Published by: Acacia Publishing
Reviewed by: AmyG (big sis)
Sister's say: Sad, Short, and Sweet
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While other high school seniors are dreaming about their futures, Sophie and Carter are just trying to make it through each day. Carter is overwhelmed by issues at home as he struggles to support his mother. Meanwhile, next door neighbour Sophie is left to care for her three younger siblings in place of their absent and troubled mother. All that holds these two best friends together is each other, and knowing that each night they'll sit together on Sophie's front porch swing and escape from reality, if just for awhile. But as their relationship reaches a turning point and high school graduation nears, will their friendship become something more?
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Sophie and Carter is a very sweet book that revolves around 2 teenagers that have both been dealt a very rough hand in life. Sophie and Carter have grown up living next door to each other watching each other be forced to deal with things that no teenagers or kids should ever have to deal with. They were required at a very young age to become adults. In a way, they became to each other what the other was lacking, whether that be brother, sister, mother, father, friend, or something more. The book is very short just a little over 100 pages, but Ms. Fine gives you glimpses of Sophie and Carter's entire lives. At times the book is heart-wrenching, but by the time the book winds down, your heart will be satisfied.
Most of the concerns I had in the book were related to the length. I wanted to see more of their lives instead of just being told about it through memories or flashbacks. I also wanted to see more of their romance. However, I will say that-that is not necessarily a bad problem to have, someone wanting you to write a longer book! Some phrases in the book were a little repetitive, and I found myself falling out of the rhythm of the book when I read them. All that to say, I think this would be a great book to use to encourage those young adults who don't read, to start to read. It has a nice love story, but its not daunting with it's length. It would be a great segue into longer books. Both Sophie and Carter are respectable teenagers that have made lemonade out of their lemons. If you're looking for a short, sweet book that will leave you satisfied and wanting a front porch swing, then be sure to pick up Sophie and Carter by Chelsea Fine! And, check out this great trailer for the book:
Be on the look out in the near future for a giveaway of a paperback copy of Sophie and Carter.
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.