Not That Kind of Hero is a charming and moving YA novel, perfect for anyone who has ever related more to the sidekick than the hero. The story follows Orla, a chronic people pleaser, as she navigates a two-week acting intensive and learns, for once, to prioritize her own needs and aspirations.

Honestly, while Orla was incredibly frustrating at times, I related to her on so many levels it was kind of shocking. I think, if I’d read this book at sixteen instead of twenty-six, I probably would’ve cried more than once.

The romance part didn’t disappoint either because Cass was, as expected, so charming and cute. However, the biggest strength of this book wasn’t the funny/adorable banter, it was the way this book handled heavier topics, like domestic violence, with care and nuance. While there are authors out there who would try to shock the audience with scenes of explicit violence, Casale manages to capture the exact emotions and fears very clearly without having to spell it out for us.

In the end, did I feel that Not That Kind of Hero might’ve been too ambitious, juggling so many characters and themes? Maybe. Did I thoroughly enjoy it? Absolutely. What can I say, I’m a sucker for heartwarming stories of (semi-)found families.

 Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.