[Review] It Sounded Better in My Head - Nina Kenwood

Summary: When her parents announce their impending divorce, Natalie can’t understand why no one is fighting, or at least mildly upset. Then Zach and Lucy, her two best friends, hook up, leaving her feeling slightly miffed and decidedly awkward. She’d always imagined she would end up with Zach one day—in the version of her life that played out like a TV show, with just the right amount of banter, pining, and meaningful looks. Now everything has changed... and nothing is quite making sense.

Until an unexpected romance comes along and shakes things up even further. (Pub Date: Apr 07, 2020)


Some very exciting rom com from Australia.

Natalie has dealt with image problems all her teenage years, especially because of her skin problems. She's a little better now she's finished high school, but she finds out there some other problems awaiting. To start, her parents are divorcing, her two best friends Zach and Lucy are dating each other and she still doesn't know when she's in their way, and she might be having feelings for Zach's untrustworthy older brother. All that while they wait for the results from applications to college.

It's always refreshing to read a book from outside the US, but this wasn't any culture shock. Aside from the different seasons, Natalie and her friends are just like any American kid.

Also, this was truly fun. The first half, especially, while we don't know what will happen with Natalie, who'll be her romantic interest, I was so excited reading I felt butterflies in my own stomach. I'm being serious, it's been a long time since a YA gave me this intensity of feels.

Natalie's traumas about her images were also very well described, without going into drama, for this wasn't the point of the story. Natalie felt like very authentic about her issues, and there were lots of moments I actually remembered thinking alike back then, things I didn't even remember having gone through anymore.

There was also a part about her friends that I enjoyed. At first I was wondering if this would reveal to be some love triangle, but fortunately (not that I would have minded, but stories like this one are more rare), it was really about their bonds as friends.

I do think it lost steam during the second half. I like where it went, I think it was a valid discussion and a good conclusion, but it wasn't as fun as it had been for me thus far. Also, as fun as it was, the story is still generic. I love that, but I don't think it will attract people who aren't YA readers.

Still, I'm in love with the book and actually grateful for keeping me company during the quarantine. Anyone who loves contemporary YA to take their minds off thing should pick it right now. Also, I'm looking forward to Nina Kenwood's future books! I'll be cheesy, but this went much better than it already sounded in my head.



Honest review based on an ARC provided by both Netgalley and Edelweiss. Many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.

Rating: 4 out of 5.