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A review by gettinglostinagoodbook
Rent to Be by Sonia Hartl
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The West End Library was my favorite place in the world. It had a pyramid-shaped fountain out front, three levels with a giant iron staircase winding up the center, and a wall made entirely of multicolored glass.
Isla is a quirky and funny main character who truly grows up in this story. The story opens with her on her last time, with no place to live, and too embarrassed to seek help from her family. Through some not so smart decisions, some funny encounters and help from a long- time “off-limits” crush Isla works her way through this mess of a life she has created. At times I cringed while at others I cheered for the decisions that she made. The choice to do house sitting added a safety net for living arrangements, and the opportunity for a pretty fun backdrop. And how can a character whose favourite place to be is the library be all that bad?
Cade and Neeta are fantastic support characters for Isla. Their interactions are relatable, and they are likeable. Neeta provides a great foil for Isla, as well as a destination for her. Cade draws out the best in her, even when he’s not showing the best of himself.
At times I found Isla and her family a little immature. I was disappointed in her parents reaction when she finally opened up to them. I was hoping for a better solution with them. (It did explain her personality though).
Isla is a quirky and funny main character who truly grows up in this story. The story opens with her on her last time, with no place to live, and too embarrassed to seek help from her family. Through some not so smart decisions, some funny encounters and help from a long- time “off-limits” crush Isla works her way through this mess of a life she has created. At times I cringed while at others I cheered for the decisions that she made. The choice to do house sitting added a safety net for living arrangements, and the opportunity for a pretty fun backdrop. And how can a character whose favourite place to be is the library be all that bad?
Cade and Neeta are fantastic support characters for Isla. Their interactions are relatable, and they are likeable. Neeta provides a great foil for Isla, as well as a destination for her. Cade draws out the best in her, even when he’s not showing the best of himself.
At times I found Isla and her family a little immature. I was disappointed in her parents reaction when she finally opened up to them. I was hoping for a better solution with them. (It did explain her personality though).