Thank you Harlequin Teen for this book in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis:

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author duo of the Royals and When It’s Real comes a sensational new novel about a girl falling for the one boy she should never have met … Beth’s life hasn’t been the same since her sister died. Her parents try to lock her down, believing they can keep her safe by monitoring her every move. When Beth sneaks out to a party one night and meets the new guy in town, Chase, she’s thrilled to make a secret friend. It seems like a small thing, just for her. Only Beth doesn’t know how big her secret really is … Fresh out of juvie and determined to start his life over, Chase has demons to face and much to atone for, including his part in the night Beth’s sister died. Beth, who has more reason than anyone to despise him, is willing to give him a second chance. A forbidden romance is the last thing either of them planned for senior year, but the more time they spend together, the deeper their feelings get. Now Beth has a choice to make-follow the rules, or risk tearing everything apart … again.

Review:

Let’s start with this is the fact One Small Thing is a contemporary and I actually liked it… ummm who am I? What have I become? Hopefully more dignified (well we can hope right!)

One Small Thing is centred on our main character Beth who lost her sister in a fatal hit and run accident three years ago. Beth’s family haven’t been the same and since the loss of her sister, Beth’s parents are extremely overprotective. I mean, to the point where you want to slap them so they wake up to themselves. I personally thought they were more than overprotective, they were more control freaks, in a fun yet creepy serial killer kind of way… *shudder* You will know what I mean when you read it. Honestly it isn’t just my inner horror geek over thinking it. They took away her door, car, and phone and they even quit her jobs on her behalf as well. See creepy in a controlling way, I cannot even reason with the excuse that her parents have a crippling fear of something happening to their surviving daughter.

Besides being stuck in the house with what I can only say is the Manson Family (no I won’t get over how controlling they are), Beth is in her senior year, and we all know the senior year should be filled with parties, friends and fond memories. Instead Beth feels like a prisoner in her own home. Trapped with her freedom at stake, Beth takes the chance to rebel and sneaks out to a party, where she comes across Chase. The typical good looking rebel teen who sweeps Beth off her feet and they share an emotionally intense moment. BUT WAIT?! There is something the busts up this cute little romance? Of course there is! This makes such a great story! Drum roll please. . . . . Chase was the driver of the car that killed Beth’s sister!!! And he know goes to her school!

Beth knows that she should be filled with hate for Chase, but she simply can’t. She should want him expelled from school, but she doesn’t. Beth doesn’t want to scream at him, Beth doesn’t hate him and Beth doesn’t want to leave his side. While around her, Beth’s friends and family are trying to tear them apart and make Chase and Beth’s lives hell.

One Small Thing is a cute little love story with powerful messages through the book, Such as dealing with the loss of a loved one, how to grieve your own way and grieving can sooth your pain. Find the light at the end of a dark tunnel that life sometimes takes you down. You watch our two main characters, Beth and Chase grow throughout this book and find faith, and forgiveness in one enough. And how love can really concur all. Erin Watts made a meal of all the feelings and I cannot deal with how amazing it all is.

I have to admit at the start of this book I was extremely frustrated by the parents and how they treated Beth. I couldn’t fathom it to be honest. However as the book progressed, I couldn’t help but love it. This is my first ever book by Erin Watts and I will be devouring more, with that fabulous writing style, I’ve sunk, hook line and sinker.

Rating: 5/5

ISBN: 9781335017277

Publisher: Harlequin Teen