In this book we follow Alma, a teen who works at her parent’s motel and collects ‘treasures’ that people leave behind. One day, she stumbles across Rumor, a homeless, one handed teen who has run away from his home town after his dad’s death.

There are some really sweet, lovely moments in this book, not only between Alma and Rumor but with other characters too. I loved Alma’s quirky family where it’s normal to not be ‘normal’ and they are allowed to be completely themselves.

This book isn’t all sweetness and light. It tackles some tough but very real storylines. I’d look into it further before reading if you are triggered by grief, loss of a parent, depression or suicide.

While there’s a sprinkling of romance, this book focuses much more on strong friendships and relationships. And supporting and understanding people when they are grieving or need someone. This wasn’t the fun, fast read I expected but it made me think and feel a lot. I think we all need to be a bit more Alma sometimes :)

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley. These opinions are my own.

Alma Underwood Is Not A Kleptomaniac is a story of perseverance, loss and most importantly, finding love when things seem hopeless. Alma Underwood, the story’s main character, is an odd and unpredictable teenager. She is indeed a kleptomaniac and one day when she unexpectedly finds Rumor, a homeless boy in need of help, her life changes forever. My favorite part of this novel is its characters; each character is given a full backstory that makes them feel like real people. Even the side characters were fleshed out enough that I cared about what was going on with them. If I had to give an example of the “perfect” young adult character in literature, it would be Alma. Her presence is refreshing; she is so different and so kind towards other people. Her point of view on life is beautiful; her and her family are caring and loving which is quite rare to see in this day and age. Alma and Rumor’s romance made me feel so many emotions all at once. They are truly meant to be together and I enjoyed getting to know them individually, and also as a couple.

I like this book a lot. Lacey Dailey’s writing is great; I would say she does a very good job at developing the young adult voice at the right pace. The dialogue is interesting most of the time, although there were moments where some phrases did feel forced. This did not distract me from the story. The plot is different in that it has been a long time since I’ve read a story about a character with an illness where their illness is not the main focus. Sometimes in young adult novel ideas can feel stale and reused but every aspect of this novel feels original to me. I suggest this story to anyone who is looking for a romance novel that makes you feel a rollercoaster of emotions. This story teaches you that no matter how much you plan your life out, things may go completely different from the way you wanted them to be.

Alma Underwood Is Not A Kleptomaniac started off really well. I enjoyed the way that Alma herself approaches life, new people and forgotten or discarded objects. I liked the way that Rumor's congenital amputation was introduced in a matter of fact way and that the author discussed in the book the various ways that the character tackled tasks that others would take for normal. While I was expecting the teen romance aspect of the novel, quite obvious from the front cover, it was presented in a cute, respectful way on the part of both parties, however it was formulaic. I was also sceptical about the way Alma's family reacted when they discovered her secret and the overall lack of parental supervision in the home that allowed her to be able to conceal the fact Rumor was staying in her room for a good few weeks, if not months.

I really liked this, it was cute and funny. There were a few pop culture references that some people might not get like the real slim shady. I enjoyed this book and appreciated the realness of Rumour. Alma is sweet, caring and interesting with all her treasures

What a delightful book, perfect for this COVID-19 time, when you really need a feel good book!


#AlmaUnderwoodIsNotAKleptomaniac #NetGalley

Alma Underwood Is Not A Kleptomaniac is a surprisingly sweet, heartwarming love story between a kleptomaniac (seriously Alma, stop lying to yourself) and a runaway teenager. Though I am not typically one for romances, I finished this one sitting and actually really enjoyed this.

The best thing about this book, and the main reason why I loved it so much, is that it comes with a strong cast of characters. The main characters Alma and Rumor are very well-developed, and so are the side characters. I particularly loved the entire Underwood clan--they are kind, compassionate, quirky and real, and I absolutely adored their family dynamics.

That being said, I couldn't help but think that the main premise of the novel was rather unrealistic. Sure, the synopsis does tell us that Alma brings Rumor home, but the consequences of her choices were so light and underwhelming. Just my two cents: the plot could have been more interesting and convincing had all the characters not behaved so naively and dismissed valid concerns.

As for the romance, I am a little on the fence about it. I mostly enjoyed it because I loved the characters so much, and because they were cute together. But their romance was rather cliche, and somewhat unconvincing. I don't instant romance if it is well-written; in this book, I guess it could have been better,

All things considered, this is a great book if you are looking for something light and fluffy, or going through a reading slump. I'd definitely recommend it for anyone looking for a heart=felt romance that doesn't take itself too seriously.

Thank you #Netgalley for giving me this book

Alma Underwood is Not a Kleptomaniac
Author: Lacey Dailey
Genre: YA Romance/Contemporary
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ • ✨/5
Reviewed: Maya

-Trigger warning within book-
I’m going to be perfectly honest; I didn’t think I was going to enjoy this book as much as I did. It is not my usual genre but from the very beginning, I found myself loving everything in the book. Alma is instantly loveable; she has a massive heart and collects treasures that have been left behind. With an inability to not help somebody, when she meets Rumor, a homeless boy who has been sleeping in Mo, “her” train car (and her first ever treasure), she brings him into her home. I loved the characters and they felt like old friends from the very beginning. The plot was absolutely beautiful and everything was perfectly timed. I never wanted the novel to end and if it hadn’t been a school night, I would have instantly reread the book. Dailey has a special gift with words and she was able to create the most heartfelt conversations about love, friendships, family and mental health. I found myself highlighting whole paragraphs in the book that I found to be powerful, although I could have easily highlighted the entire book. I recommend this book to everybody, especially for those who enjoyed All the Bright Places.

3.7/5
I was looking for a light and fun read and that's what exactly I got.
I don't know if Alma can be called a kleptomaniac. She doesn't steal from people. She takes the things that are left behind or broken and keep them as lost treasures. And maybe that nature of her made Alma to take a homeless teen - Rumor- she found in a train car - giving him a home just like she did for all her lost treasures. And in turn Rumor is looking for a treasure of his own.
I really liked the story and the characters. It was sweet. The relationships between the characters, Alma's family and friends, Rumor's friend Josh etc. were really sweet and wonderful. The dialogues felt a bit cheesy and forced at times. But overall it was a nice read.

THIS BOOK. oh my gosh! I think it’s safe to say that Alma is one of my favorite characters ever. This book made me laugh and then cry but it was so beautifully written! This is my first read from Lacey Dailey and NOT MY LAST. This book is about heartbreak and the relationships that are always there; no matter what you’re going through. I must say that this book is so amazing and perfect and I give it all the stars

5/5 stars!

When the heroine meets the hero, she decided to help the runaway with his quest to look for some truths. With a lovable family and supportive friends, the heroine and the hero ends up falling for each other. This story has dual views and will give readers all the vibes. Romance, angst, drama, humor, and more! Highly recommended and looking forward to reading more books from the author.

**Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.**

Alma underwood is not a kleptomaniac by Lacey Dailey.

The story of Alma and Rumour who is a homeless person trying to find his mother after his father died.

What a story!

It the story of life’s journey which at time’s can be traumatic and dark, there is also sunshine on the other side of the road. Friend met troubles, shared laughter and love when you least expected it.

Great book for any age beautifully written I laughed and cried sometimes both at once. What a gift Lacey Dailey has.

Alma Underwood is Not a Kleptomaniac
Author: Lacey Dailey
Genre: YA Romance/Contemporary
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ • ✨/5
Reviewed: Maya

-Trigger warning within book-
I’m going to be perfectly honest; I didn’t think I was going to enjoy this book as much as I did. It is not my usual genre but from the very beginning, I found myself loving everything in the book. Alma is instantly loveable; she has a massive heart and collects treasures that have been left behind. With an inability to not help somebody, when she meets Rumor, a homeless boy who has been sleeping in Mo, “her” train car (and her first ever treasure), she brings him into her home. I loved the characters and they felt like old friends from the very beginning. The plot was absolutely beautiful and everything was perfectly timed. I never wanted the novel to end and if it hadn’t been a school night, I would have instantly reread the book. Dailey has a special gift with words and she was able to create the most heartfelt conversations about love, friendships, family and mental health. I found myself highlighting whole paragraphs in the book that I found to be powerful, although I could have easily highlighted the entire book. I recommend this book to everybody, especially for those who enjoyed All the Bright Places. I cannot wait for this to be published and I hope to hear your opinions on this book!

‘Alma Underwood Is Not A Kleptomaniac’Is an incredible sweet YA novel by Lacey Dailey. The story tells the tale of teenage Alma who lives and works at her parents motel with her family. Part of a closeknit and loving family, Alma has a secret – she loves to steal. However, Alma does not actually steal from their guests; she cleans the rooms at the motel and tends to take items left behind. She calls all of these her ‘treasures’ and creates backstories for each one. Then one day, she comes across an usual ‘treasure’ – unusual because this treasure is a teenage boy called Rumor, and Rumor is looing for his long-lost mother. And so begins a tender story of teenage romance and loss.
The story is fast-paced and full of amusing characters which made it a joy to read.

This book was so, so sweet. The plot itself felt very well-crafted and the story flowed beautifully, without feeling forced. I was drawn in by Alma and her positive outlook and loved the way her family supported and nurtured her throughout the book.

The romance was careful and adorable and at no point did it feel like it overstepped the mark into becoming something that wasn't driven by genuine care for each other. The fact that this was so clear meant that the romance just added to the story, without detracting from the intricacies of the plot.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a story about friendship, about finding where you fit into the world and clinging on to what matters. Ultimately, it is a story about finding light where there would be darkness, and I loved that.

I can't wait to read more from this author in the future!

A beautiful story, filled with engaging characters who are very easy to connect with as you join them on their journey experiencing love, grief, heartbreak and the power of finding yourself.

What a rollercoaster this book was.

Everything about this book was perfect. I loved the characters. Both Rumor and Alma were so well developed and each so unique and individual. The plotline was interesting and heartbreaking and the romance, oh my god the romance. It was such a beautiful slow burn and I was truly invested in them being together.
I really also liked the kleptomaniac part of the book. It brought an interesting twist to a YA romance and I was so for it.
I think the only thing holding me back from a five-star read was that I wished there was more. The book felt so short and I felt like the ending could have been rounded off differently but that could be personal preference!

Overall, a fun, whirlwind book that made my heart burst.

4 stars.
I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

“There’s something peculiar hidden in each one of us. If we were all the same, we’d live life in black and white. There’d be no color.”

I was intrigued by this book from the second I read the blurb. It definitely seemed like something I would enjoy, but if I’m being honest, I had NO IDEA it would move me the way it did. I honestly loved it so much and truly haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since the second I finished it. Alma and Rumor are both unlike any YA characters I’ve ever read. They were mature beyond their years, yet vulnerable. They were quirky but also just really cool. And they shared a love at seventeen, that some people won’t ever find in an entire lifetime. As someone who is around high school students on a daily basis, I know and understand that some of them have to navigate through some pretty tough shit. It’s easy for those of us who had a “normal” upbringing to assume that children get up, they go to school, they do their homework, maybe play on a team or do some extra-curriculars, then go home, go to bed, get up the next day, and do it all over again. This book reminds us that not everything is black and white.  Not everyone’s situation is the same. And certainly, we’d all be so lucky to find a friendship or a love like what Alma and Rumor shared.

A sweet tale of young love, with two refreshing main characters and a group of original and cute side characters “Alma Underwood is Not a Kleptomaniac”, by Lacey Dailey (Netgalley Connect), is also a story about loss, adversity and despair, hope and human kindness towards strangers.
Rumor is a young wounded hero, very much adapted to his disability. I liked that the drama in the story had nothing to do with his condition, which was really a non-issue.
Alma is a generous, quirky soul, with her big-hearted family and always there friends. There’s a world of hospitality and easy-going spirit in this book.
Their relationship and romance are so sweet, with Alma’s kind-hearted bossiness and Rumor’s willingness to follow her.
There are magic, funny, emotional and sweet moments in the story. The plot might seem a bit crazy sometimes but sounds credible for this young age group. Some tough issues are handled; I liked that there was a resolution for Rumor, even if was a bit simplistic.
The dialogue sometimes felt a little forced and the story dragged in places or could have been shorter.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Where do I even start? This book was so good! It was really fast paced, and the pages kept turning. There is a lot to love about this book. First of all the characters are so unique and special. Alma and Rumor both have hearts of gold. One of the first things I picked up on was Rumor's willingness to receive help. I think that is a really special trait to see in a young man, as a lot of literary men are made out to be heroes that never need help. I really identify with Alma's fix it personality, as my personality is pretty similar to hers. Alma's friends and siblings were also really special. I loved the family dynamic, especially during the family meeting. Each sibling has their own quirks, but you can tell love for each other is always at the forefront of their relationships. There was also a range of diversity in the book including race, sexual identities, and physical disabilities.

This book also dealt with some heavy topics such as loss, depression, and the stress of figuring out what to do with your life after high school. I say it all the time, and I will say it again. Discussing difficult topics in literature is the best way to do it, because it becomes more relatable. I feel like all three topics were approached and talked about well.

I figured out the plot twist pretty early on in the book, so that wasn't a surprise to me. However, I was so attached to the characters that the plot isn't what drove the book for me. I would recommend this book to lovers of Sarah Dessen and Deb Caletti. From here on out I will devour any book written by Lacey Dailey.

Alma's parents run a motel and Alma cleans the rooms. The title and blurb for this book indicate the main plot of this book is about the treasures that Alma finds after customers check out which isn't really the case. Alma meets a teenage boy who has run away from a care home and is trying to find his birth mother. The pair form a friendship and the book is more about that. It's an ok read, but not overly gripping. It's well written but quite predictable.