Not My Problem by Ciara Smyth is a refreshing change from the books I have been reading. I chose it for this reason. I needed something a little lighter. In addition, it fell under LGBTQIA genre. Because I am interested in sharing diverse books and good LGBTQIA stories can be difficult to find, I knew I had to read this.
Aideen has plenty of problems she can’t solve. But when she stumbles upon overachiever Meabh Kowalska having a full-blown meltdown, she sees one that she can actually fix. Meabh is desperate to escape her crushing pile of extracurriculars. Aideen volunteers to help—by pushing her down the stairs.
Problem? Solved. Meabh’s sprained ankle is the perfect excuse to ditch her overwhelming schedule. But when one of their classmates learns about their little scheme, more “clients” start asking for Aideen’s “help”—kicking off a semester of traded favors, ill-advised hijinks, and even an unexpected chance at love.
Fixing other people’s problems won’t fix her own. But it might be the push Aideen needs to start.
The story is set in a private school in Ireland. The main character Aideen is a teenager facing typical teen issues, but also dealing with a home life that leaves much to be desired. She is a well developed character and it's easy to fall into the rhythm of this story. The writing is clear, concise and soothing. The plot moves along nicely, giving the reader just enough tension to keep it interesting.
While there are numerous characters from different teen groups, the author carefully avoids stereotyping. The reader is introduced to each individual and is left wanting to get to know everyone. I found this added to great depth and set this novel above so many others. It's hard to demonstrate a real experience while keeping characters believable, but Ciara Smyth does this very well.
Nothing about this book is predictable, yet no twist is outlandish. Every "favor" Aideen completes and cashes in could happen and can be relevant to almost anyone. Even if you're no longer a teenager, we have ALL survived it.
Finally, my favorite part of this novel--the ending. It took my breath away. The compilation of events that led up to that moment certainly built up to a satisfying resolution, but the very last line will stay in my soul for a very long time. If a closing line was eligible for an award, this one would win. BUT it's only good if you know the story, so DO NOT JUMP AHEAD!
Not My Problem is a book I would suggest to both teens and adults who love a good book. Ciarra Smyth did a great job of weaving marginalized populations into one story while avoiding stereotypes. She kept the writing light when the topics were heavy. She added a touch of romance without stealing the importance Aideen's character growth. Overall, this was a great read that should be enjoyed by many.
Blogger's note: I read the Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) of this book. The book had not yet been "translated" --meaning many terms and references were not "Americanized". This did not take away from the story at all. If the book is only available in Ireland or UK, I still suggest reading it.
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