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Not My Problem Hardcover – 25 May 2021
Perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Nina LaCour, this queer coming-of-age story from the author of The Falling in Love Montage is wry, multilayered, and unflinchingly honest.
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.
- Print length368 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherHarperTeen
- Publication date25 May 2021
- Grade level3 - 9
- Reading age13 - 17 years
- Dimensions13.97 x 2.97 x 20.96 cm
- ISBN-100062957147
- ISBN-13978-0062957146
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Product description
Review
"Witty and engaging. Will hook readers immediately." -- School Library Journal (starred review)
"Often hilarious, tart, and sarcastic; often heart-tuggingly poignant; always completely authentic and compulsively readable." -- Horn Book Magazine
"Engaging and enjoyable. A noteworthy take on vulnerability and seeking help that doesn't offer platitudes." -- Kirkus Reviews
Praise for The Falling in Love Montage: "An emotionally stirring queer romance with witty, playful dialogue." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Delightfully brash and no-nonsense. Pleasantly and audaciously fills a gap in queer romance."
-- Kirkus Reviews
"A meet-cute in the style of Jenny Han, and just as sweet and cinematic as YA rom-com fans will expect." -- Booklist
"A snarky and sincere romp through meet-cutes and grand romantic gestures, this book is a must-read for fans of Becky Albertali and Morgan Matson." -- Ashley Poston, author of Geekerella and The Princess and the Fangirl
"A joyous, hilarious, big-hearted book with the kind of electric, rollicking voice that makes you want to live in its pages forever." -- Jeff Zentner, Morris Award-winning author of Rayne & Delilah's Midnite Matinee
"A charming romp of a rom-com about the delights and terrors of falling in love. Saoirse is a heroine for the ages; she is smart, flawed, funny, and--when she lets her guard down--achingly vulnerable. This book will make your heart sing. Read it." -- Misa Sugiura, award-winning author of It's Not Like It's a Secret and This Time Will Be Different
"A book that manages to be both tenderly gutting and absolutely hilarious. I want to be best friends with Saoirse Clarke." -- Dahlia Adler, author of Under the Lights
"A slow-burn summer romance narrated by a beautifully snarky heroine who likes to pretend that she doesn't have a heart of gold. This book was made for those endless-feeling summer nights." -- Aminah Mae Safi, author of Not the Girls You're Looking For and Tell Me How You Really Feel
"Everything I wanted and so much more. How refreshing to read about two girls who like girls who find each other in the perfect meet cute. You'll want to read this one again and again." -- Jaye Robin Brown, author of Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit and The Meaning of Birds
"The romantic story all queer girls deserve: funny, flirty, and absolutely perfect." -- Camryn Garrett, author of Full Disclosure
About the Author
Ciara Smyth studied drama, teaching, and then social work at university. She thought she didn't know what she wanted to be when she grew up. She became a writer so she wouldn't have to grow up. She enjoys jigging (verb: to complete a jigsaw puzzle), playing the violin badly, and having serious conversations with her pets. Ciara has lived in Belfast for over ten years and still doesn't really know her way around. Visit her online at www.ciarasmyth.com.
Product details
- Publisher : HarperTeen (25 May 2021)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 368 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0062957147
- ISBN-13 : 978-0062957146
- Reading age : 13 - 17 years
- Dimensions : 13.97 x 2.97 x 20.96 cm
- Best Sellers Rank: 1,749,797 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer reviews:
About the author
Ciara Smyth studied drama, teaching, and then social work at university. She thought she didn’t know what she wanted to be when she grew up. She became a writer so she wouldn’t have to grow up. She enjoys jigging (verb: to complete a jigsaw puzzle), playing the violin badly, and having serious conversations with her pets. Ciara has lived in Belfast for over ten years and still doesn’t really know her way around. Visit her online at www.ciarasmyth.com.
Customer reviews
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To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyses reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book humorous with amusing moments and a sense of amusement. They appreciate the realistic characters and the depth of the story without being overly complex.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy the humor in the book. They find it relatable and humorous, with some moments that make them laugh out loud. The book is described as a fun read that leaves them feeling amused and entertained.
"Nice read" Read more
"...Some lol moments and a sprinkling of humour throughout, often used as a coping mechanism for what could otherwise have been sad and upsetting...." Read more
"...There are genuinely laugh out loud moments and moments when I audibly gasped...." Read more
"...It managed to deal with serious issues while also being hilarious...." Read more
Customers appreciate the well-developed characters. They also like that there is no clear villain.
"...The characters were well developed enough to give the story reasonable depth, without being suffocatingly introspective as some of this genre can..." Read more
"...laughed, some moments I cried but every moment I was completely invested in these characters and this story!..." Read more
"...Aideen was a complex and relatable character who I cared about right from the start...." Read more
"...I love that there was no outright villain (except maybe ronan but he got his), there was no one who was irredeemably or unreasonably cruel which..." Read more
Customers enjoyed the story's depth. They found it well-developed without being overly detailed. The characters were complex and relatable to them.
"...The characters were well developed enough to give the story reasonable depth, without being suffocatingly introspective as some of this genre can..." Read more
"...Aideen was a complex and relatable character who I cared about right from the start...." Read more
"...was left with a feeling of amusement throughout and was surprised at the depth of the story." Read more
Reviews with images
Refreshing, relateable, funny!
Top reviews from United Kingdom
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- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 August 2024Nice read
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 June 2021Whilst I enjoyed this book and the main character was likeable, it wasn't really my cup-of-tea as they say. The characters were well developed enough to give the story reasonable depth, without being suffocatingly introspective as some of this genre can become. Some lol moments and a sprinkling of humour throughout, often used as a coping mechanism for what could otherwise have been sad and upsetting.
There was a reasonably positive ending, although it couldn't be said it was a HEA one as there were far too many things left to be fully resolved. The first steps in that process had been taken though, and one was left with a positive feeling, but I would have liked to know more about how the various issues and relationships developed.
Overall about 3.8 stars, more for someone looking for YA slow burn gentle romance I expect... especially if they like an Irish twist.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 June 2021What an absolutely wonderful book! Some moments I laughed, some moments I cried but every moment I was completely invested in these characters and this story!
From the first page I was immersed into the world of Not My Problem and I loved every minute of it. I genuinely cared about every character in this book and was sad to leave them when I got to the end.
Once again, Ciara Smyth has written with such heart and developed such real characters. It was a joy to go through their journey with them.
There are genuinely laugh out loud moments and moments when I audibly gasped. Ciara has such a talent in allowing you to see through the characters eyes and experience what they are going through.
Absolutely recommend Not My Problem!! Do yourself a favour and get The Falling In Love Montage as well!
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 December 2024The book is amazing, defenitely as described. Very similar to Derry girls and does have aspects of S3x education. Very gripping and will want to make you read more and more. The characters and the character building does make you feel like you are reliving your school years. 10/10
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 February 2022This was great. It managed to deal with serious issues while also being hilarious. Aideen was a complex and relatable character who I cared about right from the start. Another excellent book- I never would have imagined that two of my favourite books in the last couple of years would be from this genre, but here we are!
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 May 2022I found this book super sweet! Aideen and maebh’s relationship is never centre stage which I love, and Smyth doesn’t shy away from describing Aideens struggle with her home life. She does a wonderful job building Aideens friendship with holly and how complicated her feelings towards holly are. I love that there was no outright villain (except maybe ronan but he got his), there was no one who was irredeemably or unreasonably cruel which made the story feel deeper? More engaging? Realistic? Emotional? Something along those lines. Also love that there was no questioning or bullying that aideen and maebh were lesbians. It’s a story about lesbians, not about being a lesbian, which is representation I love! I thought I didn’t like ya anymore, that I’d grown out of it, but this book made me realise I didn’t outgrow fluffy ya, I just got tired of reading about heterosexual relationships I could never and would never relate to.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 June 2021Another absolute GEM of a book from Ciara Smyth. I was so invested in the journey of the characters, laughed out loud, cheered their victories and cried along with the beautifully written Aideen (no, seriously, I actually cried on my train home from work today)! As far as supporting characters go, Kavi was amazing. I want a Kavi in my life!!
Can't wait to see what's next from this very exciting Author, in the enormously under-represented genre of Sapphic fiction.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 June 2021I didn't connect with it but it was OK.
From the synopsis I thought it was going to be a bit like PLL, that type of dramatic, teen style which I guess I was but in it's own different way.
Top reviews from other countries
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in the United States on 31 July 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Friendship
It taught me about friendship and how sometimes people are mean, but you always have your friends. It’s a sweet book. I would recommend it to people who have problems to solve because it shows how Aideen solved problems for some people but couldn’t solve them for herself. It does put a lot of pressure on people to be helpful and then others become dependent on them. This book is good for people who need help working out their problems.
- Luc CantinReviewed in Canada on 6 August 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Liked it
Great book
- Giovanna MedeirosReviewed in Brazil on 23 November 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC
I fell for the second book of this authors I had to check the first one, and it's absolutely amazing. I can believe I lived so many years without her books. Everyone should read them, not only because of the heartwarming romances, but for the character's growth as a person.
- NarenReviewed in India on 9 September 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Book
I really said not my problem to write a review.
But I would also want to know things before I invest on book....
I prefer books and people
So the book was not like oooh it's gud and stuff.. it's pages are ok I guess that should do it...
But the problem was with the cover of the book
It's too fragile
Like while shifting a plant u accidentally pressed on it and you scar it's 🌿 like wise
So ya could be better on cover
But rest is fine
Naren
Reviewed in India on 9 September 2024
But I would also want to know things before I invest on book....
I prefer books and people
So the book was not like oooh it's gud and stuff.. it's pages are ok I guess that should do it...
But the problem was with the cover of the book
It's too fragile
Like while shifting a plant u accidentally pressed on it and you scar it's 🌿 like wise
So ya could be better on cover
But rest is fine
Images in this review - Juliette GerronReviewed in France on 19 April 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars This was a incredible read from start to finish !!!
I loved this! I was a big fan of Smyth’s, The Falling in Love Montage, so this book was on the top of my must read list. My expectations were high, but this book met every single one of them. I’m happily surprised to say this, but I thought this book was actually better than TFILM. This is the kind of book that I think is just a must for YA fans. And even if you are not a huge YA fan, this book is written so well that I think you will love it anyway.
Not my Problem in three words is quick, lighthearted, and funny!
It follows Aideen, a witty and vibrant teen with tons of problems of her own but decides to solve others' problems instead of solving hers.