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e_flah 's review for:
If It Makes You Happy
by Claire Kann
If It Makes You Happy has been recommended to me numerous times by book Twitter who frequently feature it for its a-spec representation and "happy" plot. Personally, I found both of those things to be a bit disappointing.
First off, Winnie's ungirlfriend Kara certainly reads as a-spec but it's not confirmed in the text. I had a lot of issues with Kara as a character. As someone who identifies as a-spec, I was a bit uncomfortable with her being portrayed so negatively. In many ways, it felt to me like Kara was one of the primary villains of the story. She absolutely makes some big mistakes that she should be held accountable, but I was disappointed to find what felt like a primarily negative instance of a-spec rather than the affirming character I was hoping for. There's nothing in the text that does anything to indicate that Kara's sexuality is wrong but she falls into so many of the negative stereotypes of a-spec people that this representation really bummed me out.
My other big hang-up with the book was definitely due to expectations not aligning with reality. This book has been recommended to me as a "happy, carefree" book and I would absolutely say it's not. Despite the cute, small town setting, the majority of this book is filled with conflict. There's sibling drama, ungirlfriend fighting, cute boy angst and disagreements, and lots and lots of family fighting. Some of the lessons that Winnie learned through these conflicts were really important but I found the amount of heavy plot points really made this book a tough read at times. I would've loved a bit more levity in between the conflict.
If, like me, you're intrigued by this for the a-spec representation, I would strongly point you elsewhere.
C/W:racism, some queerphobia, unexpected severe asthma attack, negative remarks about a character's weight, manipulative behavior by a family member
First off, Winnie's ungirlfriend Kara certainly reads as a-spec but it's not confirmed in the text. I had a lot of issues with Kara as a character. As someone who identifies as a-spec, I was a bit uncomfortable with her being portrayed so negatively. In many ways, it felt to me like Kara was one of the primary villains of the story. She absolutely makes some big mistakes that she should be held accountable, but I was disappointed to find what felt like a primarily negative instance of a-spec rather than the affirming character I was hoping for. There's nothing in the text that does anything to indicate that Kara's sexuality is wrong but she falls into so many of the negative stereotypes of a-spec people that this representation really bummed me out.
My other big hang-up with the book was definitely due to expectations not aligning with reality. This book has been recommended to me as a "happy, carefree" book and I would absolutely say it's not. Despite the cute, small town setting, the majority of this book is filled with conflict. There's sibling drama, ungirlfriend fighting, cute boy angst and disagreements, and lots and lots of family fighting. Some of the lessons that Winnie learned through these conflicts were really important but I found the amount of heavy plot points really made this book a tough read at times. I would've loved a bit more levity in between the conflict.
If, like me, you're intrigued by this for the a-spec representation, I would strongly point you elsewhere.
C/W: