psylxward's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
marshmallowbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I listened to the audiobook, which was pretty good. It is mostly narrated by one person, although for the transcripts of video described in the book, each character has its own narrator, which I thought was a nice touch.
Overall this book was good, and I felt like it was an interesting way to describe the uphill battle of working through a mental health situation. Audrey is overcoming either anxiety or depression - maybe a combination of the two - and the issues of progress with relapses, taking slow steps, some people just not understanding what is going on, and the ripple effects that go through families and friends, are all touched on. It just scratches the surface, but it's am important topic to cover today. The family members were realistic, and the other things going on in the family reiterated that life goes on even when mental health situations are present.
That said, I do wish more background had been given on the big event that brought Audrey to the point where she donned her dark glasses and needed to be taken out of school. Some names are mentioned, and the term bullying is used once or twice, but I was a little bothered that I didn't really know what had happened in Audrey's past. Not because it was crucial to the story, but it would have helped me understand all the characters a little more. At one point I thought it would be explained, towards the end of the book, when a meeting between one of the former friends is set up, but no details were given even then. I was really bothered by that point because the other girl's parents stated that the situation had deeply effected their daughter too, but that line wasn't followed. It goes to show that bullying - of any type, because the specifics of this scenario were not provided - likely has more than one victim.
As a separate note, I feel like the summary of the story fails to mention a completely different plot line - Audrey's mom's and brother's opposing opinions of computer games - which seemed to come up in almost every chapter. Seeing as how it was a pretty significant sub-plot, from the very opening scene to one of the final settings - it's a little strange it doesn't find it's way at all into the blurb. I do think the book summary upsells the relationship between Audrey and Linus. Yes, there is a little "romance" and yes they exchange some awkward i love yous - although that part seems entirely unrealistic to me because they are like 14-16 years old, and Audrey is just coming out of what seems to have been a fairly devastating anxiety episode - but I didn't really feel the "chemistry" between them escalating to that point. I liked to think of Linus instead as a friend who took the time to meet Audrey on her level, and then support her in her progress toward getting better.
Overall this book was good, and I felt like it was an interesting way to describe the uphill battle of working through a mental health situation. Audrey is overcoming either anxiety or depression - maybe a combination of the two - and the issues of progress with relapses, taking slow steps, some people just not understanding what is going on, and the ripple effects that go through families and friends, are all touched on. It just scratches the surface, but it's am important topic to cover today. The family members were realistic, and the other things going on in the family reiterated that life goes on even when mental health situations are present.
That said, I do wish more background had been given on the big event that brought Audrey to the point where she donned her dark glasses and needed to be taken out of school. Some names are mentioned, and the term bullying is used once or twice, but I was a little bothered that I didn't really know what had happened in Audrey's past. Not because it was crucial to the story, but it would have helped me understand all the characters a little more. At one point I thought it would be explained, towards the end of the book, when a meeting between one of the former friends is set up, but no details were given even then. I was really bothered by that point because the other girl's parents stated that the situation had deeply effected their daughter too, but that line wasn't followed. It goes to show that bullying - of any type, because the specifics of this scenario were not provided - likely has more than one victim.
As a separate note, I feel like the summary of the story fails to mention a completely different plot line - Audrey's mom's and brother's opposing opinions of computer games - which seemed to come up in almost every chapter. Seeing as how it was a pretty significant sub-plot, from the very opening scene to one of the final settings - it's a little strange it doesn't find it's way at all into the blurb. I do think the book summary upsells the relationship between Audrey and Linus. Yes, there is a little "romance" and yes they exchange some awkward i love yous - although that part seems entirely unrealistic to me because they are like 14-16 years old, and Audrey is just coming out of what seems to have been a fairly devastating anxiety episode - but I didn't really feel the "chemistry" between them escalating to that point. I liked to think of Linus instead as a friend who took the time to meet Audrey on her level, and then support her in her progress toward getting better.
heatherinjapan's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A cute quick book! Highly recommend the audiobook. This was another backlist book that I had created an idea of what it would be like over the years of seeing it on my tbr and ended up being completely wrong about.
lizaktzxy's review against another edition
4.0
This book in nutshell: “I’ve been thinking a lot about everything. And I guess Mum was right about the jagged-graphs thing. We’re all on one. Even Frank. Even Mum. Even Felix. I think what I’ve realized is, life is all about climbing up, slipping down, and picking yourself up again. And it doesn’t matter if you slip down. As long as you’re kind of heading more or less upwards. That’s all you can hope for. More or less upwards.”
Excerpt From: Sophie Kinsella. “Finding Audrey.” iBooks.
Excerpt From: Sophie Kinsella. “Finding Audrey.” iBooks.
thereadingcat15's review against another edition
3.0
Full book review if finally up on the blog. Minor rant incoming!
Book review: https://thecatwithabook.wordpress.com/2019/04/13/book-review-finding-audrey/
Book review: https://thecatwithabook.wordpress.com/2019/04/13/book-review-finding-audrey/
camilacadibe's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
The main reason I enjoyed this was Audrey`s family - They were beyond awesome. Love them all. I laughed a lot and felt light and happy while reading it, but I feel like Audrey`s problems were not realistically portrayed, which bothers me. And I didn`t quite feel the romance either (even though I like Linus)
So yeah, I liked the book and wanna read more from the author, but I feel like humour is what she`s great at writting - not something as complicated as mental illness.
The main reason I enjoyed this was Audrey`s family - They were beyond awesome. Love them all. I laughed a lot and felt light and happy while reading it, but I feel like Audrey`s problems were not realistically portrayed, which bothers me. And I didn`t quite feel the romance either (even though I like Linus)
So yeah, I liked the book and wanna read more from the author, but I feel like humour is what she`s great at writting - not something as complicated as mental illness.
booknookie's review against another edition
3.0
You can read more of my reviews at my blog The Book Chick.
It was…. okay, it was cute and sweet. A little funny, a lot heartwarming and a quick read. Something nice to occupy my mind with after the mind blowing good horror/thriller and mind blowing bad chick lit book I recently read. It takes on a serious topic and also gives the reader a true and honest look into a young girls life while living with depression and anxiety. When I was a teenager, I had a lot of trouble with the same. I truly understands how it is and how bad it can be and how hard it can effect a family. But I also understands and knows that it isn't the end of the world, you can get better, at least I did and life is worth fighting for. Kinsella did a great job with describing the feelings and actions in Audrey's life. The one thing that bugged me the most was the whole Linus relationship. But that I can't go into in detail without spoiling the story, so we will leave it at that.
The book is about Audrey who have a really ruff time and suffers from some severe anxiety. She is a young teenager who lives with her "crazy" family somewhere in England (can't remember where). She has no friends, do not go to school and goes to therapy once a week. What I love the most about the book is the family. They are loud and obnoxious but still a family who loves and would die for each other. I love the mother and her "old" ways of handling the family and the father who reminds me so much of Arthur Weasley (from Harry Potter series). I could really picture him in my mind. I love young Felix and his ways of playing messenger between Audrey and Linus oh and Frank. Come on, you got to love Frank. He is like the typical, modern teenager and so lovable. They all have their own character, traits and quirks and Kinsella has as always done a great job with describing her characters and I find no fault here.
I did like the book but didn't love it. I find this whole "teenage love angst" a little too much over the top and I think i'm starting to get to old for that. And I also find the book a little too short and would have love to have some real confrontation or emotions not only from Audrey but other characters to. It is a hard topic to write about and I do think Kinsella tried to steer away so it wouldn't be sad and depressing. But too much happy, happy, fluffy stuff, just makes it unrealistic. But maybe that is just me since I have personal experience and to this day still struggles with anxiety.
So over all a good story, quick and easy. But don't go and expect to get to know what happened to Audrey, because that mystery is never revealed. You get hints and can pretty much build your own story from it, but it bugs me that I never got to know what "really" happened.
It was…. okay, it was cute and sweet. A little funny, a lot heartwarming and a quick read. Something nice to occupy my mind with after the mind blowing good horror/thriller and mind blowing bad chick lit book I recently read. It takes on a serious topic and also gives the reader a true and honest look into a young girls life while living with depression and anxiety. When I was a teenager, I had a lot of trouble with the same. I truly understands how it is and how bad it can be and how hard it can effect a family. But I also understands and knows that it isn't the end of the world, you can get better, at least I did and life is worth fighting for. Kinsella did a great job with describing the feelings and actions in Audrey's life. The one thing that bugged me the most was the whole Linus relationship. But that I can't go into in detail without spoiling the story, so we will leave it at that.
The book is about Audrey who have a really ruff time and suffers from some severe anxiety. She is a young teenager who lives with her "crazy" family somewhere in England (can't remember where). She has no friends, do not go to school and goes to therapy once a week. What I love the most about the book is the family. They are loud and obnoxious but still a family who loves and would die for each other. I love the mother and her "old" ways of handling the family and the father who reminds me so much of Arthur Weasley (from Harry Potter series). I could really picture him in my mind. I love young Felix and his ways of playing messenger between Audrey and Linus oh and Frank. Come on, you got to love Frank. He is like the typical, modern teenager and so lovable. They all have their own character, traits and quirks and Kinsella has as always done a great job with describing her characters and I find no fault here.
I did like the book but didn't love it. I find this whole "teenage love angst" a little too much over the top and I think i'm starting to get to old for that. And I also find the book a little too short and would have love to have some real confrontation or emotions not only from Audrey but other characters to. It is a hard topic to write about and I do think Kinsella tried to steer away so it wouldn't be sad and depressing. But too much happy, happy, fluffy stuff, just makes it unrealistic. But maybe that is just me since I have personal experience and to this day still struggles with anxiety.
So over all a good story, quick and easy. But don't go and expect to get to know what happened to Audrey, because that mystery is never revealed. You get hints and can pretty much build your own story from it, but it bugs me that I never got to know what "really" happened.
ashfantastic98's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rockbison's review against another edition
5.0
It's so clichê, but at the same time, so cute and I wanna pet Audrey and maybe put her in a jar she just so 'sweet cinnamon roll too precious for this world'-like and idk what to do with all this overreacting of mine over this book.
planningwithtj2320's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0