Sometimes It Happens is such a raw, realistic, funny, and complicated book. Alternating between the first day of school and the summer days leading up to it, Barnholdt has Hannah's reactions and feelings down perfectly, from her ice cream-fueled depression over Sebastian cheating on her, to the friendship she forms with Noah over their shared experiences working twelve hour shifts at a local diner. The dynamics between Hannah, Noah, and their friend Lacey are just so well-written and fun to read, and their days at the diner are realistic and entertaining. Ava was an interesting character; she is a bit controlling and subtly negative, which made Hannah's unintentional betrayal easier for the reader to swallow. The summer and Hannah's drama was just as much about her mistakes as it was her finding her own independence and learning what a good friend is, and that Ava was not one. Still, Barnholdt doesn't let her characters off the hook. Hannah and Noah have to face up to what they've done, but they learn that despite all of the hurt, sometimes these things happen, and it's not the end of the world. Sometimes It Happens is a memorable, insightful, funny book about mixed feelings, up and down emotions, mistakes, and love.
Cover Comments: I like how bright this cover is, with the little pink accents here and there. I think it's pretty and somehow very appropriate.
ARC provided by publisher.
This one will be available on July 12th, 2011!
4 comments:
I had decided this wasn't the book for me, but after reading your review I'll have to reconsider! I love raw and authentic books =D
I'm definitely going to give this book a chance!!!
Even though I was less than impressed with Two-Way Street
Lauren Barnholdt is one of my favourite contemporary authors so I've been really looking forward to reading Sometimes It Happens. I'm so glad to see that you enjoyed it! :)
Definitely looking forward to reading this! Thanks for the review. I can't wait.
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