Review: Not My Problem by Ciara Smyth

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Author: Ciara Smyth
Edition: eARC
Publisher: Andersen Press (June 3, 2021)
Genre: YA Contemporary

Synopsis

Aideen has plenty of problems she can’t fix. Her best (and only) friend is pulling away. Her mother’s drinking problem is a constant concern. She’s even running out of outlandish diseases to fake so she can skip PE.

But when Aideen stumbles on her nemesis, overachiever Meabh Kowalski, in the midst of a full-blown meltdown, she sees a problem that—unlike her own disaster of a life—seems refreshingly easy to solve. Meabh is desperate to escape her crushing pile of extracurriculars. Aideen volunteers to help. By pushing Meabh down the stairs.

Problem? Solved. Meabh’s sprained ankle is the perfect excuse to ditch her overwhelming schedule. But when another student learns about their little scheme and brings Aideen another “client” who needs her “help,” it kicks off a semester of traded favors, ill-advised hijinks, and an unexpected chance at love. Fixing other people’s problems won’t fix her own, but it might be the push she needs to start.

My review of Not My Problem

I received a free digital ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Not My Problem is a heartfelt laugh out loud funny coming of age story that also tackles family issues, alcoholism and friendship with sensitivity and nuance.

Trigger Warnings: parent with alcoholism, cheating, bullying

Plot and Pacing

If it hadn’t been for real-life responsibilities, I would have devoured Not My Problem in a single sitting. There wasn’t a single dull moment, every chapter earned its place and I kept turning the pages to see how it would all turn out. Additionally, I didn’t feel like the story was rushing in any way either!

Ciara Smyth tackles a lot of issues with humour and sensitivity and I loved how it all came together. Seriously, this book manages to be both an exploration of complicated parental relationships, alcoholism, friendships and loneliness while also delivering the excitement of a heist story.

Aideen and her slowly growing gang of co-conspirators get up to some delightful adventures. However, all the problems that Aideen ends up solving felt real and relevant. Yes, this is a book where the teenage main characters actually feel like teenagers!

I am a big fan of how the different plot threads are resolved in the end, it was satisfying but not cheesy.

Finally, and your mileage may vary with this, I liked that it wasn’t too heavy on the romance. There is definitely an enemies to lovers subplot, but it takes a backseat over the main plot. So if you’re expecting big romantic moments, you won’t find them here. Instead, you’ll get gut-wrenching moments where you just want to hug Aideen and those where you’ll want to high five her because she’s brilliant.

Characters

Speaking of Aideen, what a character! I fell in love with her on page one. She’s witty, smart and wonderfully complex. When she thinks about getting rich and famous, marrying Kristen Stewart and returning to her school reunion all cool…I knew she was my kind of girl. Additionally, her character development was so so wonderful. It’s not linear or easy. It’s messy and painful as she comes to reassess her life and her struggles. I was rooting for her so hard because damn, someone give this girl a hug!

I loved the juxtaposition of Aideen and Meabh. What a fun character combination with so much tension! Seeing their relationship develop was one of my favourite parts of the book. Nothing gets me like the “you’re annoying…but also kind of cute” vibes they had.

And finally, Not My Problem also manages to examine a somewhat toxic friendship. Aideen’s best friend Holly isn’t a great friend. But neither is Aideen, some of the time. The story creates room for both love and hurt to coexist and leads Aideen to come to her own conclusion about her friendship with Holly. That resolution was incredibly well done and I was glad that Ciara Smyth decided to go this route.

What can I say, the expanding friend group in this story made my heart all fuzzy. Really, it’s characters you’ll laugh and groan at and fall in love with by the end.

Overall…

Overall, Not My Problem is the perfect book for a rainy day when you want to have a good laugh without missing out on a heartfelt and complex plot.

This book is for you if…

…you like stories about headstrong and witty girls
…you enjoy books with fun group dynamics and lots of adventurous shenanigans

You might also enjoy: My Review of The Ravens

Review: Not My Problem by Ciara Smyth

Synopsis