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


This Is What Happy Looks Like
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?

Words can't describe how stupidly happy I was when I heard about this book. It was actually a Waiting on Wednesday pick last August, mainly because it's an amazing concept plus I loved The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight when I read it right at the beginning of 2012 (in fact, after reading this book I went straight back and reread Statistical Probability.)

Whilst I didn't find this book as amazing as TSPoLaFS I still really loved it. I really liked Graham and Ellie, both were funny, romantic characters and I absolutely adored their romance - it was cute, with adorably innocent chemistry and it was a welcome departure from the more 'sexy' romances that you get in YA books these days. I did feel that it could have been developed differently, like I would have loved for Ellie to have found out who her email pen pal was a bit later. I would have just loved to see Ellie and Graham meeting each other and loads of coincidences before the actual real romance started. I guess that's just my personal opinion though, and really this book was great without that anyway.

Just like every fluffy YA contemporary book, there are ups and downs but nothing too overly emotional that I felt too bad, this book for me was the perfect hot summer day read. I would definitely recommend this to people looking for a short, fluffy, romantic read (after I recommend Statistical Probability).


Book released 2nd April 2013 by Poppy 
Book borrowed from a friend 

Reviews for other books by this author:
The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

4 comments

  1. Hmmm I'm a bit of a freak when it comes to contemps - meaning that I love excessive dark drama. However, for some reason, this one appeals to me a good bit. I might just have to read it after all haha great review, Jade! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've been considering this one for some time. I normally stick to YA paranormal/fantasy but it sounds like something I'm working on. I may give bit a go based on your review. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This book was so utterly sweet.. It wasn't as emotional as TSPOLAFS, but I still loved it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This has turned out to be a "comfort read" for me - something to read when I need a little pick me up or just want something light and entertaining. TSPOLAFS has its place when I'm in a more contemplative mood, though.

    Great review.

    Erin @ YA Book Crush

    ReplyDelete

Tell me your thoughts on the post, the book, the world. I like volcanoes, feel free to tell me about volcanoes.