It's Not You, It's Me by Kerry Cohen Hoffmann

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Pub. Date: June 9th 2009
Age Range: Young Adult
Pages: 192
Format: paperback
Source Of Copy: requested and received from the publisher


Zoe loves Henry.

Henry dumps Zoe.

Zoe wants Henry back—at any cost.

Zoe’s two best friends come up with a plan to help Zoe get what she thinks she wants. The plan: make Henry jealous.

But the plan takes a surprising turn. . . .

Spanning thirty-one days in the cycle of a breakup, Kerry Cohen Hoffmann’s humorous and poignant novel depicts a girl whose single-minded focus on her ex-boyfriend has pulled her far from the person she most needs to win back—herself.


A cute book about heartbreak and self redefinition, It's Not You, It's Me surely makes a nice quick read. However, the story may appear annoying to certain readers.

Girl dates boy. Girl loses boy. Girl wants boy back. The plot is pretty simple and predictable. Writing with third respective, Kerry Cohen brings in a slight difference from the majority of young adult books these days. Her voice is neat and cute, making you feel like you're reading a book half teen half middle grade. Everything is planned out clearly and easy to follow.

However, it fails to deliver.

Zoe is a naive character that lot of girls can relate when in similar situations. But she's a bit over the top. That's the problem of the book. Zoe is too obsessive with Henry it's irritating. While readers can sympathy with her heart damage, they can't help but feel tired of her unreasonable stubbornness and stalkerish actions.

I also think there are a few unnecessary characters/happenings in the book. Like how Sam and Niles come into the picture, both making us wonder who's going to play an important part in the process of Zoe's getting Henry back. Then neither does. I also wish there will be more of Zoe's interest in writing and poetry and dancing because it's what makes her interesting, but there's so little of it.

Overall, the message the story wants to deliver is quite nice, but the whole thing doesn't go too well and is ruined by the main character. Still a nice pick if you want to something to read in your free time though.



Rating: 2.5/5