Title: Finding Audrey
Author: Sophie Kinsella
Publisher: Delacorte Press (Penguin Random House)
Release Date: June 9, 2015
Acquired Via: Publisher
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Shopaholic series comes a terrific blend of comedy, romance, and psychological recovery in a contemporary YA novel sure to inspire and entertain.
An anxiety disorder disrupts fourteen-year-old Audrey’s daily life. She has been making slow but steady progress with Dr. Sarah, but when Audrey meets Linus, her brother’s gaming teammate, she is energized. She connects with him. Audrey can talk through her fears with Linus in a way she’s never been able to do with anyone before. As their friendship deepens and her recovery gains momentum, a sweet romantic connection develops, one that helps not just Audrey but also her entire family.
My Review
When I received my review copy of Sophie Kinsella's Finding Audrey, I thought I would be reading a light-hearted, romantic comedy. (I haven't read any of Kinsella's other work, but I have friends who have.) I didn't even read the synopsis before starting because I was interested in giving the book a try.
While there were light-hearted and romantic parts of Finding Audrey, it was most definitely a book about the consequences of bullying and how a young girl had to find her way back to herself after being the victim of a severe incident. The book also focused on the Audrey's family, who played a pretty big role in her recovery, and her brother's friend Linus, who helped push her back on the road to recovery.
I really loved how Kinsella portrayed Audrey and her family. None of them were perfect, and it was the flaws that made them all so lovable. Audrey's tabloid-obsessed mum (yes, it's set in Great Britain) gets it in her head that her oldest son, Frank, is addicted to computer games (he is), and her dad just goes along with nearly anything that Audrey's mum says. I thought the mother's antics were hilarious when it came to Frank's computer, and I'm a little bit on her side. Felix, the four-year-old little brother, was super cute, and brought more lightness to Finding Audrey with his four-year-old antics.
The relationship between Linus and Audrey moved slow and was believable. He would be allowed to date my daughter because though he pushed her outside of her comfort zone, it was for her recovery not his nefarious boy goals. I totally bought that he cared a great deal about her, and their scenes together was really sweet.
What I liked most about Finding Audrey was that the bullying incident was only alluded to and not described in detail. It drove me crazy in the beginning of the novel because I wanted to know what happened to her, but by the end, I realized that it didn't matter. As a stranger, it's none of my business what happened to Audrey, and she has a right to privacy. I was just glad that I got to read about how she dealt with her trauma, along with her family, and watch her improve.
I think Finding Audrey is a great book for young adults - older and younger - and adults. The book is extremely funny, and I think there is something in it that everyone can enjoy. Even if you've never read Kinsella's in the past (like me), I think you'll be a fan after Finding Audrey.
Buy Links
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Fishpond
Google Play | iTunes | Kobo
About the Author
 |
| Photo Credit: John Swannell |
Sophie Kinsella is the author of the bestselling Shopaholic series, as well as the novels Can You Keep A Secret?, The Undomestic Goddess, Remember Me?, Twenties Girl, I’ve Got Your Number, and Wedding Night. She lives in England.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Follow the Tour
Crossroad Reviews
Me, My Shelf, and I
June 2nd
Read.Breath.Relax
Fangirlish
June 3rd
Bookhounds YA
Winterhaven Books
June 4th
Alice Marvels
Once Upon A Twilight
June 5th
Jessabella Reads
Fiktshun
June 6th
The Reader Bee
Katie's Book Blog
June 7th
Reviews Coming at YA
Babbling About Books And More!
June 8th
Jenn's Bookshelves
The Midnight Garden
June 9th
Teenreads
The Book Addicts Guide
June 10th
Tales of the Ravenous Reader
Candace's Book Blog
June 11th
Librarian's Picks
Addicted Readers
June 12th
Mostly YA Book Obsessed
A Midsummer Night's Read
June 13th
Lost in Literature
The Young Folks
June 14th
No More Grumpy Bookseller
Bibliophilia, Please
June 15th
Silver's Reviews
Peace.Love.Books
Giveaway
Thanks to our friends at Penguin Random House, I have a finished copy of Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella up for grabs for one lucky winner.
US Only
Ends at 12:01am CST on July 29th
a Rafflecopter giveaway
To satisfy FTC guidelines, I am disclosing that I received an advance copy of the novel from the publisher through in exchange for an unbiased review. It has in no way affected the outcome. All expressed opinions are awesome, honest, and courtesy of me.
Thanks for this wonderful feature and great giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeletenice review
ReplyDelete