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Finding You
Sofia suffers with anxiety, so when she decides to spend a semester in England, nobody can believe it, not least herself. Determined to be a braver, stronger person, she agrees to go to a house party on her very first night. That’s where she meets Troy.
Not knowing what to expect, the trip ends up challenging her in ways she could never have anticipated. Facing crushing truths and experiencing liberation like never before, Finding You is the story of both Sofia and Troy as they navigate life and love alongside anxiety.
Not knowing what to expect, the trip ends up challenging her in ways she could never have anticipated. Facing crushing truths and experiencing liberation like never before, Finding You is the story of both Sofia and Troy as they navigate life and love alongside anxiety.
368 pages, Paperback
Published October 28, 2021
12 people want to read
About the author
Kerri Marie
1 book12 followersKerri Marie has lived with anxiety for most of her life. Reading and writing has always been a great source of comfort, support and often therapy for dealing with the challenges anxiety presents. As an avid reader, she enjoys reading and being part of the ‘Bookstagram’ community. In fact, it was this very community that gave her the courage to take the final step and self-publish her debut novel: Finding You. To follow all things book and life related, head over to Kerri’s Instagram page (@readkerrimarie).
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 23, 2021
Finding You really is a wonderful book. I loved it from start to finish. This is going to be a spoiler free review so I won’t get too much into what happens but the growth of Troy and Sofia’s relationship is lovely, and keeps you hooked.
The mental health representation (anxiety, intrusive thoughts, panic attacks) in this book is amazing; perhaps the best I’ve read. It’s very real and raw, and you can tell it comes from the authors’ personal experience. It can be a little confronting at times because it’s so realistic, but it’s handled with the upmost respect and sensitivity, so it doesn’t get overwhelming. The book also has a whole page dedicated to trigger warnings and support at the front, which is so important - I would love to see more often in other books!
I loved that the story was written from dual perspectives. We were able to see things from both Sofia and Troy’s point of view, so you can really get a feel of how they view and handle situations differently. Often when a book is dual perspective the same events aren’t repeated, but in Finding You they are. It didn’t at all get repetitive though, and actually gave a much deeper insight into the narrative.
I never usually read romance books but I’m so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone and read this, because I really, really enjoyed it.
The mental health representation (anxiety, intrusive thoughts, panic attacks) in this book is amazing; perhaps the best I’ve read. It’s very real and raw, and you can tell it comes from the authors’ personal experience. It can be a little confronting at times because it’s so realistic, but it’s handled with the upmost respect and sensitivity, so it doesn’t get overwhelming. The book also has a whole page dedicated to trigger warnings and support at the front, which is so important - I would love to see more often in other books!
I loved that the story was written from dual perspectives. We were able to see things from both Sofia and Troy’s point of view, so you can really get a feel of how they view and handle situations differently. Often when a book is dual perspective the same events aren’t repeated, but in Finding You they are. It didn’t at all get repetitive though, and actually gave a much deeper insight into the narrative.
I never usually read romance books but I’m so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone and read this, because I really, really enjoyed it.
November 29, 2021
We follow Sofia who has recently moved to England from The US for a semester at uni. She is navigating herself through life, mental health and anxiety. This isn’t the typical boy meets girl, yes it’s a romance but it has a much deeper grounding. Troy feels Sofia deserves more but he soon becomes her anchor and safe space.
I can’t even begin to explain how much I loved this book. The way Kerri has discussed, explained and talked about anxiety was delicate but powerful. It was so intrinsically done that I didn’t feel I was just reading Sofia’s journey, I felt I was right there with her.
With any book, fictional or not, mental health chat can be quite difficult. Even when I could relate to certain aspects, it was discussed with realism and respect. It’s so easy to see just how much of the authors heart and soul has gone into this book that it simply shines through.
The setting, the characters and the story is different to anything I have read before and in the best way. Most of the time I felt I was simply listening to a friend describe her day and thoughts. Watching Sofia and Troy develop as a couple made my heart sore as they empowered, adored and really helped to bring out the best in each other.
I can’t even begin to explain how much I loved this book. The way Kerri has discussed, explained and talked about anxiety was delicate but powerful. It was so intrinsically done that I didn’t feel I was just reading Sofia’s journey, I felt I was right there with her.
With any book, fictional or not, mental health chat can be quite difficult. Even when I could relate to certain aspects, it was discussed with realism and respect. It’s so easy to see just how much of the authors heart and soul has gone into this book that it simply shines through.
The setting, the characters and the story is different to anything I have read before and in the best way. Most of the time I felt I was simply listening to a friend describe her day and thoughts. Watching Sofia and Troy develop as a couple made my heart sore as they empowered, adored and really helped to bring out the best in each other.
December 2, 2021
Finding You is packed with mental health rep, and is written in a way that fully puts the reader inside the head of someone struggling with anxiety and panic disorder. I really appreciated the trigger warnings at the start, a really thoughtful touch from Kerri. I’d say this leans towards the YA side of things, so if you’re a fan of that genre and dual POV romances, this is one for you!
Both the main characters were sweet and relatable, but Max absolutely stole the show for me. Everyone needs a Max in their life as a best friend! 🥺
It’s always SO exciting when someone from our community releases their own book so please go and show Kerri some support! Not only is she spreading awareness for anxiety, she is also a wonderful person 💖
Both the main characters were sweet and relatable, but Max absolutely stole the show for me. Everyone needs a Max in their life as a best friend! 🥺
It’s always SO exciting when someone from our community releases their own book so please go and show Kerri some support! Not only is she spreading awareness for anxiety, she is also a wonderful person 💖
December 18, 2021
I cannot express to you all how much this book resonated with me. The mental health aspects are discussed delicately and with realism. In particular, there are a few pages where Sofia discusses health anxiety and it was so damn relatable and accurate to everything I have dealt with for the past 14 years. I rarely read books about mental health, but of the few I've read, this is probably the most accurate description. It is so clear that Kerri understands exactly what health anxiety and social anxiety are.
I thought the use of the dual perspective, particularly the repetition of scenes, was powerful. It allows the reader to understand how Sofia and Troy interpret the same situation, which I'm always very curious about. I loved how their relationship developed over time. It wasn't linear, it was very much up and down, which is probably quite normal in young adults (I wouldn't know due to my lack of dating experience hahaha).
My favourite side character was definitely Max. She was very cool, and her revelation at the end was really powerful.
Also, the trigger warnings at the start with resources - so brilliant! This needs to become the norm!
Last thing - I've followed Kerri on instagram for a few months now, and she posted photos of the locations that inspired the setting of the book. The locations are so beautiful and it's nice to know the places described in the book exist in real life! Definitely check that out if you haven't already!
I thought the use of the dual perspective, particularly the repetition of scenes, was powerful. It allows the reader to understand how Sofia and Troy interpret the same situation, which I'm always very curious about. I loved how their relationship developed over time. It wasn't linear, it was very much up and down, which is probably quite normal in young adults (I wouldn't know due to my lack of dating experience hahaha).
My favourite side character was definitely Max. She was very cool, and her revelation at the end was really powerful.
Also, the trigger warnings at the start with resources - so brilliant! This needs to become the norm!
Last thing - I've followed Kerri on instagram for a few months now, and she posted photos of the locations that inspired the setting of the book. The locations are so beautiful and it's nice to know the places described in the book exist in real life! Definitely check that out if you haven't already!
November 30, 2021
❋ I loved both Troy and Sofia’s characters. They were both 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅 and the way that they aligned together was just lovely.
❋ I particularly enjoyed Troy’s reaction to Sofia’s anxiety. He 𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗻’𝘁 get it right every time, sometimes he let his frustration show and said things he probably shouldn’t have but this 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝘀𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹. No human being can be compassionate in every single moment especially when emotions are running so high but it didn’t mean he didn’t love her or even like her and I think for someone with anxiety that’s such 𝗻𝗲𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲.
❋ The exploration of anxiety throughout was really 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗹𝘆 done. I liked that having the dual narration gave the opportunity to show how dictating it can be to Sofia whilst Troy’s naivety allowed for him to learn and raise awareness of ‘the basics’ and I though this was really well done.
❋ I feel I have mentioned anxiety so much in this review just with the story resonating so much with me but believe me this book is so much more than that. The 𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲. The 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀. I adore Max. This book had me 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀!!
❋ Overall I 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗱 this book, the dual narration was different to anything I’ve ever read before in that some parts showed the same part of the story from both perspectives and although I was a bit confused at first I think this actually gave a really different perspective of how the same situation can be interpreted. I would 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 picking this one up- it would make a perfect Christmas present too!! 𝕎𝕖𝕝𝕝 𝔻𝕠𝕟𝕖 Kerri Marie.
❋ I particularly enjoyed Troy’s reaction to Sofia’s anxiety. He 𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗻’𝘁 get it right every time, sometimes he let his frustration show and said things he probably shouldn’t have but this 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝘀𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹. No human being can be compassionate in every single moment especially when emotions are running so high but it didn’t mean he didn’t love her or even like her and I think for someone with anxiety that’s such 𝗻𝗲𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲.
❋ The exploration of anxiety throughout was really 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗹𝘆 done. I liked that having the dual narration gave the opportunity to show how dictating it can be to Sofia whilst Troy’s naivety allowed for him to learn and raise awareness of ‘the basics’ and I though this was really well done.
❋ I feel I have mentioned anxiety so much in this review just with the story resonating so much with me but believe me this book is so much more than that. The 𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲. The 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀. I adore Max. This book had me 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀!!
❋ Overall I 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗱 this book, the dual narration was different to anything I’ve ever read before in that some parts showed the same part of the story from both perspectives and although I was a bit confused at first I think this actually gave a really different perspective of how the same situation can be interpreted. I would 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 picking this one up- it would make a perfect Christmas present too!! 𝕎𝕖𝕝𝕝 𝔻𝕠𝕟𝕖 Kerri Marie.
December 11, 2021
I absolutely loved this book. It was truly an incredible read. I fell in love with the story and the characters straight away! I loved how much depth the author included in this book, it was highly detailed.
I really enjoyed the characters in this book. They were all so unique and well developed. I thought the author really brought the characters to life and gave them all great voices in the book. This book is very character driven, this highlights the importance of the character development. I thought Sofia, one of the main characters, was such an interesting person. I loved reading in her perspective and learning about her anxiety. I feel her journey in the book was based a lot around self-discovery and learning about herself.
The chapters alternated between Sofia and the other main character, Troy. I thought he was such a caring and thoughtful character. I feel like the build up of their relationship was beautiful and well written. The author portrayed how Sofia’s anxiety could affect her relationship with other people which I thought was a great inclusion. The chapters alternated in between the two main characters. I liked how the chapters gave the reader a perspective of both of them and we got listen to their thoughts and feelings.
This book was a great length to be able to character and world build as well as develop characters and their relationships. I felt like the author included a lot into this book which made the book quick to read. I was so eager to find out what would happen to the two main characters after all they went through.
The mental health aspect was a major topic in this book. I thought the author showed a realistic way in how people can suffer with their mental health and how they can cope with it. It is important to highlight these hard to talk about topics and make them more talked about. I feel a lot of people will related to Sofia and her difficulties in her day to day life. I also loved how the author included a page at the front of the book with trigger warning and places to get more information.
This was such an amazing read. I highly recommend this book to everyone!!!
I really enjoyed the characters in this book. They were all so unique and well developed. I thought the author really brought the characters to life and gave them all great voices in the book. This book is very character driven, this highlights the importance of the character development. I thought Sofia, one of the main characters, was such an interesting person. I loved reading in her perspective and learning about her anxiety. I feel her journey in the book was based a lot around self-discovery and learning about herself.
The chapters alternated between Sofia and the other main character, Troy. I thought he was such a caring and thoughtful character. I feel like the build up of their relationship was beautiful and well written. The author portrayed how Sofia’s anxiety could affect her relationship with other people which I thought was a great inclusion. The chapters alternated in between the two main characters. I liked how the chapters gave the reader a perspective of both of them and we got listen to their thoughts and feelings.
This book was a great length to be able to character and world build as well as develop characters and their relationships. I felt like the author included a lot into this book which made the book quick to read. I was so eager to find out what would happen to the two main characters after all they went through.
The mental health aspect was a major topic in this book. I thought the author showed a realistic way in how people can suffer with their mental health and how they can cope with it. It is important to highlight these hard to talk about topics and make them more talked about. I feel a lot of people will related to Sofia and her difficulties in her day to day life. I also loved how the author included a page at the front of the book with trigger warning and places to get more information.
This was such an amazing read. I highly recommend this book to everyone!!!
August 5, 2022
BAHHHHH! I need me a Troy!!!! The way he dealt with her anxiety was so sweet 🥹 I love this book so much and could definitely relate because of my own anxiety and intrusive thoughts. I wonder what will happen after the summer. I NEED another book!!!!! 😫😍 And Max was such a sweet friend I love her so much!! I recommend for anyone dealing with anxiety especially as long as they’re 14+ for some content.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews