I have read a lot of romance and YA in my life, but One Small Thing is so different from anything I’ve read before in all the very best ways.
Erin Watt has given us an incredible series in The Royals, and a fantastic stand alone novel in When It’s Real, but One Small Thing is most definitely their best book yet.
One Small Thing starts with Beth Jones, a senior in high school who is trying desperately to navigate life in a world without her sister. We learn very quickly that Rachel Jones, Beth’s older sister, was killed in a tragic accident, causing her parents to cling desperately to Beth in an attempt to keep her safe as long as they possibly can. Enter Chase, a very attractive new boy in town who offers Beth a bit of respite from her ultra-controlled world, but who is in need of a bit of respite himself. Only, neither Beth nor Chase know that their relationship will cause more trouble than either of them could have imagined.
I know a few people who tend to avoid reading YA because they think the protagonists are unsophisticated, or the subject matter just doesn’t appeal to them because of the age difference. One Small Thing is exactly the incredible type of book those people are missing out on. I went in to this story completely blind. I didn’t read the description or any of the teasers I saw around, because I knew I was going to read this book no matter what. I haven’t met an Erin Watt story that I don’t love, and One Small Thing is their best yet.
Beth and Chase have a rapport that is immediately soothing and comforting. They seem to understand each other in ways no one else can begin to comprehend. They have both been through some life changing events, and neither can go back to how things were before. The only way through their struggle is forward, and they inspire each other to keep moving no matter what is trying to drag them back into the muck.
I love that these two make each other better. While circumstance and just about everything else is trying to keep them apart, shaming them and trying to convince them that everything about their bond is wrong, they fight to find a way to keep this precious peace that they have alive. They are a truly resilient pair, withstanding outrage, hate-infused jabs, and hurtful words to ultimately come out in a much better place.
Beth is a textbook example of teenage logic. When her parents put her on lockdown, she resists in the only way the teenage mind knows, by fighting control with chaos. In an attempt to win back control of her life, Beth throws caution to the wind and does things even she cannot believe she’s doing.
It isn’t until Chase gives her a better option that she even considers another path. Chase brings a fresh perspective to her world. He gives her a new mantra and a new path. Rather than resisting and running wild, which you can tell never really felt right to Beth, he shows her that maybe being true to herself and showing her parents her goals is the way to true freedom.
Chase reminds Beth that no matter what horrible things are going on, if you can find one small thing to keep your spirits from sinking, you can find your way through the dark. If readers take nothing else away from this book, I hope they take away Beth and Chase’s new mantra: one small thing.
Some days it might be the delicious taste of an ice cream cone, or the way the sunshine feels after a winter of cold, but one small thing can make a huge difference in your outlook on life. That message rings true throughout this entire story, and will continue ringing in my head for a long time to come.
While reading this book, I kept thinking about how it could possibly end that would feel satisfying. Beth and Chase seem to have every single one of the odds stacked against them, and I couldn’t see the light. When I arrived at the final few chapters, I breathed a huge sigh of relief. Not only did Erin Watt find a way to satisfy my heart, they managed to do it while staying true to the reality of the characters’ situation.
I truly love this book. I think it should be required reading for everyone in the early years of high school. This book teaches how to find compassion and understanding even when the world is screaming at you to judge others. One Small Thing reminded me that compassion is not earned, it’s given, and when you find yourself willing to be compassionate to even the more egregious wrongdoings, you will find a greater sense of peace than you ever thought possible.
One Small Thing is available now on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or find a copy at an indie bookstore near you. Oh, and don’t forget to add it on Goodreads, too!
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