Book review - Kind of Sort of Fine

 

Title: Kind of Sort of Fine

Author: Spencer Hall

Genre: realistic fiction

Similar books: Life Unaware by Cole Gibsen

                      The Secret Science of Magic by Melissa Keil

Rating:

 

better than I expected

Summary (provided by publisher): Senior year of high school is full of changes.
For Hayley Mills, these changes aren’t exactly welcome. All she wants is for everyone to forget about her very public breakdown and remember her as the overachiever she once was—and who she’s determined to be again. But it’s difficult to be seen as a go-getter when she’s forced into TV Production class with all the slackers like Lewis Holbrook.
For Lewis, though, this is going to be his year. After a summer spent binging 80s movies, he’s ready to upgrade from the role of self-described fat, funny sidekick to leading man of his own life—including getting the girl. The only thing standing in his way is, well, himself.
When the two are partnered up in class, neither is particularly thrilled. But then they start making mini documentaries about their classmates’ hidden talents, and suddenly Hayley is getting attention for something other than her breakdown, and Lewis isn’t just a background character anymore. It seems like they’re both finally getting what they want—except what happens when who you’ve become isn’t who you really are?

My opinion: Let's get one thing out of the way - this book is pretty predictable. Its ultimately a teen romance and thus can only end a couple of ways. Hall has successfully elevated the plot, though. Hayley and Lewis could follow simple character arcs - Hayley learning to loosen up and be okay with making mistakes, Lewis learning to take chances for things that he cares about. Instead they both make a fair amount of progress following their same old toxic patterns. They both seem like they are at the bottom at the book's opening but we eventually discover they have much farther to fall. They make huge mistakes in the name of fixing things. Their choices and relationships aren't simple. This standard plot isn't turned completely on its ear but it's tilted enough that we look at some new angles and examine behaviors through a different lens.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley