A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall Published by Swoon Reads on August 26, 2014
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 272
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher (Mail)
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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....
Much like the title of the book says, A Little Something Different is definitely a unique read. I was very interested in the idea of 12 different viewpoints, but at the same time I was worried that with 12 people telling the story things would get a bit redundant and I’d never connect with anyone in the story. Sadly, that’s exactly what happened. Transitions between points of view were a bit choppy, and at times cheesy, considering two of the viewpoints are a squirrel and a bench (who talks a lot about butts…). These viewpoints did allow the two main characters to be alone, which would not have happened unless other characters hid in a bush or kept their ear to a door. So I can see why the author did this, I just did not love it.
I think the main reason this book and I did not click is that I’ve always been the kind of person who likes to see things rather than be told things. I would have much rather seen Gabe and Lea fall for each other rather than be told about it by people who did not even know them, like the bus driver and the teacher. I didn’t swoon because I wanted to be the one witnessing their interactions, not hearing about them from various flies on the wall. I also got bored spending an entire book reading about these two. Usually there’s secondary and tertiary plots in contemporary romance novels, but the romance was really the only story in this book.
A Little Something Different was a short, quick, unique story that, unfortunately, I just did not fall in love with. The ending was unsatisfying, and I was bored. I really loved the idea, and the synopsis sounded like a lot of fun… but in the end I realized it just wasn’t for me.
Ahh, I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy this! I’m looking forward to reading this but I can understand why it might be a bit tedious to read. I also like seeing interactions between characters and I think I would also get frustrated just hearing about it and not actually seeing it. Fantastic review! <3
Yeah, I would have issues with this book, too. Not being able to connect to the main character would drive me crazy. And the whole squirrel and bench thing. Eh. Thanks for the review.
I normally love stories told from alternating points of view, but in this case, it sounds like there were too many viewpoints to make the story work.
You definitely raise some good objections. I think the “outsider” viewpoint on the relationship made it difficult to connect with and, like you said, the reader was constantly being told things about the romance rather than seeing them firsthand. It was a cute book, but it lacked resonance, because I felt so far removed from it all due to the various perspectives.
I’m so interested only because we have the same name. Mine is pronounced Leah, not Lee. I wonder how her name is intended to be pronounced.
Hi Lea! I actually interviewed the author as part of her promotional tour. She came here and the publisher had me meet up with her before her book signing. I asked her this very question, and Lea’s name is meant to be pronounced like you pronounce yours!
Well that is super awesome! Thanks :)
Aww I’m really excited to read this one. I found the idea of 12 POV really intriguing. Hopefully theres not too many different views to spoil the romance for me! Great review :)