Finding Felicity by Stacey Kade! I am so excited to share my review of this wonderful novel with you. It is a unique and interesting story of a young adult starting college.
Title: Finding FelicityAuthor: Stacey Kade
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: March 20, 2018
Rating:
Felicity meets Fangirl in this contemporary novel about a young woman who must leave behind her fantasy life—inspired by her favorite WB show from the 1990s—and create a real one at college.
Caroline Sands has never been particularly good at making friends. And her parents’ divorce and the move to Arizona three years ago didn’t help. Being the new girl is hard enough without being socially awkward too. So out of desperation and a desire to please her worried mother, Caroline invented a whole life for herself—using characters from Felicity, an old show she discovered online and fell in love with.
But now it’s time for Caroline to go off to college and she wants nothing more than to leave her old “life” behind and build something real. However, when her mother discovers the truth about her manufactured friends, she gives Caroline an ultimatum: Prove in this first semester that she can make friends of the nonfictional variety and thrive in a new environment. Otherwise, it’s back to living at home—and a lot of therapy.
Armed with nothing more than her resolve and a Felicity-inspired plan, Caroline accepts the challenge. But she soon realizes that the real world is rarely as simple as television makes it out to be. And to find a place where she truly belongs, Caroline may have to abandon her script and take the risk of being herself.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: Finding Felicity by Stacey Kade
Finding Felicity by Stacey Kade is the perfect read for those who are preparing to go to college. The story is written through the eyes of Caroline, a character that goes through some considerable growth as she struggles with her social anxiety. The connections to the TV show, Felicity, and the interesting side characters make the book an entertaining and engaging read.
❀ Mental Health Issues Addressed
Caroline is a main character who has had many personal struggles making friends and dealing with her parents’ divorce. She is looking forward to college as a way to reinvent herself and break out of her introverted shell. This character has some mental health issues that she is working on with the help of a therapist, which is something that I have not seen much of in YA.
❀ Unique Story
If you are familiar with the late 1990s TV show set in college, Felicity, you will have no problem understanding the concept of the book. I have only seen a handful of episodes, but it is a unique way to tie the story together. It is Caroline’s favourite show and she really strives to emulate Felicity’s personality. However, Finding Felicity is the story of how real life is not always like our favourite TV show.
❀ Lots of College Advice
The setting of Finding Felicity is a mix of high school and college. I really enjoyed all of the details that Kade provides her readers about the experiences of not only heading off to college, but the process of checking in, getting settled, and what to expect from dorm life. Also, the side characters are well-developed and fun to read. Caroline’s roommate is one that is easy to relate to and I loved the way their friendship blossomed.
❀ Relatable story
Finding Felicity by Stacey Kade is the perfect read for those considering going to college. While Caroline’s struggles are probably more extreme than most, the anxiety she feels in the story is very relatable. This book is an Upper YA novel that has a really unique concept and has an entertaining cast of characters.
About Stacey Kade
The daughter of a minister and a music teacher, Stacey Kade grew up reading Harlequin romances on the sly in the basement. Kade is the author of two young adult series (The Ghost and Goth trilogy and the Project Paper Doll series). Her first adult contemporary romance, 738 DAYS, was released earlier this year.
Prior to writing full time, Kade worked as an award-winning copywriter for several Fortune 500 companies. She lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, Greg, and their two retired racing greyhounds.
I’ve never seen Felicity (actually never heard of it somehow until I knew about this book so might have to check that out) but it does sound a lot like Fangirl, which I both liked and disliked at the same time. :3
Stephanie – Bookfever recently posted…Review: Final Debt by Pepper Winters
It does have a lot of similarities to Fangirl! 🙂
I haven’t seen this book around. Sounds like a great book for my daughters as next year is her last in HS. Great review! I have to add this to my TBR list!
Mary
Mary @StackingM BookShelves! recently posted…#CoverReveal: Best Case Scenario by Dirk B. Sayers!! @DirkSayers @XpressoTours #NA #Contemporary #reading
I hope that she enjoys it. 🙂
Great review! I’m glad you loved this book! I loved Stacey Kade’s The Ghost and Goth series but I never read her other books. This sounds interesting! Adding it to my TBR!
Raven recently posted…A Kiss in the Dark By Gina Ciocca [Review]
This is my first Stacey Kade book and I am excited to read some of her other books now. 🙂
I’m glad to see you liked this ! I’m really intrigued by the whole concept of the novel, and although I haven’t ever watched Felicity, this sounds like it could be a really enjoyable book. Great review!
Kelly @ Here’s to Happy Endings recently posted…Blog Tour: Ignited by A.M. Deese – Spotlight and Giveaway!
I’m definitely adding this to my tbr!