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A review by theshiftyshadow
Not My Problem by Ciara Smyth
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-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
5.0
I just really loved this book, I don't know what else to say.
I'm not a YA reader, even the better ones I have read usually feel kind of shallow beyond whatever the main plot of the book is, but Not My Problem really didn't feel like that. There's so much depth to every character, and every storyline, and it's packed full of warmth, and kindness, and love, even when dealing with the more serious aspects, like Aideen's home life, but at the same time it doesn't shy away from the darker parts of those situations.
I find lately that I'm really moved by stories about people just trying to connect with other people, and finding friendship, love, and support in each other, whether it's platonic, romantic, sibling, or any other kind of relationship. And this book just delivers that in spades.
The romance at the centre between Aideen and Maebh is so well paced, and their individual growth as characters is tied up in their developing relationship and it's so well done, it's very cute and funny and Smyth does a really great job of having that budding relationship shape how Aideen sees her other relationships, both new and old. Aideen's deteriorating friendship with Holly is handled really well and again it allows for real growth in Aideen's character and that plays out really nicely alongside her budding friendship with Kavi, who is maybe the sweetest character ever. These 3 are the main relationships at school for Aideen, but there's a host of other really vibrant and funny characters that flit in and out of the story at different points, culminating in a really well earned and lovely big finale moment.
Aideen's relationship with her alcoholic mother is handled really well too. We see how and why Aideen is as closed off as she is, and how long she's been struggling along with things. It's sad and it's bleak, but the way that storyline is wrapped up was really well done, I think, and again, Smyth manages to tie it into the other relationships Aideen has managed to build for herself despite her best efforts not to, leading to an ending that felt very realistic in the circumstances but hopeful, and it felt like a victory for Aideen.
And it's funny! It's very Irish, so I'm biased, but I had such a good time reading this. It's just a really lovely book and I can't recommend it highly enough.
I'm not a YA reader, even the better ones I have read usually feel kind of shallow beyond whatever the main plot of the book is, but Not My Problem really didn't feel like that. There's so much depth to every character, and every storyline, and it's packed full of warmth, and kindness, and love, even when dealing with the more serious aspects, like Aideen's home life, but at the same time it doesn't shy away from the darker parts of those situations.
I find lately that I'm really moved by stories about people just trying to connect with other people, and finding friendship, love, and support in each other, whether it's platonic, romantic, sibling, or any other kind of relationship. And this book just delivers that in spades.
The romance at the centre between Aideen and Maebh is so well paced, and their individual growth as characters is tied up in their developing relationship and it's so well done, it's very cute and funny and Smyth does a really great job of having that budding relationship shape how Aideen sees her other relationships, both new and old. Aideen's deteriorating friendship with Holly is handled really well and again it allows for real growth in Aideen's character and that plays out really nicely alongside her budding friendship with Kavi, who is maybe the sweetest character ever. These 3 are the main relationships at school for Aideen, but there's a host of other really vibrant and funny characters that flit in and out of the story at different points, culminating in a really well earned and lovely big finale moment.
Aideen's relationship with her alcoholic mother is handled really well too. We see how and why Aideen is as closed off as she is, and how long she's been struggling along with things. It's sad and it's bleak, but the way that storyline is wrapped up was really well done, I think, and again, Smyth manages to tie it into the other relationships Aideen has managed to build for herself despite her best efforts not to, leading to an ending that felt very realistic in the circumstances but hopeful, and it felt like a victory for Aideen.
And it's funny! It's very Irish, so I'm biased, but I had such a good time reading this. It's just a really lovely book and I can't recommend it highly enough.