Been Here All Along by @iamsandyhall

Been Here All Along by @iamsandyhall

 

Buy me here https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1509852808/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1508718458&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=been+here+all+along&dpPl=1&dpID=41QWT3PkUvL&ref=plSrch

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35660588?source=ebfg_sms

 

Description: Gideon always has a plan. His plans include running for class president, becoming head of the yearbook committee, and having his choice of colleges. They do NOT include falling head over heels for his best friend and next door neighbor, Kyle. It’s a distraction. It’s pointless, as Kyle is already dating the gorgeous and popular head cheerleader, Ruby. And Gideon doesn’t know what to do…

Kyle finally feels like he has a handle on life. He has a wonderful girlfriend, a best friend willing to debate the finer points of Lord of the Rings, and social acceptance as captain of the basketball team. Then, both Ruby and Gideon start acting really weird, just as his spot on the team is threatened, and Kyle can’t quite figure out what he did wrong…

Characters

There are four characters in which this story follows; Gideon and Kyle being the primary voices, while Ruby and Ezra allow us to see outside our main characters’ scope.

My favourite character is Gideon; sweet geek who works hard and likes things ordered. While something he overcomes with ease, his fear leading up to reveals and disclosures makes him beautifully vulnerable.

Kyle is brave, honest and rather against stereotype. The challenges he faces and how he approaches them is very true to life; certainly coming from the other side of the classroom.

Plot

Good chunk romance, a little bit of accidental revenge and a low key important message about undiagnosed health issues and the impact they have on the person.

It’s a complex storyline that is told with ease, joy and charm. One thread was predictable; but that says more about society and relationships than the plot of this book.

There’s a solid end that will allow your own imagination to spin stories of Gideon and Kyle’s lives for as long as they remain in your heart.

Writing

There is something elegant and charming about Sandy’s writing. When I’d read A Little Something Different, I proceeded to buy it for everyone and their aunt.

This is no exception. Not many people can pull off writing from multiple perspectives; certainly not four. However Sandy does it as if it is as easy as breathing, and reading it feels like a perfect autumnal evening with hot chocolate and a blanket.