Reviews

Not My Problem by Ciara Smyth

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hayleyy15's review against another edition

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4.0

4.5

ghostnayto's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

aecidyk's review against another edition

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4.0

oh. my god. i loved all the characters. especially aideen, meabh and kavi. i really could feel all the pain and the emotions that the mc felt. the way everything was built up... it was beautiful, and executed very well. the character development from all sides is nice to see. and their love was so sweet as well. loved reading this book <3

restless's review against another edition

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5.0

This was SFW Sex Education meets Derry Girls and I loved every second of it. I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard at a book.

What it's about: when Aideen reluctantly pushes class SWOT Maebh down the stairs, she accidentally becomes the school's 'fixer'. Any problem a student has, Aideen will sort out - in exchange for a favour. As the problems & hijinks pile up, Aideen's life becomes more and more complicated. Will she hold it together? Or is she going to implode before the finish line?

What I thought: this is definitely book of the year material for me. Aideen's life is hard but it's handled really well. She's basically a single teenager trying to raise herself, make her grades, and keep her mam out of trouble -- all the while trying to pass for 'normal' at school.

That Aideen's life is fraying at the edges should come as no surprise, nor will the fact that she is lonely. It is hard to connect with other people when there is so much that you can't share.

The supporting cast is also great. There is Holly, the smart, slightly bitchy

Spoiler

and totally overwhelmed but doesn't know how to say it

BFF; Maebh, ice-queen-extraordinaire; Kavi, the nicest guy that ever lived; and Devlin, the teacher that we all wish we'd had for PE.

Then there are the hijinks. How did Smyth even come up with these things?

Anyway, the way that all of this comes together in the end was just chef's kiss.

TL:DR; my only regret is that I will never be able to read this novel for the first time again.

jasminx's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

kate_12's review against another edition

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5.0

Such a good story, couldn't stop reading. Aideen is a high schooler who starts solving other students problems because she can't solve her owns': an alcoholic mother who Aideen must take care so social service's don't take her away, a father that comes and goes as he pleases (has another family; that bastard), she's falling behind in school (and who wouldn't?), her best friend is a manipulate bitch...
It reminds me of Sex Education -Aideen sorts of stumbles down in this little enterpreneurship to help.
You can see why these characters are as they are, why they make mistakes, their motivations and fears. It also contains some wisdom for teenagers and adults.
Aideen sarcasm makes all the heavy parts, lighter.
Gay romance: enemies to friends to lovers.