Review: DRIVE by Stephanie Fournet
I have loved everything I’ve read from Stephanie Fournet, and DRIVE did not disa[...]
Release Date: December 24, 2012
Format: Kindle
Source: Author/Publicist
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Social Issues
Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
If you’re looking for a story about a good, humble girl, who’s been hurt by someone she thought she could trust, only to find out she’s not as vulnerable as she thought she was and discovers an empowering side of herself that falls in love with the guy who helps her find that self, blah, blah, blah…then you’re gonna’ hate my story.
Because mine is not the story you read every time you bend back the cover of the latest trend novel. It’s not the “I can do anything, now that I’ve found you/I’m misunderstood but one day you’ll find me irresistible because of it” tale. Why? Because, if I was being honest with you, I’m a complete witch. There’s nothing redeeming about me. I’m a friend using, drug abusing, sex addict from Los Angeles. I’m every girlfriend’s worst nightmare and every boy’s fantasy.
I’m Sophie Price…And this is the story about how I went from the world’s most envied girl to the girl no one wanted around and why I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. (Goodreads)
I have such mixed feelings about VAIN. Overall, I really liked it. There were things I loved about this novel, but there were parts that just didn’t work for me.
I really struggled through the first few chapters of this book. Sophie Price is manipulative, mean, and utterly vain. She uses every person that she comes across, and is a hollow shell of a person. Honestly, I questioned whether I wanted to finish reading this book because I was so disgusted with her, her character was just over the top. I didn’t think she would be able to redeem herself. Which really, I think this is what Fisher Amelie was going for, and she did it very well!
The first 20% of this book is like watching a train wreck, as Sophie is on a path of self-destruction. Then the story takes an unexpected turn when Sophie is sentenced to work for six months in Africa, and that’s when I had to know what was in store for Sophie.
Things I loved… I absolutely loved Ian Aberdeen. He’s Sophie’s co-worker, eventual friend and love interest, and he’s most definitely swoon worthy. I loved that Ian could see right through Sophie. I also loved that most of this story took place in Uganda. The setting was vivid in my mind and I could see the red dirt and tall grass — its fierce beauty along side extreme poverty and devastating sadness.
There were parts of VAIN where the execution of the story didn’t work for me. Where I felt like the author was throwing the social/political issues and life lessons in my face. I think this same story could have been told more subtly and it would have been even more powerful.
VAIN, for me, was so unexpected. It’s a coming-of-age redemption story that will make you feel the entire range of emotions!
Note: This story is new adult and contains sexual scenes and drug use.
Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Twitter: alwaysyaatheart
says:
Wonderful review. I really enjoyed this book. I think it was because the story (the whole Africa thing) was different, and of course Ian Aberdeen was to die for.
Ellen recently posted..Blog Tour: A Terrible Love by Marata Eros – Review, Giveaway
I think I would like this, well minus the whole social and political stuff being thrown in there. Great review,
Jenea @ Books Live Forever
Jenea @ Books Live Forever recently posted..Early Review for Day After (The 19th Year #2) by Emi Gayle
Twitter: fakesteph
says:
Hmm… I actually really love selfish shallow characters.
fakesteph recently posted..The Mark of Athena (Heroes of Olympus #3) by Rick Riordan
Wonderful review! I completely agree with what you said about the messages /lessons. I felt like they were really thrown at me. I think if not for that, the book would have been much better!
Ashley recently posted..Reboot by Amy Tintera
Twitter: lollibea
says:
I’ve seen mixed reviews about Vain but I’m really interested in seeing how Sophie develops throughout the book. I like reading about mean and manipulative characters though they do make me want to throw my book across the room but as long as there are redeemable qualities I’d stick with it. I also really like the setting.
Isa recently posted..Dewey’s 24 Hour Read-a-Thon 2013