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ziinnias's review
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
I'm going to start this off by saying I think this author has potential, but she thought she was giving more than what we received with a bit too much purple prose.
The beginning was rather slow, hard to sink my teeth into, but since I was listening as I was working I kept with it. It does pick up after a few chapters.
Her writing style felt rather clunky - she wanted to swap between main character POVs in the same scene/different chapter, but it gave off the constant impression of "okay we're moving forward aaaaand now we're back to like ten minutes before the scene we just read about but packaged slightly differently. Alright." There are better ways to tackle multiple POV, and I don't think the constant slight-backtracking works.
This had me going back a bit and trying to remember why we're talking about comp-het with a character I thought was always the lesbian. The analogies surrounding Maya's comp-het were good - that feeling you can't always shake no matter how much you shove it away, not wanting to think about it. Even though in theory I relate to the struggles these characters went through when I was their age, I never felt connected to them or compelled to their stories.
Despite the two characters being pretty different from each other, I never really felt like their voices were conveyed distinctly. As I listened to this in audiobook format, if it were read only by one person the entire time, it may have taken me longer to realize there were multiple POVs. I'm uncertain if this is the fault from her clunky writing style, weak editing, or perhaps both. It reads like something you'd find off fanfiction.net, or someone's unedited nanowrimo project.
Spoilered for plot and CW-relevant talk:I appreciated that throughout the book, healing was never depicted as linear. As someone that dealt with similar religious homophobia, it's an all encompassing even when you're aware that you're technically safe. Aisling's mother felt almost out of place and cartoonish, but relaying abuse can feel like that to outside perspectives! That's a big give and take.
I think this book could be good for the YA crowd, especially those wanting to explore sapphic themes, coming of age/getting to know yourself, unaccepting family, LDR, and life surrounding alcohol abuse.
The beginning was rather slow, hard to sink my teeth into, but since I was listening as I was working I kept with it. It does pick up after a few chapters.
Her writing style felt rather clunky - she wanted to swap between main character POVs in the same scene/different chapter, but it gave off the constant impression of "okay we're moving forward aaaaand now we're back to like ten minutes before the scene we just read about but packaged slightly differently. Alright." There are better ways to tackle multiple POV, and I don't think the constant slight-backtracking works.
This had me going back a bit and trying to remember why we're talking about comp-het with a character I thought was always the lesbian. The analogies surrounding Maya's comp-het were good - that feeling you can't always shake no matter how much you shove it away, not wanting to think about it. Even though in theory I relate to the struggles these characters went through when I was their age, I never felt connected to them or compelled to their stories.
Despite the two characters being pretty different from each other, I never really felt like their voices were conveyed distinctly. As I listened to this in audiobook format, if it were read only by one person the entire time, it may have taken me longer to realize there were multiple POVs. I'm uncertain if this is the fault from her clunky writing style, weak editing, or perhaps both. It reads like something you'd find off fanfiction.net, or someone's unedited nanowrimo project.
Spoilered for plot and CW-relevant talk:
I think this book could be good for the YA crowd, especially those wanting to explore sapphic themes, coming of age/getting to know yourself, unaccepting family, LDR, and life surrounding alcohol abuse.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Violence, Child abuse, and Homophobia
angelamarcela2's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Something About Her is a book that pulls on your heartstrings.
Following two European young women, Ash and Maya, as they experience their “coming of age”. These women come from two very different lives and experiences- and this ultimately plays a huge role in the relationship these women have together. A LGBTQIA+ novel with hands down one of the most accurate tales of “young love” I have come across. You very much take on the emotions of these characters and how they visualize the world around them.
Through the giddy romance, to the fear of abuse, and ultimately loss of love- Clementine has written an expertly crafted novel of two young women who individuals of any age, and any sexuality can understand.
High praise to Clementine and this literary fiction novel.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC!
Following two European young women, Ash and Maya, as they experience their “coming of age”. These women come from two very different lives and experiences- and this ultimately plays a huge role in the relationship these women have together. A LGBTQIA+ novel with hands down one of the most accurate tales of “young love” I have come across. You very much take on the emotions of these characters and how they visualize the world around them.
Through the giddy romance, to the fear of abuse, and ultimately loss of love- Clementine has written an expertly crafted novel of two young women who individuals of any age, and any sexuality can understand.
High praise to Clementine and this literary fiction novel.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Violence
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