Author: Lauren Gibaldi
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Harper Teen (June 14, 2016)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Contemporary
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
Book Description:
Family.
It’s always been a loaded word for Maude. And when she is given a senior photography assignment—to create a portfolio that shows the meaning of family—she doesn’t quite know where to begin. But she knows one thing: without the story of her birth mother, who died when Maude was born, her project will be incomplete.
So Maude decides to visit her best friend, Treena, at college in Tallahassee, Florida, where Maude’s birth mother once lived. But when Maude arrives, she quickly discovers that Treena has changed. With a new boyfriend and a packed social calendar, Treena doesn’t seem to have time for Maude—or helping Maude in her search.
Enter Bennett, a cute guy who lives in Treena’s dorm. He understands Maude’s need to find her mother. And as Bennett helps Maude in her search, she starts to find that her mother’s past doesn’t have to define her own future.
Lauren Gibaldi has crafted a beautiful and timely coming-of-age story that poses the question: Is who we are determined at birth, or can we change as we grow?
I have always been a sucker for a great well told coming of age story that can hit you in the feels. Leave you nodding your head in agreement in parts, teary eyed in others, and always, with a warm feeling in your heart when that very last page is turned and the story told.
Autofocus is one such story. A story that is at times is raw, real, hard, but also one that is hopeful and beautiful.
A story that I think anyone can relate to regardless of their circumstances and one I think a lot of teens will relish and finally feel like someone else out there “get's it”.
One about finding oneself, coming to terms with other things, and most importantly what matters most in life of living, loving, and letting go.
*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*
Oooh, glad you liked this one! Can’t wait to start it. Sounds powerful! Great review :D
ReplyDeleteIt was in some ways for sure. ;)
DeleteI have this one coming up kind of soon. Sounds like I will enjoy it! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteI hope you like it and thanks, you too!
DeletePerfect light reading remedy. Maybe it'll help cure my reading blues.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely is that. ;)
Deleteit's great to have a story you can realte to like that!
ReplyDeleteFor sure!
DeleteIt's great to have some light hearted titles to pick up! Have a good weekend!!
ReplyDeleteThanks and you as well!
DeleteI seen this book but I was last, nah. Even though it sounds like an okay read, I think I'll still pass on this one!
ReplyDelete;)
Deletehmmm sounds interesting Kindlemom, thanks for the review!! and Happy Memorial Day Weekend!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Debbie and to you as well! :D
DeleteIt sounds right up my alley, Ali! I liked her other book too so I'm excited to get to this. :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you like it too Nick!
DeleteThis sounds like a very powerful story, Ali, and we do need more of those!
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, I haven't seen that cover for And I Darken, it's not the one I have. I like the other one better.
Yeah I don't like it as much either. The flower on is much prettier!
DeleteOoh this one looks good. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
ReplyDeleteSimply Angela
Thank you so much for stopping by and checking it out! Have a nice weekend!
DeleteI haven't read Lauren Gibaldi yet, but she's one of those authors that I keep meaning to check out. This book sound like a great coming of age story!
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
I was the same way and I really am glad I gave her a chance.
DeleteWell this looks like well told bildungroman indeed. Great review!!
ReplyDeleteLOL! Thanks Lola, have a nice weekend!
DeleteGlad you enjoyed it. Coming of age stories definitely have a place in most peoples hearts. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree. :D Have a great weekend Tyler!
DeleteThat's great that this one was very relatable! I love books like that. I'm glad you enjoyed this. :D
ReplyDeleteThanks Erin, me too.
DeleteI like the idea of the project! Interesting. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, have a good weekend!
DeleteThis sounds like a wonderful story filled with firsts. Lovely review Ali
ReplyDeleteIt was. ;) Have a good weekend!
DeleteOh I'm a sucker for these kind of books as well. This one looks like it may make my contemp tbr!
ReplyDeleteWoo hoo! ;)
DeleteCan I just say how much I love the title of this book?? And the cover is pretty AMAZE-BALLS itself! <3 I love coming to age stories because they always have something special to teach, and I feel that young people (well, teens) can really take a lot from stories like these since they're growing up as well! <3
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more Keionda!
DeleteI love a good book about family and coming of age stories. Nick likes this author so that's already a good sign for me :)
ReplyDelete:D I hope you try something of her's and like her too. ;)
DeleteI'm looking forward to reading this one myself. I've been drawn to this genre lately.
ReplyDeleteI do hope you like it too!
DeleteSuch a warm recommendation, Ali - it must be quite a story indeed! To tell you the truth I've always had a soft spot for coming-of-age stories, so this appeals to me implicitly. Thanks for an informative review:)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Ramona for your kind words! I really hope you have a fabulous long weekend!
DeleteI had not heard of this one, but it sounds like a well written, well told story.
ReplyDeleteIt was a good one for sure. ;) Thanks so much for stopping by!
DeleteThis one is new to me. Glad you enjoyed it-sounds like it has a lot of feels in it :)
ReplyDeleteIt did for sure. ;)
DeleteSounds like a great book for teens. Love a good coming of age story.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be great for teens.
DeleteThanks for taking the time to stop by. Hopefully, we'll be chatting again in blogland:)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely!
DeleteThis makes me think of Sarah Dessen's book, Dreamland. It has a thematic photography angle in it as well, and it definitely got me into artistic photographs as a teen. I'll have to check this one out!
ReplyDeleteOh I haven't read that one yet, I need to read more of her books as well.
DeleteGreat review! I also usually really love coming of age stories so I'm glad this one was so god!!
ReplyDeleteHope you are having a wonderful Memorial Day!
Thank and I hope you are as well!
DeleteI love a good coming of age story. Happy you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
DeleteOh gah. The ones that bring the feels like that. Yeah those are good to have.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely!
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