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A review by restless
Not My Problem by Ciara Smyth
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 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.
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 itThen 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.