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

Published April 2nd, 2013
Poppy
416 pages (Hardcover)

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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? (From Goodreads)

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If you're looking for a light and breezy beach read, here it is.  If you want substance, pass on This Is What Happy Looks Like.

The setting of coastal Maine is great.  Coming from a small town, I love the small town feel here.  It reminded me a lot of Star's Hollow a la Gilmore Girls.  Add the beach and the water and BAM it's summer!

The characters are alright.  Graham and Ellie didn't feel like anything special.  They were very different and had their problems, but there was nothing there that made either of them overly memorable.

The premise of this book is pretty cool.  Accidentally email someone to walk your pet pig and fall in love without ever meeting?  That's cute.  However, it was very light, as in not a lot of anything actually happens.  I found myself skimming over pages, which is never a good sign.

While it was a light, quick read, this book didn't feel like anything special, which is kind of what I had hoped it would be.  I'm not saying don't read it, because I did enjoy it, but don't expect a ton from This Is What Happy Looks Like.

Much Love, Samantha