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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
When I first heard of Jennifer E. Smith it was just before her book TSPOLAFS was released, I had contacted the publisher regarding another book and was given the chance to read Jennifer's book too. I read it, I loved it, and have been waiting forever for This Is What Happy Looks Like.
This Is What Happy Looks Like is set in Henley, Maine, the home of Ellie O' Neill and her Mum. Ellie works at Sprinkles, an ice cream shop with her best friend Quinn. This Is What Happy Looks Life starts off with emails sent between EONeill22 and GLD824. GLD824 mistakenly sends an email to EONeill22 asking them too look after his pig, what follows is a slew of emails as they converse with each other across the country, only knowing each other by their email or initial.
Soon, teen heartthrob Graham Larkin travels to Henley to film his new movie, giving him the chance to find out who EONeill22 is and to meet them in person. After a case of mistaken identity Ellie and Graham soon meet up and what follows is a story of how a small town girl can fall in love with a teen heartthrob.
However its not all plain sailing and Ellie and her Mum have their own secret to hide and soon everything comes crashing down on Ellie, her friendship with Quinn is in tatters and any feelings she has for Graham are hastily pushed aside.
When I began reading This Is What Happy Looks Like I could not stop. The characters are easy to believe and love. The town of Henley feels like a quaint little place where everyone knows everyone else where they would all band together if someone needed them too. As the town is described, all its little shops, all the nooks and cranny's, I wanted to be there, to be able to look out a window and see everything that is being described. I loved how Graham is so down to earth and tries to do everyday things like other teenage boys, and not act like he is some spoilt brat.
The friendship that Ellie and Quinn have was an ideal friendship, they each balance the other one out, and when their friendship falls apart for a short while I wanted the to sit and have it out, sharing all the secrets they hid from each other to get back to the way they where.
As This Is What Happy Looks Like progress the chapters have emails proceeding them, of what happy looks like from both Ellie and Graham, which gives us glimpses into what things they like. I loved this idea, it breaks the chapters up nicely, but also brings you back to their initial meeting point and who they where before meeting in person. The secrets that Ellie tried so hard to hide are eventually revealed and my heart broke for her. Having to live with this secret, a whole new identity, and not be able to tell anyone must have been so hard on herself and her Mum, when it is eventually revealed it was like a sigh of relief for me, but I was nervous as to how she would be treated and accepted by others for it. As everything goes with famous people, Graham's relationship with Ellie soon gets out into the public and I really admire him for trying to protect Ellie from the publicity.
Once again Jennifer has wrote a book that not only draws you in, but keeps hold right to the very last page. The characters are easy to love and easy to become emotionally invested in. The setting of This Is What Happy Looks Like sounds amazing and I would definitely want to visit a place like that.
This Is What Happy Looks Like gives us examples of what makes Ellie and Graham happy. To me happy looks like a massive comfy bed full of soft covers and lots of pillows, a vanilla coffee that never runs out, a large pile of books to read at my pleasure and an amazing picturesque view of hilltops and trees covered in snow.
What does happy look like to you?
This Is What Happy Looks Like is set in Henley, Maine, the home of Ellie O' Neill and her Mum. Ellie works at Sprinkles, an ice cream shop with her best friend Quinn. This Is What Happy Looks Life starts off with emails sent between EONeill22 and GLD824. GLD824 mistakenly sends an email to EONeill22 asking them too look after his pig, what follows is a slew of emails as they converse with each other across the country, only knowing each other by their email or initial.
Soon, teen heartthrob Graham Larkin travels to Henley to film his new movie, giving him the chance to find out who EONeill22 is and to meet them in person. After a case of mistaken identity Ellie and Graham soon meet up and what follows is a story of how a small town girl can fall in love with a teen heartthrob.
However its not all plain sailing and Ellie and her Mum have their own secret to hide and soon everything comes crashing down on Ellie, her friendship with Quinn is in tatters and any feelings she has for Graham are hastily pushed aside.
When I began reading This Is What Happy Looks Like I could not stop. The characters are easy to believe and love. The town of Henley feels like a quaint little place where everyone knows everyone else where they would all band together if someone needed them too. As the town is described, all its little shops, all the nooks and cranny's, I wanted to be there, to be able to look out a window and see everything that is being described. I loved how Graham is so down to earth and tries to do everyday things like other teenage boys, and not act like he is some spoilt brat.
The friendship that Ellie and Quinn have was an ideal friendship, they each balance the other one out, and when their friendship falls apart for a short while I wanted the to sit and have it out, sharing all the secrets they hid from each other to get back to the way they where.
As This Is What Happy Looks Like progress the chapters have emails proceeding them, of what happy looks like from both Ellie and Graham, which gives us glimpses into what things they like. I loved this idea, it breaks the chapters up nicely, but also brings you back to their initial meeting point and who they where before meeting in person. The secrets that Ellie tried so hard to hide are eventually revealed and my heart broke for her. Having to live with this secret, a whole new identity, and not be able to tell anyone must have been so hard on herself and her Mum, when it is eventually revealed it was like a sigh of relief for me, but I was nervous as to how she would be treated and accepted by others for it. As everything goes with famous people, Graham's relationship with Ellie soon gets out into the public and I really admire him for trying to protect Ellie from the publicity.
Once again Jennifer has wrote a book that not only draws you in, but keeps hold right to the very last page. The characters are easy to love and easy to become emotionally invested in. The setting of This Is What Happy Looks Like sounds amazing and I would definitely want to visit a place like that.
This Is What Happy Looks Like gives us examples of what makes Ellie and Graham happy. To me happy looks like a massive comfy bed full of soft covers and lots of pillows, a vanilla coffee that never runs out, a large pile of books to read at my pleasure and an amazing picturesque view of hilltops and trees covered in snow.
What does happy look like to you?
[a:Jennifer E Smith|8482215|Jennifer E Smith|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] is a fantastic author and although she is not my favorite, she is a perfect choice for people who like contemporary authors like [a:John Green|1406384|John Green|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1353452301p2/1406384.jpg] or [a:Stephanie Perkins|3095893|Stephanie Perkins|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1407443106p2/3095893.jpg].
This is What Happy Looks Like is about a girl named Ellie O'Neill who is just a normal girl. She lives in "Middle-of-Nowhere" Henley, Maine, works at an ice cream shop, has a beagle named Bagel, and she couldn't be less interested in celebrities or pop stars.
Then there is Graham Larkin who -although at first he seems like it- is not your ordinary guy. He lives in "Middle-of-Everyehere" California, has a pig named Wilbur, he likes drawing skylines, and he just happens to be one of the most popular teen celebrities this year. And he's filming his next movie in Henley, Maine.
[email protected] is trying to send a message to his pig-sitter but instead sends it to [email protected] and thats where it all begins
I was really excited about this book initially and I'm sad to say I was slightly disappointed. Even though this book was great and I gave it 3.5 stars (that darn star rating needs half stars!) , I just couldn't even put it in the same league as Jennifer's other book [b:The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight|10798416|The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight|Jennifer E. Smith|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1337187623s/10798416.jpg|15464655]. But despite my complaints and comparisons This is What Happy Looks Like was cute, romantic, relatable, realistic and altogether a good book.
This is What Happy Looks Like is about a girl named Ellie O'Neill
Spoiler
(not actually her real last nameThen there is Graham Larkin who -although at first he seems like it- is not your ordinary guy. He lives in "Middle-of-Everyehere" California, has a pig named Wilbur, he likes drawing skylines, and he just happens to be one of the most popular teen celebrities this year. And he's filming his next movie in Henley, Maine.
[email protected] is trying to send a message to his pig-sitter but instead sends it to [email protected] and thats where it all begins
I was really excited about this book initially and I'm sad to say I was slightly disappointed. Even though this book was great and I gave it 3.5 stars (that darn star rating needs half stars!) , I just couldn't even put it in the same league as Jennifer's other book [b:The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight|10798416|The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight|Jennifer E. Smith|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1337187623s/10798416.jpg|15464655]. But despite my complaints and comparisons This is What Happy Looks Like was cute, romantic, relatable, realistic and altogether a good book.
This is such a cute book. It begins when movie star Graham Larkin mistakenly emails a girl named Ellie O'Neall. They begin talking until, for his newest movie, he demands they film in Maine where Ellie lives.
Ellie had no way to know she was emailing Graham Larkin. Due to her own past, there are big reasons she should not be involved with a big star like him - but she can't seem to stay away.
I really loved these characters. Graham is a movie star, but before talking to Ellie he spent most days inside his house with his pet pig. And Ellie just has so much courage; she's so strong through everything that happens to her.
The side characters were just as great, too. I loved the roles of the parents, both Ellie's and Graham's, but especially Ellie's mom. She really does want what's best for Ellie and it's nice to see that. I loved Ellie's best friend as well; she was just so understanding.
Overall, this was a very light read but I enjoyed it a lot. I feel everything that happened was very realistic, which is nice given the slim chance that Graham and Ellie would meet in the first place. I feel everything was paced nicely, and the ending was just perfect.
Ellie had no way to know she was emailing Graham Larkin. Due to her own past, there are big reasons she should not be involved with a big star like him - but she can't seem to stay away.
I really loved these characters. Graham is a movie star, but before talking to Ellie he spent most days inside his house with his pet pig. And Ellie just has so much courage; she's so strong through everything that happens to her.
The side characters were just as great, too. I loved the roles of the parents, both Ellie's and Graham's, but especially Ellie's mom. She really does want what's best for Ellie and it's nice to see that. I loved Ellie's best friend as well; she was just so understanding.
Overall, this was a very light read but I enjoyed it a lot. I feel everything that happened was very realistic, which is nice given the slim chance that Graham and Ellie would meet in the first place. I feel everything was paced nicely, and the ending was just perfect.
I do love a good cute-sy story.
Ellie O'Neil and Graham Larking have nothing similar in their lifes.
She lives in a small town in Maine with her mom. He's a 17 year old uprising Hollywood star, and teenage heartrob. A wrong email got them together, but can they get a miracle and stay together?
This book was cute. I say this about every Jennifer E. Smith book, but there's no other way to describe it. It was romantic and sweet, a bit cheesy sometimes, but life is like that.
I adored it.
Ellie O'Neil and Graham Larking have nothing similar in their lifes.
She lives in a small town in Maine with her mom. He's a 17 year old uprising Hollywood star, and teenage heartrob. A wrong email got them together, but can they get a miracle and stay together?
This book was cute. I say this about every Jennifer E. Smith book, but there's no other way to describe it. It was romantic and sweet, a bit cheesy sometimes, but life is like that.
I adored it.
From: [email protected]
Sent: July 19, 2013 2:13 PM
To: Goodreads.com
Subject: Cute couple
The anticipation from the moment the reference to Wilbur from Charlotte's Web was made to the meeting of Graham and Ellie grabbed me by the mental collar and pulled me along. How could we not fall in love with the innocent and intelligent romance of these youngsters? 94
Sent: July 19, 2013 2:13 PM
To: Goodreads.com
Subject: Cute couple
The anticipation from the moment the reference to Wilbur from Charlotte's Web was made to the meeting of Graham and Ellie grabbed me by the mental collar and pulled me along. How could we not fall in love with the innocent and intelligent romance of these youngsters? 94
Jennifer E. Smith is becoming known for two things: (1) light, satisfying contemporary YA romances and (2) novels with really long titles. This Is What Happy Looks Like is indeed a good illustration of "happy." The world looks like a happier place after reading this book. You'll have a spring in your step.
This Is What Happy Looks Like is yet another version of a beloved plot: regular girl meets big time movie star. Movie star falls in love with said girl. It's a plot that, no matter how many times it's done, I almost always enjoy. Somehow Jennifer managed to make the story arc feel original - or if not original, fun enough that you don't care.
Ellie and Graham are both nice people. Nice is such a blasé word, but it's really the best way to describe the characters. Ellie in particular is simply nice. She doesn't have a describable personality. She's not a firecracker, she's not shy, she's not mean, she's not vivacious. She's a regular teenage girl who can be a little bit of all of these qualities. By not having an overriding personality trait, Ellie felt more real to me than many other protagonists.
Graham is also best characterized as nice, but his personality stuck out to me more. He's passionate about acting, he's funny in a gentle way, he's bookish, he's sad. Graham's sadness over his loss of freedom and his estrangement from his parents struck me more than anything else about him. I really liked Graham. He stands out from many other YA male love interests by being sweet in an unassuming, boyish manner.
The book is told in alternating points of view of Ellie and Graham, a writing technique that I almost always like. It allows me to get to know both characters better. At the start of each chapter are emails between the characters, which is how their relationship began. Kind of like Seinfeld, these email chats are often about nothing. They are more cutesy that witty, in a good way. It was occasionally hard to follow who wrote which email or on what day it was written, because my eyes automatically skipped the To, From, and Date portions of the email.
Is This Is What Happy Looks Like as good as The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight? No. I can't really describe why. I've read other reviews that were disappointed in this book, because it approached the precipice of excellence but didn't quite make it. I was quite satisfied with the book's fun simplicity, but that was partially because I went into it with low expectations. There's just something missing that keeps this book from being really special. Regardless, it's a lovable romance and I'd recommend putting it on your shelf for a cheering up kind of day.
Rating: 4 / 5
This Is What Happy Looks Like is yet another version of a beloved plot: regular girl meets big time movie star. Movie star falls in love with said girl. It's a plot that, no matter how many times it's done, I almost always enjoy. Somehow Jennifer managed to make the story arc feel original - or if not original, fun enough that you don't care.
Ellie and Graham are both nice people. Nice is such a blasé word, but it's really the best way to describe the characters. Ellie in particular is simply nice. She doesn't have a describable personality. She's not a firecracker, she's not shy, she's not mean, she's not vivacious. She's a regular teenage girl who can be a little bit of all of these qualities. By not having an overriding personality trait, Ellie felt more real to me than many other protagonists.
Graham is also best characterized as nice, but his personality stuck out to me more. He's passionate about acting, he's funny in a gentle way, he's bookish, he's sad. Graham's sadness over his loss of freedom and his estrangement from his parents struck me more than anything else about him. I really liked Graham. He stands out from many other YA male love interests by being sweet in an unassuming, boyish manner.
The book is told in alternating points of view of Ellie and Graham, a writing technique that I almost always like. It allows me to get to know both characters better. At the start of each chapter are emails between the characters, which is how their relationship began. Kind of like Seinfeld, these email chats are often about nothing. They are more cutesy that witty, in a good way. It was occasionally hard to follow who wrote which email or on what day it was written, because my eyes automatically skipped the To, From, and Date portions of the email.
Is This Is What Happy Looks Like as good as The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight? No. I can't really describe why. I've read other reviews that were disappointed in this book, because it approached the precipice of excellence but didn't quite make it. I was quite satisfied with the book's fun simplicity, but that was partially because I went into it with low expectations. There's just something missing that keeps this book from being really special. Regardless, it's a lovable romance and I'd recommend putting it on your shelf for a cheering up kind of day.
Rating: 4 / 5
I saw this book, and I thought, “Aw, cliché romance… Let’s give it a try!” Wow, am I good at first impressions… Just kidding, but I was totally right about this book.
It’s totally predictable from the get go; A famous movie star accidentally sends an email to the wrong person, who just happens to be a small town girl. They flirt, and although they don’t even know each other’s real names, Graham, the movie star, sets out to find this mystery girl, also known as Ellie. When they finally meet, they try to find ways to make this relationship work, even though it’s supposedly “doomed from the start.” With Ellie’s troubled past, and Graham’s delicate image, things become complicated. In the end, they have the greatest summer adventure/romance they could’ve asked for.
“Nothing's all that scary if you can see it coming.” And it’s really not. I love this quote because I can relate to it. Unpredictable events can be quite frightful, but if you know what’s going to happen, you have more of a chance to enjoy it instead of being anxious of it.
I liked Jennifer E. Smith’s writing style, however I would’ve preferred the story being in first person, alternating from Ellie to Graham, and vise versa. That would’ve brought it up a notch.
I would recommend this to anyone=e who wants a quick, simple read. Nothing too serious, but a very lighthearted story of a teen romance. It’s very bubbly and upbeat, and it will make you “awe” over the pure adorableness.
I saw this book, and I thought, “Aw, cliché romance… Let’s give it a try!” Wow, am I good at first impressions… Just kidding, but I was totally right about this book.
It’s totally predictable from the get go; A famous movie star accidentally sends an email to the wrong person, who just happens to be a small town girl. They flirt, and although they don’t even know each other’s real names, Graham, the movie star, sets out to find this mystery girl, also known as Ellie. When they finally meet, they try to find ways to make this relationship work, even though it’s supposedly “doomed from the start.” With Ellie’s troubled past, and Graham’s delicate image, things become complicated. In the end, they have the greatest summer adventure/romance they could’ve asked for.
“Nothing's all that scary if you can see it coming.” And it’s really not. I love this quote because I can relate to it. Unpredictable events can be quite frightful, but if you know what’s going to happen, you have more of a chance to enjoy it instead of being anxious of it.
I liked Jennifer E. Smith’s writing style, however I would’ve preferred the story being in first person, alternating from Ellie to Graham, and vise versa. That would’ve brought it up a notch.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants a quick, simple read. Nothing too serious, but a very lighthearted story of a teen romance. It’s very bubbly and upbeat, and it will make you “awe” over the pure adorableness.
I needed a fluffy read while reading heavy non-fiction. This fit the bill. Definitely fluff.
For the record, as a high schooler I would have been the twitter-pated friend who said nothing, giggled, and didn’t act like herself in front of a teen heartthrob.
For the record, as a high schooler I would have been the twitter-pated friend who said nothing, giggled, and didn’t act like herself in front of a teen heartthrob.
It would probably be more like 3.75 but it rounds to a 4. Teen romances haven't been my thing lately