I really enjoyed listening to Not My Problem This Irish novel appeals more to high school students.

Aideen begins the novel with a small life. She watches carefully over her mom who falls off the wagon of sobriety and drinks, using money that could be used to pay bills and buy food. Aideen also has one friend: Holly. Aideen is funny and snarky and good-hearted with a bit of a potty mouth. She struggles in school, often missing to take care of her mother. She has one enemy: Maebh. Everything starts when Aideen finds Maebh having a meltdown. She jokingly says she can help and offers to push her down the stairs. Maebh sees this option as a great solution. Thus begins Aideen's new life.

Aideen discovers that she really enjoys helping people and ends up with a helper: Kavi. Kavi loves to monologue, which allows for distraction and trust. Kavi begins bringing people to Aideen for her to help them in return for a favor. Maebh has to help Aideen with the next project, which allows Aideen to see that Maebh isn't the person she has always assumed she was. Each "help" is amusing and entails problems because nothing goes off without a hitch. It's madcap farce at times as more and more people move into Aideen's life. As the novel makes you laugh at the antics and Aideen's snarkiness, you also get pulled into the drama of the students' lives who all face stressful situations.

I absolutely loved this novel that deals with alcoholism, friendship, love, growing up, bravery, honesty, and courage. Aideen sacrifices herself to help others but fails to realize that others would do the same for her. Aideen learns what true friendship is and makes mature, hard decisions to help herself. I'm purposefully saying little because the novel is delightful and should be experienced as it unfolds. Loved the reader--she was fantastic! Listen to this outstanding YA novel that will make you laugh and smile. ( )

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was lighthearted and fun while still discussing difficult issues. This book was such a great read and kept me hooked from the beginning. The friendships that are formed in the book are realistic and filled with love. The portrayal of having a difficult home life and abusive friendships is done incredibly well. You are taken along for the journey of recognising when things aren't right and when you need help. I loved the queer representation and really enjoyed the romantic portrayal. Great Read! ( )

I enjoyed that immensely and am irritated that Ciara Smyth only has one other book published.

Plot-wise and humour-wise, this book was amazing but the secondary characters were not as fleshed as I needed them to be and I kept losing track of them, or this would have got the full five stars. ( )

Aideen has plenty of problems she can’t solve. But when she stumbles upon overachiever Meabh Kowalska having a full-blown meltdown, she sees one that she can actually fix. Meabh is desperate to escape her crushing pile of extracurriculars. Aideen volunteers to help—by pushing her down the stairs.

Problem? Solved. Meabh’s sprained ankle is the perfect excuse to ditch her overwhelming schedule. But when one of their classmates learns about their little scheme, more “clients” start asking for Aideen’s “help”—kicking off a semester of traded favors, ill-advised hijinks, and even an unexpected chance at love.

Fixing other people’s problems won’t fix her own. But it might be the push Aideen needs to start. Quite the enjoyable book. ( )

I would read anything this lady writes! :)