Author: Sophia Bennett
Published By: Chicken House
Publication Date: May 2nd 2013
Acquired: To review from publisher
Page Count: 352 pages
Format: Paperback
Summary from Goodreads:
It was all so good. Sasha and Rose. Best friends in a band, singing together. Right up to the finals of Killer Act when the judges tell them one of them must go Suddenly their friendship is put to the ultimate test. On TV in front of millions. Two girls. One huge mistake. Can they ever forgive each other?
**I received this book to review from the publisher. This has in no way affected my review**
I loved The Look. I’ve been wanting to read this since I heard that the author, Sophia Bennett, had written an new one so I was super excited when I got home one day to find it sat in my living room. There may have been squealing involved.
I’ve come to expect amazing covers from Chicken House and I definitely wasn’t disappointed with this book. Covers aren’t something I usually discuss in my reviews but I can’t not mention it in this one because, yes, it has gorgeous blue edging. I was actually a little bit sad to read it because I didn’t want to damage the cover but I did because, obviously, using my magical powers, I knew that the content inside the book would be even better than the cover, and that’s saying something.
A major theme in You Don’t Know Me is social networking and I think this is something that needs to be mentioned more in books for this age group. It’s hard to think of someone nowadays who doesn’t have access to Facebook or Twitter or any other means of social networking. I am one of those people who is constantly checking my Twitter feed- something I’m not too happy about!- and so it was nice to see the consequences of these websites laid out in front of the reader. I was appalled at some of the events that took place and, like with other books, my faith in humanity was somewhat crushed.
This was very much a character driven novel and I loved all of the characters. Written from Sasha’s point of view, it was easy to become familiar with the way that Bennett writes and Sasha was very easy to like. I did feel sorry for her; if I was her, I wouldn’t have acted the way that she did. That isn’t to say that she was unrealistic, because this book was anything but. Jodie, Nell, and Rose, Sasha’s best friends, were also extremely well-written and I couldn’t help but fall in love with them a little bit. These are four girls, counting Sasha, that I would want to be friends with if they weren’t fictional!
You Don’t Know Me has quickly become one of my favourite UKYA books. It is instantly recognisable as written by Sophia Bennett because only she could write something like this. It was a book that I thoroughly enjoyed and I’ll definitely be recommending it to all of my friends.
Thank you to Chicken House for providing me with a review copy
13 Comments
Pink Lady 631
29 April, 2013 at 8:39 amOoh yay I’m so glad you enjoyed this because I’ve been itching for a copy. I loved everything about The Look and even got to interview Sophia! So I’m hoping to get this soon. Great Review x
Sarah (TotalTeenFiction)
29 April, 2013 at 9:08 amI haven’t read anything by this author but I’ve seen a few people tweeting and blogging about this book. I really want to read more music themed YA so this looks great!
I think you make a great point about social networking. It’s definitely a huge part of young adult life and things like cyber bullying are big issues. I know it can be a hard thing to weave into books because social networks, like everything, come in and out of fashion. For example any books with reference to MySpace and MSN messenger will seem totally out of date now! But the issues social networking can cause definitely still need to be addressed.
I love the sound of the characters as well so I’ll definitely be checking this one out, thanks for you review Lucy! 😀
maya
29 April, 2013 at 9:23 amGlad you enjoyed this as much as I did! Great review 🙂
fiona hadfield
29 April, 2013 at 4:59 pmI really want to read this! ~Even more so now I’ve your review!
Zoe Crook
29 April, 2013 at 6:19 pmGreat review, Lucy! I haven’t read a Sophia Bennett book before but I keep meaning. I think I’ll request this one from Chicken House, like you recommended 🙂
I know quite a few books that involve social networking but use it in the wrong way. At some parts I think “You are giving the totally wrong message about the Internet! THAT IS NOT SAFE!” Etc. Sometimes I get fed up with e-safety rants but I know it is important. I’m glad this brings across a good message. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
So Many Books, So Little Time
29 April, 2013 at 5:46 pmI’m really looking forward to this – it’ll be my first Sophia Bennett book 🙂
Rachel (Booktastic Reviews) :D
29 April, 2013 at 8:09 pmI’m glad that you enjoyed this. I’ve not read a book by Bennett before but the concept of this one is really intriguing. I debated whether or not to pick up The Look when it was circulating the book blogosphere but never did *hangs head in shame*. I also agree that social networking should be touched more on in YA literature.
Great review – thanks for sharing! 😛
Rebekah Campbell
29 April, 2013 at 7:24 pmIt sounds fantastic 😀 Love the premise and I agree with you, a lot of time we forget just how dangerous social networking can be so I’m glad that it address this issue 🙂
Thanks for the fab review, Lucy!
Jack Dwyer
30 April, 2013 at 8:00 pmThis looks so great! But is it more for girls? I don’t know, but it looks pretty cool. Nice review, the cover does look good 🙂
Anya
1 May, 2013 at 3:18 pmI’m reading this at the moment, my first Sophia Bennett book! It’s really good so far, and I agree with what you said about social networking 🙂
Sophie Louise
2 May, 2013 at 7:17 pmI haven’t read anything by Sophia Bennett yet, but I really want too! The Look sounded amazing, and this is one I will definitely get my hands on. The Social-Networking theme has intrigued me, especially because I spend too much time online as it is!
Great review Lucy! I would have spent time squealing over that cover too!
xxGEORGIExx @ BrainStorm Books
2 May, 2013 at 8:45 pmI loved The Look too! I’ll see if I can grab a copy of this now you’ve said it’s as good 🙂
Kaylee
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