Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review of Something About Her by Clementine Taylor. Unfortunately, I was unable to view it before it was archived. I look forward to finding it at my local library, online, or independent bookstore.

This is a love story between Maya and Aisling while in college. The book travels between multiple countries as you follow their story. I was captivated by the writing and the vibes. I was rooting so hard for them and although there wasn't a happy ending, I felt it was the right one. Please check for some potential trigger warnings.

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publishers for the e-arc.

Emotionally impactful, told through delightful prose. Vivid depictions of how people develop themselves through early relationships. This would be a great read for anyone working issues of sexual identity for themselves or a loved one.

A heartfelt and delicately crafted debut novel about two young women who become entangled in one another and embark on a surprising journey of self-discovery and modern love.

Aisling and Maya’s connection is unexpected. Maya has recently returned to the University of Edinburgh for her second year, confident in her place there and in her first proper relationship with her childhood best friend, Ethan. Finally, she is one of them, those happy couples, self-satisfied in the knowledge that they are one half of something solid.

Aisling is a first-year student from Ireland, ready to leave her controlling family behind. But despite the distance, she still feels claustrophobic, still feels watched. Reeling from her break-up with her ex-girlfriend, she struggles to make friends and finds herself isolated. That is, until Aisling joins the Poetry Society. That’s where she meets Maya, and everything changes.

Moving between Ireland, Scotland, and London, Something About Her is a story about the fragility and transformative power of first love. With vivid insight and tenderness, it exposes the fear, hope, and longing that can consume us, particularly when there’s so much you still don’t know about love, about life, and about yourself.

A queer story about two young women trying to navigate growing up and healing their past trauma. It really depicts how codependent young, serious relationships usually are. Aisling and Maya meet at the University of Edinburgh and instantly have a connection. This was so sad but hopeful all at the same time. The writing style really reminded me of Sally Rooney. Both authors are amazing at illustrating the real, honest thoughts and feelings young people have while growing up and trying to maintain relationships.

Something About Her is book that I was really hoping to like. I love complex family dynamics and a tale of finding yourself. Unfortunately the writing and the characters left me feeling unsatisfied and underwhelmed.

Aisling was a pretty passive character and Maya wasn’t much better. Both of them just waited for things to happen to them instead of actually choosing to do something. Now some of it was very relatable lesbians-don’t-make-moves but when it’s paired with the entirety of the book… you can’t just blame that.

I didn’t particularly vibe with the relationship either. It felt very forced and they didn’t have much chemistry. I also particularly dislike it when a character forces another character to drink. Even without the trauma, that’s just a no-go for me.

Now, there is hope that the author can improve on this one. Better characters, less overwriting, more chemistry. I think these are things she can work on and bring to her sophomore novel so I look forward to that.

I just couldn't really get into this book. I'm not sure exactly what it was, but I just wasn't emotionally invested in the characters, outside of a few moments where I was just shocked at how horrific one of the MCs mom is...

I love the cover of this novel and the title - which is why I requested this title on NetGalley. Unfortunately, the writing style wasn't for me and I couldn't engage with the story of the friendship of Aisling and Maya. Maybe I will try it again over the summer.

At every point of Something About Her I was engaged with Aisling's and Maya's current situation, while anticipating (both hoping and dreading) the next phase. A lovely debut that felt real in its joy, struggle, and heartbreak.

Thank you, Putnam and Netgalley, for an advance ebook in exchange for a fair review. I wish I had gotten to this one sooner!

read this in an afternoon - a glimpse into queerness and religious and family trauma, the ending absolutely got me, sob city baby! and the cover is STUNNING! I think the depth was lacking a little bit in terms of non-explicit character development (lots of telling, not a lot of showing if you will).

I honestly didn’t love it. The writing was not great and I kept hoping both characters would come to some sort of realization and try to find help, but neither did and it wasn’t even clear how it ended. I suppose that could be a realistic portrayal of young adults in a relationship but it was not for me.

When the books starts, it seemed to me it was taking time in the present, or near present. However, by the next couple of chapters it felt like it was taking place in colonial times. Ainsley's parents sound old-fashioned or even from a distant past. I wanted deeper characters.

Author: Clementine Taylor @clementine.i.taylor
Summary: A heartfelt and delicately crafted debut novel about two young women who become entangled in one another and embark on a surprising journey of self-discovery and modern love.
Aisling and Maya’s connection is unexpected. Maya has recently returned to the University of Edinburgh for her second year, confident in her place there and in her first proper relationship with her childhood best friend, Ethan. Finally, she is one of them, those happy couples, self-satisfied in the knowledge that they are one half of something solid.

Aisling is a first year student from Ireland, ready to leave her controlling family behind. But despite the distance, she still feels claustrophobic, still feels watched. Reeling from her break-up with her ex-girlfriend, she struggles to make friends and finds herself isolated. That is, until Aisling joins the Writers Society. That’s where she meets Maya, and everything changes.

Moving between Ireland, Scotland and London, Something About Her is a story about the fragility and transformative power of first love. With vivid insight and tenderness, it exposes the fear, hope, and longing that can consume us, particularly when there’s so much you still don’t know about love, about life, and about yourself.

Likes: The broader themes in the book (new wlw relationship, unaccepting family, and alcoholism) will likely resonate with a wide audience and some readers might appreciate the lack of spicy detail in this story.
Dislikes: Even though it was written from dual POV the characters often blended together in my mind and could have been developed more, the writing seemed uneven throughout the book, and the ending seemed abrupt.
Copy provided by @netgalley in exchange for honest review.
#SomethingAboutHer #NetGalley #LGBTQIA #wlw #queer #romance #fiction #queerromance #booksbooksbooks #lesfic #FF #booksbooksbooks #queerbookstagram

devoured this book in one day because i’ve had a “love” like this before. powerful. hungry. devastating. and yet… beautifully written and exactly how it feels to be an 18 year old wlw. perfect story.

Title: A Review of "Something About Her" by Clementine Taylor
something about her by clementine taylor is a heartfelt and engaging contemporary romance novel that explores themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. the story follows the journey of the protagonist as she navigates the complexities of relationships and personal growth.
one of the strengths of the novel is its exploration of the protagonist's internal struggles and personal growth. the themes of self-acceptance and overcoming past traumas are handled with sensitivity and depth, adding emotional depth to the story.
while the emotional aspects of the novel are well-executed, the pacing at times feels a bit slow, and some plot points may seem predictable to readers familiar with the romance genre and i felt certain character motivations and actions may feel contrived or unrealistic,

I was so excited to read a book about featuring a sapphic couple set in university! And this book certainly did not disappoint, I felt how strongly the characters loved one another through the page and this book reminded me how lucky I feel to be able to go to college and explore new possibilities, as scary as it is. This book is perfect for any one who is a fan of Normal People by Sally Rooney!

Really loved this! If youve ever been young, and gay, and in love- this is the book for you! It honestly felt so relatable. The editing was a bit meh a few times and could of used some fine tuning, but over all the story was very good. The ending left me feeling like there is hope for them and it also felt a bit like a rom com too.

I've seen Something about Her be compared to Sally Rooney's Normal People and I wholeheartedly agree. It's raw and heartfelt and powerful and most definitely is a character and relationship study. If you enjoyed Normal People, you'll enjoy this.

*3.5 stars rounded up

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I have to say I am disappointed that I didn’t love this book. I’ll start with what I did enjoy first though.

I’m usually not a fan of dual pov but both Maya and Aisling have such distinct voices that made them feel so real. I loved the inclusion of things like street names and tube lines because they made me feel grounded in their world. The whole book felt very raw and real.

The writing is very poetic and beautiful but, I’m not sure I loved the story. I found myself getting less invested in the characters’ lives as I got farther into the book. Though, I can’t really put my finger on why.

I was not a fan of the ending. The conflict seemingly came out of nowhere and didn’t make much sense to me. I can’t say much more without spoiling it, but I didn’t like it.

I did enjoy the book, but at the same time it left me wanting and disappointed.

dnfing this because i was just so bored, i might come back to it one day.
thank you to the publisher penguin group putnam & netgalley for a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.