This book was pretty amazing!! It's been a long time since I really read a blog tour book that I just 100% loved. But this one I totally did.

Sophie Price is rich, vain, self-absorbed, and universally adored due to her appearance. But even though I think I was meant to hate her in the beginning of the book, I really didn't. She had nonexistent parents, and she felt pain from rejection and fear of it. I could totally relate to feeling like that... and crying in the shower.

So the ridiculous parents get her sent to Uganda to serve probation for a drug charge. And where is Uganda you might ask?? Well according to Wikipedia it's a "landlocked country in East Africa, bordered by Kenya". How the hell is Sophie going to make it there?? I don't even think I could make it there and I'm no princess (ok I kind of am).

So she goes to this orphanage and I totally expected her to be a brat about it. But once she gets there, she's on a journey... and you're right there with her. The orphans completely soften all of Sophie's hardness. Then she meets Ian.

Ian sees through all of her B.S. and he doesn't like her!! Now her fear of rejection comes out in full force. But the more she opens her heart to her new life in Africa, the more Ian sees through to the true Sophie. I loved the non-forcedness of the relationship in this book. And also the way you can actually learn something about a part of the world without it being shoved at you annoyingly. Fisher Amelie really knows how to weave all of those aspects of the story together nicely.

So the best part for me was Sophie's damage due to not being loved by her parents. It was really apparent in all that she did throughout the book that there was this hole in her. An emptiness that she wanted to fill by having people tell her how beautiful she was. Then it just came to a point where she felt full without needing to feel beautiful and perfect on the outside. It was a cool thing to read about.

The only reason I didn't give it a full rating is because I didn't like that the description didn't mention going to Africa in it. I had no idea Sophie was going to an African orphanage, and that's kind of something I'd like to know since like 80% of the book takes place there. I don't think it would've stopped me from reading it by any means, but I just want to know what to expect going into it.

Overall: Yes I definitely recommend! It's definitely a journey kind of book... you'll go places with this one. Very cool topic to read about!

My Blog:

http://pinkpolkadotbookblog.blogspot.com

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One of those where you like the story but the delivery and execution fall short ( )

I really enjoyed this story. The best part being Soph's personal journey and transformation. More than a romance...true love ( )

5 Brilliantly Written Stars

On the surface you would think Sophie Price had it all.. the rich parents, tons of friends who looked up to her, any guy she wanted, and the most beautiful eyes. But, Sophie is Vain and fails to realize that her beauty will lead her to troubles.

When she gets shipped to a foreign third world country as part of a punishment for messing up. Sophie realizes that there is more to life than herself.

Then we meet Ian and his brilliant self. How could you not love him with all of your heart. This book had me wrecked and I had to get myself together before I could even attempt to write a review.

I can't wait to read Greed..
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Great book! Kind of an abrupt ending and not your traditional YA novel, but it was FANTASTIC. :)

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This book is something different, believe me. It’s a refreshing story, very different and powerful. Fisher starts with the beautiful casting of Sophie Price. With friends who follow her lead, succumbing to her every whim, Sophie is ‘spoilt', self-absorbed and vain. She is a master at keeping up appearances, the only thing she has to do for her father when he needs her. Other than that, she parties, she’s known as La Fée Verte (reference to absinth) and proud of it. She’s so well described, I could literally see her before my eyes. She does drugs, cocaine and when this gets her in trouble for a second time she can’t get out of it and has to face the same judge she met before. The judge sentences her to spend six months in an orphanage in Ughanda where they don’t even have electricity. It opens her eyes to the reality of the world, and the reader at the same time. She works hard and finds love for these children. This book holds heartbreak and love. It’s a harsh story and yet so beautiful at the same time. I’m very curious about the second one that will be published: GREED ( )

4 STARS

It's a story about self discovery, about a mistreated girl 9 of course who is certainly is not a saint) who was raised in a world of money & power and she must adapt to her life, but unfortunately she couldn't. and was cast away by her own family to africa for punishment where she rises and shines to be a great person

I truly enjoyed this story very captivating ...
it's certainly not a mind blowing one but I must say the shocking truth about africans kids gave me a reality check; and that we must be thankful for what we have

I Highly recommend this book. and enjoy!

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4.5 Stars, a wonderful and unexpected story, it was even better that I had hoped!

Beautiful and vain Sophie Price reigns supreme over her friends, a bunch of rich, and over privileged snobs. She is their queen. Sophie finds pleasure in hurting others but her specialty is stealing boyfriends just for fun. After getting arrested one too many times for doing drugs at a party, she is sentenced to serve six months at an orphanage is Uganda.

Determined to not let this "punishment" get the best her of her, Sophie travels to Africa, head held high with her expensive, and ridiculously frivolous gear in tow. She is quickly introduced to the real world, the one that exists outside of her designer bubble. Adjusting to life in Africa was tough, to say the least.

When faced with bug infested shower stalls...

"Oh My God. I'm going to reek like a freak. I'm never going to shower."

There is also Dingane (Ian) a resident teacher, handy man, security guard and overall good guy and not mention smoking hot! He carries a strong dislike for Sophie and her spoiled ways and isn't shy about telling her.

"How can someone bug the shit out of you so much yet simultaneously cause you to want to know them intimately with your tongue.- Sophie

Sophie is surprised at how quickly her heart begins to melt at the hope and optimism around her of children who have suffered unspeakable things. She discovers for the first time ever that she cares about something more than her own needs.

"I wanted to be wanted and my word, did they want me."

Sophie must learn to love herself as fiercely as she loves those she would quickly give her life to protect. Her transformation is staggering to everyone, even herself.

"You are so gosh damn beautiful in here" he said, tapping my chest, "that what's here" he spoke, running his hand down my face, "is magnified tenfold, and that is a sight to behold."- Ian

Sophie Price will never be the same again and she couldn't be more pleased!

I loved Sophie's story. Ian is definitely swoon worthy! The children and everyone at the orphanage will forever have a place in my heart. How could they not? There is a valuable lesson to be learned and I am grateful to have learned it. Just knowing that situations like the one is this story exist in the world and that there are people like Charles, Karina and Ian who are willing to risk everything for those precious little lives is awe inspiring.

A good read, make sure you have lots of tissues!

ADD IN:

I loved the mention of Common's "Driving me wild" song. You can never have enough Common in your life! ( )

This book was amazing, it blew my mind away.

I expected a rich girl and her stupid adventures, but it was a different kind of story. Her transformation from an egoistic girl to a humble girl amazed me. I would really recommend it, beautiful novel. ( )

Great read. ( )

This Book rocked me totally speechless , it truly was not what I thought it was going to be and I must say I am 100% happy that I read it . What an AMAZING story !!!!

I was expecting something along the lines of Paranormal and there is not one ounce of paranormal in this book except the bugs encountered by the bathrooms . I went into this book clueless and wow - it was so great not to have any expectations and just read this story.

You will love Sophie Price's journey all the way , although you may dislike her in the beginning ( I sure disliked her ) you will soon see that she is worthy of your love and you will follow her on one truly amazing journey to finding herself and her own self esteem .

“No one can know sincere happiness, Sophie, without first having known sorrow. One can never appreciate the enormity and rareness of such a fiery bliss without seeing misery, however unfair that may be.”


“Sophie Price, you are devastatingly beautiful.”

Ian Ohh man Ian is just truly amazing , he is ohh so hot looking , caring about the people who mean the most to him around him and he truly has a heart of gold . you will love him from the moment he steps into Sophie's Journey and you will continue to love him all the way through to the end . I have no doubt about that at all .....

“The truth is, I'm so deep in love with you, I can't see straight. The truth is, I've been afraid to admit it to myself, let alone you. The truth is, I'm terrified.”


“You have no idea what you do to me. I've felt things for you these past few months that don't seem healthy. I've wanted you so desperately I'm afraid it may not be natural. You consume my thoughts, Sophie...You've arrested my senses and I can't seem to get enough of you. That's what scares me. I'm so deep there's no getting out for me. You own me, you know?”


Sometimes you read a book that inspires you, empowers you. And sometimes, you read a book that completes you. This book, this fantastic, amazing, breath-taking, straight up stunning book, gives you everything and more.

"The shortest distance between two points is the line from me to you.”

this is a definite must read , don't let the cover or the blurb make your mind up , you must read this book .....


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Fantastic story. Not what I expected but so much more.
Review to come ( )

First off there is no hot steamy sex in this book.......Hot Steamy make out sessions & undeniable physical attraction but that's it- it. This is a Young Adult book and my Motto is anything that swoons the heart is Lady Porn because the Heart is directly connected to the crotch :).
Now with the lack of sex it certainly doesn't make it any less of a book-
this book is hands down Fabulous!
It is a beautifully sad wonderful heart warming story about one girls transformation and when she is forced home how her past life treats her. I of course started the book loathing Sophie and actually feeling sorry for her. Ian of course I loved him off the bat but then finding out about his past life made me say Wow and how much him and Sophie had in common and actually wondering
who had crueler parents- Still a toss up but one of them seems to
redeem themselves at the end. The odd thing in this book was there were 2 loose ends that never got answered-at the beginning of the book there is a Jerreck who I assume was part of Sophia group and passed away but not sure how- I think it would have been nice to throw a paragraph in there on how he died. Then there is a reference to Ian having maybe gotten someone pregnant but no elaboration- that one for sure needed some follow up.
Fabulous Ending!

Quotes:

"I rule this roost because i'm the most wanted by all the guys, and all the girls want to be my friend because of it."

"I'd been called beautiful so many times. It gratified me, validated me, bit it was all empty, a facade."
Read more on my blog iloveladyporn.com ( )

For this review and more, pop by my blog - Drugs Called Books

This book is about second chances and changing one's self… but not the usual kind. The heroine has not been wronged and hurt and is now learning to trust again and etc… instead, the main character used to be a horrible person. And by the time she realizes she is such, she just doesn’t know what to do with the information. On the one hand, she wants to change. On the other… how?

“Vanity’s a debilitating affliction. You’re so absorbed in yourself it’s impossible to love anyone other than oneself, leaving you weak without realization of it. It’s quite sad. You’ve no idea what you’re missing either. You will never know real love and your life will pass you by. “
First paragraph of Vain

I absolutely loved this book, from beginning to end. Aside for being a gripping book, with wonderful writing, beautiful characters, and wonderful plot, it’s also special. It shows you two separate unique realities; the first of the rich and famous, with a main character who is vain and pretty much a horrible person (at the beginning of the book), and the second life in Uganda, which was a breathtaking reality to read about, both in its beauty and sadness.

Sophie Price, our main character, is a bit different than most heroines, mostly because instead of being a character we can all relate to, she’s the bitch we often see in all those dramas? The one who acts horribly toward our poor MC and makes her life miserable while ruling her little flock of the “popular kids”?

Yep. That one.
But you're not going to hate her for a single second of the book. At least, I never did. I loved her instantly, despite all her wrongdoings, and I felt sincerely sad for her, because the girl lives in a cold, cold world.
Even before she is uprooted from all she knows, Sophie acknowledges there is something terribly wrong with her. And being caught in a criminal situation and sentenced for six months of labor in an orphanage in Uganda turns out to be exactly what she needs to break the cycle she's been born into. Being in Uganda, witnessing the harsh reality--yet happiness--of those living there, changes her big time, almost from the get-go.

And one person in particular she meets helps that change. Meet Ian Aberdeen, also known as "Dingane" to those around him. Can I just say something? Major swoon! The guy's absolutely amazing!! He's white, with piercing eyes, and he is diligent, hardworking, caring, loving, kind, sweet, kind of shy (as evident by the many, many times he stutters around our stunning Sophie), All he cares about are the children of the orphanage, and he always puts them first. He is basically a Dream Boyfriend! I mean, really! ~sigh~

Aside for these darling two, we have the orphanage children, who are so adorable and cute you forget they're deformed, as Ian describes it (and yes, it's a terrible reality to read about. But trust me, you're going to smile and forget it in the face of their innocent happiness).
Then there is the orphanage crew; Lovely Karina and Charles, who become sort of like parents figures both for Ian and Sophie, and others.

As for the romance... Just. Freaking. Stunning. I loved every bit of it!
Sophie and Ian are instantly attracted to one another, like, big time. But that attraction is not the basis for their relationship. In fact, at first they kind of... dislike one another?!
Yes, here are two who fight the inevitable, and I'm glad they did. They got to know one another on a very deep level, before embarking on any form of relationship. They actually fell in love with one another while watching each other work, handle situations, act, and of course, through conversations. And you have no idea how many books lack just that.
After they did start a relationship, they were so cute and sweet and adorable I wanted to "aww" out loud plenty of times, but it wasn't too much, you know?

Also, there aren't any sex scenes in this book, which surprised me. The only reason it's really marked as New Adult is because of the age of the characters.
However, that's not to say these two weren't exceedingly HOT together (or that sex wasn't mentioned). There were many sexy scenes, which never ventured deeper than kisses and touches. It was simply lovely!

This book doesn't lack in the action section, either. There are gunfights, saving kids from attacks, blood, death all around, sickness and what not. Life in Uganda are not always safe, to say the least. But, as I said before, you forget about the hideous parts, because there are so many factors in this book which makes your heart swell. So many parts that make you look at the positive. And, be surprised, there is plenty of positive.

This is a story about living, not dying, despite its subjects.

And if all that's not enough for you to read the book, the ending was just fabulous I grinned. Widely. I couldn't help it!!! There is just something about such cute endings, which make you smile and also relax that everything is going to be just fine with your favorite characters.

Really, I can't think of a single complaint for this book! It is now a 2013 favorite, not to mention favorite couple of mine and new book boyfriend. All in one book!

I suggest you read it, like... NOW! ( )

I think I'll round up a 4.5 star here.

I had very low expectations from this read, but I doubt those contributed to my being wowed.

Take the stereotypical rich bitch high-school graduate that's been neglected by her parents her whole life, was raised by a nanny and showered with a hefty 'pocket change' to indulge her every whim. Give her access to narcotics, unsupervised parties and allow her the use of whatever she wants to her advantage, including the use of her friends. She needs to feel good about herself, after all.

Then... fuck her life up! She gets arrested, for the second time. Her father's lawyer, who has basically cared for her her whole life, arranges a probation period for her instead of jail. Only catch is - it's in Africa.
Enter Dingane - he doesn't like her. His whole life is this orphanage. But she's teamed to him, pretty much 24/7.

At some point, yes, this happens:
"Are you okay?" he whispered. Far from it, I wanted to say, gazing into his breathtaking face. "I'm fine, thank you," I said quietly instead, afraid of blemishing the moment."

This book is beautifully written, it deals with some graphic horrors and the sad facts of life we all need to remember, and a sweet salvation, for more than one soul. ( )

RATING: 2 stars.

It was an okay read, but ultimately I think it should have been longer. It also lacked focus, it seemed to want to be too much at the same time until it settled on being a romance. The writing needed polishing, it was kind of weird in places (it needed a few runs with a few editors).

Overall, good concept, flawed execution. There were parts I enjoyed and I feel the author could write something interesting with the aid of a few editors, perhaps. ( )

NEW COVER! Absolutely gorgeous and much more fitting. I love authors that pay attention to what their readers think.

I feel like I should write this out now, before I fully collect my thoughts because I'm afraid I'll forget something. I finished this in...oh - six hours? Ish. After waiting for three days for it to be released. Ish. (I almost sent hate mail to Amazon.)

I've eagerly awaited this book ever since it was announced. I had no idea what it's about, but you must understand something. I'm a Fisher Amelie fangirl. I eat up every sentence of her beautiful writing, conveying so much emotion with every single word. She is so amazingly talented I can truly say she is one of my favorite authors, and if she wrote about ducks swimming in a pond, I'd read it and love it and tell everyone they had to read it.
But this is so much better than that (though I have no doubt she would make that good, too).

Sophie Price is exactly what the title says. Vain. To her and her family, keeping up appearances is the most important thing. Sophie doesn't care about what's inside, as long as everyone bows to her outside. I really felt for her - she has no real friends, she is way too mature for her age, she lives her life scheming against the people that surround her, and she is so, so desperately unhappy it made my heart ache for her. Seeing the change in her, the difference between the Sophie at the beginning and Sophie at the end - it was overwhelming. I was stupid happy for her.

I loved Ian so much. I really don't know what to say about him and not sound fangirlish. He has faults, but he is just human. He is an incredibly good person, so selfless and caring. Oh, it's refreshing reading a hero that doesn't play the neanderthal possessive jerk role. I actually swooned at everything he did. What he's doing in Uganda, what they both did, it immediately redeemed them for every bit of their past sins in my eyes. He has them just as much as Sophie does.

“The shortest distance between two points is the line from me to you.”

They start of rocky, these two. At first, he's antagonizing her so much I felt like there's no way he was the hero of this story. Like I should expect Spencer to come after her and then things will start happening (sidenote: I absolutely loved Spencer). But the chemistry between Ian and Sophie is undeniable, even then. She is acutely aware of him and everything about him, and we are subtly shown that he's not so unaffected by her either. I loved the way they slowly fall in love. There is nothing superficial about it. It was so profound, definitely beyond the good looks and the fact that they were forced to spend time together. They see each other for who they really are.
This book is devoid of sex scenes as all her other books I've read are.

In [b:VAIN|16137702|Vain|Fisher Amelie|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1352472957s/16137702.jpg|21966987], she deals with a very heavy topic of the Lord's Resistance Army operating in Africa (I'm sure everyone's at least seen the Kony2012 documentary on Youtube, so you're probably familiar with it), mainly orphans in Uganda and she paints a vivid picture of what is going on over there. I won't lie, it got to me. She doesn't flinch from showing it all, the blood and gore, either. She sends a clear message - people need to wake up and stop being purposefully ignorant. What I like the most is that she isn't preachy at all.

I would gush about her writing, but I already did this before so I'll just say, it's beautiful. She creates a colorful cast of amazing characters. She makes you feel what she wants you to feel. The dialogue and character interactions were natural. The conflict is believable. As usually, she writes a few thrilling scenes that have you gripping the edge of your seat. You feel like you're taking this journey of self-discovery right along with Sophie. You get to know Ian through and through, even though it's all from Sophie's POV. That's powerful writing right there. But I'm biased. Like I said, I'm a fan.

I have to say, maybe it's because it's my most anticipated release, but it may be one of the best books I've read this year. It is definitely my favorite of 2012. I couldn't find a fault to it. I was worried there, for a minute or so, that it wouldn't deliver because I've made it up in my mind to be some sort of masterpiece before I even read a word of it. It did deliver, though. It's so refreshingly different and it makes you feel. I definitely recommend it.

edit: I might come back to this review if I think of more things to say. Even though this review is ridiculously long right now, I keep coming up with new things to add to it. ( )

BOTD: 01.17.13

This better be good. I see that my friends who read it gave it 5 stars or 4. :)

It is pretty much really good. Sophie Price is hateful at first. I was so worried about not liking it that much cause I really don't like girls who boast a lot that they are beautiful, powerful, etc. She's so vain and I know that if this continued on, I wouldn't like this book.

Sophie Price is filthy rich. Or her father is. She's an only child. I think we all know that children who are so freakin' rich would be bound to be defected. I just mean, parents not really there when you grow up, you are raise by nannies, you got to have whatever you want but you feel hollow still. You parents giving you ultimatum when you disgraced them. You know. The likes. It is so predictable what would happen to her, what would her father would do, what Ian would do, what Pemmy would do.

I mean, yeah, predictable. Cause I already read it somewhere, by somewhere it's like reading Tagalog pocketbooks. The stories Filipino writers made, some are similar with this. Filipino writers love that kind of story so I know well what would happen.

Regardless, I am giving it a 4 stars because I like Masego. I like how the author shows us the life in Masego. Some part of Africa are really poor. It's like reminding me to be grateful to what I have. From clothes, food, electricity, water, safe home, complete limbs and so on. I was also reminded the things that happened in our own country.

I just meant that this is a good eye opener to what is happening to other countries. Not only Africa or Philippines. It is also happening in other countries, Middle East, Europe, it's all over the world. We see it happening but we really don't do anything about it.

Well, anyway, I should probably just shut up. :p It is a good read nonetheless. ( )

Amazing. Hands down, one of the most powerful books I have read. I went into it not really knowing what to expect. It is written from the first-person POV, in Sophie's voice, and it follows her journey from spoiled, rich girl to a young woman with value... to herself and to others.

This book pulls no punches, softens no blows, glosses over no situations. It is in your face with sex, with drugs, with manipulation. In the beginning, Sophie is unapologetic for who she is. Rich, manipulative, and a tease. She uses drugs and doesn't apologize for it. She uses her friends and feels justified doing so. She uses sex as a weapon, as a tool, and she doesn't care. She rules her world and everyone in it and assumes that is how it always will be. She is not at all likable.

And her behavior catches up to her, landing her in trouble that her money and her family's name can't get her out of. Instead, she is sentenced to six months in Masego, working at an orphanage that her family's attorney supports in Uganda. From the moment Sophie sets foot in Africa, she is in complete and utter culture shock. Her journey, both with the children and other people at Masego and within herself, is truly amazing.

She is such a self-absorbed jerk at the beginning of the book that I couldn't imagine feeling for her character. But that changes as we know more of her story and her family. Pembroke, her family's attorney was one of my favorite characters in the entire book, the one person from her past that I think truly loved her for who and what she was, and who understood why she had come to be the way she was. And I loved that she grew to recognize that and to appreciate it.

There is action in this book, a lot of it, but the true action is within Sophie. There is romance, too, and that becomes a beautiful part of her transformative journey. There is joy and there is heart break. Everything about this book tugged at my soul and at my heart. There is so much to be said about this beautiful book, but I want everyone to read it and experience for themselves!

Things to love about Vain...

--Pembroke. As I said above, he was the one person that looked beneath the surface, who understood Sophie before she changed. And he accepted her even while he tried to help her.
--Sophie. Her changes didn't come overnight and that is what made it so touching and real.

My recommendation: This was a truly provocative read and one I think that everyone should read. I think there are some powerful messages in it, messages about love, about acceptance, about looking beyond the surface, about priorities and value. ( )

Well i'll be honest...from the read up the story sounded like it was going to be about some spoilt brat who got what she want the entire story before something went wrong and the first twenty per cent or so was like that. Then we began to see a softer more vulnerable side to Sophie. At around 30% she's sent to Africa and things got really interesting.

As it turns out i really enjoyed it. It was a lot different to other NA books I've read hence the 5* review. ( )

Well i'll be honest...from the read up the story sounded like it was going to be about some spoilt brat who got what she want the entire story before something went wrong and the first twenty per cent or so was like that. Then we began to see a softer more vulnerable side to Sophie. At around 30% she's sent to Africa and things got really interesting.

As it turns out i really enjoyed it. It was a lot different to other NA books I've read hence the 5* review. ( )

Sweet, sweet angst and crackling heated tension...... thank you very much!!!

This story explores an impossibly vain girl's existence and her struggle with greed, power, heartbreak, morality, courage and destiny.

Wow, now that was one heck of a roller coaster ride!!! ( )

When I read the synopsis for this book I thought that it sounded like it would be another good New Adult Contemporary Romance. Truly, I wanted to read it, but wasn't overly excited about it, but let me tell you, this book is not like any other. It is in a class all by itself and it totally and completely captured my heart. Trust me, it is not what your are expecting, and you get so much more than you could ever imagine from this story. It is an exhilarating, heartfelt, and humbling experience, and I feel totally privileged to have been able to read it. Yeah, I cannot rave enough about it.

That said, Sophie Price seems like one of those girls you will love to hate when you first meet her, but as you come to know her, know her pain, know where she is coming from, and see the "beauty of her heart," you will absolutely love her. Caught up in a world of the rich and famous where drugs, sex, lies, money, appearances, and position rule, Sophie has become a beautiful shell that is hollow on the inside. When trouble catches up with her, she finds herself in Uganda, serving a 6-month sentence at an orphanage, an experience that completely and totally changes her life forever. It is here that she finds out what love, happiness, and family are all about. It is here that she finds Ian Dingane (Din-John-E) Aberdeen, one of the hottest guys you will ever want to meet. Dingane also works at the orphanage. For the first time in Sophie's life, she meets a guy who is not falling over their feet to have her. In fact, Ian Aberdeen seems to not be able to stand her. Needless to say, their's is a relationship that is built over time, in the midst of heartache, sorrow, danger, and unspeakable joy, and I kid you not, there are some romantic moments that will curl your toes.

The story line itself is like none other I have read. To quote Fisher Amelie, "VAIN is fiction based on reality. To clarify though, not my reality. Sophie and Ian and all of Masego are influenced by people I know or have read extensively about." This is truly one of the best books I have ever read. It gripped my heart, opened my eyes, and accomplished just what I think Fisher Amelie desired it to, and it is my sincerest hope that when you read this book, it will do the same for you. If you love the New Adult books that are out there, then this is for you, and if you are looking for something unique and different, this VAIN most definitely for you. I cannot stress enough how much I loved this book and how much I recommend it to every reader who will take the time to pick it up. I guarantee you will not be disappointed. Thank you Fisher Amelie for the wonderful gift you have given your readers in VAIN. I loved it!! ( )

Warning: mild spoilers without tags

"The shortest distance between two points is the line between you and me."

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book and the first few chapters made me extremely skeptical of where this might go.

But that there was a complete change and this book took me on a haunting story filled with joy in the most unexpected places. These kids could certainly teach all of us a valueable lesson because despite losing everything they had, they still find it in them to be happy and have hope.

This book certainly wasn't perfect but the message was too breathtaking to give this book anything but 5 stars.

When Ian tells Sophie that she is beautiful but that the beauty of her heart makes her face ten times more beautiful, she takes the compliment for what it is: the highest compliment a person can receive.

Beauty, looks and appearances aren't everything in life and she finally grasps that lesson and for once Sophie doesn't feel dead inside when she receives that compliment about her beauty.

As shallow as she starts out, I have to agree wirh Ian - she certainly turns into a beautiful woman and I'm not refering to her looks.

I think that I was most surprised about her father at the end of the book and that little tidbit of information seemed almost random but I was glad for it nonetheless because it showed how far reaching a single action can be and how many people can be affected by it.

I wish I could say that this book is purely fictional but sadly it's not and that leaves a very bitter aftertaste.

I wish that our world was a better place and children were allowed to keep on rose colored glasses well into their adulthood (as I was mostly allowed to) but not every child is allowed a carefree childhood and that should give us pause and make us think how each and every one of us is able to help in stopping the cruelty that invades our world - no matter how small the step, it'd be a step in the right direction. ( )

Unmarked spoilers ahead! Proceed with caution

This book completely surprised me. I was completely prepared to write this book off as another shitty book about some snobby girl and be done with it, but I'm glad I didn't. I really hated Sophie at the beginning of the book, but I guess that's kind of the point. You're supposed to hate her. You're not supposed to be rooting for the girl who sleeps with her friend's boyfriends because she thinks that she can do and have whatever/whoever she wants. You're not supposed to root for the girl who's the personification of shallow, and you are definitely not supposed to root for the girl who got caught snorting coke again and tried to seduce her arresting officer in an attempt to be set free. I honestly can't say when she started to change because the change in her was so subtle. All I know is that one minute I was hoping she'd fall flat on her face, and the next minute I was rooting for her to get through all of the trials she faced. I'm glad I gave this book a chance, because it was much better than I thought it would be. ( )