5 Reasons You Should Read Finding Audrey (+ giveaway!)

June 8, 2015 2015, giveaway, realistic fiction, Wendy 46

finding audrey

Pick up any Sophie Kinsella novel and you’re practically guaranteed to dissolve into a fit of giggles as you read it. I’ve enjoyed the author’s standalone adult novels (and I’m looking forward to reading the Shopaholic books sometime), so I was excited to hear she venturing into YA for the first time with Finding Audrey.

As part of the official blog tour for the book, I’m offering up 5 reasons why you should read the book–plus we have a fun giveaway, too!

finding audrey blog tour

Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella

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.

Finding Audrey will be available in stores and online on June 9th, 2015.

vine-divider-final5 Reasons You Should Read Finding Audrey

5. It’ll make you laugh. Kinsella’s fizzy dialogue and humorous prose will put a smile on your face from practically beginning to end. This is the perfect book to read when you need a light-hearted pick-me-up, and the story gets funnier and funnier as it goes along.

4. You’ll love it if you’re an Anglophile. Do you love all things British? Our U.S. publisher hasn’t rid this story of its English roots (as sometimes happens with MG/YA from overseas), so it still feels delightfully fresh in its energy and enthusiasm and style. Plus there are references to Pizza Express, Nutella toast, and she calls her mom “Mum!” Most YA novels that we see published here are set in white, middle-class America, so it’s nice to read something in a different “voice.” I’d love to see more Kinsella and Sarra Manning YA, and surely there are other talented non-U.S. writers who have coming of age stories in them.

3. It portrays therapy in a positive, non-threatening way. Audrey sees “Dr. Sarah” for her anxiety, and this relationship is written in a solidly matter-of-fact way, which is not something we see that often.  I wish we better understood the causes and treatment of Audrey’s anxiety disorder better (even within the context of a comedic story), but I do appreciate the regularity of the therapy routine, as well as the confidence and self-exploration it instills in Audrey.

FullSizeRender

2. The secondary characters are great. We might spend a little too much time with Audrey’s Mum and brother for my taste, but I quite liked how their story arcs go in the end, as well as Audrey’s realization of what her family has done for her. Aside from one group of mean girls that we don’t spend much time with, the book’s actually filled with very positive, quirky characters.

1. The romance is super, super adorable. This is where I would be writing in hot pink pen and putting little hearts to dot my Is if I were writing a book report for school. This has one of the cutest (and most unconventional) first kisses I’ve ever read, as well as one of the sweetest hand-holding scenes. Because Audrey has all these anxiety issues, she and Linus have to take things even more slowly than usual, and his endearing patience and ingenuity with her made me coo lovingly at all the scenes he was in.finding audreyI will say that it took me a little while to get into the book at first, because it’s almost a little too madcap in the beginning, and there’s a long-winded side story involving Audrey’s brother and his banishment from playing video games that isn’t quite as funny as it’s supposed to be. But once the story gets going (and I have to admit, once Linus shows up and starts talking to Audrey and being adorable all over the place), I was pretty charmed. If any of the 5 points I made above appeal to you, I’d say it’s definitely worth checking out!

I also think it’s great to have more of these YA novels that are immensely readable if you’re an adult, but are also age-appropriate and appealing to younger readers in the YA spectrum. I hope we’ll see more Kinsella YA in the future.

vine-divider-finalWin a Finding Audrey hardback + coffee sleeve!

Thanks to our friends at Delacorte Press, we have a hardcover copy of the book to offer one of our readers, along with a cute sleeve for your coffee. Look at the Audrey + Linus cups on it! Awwww. There are a few important scenes that take place in a Starbucks, so it’ll totally make sense when you read it.

All you have to do is leave a thoughtful comment below telling us why you’d like to have a copy of the book, and fill out the Rafflecopter form. Open to US residents aged 18 and up, or 13 and up with parental permission. See entry form for complete details. Good luck!

finding audrey giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review and giveaway copies were provided by the publisher. Photographs/graphics by Wendy and the publisher.

vine-divider-finalSo are you a Sophie Kinsella fan already…or are you ready to become one?

Wendy signature teal

 

 

 

Related Posts

46 Responses to “5 Reasons You Should Read Finding Audrey (+ giveaway!)”

  1. Ellen Mae Barrientos

    I myself is a fan of sophie Kinsella.so this book is on my list of books to be red.

  2. Carol

    I’m really looking forward to this book, I loved all of Kinsella’s adult books, especially “Can You Keep A Secret”, so I was very excited to learn that she was writing a YA book! And it got a lot of good reviews! I already know I’ll be laughing out loud!

  3. Hillary Pena

    So far i hate read some of Sophie Kinsella books and i am very excited to read this specific book!! So far i have heard that this book has great transition words and has very funny words.

  4. Hillary

    I would really like to read this book. First of all i have heard great comments about this book. In my opinion i think “Finding Audrey” will be an incredible book to read. Not did I hear that its fantastic but that it is a very hilarious book and romantic. If i had the opportunity to read this book i would read it non-stop!

  5. Guadalupe C

    I’ve been wanting to read something by Sophie Kinsella for a while now and for me this seems like the perfect book to read! As someone who struggles with an anxiety disorder, I love to see when books have positive characters with anxiety, as opposed to really negative characters who are waiting for someone to save them. I’m really excited for this book!

  11. Thomas

    I have not read anything by Sophie Kinsella before, but this review makes me inclined to! As an aspiring clinical psychologist, the positive portrayal of therapy already sets this book ahead of many others, and I am glad that there was a balance between the protagonist’s growth and the romantic element of the story. Wonderful review as always, Wendy, and cute graphics to go along with your on-point prose.
    Thomas recently posted…Night Falls Fast: Understanding Suicide by Kay Redfield Jamison

  14. Chelsea Hatfield

    I am excited to read this because I have been struggling with similar issues to Audrey and I think this book will be a fun and eye-opening experience. Not to mention all of the amazing things I have heard about it! (:

  15. Haraiah

    I haven’t read anything by Sophie Kinsella yet but I see her books all the time and I’ve wanted to read her Shopaholic series forever. Well, I change my mind. I’m starting with Finding Audrey. And as soon as possible. It sounds like something I’m going to enjoy and love.
    Haraiah recently posted…Underrated Genre: Steampunk

  17. Sui Generis

    Well, I am very excited to read this book because I love all the books written by Sophie Kinsella and I’ve a huge collection of it. I know for a fact that this one won’t disappoint my expectation, too!

  18. Alexa S.

    Finding Audrey was indeed delightful! Kinsella’s humor and writing style translates effortlessly into her first YA novel, and I definitely hope she writes more. I do agree that I wish we had known a little more about the background of Audrey’s anxiety. But it was really good otherwise!
    Alexa S. recently posted…The Lexie Project: On BFFs

  20. Keertana @ Ivy Book Bindings

    I adore Sophie Kinsella and though I wasn’t completely sold on the idea of her entering the YA genre, I’m so glad it was a success! I can’t wait to read this because if there’s anything I can expect from her, it’s laughs and swoons which is exactly what I’m looking for in the summertime. Wonderful review, Wendy–thanks for convincing me to give this one a try! :)
    Keertana @ Ivy Book Bindings recently posted…Review: Uprooted by Naomi Novik

  22. Rashika

    I’ve read two of Kinsella’s adult standalones and while I wasn’t blown away by them, I thought they were cute so when I found out she was writing YA, I was definitely curious.

    I AM SO HAPPY TO HEAR that therapy is portrayed in a positive way in the novel. I feel like that just not a common enough occurrence in YA. I feel like therapists are always looked down upon in YA when in real life, they are not nearly as awful as they are made out to be so I like hearing that that was done well.

    BUT ALSO, CUTE ROMANCE. I love that the first kiss in unconventional and I am really just liking the sound of the romance!! :)

    I am glad that even if there were some things that didn’t work as well for you, you were able to enjoy the book! :)

    Fabulous list, Wendy and thank you for the giveaway!! :)
    Rashika recently posted…ARC Review: A Murder of Mages by Marshall Ryan Maresca

  23. Alexis

    I’m excited to read this because I also have anxiety.

  25. Chrystal

    This is the kind of post that will make me read a book. LOVE IT. I’m off to add this to my wishlist now. I’ve seen it around, read the synopsis, but still wasn’t sure. Your thoughts and list have made it clear that this will be a good summer read! CHEERS!

  26. Carina Olsen

    This post is gorgeous Wendy :D So thrilled you loved this book. <3 You make it sound so cute. YAY for adorable romance too :D And the cover is so pretty. But not a book for me, not yet :p But hopefully sometime :D Thank you for sharing your amazing thoughts about it sweetie. <3
    Carina Olsen recently posted…Cress Tuesday #85

  27. Suzy

    I love Sophie’s adult books and am so thrilled she’s now venturing into the YA world. Yay Sophie!

  28. A Canadian Girl

    This sounds really cute, Wendy, and I like that therapy is portrayed in a positive manner. I just read Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone and it too had therapy portrayed positively. I really like that we’re starting to see more books featuring mental health issues and trying to normalize therapy.
    A Canadian Girl recently posted…Author Interview: Sarah Alderson (and Giveaway)

  32. J. Oh

    Aww, this sounds like it’s totally up my alley. (Kinsella has also caught my eye recently, even with adult fiction, which I don’t often read. I haven’t read her yet, but plan to!) I love sweet, slow romance, and lighthearted, funny stories. Hoping this one will be a fave :)

  33. Brenda

    Love that list of reasons and the romance does sound adorably sweet. Going to add this to my TBR list, thank you for the lovely review.

  34. Alicia

    I’m really excited to read this because I love Sophie’s books and have been reading them since I was a teenager. Also, I also have anxiety and had to have thearpy in high school, so I’m interested to see how it is protrayed.

  35. Caitlin

    This sounds amazing! I loved the Shopaholic series so I’m definitely interested in seeing how she done writing YA. It’s amazing to see a book that mentions British things in a non-stereotypical way! There’s nothing worse than reading a book set in Britain that’s filled with clichés, especially when I’m from England so I know how ridiculous they are. It’ll also be interesting to read a book with a MC with anxiety where it’s not the main topic. Loved the review!
    Caitlin recently posted…Review: Through the Woods by Emily Carroll

  36. BSheff

    I’ve been a fan of Sophie Kinsella from the beginning! I’ve read all of her books, even the ones under her separate pen name. I’m so excited to read this one!

  39. Kaitlyn

    I am excited to read this book because I have heard such positive things about it!

  40. Andrea H

    Sophie Kinsella is one of my favorite authors and I’m really looking forward to reading this book, especially since I’ve been dealing with anxiety for four years now.

  41. anne

    This book sounds captivating and special. Thanks for this great feature and wonderful giveaway.

  43. Emma @ Miss Print

    I was first drawn to this book for the cover but the five reasons listed here make it sound even better. I’m getting major Ruby Oliver vibes so I’m pretty excited!
    Emma @ Miss Print recently posted…BEA 2015: The Books

  45. Sarah

    What a good cover! I’d like this one, because like you, I love all things British!