Alma Underwood Is Not A Kleptomaniac is the story of a girl who keeps things people have left behind. She works as a hotel maid, and whenever someone leaves something behind on their room, Alma keeps it for herself and adds them to her 'treasures'. One day, when Alma is sitting in one of her treasures (an old train car) she finds a boy names Rumour, a new thing left behind. And he quickly becomes the newest lost thing she has found, and her newest treasure.

This story was just adorable. It was sweet, and heartwarming and so sad in places. Alma is the 'pixie dream girl' type, and is quirky and weird and loveable. Her family are equally as eccentric as she, and are fun to read about (when you do encounter them), and were just as equally loveable. I haven't read a whole family I have enjoyed that much in a while. They were weird and sweet and just wonderful. I would read stories about every one of them. The romance was also so sweet. It was slow-burn, honest, open and so pure. I found myself grinning so widely about it and adored how uncomplicated their feelings were.

This is a perfectly written light story about love and a happy family, helping to fix a broken boy. It was sad, sweet and wonderful and I didn't expect to enjoy it just as much as I did.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

i LOVE a book where teenagers talk like old people. in the same vain as another favourite of mine - ‘hiro and kite’ - alma and rumour meet and fall in love with each other and life, and it’s all just perfect
it had me crying and laughing and grinning from ear to ear; i couldn’t put this one down

4.5/5 stars

My brother says I’m a kleptomaniac. I’m not . I don’t steal things. I take things.

I don't know if Alma Underwood is a Kleptomaniac, but that girl will steal your heart.

I can't even begin to tell you how much I loved this story - I fell i love with Alma, and with Rumour the moment I met them both.

Special thanks to Netgalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a heartwarming tale of love and loss that captured you from the beginning. Starring quirky main characters, weird and endearing family dynamics, and a grouchy old man, the story painted a picture of hope and support in often unexpected ways. It brought the reality of death and homelessness to light while helping the reader understand that those things don't define you.

A fast, sweet read for the days we need a little light.

I was blown away by this book and I’m surprised I hadn’t heard about it until now!

Alma Underwood is an eccentric girl with a huge heart, and I can honestly say she is one of the best characters I’ve ever read. Her affinity to collecting random objects from her family-owned motel might seem a bit quirky, but to her they are treasures. But one treasure she wasn’t expecting to find was a homeless, one-handed boy named Rumor living in a train car behind her home (and I love that she named the train car Mo!). She is determined to save him and help him find what he’s searching for, but it turns out he may not have to look very far.

This was such a beautiful, funny, heart-wrenching book and I simply loved it! Highly recommend!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3455679767

Enjoyed reading this young adult coming of age book focusing on friendship and family relationships. Characters were well developed and believable. The writing was excellent. And story was engaging. Recommended.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the E-arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Rarely does a book come along that is able to convey such an array of emotions in me. The characters, each of them have distinct personalities with depth and soul. Even the secondary characters were written as if they were just as important as the primary and you really get to know and appreciate them. Every character has a purpose and a seperate characterstic that sets them apart from each other.

Alma, oh Alma, what a wonderful fun main character with an awesome family to boot. As quirky as they are, you can't help but fall in love with them. Such a wonderful read. 5 stars from me.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley in exhange for my honest review.

I originally picked this book because I'd just joined Netgalley and was looking for something to read when this caught my attention. It follows the story of Alma Underwood, who whilst working at her parents hotel picks up objects left behind by guests. She calls them her treasures and makes up back stories for them and then one day, she finds Rumour Rawlings, a homeless boy in the dilapidated, unused train car she frequents. It starts both of them on a journey they never could have predicted as they both learn the real treasures in life are not objects.

It deals with grief and hope and the importance of having people around you for support when life just won't stop throwing you curveballs.

I fell in love with the Underwood family, each unique in their own way and especially loved Alma and Rumour and their growing relationship.

The chapters did state who's POV it was written from each time but I do admit to being confused at times and forgetting which it was when Alma & Rumour were having a conversation but a few sentences later, I'd figured it out again. There was definite intrigue throughout the book and the pacing was good.

This was a lovely, quick easy read that dealt with sensitive subjects really well. I am so glad I picked it up.

*Review will be posted soon*




*Netgalley provided me a free copy in exchange for an honest review*

I loved this book and how unexpected it was. I love how quirky Alma is with keeping things left behind. Mostly I love how quirky this book is. It is truly something magical

A unique concept with an incredibly likable supporting cast. Honestly, I would love some more books about the Underwood family in general, and the adventures of the motel.

Alma and Rumor certainly have chemistry, although some of the twists, although amazing, seemed a little far-fetched. That said, I really enjoyed reading this book once I'd gotten into it. It's like a warm hug. Would recommend.

Thank you NetGalley for providing a copy!
Synopsis:
Alma Underwood is NOT a kleptomaniac.
But she does take things that don’t belong to her.

The best part about working as a maid in her parent’s motel is pocketing all the random objects people leave behind. From old ticket stubs to the glue that comes with a toupee, Alma has discovered it all and stored it in a tub beneath her bed.

Her greatest treasure isn’t what she found in room six at Great Lakes Motel, but it’s who she discovered in an old, abandoned train car behind her house.

His name is Rumor, and he certainly won’t fit under her bed.

After a quick scan of Rumor’s surroundings, it becomes crystal clear that he’s not just hanging out in the train car for a place to escape. He’s living in it.

With determination heavy inside her, she does the only thing that makes sense to her...

She brings him home.

Turns out, he’s looking for a treasure of his own, and who better to help him find it than her?

I was looking for a light and fun read and I got so much more! This book is so amazing and perfect and I give it all the stars! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It's a delicate and sweet and will stay in your heart long after you've finished it.
This is the perfect story for all fans of wonderful young adult romances.
My rating: 5/5

* Thank you to NetGalley for the eArc to review *

Alma Underwood is a teenager working in her parents' motel, collecting items that have been left behind by others, claiming them as her treasure. When spending time in the abandoned train car near her house, she comes across something else to add to her collection - a boy. Rumor is taken in by Alma as he is homeless, and searching for something himself.

I really, really wanted to love this book and sadly this just didn't hit the mark for me. I was in a contemporary romance mood and this just didn't scratch that itch that I had. I felt like the story was very tell, tell, tell, instead of showing you things through the writing.

I can absolutely see why people would adore this book, it's just a shame it didn't work for me.

DNF at 25%. Definitely a case of "it's not you, it's me". This book seems perfectly lovely, if a bit quirky and weird. But the characters sound too young, and I can't find a way into the story. Maybe I'll give it another chance in the future, but for right now I'm done with it.

I enjoyed this YA novel, but you have to be in the right frame of mind for a YA romance.

I liked how there were no two characters alike. The Underwood family is quirky and fun and downright funny! Alma's friend, Arthur, and her brother, Jackson had the funnies lines and attitudes. It was so fun to see the dynamic of the family and how well each character stayed true to their nature. As for Alma, she's a sweetheart, at times way too good, almost perfect, but I'd like to have her as a loyal friend.

As all well done YAs, this one deals with serious topics such as home runaway, grief, death, first love. I liked how the author threaded these and how she approached them.

There are a few things I didn't like. The first one is the language. There were a few instances where I frowned upon the words used in conversation by Rumor and his Josh. It didn't read authentic and it made Rumor, the male main character, seem shallow. Speaking of language, I wonder if this is the way people aged 17-18 speak like, all mature and deep and I-have-lived-and-seen-things wise.

Then there's a scene towards the end {Spoilers!} where Rumor learns some news and he and Alma have a fight. Actually, he yells and Alma takes the punches. Keep in mind these two kids know they love each other, but boy here, enraged as he is, spews cruel words at her. I did not appreciate that, and no matter the reason, I don't think that's normal. Honestly, that was the point where I really hoped this would not be a happy ever after. Had I been Alma, I would have packed the boys' duffel bag and send him to his grandpa in a heart beat. Don't come at me with love and stuff!

And now the thing that really bothered me - all.the.physical.touching. I get this is a YA novel and this is how they show their love. But people, these two kids don't know if they are girlfriend and boyfriend by the 85% of the novel! YET they can't keep their hands off each other. That bothered me so much! It made their relationship look like infatuation, not real love, and that is a shame because it started out cute and nice.

It's a 3.5 stars read for me - it's a summery, light and quick read.

This is such a refreshing read, YA characters that feel real, are fully relatable And it’s full of representation. The story itself is a delight to read, it will have you rolling on the floor, but in tears at times, it’s definitely an emotional rollercoaster but in the best way, you feel like you’ve been on a journey with this book. This story has a little romance, but the main and important focus is on friendship and the important relationships you have in life. In no way a light read, but it’s a worthy read and will leave you thinking after you finish it. My first book by Lacey but I eagerly look forward to future books.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

I thought this was an adult novel to be honest. I was a bit disappointed by the YA undertones and the slightly less mature content. It was still, quite a compelling story that pulled at your heartstrings. I didn't like it as much as I thought I would, but I couldn't quite point a finger to one thing in particular. It was well-written and had a wonderful story at it's heart. But it just wasn't my style of novel. It was a bit slow and lacked character development for me.

It was very refreshing to see a YA novel that isn’t about dense teens who have no idea about the world around them or cultural impacts. As a clinical social worker, who works primarily with the homeless population, it was exciting to see Rumor and Alma have experience as well as knowledge about the homeless youth.

More on a writing note, Alma is a well developed character as is Rumor. I wish there was more development in the rest of the cast, particularly Arthur and Echo, as their quirky nature was interesting but honestly felt a bit extra at times. I very much enjoyed the mystery of Rumors mother and the family twist.

My biggest pet peeve of all times in YA novels is when a couple starts dating and all of a sudden it’s “baby” this and “baby girl” that, and while it happened in this novel it wasn’t cringeworthy.

What a delightful surprise of a book this turned out to be! Alma is a kind and compassionate high school senior who finds Rumor, a boy needing to be found, and becomes the "Ace" in the disappointing hand he has been dealt in life. The story covers the topics of grief, loss, and homelessness with compassion and dignity , handling disabilities with grace and conviction, and the idea that friends can truly be your family in a time of need. The lovely ensemble cast of characters are witty, quirky, and absolutely lovable. This is a must read for anyone that wants to laugh, cry, and feel like at the end their can still be goodness and light in this world.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book. An original tale, an original character and voice make for a very touching story.