moonbites's review against another edition
4.0
This is a 3.5 rating rounded up because the ending had me grinning like a love sick fool. The cute factor was off the charts with this one, while balancing a good sense of angst and psychological issues.
Not usually one to read contemporary, but I got the audiobook, gave it a try and couldn't stop. The narration was great and the story made me laugh and get girly little giggle fits. While, providing a story about perseverance and love.
Would recommend this book to anyone who likes contemporary and highly recommend the audiobook!
Not usually one to read contemporary, but I got the audiobook, gave it a try and couldn't stop. The narration was great and the story made me laugh and get girly little giggle fits. While, providing a story about perseverance and love.
Would recommend this book to anyone who likes contemporary and highly recommend the audiobook!
charlee_12's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-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
3.5
everbluem's review against another edition
5.0
I was expecting something somewhat light bc I know she’s a romance comedy writer and the MC is younger than me so I expected it to feel juvenile, but her thoughts and behavior about her anxiety really made me feel seen.
It never goes into the trauma itself and there are other books that are more recommended than this for mental health or anxiety, but something about how it wasn’t a dark or intense read actually made it easier for me to absorb. Made me focus more on her behavior and thoughts. And maybe the fact the she’s innocent and naive made it more relatable for me, because while I have so much respect for those strong female leads who’ve grown tough and independent from their past, that just doesn’t feel like me.
A lot of her thoughts were really spot on with my own anxiety and I really appreciated the discussions included with her therapist. They were similar to things I’ve heard before which made me process things about myself better or reaffirmed things that I already knew.
And aside from one or two moments of frustration and saying hurtful things because of it, her male interest was SO patient with her, even if he didn’t really understand. Made me rethink all those times I felt misunderstood and judged by those I loved and how deeply I wished they were half as understanding with me as he was with her. Her family also isn’t perfect but they do earnestly try and you can tell everything is coming from a place of love, it’s really touching. It’s definitely a juvenile read though, which I don’t mind but I know might not be for everyone.
For anybody curious, basically Audrey has developed anxiety and has trouble interacting with people, specifically looking into their eyes. So she’s been out of school for a bit and has taken to wearing sunglasses almost 24/7. I assume the title refers to her feeling lost.
(Comment repost - originally posted on Reddit. Figured might as well leave a review to support)
It never goes into the trauma itself and there are other books that are more recommended than this for mental health or anxiety, but something about how it wasn’t a dark or intense read actually made it easier for me to absorb. Made me focus more on her behavior and thoughts. And maybe the fact the she’s innocent and naive made it more relatable for me, because while I have so much respect for those strong female leads who’ve grown tough and independent from their past, that just doesn’t feel like me.
A lot of her thoughts were really spot on with my own anxiety and I really appreciated the discussions included with her therapist. They were similar to things I’ve heard before which made me process things about myself better or reaffirmed things that I already knew.
And aside from one or two moments of frustration and saying hurtful things because of it, her male interest was SO patient with her, even if he didn’t really understand. Made me rethink all those times I felt misunderstood and judged by those I loved and how deeply I wished they were half as understanding with me as he was with her. Her family also isn’t perfect but they do earnestly try and you can tell everything is coming from a place of love, it’s really touching. It’s definitely a juvenile read though, which I don’t mind but I know might not be for everyone.
For anybody curious, basically Audrey has developed anxiety and has trouble interacting with people, specifically looking into their eyes. So she’s been out of school for a bit and has taken to wearing sunglasses almost 24/7. I assume the title refers to her feeling lost.
(Comment repost - originally posted on Reddit. Figured might as well leave a review to support)
cd1310's review against another edition
5.0
This book nailed anxiety on the head!! How it changes the way you live, how you connect with people, how it makes you freaking feel. I hope everyone who suffers from anxiety gets the chance to read this book. I started and finished it on the bus home to a family much like Audrey's (minus the Felix) and was laughing out loud. Highly recommend.
danicamidlil's review against another edition
5.0
Audiobook was wonderful.
If you have dealt with anxiety issues in your life, you should read this book!
If you have never had to deal with anxiety issues (I envy you), you should still read this book!
Audrey's voice runs through the book, so we are privy to her internal monologue and are able to truly experience her mental state. Through the context of her quirky family, we come to learn what life is like for Audrey after a traumatic time at her old high school. Even though the issues she is dealing with are hardly funny, everyday life for her family continues around her recovery and they are a lively bunch, so the book was filled with humor. It was the perfect mix of absurd family drama and realistic teen angst to still be entertaining to audiences.
If you have dealt with anxiety issues in your life, you should read this book!
If you have never had to deal with anxiety issues (I envy you), you should still read this book!
Audrey's voice runs through the book, so we are privy to her internal monologue and are able to truly experience her mental state. Through the context of her quirky family, we come to learn what life is like for Audrey after a traumatic time at her old high school. Even though the issues she is dealing with are hardly funny, everyday life for her family continues around her recovery and they are a lively bunch, so the book was filled with humor. It was the perfect mix of absurd family drama and realistic teen angst to still be entertaining to audiences.
graceburts's review against another edition
2.0
This is the worst book I’ve ever read.
Okay, objectively I know that I’ve read much worse books. The writing and plot of this book are not the worst I’ve ever read and it’s readable unlike some other books I’ve read but I didn’t hate those as much as I hate this. I hate this book. And yes, I know hate is a strong word and I shouldn’t waste my energy on hating a book when that energy could go to reading books that I will end up loving but this book hurt me. This book offended me so deeply and there’s no other word to use. I hate it. I hate the way it’s made me feel.
Finding Audrey is about a girl who is so crippled by her anxiety that she can’t leave her house. She hasn’t been to school in months because of extenuating circumstances, hasn’t talked to any of her classmates or friends, can’t even look her family members in the eye… until she meets her brother’s friend, Linus and then she magically gets better…. Or something.
I really thought I was going to relate to this book.
Tragically, I was recommended this book by my therapist, who I was seeing for anxiety…. So, yeah, I was expecting this book to be good rep and hopefully give me some sort of comfort and a story to look to for hope when my anxiety got the best of me. I didn’t get that. This book is a sorry excuse for representation and I can not believe how atrociously the author handled this topic.
I think it goes without saying that the ‘boy fixes girl’ trope is over done and highly problematic and just unrealistic. Not to mention in this book it makes absolutely no sense. It all happens so fast; you can’t even call what Audrey goes through development. The plot progression is stilted and the character development suffers because of it. For example, one minute, Audrey can’t talk to Linus at all, doesn’t want him in the house and has to write notes in order to speak to him and the next they’re making out. I’m not joking, on the same exact page she can’t look at him and then one paragraph later they are swapping spit. Or, she can’t leave the house and then she’s going to Starbucks. Granted she does panic over this. The whole way to Starbucks she’s panicking and then we get to Starbucks and she can easily talk to the barista without so much as a batted eye…. I don’t get it. Or even better, Linus tells her to go talk to random people at Starbucks and she just does it…? And then feels better afterwards and can do it again and again. I’m sorry but that’s not how anxiety works. Just because you manage to do something that causes you anxiety once doesn’t mean the anxiety goes away the next time you try to do it… it’s always there and portraying it as this thing that can be so easily overcome is really insensitive.
Not to mention, we don’t get to know Linus at all. I’m not kidding, I couldn’t even tell you if he has any siblings. All we know is that he plays video games and he’s Audrey’s brothers friend. His literal only purpose is to “fix” Audrey. He’s only there to kiss her and tell her to talk to random people and congratulations, she’s cured.
I really don’t understand why people like this book…. Not only is it terrible representation, it’s just not interesting and the writing is bland. Yes, this is just my opinion and you can like what you like but why?
So yeah. I wish I never read this book. Even though I understand that this book is unrealistic and wrong, it really pains me that a lot of people younger than me will go into this book expecting representation and a form of hope and come out with 1) an unrealistic expectation that one person can cure you 2) an even more unrealistic expectation that recovery will be fast and seamless.
This is just so so wrong. 1) Romance is already so toxic in a lot of media forms and the idea that a romantic interest (in this case, like most cases, a man) can fix something as ingrained as anxiety is a terrifying and damaging idea to be perpetuating to young girls. 2) Anxiety, like all mental illness, is life long struggle and it doesn’t just go away. Our anxieties will always be there, they are a part of life but as we recover, we learn how to deal with our anxieties more and I wish YA authors understood this better. Just once I want a book about a realistic recovery. I want to read about a character learning how to live their best life and learning ways to deal with their mental illness in healthy and careful ways… I don’t want to read about someone being fixed by some dude. I want them to learn how to help themselves and in turn help readers learn to help themselves.
Okay, objectively I know that I’ve read much worse books. The writing and plot of this book are not the worst I’ve ever read and it’s readable unlike some other books I’ve read but I didn’t hate those as much as I hate this. I hate this book. And yes, I know hate is a strong word and I shouldn’t waste my energy on hating a book when that energy could go to reading books that I will end up loving but this book hurt me. This book offended me so deeply and there’s no other word to use. I hate it. I hate the way it’s made me feel.
Finding Audrey is about a girl who is so crippled by her anxiety that she can’t leave her house. She hasn’t been to school in months because of extenuating circumstances, hasn’t talked to any of her classmates or friends, can’t even look her family members in the eye… until she meets her brother’s friend, Linus and then she magically gets better…. Or something.
I really thought I was going to relate to this book.
Tragically, I was recommended this book by my therapist, who I was seeing for anxiety…. So, yeah, I was expecting this book to be good rep and hopefully give me some sort of comfort and a story to look to for hope when my anxiety got the best of me. I didn’t get that. This book is a sorry excuse for representation and I can not believe how atrociously the author handled this topic.
I think it goes without saying that the ‘boy fixes girl’ trope is over done and highly problematic and just unrealistic. Not to mention in this book it makes absolutely no sense. It all happens so fast; you can’t even call what Audrey goes through development. The plot progression is stilted and the character development suffers because of it. For example, one minute, Audrey can’t talk to Linus at all, doesn’t want him in the house and has to write notes in order to speak to him and the next they’re making out. I’m not joking, on the same exact page she can’t look at him and then one paragraph later they are swapping spit. Or, she can’t leave the house and then she’s going to Starbucks. Granted she does panic over this. The whole way to Starbucks she’s panicking and then we get to Starbucks and she can easily talk to the barista without so much as a batted eye…. I don’t get it. Or even better, Linus tells her to go talk to random people at Starbucks and she just does it…? And then feels better afterwards and can do it again and again. I’m sorry but that’s not how anxiety works. Just because you manage to do something that causes you anxiety once doesn’t mean the anxiety goes away the next time you try to do it… it’s always there and portraying it as this thing that can be so easily overcome is really insensitive.
Not to mention, we don’t get to know Linus at all. I’m not kidding, I couldn’t even tell you if he has any siblings. All we know is that he plays video games and he’s Audrey’s brothers friend. His literal only purpose is to “fix” Audrey. He’s only there to kiss her and tell her to talk to random people and congratulations, she’s cured.
I really don’t understand why people like this book…. Not only is it terrible representation, it’s just not interesting and the writing is bland. Yes, this is just my opinion and you can like what you like but why?
So yeah. I wish I never read this book. Even though I understand that this book is unrealistic and wrong, it really pains me that a lot of people younger than me will go into this book expecting representation and a form of hope and come out with 1) an unrealistic expectation that one person can cure you 2) an even more unrealistic expectation that recovery will be fast and seamless.
This is just so so wrong. 1) Romance is already so toxic in a lot of media forms and the idea that a romantic interest (in this case, like most cases, a man) can fix something as ingrained as anxiety is a terrifying and damaging idea to be perpetuating to young girls. 2) Anxiety, like all mental illness, is life long struggle and it doesn’t just go away. Our anxieties will always be there, they are a part of life but as we recover, we learn how to deal with our anxieties more and I wish YA authors understood this better. Just once I want a book about a realistic recovery. I want to read about a character learning how to live their best life and learning ways to deal with their mental illness in healthy and careful ways… I don’t want to read about someone being fixed by some dude. I want them to learn how to help themselves and in turn help readers learn to help themselves.
stffnbsly's review against another edition
2.0
A story about how essentially a young girl with an anxiety disorder gets cured because she finds a boyfriend. Finished the whole thing; hard pass.
abookishgirl's review against another edition
2.0
I had no idea this was a YA novel when I picked it up, but hey, I love a good YA book, so my slightly negative review isn't based on that at all. It just that, for a story about social anxiety and depression, this book seemed far too simple. Kinsella's usual fun chicklit books have more layers than this one, and that doesn't feel right. I didn't want it to be morbidly miserable and depressing, but you hardly get any sense of how debilitating mental illness can be, since it all seems to be so easily solved in this story. It's not quite so simple as "Audrey gets a boyfriend and hey presto, she's cured!", but it veers close to that.
Having said that, the family and Linus (the boyfriend) were really well-drawn and interesting. Kinsella's a good writer. But I had to go for two stars (It was OK) on this one because I just had too many problems with it to say "I liked it", though I enjoyed it while I was reading it.
Having said that, the family and Linus (the boyfriend) were really well-drawn and interesting. Kinsella's a good writer. But I had to go for two stars (It was OK) on this one because I just had too many problems with it to say "I liked it", though I enjoyed it while I was reading it.
charelle's review against another edition
fast-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
4.0