Chloe Mitchell, a Los Angeles girl on a quest to find love for her autistic sister Ivy.  Ethan, from Ivy’s class, seems like the perfect match. It’s unfortunate that his older brother, David, is one of Chloe’s least favorite people, but Chloe can deal, especially when she realizes that David is just as devoted to Ethan as she is to Ivy. Uncommonly honest and refreshingly funny, this is a story about sisterhood, autism, and first love. Chloe, Ivy, David, and Ethan, who form a quirky and lovable circle, will steal readers’ hearts and remind us all that it’s okay to be a different kind of normal.

Things I Should Have known is the story of Chloe a popular, self-assured, teen that I found really realistic and true to herself even though she has some flaws, I want flawed truthful characters I want real life things that are annoying but also truthful and that’s what I got with Chloe.

After Ivy starts asking questions about Chloes relationship Chloe decides to have a look into Ivy’s class and scopes out the potential more than friend for her sister.

Ivy has Autism, she has trouble identifying facial cues or responding to social situations the “right” way but as she is 20 and has been in school learning these things she’s not incapable just has to think about things a bit more before she acts, liking shaking someones hand or introducing people.

Ethan the boy Chloe has deemed “perfect” for her sister is better in social situations and doesn’t self stimulate as much as Ivy unless he’s really anxious or upset.

After arranging to take Ivy on her date with Ethan she realises his brother is the sullen, moody boy from school that always corrects her in english and seems to love to argue with her.

Chloe and David put their differences aside and become friends from being able to talk about having a sibling with autism and having someone who just gets it.

I loved Chloe’s confidence and that she was one of the popular kids, the thing that wanted to make me shake her was her acceptation of people being nasty or wrong on subjects and not sticking up for the things she believed in or correcting anyone.

David was my favourite character he’s more like me when it comes to my Brother, he’ll address people who are making snide comments or staring, he’ll correct you when your wrong and defend his brother with everything.

The portrayal of being a sibling of Autism was authentic and hit close to home, yes it can be annoying and frustrating but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

A lot of the stigma that surrounds Autism is shown and I loved a line from David, it’s like the author reached into my brain and wrote what I couldn’t form into words:

I loved David and Chloe discussing their future with their siblings, having a dependent sibling makes you look at life and think what will I do when we’re older, how will I stay and help my parents? What happens when my parents aren’t here anymore? It’s a big decision and David and Chloe experiencing those feelings in the book made me connect to them.

I appreciated the Author showing us Ivy’s story as I haven’t read much about Autism in girls, it’s a subject that isn’t spoken about as much as Austism in boys so I really loved the inclusion. 

This book come out next week on March 27th A day after my birthday eeeeeeeeeee and I can’t wait to get my hands on a finished copy!

5/5 stars and I highly recommend this book! Thank you to the publishers and net galley for a free e-copy in exchange for an honest review