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A review by pagesofglory22
If It Makes You Happy by Claire Kann
3.0
2.5 stars.
Thanks to NetGalley and OrangeSky Audio for a free ALC of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
This book follows Winnie as she spends her summer working in her grandmother’s diner, as she always does. However, when she becomes the Misty Haven Summer Queen, things quickly get complicated.
There was a lot happening in this book. Winnie is trying to get people to accept her for who she is. There is also a lot of relationship drama, family drama, and of course the whole Summer Queen thing. On top of that, there was also a sub-plot involving a baking competition. I feel like the story would have been better if there were less elements, since then we could have explored them a bit more.
I really liked the fact that Winnie is black, fat, and queer. I also like that she is not ashamed about any of it. I do, however, feel like the characters did not always make sense to me. For example, Winnie and Cara’s approach to their relationship seems so mature, and yet they get into petty fights. I also did not like Cara’s character, although this might be because the narrator used a very high-pitched voice for her.
I liked the representation in this book, and I think that Winnie could be a character for many people to look up to. I just did not really gel with any of the elements – the characters, their relationships, the plot or the writing – so it made it harder for me to be invested in the story.
Overall, I think that this is an important read. While this was not the perfect read for me, I do think that a lot of people will be able to relate to Winnie’s struggles. There were a few heartwarming scenes as well.
Thanks to NetGalley and OrangeSky Audio for a free ALC of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
This book follows Winnie as she spends her summer working in her grandmother’s diner, as she always does. However, when she becomes the Misty Haven Summer Queen, things quickly get complicated.
There was a lot happening in this book. Winnie is trying to get people to accept her for who she is. There is also a lot of relationship drama, family drama, and of course the whole Summer Queen thing. On top of that, there was also a sub-plot involving a baking competition. I feel like the story would have been better if there were less elements, since then we could have explored them a bit more.
I really liked the fact that Winnie is black, fat, and queer. I also like that she is not ashamed about any of it. I do, however, feel like the characters did not always make sense to me. For example, Winnie and Cara’s approach to their relationship seems so mature, and yet they get into petty fights. I also did not like Cara’s character, although this might be because the narrator used a very high-pitched voice for her.
I liked the representation in this book, and I think that Winnie could be a character for many people to look up to. I just did not really gel with any of the elements – the characters, their relationships, the plot or the writing – so it made it harder for me to be invested in the story.
Overall, I think that this is an important read. While this was not the perfect read for me, I do think that a lot of people will be able to relate to Winnie’s struggles. There were a few heartwarming scenes as well.