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Alma Underwood Is Not A Kleptomaniac
by
“You are my greatest find.”
Quirky, big-hearted Alma Underwood has a knack for pocketing the various objects people leave behind at her parents’ small-town motel. From old ticket stubs… to the glue that comes with a toupee, Alma possesses a passion for recusing forgotten treasures—even if nobody else sees it that way.
Her greatest treasure is found, not under a motel bed or ...more
Quirky, big-hearted Alma Underwood has a knack for pocketing the various objects people leave behind at her parents’ small-town motel. From old ticket stubs… to the glue that comes with a toupee, Alma possesses a passion for recusing forgotten treasures—even if nobody else sees it that way.
Her greatest treasure is found, not under a motel bed or ...more
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Published
September 30th 2019
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Community Reviews
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Start your review of Alma Underwood Is Not A Kleptomaniac
DEAD...that is it. Just...DEAD. I have mad love for this author. She writes sweet YA books like no one I have read before. This book was AMAZING. Every single character in this book was fantastic. The writing was out of this world. The plot was excellent. Humorous. Sweet. Romantic. Heartbreaking. Honestly, I don't really have much more to say about it other than you'd be a fool to pass it up. 
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Note: An ARC was given generously in exchange for an honest review.
PS: The dates are a bit weird because I was sorting through my library books at the time as well. That's how I got to the cruel prince after all, haha.
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Alma Underwood IS INDEED A KLEPTOMANIAC. She needs to stop lying to herself.
The story is interesting. A girl finding a guy in one of her most favorite items found, a train set. And so she plans on keeping him, since no one has fou ...more
PS: The dates are a bit weird because I was sorting through my library books at the time as well. That's how I got to the cruel prince after all, haha.
...................................................
Alma Underwood IS INDEED A KLEPTOMANIAC. She needs to stop lying to herself.
The story is interesting. A girl finding a guy in one of her most favorite items found, a train set. And so she plans on keeping him, since no one has fou ...more
My Recommendation
This was one of the best Y.A. books I have ever read! The storyline of a homeless teenage boy, searching for his long-lost mother while grieving for his recently deceased father, and the people he encounters that help him on his quest, was beautifully heart-wrenching.
I would recommend this for more mature Y.A. readers because of some the subject matter, and because of the strong language used. Overall, this is one that I will be reviewing favorably on Goodreads, and will be b ...more
Omg, Lacey Dailey totally had me hooked with this book. Tiny violins, butterfly kisses and all. The characters were ‘Ace’. I loved the Underwoods & their family meetings/ hogwarts themes. I couldn’t put it down. So sweet & beautifully written, I’d recommended this to anyone. Great job & a well deserved 5 stars!
May 23, 2020
thewoollygeek (tea, cake, crochet & books)
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
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
...more
4.5/5 Stars
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy at no cost from the publisher/author. All opinions in my review are my own.
There are hardly words to describe the array of emotions this book has evoked inside me. This is such a heartwarming story that will leave you hearing tiny violins.
I think that what I love most about this book is the way that it effortlessly combines emotions. You will be feeling so much when you read this at all of the appropriate times. The blending of emotions ...more
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy at no cost from the publisher/author. All opinions in my review are my own.
There are hardly words to describe the array of emotions this book has evoked inside me. This is such a heartwarming story that will leave you hearing tiny violins.
I think that what I love most about this book is the way that it effortlessly combines emotions. You will be feeling so much when you read this at all of the appropriate times. The blending of emotions ...more
Tiny violins. All over. I am madly in love with Lacey Dailey’s writing. The time, the effort, and the LOVE she puts into each character just slays me. I’m in awe. Every book she writes makes me feel ooey gooey inside. ALL THE TINY VIOLINS. ALL THE BUTTERFLY KISSES. And this book, oh my goodness, I never wanted it to end. I wasn’t ready to leave Flat Rock. I’m still not ready. Alma Underwood is one of my favorite heroines. Her heart is the size of Michigan. She is so beautiful and odd in the best
...more
FREE today (September 30, 2020) on Amazon.
Received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for a fair review
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 nothi ...more
Received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for a fair review
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 nothi ...more
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 characte ...more
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 characte ...more
I got this eARC from Netgalley in exhange for a honest review
It sounded interesting and i had high expetations when i dove into the book but i don`t know? it had some nice parts espesially the Harry Potter references, i liked that but for most parts i were just bored? the Kleptomaniac parts were suddenly forgotten and idk i thought it was going to have more to the story since the start was heavy with it at the start. But everyone seemed to accsept that she just took things? i found that odd. T ...more
It sounded interesting and i had high expetations when i dove into the book but i don`t know? it had some nice parts espesially the Harry Potter references, i liked that but for most parts i were just bored? the Kleptomaniac parts were suddenly forgotten and idk i thought it was going to have more to the story since the start was heavy with it at the start. But everyone seemed to accsept that she just took things? i found that odd. T ...more
When I read the synopsis, I knew this was going to be like something I've never read before. Alma Underwood is Not a Kleptomaniac hit me in all the feels. This book had me laughing and even in tears and in the end I had such a warm and cozy feeling. I don't think I'll be forgetting about this story anytime soon.
Alma is a kleptomaniac, but maybe not in the way a lot of people are expecting. She works at her parents' motel and when people leave, she collects the things they leave behind. I know th ...more
Alma is a kleptomaniac, but maybe not in the way a lot of people are expecting. She works at her parents' motel and when people leave, she collects the things they leave behind. I know th ...more
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!
Butterfly kisses and tiny violin's. Using Lacey Dailey's words to describe my own emotions while reading this story and how I feel long after reading The End.
I felt the flutters and I heard the symphony all within my soul with every page turn.
This story took me on a journey of love, friendship, grief and acceptance. There's a million more things it taught me but those are a few that matter the most.
Alma Underwood and her whole clan were a crazy bunch to meet but meeting them is one of my happies ...more
I felt the flutters and I heard the symphony all within my soul with every page turn.
This story took me on a journey of love, friendship, grief and acceptance. There's a million more things it taught me but those are a few that matter the most.
Alma Underwood and her whole clan were a crazy bunch to meet but meeting them is one of my happies ...more
Original. Interesting. Heartwarming. Quirky. This is Lacey’s best work yet. She keeps getting better & better with each book. This was such an original storyline & I loved how every one of the characters were written. (Rumor might just be my favorite though) This was such a great read. I know I keep saying the word “original” but that’s the best way to describe Lacey’s writing, her ideas, her books, plots, etc. Just out of the box & I love all of it!
Lacey Dailey did a beautiful job with this story. It's a gorgeous YA, coming-of-age romance with a physically disabled hero and a do-good heroine that was completely hard to resist. It had a whole host of quirky, lovable secondary characters that made you smile and laugh all at the same time.
It was gorgeously done.
Love this quote: "If we increase our speed, we become numb. We lose the difference between having a life and actually living."
Can't wait to read more of her words! ...more
It was gorgeously done.
Love this quote: "If we increase our speed, we become numb. We lose the difference between having a life and actually living."
Can't wait to read more of her words! ...more
First ask yourself, are you ready for the biggest plot twist since Darth Vader revealed he was Luke Skywalker’s father? If not, still proceed because this book is wickedly hilarious!
We start off with Alma, she is such a diverse and interestingly kooky character who has genuinely made me believe there can be happy endings. Alma has the innate ability to find the beauty in objects discarded or left behind by others. She uses this ability to help a homeless boy named Rumor find his mum, his heart a ...more
We start off with Alma, she is such a diverse and interestingly kooky character who has genuinely made me believe there can be happy endings. Alma has the innate ability to find the beauty in objects discarded or left behind by others. She uses this ability to help a homeless boy named Rumor find his mum, his heart a ...more
Alma Underwood is not a kleptomaniac. According to the Mayo Clinic (via Google), kleptomania is "the recurrent inability to resist urges to steal items that you generally don't really need and that usually have little value." And while yes, these items have little value, and no, she doesn't need them, I agree with Alma that it's not stealing if they're abandoned. (Also she feels no guilt afterwards, which is [apparently] a common feature of kleptomania.)
Alma collects lost and abandoned items. Sh ...more
Alma collects lost and abandoned items. Sh ...more
This book was amazing and I loved it so much, as a big reader this doesn't happen very often but as I got stuck into this book it just flowed and I loved the Underwood family and their personalities. The book starts by introducing us to Alma whom her family owns a motel called the Great Lakes and her parents run it, Alma helps clean it and they have Reggie - the "senior intern" at the front desk. Alma loves finding treasures and one day while relaxing in her train car named "Mo" she meets a guy ...more
![Amy [Book Addict Reviews]](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1572307419p2/47676940.jpg)
Alma and Rumor. I can’t explain how much I LOVE these two and their relationship. This story was funny, it was sweet, it was romantic, it was emotional, and it was heartbreaking.
Alma and the whole Underwood family are a crazy bunch. There is so much love and laughter within that family. Alma has a heart of gold and it shows when she finds Rumor and pretty much decides for him that he is her new roommate. Rumor Rawlings. My heart broke for him, I just wanted to give him a hug. He has experienced ...more
Alma and the whole Underwood family are a crazy bunch. There is so much love and laughter within that family. Alma has a heart of gold and it shows when she finds Rumor and pretty much decides for him that he is her new roommate. Rumor Rawlings. My heart broke for him, I just wanted to give him a hug. He has experienced ...more
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 sw ...more
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 sw ...more
I adore Lacey Dailey, but this young adult romance was freaking out of the world. I adored the premise and how EVERYTHING played out.
Alma Underwood is a special soul that any one of use would be better off knowing. Rumor is the exact same though, what a wonderful guy that basically had one hurtle after another and then finally meets that lovely Alma that basically pushes herself inside of his heart.
If you are a fan of wonderful young adult romances, this is 100% your jam! It was a beautiful sto ...more
Alma Underwood is a special soul that any one of use would be better off knowing. Rumor is the exact same though, what a wonderful guy that basically had one hurtle after another and then finally meets that lovely Alma that basically pushes herself inside of his heart.
If you are a fan of wonderful young adult romances, this is 100% your jam! It was a beautiful sto ...more
* 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 ...more
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 ...more
Ever since her debut Lacey Dailey has been blowing me away, so even though I typically shy away from most reads that even hint at being YA related I still knew I couldn’t miss this book. From the intriguing title to the even more intriguing blurb everything about this book stands out from the rest.
Funny, quirky, undeniably sweet and packed with some powerfully moving emotion Alma Underwood Is Not a Kleptomaniac became one of my favorite books of the year almost immediately! Alma and Rumor have ...more
Funny, quirky, undeniably sweet and packed with some powerfully moving emotion Alma Underwood Is Not a Kleptomaniac became one of my favorite books of the year almost immediately! Alma and Rumor have ...more
Alma Underwood is not a kleptomaniac, she doesn't steal, keeps abandoned objects left in her parents motel. One day Alma finds a boy in an old train car at the edge of the field behind the house. Since Alma is a very fiercely caring person, she decides that this boy, Rumor, is now hers to care for and hides him in her bedroom.
Of course the family finds out. Of course the two of them fall in love on the way.
I have to say, I truly liked Alma, but I didn't like this story. It felt a bit disjointe ...more
Of course the family finds out. Of course the two of them fall in love on the way.
I have to say, I truly liked Alma, but I didn't like this story. It felt a bit disjointe ...more
This book is a breath of fresh air. It roped me in and kept me there til the last page.
It’s such a different concept than any other book I’ve read. It tugged on every single heartstring I have. I found myself crying happy and sad tears.
Rumor and Alma have such a connection that is soul deep. They genuinely adore each other and it’s the sweetest thing. I love how the author describes their feelings. It’s unique.
The ending was especially bittersweet but also the perfect conclusion. I’m so happy ...more
It’s such a different concept than any other book I’ve read. It tugged on every single heartstring I have. I found myself crying happy and sad tears.
Rumor and Alma have such a connection that is soul deep. They genuinely adore each other and it’s the sweetest thing. I love how the author describes their feelings. It’s unique.
The ending was especially bittersweet but also the perfect conclusion. I’m so happy ...more
Alma Underwood Is Not A Kleptomaniac by Lacey Dailey is the story of Alma Underwood and Rumor Rawling. Alma is a funny, odd but with a big heart type young heroine. Alma likes to collect things and make write stores up about them. One day she finds Rumor who is out to find his mother which opens up a story about him. This was a sweet funny young romance that I really enjoyed.
What a cute little quirky story! I enjoyed the uniqueness of these words and the little twist and turns the characters went through! Aside from a few parts that lost my attention this was overall a decent story. This is my first time reading Lacey and I’m curious to see what she writes next!
I finished this book a while ago but just now sitting down to review. I loved the character development in this book! Alma is one of my new favorite heroines. Being from a small town in Michigan myself, it was easy for me to visualize the setting and feel the soul of the writing. 5 stars!
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.
4.5
The story gives you feels but it didn't quite make me cry though the romance is very cute. It's nice and there is no real relationship issues like other romances usually do. They're sweet, open, rumour is open about his feelings and is moody but opens his mouth and explains his reasoning ...more
The story gives you feels but it didn't quite make me cry though the romance is very cute. It's nice and there is no real relationship issues like other romances usually do. They're sweet, open, rumour is open about his feelings and is moody but opens his mouth and explains his reasoning ...more
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Readers also enjoyed
The best place to find Lacey is with her nose in a book. She’s a sucker for a good love story and a happy ending that has her swooning. When she’s not obsessing over giving her own characters a happy ending, you can find her in the dance studio empowering young dancers and giving out tons of stickers. Thanks to her mother’s pizzeria, Lacey can make a delicious pizza.
When she’s not putting on her ...more
When she’s not putting on her ...more
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“I'm sorry, Rumor, that the bouquet of roses you showed up with today is next to her resting place instead of in her hands, and I'm sorry that you can't remember the woman you share your eyes with. I'm sorry we're celebrating her life rather than bearing witness to her living it. And although most of us here never knew her, we'll honor her anyway. Because with her, comes you. Sorry isn't enough to bandage the cuts you wear beneath your skin but I hope knowing what you meant to her is.”
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“They start to flow and I wonder if it's the violins and the butterflies mixing. I wonder if that's what love looks like when it's the only thing left to feel.”
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