Children's booksChildren's books This article is more than 8 years old

A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall - review

This article is more than 8 years old'The bench and squirrel perspective being presented made it extremely hard not to be amused or laugh'
Sandy Hall, A Little Something Different: A Swoon Novel

A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall is exactly what the title says. After constantly seeing this on Goodreads for a week, I knew perhaps it was a huge sign from the Bookish Gods. I ended up in my local Waterstones, found it instantly and knew it was definitely meant to be. Taking it home I think I managed to read this within hours, if that. All I know is once I finished this book I had a craving for Chinese food and a need to find out what happens to Gabe and Lea's relationship. The story is a cheesy romance turned into an epic retelling from the perspectives of others.

The story follows Gabe and Lea. These two are obviously perfect for one another and their love story is told from 14 different perspective and is obvious to everyone except Gabe and Lea. The story takes place at college and features creative writing teacher, the delivery guy, the local Starbucks barista, their best friends, brother and (my two favourite perspectives) the college bench and the squirrel! Just this demonstrates how much this book is a little something different.
Firstly, I'd like to comment on the cover. The majority of the time it is the cover that attracts us to a novel and makes us want to read it. With its light pink, flowers and cuteness, this almost appears to be the most girly book ever. However, I know many guys who would also enjoy this contemporary romance. I love the coffee cups, books and take out box being added to 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 perspectives is cute enough (look at Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell), but see it happen through other spectators' eyes and you have utterly cute! However, these aren't the only good points. We see and get to know Gabe and Lea through 14 people, meaning we learn about them and almost become friends with the characters.

However, the book is not fully concentrated on romance: it has 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 things. The bench and squirrel perspective being presented made it extremely hard not to be amused or laugh. I found this book an enjoyable, quick, and 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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