Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
This is my first Jennifer E. Smith book. I've heard a lot about her books, been meaning to read them, but haven't yet. But when I heard about This is What Happy Looks Like, I just had to read it. A movie star and a normal girl being brought together by a stray email? sign me in!
If you're looking for a cute, light read that will make you smile - This Is What Happy Looks Like is just the read for you!
This is what Happy Looks Like has captured my attention from the get-go, with the emails that brought Ellie and Graham together. They were cute and made me smile. Throughout the story, the emails continued, though they became less meaningful and more one sentenced. I think that's quite a shame, as they were super adorable, and I would've loved to read more emails like that :)
Ellie is a good main character, as far as I'm concerned. She doesn't care about fame and fortune, finds that a bit unsettling to be honest. She likes her quiet and privacy, doesn't like to stand out, and doesn't fall to the feet of the celebrities.
She's also burdened by secrets that she must keep, and those secrets stop her from doing things she wants.
Graham is adorable. And a little bit stalkerish. You will love this guy as he doesn't feel like a movie star, at all. His voice is so down to earth and... sad.
As for their romance and the plot... it's all exceedingly cute and fluffy (while still being realistic!). You will not be able to stop smiling, it's that adorable.
As for the writing... I loved it! It's gripping and engaging, and it's beautiful. I'm really mad at myself for not picking up this author sooner now!
Despite all of this, there were some stuff that bothered me...
a) The wasted time. I thought that instead of wasting that time there was a place for a lot more of these two. I mean, what was that??? In the end, they barely had time together!
b) The ending. [With all do respect, when I finished the book I was like "What was that ending!?" where is my perfect Happily Ever After? Where is my promise for the future? Where is the epilogue where they have perfect little babies? I get wanting to let us decide and imagine what will happen with them but...] I don't approve!! >.<
So... this ended up closer to a Mini Review, but oh well. This is THE book for you if you're really looking to something sweet, cute and quick, that will make you smile. Recommended especially if you just finished a really heavy book and is looking for cleansing ;)
If you're looking for a cute, light read that will make you smile - This Is What Happy Looks Like is just the read for you!
This is what Happy Looks Like has captured my attention from the get-go, with the emails that brought Ellie and Graham together. They were cute and made me smile. Throughout the story, the emails continued, though they became less meaningful and more one sentenced. I think that's quite a shame, as they were super adorable, and I would've loved to read more emails like that :)
Ellie is a good main character, as far as I'm concerned. She doesn't care about fame and fortune, finds that a bit unsettling to be honest. She likes her quiet and privacy, doesn't like to stand out, and doesn't fall to the feet of the celebrities.
She's also burdened by secrets that she must keep, and those secrets stop her from doing things she wants.
Graham is adorable. And a little bit stalkerish. You will love this guy as he doesn't feel like a movie star, at all. His voice is so down to earth and... sad.
As for their romance and the plot... it's all exceedingly cute and fluffy (while still being realistic!). You will not be able to stop smiling, it's that adorable.
As for the writing... I loved it! It's gripping and engaging, and it's beautiful. I'm really mad at myself for not picking up this author sooner now!
Despite all of this, there were some stuff that bothered me...
a) The wasted time. I thought that instead of wasting that time there was a place for a lot more of these two. I mean, what was that??? In the end, they barely had time together!
b) The ending. [With all do respect, when I finished the book I was like "What was that ending!?" where is my perfect Happily Ever After? Where is my promise for the future? Where is the epilogue where they have perfect little babies? I get wanting to let us decide and imagine what will happen with them but...] I don't approve!! >.<
So... this ended up closer to a Mini Review, but oh well. This is THE book for you if you're really looking to something sweet, cute and quick, that will make you smile. Recommended especially if you just finished a really heavy book and is looking for cleansing ;)
This Is What Happy Looks Like, my first taste of Jennifer E. Smith's writing, is clearly a fine example of contemporary romance. With the premise of a collision between You've Got Mail and Notting Hill, it would be difficult to resist the happy-go-lucky aura that this novel emits. Having said that, there are certainly those who will doubt this piece with the intolerant expectation of a monotonous, cheesy and perhaps whimsical love story. But Smith's layered writing offers far more than this: capturing the typicality of the genre in conjunction with the realities outside the romance. It enables the unlikely meeting of this couple to still hold great interest, whilst weaving in chance encounters, unpredicted goals and family angst which is conveyed all too well.
From the beginning, the playful nature of the email conversation is an element of prominence. The inclusion of these online messages are continued throughout the novel, an addition that is both satisfying and enables the dialogue of this new-found love to stand alone. The well intentioned characters receive instant admiration from the audience, yet the expression of their emotional connection is not so explicit. In many instances Smith reiterates character thought with considerable depth, however, here the intensity of romance seems to lack the same attention, leaving much of this to the readers imagination. This is clearly an unfortunate shortfall of the authors otherwise flawless empathy.
Furthermore, the eccentricities of Ellie and Graham's relationship combined with the charming location of Maine, does create a relaxed novel that weight on the possibility of this unlikely event. Unfortunately the relaxed atmosphere which does succeed in many scenes underachieves in others. It does, therefore, force the conclusion that this light read does not peak with the all-changing crescendo which is desired. Nevertheless, Smith's coverage of themes aside from the romance (such as family issues) display her expertise. This novel contains a range of raw, quotable and largely realistic material which, at times, can be completely heart-wrenching.
Aside from the occasional drawback, Smith's work has been a pleasure to read. This author has proved herself as one of contemporary literature's most exceptional new authors in recent years. I commend her insight and hope that with a few more years writing, a couple more novels to her portfolio, we will see Smith venture outside of the romance genre - for this is the place that her writing will truly begin to fly. Until then, I still have the previous novel Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight which promises to be just as endearing.
From the beginning, the playful nature of the email conversation is an element of prominence. The inclusion of these online messages are continued throughout the novel, an addition that is both satisfying and enables the dialogue of this new-found love to stand alone. The well intentioned characters receive instant admiration from the audience, yet the expression of their emotional connection is not so explicit. In many instances Smith reiterates character thought with considerable depth, however, here the intensity of romance seems to lack the same attention, leaving much of this to the readers imagination. This is clearly an unfortunate shortfall of the authors otherwise flawless empathy.
Furthermore, the eccentricities of Ellie and Graham's relationship combined with the charming location of Maine, does create a relaxed novel that weight on the possibility of this unlikely event. Unfortunately the relaxed atmosphere which does succeed in many scenes underachieves in others. It does, therefore, force the conclusion that this light read does not peak with the all-changing crescendo which is desired. Nevertheless, Smith's coverage of themes aside from the romance (such as family issues) display her expertise. This novel contains a range of raw, quotable and largely realistic material which, at times, can be completely heart-wrenching.
Aside from the occasional drawback, Smith's work has been a pleasure to read. This author has proved herself as one of contemporary literature's most exceptional new authors in recent years. I commend her insight and hope that with a few more years writing, a couple more novels to her portfolio, we will see Smith venture outside of the romance genre - for this is the place that her writing will truly begin to fly. Until then, I still have the previous novel Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight which promises to be just as endearing.
I loved this book from the very start, the way Graham and Ellie act is really cute. They have an adorable banter, I really enjoyed reading it. The intrigue of Ellie’s old life is just great. All of the misunderstandings and twists made this a fun contemporary read. All of the things you learn about the characters give it that much more depth. I highly recommend.
Such a cute story. A great read that's not too serious.
*3.5*
Read for the 2020 O.W.Ls Magical Readathon, for the Defense Against The Dark Arts class (book set by the sea/coast)
It was cute... average ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Read for the 2020 O.W.Ls Magical Readathon, for the Defense Against The Dark Arts class (book set by the sea/coast)
It was cute... average ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
This was the first contemporary book I read. I reread it for the nostalgia, because of that I won’t rate it. But I will say it was still adorable and fluffy. Perfect for someone just getting into reading or into a little cute romance.
I loved how Graham and Ellie were both so down-to-earth and real. There's always the risk that stories about the hot celebrity falling in love with the average person will turn out to be too fairy-tale-ish, with no regard for the reality of their situations or the future of their relationship. This one wasn't like that.
I'm becoming a huge fan of Jennifer E. Smith's. I'm pretty much going to read every book she's ever written or will ever write. =)
I'm becoming a huge fan of Jennifer E. Smith's. I'm pretty much going to read every book she's ever written or will ever write. =)
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It's safe to say that I already grew out of this kind of story. Was feeling "huh?" almost the whole time because both of the main characters are just too naive to my liking (to be fair, they're seventeen and my first time reading this, my age range was closer 🤣)
Despite all that, this was such a sweet story about first love and growing up though I'd definitely choose friends over lovers all the wayy 🤣
Despite all that, this was such a sweet story about first love and growing up though I'd definitely choose friends over lovers all the wayy 🤣
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated