Unfortunately this book was not for me. I found the beginning circumstances confusing due to the formatting of the chapters (the e-version of the ARC was difficult to read) and the unfamiliar names for the characters (The Brood, Raim, Roks, Ven, Jas). It took me a while to understand the genders of the characters and what the relationship between everyone was. I decided to DNF at 15%. I wish I didn't have to leave a star review because I did not read enough of this, so I'll give it a 3.

Orla is perfectly comfortable in her role as the “faithful sidekick.” This her niche at home within her large family, and among her close circle of friends. Then, Orla joins a drama intensive, hoping to learn some things about backstage theater. Unexpectedly, she becomes the “go-to” person that almost everyone in the class seeks out for assistance, and to Orla’s surprise, she loves the “teacher-ey” feelings she gets from helping out. So much so that she considers doing this as a career. But doing that would require stepping out of “sidekick” and into the “hero” role, and perhaps breaking some promises she made to herself and her family long ago…

*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*

A fun YA romance about drama nerds finding love. I enjoyed this by a new to me author and definitely would recommend for fans of authors like Becky Albertalli. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

I was transfixed by Orlas story and the way it was told. I fell in love alongside her, rooting for her all the way. the topics discussed never felt forced but extremly relevant and I liked how they were woven into the plot. A must-read for theatre kids and everyone who is easily hooked by a setting that is not your classic highschool-YA-book.

Firstly, thank you so much to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for the e-arc.

I loved the idea of a teenage girl, who always strives to help and make her family's life easier, actually taking the dive and focusing on her self for once. I had such high hopes for a cute, performing arts centered story about self discovery and learning the importance of balancing your own needs with the ones of the people around you, but unfortunately, this book was not for me.

- Plot: As a previous performing arts girl, I understood the idea of an intensive, but with all of the characters introduced throughout the plot, the love story, and Orla's personal journey, in more than one occasion, it felt like there was too much chaos going on and everything felt rushed and inconclusive near the end.

- Pairing: The romantic arc was definitely cute, and Cass was such a sweetheart, but other than that, there wasn't much to go on. I appreciate Orla sticking to her trauma (as it's never easy to just bypass), but whenever she would be asked about her family, Orla would swerve the conversation, and at one point, that starts to get really aggravating. I even started fast reading to get through some of the repetitive parts, and I am NOT a fast reader lol.

- Writing: The writing is a little messy and can be hard to understand at times. It feels like there's some skipping around or as if I missed something that wasn't even mentioned, but no matter how many times I go back to re-read the section, it still didn't make sense to me.

- Characterization: As a FMC, I found Orla to be too self deprecating and kept hoping that she would work past that, but, honestly, I don't get the sense that she ever does. As for the others, It felt like there were so many characters, but not enough time to fully flesh them all out, so we get half acceptable characters for the purpose of advancing the plot.

Overall: If you don't care much for consistency or if it doesn't bother you, and you're just looking for a quick read with an overall cute story, then you might actually like this. As for me, it was grueling to get through and I had to push forward a lot in order to feel like I could give it an honest review.

Well I had high hopes up to the sky for this book but it didn't click with me but it was well written like the first book of alexia but the plot and the events didn't hold my interest so it's only 3 stars as I wished for a better ending too

20/100 or 1.0 stars

I was hoping this would be a fun Teen/YA story based off the description, but everything that happens just did not work for me at all.
I love reading stories targeted at all age groups, so this being for a ya/teen audience has nothing to do with my negative options on this story whatsoever. The characters did not work, the dialogue was cringy most of the time, and it was hard to get into the story and care about what was happening. I can see how maybe some of the target audience would have fun with this, but it was a chore to get through, honestly. I know that is harsh, but I am trying to be honest.

Orla, her siblings and mum have had to flee their old home because of domestic violence. After spending sometime in a refuge, they've built a new life along with another mother, Raim and her family. One of the most important rules for both families is that they cannot do anything that might result in anyone from their old life working out where they are. Orla is almost finished with school and plans to get a job so she can contribute to the household expenses. Roks (Raim's daughter) is going to university and feels guilty that Orla is going to be left to support the family so she encourages Orla to submit an application for a summer theatre scholarship. Orla doesn't believe she will be any good, but goes along with it. However, when she gets there, she works out that while acting might not be for her, she does have skills to offer. However, while on this journey, she also makes some risky decisions.

I think this book would be great for teens or young adults who are young carers and those who have had to rebuild their lives after fleeing domestic violence. It is good to see hopeful representation of both, showing that there are still life opportunities after trauma. The story is also one about building trust and the importance of communication. I wanted to know more about the lives of the characters after I finished reading, which is always a good sign.

I picked up this book expecting an engaging story, but Act One alone was enough to make me give up. The biggest issue? Orla’s relentless insistence that she’s a “sidekick”, not just once or twice, but over and over again until it felt like the book was beating me over the head with the idea.

From the very first chapter, the story introduces a flood of characters with odd names, none of whom stand out in any meaningful way. Orla’s chaotic family-siblings, step-siblings, I lost count, keeps interrupting just to reinforce how much she’s used to taking care of others. Every few pages, a sibling throws a tantrum, and Orla swoops in to handle it, as if the book is desperate to remind us how much she belongs in the background.

And she’s *fine* with it. That’s not the issue. The problem is how often she *talks* about it. The "sidekick" vs. "hero" metaphor is drilled in so aggressively that it becomes unbearable. Rather than letting her actions subtly show her mindset, the book resorts to constant, clunky narration spelling it out for the reader.

By the end of Act One, I had had enough. The repetition, the shallow character introductions, and the heavy-handed messaging made it impossible to stay invested. If the story had trusted the reader to pick up on Orla’s perspective without forcing it down our throats, maybe it would have been more engaging. But as it stands, Act One was tedious, and I had no interest in sticking around to see if it improved.

The premise of this book sounded really cute. A young girl winning a scholarship to a prestigious acting intensive, where she is thrown into a world of students who have been acting their whole lives and the privilege they have. We see her struggle with her past and upbringing and how that can affect a young person put into these types of situations.

However, with all of this there felt like there were too many subplots happening. At the beginning we are learn that she lives with her mom and siblings as well as another family. We are not told much about what happened until half way through the story. It is just referred to as before and after. There was also a lot of characters introduced right at the beginning which was very overwhelming and confusing to try and place who was who.

The one dynamic that was kind of cute to watch was Orla and Cassian’s relationship. Though it felt a bit rushed and a lot happened in the span of a two week intensive, it also felt very on brand for an acting intensive with teenagers. Seeing these two connect was adorable and seeing them be vulnerable and open up to each was very cute.

I did also struggle with the focus on the “hero” and “sidekick” dynamic throughout. There was a huge focus on this and Orla constantly stating she wasn’t a “hero” while very much being a “hero” felt a little weird.

Then there was the subplot of the haunted theatre which kind of felt a little forced and took another turn in the story. The idea of the haunted theatre is very cool but felt like throwing another plot line into an already very dense and could have been developed more plot.

Overall the idea was really interesting but it felt a little confusing and overwhelming with the variety of plot lines running.

Thank you to Alexia Casale, Faber and Faber Ltd, and NetGalley for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

DNF

I wanted to like this book, I truly did. However I think I was doomed from the start to not be fully onboard with it. I was drawn in by the book cover and /did/ read the description. But I guess I expected more from a book called “Not That Kind of Hero.” I was expecting actual heroes and sidekicks and something closer to a novelized version of Disney’s Sky High… not a large collection of step siblings that I couldn’t keep track of and a main character who said the words “hero” and “sidekick” every other paragraph for the simple sake of it being her entire personality that she doesn’t have main character energy despite being the main character.

I read 43 pages, the entirety of Act 1. There wasn’t anything new or fresh with this and so I decided in the interest of my time I would not be finishing it.

thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the e-arc!!

not gonna lie, i was drawn to this because of the cover. look at them!! Cass and Orla in the spotlight, papers strewn all around the floor. it's so pretty, and flower he holds out to her while she backfaces him but still turns to look... it was Giving!!

the other reason i requested this was what the story talked about, being a sidekick character over the hero of your own life. i have been told by my school lecturer once that i've "stopped trying", and that i'm "not in the driver's seat of (my) life". i was (and probably still am) a supporting character in my own life and i don't even know who is the mc!! more than one past boss has told me i lack passion that they see in others, and good god. i read this because i wanted to relate to Orla, someone whose life is put on hold because she puts everyone else's first.

i will say i like big family, with the many siblings (full- and semi-), especially Rok who proves to always be there for her when she needs it. i guess it's a late teenager thing to be self-destructive, but Orla gaslighting herself into thinking she's happy with her lot is painful to read, though i do understand where she's coming from. she's portrayed as someone who cares more about others than herself, yet i see that this trait is sorely lacking once she starts the drama intensive.

still, the trauma they went through and the delicate way it still bleeds into their life, the splitting of the Before and After, i did find that interesting.

i love that Orla has found something she wants to do in life at the end, but her being talented at it undermines a lot of what i thought was the meaning. at one point i related more to Pandora (resident bitch) than her, because i know what it feels like to put in the hours and effort only to lose to someone with talent just waltzing in. i wish they gave her more characterisation than that, but ultimately i enjoyed reading the friend group with Orla, Cass Jemina and Chardae.

i suppose i have to talk about the romance. it's cute, though nothing too special. i liked the build up of angst whenever Orla swerves a question about her family, and Cass' outburst is justified!! i love how even though he's pretty much a typical jock, he still has depth, like his insecurity with dyslexia (i love the disability rep in this, with Benjo's dyspraxia too!!) and the fact that he would drive 400 miles for her to post a financial thing or pick her up in the middle of nowhere. him blending so well with her chaotic family was sweet too.

" most of my friends' love lives are total drama. how'd you feel about just being sweet and lovely to each other instead? "

perhaps i'm just not in the target audience anymore. i will never not be sad to no longer be 'ya' but yes, it was still an entertaining read!! i loved the message of this story.

" life isn't about a 'happy ending'. it's about a whole life filled with as much happiness as you can get from now until the end. "

This was really confusing. Not only did I have to differentiate between several different names in the very beginning, but I was thrown into the fray expecting to know what was going on. I can't stand books like that. If you give me 8 different names within two pages and then start monologuing as if I'm your best friend of 10 years and am expected to know everything about these people as you casually talk about them, I'm going to be really mad going in, and really mad coming back out. It ruined the book for me, really, as I couldn't stop thinking about how I knew basically nothing about those characters and I kept wondering with every page turn about what I would be thrown into next with the expectation of knowing everything.

Thanks to Netgalley and publishers for the ARC.

A young adult coming of age romance novel that follows the main “sidekick” - as she calls herself - Orla on her journey to discover her own wants and dreams learn to let loose a little.
As the eldest child of her patchwork family of 10 (I might’ve miscounted), Orla is used to taking on responsibilities and tasks daily that most 17-year-olds do once a year when they’re trying to appease their parents. Forced by her best friend and semi-sub Roks, she participates in a two-week theatre intensive in which she can finally start thinking about bigger and better things of what her future might look like if she would let herself dream a little. Trying to combine her new sparking passion for a dream, rusted and forgotten, her new budding friendships and romance and the joy of the course with her responsibilities and role at home proves more difficult than anticipated.
The story has a nice pacing and tender-hearted moments between family and friends. A ghostly sub-plot had its giggles and wisdom. Seeing a character find joy and purpose on teaching, was personally something very sweet to read. However, at times the characters felt flat and their personalities were too similar to distinguish the new friends from each other. Lastly, I could not for the life of me figure out the names/ages/blood-relation of The Brood. A family tree graphic would’ve been helpful.

P.S.: Naming twins Fred and George is one of the most millennial things you could do.

[special thanks to Netgalley and Faber and Faber Ltd for providing me with an arc]

As a theatre girlie I can imagine the electric nature of the intensive, the speed with which emotions can be explored and tampered plus Grace is always watching.
I enjoyed the dynamics of the characters and how even as a presumed sidekick Orla stood in her truth the best way she knew how and she thrived.
The theme of domestic abuse though prevalent, was masterfully portrayed with grace for the characters and it's effects though taunting did not make reading the story taxing (sending prayers to all who are going through this and may you find ease soon).
The romance in this was the right amount because it did not rob Orla of her personality which made for an exceptional experience. Happy Publishing when time comes

Not That Kind of Hero by Alexia Casale is a captivating and refreshing take on the superhero genre, offering readers a unique twist on the typical narratives of power and heroism. Casale’s novel centers around Max, a young protagonist who struggles with self-identity while navigating the complexities of being thrust into a world where expectations of heroism clash with personal vulnerability.

The novel’s strength lies in its portrayal of Max as a multifaceted character. He’s not the stereotypical hero—he’s flawed, uncertain, and deeply human, which makes his journey of self-discovery all the more compelling. Casale does an excellent job of exploring themes of mental health, personal growth, and the pressure to fit societal ideals, all while still maintaining an exciting and fast-paced plot.

The story challenges traditional notions of heroism, asking important questions about what it truly means to be a hero. Max’s experiences reflect a nuanced understanding of strength—one that’s rooted not in physical power or grand gestures, but in resilience, empathy, and the courage to confront one’s own limitations. This exploration adds emotional depth to what could otherwise be a typical superhero tale.

While the pacing is generally brisk and engaging, some readers might find the book’s handling of certain themes to be a bit predictable. Nonetheless, Not That Kind of Hero is a heartfelt and thought-provoking story that speaks to anyone who has ever struggled with the pressure of being something they’re not.

Overall, Alexia Casale’s novel is a heartwarming and introspective journey that is both fun and meaningful. It’s a refreshing take on the superhero genre that resonates deeply with readers, particularly those who appreciate stories that emphasize the importance of personal growth over grandiosity.

Meh. I'm just very meh about this book. I wasn't a huge fan of Orla and the insta-love didn't really do it for me. The whole ghost story subplot didn't really seem necessary, and none of the side characters were flushed out. I would have loved to know more about Cass and even Pandora. All around meh.

This book surprised me in more ways than just one. It wasn't as romance-y as I thought it'd be, but I still fell completely in love with Orla, Cass, The Brood and others.

Orla was a great main character, selfless, smart and so so caring. Seeing her finally finding time for herself and allowing her wishes and desires to matter was a beautiful sight. Sometimes letting go of the past and moving forward are hard things to do, but this book and its characters showed me that everything is possible if you have good people beside you and believe in yourself.

Thank you NetGalley and Faber and Faber Ltd for this ARC.

Orla is content. She literally doesn’t want for more - at least not for herself.
This is odd, isn’t it, for a teenager in her final year of school? So the minute this is out in the book, you know something is off. Which teenager wants life to stay as it is?well, Orla. She’s got all the people she loves safely around her. What an odd thing to think - indeed.
There’s more than a few odd things in the opening chapter and they all drew me in. Staying far away from spoilers, part of what fascinated me is the backstory of Orla: she, her five siblings and their mother met their current housemates “semi-sibs” in a shelter. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book dealing with shelters, and lots of implications I’ve in my privileged life never considered, without it being meant to be a sad story.
This book is far from a sad story. Orla, let me repeat, is content. Yes, they’re on benefits, yes both mums work two jobs, yes siblings/ children will fight (particularly, or so I imagine, if there’s not a quiet or private space in the house) but we’re shown a loving, functional family where everyone who can, is helping to make it work.

So this is the setting, and I’m loving Orla for it. Her semi-sib and best friend Roks is looking forward to going to university after school, and/ but she tries to persuade Orla to also consider options. Roks finds Orla a 2 week course acting, and lo and behold, Orla gets chosen for this.

Marketed as a romance (YA), during these acting classes the scene is set (did you see what I did there?). There’s a stunning boy, there’s a bitchy girl, there might even be a ghost in this old theatre.
Equally fascinating -and important- though, is how Orla is navigating the privilege gap. Orla has never been to the theatre. Has not been to the cinema even. She has never taken acting classes and has been accepted for talent, not as a result of years of training. After class she needs to dash for her bus back, and either way, spending money on a meal in a pub isn’t a given either.

Quickly her worth is seen by others, too and of course Orla needs to decide what it is she really wants to do with her own life.

Impressed how the author managed to balance it all, and the title is so well chosen.

Thank you NetGalley and Faber & Faber for the eARC in return for my honest review

This was on the one hand a really sweet romance and I loved all the theater stuff, but dealt won the other hand with lots of serious topics as well such as domestic violence. For three quarters of the book I was really confused by all the names and characters introduced, Sadly even in the end I still couldn't keep all of them straight.