Something Like Gravity by Amber Smith

Something Like Gravity by Amber Smith

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Something Like Gravity by Amber Smith is a contemporary novel all about first love. The characters are dynamic, and the topics are hard-hitting. This is a perfect novel for fans of Becky Albertalli to add to their summer TBRs.

Something Like Gravity by Amber SmithTitle: Something Like Gravity
Author: Amber Smith
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: June 18, 2019
Rating: four-stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Chris and Maia aren’t off to a great start.

A near-fatal car accident first brings them together, and their next encounters don’t fare much better. Chris’s good intentions backfire. Maia’s temper gets the best of her.

But they’re neighbors, at least for the summer, and despite their best efforts, they just can’t seem to stay away from each other.

The path forward isn’t easy. Chris has come out as transgender, but he’s still processing a frightening assault he survived the year before. Maia is grieving the loss of her older sister and trying to find her place in the world without her. Falling in love was the last thing on either of their minds.

But would it be so bad if it happened anyway?

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❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃


Review: Something Like Gravity by Amber Smith

This book tells the story of Chris, a transgender boy who falls in love for the first time, and Maia, a girl who has recently lost her sister. Both characters deal with hardship, and the story is ultimately about their self-discovery and journey to find their place in the world. I enjoyed the use of dual narration, as it is interesting to experience their first meeting and their view of the world from differing perspectives. As well, this is one of the few books I have read in which the main character is transgender, and this representation is so important. I can’t speak to the book’s accuracy myself, but while the author is not transgender herself, I feel like the book does a great job conveying the plot and addressing related topics with sensitivity.

❀ Well-Developed Characters

Both Maia and Chris are developed characters, and I enjoyed reading both of their narrations. Maia has just lost her sister, and she is obsessed with recreating Mallory’s photos I could really sympathize with her as the depiction of her grieving process is quite emotional. Personally, I liked Chris more than Maia because I didn’t agree with some her Maia’s decisions. Chris is a very patient character, and he doesn’t tell lies, unlike Maia. He is realistic, and watching him fall in love is so wholesome. I adored Chris, and I would definitely read a companion novel about him.

❀ Balance of Softness and Seriousness

One of the book’s strengths is the way it handles topics like assault and grief. There is a nice balance of softness and seriousness, and the mix of emotions brings a lot to the plot. Chris’s assault is not the main focus of the book, and I enjoyed how this event is not just used for the sake of adding a problem to the story. Instead, it highlights intolerance and brings awareness to the issues that the LGBT community continues to face. Ultimately, these hard-hitting topics are well-executed and thoughtfully written.

❀ Cute and Meaningful

Something Like Gravity by Amber Smith is a book that is both cute and meaningful. There is great representation, and the main characters are complex. As well, the book discusses more serious topics, and it does so in a delicate manner. This is such an important read, and I would recommend it.

About Amber Smith

Amber Smith

Amber Smith is the New York Times bestselling author of the young adult novels The Way I Used to Be, The Last to Let Go, and Something Like Gravity. An advocate for increased awareness of gendered violence, as well as LGBTQ equality, she writes in the hope that her books can help to foster change and spark dialogue surrounding these issues. She grew up in Buffalo, New York, and now lives in Charlotte, North Carolina with her partner and their ever-growing family of rescued dogs and cats.

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

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About The Candid Cover

Olivia ❀ Canadian YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, & professional bibliophile.

15 thoughts on “Something Like Gravity by Amber Smith”

  1. anovelglimpse says:
    Reply

    I agree with a lot of what you said here. I didn’t like Maia either. In fact, I could have done without her whole point of view. It kind of took away from the story for me. I would have rather spent more time with Chris and learning more about him. My biggest issue with this book was its sleepy feel. I found myself struggling in the middle.

  3. Greg says:
    Reply

    Nice t hear that the author does a good job with the representation. I like dual perspectives too in a story like this- seeing the same events from two points of view can be neat. I love it when awareness and tolerance are handled well in YA, and sounds like this delivers!
    Greg recently posted…The Voronov Plot

  5. Jaime Lynn says:
    Reply

    I always enjoy dual POV’s, and the way they meet is pretty interesting. Awful, but interesting from a story perspective. I know I say this a lot, but MAN, I like that cover!

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