Finding Audrey
Author: Sophie Kinsella
Series: None
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Release Date: June 9, 2015
Publisher: Delacorte Books
Summary:
Audrey loves her family, even if they are a bit off-the-wall. When Audrey develops an anxiety disorder as a result of an unpleasant incident, her family is there to help. Audrey now wears dark glasses whenever she feels the need to protect herself, but she’s also making slow but steady progress with Dr. Sarah.
Then Audrey meets Linus, her brother’s gaming teammate, and she is energized. She 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.
With her genuine gift for comic writing, Sophie Kinsella blends comedy, romance, and psychological insight in this contemporary YA novel sure to inspire and delight.
First Sentence: OMG, Mum’s gone insane.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
My Review:
I was super excited for Finding Audrey. No, I wasn’t excited for it because I’ve read and love Sophie Kinsella’s other books – Finding Audrey is actually my first Sophie Kinsella book – but because there was so much buzz surrounding Finding Audrey and how Sophie Kinsella was now writing a Young Adult book. I’m very sad to say after reading Finding Audrey, I was a tad bit disappointed, probably because my expectations for it was sky high due to all the buzz the book got.
Do you feel like a failure? Very much.
Do you ever wish you didn’t exist? Very much. (ARC 25)
For me, one of the downfalls of Finding Audrey was the romance. Don’t get me wrong, Linus is awesome. Amazing. Inspiring. He supports Audrey through her anxiety and doesn’t disappear when things get tough. He tries, he inspires her to try, and he’s a positive influence in her life. I definitely wish Linus is a real person. However, I just didn’t feel the romance between Audrey and Linus. I felt no sparks, no chemistry, nothing besides friendship vibes between them, which is sad. Even when their relationship got going, I felt no sparks.
I also just couldn’t connect with Finding Audrey. I loved learning more about Audrey’s anxiety disorder, what caused it (it wasn’t exactly explained, but something you concluded from all the hints), and watching her slowly heal from it, but I was also bored reading about it at the same time. Even the sometimes laugh out loud moments didn’t help me feel any less bored for the story. While reading Finding Audrey, a part of my mind couldn’t help but think when will I finish reading this book?
“I hear you.” Mum nods, “I hear you, Frank. I can see your point if view, It’s valid.”
“I don’t have a point of view!” Frank snaps. “And stop sayong ‘I hear you.'”
“Mum read a book,” I tell him. “It’s called How to Talk to Your Teens.” (ARC 140)
I really loved the direction Sophie Kinsella went with dealing with Audrey’s anxiety disorder though. Kinsella managed to include information about what anxiety disorder was and the symptoms of it without using any info-dump or making it feel like she was lecturing you about it. I love how informative Finding Audrey was and how it shines light on anxiety in a positive way.
Overall, although Finding Audrey has its positive points, there were some disappointing aspects in the book too. However, I’m sure Sophie Kinsella fans would adore and love this one!
I’ve read a couple of Kinsella’s books and liked them but I’m not so sure about this YA one. Too bad they didn’t have chemistry :S
Gaby recently posted…Book Review: The Chance by Robyn Carr
I’ve never actually read a Sophie Kinsella book though everyone raves about this author. To be honest, I am not entirely sure if I am interested in reading her novels because I am not a die-hard contemporary fan and books that have romance deeply rooted in their core drown me most of the times. I am so sorry that this one was disappointing for you. I know I hate to be let down by a book I was expecting to love! Awesome review as always, Kelly! :)
Laquesha @ We’re All Bookish Here recently posted…Stacking the Shelves (9): THE ATTACK OF THE BENDIES!
Sorry that you ended up disappointed with this one… I haven’t read any of her books and actually, never heard of this one until this review, Finding Audrey does sound interesting! Nice review :) Have a great day!
Brianna @ Otakutwins Reviews recently posted…What Book Should You Read- Summer Adventure! Quiz #2
So sorry you didn’t like this. I loved it. Probably because I was able to understand some of the anxiety bits without needing more, because of suffering from some anxiety issues myself. Great review though!
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature) recently posted…Audiobook Review: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
I haven’t read any Sophie Kinsella books yet, but I must admit I was a bit excited for this one. Mainly because I heard that the main character suffered from anxiety and that’s something I never never pass up on in books. I think I’ll give it a try and see if I like it! Although I will lower my expectations just a bit. :)
Great review, Kelly!
Sophie @ Seamless Reader recently posted…Feature and Follow Friday #7 {Tattoos}
Aw, I’m so sorry that this book was disappointing sweetie :( That is never any fun. But yay for still liking some parts of it :) I do think it seem pretty cute. But think I wouldn’t enjoy some things either, sigh. So not a book for me :) Thank you for sharing your thoughts about it Kelly. <3
Carina Olsen recently posted…Cress Tuesday #87
Weeeellll…i haven’t read any book from Sophie Kinsella yet…but i have seen them around a lot, and it’s good she is venturing into YA also. But not sure i will be picking this one up any time soon. I am still high from meeting Leigh Bardugo in person last weekend! YAY!
Hmm, I was excited to learn that Kinsella had a new book out, but did not realize it was a YA, which I’ve drifted away from over the last couple of years. But I like all of Kinsella’s books, and I especially love her books written under the name Madeleine Wickham.
Is it bad that I’ve never read one of Sophie Kinsella’s books before? I’ll have to change that. I like that this shines a positive light on anxiety disorders, especially since a close friend if mine suffers from it; I’ll have to check this book out, I suppose!
Gabs @ My Full Bookshelf recently posted…Review: Survival Strategies of the Almost Brave by Jen White
I’ve never heard of Sophie Kinsella or Finding Audrey…I wonder why? But it definitely got a little bit more of my interest when you said that the story explains what anxiety disorder is. That’s one subject I’m not scared to learn more about. Though it’s disappointing that the romance in the story isn’t really like a romance when the characters are stuck with the feeling of being friends only. Hopefully I get to read this one soon!~
I haven’t actually read any Sophie Kinsella books, so I’m a bit iffy about picking this book up. Your review helped me in some ways. I’m still somewhere in between considering it or ignoring it.
Allana recently posted…Book Review: The Fold
I haven’t read this book, actually I’m not really a contemporary reader, but the idea of anxiety disorder caused me to add it to my TBR. I’m sorry that you didn’t connect with the story! If you haven’t already read it I would recommend reading “Every Last Word” by Tamara Ireland-Stone. I loved it!
interesting type of heroine; not sure about this book
I’m a big fan of Sophie ever since and I admit that this book is not as good as the previous ones she wrote.
I just realized that not all main characters who are created to be in romantic relationship kind of way can have that kind of “spark”. I have been reading in my phone, books that I can download (unfortunately, cannot buy(sigh TT_TT)) and I’ve met many characters who have that kind of something you know… when I read Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me series, I can’t help but not dislike WARNER although at some point he did unexplainable things at first. But I can’t seem to hate him. And then when we realized that he’s not really a bad guy, and when he opened up to Juliette, all feels break loose. And I was in the land of magnificent rainbows I could cry all day TT_TT ♥ I’ll try to find this book and give it a shot. Thank you for giving a wonderful honest review!!!
I thought, when I first heard about this, that it was something completely different than what it is. I guess that happens when you go by a title, and not the synopsis. I am looking forward to at least giving it a shot now, even though I am a little concerned I won’t connect!
Jaime Lester recently posted…Jaime Reviews ~ The Stars Never Rise by Rachel Vincent
I love all the Sophie Kinsella adult books I’ve read so far, so I’m a little disappointed that you didn’t like this one and only gave it 3 stars. I was hoping it was going to be a great read, but now I’m a little hesitant to read it. I will eventually, but maybe I’ll move it farther down my TBR list. Maybe it has something to do with it being YA and she’s not used to writing those types of characters. Thanks for your insightful review!
Nicole @ Boundless Bookaholic recently posted…The Lunar Chronicles (Re)Read Along Sign Up Post
Hmm…I get your drift, I recently read this book too and thought there were a few area’s where Sophie could improve on, like how did she get the disorder? What happened at the school specifically that she started to wear sunglasses and avoid staring at people’s eyes? These are the kind of things as a reader I would have liked to know, don’t get me wrong the storyline and message was great but there could have been a few adjustments and tweaks here and there. I agree on the romance part, there was not much to begin with. I thought it was kind of fast for Audrey to start kissing him when they started the contact with shoes, thumb and next thing you know they are kissing? Lol
I also wish there was more depth to the characters, I have read some of Sophie’s other books (I’ve got your number is one of my fav!) and totally recommend giving her a books a try :) But that passion, depth, emotion, intensity I saw in other books I felt like it was missing here! :( But generally, a great read! :)
Book Lover recently posted…Book Blitz: Destroying Angel
I’m a huge fan of Sophie’s other books, so I was super pumped to read this one too. And while I did like it, I can totally get what you mean about the romance. I think her romances work better in her adult books. This one was really cute either way though!
Jen K recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday: When We Collided
I’m excited to read this one as a part of booktube’s booksplosion book of the month thing. I hope I like it!
I really want to read this book! First of all the cover is super cute. I’ve also heard good things about it so I’m hoping to read it soon and actually enjoy it!
I’ve read this too recently. I loved this book because of Kinsella’s sense of humor. I really had fun reading it. But, I must agree with you with what you said about Linus. He and Audrey don’t have chemistry, they’re like “just friends”. Also, I am really confused what caused Audrey’s anxiety disorder. It’s so vague. I know Izzy and that bitchy girl caused that disorder but HOW?? I am left with question marks upon finishing the book. Anyway, it was a fun read.
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