Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella

Pages: 286
Intended Audience: Teens
Genre: Romance / Social Issues
Notes for Parents: Contains some coarse language and some mature scenes.

The Inside Cover

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.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

Best known for her Shopaholic series, this is author Sophie Kinsella’s first young adult novel.

 What’s good?

Dark, yet surprisingly light-hearted, this is an endearing story of a girl coping with an anxiety disorder. Despite the heavy issue of mental illness, the story is high-spirited and funny, and focusses on Audrey’s recovery rather than exploring the reasons behind her disorder. The pace is even and the plot is well-balanced with romance, offbeat family dynamics (which is occasionally over the top, but always entertaining), and a healthy dose of psychiatric care. Written in short chapters with intermittent scripts, the style makes it a fast and easy read.
Best Part: Felix!! “I will fight the chicken pops with my sword.” (pg. 53)

What isn’t good?

The cause and details of Audrey’s mental illness are kept vague which makes the story feel shallow (lacking depth). Her symptoms and reactions to certain situations seem inconsistent without a full understanding of her illness. All the characters are likeable and relatable, but Linus seems a bit too perfect sometimes, and Audrey’s mom’s neuroses are a bit over the top (but still funny!).
Worst part: Nothing was terrible.

Recommendation þþþþo

If you don’t take the subject matter too seriously, this is a very entertaining story. The love story is sweet without being too sappy and never makes the claim that love cures all. Instead, the story suggests that patience and support from the people you love can help you through even the toughest situations. Definitely recommended.

Kinsella, Sophie. Finding Audrey. [Toronto]: Doubleday Canada, 2015.