Something, Maybe

Reason why I liked this book would be that it reminded me of diaries because everything Hannah said seemed like it came from a diary. It’s just that I kept a journal for a couple of years, while I was in highschool and it looked something like that. Pages and pages of boy talk and bitching about my parents.

Hannah’s father is basically like Hugh Hefner. He is a wealthy old fart who likes to have ‘special girls’ and only worries about himself. Hannah is a smart girl and she realises he will never care for her the way she wanted, but he is still her dad, so it’s not easy to forget he ever existed with his reality show on air all the time.

Aside from her daddy issues, she has some problems with her mom since her stepdad died a couple of years ago. Hannah’s mom is still not over him and she is trying to pay the bills with her live webcam business which involves her talking about her glory days with strangers while wearing sexy costumes.
Hannah also has some boy trouble. She likes Josh who is as f-a-k-e-r, just like Finn said. Now Finn is a great guy. He sees Hanna for what she really is and sticks up for her at work or when people are bullying her at school. Who wouldn’t want to have a guy like that by their side? He also irritates her but deep down she can feel there is something more going on with them and she is afraid of admitting it to herself because she doesn’t want a love like her mom and stepdad had since you never know when will it end.

All in all, Something, Maybe was a very enjoyable book. If you are looking for a sweet story to read during a rainy day, you found it.

I really like this book. I read it in the truck on the way to Tennessee one vacation, and I couldn't put it down. It is the essence of "short and sweet". I hated Hannah's dad. I loved Finn! It's hard to find anything wrong with this book because it is just so easy going!

Reader reviewed by Harmony

Let me start off by saying that this is my least-favorite Elizabeth Scott book so far. Which means it still ranks higher than most books I read/review and I loved it.

Once again Scott has brought another realistic teen romance to the table. Hannah is your typical teen in love with the gorgeous guy she cant have and having major issues with her parents. Except her parents are your normal parents. Her father is pretty much an unemotional millionaire who lives his life as the TV show dictates and her mother video-tapes herself showing more skin than Hannah would like. I dont think Ive ever seen parents quite as unique as that before.

I did find this a little bit predictable but with the summary like the one on the back, tell me who cant figure the ending out. What I did enjoy was how the ending was reached things definitely did not happen as I was expecting.

Very few books make me laugh or cry. This one did both. Highly recommended.
Side note for those wondering my fave Scott novels go like this 1. Perfect You 2. Bloom 3. Something, Maybe

Reader reviewed by Yan

Something, Maybe had a uniquely interesting start. I mean what other book have you read that includes naked moms!? But I felt that the delivery was too short to fill the reader wholly satisfied. Its the type of feeling that you get after reading a book that was good, but you needed and wanted more from it. You expected more, whether it may be in the plot or in the characters. For me, it had to be the characters&okay and some of the plot as well. Again, nothing really off, just wanted a lot more.

There were certain traits that I love from the separate characters. Josh was the typical perfect boyfriend and I love how the author played on that, especially the ending. Huge shock, Ill just leave it there. There were small hints and foreshadowing, but who really notices it all until the end? Definitely not I.

Finn was also another sweet and adorable character for me. He just made me want to go aw every page. From his blushes to his fallback topics, Finn was delightfully fun to read.

Ms. Scotts definite strong points are her male characters. The lead female characters are typically boring, one dimensional, and sometimes annoying. Not to say they are all awful and hateful to read. Not in the least. Its just that comparing to the other characters, I expect more from the main star.

Family dynamics, another reoccurring theme in her work. Once again, this is definitely one of her stronger assets. You can tell how the conflict between parents afflicts on Hannahs traits, how she portrays certain topics, and her actions to certain problems. This can be applied to almost of Ms. Scott's books, not just Something, Maybe. The family conflict can also affect the mother, whom of course the female character has strong bonds to. Back and forth they play on each others emotions and actions.

Overall: Something, Maybe was a pleasant read. And I hate to admit this, but Im starting to see a correlation between Sarah Dessen and Elizabeth Scott. Well, I sort of did before but I try my best to not compare authors.

Reader reviewed by Adriana

Another great read from Elizabeth Scott. A lot of the themes and story lines in the book are taken from some pop culture references, and I think that makes the book relevant to today's teens, as well as entertaining. Hannah is a 17-year old student who is dealing with a broken family, but the difference is that her mom is a former small-bit actress from a once semi-famous sitcom, and her dad is an aging Hefner-like playboy who is shooting a reality TV show. Hannah has learned to cope with her notoriety by becoming invisible. She works along side two guys - one who she is convinced is the love of her life, and the other annoys her to no end. Her mom also annoys her because she is milking all the fame she can get by hosting online chats wearing next to nothing. Hannah doesn't really have friends other than Teagan, who is 19 and home from college. Although the book is super short, you still get a chance to connect with Hannah and all that makes up her life. There are some very poignant moments and fans of Dessen and other Scott books will definitely enjoy this read.

Reader reviewed by Sab H. (Crystal Reviews)

This is a quick and easy read. But it is also really beautiful. It's a
modern teen love story, probably predictable, but still magical. The
plot is really well done, the whole family story is trapping. The
character are marvelous, the best part of the book. Specially Finn's.

It
has it's funny parts, sad parts, love parts... at the end a great book.
The cover is cute, I love the color. It gives you an idea of summer,
with the hat and stuff but it's not. So, I think it doesn't quite go
with the book. But it is pretty. If you like fresh-pretty love stories,
you'll love this book!

Reader reviewed by Sara

From inside cover:
"I wonder what it would be like to do high school things. To go out on the weekends. To kiss a guy. To have a normal life. A real one.
Everyone thinks their parents are embarrassing, but Hannah knows she's got them all beat. her dad made a fortune showcasing photos of pretty girls and his party lifestyle all over the internet, and her mom was once one of her dad's girlfriends and is now the star of her own website. After getting the wrong kind of attention for way too long, Hannah has mastered the art of staying under the radar... and that's just how she likes it.
Of course, that doesn't help her get noticed by her crush. Hannah's sure that gorgeous, sensitive Josh is her soul mate. But trying to get him to notice her; wondering why she suddenly can't stop thinking about another guy, Finn; and dealing with her parents make Hannah feel like she's going crazy. yet she's determined to make things work out the way she wants - only what she wants may not be what she needs..."

Something, Maybe is another winner by Elizabeth Scott! Scott hasn't put out a book that I haven't enjoyed yet, my only complaint would be that they are just too short! I could have definitely read more about Hannah's life... as zany and quirky as it was. Finn was an amazing character as well. It amazes me how easily Scott draws readers into her stories, especially in so little pages! 10 out of 10 stars!!

Reader reviewed by Kim

All Hannah James wants is to be a normal teenager. But its not easy when your father is Jackson James, a sleazy celebrity famous for partying at his mansion with beautiful women, or as he calls them, his special girls (scantily clad young women who parade around with little on or sometimes nothing at all).   Her mom, Candy Madison, a former special girl, makes her living by doing live web chats in her lingerie. With eccentric parents like hers, Hannah only wants to fly under the radar at school and avoid the inevitable whispers, insults and stares from the other teenagers. She tries to be invisible by dressing in baggy clothes and wearing no makeup. Money is tight, so she also works at a call center along with best guy friend Finn and the dreamy Josh.

Josh is the only person Hannah does want to notice her. Hes a deep thinker who writes poetry and reads Dostoyevsky, but every time she tries to talk to him, Finn annoyingly interrupts and ruins the moment.  But the more Hannah does get to know Josh, the more she wonders why shes always thinking about Finn. Turns out, sometimes what you want, isn't what you really need!

Hannah was such a well constructed character. She was a strong, intelligent young woman with a sharp biting wit, and her voice was completely believable for someone her age. Elizabeth Scott really knows how to capture teenage voices and put them into believable dialogue.

From the start of this novel, it was completely obvious which guy was best for Hannah. But I was so drawn in by the passion and skill of Scott's writing that it held my interest and made for an entertaining ride. I enjoyed the love triangle between Hannah, Josh and Finn. As an outsider looking in, it was easy to recognize how phony Josh was, but I could also relate to why Hannah would be infatuated with him. In fact, I imagine I wouldve felt the same way myself at seventeen!  Finn had real heart and soul though, and he was always the one I rooted for. It was so satisfying to read how his relationship with Hannah evolved, and so sweet how he would blush so quickly around her, or get all tongue tied. He really "got" Hannah and I loved how quick he was to be there for her when she needed someone the most.

The unusual family dynamics of the book definitely made for a unique read, and I appreciated the way Scott dealt with the deeper issues of love and loss in a sincere way and didnt have to resort to clichés. It was also impressive how well adjusted Hannah was for someone with such unorthodox parental figures. Her empty relationship with Jackson was downright sorrowful though. He treated her with a detached, flighty sort of affection. The worst part being that everything was captured on film and manipulated by his reality tv crew into whatever ratings spin he was looking for. After reading about those antics, it made so much sense why Hannah would desperately want something consistent in her life to depend on. I definitely could put myself in her shoes and could understand why it was hard to put herself out there and let people get close.

The character of her best friend Teagan added an interesting dynamic to the book as well. While dealing with her own insecurities, Teagan was not afraid to shoot from the heart, and tell Hannah what was best for her. Those types of friends are priceless, and when youre a teenager, you need a solid support system like that more than anything. 
 
BOTTOM LINEThis was my first Elizabeth Scott novel.  After completing it, I understood why she is such a popular teen romance novelist and I cant wait to read more of her books. Something Maybe was an endearing, feel good read that will definitely evoke a happy sigh from

Reader reviewed by Megan

Everyone thinks their parents are embarrassing, but Hannah knows she's got them all beat. Her dad made a fortune showcasing photos of pretty girls and his party lifestyle all over the Internet, and her mom was once one of her dad's girlfriends and is now the star of her own website. After getting the wrong kind of attention for way too long, Hannah has mastered the art of staying under the radar...and that's just how she likes it.
Of course, that doesn't help her get noticed by her crush. Hannah's sure that gorgeous, sensitive Josh is her soul mate. But trying to get him to notice her; wondering why she suddenly can't stop thinking about another guy, Finn; and dealing with her parents make Hannah feel like she's going crazy. Yet she's determined to make things work out the way she wants only what she wants may not be what she needs....
This book was kinda slow at the begining , the first chapter was great but then it became slow. I was about to even quit reading it but I remembered all the great reviews. After the introduction part was over it got a little better but I thought it didn't get better until Hannah saw her dad. But I loved the ending and am glad who she ended up with and thought he was perfect.
I didn't really like the characters but I did like Hannah and Finn. I thought Josh was weird and her mom was too showy and emotional . I liked Finn little things he did and Hannah was funny and a great main character.
Overall I liked the book and would reccomend it.

Reader reviewed by Jessica

Struggling to live with her mother, who used to be the equivalent of a playboy bunny, the main character in this novel tries to live her own life without being in her mother's shoes. With her father being a reality TV show star always surrounded by his girls, one of which used to be her mother, she struggles to get away from this stereotype and live her own life to the way that she wants.

In a novel with amazing emotions for an easy read, Elizabeth Scott delivers a wonderful story yet again that leaves the reader with a smile upon their face, glad to have finished yet another great novel. The easy transition from the character's home life, to her school and work life, to her father's problems blends wonderfully, and though the situations in the novel are a bit extreme compared to what the average teen goes through, the emotions are the same. Always looking for acceptance, Elizabeth Scott's character carried with her the same theme that all teens are trying to work through.

A great read for any time of the year, "Something, Maybe," is one book that will keep you smiling long after you finish it.