One Small Thing by Erin Watt

Hello!

Y'ALL I have yet to read an Erin Watt book that disappoints me! I'm not kidding. I received an ARC of One Small Thing and I started it and finished it so quickly. I will be honest, I was quite hesitant about the plot of this book but I AM SO OBSESSED OML!

Summary:
One Small Thing follows Elizabeth Jones or Beth who is trying to get her friends and family to stop calling her Lizzie. Her parents have gone super overprotective since the loss of her big sister, Rachel. Beth's parents have crossed a line in their overprotectiveness. As a way to get back at them, Beth decides to go to a party across town and hook up with a guy. Beth's plan works well and everything until she shows up to school and realizes the boy she hooked up with is the same boy that accidentally killed her sister those short years ago. Even though Beth should hate Chase she can't help but fall for him.

My Thoughts:
One Small thing is very different from all other Erin Watt books. I felt it was much darker than Ella's story even in Paper Princess. There was something about this book that made me cry so hard and love it with everything. What I love most about this story is that each character struggled with something. No one was perfect and everyone had bad things they had to deal with but they all also had good things! Each character was able to come together and help each other out which made me so happy.

Beth is one of my favorite characters in literature ever because she made some poor choices but she is only 17. We all make bad choices when we are young and old! I felt for Beth this whole book. I didn't feel different from her I felt very similar. Beth's parents were irritating me as well. I could feel my own anger in their arguments. I understand her feelings because I felt them too. All Beth wanted was a chance to start fresh and go off to college which is understandable considering her sister and her parents. Her plan sounded good to me but of course, no matter what she did she could never be what they wanted her to be... which was basically isolated.

Now Chase and Beth. I just loved him the whole time. He was never rude or anything. I think he was a perfect gentleman. He cared so much for Beth and tried to keep her away and he was so sorry about Rachel. The entire book he felt that the comments from other students and juvie weren't enough. Chase wanted to redeem himself but he felt like he needed to suffer more than he did. I loved that he never forced her into anything and he was always pushing her away but he wanted her to be okay. To me, he never felt like a criminal, just a boy who was struggling and cared. Plus, Chase had the best advice in the story and I appreciated that about him.

I hated Jeff from the moment he walked in. He is such a loser I can't even begin to start this because I will just rant. Jeff was such a moron and a barf bag. All he did was boss people around and invite himself over. I was done with him when he forced Beth to eat the nachos then he freaking left her at the party. He is a piece of trash and if you know anyone like this getaway or try to get them to see the light because NO ONE deserves to be treated like he treated everyone in this story!


This book though got me out of a big book slump so thank you for sending me this ARC. I loved reading about Chase and Beth. This story is so beautiful, it is more than just a girl falling in love with a criminal...it's about second chances and redemption. It's about not judging a person by their actions and allowing yourself to struggle and finding a way to make your situation better. The scenes in this book were adorable and understandable but they make you appreciate people and that's the best.

Much Love,
Channy

The Dangerous Art of Blending In by Angelo Surmelis

Hi Lovely People,


I haven't read a book this good since 2015 when I read All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. Y'all I love this book so much! It deserves every award and every ounce of love you can give it! This review is going to be so hard to write because I honestly loved it so much and there aren't enough words AHHH!!! 

Summary: 

Evan Panos is struggling to find his place in this world. His Mother thinks that he is a constant disappointment and she makes sure Evan knows that. His Father just remains quiet and tries to make everything up for Evan's Mother's behavior but not much can anymore. Especially when Evan comes back from Bible camp to his best friend looking more attractive than ever before. The good news is Henry has the same feelings as Evan but then there is Gaige who Evan kissed at camp :( Evan is just trying to survive his life while trying to figure out who he is at the same time.

We need more stories like this. I'm still in book hangover from this one. I legit could not put this book down! This story had me wanting more. I had to put it down while I went to practice and it was sad. It was tragic when I finished it and I had to put it down because I felt like I was a part of this world. I was sad to leave Evan and Henry because I felt like I had been through all that they had been and it was odd leaving that place that I was so invested in.

REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK:

1. EVAN AND HENRY ARE SO ADORABLE 

2. MAKES YOU APPRECIATE PEOPLE AND WHO THEY ARE

3. MAKES YOU AWARE 

4. ITS SO FREAKING CUTE

5. REALIZE WHAT TRUE FRIENDS ARE

6. ITS SO GOOD THAT YOU WILL HAVE BOOK HANGOVER

7. YOU WILL WANT TO READ IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN

8. MAKES YOU BELIEVE IN TRUE LOVE

This book is life changing! 

This was the first book that I read about parental abuse and the emotional restraints it puts on a person. Evan is one of the strongest people I have ever read about. I felt like I was experiencing this with him and I felt completely helpless because I couldn't do anything. Now I feel differently because I did do something; I read this story, and I am aware, and I have been impacted by it.  I will never understand what it is like to live under his roof but I know his story and I appreciate and respect him. I am aware at how uncomfortable it makes people and how the people you trust are the ones that often let you down. I’m so honored to have read Evan’s story and his story has given me something new to think about. You can’t choose who you are and to be in an environment where you are not accepted is cruel. Evan is a character that I believe will be with me for the rest of my life because he has showed me how to be yourself when people don't support you.



I'M SERIOUSLY SO IN LOVE PLEASE GO READ IT AND SUPPORT THE DANGEROUS ART OF BLENDING IN!





Much Love,
Channy

A Short History of the Girl Next Door by Jared Reck

I'm shocked. That is all that comes to my mind because this story is deeply real. This story sheds light on a boy, Matt, hopelessly in love with his best friend and his neighbor, Tabby. Tabby is basically apart of the family. She participates in Matt's family's Thanksgivings and Halloweens. Tabby and Matt are the greatest friends but Tabby gets a senior boyfriend and Matt feels Tabby's absence in his life but Tabby tries to fit both boys into her life and make it worth it. This story is about friendship and learning how to deal with life.

Before I continue this blog post anymore, I will be spoiling so if you have not read this book then read it and come back it is VERY good.

As a high school student I am perfectly aware of the teenagery behavior I see in this novel. The constant crush, the need of attention, and the losing everything to get what you want concept but this book truly took me to a place that I did not expect and reintroduced me to why I love reading so much. Jared Peck has written the truth. He legit wrote a moment so terrifying horrible and unexpected that  I can't deal.

The thing I love most about this story is how impactful it has been on my life. I am very fortunate to have not have not lost anyone extremely close to me yet but as I grow up I am noticing that the same people I have seen before are no longer there for my friends or parents. The world is constantly changing and I don't believe anyone will be entirely ready for it.

I don't cry when I read novels but Mr. Reck made me cry for the first time. He introduced me to a character that everyone in the story loved and that I grew to love. She meant something to everyone and I grew to love her simplicity. Never would I have expected to see her end in the middle of the story. Tabby's death was incredibly real to me and book-altering. I have never read a story where death is like it is. Jared Reck put Tabby's death in the middle of the story not the end but the middle which I think is incredibly profound. Not only did I get to read about losing someone close but I got to experience it through words. I had to set down the book in order to stop crying. Tabby's death is the realist thing I have experienced in literature and in life.

The scariest thing in this book for me is that I was waiting for Matt to confess his feelings to Tabby but he never got the chance. This story opens your eyes at the complete horrendous fact that life isn't perfect but you have to find ways to keep going and keep living. I love how we are able to see Matt's reaction and how he choses to continue on. I especially love the relationships in this novel. Everyone has a place in this book whether it is a passion or a friendship I feel like everyone was there for one another.
Mostly, this book has made me appreciate books and how they expose me to the world that I haven't experienced yet in my own narrative. I may have not actually known Tabby but I know what it is like to know a person that means the world to you and that you would do anything for them. I am overwhelmed with emotions because I know that this novel is too true and it has made me open to the fact that life is short so make sure to live in the present and experience every moment because you never know when it will be your last.

Shoutout to Jared Reck for his beautiful story and words. I can't wait to read your future work!

Thank you so much for reading!


Much Love,
Channy