Wednesday, June 5, 2013

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

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

Release Date: April 2, 2013
Publisher: Poppy
Pages: 416
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchased
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
Haunt Author: Website | Facebook | Twitter
 

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?

Graham accidentally emailed Ellie asking her to walk his pig. When she writes back to inform him he has the wrong email address, they strike up a pen pal friendship. Graham loves having someone to talk to that doesn't treat him like the movie star he has recently become. So when his latest movie needs a place to film, Graham tells the director about Ellie's small hometown.

I love small town summer romances. This book was sweet and fun. It didn't have the emotional depth of The Statistical Probability of Love At First Sight but I still enjoyed it immensely. First I love that Graham has a pet pig! Too cute. I've seriously wanted a pet pot belly pig all my life. LOL Babe is one of my all time favorite movies. I also love the little emails included. Those were the perfect touch to the story. Graham is one of the down to earth type of famous people and at times I wondered if he would quit but he really loved acting. With it comes the media attention so it cane be a difficult career path to follow.

Ellie is a small town girl with a little bit of a secret past. Her mom had an affair with a politician. They took off to live their own life and now he might be running for president. She does not want any media attention. This part of the story was a bit frustrating. That Ellie would pull back from Graham because of this. It took a lot away from the romance. They only have a short few weeks of filming. The ending was left rather open so you don't really know where things go but that there are lots of possibilities. I don't have a ton to say about this book. It is just one of those fun, light romances perfect for summer and brightening your mood after a long hard day.  :-D



"How are you supposed to find what you're looking for if you're not convinced it's even out there?"

"Exactly. How can you know it makes you happy if you’ve never experienced it?”
“There are different kinds of happy,” she said. “Some kinds don’t need any proof."

"Maybe growing up was really nothing more than growing away: from your old life, from your old self, from all those things that kept you tethered to your past."

"I'd have to come to rescue you," he told her. "I might not have a white horse, but I do have a very portly pig."
"How romantic," Ellie said.

Rating: 4/5

20 comments:

  1. This was a sweet, and definitely lighter read. I'm glad you enjoyed TIWHLL so much. I liked it too !

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  2. Oh my gosh! I can't believe I forgot that I still have this one to read! I completely forgot about it, how could I do that?
    Gah! Now I need to push it up my pile. I am so glad you enjoyed this one Jennifer!

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  3. I really want to read this one. It sounds like a sweet book. I have to get this at some point. Great review!!

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  4. I didn't much care for The Statistical Probability precisely because of its (attempted) emotional depth, so I have a feeling this sweet summer read might work much better for me. I was ready not to read it but lately I'm drawn to light romances, so I think I'll give it a try.
    Thanks for the lovely review.

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  5. I haven’t read a book by her yet. Don’t know what it is but they just don’t interest me. I think it’s the cheesy covers (I’m shallow).

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  6. I am totally on a summer romance kick and I think this one sounds cute and fun. Love that it has a pot bellied pig. Not so thrilled about an open ending but that is the way it goes at least it isn't a cliffie!

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  7. I loved Smith's previous novel, so I will definitely be on the lookout for this one! I'm kinda disappointed it doesn't have the same emotional depth, but I'm sure I will love it anyway!

    -Taylor @ Reading is the Thing

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  8. I loved this book too!!! Great review!!!

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  9. Oh I so want to read this one and The statistical probability! Shame on me for not getting into them sooner. Great review!

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  10. I want to read this. It sounds cute and like something I wouldn't have to take it TOO seriously, which is perfect for summer. :)

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  11. I love small town romances too, and this sounds like a really great summer read. Now that the weather has finally picked up over here, I'm sure I'll be craving more books like this soon. Great review, Jen! :)

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  12. Aww, this sounds so cute and fun! I love the idea of a book written in emails. Brilliant review! Will have to pick this up asap !:)

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  13. I love small town summer romances too. I'm really looking forward to checking this one out! :)

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  14. Sweet summer small town romances sounds great to me as well

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  15. I still haven't had a chance to read this one, but it looks good. Nice review Jennifer!

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  16. The open ending would be enough to turn me off this one unfortunately, but I'm also not that fond of books that involve movie stars. So not for me I don't think, but I'm glad you enjoyed it. Lovely review Jennifer.

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  17. This would definitely be a perfect summer read. It's fun and light-hearted...and I love the small-town romance, too. I know it didn't pack the emotional punch that TSPoLaFS did, but I still enjoyed it. Glad you did, too!

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  18. I've always wanted a pig, too! They seem like such great pets. I really enjoyed this cute little book, too. Small beach towns are my favorite locales for summer books. I really liked both Graham and Ellie and enjoyed their story. Sometimes you just need a cute beach book. Great review!
    -Natalie @Natflix&Books

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  19. I just picked this up from the library and I can't wait to give it a read even though the romance is a bit of a letdown.

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  20. Oh! I wasn't the biggest fan of The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, but this one sounds right up my alley! I love how cute the covers are and how this one sounds like the perfect light summery read!

    great review!! I can't wait to read this one.

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