing acorns. Such cute little thing! I also adore their creative writing teacher, Inga, for being an enthusiastic match-maker.

There was this assignment given by Inga--a one-hundred word description of someone without using any adjectives.  For example (as given by Inga in the book), "My mom has a chair in her living room and when she sits in that chair the way she holds herself is relaxed. When she reads a book in the chair, it's like her habitat. When she settles down for an evening in that chair is all right in her world." Yet the listener is still able to picture that person. That's how this book looked like to me. It wasn't told in any of the main characters' perspective but it managed to describe them and live with them without leaving anything alone. It also gave me an opportunity to witness this couple and have my own share of thoughts and opinions. And for the most part, I wanted to cuff them both and leave them alone so they can finally talk.

A Little Something Different is indeed like a cotton candy. It relaxes the readers and would make them think again of fairytales and happy endings. Original, fun and entertaining, a sigh-worthy book. I recommend this to romance readers in any age and to anyone who want to get cozy in the midst of their stressful days.

*Thank you so much Ruth and Macmillan International for the review copy in exchange of an honest review!

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