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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
This is not what Maine looks like.
I wanted to like this book. I saw it on the shelf at a bookstore and was instantly attracted to the super cute cover. Before I decide to purchase a book, I usually read the first couple paragraphs to see if it grabs me. This book did! I'm a sucker for fluffy romance books. So, of course, I bought it. I whipped through the first fifty or so pages but then it started lagging.
One of the biggest reasons I wanted to love this book is because it's about small town Maine - which is where I LIVE. Let it be known, this is not what Maine looks like. At least, not what coastal small town Maine looks like. I tried hard to try to figure out where Henley was supposed to be in Maine, finally assuming it was a fictionalized Rockland. But no, apparently there's a sleepy fishing village an hour south of Kennebunkport? Who knew. I don't mean to harp on the author's lack of research, but I should probably make it be known that southern coastal Maine tends to be more...affluent than what this author suggests.
Anyway, as for the plot, I think other reviewers tackled the cliches (but cuteness!) better. Maybe this is why I don't read as much as I used to when I was younger - the flaws of books are so much easier to see.
I'd recommend this to younger teen readers (12-16ish) maybe.
I wanted to like this book. I saw it on the shelf at a bookstore and was instantly attracted to the super cute cover. Before I decide to purchase a book, I usually read the first couple paragraphs to see if it grabs me. This book did! I'm a sucker for fluffy romance books. So, of course, I bought it. I whipped through the first fifty or so pages but then it started lagging.
One of the biggest reasons I wanted to love this book is because it's about small town Maine - which is where I LIVE. Let it be known, this is not what Maine looks like. At least, not what coastal small town Maine looks like. I tried hard to try to figure out where Henley was supposed to be in Maine, finally assuming it was a fictionalized Rockland. But no, apparently there's a sleepy fishing village an hour south of Kennebunkport? Who knew. I don't mean to harp on the author's lack of research, but I should probably make it be known that southern coastal Maine tends to be more...affluent than what this author suggests.
Spoiler
Also I'm just gonna throw it out there that there's no way you can grow up in Maine, even if you're from away, and not have a whoopie pie. ESPECIALLY if you live in a touristy town...whoopie pies are literally everywhere in the summertime. I know this seems pedantic but a lack of research makes an already middling book hard to really like. :PAnyway, as for the plot, I think other reviewers tackled the cliches (but cuteness!) better. Maybe this is why I don't read as much as I used to when I was younger - the flaws of books are so much easier to see.
I'd recommend this to younger teen readers (12-16ish) maybe.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
lighthearted
3.5/5 stars
I loved the premise of This Is What Happy Looks Like: A regular girl, Ellie, who lives in a small town in Maine, began corresponding through email with Graham, a very popular teen movie star when Graham accidentally sent her an email meant for someone else. But Ellie didn't know who he was--to her he was just GDL824 and she loves that anonymity of it. They start to fall for each other through their email correspondence.
That sounds a lot like one of my favorite movies of all time, You Got Mail and I wanted to read this book yesterday. Unfortunately it didn't quite live up to my expectation but it was still a good read.
The first few chapters of the novel was really great as we read Ellie and Graham's emails and learn more about them. They were both just so cute and sweet and so darn likable. I was really looking forward to when they meet and Ellie learns who Graham really is and how she will react to the news... and then they met.
After that the novel lost some of its luster.
Most of this novel wasn't about Ellie and Graham slowly falling in love like I anticipated. They were already in love when they met. This novel was more about how their relationship will work outside of the emails, especially when being thrust into the media spotlight was the very last thing Ellie wanted--a relationship with Graham will definitely put her in the spotlight.
There was a lot of family drama in this novel and that was what drove the story more than anything else. There's nothing wrong with that of course--it was obviously interesting enough that I finished this novel in a matter of days. But it wasn't what I was looking for when I picked this book up and that was kind of a let down.
However, I still recommend this book for those who enjoyed Jennifer E. Smith's previous novel The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight and those who like light contemporary YA in general. I really like the author's writing and her voice. And there's still plenty of cuteness, holding hands, romantic moments and kisses between Ellie and Graham to satisfy the romantics out there. Add This Is What Happy Looks Like to your summer reading list!
Initially posted on Michelle & Leslie's Book Picks (http://booksandmakeup.blogspot.com)
I loved the premise of This Is What Happy Looks Like: A regular girl, Ellie, who lives in a small town in Maine, began corresponding through email with Graham, a very popular teen movie star when Graham accidentally sent her an email meant for someone else. But Ellie didn't know who he was--to her he was just GDL824 and she loves that anonymity of it. They start to fall for each other through their email correspondence.
That sounds a lot like one of my favorite movies of all time, You Got Mail and I wanted to read this book yesterday. Unfortunately it didn't quite live up to my expectation but it was still a good read.
The first few chapters of the novel was really great as we read Ellie and Graham's emails and learn more about them. They were both just so cute and sweet and so darn likable. I was really looking forward to when they meet and Ellie learns who Graham really is and how she will react to the news... and then they met.
After that the novel lost some of its luster.
Most of this novel wasn't about Ellie and Graham slowly falling in love like I anticipated. They were already in love when they met. This novel was more about how their relationship will work outside of the emails, especially when being thrust into the media spotlight was the very last thing Ellie wanted--a relationship with Graham will definitely put her in the spotlight.
There was a lot of family drama in this novel and that was what drove the story more than anything else. There's nothing wrong with that of course--it was obviously interesting enough that I finished this novel in a matter of days. But it wasn't what I was looking for when I picked this book up and that was kind of a let down.
However, I still recommend this book for those who enjoyed Jennifer E. Smith's previous novel The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight and those who like light contemporary YA in general. I really like the author's writing and her voice. And there's still plenty of cuteness, holding hands, romantic moments and kisses between Ellie and Graham to satisfy the romantics out there. Add This Is What Happy Looks Like to your summer reading list!
Initially posted on Michelle & Leslie's Book Picks (http://booksandmakeup.blogspot.com)
After enjoying The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, I was glad to pick up This is What Happy Looks Like when I saw it at the library. The story starts when Graham accidentally emails Ellie about walking his pet pig Wilbur. Ellie then emails him back to let him know he’s made a mistake. Despite clearing the mix-up, the two continue to email each other and sort of become online friends. I say sort of because while they share things with each other, they don’t go into specifics. They feel the connection between them but also appreciate the sense of anonymity in their relationship.
Graham and Ellie couldn’t have been more different. He lives in middle-of-everywhere California while she lives in middle-of-nowhere Maine. Graham is actually a well-known actor while Ellie, because of her past, tends to avoid attention and live her life dodging any form of spotlight. As fate would have it, Graham’s movie is going to be filmed in Maine and the two end up meeting each other. It was a little strange at first because they’ve been accustomed to communicating online but they gradually become more comfortable with each other and whatever they felt behind the emails were finally confirmed in person.
I could see why some readers would frown upon This is What Happy Looks Like and how the meeting and the connection played out (i.e. ‘ugh so unrealistic!’). From personal experience, I can say that it is possible to bond with someone online. Spending time with them in person is a lot different, yes, but you can’t say that whatever is shared between emails/online messages isn’t valid because at the end of the day, it’s still communication. Graham and Ellie emailed each other frequently for 3 months before meeting and while that isn’t a long period of time, it’s not like they’re meeting complete strangers.
Graham and Ellie fall in love, but they also face challenges because of who Graham is and Ellie’s need to divert any attention directed to her. What I love about Jennifer E. Smith’s work is that she manages to tell us the story about her characters’ pasts and integrating it in a way that flows with what’s happening. I like that her books (so far as I’ve read anyway) are not just about young love but touch on familial issues as well.
I had a few things about the book I didn’t like but are nothing major to pick on. I felt it drag a bit in some parts, and felt some characters were conveniently set aside (i.e. Quinn) to give space to the romance, but overall This is What Happy Looks Like is an adorable read that I would recommend if you want a pick-me-up or something light/cute. I mean, who wouldn’t want to date a movie star?
Graham and Ellie couldn’t have been more different. He lives in middle-of-everywhere California while she lives in middle-of-nowhere Maine. Graham is actually a well-known actor while Ellie, because of her past, tends to avoid attention and live her life dodging any form of spotlight. As fate would have it, Graham’s movie is going to be filmed in Maine and the two end up meeting each other. It was a little strange at first because they’ve been accustomed to communicating online but they gradually become more comfortable with each other and whatever they felt behind the emails were finally confirmed in person.
I could see why some readers would frown upon This is What Happy Looks Like and how the meeting and the connection played out (i.e. ‘ugh so unrealistic!’). From personal experience, I can say that it is possible to bond with someone online. Spending time with them in person is a lot different, yes, but you can’t say that whatever is shared between emails/online messages isn’t valid because at the end of the day, it’s still communication. Graham and Ellie emailed each other frequently for 3 months before meeting and while that isn’t a long period of time, it’s not like they’re meeting complete strangers.
Graham and Ellie fall in love, but they also face challenges because of who Graham is and Ellie’s need to divert any attention directed to her. What I love about Jennifer E. Smith’s work is that she manages to tell us the story about her characters’ pasts and integrating it in a way that flows with what’s happening. I like that her books (so far as I’ve read anyway) are not just about young love but touch on familial issues as well.
I had a few things about the book I didn’t like but are nothing major to pick on. I felt it drag a bit in some parts, and felt some characters were conveniently set aside (i.e. Quinn) to give space to the romance, but overall This is What Happy Looks Like is an adorable read that I would recommend if you want a pick-me-up or something light/cute. I mean, who wouldn’t want to date a movie star?
Eh
Well
It had potential
But then the cringe-attacks started
Review TBA
Well
It had potential
But then the cringe-attacks started
Review TBA
Very boring. I didn't usually skimmed the book while reading. But it happened with this book.
Super cute and I think I liked this better than Statistical Probability but for some reason I had a hard time getting into it at first. I think that was mostly my fault for not making enough time to read. I genuinely enjoyed the story but the characters were hard to relate to.
After reading the Statistical Probability of Falling in love at first sight and how I was EXTREMELY skeptical of that book and it turned out to be a cute and touching story I decided to give this book a try
...
I have now wasted two hours of my life that I will never get back. Ellie is a small town girl from a cutesy little eastern Maine town that works in an ice cream shop with her eccentric mom and her lovable dog Bagel. Isn't that just so picture perfect! She even write poetry and has a talkative but stubborn best friend!
If I were to create a venn diagram of people who write about small town life and people who have never lived in a small town IT WOULD BE A CIRCLE. Let me tell you about small town life, everyone is racist and cares way too much about football.
We are then tossed head first into a romance with no build up and no really emotions with great things like,
"She sees him different." and "She noted he seemed so real."
We also get to witness keeping secret for no reason, best friends making up, money struggles and my all time favourite... moving the plot along with bad communication.
...
I have now wasted two hours of my life that I will never get back. Ellie is a small town girl from a cutesy little eastern Maine town that works in an ice cream shop with her eccentric mom and her lovable dog Bagel. Isn't that just so picture perfect! She even write poetry and has a talkative but stubborn best friend!
If I were to create a venn diagram of people who write about small town life and people who have never lived in a small town IT WOULD BE A CIRCLE. Let me tell you about small town life, everyone is racist and cares way too much about football.
We are then tossed head first into a romance with no build up and no really emotions with great things like,
"She sees him different." and "She noted he seemed so real."
We also get to witness keeping secret for no reason, best friends making up, money struggles and my all time favourite... moving the plot along with bad communication.
Awww, söpöyden ja hattaran määrä... :D En rakastanut tätä yhtä paljon kuin Tilastollista todennäköisyyttä kohdata se ainoa oikea, mutta ihanaa kesälukemista.