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beautifulpaxielreads's review
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
OK, before I start this review, I've got a small confession to make: Ms Devlin is a sarcastic badass of a woman and every kid should have a teacher like her.
Confession over. Actually, no it's not, because I have to confess something else - I really, really enjoyed reading Not My Problem.
It's about facing your fears. Realising people can be so much more than the first impressions you have of them if you just dig a little deeper. And finally - in my view - it's about realising the value of kindness and compassion.
Aideen Cleary is probably the most well-rounded, three-dimensional main character I have read for some time. She leapt off the page. Even though I sometimes felt frustrated with the decisions she made and the way she treated others, I could understand why she did so.
All the other characters were well-drawn too - aside from the lovely Ms Devlin, we were also introduced to Aideen's friends Meabh, Kavi, Holly, and Aideen's mum - Lisa, I think her name was? I really appreciated how Ciara Smyth wrote about the relationship between mother and daughter, it was beautiful and felt realistic.
The one thing I felt could have been developed more was whyAideen felt attracted to Meabh . But it might have been because I had a very stop-start relationship with reading this book so maybe there was something I missed.
Overall, Not My Problem is a beautifully, intelligently written book and I'm looking forward to reading more from Ciara Smyth.
Confession over. Actually, no it's not, because I have to confess something else - I really, really enjoyed reading Not My Problem.
It's about facing your fears. Realising people can be so much more than the first impressions you have of them if you just dig a little deeper. And finally - in my view - it's about realising the value of kindness and compassion.
Aideen Cleary is probably the most well-rounded, three-dimensional main character I have read for some time. She leapt off the page. Even though I sometimes felt frustrated with the decisions she made and the way she treated others, I could understand why she did so.
All the other characters were well-drawn too - aside from the lovely Ms Devlin, we were also introduced to Aideen's friends Meabh, Kavi, Holly, and Aideen's mum - Lisa, I think her name was? I really appreciated how Ciara Smyth wrote about the relationship between mother and daughter, it was beautiful and felt realistic.
The one thing I felt could have been developed more was why
Overall, Not My Problem is a beautifully, intelligently written book and I'm looking forward to reading more from Ciara Smyth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Alcoholism, Addiction, and Alcohol
Moderate: Bullying, Infidelity, Medical content, and Classism
Minor: Car accident, Lesbophobia, Fatphobia, Violence, and Cancer
More detail to come.
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