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A review by pepe_pepe
Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella
5.0
I really really liked this novel! Finding Audrey had a great mix of humor, romance and realness to it. Though I had thought differently previously, this book wasn't just about Audrey overcoming her anxiety disorder and falling in love, it was also about family, and their very important and central role in Audrey's life and recovery. I absolutely loved all the main characters in this book. Linus was really supportive and pushed Audrey out of her comfort zone so she could start to live again. I especially enjoyed reading about the challenges he made her do as part of her coming out of her shell and interacting with strangers. Felix, Audrey's four year old brother, was just adorable. I really liked Frank and Audrey's relationship; they're only a year apart in age, they aren't very close but they have this mutual understanding of being a teenager, especially under their household. He's a good friend, and they have a good relationship with very little fights, and that was refreshing to read about.
Audrey's mother is quite overbearing and protective, but you can really see she is just trying to be a good mother and do the right thing for her children. And Audrey's dad; sometimes I wonder if anyone could be more clueless than him! Dr Sarah, Audrey's therapist, was a very encouraging and down-to-earth person, which was also refreshing to see. There are many funny scenes, and Audrey herself is a really appealing, likeable character. Throughout the novel, Audrey and her family evolve and grow in a satisfying way. One of the scenes I liked particularly was the coconut-flavoured ice cream one, which was really sweet of Linus and the first time they declared their feelings for each other verbally.
Another thing I liked about this book was the integration of a film transcript. Audrey has a to film a documentary using a camera about her family and other people as part of therapy. The main aim of this is to try and make eye contact with people at first through a camera as she has trouble with that. I found the film transcript to be a really good idea in the book, and enhanced my reading experience.
Overall, this is a book that has all the aspects of a very good read. It tackles the specific mental health issue differently and refreshingly. It is definitely one of my favourite YA contemporary reads of the year so far.
Audrey's mother is quite overbearing and protective, but you can really see she is just trying to be a good mother and do the right thing for her children. And Audrey's dad; sometimes I wonder if anyone could be more clueless than him! Dr Sarah, Audrey's therapist, was a very encouraging and down-to-earth person, which was also refreshing to see. There are many funny scenes, and Audrey herself is a really appealing, likeable character. Throughout the novel, Audrey and her family evolve and grow in a satisfying way. One of the scenes I liked particularly was the coconut-flavoured ice cream one, which was really sweet of Linus and the first time they declared their feelings for each other verbally.
Another thing I liked about this book was the integration of a film transcript. Audrey has a to film a documentary using a camera about her family and other people as part of therapy. The main aim of this is to try and make eye contact with people at first through a camera as she has trouble with that. I found the film transcript to be a really good idea in the book, and enhanced my reading experience.
Overall, this is a book that has all the aspects of a very good read. It tackles the specific mental health issue differently and refreshingly. It is definitely one of my favourite YA contemporary reads of the year so far.