A Little Something Different - Sandy Hall

A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Publication Date: August 26, 2014
Source/Format: Macmillan Happy Hour, BEA 2014 || ARC

[I received this book from the publisher. This in no way affects my review.]

Lea and Gabe are in the same creative writing class. They get the same pop culture references, order the same Chinese food, and hang out in the same places. Unfortunately, Lea is reserved, Gabe has issues, and despite their initial mutual crush, it looks like they are never going to work things out. 

But somehow even when nothing is going on, something is happening between them, and everyone can see it. Their creative writing teacher pushes them together. The baristas at Starbucks watch their relationship like a TV show. Their bus driver tells his wife about them. The waitress at the diner automatically seats them together. Even the squirrel who lives on the college green believes in their relationship. Surely Gabe and Lea will figure out that they are meant to be together...

If you’re looking for a read that’s adorable and entertaining and… well, a little something different, then this novel may be just the thing. A Little Something Different is wonderfully clever, with a variety of characters telling Gabe and Lea’s love story… from their perspectives.

The entire novel plays out like one of those movies with a big ensemble cast. It’s diverting, and funny, and very sweet – but it ultimately peaks at “like” status. I do think the writing style, with its quick POV shifts, is unexpected. This actually worked in its favor to some extent, as it definitely was a unique way to tell this love story!

Everyone (or thing, in some cases) had different perspectives on Gabe, Lea and Gabe-and-Lea, which I really liked (and found a few quite funny). Just as lots of people shipped them, or at least recognized the chemistry, I did too! I really liked the various perspectives, but I do wish I could have gotten the chance to know each person a little better because they all seemed really fun.

Honestly, my frustration rests solely with Gabe and Lea. They’re two great individuals, two people I could have been friends with, as a matter of fact. But their love story takes forever and a day to get off the ground, as they stick to a pattern of misunderstandings, miscommunication and missed connections. What a load of misses, right? Mind you, this frustration wasn’t terrible, nor did it stop me from enjoying myself. It just reminds me of those moments in films where you’re like, “No, no, no, go and talk.” Or “Wait ten seconds till she comes.” Basically, you want them to be together, and sometimes, you get impatient, and that was me with these two while I read their story.

All in all, A Little Something Different is very simple, but really a darling love story. It lacks the character development I’m used to, but definitely adds a little extra with the multiple perspectives. While I know some people might not be overly fond of this one, I did like it, in the end. It’s the kind of read I’d recommend to someone looking for something light, fun and easy to read!

What was your favorite class in college?

Hands down, my favorite class was my creative writing one. It was an elective that I took solely for my own pleasure! While it was nerve-wracking to have my work analyzed and critiqued by my classmates, I also really enjoyed it. Our teacher was inspiring, encouraging and introduced us to articles and methods that really helped us out. A close second would probably be my horror film class, where we watched horror movies and analyzed them for fun, and my Western History class, since I was all about learning about the history of the Western world.