Finding Audrey

Books intended for young adults tend to be more direct. There's not as much beating around the bush or tediously in-depth descriptions of the bush that grows outside the jail door to overtly-covertly hammer the theme into your head (I don't much like you, Nathaniel Hawthorne). Instead, the story lives or dies on its own merits.
And that's refreshing. Don't get me wrong, I can enjoy a good literary novel, but they often come off as possessing an excess or distinct lack of plotting. So it's nice to have a writer just tell a story.
Finding Audrey is about Audrey's “reawakening” after an bullying incident triggered anxiety issues. Along the way, her interactions with her mom (crazy), older brother (addicted to gaming), dad (out of it) and little brother (hilarious) provide lots of fodder for a solid book.

I have so much love for this book I can barely contain it. This book is hilarious, touching, and an excellent depiction of anxiety. It is so much fun to root for this dysfunctional family. The main character is witty and insightful. The audiobook was one of the best I've ever listened to with quality of voice acting and mood.
I loved it! Instant favorite.

I can really relate to Audrey as I have an anxiety disorder.. a severe social anxiety disorder called selective mutism. It means I can't talk to basically anyone, ive spoken to only 6 people in my 20 years of life, other than that, never spoken outside my house. After I finished school, I stayed home and grew a big fear of the outside world and the sun (dad passed away from skin cancer and ive been cautious ever since)
You now how Audrey wears her sunglasses everywhere? Well I do the same thing but with winter clothes, I wear winter clothes in every season. Australia heat is unbelievable and its currently winter but still hot enough to spend the day at the beach, so I do suffer for wearing winter clothes but I can't stop it. Its my comfort. It has nothing to do with covering my body, I would love to show off my body bc I work hard on keeping myself fit but winter clothes are my comfort.

So I really relate to her.

Other than that, the whole story plays out like a Disney show. Other than the anxiety parts, it was so unrealistic. It felt like a middle grade book.
I liked the story but didn't at the same time.