A Little Something Different is exactly what the title says. After seeing this constantly for a week on Goodreads, I thought perhaps it was a huge sign from the Bookish Gods. So I ended up in my local waterstones and after finding it instantly I knew it was definitely meant to be. After I took it home I managed to read it within hours. Once I’d finished the book, all I knew was that I had a craving for Chinese food and a need to find out what happens to Gabe and Lea and their relationship. A perhaps cheesy romance, this book is transformed into an epix retelling from the perspectives of others.
The story follows, Gabe and Lea, who are perfect for each other. Their love story is told from 14 different perspectives and, to the narrators, it is obvious that the two should be together. It is set during college, with the creative writing teacher, the delivery guy, the local Starbucks Baristas, their best friends, brother and finally the college Bench and the Squirrel narrating. Just from the list of narrators you can see how it is something a little different.
First, as I often do during my book reviews, is the cover. I mean, the majority of the time it is the cover which attracts us to a novel and makes you want to read it. It is light pink with flowers and cuteness and appears almost to be perhaps the most girly book ever, but actually I know many guys who also would enjoy this contemporary romance. I love the coffee cups, and books and take out box added into the cover as a way of symbolising the story as a whole.
This book is completely and utterly adorable! Seeing two people fall in love from their own perspectives is cute enough (look to Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell) but seeing it happen through other spectators eyes is utterly cute! However, these aren’t the only good points, we see and get to know Gabe and Lea from 14 people meaning we learn about the narrators and almost become friends with the characters.
The book is not fully concentrated on romance and includes humour too, with especially hilarious moments which I admired and loved as a whole. At times I found myself crying with laughter simply because of the conversations and little details, especially the bench and squirrel perspectives being presented. It made it extremely hard not to find amusing or laugh at it. Reading this book I found to be enjoyable and it is a quick, easy read which I would recommend to anyone and everyone wanting a light and fluffy read.
• Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop
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