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A review by keepcalmblogon
Something More by Jackie Khalilieh
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I found Jackie Khalilieh on TikTok, which is funny because I never use TikTok but when I do I get ADHD and autism content on my fyp, and you might know she is an autistic author. Jackie is also a Palestinian-Canadian, so I moved Something More up on my TBR from autism interest to the war on Gaza that as a western white woman I truly did not grasp until recent events made me educate myself. Without going on a huge tangent because there is truly so much to scream about re: Palestine, it is so important to promote Palestinian voices, especially right now.
As far as the book itself, Jessie is not only newly diagnosed with autism, but she is obsessed with the 90s, particularly music and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and that is everything to me. Jessie also makes it a goal to have two distinct eyebrows, and I relate to that so hard, especially before starting high school–that was me, and remains a battle to this day!
Jessie’s experience making girlfriends felt so real to me, I distinctly remember what girls were like in high school and trying to befriend them as someone who felt I didn’t fit in with them, or with anyone, was terrifying. Jackie brought that to life so well! As for the love interests–yes two!–both are absolute heartthrobs and classic iterations of the bad boy and the more wholesome just friend/nice guy. Jackie does an excellent job capturing what high school romance was like as well as that classic predicament of who to choose, the boy who already hurt you but asks forgiveness or the loyal friend who is so clearly something more (wink wink)? And not only does Jessie have to navigate these usual teenage problems, but she has to figure them out in her own way that maybe not every reader will relate to, but one doesn’t need to relate to a character to see inside their head, and I could see in there so clearly–but I also did relate!!
As a side note, I listened to the audiobook version of this, and I really enjoyed it. Overall this book was five stars and I will absolutely be looking out for more books by Jackie!
As far as the book itself, Jessie is not only newly diagnosed with autism, but she is obsessed with the 90s, particularly music and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and that is everything to me. Jessie also makes it a goal to have two distinct eyebrows, and I relate to that so hard, especially before starting high school–that was me, and remains a battle to this day!
Jessie’s experience making girlfriends felt so real to me, I distinctly remember what girls were like in high school and trying to befriend them as someone who felt I didn’t fit in with them, or with anyone, was terrifying. Jackie brought that to life so well! As for the love interests–yes two!–both are absolute heartthrobs and classic iterations of the bad boy and the more wholesome just friend/nice guy. Jackie does an excellent job capturing what high school romance was like as well as that classic predicament of who to choose, the boy who already hurt you but asks forgiveness or the loyal friend who is so clearly something more (wink wink)? And not only does Jessie have to navigate these usual teenage problems, but she has to figure them out in her own way that maybe not every reader will relate to, but one doesn’t need to relate to a character to see inside their head, and I could see in there so clearly–but I also did relate!!
As a side note, I listened to the audiobook version of this, and I really enjoyed it. Overall this book was five stars and I will absolutely be looking out for more books by Jackie!