Review: This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith

Summary/Cover Image from Goodreads:

If fate sent you an email, would you answer?

When teenage movie star Graham Larkin accidentally sends small town girl Ellie O'Neill an email about his pet pig, the two seventeen-year-olds strike up a witty and unforgettable correspondence, discussing everything under the sun, except for their names or backgrounds.

Then Graham finds out that Ellie's Maine hometown is the perfect location for his latest film, and he decides to take their relationship from online to in-person. But can a star as famous as Graham really start a relationship with an ordinary girl like Ellie? And why does Ellie want to avoid the media's spotlight at all costs?

Review:

I'm always on the lookout for fun and romance filled contemporary reads, especially during the summer months, so when This Is What Happy Looks Like appeared on my radar, I knew I had to read it. Luckily, This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith provided just that and much, much more. From a fabulous setting to relatable characters to a slow burning yet exciting romance, this book had lots of amazing things going for it!

One of the aspects I enjoyed most about this book was the plot. I'm always a sucker for a good celeb-meets-ordinary-girl-and-falls-in-love story, so before I even began the book, it was already winning in that area. Thankfully, Jennifer E. Smith did such a great job of developing that story line into something fresh and exciting. I loved the fact that Ellie and Graham meet over email, and how everything involved from there. It allowed for a lot more development than just a love at first sight thing would have. Furthermore, I enjoyed seeing how the emails tied into everything.

Another part of the book I enjoyed was the characters. The book allows the reader to see from the viewpoint of both Graham and Ellie, which added a lot to the book. Ellie was the typical girl-next-door type, but I still enjoyed getting to know her. She was someone who really had her head on her shoulders, but at the same time, had a lot of problems to sort through emotionally. Graham, on the other hand, turned out to be anything but the normal celeb teen heartthrob. He was sweet and kind, and just like Ellie, he had his own set of problems to sort through as well. Seeing them come together was awesome, especially when it allowed for character development. I also really enjoyed the wide variety of side characters! However, I wish more of Graham's pig was shown!

Smith's writing was also a decent. At times, I felt the story could have been shortened a little (it's over 400 pages and tends to drag occasionally), but other than that, I thought she did a great job of delivering a sweet and enjoyable romance.

In all, This Is What Happy Looks Like is a perfect summer read, and I look forward to reading more by Smith in the future!

Grade: B+

This Is What Happy Looks Like (Amazon, Barnes and Noble) is now out! 

Source: Library 

Waiting on Wednesday (132)

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith 

If fate sent you an email, would you answer?

In This is What Happy Looks Like, Jennifer E. Smith's new YA novel, perfect strangers Graham Larkin and Ellie O'Neill meet—albeit virtually—when Graham accidentally sends Ellie an email about his pet pig, Wilbur. In the tradition of romantic movies like "You've Got Mail" and "Sleepless in Seattle," the two 17-year-olds strike up an email relationship, even though they live on opposite sides of the country and don't even know each other's first names.

Through a series of funny and poignant messages, Graham and Ellie make a true connection, sharing intimate details about their lives, hopes and fears. But they don't tell each other everything; Graham doesn't know the major secret hidden in Ellie's family tree, and Ellie is innocently unaware that Graham is actually a world-famous teen actor living in Los Angeles.

When the location for the shoot of Graham's new film falls through, he sees an opportunity to take their relationship from online to in-person, managing to get the production relocated to picturesque Henley, Maine, where Ellie lives. But can a star as famous as Graham have a real relationship with an ordinary girl like Ellie? And why does Ellie's mom want her to avoid the media's spotlight at all costs?

Just as they did in The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, the hands of fate intervene in wondrous ways in this YA novel that delivers on high concept romance in lush and thoughtful prose.

Okay, I have to admit something: I own every YA book Jennifer E. Smith has written but I haven't read any of them. Crazy, right?! Well, this looks amazing, and I've made a promise to myself that before I read this one, I have to read Jen's other three.

This Is What Happy Looks Like will be released in April 2013!

Then You Were Gone by Lauren Strasnick

Two years ago, Adrienne’s best friend, Dakota, walked out of her life. One week ago, she left Adrienne a desperate, muffled voicemail. Adrienne never called back.

Now Dakota is missing, and all that remains is a string of broken hearts, a flurry of rumors, and a suicide note.

Adrienne can’t stop obsessing over what might have happened if she’d answered Dakota’s call. And she’s growing more convinced each day that Dakota is still alive.

Maybe finding and saving Dakota is the only way Adrienne can save herself.

Or maybe it’s too late for them both.

I loved Lauren's first book (Nothing Like You) and this one sounds AMAZING. Plus I just love the cover, especially the way in which the letters appear.

Then You Were Gone will be released in January 2013.