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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
One small thing deals with loss, love and everything in between. Please see my full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2435968407
This was for sure problematic.
I liked the concept of falling in love with the boy who killed your sister, but the characters were awful.
I hated the parents and the way they overreacted to everything Beth/Lizzie did. I get it they were grieving, but removing the bedroom door, quitting your daughter's job and reading her texts, come on ! And don't even get me started on Jeff, the (ex) boyfriend of the sister, literally everything he said was belittling and misogynistic.
The story was entertaining, but I wished it had been executed differently
I liked the concept of falling in love with the boy who killed your sister, but the characters were awful.
I hated the parents and the way they overreacted to everything Beth/Lizzie did. I get it they were grieving, but removing the bedroom door, quitting your daughter's job and reading her texts, come on ! And don't even get me started on Jeff, the (ex) boyfriend of the sister, literally everything he said was belittling and misogynistic.
The story was entertaining, but I wished it had been executed differently
I'm not sure if it was the cute cover or the fact that this was categorized as a YA novel, but I really wasn't expecting this to be such an emotional book. It isn't a light and fluffy read, but rather one that will have you questioning and thinking about it long after you finish. I'm glad I went into this book blind and I actually wish the blurb didn't give away the main conflict of the story. It made the revelation so much more devastating. The weight and impact of it more profound. One Small Thing isn't just a contemporary romance. It's a story of forgiveness, acceptance, grief, and love. It shows how people handle tragedy, for better or for worse, and the lasting ripples these events cause.
I think what captivated me most about the book was that I truly had no idea how a story like this would end. Chase and Beth undergo a huge transformation from the people they once were, the people we meet, and the people they (hopefully) become. Yes, there were times I was frustrated with each of them as well as the people in their lives, but more often than not, I felt their pain, confusion, and anguish over these seemingly impossible obstacles. The secondary characters, though predictable, were perfectly over the top and succeeded in earning my anger and disgust. Mr. Jones and Jeff were quite the pair throughout the book. I honestly only really liked Chase and Beth (though Beth's mom grew on me). Things did wrap up quickly at the end, but I felt satisfied with the outcome and the maturity our characters displayed. I especially loved how the title tied into the book so wonderfully and that the ending left the reader with a sense of hope and maybe feeling just a little bit lighter.
4.5 stars
*I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book*
I think what captivated me most about the book was that I truly had no idea how a story like this would end. Chase and Beth undergo a huge transformation from the people they once were, the people we meet, and the people they (hopefully) become. Yes, there were times I was frustrated with each of them as well as the people in their lives, but more often than not, I felt their pain, confusion, and anguish over these seemingly impossible obstacles. The secondary characters, though predictable, were perfectly over the top and succeeded in earning my anger and disgust. Mr. Jones and Jeff were quite the pair throughout the book. I honestly only really liked Chase and Beth (though Beth's mom grew on me). Things did wrap up quickly at the end, but I felt satisfied with the outcome and the maturity our characters displayed. I especially loved how the title tied into the book so wonderfully and that the ending left the reader with a sense of hope and maybe feeling just a little bit lighter.
4.5 stars
*I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book*
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Loved this book. The love story was good, the characters were good. It was pretty tense, so it got hard to read. But overall it was very good.
An eARC was kindly provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was the first book I've read by this duo. I'm shocked at how much I loved it. This book was so good, I sat down to start it and then I was done. I didn't even look away once. I was fully engrossed in the story. I thought the premise was quite original and really powerful. These characters were really well developed, they were raw and unflinching. This was a story about moving on, forgiveness and finding the small joys in life, the "one small thing" you look forward to each day, the thing that gives you hope for the future. I loved the underlying message of this book.
This book also made me so ANGRY. Which, I assume was the intent. Just like many stories that take place in high school and dramatic events... ugh people can just be so cruel. I had so many conflicted feelings about whether I should root for the romance or take the sides of the adults... but ultimately, I was so drawn into the love story and I wanted everything to work out for them. I do warn you though, this book does have "triggering" content- such as abuse, sexual harassment and bullying. It is full of teen angst and over the top emotions, and I loved every page.
I didn't rate this 5 stars due to the disappointment I felt at the ending. I thought it to be rushed, and the build up kind of led to a fizzled out feeling for me. This book though, was such a pleasant surprise and I am so excited to read more from Erin Watt.
This was the first book I've read by this duo. I'm shocked at how much I loved it. This book was so good, I sat down to start it and then I was done. I didn't even look away once. I was fully engrossed in the story. I thought the premise was quite original and really powerful. These characters were really well developed, they were raw and unflinching. This was a story about moving on, forgiveness and finding the small joys in life, the "one small thing" you look forward to each day, the thing that gives you hope for the future. I loved the underlying message of this book.
This book also made me so ANGRY. Which, I assume was the intent. Just like many stories that take place in high school and dramatic events... ugh people can just be so cruel. I had so many conflicted feelings about whether I should root for the romance or take the sides of the adults... but ultimately, I was so drawn into the love story and I wanted everything to work out for them. I do warn you though, this book does have "triggering" content- such as abuse, sexual harassment and bullying. It is full of teen angst and over the top emotions, and I loved every page.
I didn't rate this 5 stars due to the disappointment I felt at the ending. I thought it to be rushed, and the build up kind of led to a fizzled out feeling for me. This book though, was such a pleasant surprise and I am so excited to read more from Erin Watt.
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Beth has been heavily sheltered by her parents since her older sister died three years ago. She sneaks out to a party the weekend before senior year starts to have a night just for her. To rebel just a little. That’s when she meets Chase. Chase is her little secret, but he has a not so secret, secret of his own. Once she finds out Beth knows she should hate Chase, but she doesn’t. She honestly shouldn’t want anything to do with him, but she does. How do you fall in love with someone you shouldn’t? How do you forgive someone who should be unforgivable in your eyes? Read One Small Thing to see how a pair who shouldn’t be, are.
One Small Thing is ultimately a story about forgiveness, dealing with loss, and finding the bright side when you’re trapped in the dark. Somehow Erin Watt stuffs all of that into a coming of age YA novel tortilla, and boy is it tasty. Beth and Chase are both characters that grow throughout the story, and without each other I doubt the growth would happen. I think this story does a great job showing how people react to death in different ways, and how people forgive or not in different ways. Not only that but the sweet growth of young romance between Chase and Beth is fun to follow.
This story will get under your skin at some points. It will make you a little sad, a lot happy, and will make you think. It will even have you questioning your own morality in regards to forgiveness at some points, and it will also have you cheering the characters on as well.
All in all this is a great YA read. It was really enjoyable, emotional, and entertaining!
https://instagram.com/p/BkfmoMshwEd/
https://instagram.com/p/BjcmckoADO9/
https://instagram.com/p/BilF_4nBEsI/
^fan edit on IG!
*ARC from NetGalley & Harlequin Teen*
One Small Thing is ultimately a story about forgiveness, dealing with loss, and finding the bright side when you’re trapped in the dark. Somehow Erin Watt stuffs all of that into a coming of age YA novel tortilla, and boy is it tasty. Beth and Chase are both characters that grow throughout the story, and without each other I doubt the growth would happen. I think this story does a great job showing how people react to death in different ways, and how people forgive or not in different ways. Not only that but the sweet growth of young romance between Chase and Beth is fun to follow.
This story will get under your skin at some points. It will make you a little sad, a lot happy, and will make you think. It will even have you questioning your own morality in regards to forgiveness at some points, and it will also have you cheering the characters on as well.
All in all this is a great YA read. It was really enjoyable, emotional, and entertaining!
https://instagram.com/p/BkfmoMshwEd/
https://instagram.com/p/BjcmckoADO9/
https://instagram.com/p/BilF_4nBEsI/
^fan edit on IG!
*ARC from NetGalley & Harlequin Teen*
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I’ve enjoyed everything Erin Watt has written so far. The Royals series was captivating as I delved deep into this disturbing and dark family. When It’s Real was a sweet “Cinderella” story that drew me in from the start with her great characterization.
Her newest release, One Small Thing, was disappointing. It was difficult for me to build empathy for the characters since a major conflict, physical, verbal, and emotional abuse from Beth’s parents, felt forced from the beginning of the book. There was no build-up - mom slaps her within the first few pages and throws away her college applications without any slow progression. This made me question the believability of the plot and characters. What I did like was how current and believable the dialogue and slang were and the “boy from the wrong side of the tracks” romance trope. I have a feeling teens will devour this book. Maybe it can’t transcend the YA audience like her other books have.
ARC from NetGalley
Her newest release, One Small Thing, was disappointing. It was difficult for me to build empathy for the characters since a major conflict, physical, verbal, and emotional abuse from Beth’s parents, felt forced from the beginning of the book. There was no build-up - mom slaps her within the first few pages and throws away her college applications without any slow progression. This made me question the believability of the plot and characters. What I did like was how current and believable the dialogue and slang were and the “boy from the wrong side of the tracks” romance trope. I have a feeling teens will devour this book. Maybe it can’t transcend the YA audience like her other books have.
ARC from NetGalley
I absolutely love this book. It was amazing, so full of emotions (and definitely not only good ones). I cried, I laughed, I loved the part about Harry. The couple was so amazing the story was so real. Beth was the little hurt girl at the beginning, but in the end, she was a wonderful and strong woman. Chase was so cute, I liked the fact he wasn't asshole or arrogant, I can literally feel his pain.
And the end. The end was so beautiful, so satisfying.
I would love to read other books like this one more often, and every time I read Erin Watt's book I am more surprised how much talent they have.
Heroine - 5.5/6
Hero - 6/6
Plot Twist - 6/6
Ending - 7/6
Storyline - 5.5/6
And the end. The end was so beautiful, so satisfying.
I would love to read other books like this one more often, and every time I read Erin Watt's book I am more surprised how much talent they have.
Heroine - 5.5/6
Hero - 6/6
Plot Twist - 6/6
Ending - 7/6
Storyline - 5.5/6