Author: Lauren BarnholdtI think my expectations were too high, because Sometimes It Happens just...wasn't my favorite.
Release Date: July 12, 2011
Pages: 322 (E-galley)
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Most Appropriate For Ages: 14+
Where I Got It: For review from Galley Grab
On the last day of her junior year, Hannah's boyfriend Sebastian dumped her. Facing a summer of loneliness, Hannah turns to her best friend Ava for comfort. Ava does what BFFs do: she stays by Hannah's side...until it's time for Ava to head up to Maine for the summer. Also left behind is Ava's boyfriend, Noah, who's such a great guy he gets Hannah a job at the diner he waits tables at. Slowly, Hannah comes out of her funk thanks to Noah's good conversation and their fun times at the diner. But things get complicated when their friendship turns into attraction--and one night, into a passionate kiss.
The novel opens on the first day of senior year; the day Hannah is going to see Ava, Sebastian, and Noah all in one place. Over the course of the day secrets and betrayals are revealed, and alliances are broken and reformed. In the end, everyone is paired up once again, but not the way you might think...
My main problem with this book was the main character, Hannah. Or more accurately, the lack of one. I thought Hannah had no real personality. And she was completely backbone-less! I mean, she just went along with whatever people told her to do, whether she wanted to or not. And she didn't seem to grow at all throughout the novel. It also does not help that used either "like" or "totally" every other sentence.
The "It" that "Happened" was revealed on page 3 or so. This was a creative way to tell a story, but it also made the plot a little boring.
So why didn't I give up on Sometimes It Happens? Because it definitely had it's upsides. Like, for one thing, NOAH. He pretty much had every awesome quality in a guy one can have: a sense of humor, good taste in music, and a natural hatred towards skinny jeans (they just bug me!). All of the other side characters were well-developed as well.
Sometimes It Happens was just not for me. Maybe older fans of the chick-lit genre will like this one more than I did. I'll be trying some of Barnholdt's other books in the future, though.
Plot: Predictable and kinda cliched, but kept me reading I guess.
Characters: Hannah wasn't the best main character, but I'm slightly obsessed with Noah.
Writing: Pretty good, though "totally" and "like" were used way too much.
Ending: Kinda open-ended, but fitting.
Kid friendly? Eh. There's swearing, sex, mentions of sex, and one brief mention of pot.
Should I read it? Depends on your taste.
Should I read it? Depends on your taste.
Overall:
Positive reviews:
Great honest review. I actually did like this one but I can definitely see where you did not. Noah is awesome though. =)
ReplyDeleteI definitely recommend trying out Lauren Barnholdt's other books though. Two-Way Street and One Night That Changes Everything are two of my favorite books.
I'm really with you on this one. I didn't love it, and I didn't love the message. I don't buy the whole "it happens" thing. It can be prevented. Either way, love the author, didn't love the book. Fab honest review :)
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