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The Take-Over Friend
A really good story about the very complex world of trying to find out who you really are."-Judith Katz, author of The Escape Artist and Running Fiercely Toward A High Thin Sound.
On the second day of ninth grade, introverted Frances meets Sonja, a wildly funny newcomer from France, and the girls form a fast friendship. Frances adores Sonja's worldliness, and Sonja adores Frances's family, especially her older brother, Will. Frances and Sonja immediately declare themselves "The Poets" and rally their homeroom to enter the homecoming parade with a poetry-mobile built from Frances's father's old band bus. But respective family crises begin to escalate, and tensions come to a head when Sonja temporarily moves in with Frances's family - forcing each friend to decide how close is too close. Alternatingly funny and poignant, The Take-Over Friend is a smart page-turner that focuses on the importance of finding your own voice in relationships.
On the second day of ninth grade, introverted Frances meets Sonja, a wildly funny newcomer from France, and the girls form a fast friendship. Frances adores Sonja's worldliness, and Sonja adores Frances's family, especially her older brother, Will. Frances and Sonja immediately declare themselves "The Poets" and rally their homeroom to enter the homecoming parade with a poetry-mobile built from Frances's father's old band bus. But respective family crises begin to escalate, and tensions come to a head when Sonja temporarily moves in with Frances's family - forcing each friend to decide how close is too close. Alternatingly funny and poignant, The Take-Over Friend is a smart page-turner that focuses on the importance of finding your own voice in relationships.
- GenresYoung AdultFiction
228 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 4, 2022
About the author
Carol Dines
10 books37 followersCarol Dines’s recent adult fiction, a collection of stories, This Distance We Call Love, won the Eric Hoffer Book Prize, 2022, and was a finalist in the National Indies Excellence Award for short fiction. In addition, her new young adult novel, The Take-Over Friend, finalist for the Achevan Prize, will be forthcoming from Fitzroy Books October, 2022. Her recent stories have been published in Ploughshares, Salamander, Narrative, Colorado Review, and Nimrod International. She has also published two novels for young adults, Best Friends Tell the Best Lies (Delacorte), The Queen’s Soprano (Harcourt) and a collection of short stories for young adults, Talk to Me (Delacorte.) In addition, she has published poems and stories in numerous journals and anthologies, including Somebody’s Speaking My Language (Women’s Voices Press), Voices of the Land (Milkweed), and Love and Lust: An Anthology, (Taylor and O’Neill’s Open To Interpretation, 2014). She is a recipient of the Judy Blume award as well as a recipient of Minnesota and Wisconsin State Artist Fellowships. Dines received a BA from Stanford University and an MA in English from Colorado State University. She has taught writing to all ages at universities, colleges, and public schools in Colorado, Florida, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband, Jack Zipes, and their standard poodle.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
October 25, 2022
Wow, reading this book was like riding on a roller-coaster.
It starts off fairly innocently; two teenage girls meet up in their freshman year of high school. Frances is quiet and self-conscious; Sonja is outgoing and sassy. The two opposite personalities clique and an instant friendship forms. Frances is more than willing to let Sonja direct their relationship. But as time passes, “close becomes closer, then too close,” as Frances’ older sister points out. Dangerously, smotheringly close…
I could relate to Frances’ self-conscious, people-pleaser personality. In school, I was the shy bookworm and avid dog-lover, and my best friend was the head cheerleader. Somehow we just always got along with each other, and enjoyed our times together.
The author did a great job of drawing out the suspense, all the way to the end. As the reader, you find out more about Sonja, her family, and her mental state just a bit at a time. Reminded me of the story about the frog in the pot of boiling water; no one saw Sonja for who or what she was until it was past the point of no return.
Trigger Warnings:
Attempted suicide by a parent, extramarital affair, mental illness, act of arson
Red Flags:
Underage drinking, drug use, sexual innuendo
It starts off fairly innocently; two teenage girls meet up in their freshman year of high school. Frances is quiet and self-conscious; Sonja is outgoing and sassy. The two opposite personalities clique and an instant friendship forms. Frances is more than willing to let Sonja direct their relationship. But as time passes, “close becomes closer, then too close,” as Frances’ older sister points out. Dangerously, smotheringly close…
I could relate to Frances’ self-conscious, people-pleaser personality. In school, I was the shy bookworm and avid dog-lover, and my best friend was the head cheerleader. Somehow we just always got along with each other, and enjoyed our times together.
The author did a great job of drawing out the suspense, all the way to the end. As the reader, you find out more about Sonja, her family, and her mental state just a bit at a time. Reminded me of the story about the frog in the pot of boiling water; no one saw Sonja for who or what she was until it was past the point of no return.
Trigger Warnings:
Attempted suicide by a parent, extramarital affair, mental illness, act of arson
Red Flags:
Underage drinking, drug use, sexual innuendo
September 30, 2022
ARC given to me by @TurnthePageTours
This was a 3-star read for me. One of the things that I liked about this book, was how the friendship was something that I feel most of us have experienced on some level. So much happened in this book but at the same time, absolutely nothing happened. I was bored most of it, but the ending, around the last 60 (maybe 100) pages was the best!
Overall, I definitely feel this book will be more enjoyable for other audiences. I am definitely grateful to have read this book since I was intrigued by it for a while! (GoodReads we need half stars, I beg!)
This was a 3-star read for me. One of the things that I liked about this book, was how the friendship was something that I feel most of us have experienced on some level. So much happened in this book but at the same time, absolutely nothing happened. I was bored most of it, but the ending, around the last 60 (maybe 100) pages was the best!
Overall, I definitely feel this book will be more enjoyable for other audiences. I am definitely grateful to have read this book since I was intrigued by it for a while! (GoodReads we need half stars, I beg!)
May 26, 2022
If I had a dollar for every time somebody suggested I use NetGalley, I’d have at least $100. I love the premise behind NetGalley, and I wish I had gotten in on that action earlier, but at this point in my reading (and writing about my reading) journey, it’s not very practical. I need to stay relevant with the books I review, which means I need current and popular releases. While those books are frequently on NetGalley, they are only available to people who have been reading and reviewing on NetGalley for a long time. It takes years to get the kind of approval rating needed for the most popular and sought after releases. I will get on there once a month to browse the “available for all” books, and every now and then I will grab one that piques my interest.
The one was appealing because it dove into a close friendship between two adolescent girls. I have some experience in that arena. I don’t know exactly what I was expecting from this book, but what I actually got was a bit of a disappointment. Sonja was immediately an unlikable character, which I guess was the author’s point. Frances talks a little bit about a friend she USED to have that somehow hurt her, but that dynamic isn’t really expanded upon, so we’re not sure how Frances’s scars from THAT friendship made her easy prey for Sonja. It was pretty easy to see, early on in this book, that Sonja was just bad news. As a mother, if one of my kids’ friends had been in my home and spoken to me (or any other adult in my home) like Sonja did, that would have been the end of it. The fact that mom continued to let Sonja in their home, and then to stay for an extended period of time, baffled me. That just seemed to far-fetched to me, the entire story just took a nose-dive.
And I found myself irrationally irritated by Frances’s dad watching the Super Bowl on New Year’s Day. The Super Bowl is not on New Year’s Day. It has never been on New Year’s Day. That said to me the author didn’t care enough about the little details, and that just made this book a disappointment.
The one was appealing because it dove into a close friendship between two adolescent girls. I have some experience in that arena. I don’t know exactly what I was expecting from this book, but what I actually got was a bit of a disappointment. Sonja was immediately an unlikable character, which I guess was the author’s point. Frances talks a little bit about a friend she USED to have that somehow hurt her, but that dynamic isn’t really expanded upon, so we’re not sure how Frances’s scars from THAT friendship made her easy prey for Sonja. It was pretty easy to see, early on in this book, that Sonja was just bad news. As a mother, if one of my kids’ friends had been in my home and spoken to me (or any other adult in my home) like Sonja did, that would have been the end of it. The fact that mom continued to let Sonja in their home, and then to stay for an extended period of time, baffled me. That just seemed to far-fetched to me, the entire story just took a nose-dive.
And I found myself irrationally irritated by Frances’s dad watching the Super Bowl on New Year’s Day. The Super Bowl is not on New Year’s Day. It has never been on New Year’s Day. That said to me the author didn’t care enough about the little details, and that just made this book a disappointment.
April 27, 2022
I was provided with an e-ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Eager-to-please and caring, Frances struggles to find friends until Sonja shows up and inserts herself into Frances' life. At first, it's everything Frances dreams of in having a best friend, but before long it starts to feel like Sonja is taking over her family - chatting with her dad, flirting with her brother - and Frances doesn't know how to set the boundaries to fix it.
I found all the characters in this book stood out to me; all imperfect, all real. In Sonja and Frances I recognised many of my own issues with clingy or abusive friendships as a young teen, and the difficulty Frances felt in making boundaries when she was lonely was all too recognisable. I particularly liked how Frances came into her own towards the end of the book.
This a book that covers an issue of finding friendship and setting boundaries that many young adults face in high school, It approaches the topic with great sensitivity, but also with a subtle sinister edge which gave it a great atmosphere that compelled me to keep reading.
Eager-to-please and caring, Frances struggles to find friends until Sonja shows up and inserts herself into Frances' life. At first, it's everything Frances dreams of in having a best friend, but before long it starts to feel like Sonja is taking over her family - chatting with her dad, flirting with her brother - and Frances doesn't know how to set the boundaries to fix it.
I found all the characters in this book stood out to me; all imperfect, all real. In Sonja and Frances I recognised many of my own issues with clingy or abusive friendships as a young teen, and the difficulty Frances felt in making boundaries when she was lonely was all too recognisable. I particularly liked how Frances came into her own towards the end of the book.
This a book that covers an issue of finding friendship and setting boundaries that many young adults face in high school, It approaches the topic with great sensitivity, but also with a subtle sinister edge which gave it a great atmosphere that compelled me to keep reading.
October 8, 2022
3.5 stars out of 5
I was able to read this book for free through NetGalley. To be honest, I might not have thought to read it based on first impressions of the cover and title, but I’m glad I gave it a chance!
This book deals with topics that may be triggering to some, including mental health (primarily depression and bipolar disorder), self harm, suicidal ideation, adultery, separation, animal cruelty. It’s important to note these before going into it.
With that out of the way, let’s address the good parts! The author handles difficult topics very well, and with a gentle but honest hand. As the book is from the pov of Frances, who is navigating her own relationships as well as witnessing the complicated relationships between others in her life, we get to see a daughters perspective of those entanglements. Frances grows within the pages until, at the end, it seems she has finally been able to find her own voice and personality.
There is a lot that most people (especially women) can relate to - the thoughts and feelings of Frances, the complicated friendship she shares with Sonja, and the difficulties she faces as a teen. She feels like a completely realistic character, and a fairly reliable narrator. It helps that she is incredibly likeable, in comparison to Sonja, who often comes across as precocious and rude, albeit partly due to her upbringing. They act as foils of one another in some ways. The depth and fast pace of their journey from stranger to inseparable best friends to mere acquaintances also feels entirely realistic, given their ages.
For me, the majority of characters in the book were really well developed, the author really taking the time to let the readers get to know even the more adjacent characters. None of them felt two dimensional.
I absolutely did not see the twist towards the end coming. I audibly gasped, and was more emotional than I might have thought! One of the better twist executions I’ve seen in a while.
I enjoyed the story and would definitely recommend it as an easy read, in writing and style. There are a few points that could be improved on, in my opinion. Firstly, the book does start quite slowly. It takes some time to really get into; I had to get halfway through before I really found myself on a role in terms of reading.
Secondly - and not necessarily a bad thing - it should be noted that there’s little in the way of an actual plot. That isn’t something I class as a negative really - the book is primarily about the friendship between two girls in a fairly short space of time, and that is interesting enough for me. But I could see how others may want more.
Thirdly, I found Sonja a little too unlikeable. Perhaps the least realistic of the characters. Pretentious, too smart for her own good, manipulative, and impertinent, the only saving grace is Fran’s growth, which she inadvertently aids. I understand that she isn’t necessarily meant to be liked; but there were many points regarding her life and family that should have made me sympathise a little with her, but I didn’t. Teenagers aren’t often irredeemable; she feels it.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this. I would definitely be intrigued to look into anything else the author writes, as I liked her style, and the simple no frills attached writing, which can be a breath of fresh air in a world of flowery, purple prose. The book deals with complicated issues and feelings, but isn’t difficult to digest. I think it’s relatable in many points, and mostly a realistic depiction. The twist is one that I do not think anyone could see coming, and that alone was worth it!
I was able to read this book for free through NetGalley. To be honest, I might not have thought to read it based on first impressions of the cover and title, but I’m glad I gave it a chance!
This book deals with topics that may be triggering to some, including mental health (primarily depression and bipolar disorder), self harm, suicidal ideation, adultery, separation, animal cruelty. It’s important to note these before going into it.
With that out of the way, let’s address the good parts! The author handles difficult topics very well, and with a gentle but honest hand. As the book is from the pov of Frances, who is navigating her own relationships as well as witnessing the complicated relationships between others in her life, we get to see a daughters perspective of those entanglements. Frances grows within the pages until, at the end, it seems she has finally been able to find her own voice and personality.
There is a lot that most people (especially women) can relate to - the thoughts and feelings of Frances, the complicated friendship she shares with Sonja, and the difficulties she faces as a teen. She feels like a completely realistic character, and a fairly reliable narrator. It helps that she is incredibly likeable, in comparison to Sonja, who often comes across as precocious and rude, albeit partly due to her upbringing. They act as foils of one another in some ways. The depth and fast pace of their journey from stranger to inseparable best friends to mere acquaintances also feels entirely realistic, given their ages.
For me, the majority of characters in the book were really well developed, the author really taking the time to let the readers get to know even the more adjacent characters. None of them felt two dimensional.
I absolutely did not see the twist towards the end coming. I audibly gasped, and was more emotional than I might have thought! One of the better twist executions I’ve seen in a while.
I enjoyed the story and would definitely recommend it as an easy read, in writing and style. There are a few points that could be improved on, in my opinion. Firstly, the book does start quite slowly. It takes some time to really get into; I had to get halfway through before I really found myself on a role in terms of reading.
Secondly - and not necessarily a bad thing - it should be noted that there’s little in the way of an actual plot. That isn’t something I class as a negative really - the book is primarily about the friendship between two girls in a fairly short space of time, and that is interesting enough for me. But I could see how others may want more.
Thirdly, I found Sonja a little too unlikeable. Perhaps the least realistic of the characters. Pretentious, too smart for her own good, manipulative, and impertinent, the only saving grace is Fran’s growth, which she inadvertently aids. I understand that she isn’t necessarily meant to be liked; but there were many points regarding her life and family that should have made me sympathise a little with her, but I didn’t. Teenagers aren’t often irredeemable; she feels it.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this. I would definitely be intrigued to look into anything else the author writes, as I liked her style, and the simple no frills attached writing, which can be a breath of fresh air in a world of flowery, purple prose. The book deals with complicated issues and feelings, but isn’t difficult to digest. I think it’s relatable in many points, and mostly a realistic depiction. The twist is one that I do not think anyone could see coming, and that alone was worth it!
May 29, 2022
This book followed Frances, a girl who struggled to make friends until she met Sonja. However, things start becoming too much when Sonja begins to cross boundaries and Frances does not know how to react for fear of ruining her friendship. I love how in detail their family lives were, Frances' in particular. However, the best part is the sinister tone throughout and the dark twist at the end.
*Thank you to NetGalley, Carol Dines and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
*Thank you to NetGalley, Carol Dines and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
September 29, 2022
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc and physical finished copy from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Take-Over Friend
Author: Carol Dines
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4.5/5
Diversity: Jewish descent MC, Jewish descent character, Bipolar character
Recommended For...: young adult readers, younger YA readers, contemporary, friendship, emotional manipulation, growing up
Publication Date: September 27, 2022
Genre: YA Contemporary
Age Relevance: 15+ (depression, cheating, death, sexual content, drugs, emotional abuse, emotional manipulation, mania, underage alcohol consumption, attempted suicide, self harm, eating disorder, animal harm).
Explanation of Above: Depression is mentioned in the book and there are scenes of mania shown in the book. Cheating is mentioned in the book. There is death mentioned, an attempted suicide is vaguely mentioned, an eating disorder is vaguely mentioned, and the after effects of self-harm are shown. There are a couple of scenes where there is a joke that has sexual organs mentioned in it. Drugs are mentioned in the book. There are scenes of emotional abuse and manipulation, as well as stalking, bullying, and harassment shown. Underage alcohol consumption is shown and mentioned. There is one scene where animals, dogs, are harmed but they are ok!
Publisher: Fitzroy Books
Pages: 205
Synopsis: On the second day of ninth grade, introverted Frances meets Sonja, a wildly funny newcomer from France, and the girls form a fast friendship. Frances adores Sonja’s worldliness, and Sonja adores Frances’s family, especially her older brother, Will. Frances and Sonja immediately declare themselves “The Poets” and rally their homeroom to enter the homecoming parade with a poetry-mobile built from Frances’s father’s old band bus. But respective family crises begin to escalate, and tensions come to a head when Sonja temporarily moves in with Frances's family—forcing each friend to decide how close is too close. Alternatingly funny and poignant, The Take-Over Friend is a smart page-turner that focuses on the importance of finding your own voice in relationships.
Review: This was not what I was expecting the book to be. I thought the book was going to detail friends drifting apart or not being as close as they were, but the book is actually a cautionary tale on emotional abuse and manipulation, with a bit of stalking thrown in there for flavor. The book was very well written and I loved how well it explained emotional abuse and manipulation that you might receive from friends. The character development was well done as was the world building. I also want to empathize that this book would be good for younger YA readers. The contents of it aren’t that mature and it’s a great conversation to have early on so that children are aware that some friends aren’t true friends.
However, I did think that the book was a bit too fast paced and the time skips weren’t well defined. I was also thought that the book didn’t have a great resolution and I would have liked to see something more empowering for a character who had been continually torn down.
Verdict: It was great! Highly recommend!
Book: The Take-Over Friend
Author: Carol Dines
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4.5/5
Diversity: Jewish descent MC, Jewish descent character, Bipolar character
Recommended For...: young adult readers, younger YA readers, contemporary, friendship, emotional manipulation, growing up
Publication Date: September 27, 2022
Genre: YA Contemporary
Age Relevance: 15+ (depression, cheating, death, sexual content, drugs, emotional abuse, emotional manipulation, mania, underage alcohol consumption, attempted suicide, self harm, eating disorder, animal harm).
Explanation of Above: Depression is mentioned in the book and there are scenes of mania shown in the book. Cheating is mentioned in the book. There is death mentioned, an attempted suicide is vaguely mentioned, an eating disorder is vaguely mentioned, and the after effects of self-harm are shown. There are a couple of scenes where there is a joke that has sexual organs mentioned in it. Drugs are mentioned in the book. There are scenes of emotional abuse and manipulation, as well as stalking, bullying, and harassment shown. Underage alcohol consumption is shown and mentioned. There is one scene where animals, dogs, are harmed but they are ok!
Publisher: Fitzroy Books
Pages: 205
Synopsis: On the second day of ninth grade, introverted Frances meets Sonja, a wildly funny newcomer from France, and the girls form a fast friendship. Frances adores Sonja’s worldliness, and Sonja adores Frances’s family, especially her older brother, Will. Frances and Sonja immediately declare themselves “The Poets” and rally their homeroom to enter the homecoming parade with a poetry-mobile built from Frances’s father’s old band bus. But respective family crises begin to escalate, and tensions come to a head when Sonja temporarily moves in with Frances's family—forcing each friend to decide how close is too close. Alternatingly funny and poignant, The Take-Over Friend is a smart page-turner that focuses on the importance of finding your own voice in relationships.
Review: This was not what I was expecting the book to be. I thought the book was going to detail friends drifting apart or not being as close as they were, but the book is actually a cautionary tale on emotional abuse and manipulation, with a bit of stalking thrown in there for flavor. The book was very well written and I loved how well it explained emotional abuse and manipulation that you might receive from friends. The character development was well done as was the world building. I also want to empathize that this book would be good for younger YA readers. The contents of it aren’t that mature and it’s a great conversation to have early on so that children are aware that some friends aren’t true friends.
However, I did think that the book was a bit too fast paced and the time skips weren’t well defined. I was also thought that the book didn’t have a great resolution and I would have liked to see something more empowering for a character who had been continually torn down.
Verdict: It was great! Highly recommend!
October 7, 2022
THE TAKE-OVER FRIEND by Carol Dines is about Frances, a high school student, who has found herself practically friendless until Sonja takes over her world like a storm. Sonja is sophisticated, a borderline genius, and deeply alone. For Frances, it’s perfect. Sonja fills up all the holes in Frances’ life until Frances isn’t sure if there’s enough space for herself anymore. As such, when Frances tries to assert her own independence, Sonja gets very angry and desperate. After everything Sonja’s been through, there’s nothing to lose, which makes her liable to do anything.
I really enjoyed this book as it captures how complicated and fraught female friendships can be, especially when you’re a teenager. Frances’ sense of belonging, or lack thereof, comes from those around her, her siblings, her parents, and the kids at school, so when Sonja takes interest in her, it’s almost like validation that she’s worthy of someone’s attention. Unfortunately, Frances doesn’t realize exactly how much attention Sonja will demand. This dynamic is relatable on so many different levels as it’s easy to compromise what we want in order to fit in or be accepted, especially when someone else has such a strong worldview.
Unlike Sonja, Frances has a hard time immediately naming how she feels, but throughout the story, Frances’ connection to her gut and intuition grows stronger. I am thrilled Dines includes this theme as it will resonate deeply with many. It is so easy to self-censor and betray yourself in order to make others feel comfortable, particularly as a young girl in today’s world. Frances’ journaling is a great reminder of tools we can use to discover our voices, but I also really like that Sonja pushes for honesty and open communication, even though for her it may be a means of control, it’s still a good reminder that we are allowed to take up space with our thoughts.
Aside from that, the prose in this book is fantastic. There’s a dangerous, dark quality to it from the very first page that carries a sense of foreboding to the final chapters. Though the circumstances of the characters’ lives are unique, the precarious feeling related to having such a close friend rings true. If the friendship were to end, not only would there be pain from the loss of it, but there would also be the possibility of one party weaponizing all the intimate details gathered during the relationship. The book certainly explores the idea that those who love you can hurt you the most, but in equal measure dissects how we can let that happen. All in all, the prose is atmospheric and suspenseful, while still being deeply real.
Overall, THE TAKE-OVER FRIEND is the perfect moody book for fall. It captures the tone of a grounded Pretty Little Liars, but as self-described by Sonja, she and Frances are “authentic.”
Review originally published here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/the-ta...
I really enjoyed this book as it captures how complicated and fraught female friendships can be, especially when you’re a teenager. Frances’ sense of belonging, or lack thereof, comes from those around her, her siblings, her parents, and the kids at school, so when Sonja takes interest in her, it’s almost like validation that she’s worthy of someone’s attention. Unfortunately, Frances doesn’t realize exactly how much attention Sonja will demand. This dynamic is relatable on so many different levels as it’s easy to compromise what we want in order to fit in or be accepted, especially when someone else has such a strong worldview.
Unlike Sonja, Frances has a hard time immediately naming how she feels, but throughout the story, Frances’ connection to her gut and intuition grows stronger. I am thrilled Dines includes this theme as it will resonate deeply with many. It is so easy to self-censor and betray yourself in order to make others feel comfortable, particularly as a young girl in today’s world. Frances’ journaling is a great reminder of tools we can use to discover our voices, but I also really like that Sonja pushes for honesty and open communication, even though for her it may be a means of control, it’s still a good reminder that we are allowed to take up space with our thoughts.
Aside from that, the prose in this book is fantastic. There’s a dangerous, dark quality to it from the very first page that carries a sense of foreboding to the final chapters. Though the circumstances of the characters’ lives are unique, the precarious feeling related to having such a close friend rings true. If the friendship were to end, not only would there be pain from the loss of it, but there would also be the possibility of one party weaponizing all the intimate details gathered during the relationship. The book certainly explores the idea that those who love you can hurt you the most, but in equal measure dissects how we can let that happen. All in all, the prose is atmospheric and suspenseful, while still being deeply real.
Overall, THE TAKE-OVER FRIEND is the perfect moody book for fall. It captures the tone of a grounded Pretty Little Liars, but as self-described by Sonja, she and Frances are “authentic.”
Review originally published here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/the-ta...
December 9, 2022
The Take-Over Friend is an excellent story about the very confusing time in life when you are a teenager and trying to discover exactly who you are and what you really want. I was very impressed with the story Ms. Dines put together. It shows all the normal, sometimes difficult, parts of life at this age, such as doing well in school, wanting to have a boyfriend, the confusion and joy that come from family, and the happiness and heartache that comes with friendship.
This is the story of Frances, or Franny as she likes to be called, and her friend Sonja, who is new to the school this year. The girls become fast friends on the second day of school and the adventure begins. While Franny is kind of quiet and holds back from others, Sonja is a very direct, worldly, and immediately takes over the friendship, so to speak. Unfortunately, it is also seen very quickly that Sonja also takes over Franny’s family, as she does not have much family of her own and what she has can only be described as dysfunctional. As the book progresses, the girls have many good times as well as their fair share of not so good times, when Sonja has to move in with Franny’s family. As Franny learns more and more about herself through the story, she also learns that she needs to find her own voice and establish some control and boundaries for herself, as well as with Sonja. The trials for these girls, both separately and together, lead to a climax that can only be described as unexpected and tragic but also as one that had to happen in order for Franny to move forward.
The Take-Over Friend covers so many topics that many would consider it almost impossible to deal with as adults, yet here we see a teenage girl try to handle them and it is, very often, heartbreaking to watch. Franny’s father suffers from a mental illness, which I believe is handled very well in the story. As the reader, you watch as this illness impacts not only this strong man but his entire family and beyond as well, and it is dealt with so very well by the author. It also deals with the manipulation that is used by Franny’s new friend Sonja in order to get what she thinks is best for her, meaning Franny’s family rather than her own, and the tragic results that can come from wanting what others have.
The book is a story of love, friendship, betrayal and pain and it is so honest, emotional, and poignant that the reader cannot help but become totally involved in the story and characters until the very end. It is also sprinkled with just enough suspense and small amounts of humor. I would highly recommend this book to adults and teens alike, as well as anyone who is dealing with mental illness in their family and wants to understand more about the impact it can have. The characters are extremely well-written and you cannot help but become involved in their lives. I feel that Ms. Dines has succeeded in this young adult novel where others have failed and I give her much credit for that. 5 Stars!!
This is the story of Frances, or Franny as she likes to be called, and her friend Sonja, who is new to the school this year. The girls become fast friends on the second day of school and the adventure begins. While Franny is kind of quiet and holds back from others, Sonja is a very direct, worldly, and immediately takes over the friendship, so to speak. Unfortunately, it is also seen very quickly that Sonja also takes over Franny’s family, as she does not have much family of her own and what she has can only be described as dysfunctional. As the book progresses, the girls have many good times as well as their fair share of not so good times, when Sonja has to move in with Franny’s family. As Franny learns more and more about herself through the story, she also learns that she needs to find her own voice and establish some control and boundaries for herself, as well as with Sonja. The trials for these girls, both separately and together, lead to a climax that can only be described as unexpected and tragic but also as one that had to happen in order for Franny to move forward.
The Take-Over Friend covers so many topics that many would consider it almost impossible to deal with as adults, yet here we see a teenage girl try to handle them and it is, very often, heartbreaking to watch. Franny’s father suffers from a mental illness, which I believe is handled very well in the story. As the reader, you watch as this illness impacts not only this strong man but his entire family and beyond as well, and it is dealt with so very well by the author. It also deals with the manipulation that is used by Franny’s new friend Sonja in order to get what she thinks is best for her, meaning Franny’s family rather than her own, and the tragic results that can come from wanting what others have.
The book is a story of love, friendship, betrayal and pain and it is so honest, emotional, and poignant that the reader cannot help but become totally involved in the story and characters until the very end. It is also sprinkled with just enough suspense and small amounts of humor. I would highly recommend this book to adults and teens alike, as well as anyone who is dealing with mental illness in their family and wants to understand more about the impact it can have. The characters are extremely well-written and you cannot help but become involved in their lives. I feel that Ms. Dines has succeeded in this young adult novel where others have failed and I give her much credit for that. 5 Stars!!
August 8, 2022
Friendship can sometimes be difficult to sustain, especially as people grow and change. Frances Tannen knows this all too well; her childhood best friend has recently moved away, leaving Frances friend-less as she enters ninth grade. Lucky for her, a fascinating girl named Sonja has recently moved to town from France, and she and Frances become fast friends. Things begin in a positive and enviable way, as Sonja and Frances grow ever closer; but clues soon begin to reveal themselves that show Sonja in a completely different light.
Through a first-person narrative, this book immerses readers into Frances’ thoughts and beliefs as she navigates the turbulent waters of her freshman year of high school. The story often reads like a journal, especially as Frances explains truths about her family and her feelings that she does not express out loud. Coupled with these inner thoughts is ample dialogue between Frances and the many important people in her life, each of which has a strong and memorable voice. Readers will often cringe at the decisions Frances makes, especially as they recognize similarities from their own lives.
This book is anchored firmly in reality, even though the characters involved within it are fictional themselves. Mental illness appears in several different forms, and readers are able to witness the cause and effect of actions pursued by characters within the novel. One person’s idea of perfection is unique to them, and when jealousy becomes difficult to manage, terrible outcomes can result. As Frances clearly demonstrates, it is important to choose one’s friends wisely since there is often more happening beneath the surface than is initially obvious. And it is up to each person to stand up for themselves to avoid being destroyed by personalities wishing to overpower them. This realistic fiction novel is a cautionary tale for high school students, encouraging them to remain true to themselves even in the face of compelling opposition.
Through a first-person narrative, this book immerses readers into Frances’ thoughts and beliefs as she navigates the turbulent waters of her freshman year of high school. The story often reads like a journal, especially as Frances explains truths about her family and her feelings that she does not express out loud. Coupled with these inner thoughts is ample dialogue between Frances and the many important people in her life, each of which has a strong and memorable voice. Readers will often cringe at the decisions Frances makes, especially as they recognize similarities from their own lives.
This book is anchored firmly in reality, even though the characters involved within it are fictional themselves. Mental illness appears in several different forms, and readers are able to witness the cause and effect of actions pursued by characters within the novel. One person’s idea of perfection is unique to them, and when jealousy becomes difficult to manage, terrible outcomes can result. As Frances clearly demonstrates, it is important to choose one’s friends wisely since there is often more happening beneath the surface than is initially obvious. And it is up to each person to stand up for themselves to avoid being destroyed by personalities wishing to overpower them. This realistic fiction novel is a cautionary tale for high school students, encouraging them to remain true to themselves even in the face of compelling opposition.
October 14, 2022
While I would not classify this as a young adult book, it did have value within the pages for younger readers amid the challenges of growing up and friendships.
Frances has had a hard time since her best friend moved away and has felt very isolated after starting high school. On the second day of school, she meets Sonja, the opposite of Fran’s introverted self. Sonja integrates herself into Frances’s family immediately as the girls declare themselves best friends. When Sonja’s family has trouble, she moves in with Fran and the two have to quickly discover that their fast friendship is going to be put to the test.
This book has a lot of good points dealing with young friendships and how hard it can be growing up and making friends. I understand being an introvert and wanting to have friends and what it’s like when someone comes on strong with an overpowering personality. This was a good premise but read slowly, and for a YA book, or any book for that matter, that’s not necessarily positive. As I was reading, I wouldn’t classify this as a Young Adult book, for it to be that I feel like it needs to be writing a little differently to engage the young readers. This will appeal to an eclectic group of readers but not any average reader that pick it up for a quick read.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.
Frances has had a hard time since her best friend moved away and has felt very isolated after starting high school. On the second day of school, she meets Sonja, the opposite of Fran’s introverted self. Sonja integrates herself into Frances’s family immediately as the girls declare themselves best friends. When Sonja’s family has trouble, she moves in with Fran and the two have to quickly discover that their fast friendship is going to be put to the test.
This book has a lot of good points dealing with young friendships and how hard it can be growing up and making friends. I understand being an introvert and wanting to have friends and what it’s like when someone comes on strong with an overpowering personality. This was a good premise but read slowly, and for a YA book, or any book for that matter, that’s not necessarily positive. As I was reading, I wouldn’t classify this as a Young Adult book, for it to be that I feel like it needs to be writing a little differently to engage the young readers. This will appeal to an eclectic group of readers but not any average reader that pick it up for a quick read.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.
December 18, 2022
"Sometimes the truth comes in glimpses, feelings that refuse to settle."
Blurb: On the second day of ninth grade, introverted Frances meets Sonja, a wildly funny newcomer from France, and the girls form a fast friendship. Frances adores Sonja’s worldliness, and Sonja adores Frances’s family, especially her older brother, Will. Frances and Sonja immediately declare themselves “The Poets” and rally their homeroom to enter the homecoming parade with a poetry-mobile built from Frances’s father’s old band bus. But respective family crises begin to escalate, and tensions come to a head when Sonja temporarily moves in with Frances's family—forcing each friend to decide how close is too close. Alternatingly funny and poignant, The Take-Over Friend is a smart page-turner that focuses on the importance of finding your own voice in relationships.
My thoughts: What a completely honest, real, and raw representation of mental illness on different spectrums, but also how hard it is to be a teenager as well as try to handle mental illness at that age. I wish I would've had this book as a teenager and realize that it is so important to stick up for your feelings and stand against things that are toxic to you. I think the author really portrayed this well and I really enjoyed their writing style. Thank you so much to The Megan Beatie Team for sending me this book in exchange for my honest review!
I give The Take-over Friend by Carol Dines ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Blurb: On the second day of ninth grade, introverted Frances meets Sonja, a wildly funny newcomer from France, and the girls form a fast friendship. Frances adores Sonja’s worldliness, and Sonja adores Frances’s family, especially her older brother, Will. Frances and Sonja immediately declare themselves “The Poets” and rally their homeroom to enter the homecoming parade with a poetry-mobile built from Frances’s father’s old band bus. But respective family crises begin to escalate, and tensions come to a head when Sonja temporarily moves in with Frances's family—forcing each friend to decide how close is too close. Alternatingly funny and poignant, The Take-Over Friend is a smart page-turner that focuses on the importance of finding your own voice in relationships.
My thoughts: What a completely honest, real, and raw representation of mental illness on different spectrums, but also how hard it is to be a teenager as well as try to handle mental illness at that age. I wish I would've had this book as a teenager and realize that it is so important to stick up for your feelings and stand against things that are toxic to you. I think the author really portrayed this well and I really enjoyed their writing style. Thank you so much to The Megan Beatie Team for sending me this book in exchange for my honest review!
I give The Take-over Friend by Carol Dines ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 22, 2022
TW/CW: animal abuse (but light, not extreme), mental health, self harm
The Takeover Friend is about Franny and Sonja - two girls who meet in home room and become best friends. When Sonja comes to Fran’s house, she becomes interlocked with her family and takes more and more.
Okay so I loved this book - it’s about 14 year olds but it’s not straight middle grade - it’s got some heavy themes, discussing mental health, a little bit of drug use, teenage love and all the stress that goes with it, and I thought it was a great portrayal of high school friendships.
I loved the focus on mental health - I loved how the author addressed it and made it a focus of the book, but not the only one. I also really like that she showed all the faces of dealing with mental issues - the times that are good, the rock bottoms, adjusting to new medications and what that does.
I also loved the message and the lesson Fran learned and experienced over and over - the whole time I was rooting for her and I loved the wisdom and advice her mom had been giving the whole way.
The ending was sad but also so good. I put in a trigger warning - not excessive anima abuse by any means, but it wasn’t nothing. I loved how Franny was able to embrace her feelings and stick up for herself, especially when being manipulated.
ARC was provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Takeover Friend is about Franny and Sonja - two girls who meet in home room and become best friends. When Sonja comes to Fran’s house, she becomes interlocked with her family and takes more and more.
Okay so I loved this book - it’s about 14 year olds but it’s not straight middle grade - it’s got some heavy themes, discussing mental health, a little bit of drug use, teenage love and all the stress that goes with it, and I thought it was a great portrayal of high school friendships.
I loved the focus on mental health - I loved how the author addressed it and made it a focus of the book, but not the only one. I also really like that she showed all the faces of dealing with mental issues - the times that are good, the rock bottoms, adjusting to new medications and what that does.
I also loved the message and the lesson Fran learned and experienced over and over - the whole time I was rooting for her and I loved the wisdom and advice her mom had been giving the whole way.
The ending was sad but also so good. I put in a trigger warning - not excessive anima abuse by any means, but it wasn’t nothing. I loved how Franny was able to embrace her feelings and stick up for herself, especially when being manipulated.
ARC was provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 17, 2022
This was one of those books about nothing. But it was about something. It’s about friendships and navigating your friendships. Yet it didn’t feel like there was any direction.
While I think you get to know the characters fairly well and you can understand and agree with Francis it gets to the point where her new friend Sonja is just unbearable because she comes off pretentious and know it all. But more than that she feels so toxic that I wanted to yank Francis away from her early on.
I set this down for a couple weeks and tried to come back but it just wasn’t keeping me hooked since there was no other plot lines other than Sonja and Francis’ friendship. Therefore I DNF’d this and rounded up to a 3 star. I will say many people mention triggers so I would absolutely check those. While this one wasn’t for me I can see the potential and hope it works for others.
Thanks NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
While I think you get to know the characters fairly well and you can understand and agree with Francis it gets to the point where her new friend Sonja is just unbearable because she comes off pretentious and know it all. But more than that she feels so toxic that I wanted to yank Francis away from her early on.
I set this down for a couple weeks and tried to come back but it just wasn’t keeping me hooked since there was no other plot lines other than Sonja and Francis’ friendship. Therefore I DNF’d this and rounded up to a 3 star. I will say many people mention triggers so I would absolutely check those. While this one wasn’t for me I can see the potential and hope it works for others.
Thanks NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 24, 2022
This book gets inside the head of ninth-grader Frances, who becomes bewitched by the new girl, Sonja--beautiful, brilliant and worldly--and falls into a deep, complex friendship with her. Dines relates, in clear, unemotional prose, the joy and pain of being best friends when you are a teenage girl in the process of figuring out who you are. Frances's voice manages to be true to her age while still looking back with some perspective at what happened. The novel captures the seductive pull of the just-us friendship--how it can make up for troubles at home, give you a figurative place to go and make you feel like you are more than yourself. And it nails the wreckage a take-over friend can leave in her wake. I read the this book at one sitting, underlining and annotating at all the truths I found in its pages. Everyone should read it.
August 1, 2022
The Take-Over Friend is a story of friendship, high school and families and all of the complications of being part of these communities. Using great dialog, Dines deals with many issues facing teens and families; mental illness, divorce, neglect and more.There are also many examples of positive interactions with teenagers, teachers and family members.
The characters are rich and fascinating. Frances and Sonja have a complicated friendship and then there are the boys- jocks and Josh, a wonderful environmental chemistry whiz. The parents are also interesting, challenging the reader to think about parenting styles.
The story is fast- moving and the plot thickens and twists, keeping the reader interested to the very last page. A great read!
The characters are rich and fascinating. Frances and Sonja have a complicated friendship and then there are the boys- jocks and Josh, a wonderful environmental chemistry whiz. The parents are also interesting, challenging the reader to think about parenting styles.
The story is fast- moving and the plot thickens and twists, keeping the reader interested to the very last page. A great read!
November 21, 2022
‘The Takeover Friend’ is such a compelling take on the darkness of teenage friendship. I was really drawn in by the synopsis because I have read a lot of stories about complex and intense friendships.
Frances is introverted and quiet and is soon befriended by Sonja, an unfiltered and worldly girl from France. The pair are an unlikely pair of opposites but soon the friendship is tested as Sonja has to stay with Frances’s family and their dynamic becomes one of discomfort rather than fun.
I liked the intensity of the characters and particularly the internal struggle that Frances goes through as Sonja infiltrates each part of her life with ease.
Overall an original and interesting take on how we navigate friendships and also finding our own voice as to stand apart.
Frances is introverted and quiet and is soon befriended by Sonja, an unfiltered and worldly girl from France. The pair are an unlikely pair of opposites but soon the friendship is tested as Sonja has to stay with Frances’s family and their dynamic becomes one of discomfort rather than fun.
I liked the intensity of the characters and particularly the internal struggle that Frances goes through as Sonja infiltrates each part of her life with ease.
Overall an original and interesting take on how we navigate friendships and also finding our own voice as to stand apart.
June 11, 2022
There is so much to admire in this novel -- its humor, its heart, and the way it so perfectly captures the complexities of adolescent friendship in ways that will be familiar to anyone (teens and adults alike) who has ever experienced that heady rush of feeling that you've finally found the one person who "gets" you, only to discover the demands of the relationship turn out to be way more than you bargained for. It also offers a nuanced yet powerful examination of the impact of mental illness on a family and weaves these two storylines together in a compelling and beautifully crafted narrative. Highly recommended!
June 12, 2022
"Who remembers their first love? I'm talking about that deeply consuming aspirational friendship that guides your first tentative steps as yourself into the wider world. From the first paragraph, I was back in 9th grade, again the besotted shadow to my alluring BFF. Carol Dines has captured the flickering essence of that transitional teen moment like June fireflies in a jar: the intensity, the magic, the veiled danger. And every woman's got one, that one that shaped her, broke her, made her. The Take-Over Friend is a book that transcends its age label. It's all here for all of us in this marvelous, wise, and wry resonate read."
July 17, 2024
Great book... read it in 2 sittings. I like how it really emphasizes the struggles that two best friends can have... and how easily one can take over the other's life. It shows how important it is to figure out your emotions, wants, and feelings when it comes to relationships. Drawing boundaries is also an important theme throughout the book, as Sonja starts to control Frances' life. I am a little sad about how the book ended with Frances letting Sonja go... but it makes you realize that's what has to happen sometime, even in reality. Overall this book is very entertaining, and you can learn a lot from it.
April 23, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. It took me a little bit of time to get into it but once the story started to get going then I was hooked. The storyline began as a bit predictable but the event at the end completely shocked me! Would never have predicted that! The character development was excellent and I felt very strongly about many characters. I loved the bit of romance and was very glad about who Frances picked! It was a nice enjoyable read that has lots of essential life lessons, (especially from Frances’ Mum’s words of advice!) I would highly recommend if you’re looking for a lovely contemporary read.
October 7, 2022
I don't know how I really feel about this book. I liked it, but it wasn't anything mindblowing. It's kind of about how friendships can be when you're young and still super moldable. The gaslighting, manipulation, and friends just not being great friends to each other, that can happen when you don't yet know your own worth. It was a little hard to read because one of the characters is just soooo manipulative it made me angry.
Thank you to netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Thank you to netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for a fair and honest review.
October 18, 2022
My teenaged granddaughter practically inhaled this beautifully told tale of complicated friendships among adolescent girls and deemed it "the best book" she'd ever read. I picked it up as soon as she finished and found it to be a powerful, authentic rendering of those challenging high school years when girls try on different identities, as well as friends, as they try to sort out who they really are--and who they are not. This exceptional novel shines a light on a tender, vulnerable age, and is a must-read for teens and their parents, grandparents and teachers.
July 31, 2024
You know that a book is good when it has a character so infuriating that you actually feel real anger towards them
Fran is a very flawed character and I liked how the author still made that evident, her doormat-ish tendencies, similarities to her mother, and having a minuscule sort of selfishness only a wallflower could have.
I didn't expect anything like what happened at the end- WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE TRIED TO BURN FRANS DOGS ALIVE???? WDYM SHE CARVED WILLS NAME ON HER ARMS???? WH
3.5/5
Pretty good, had some issues but overall was okay
Fran is a very flawed character and I liked how the author still made that evident, her doormat-ish tendencies, similarities to her mother, and having a minuscule sort of selfishness only a wallflower could have.
I didn't expect anything like what happened at the end- WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE TRIED TO BURN FRANS DOGS ALIVE???? WDYM SHE CARVED WILLS NAME ON HER ARMS???? WH
3.5/5
Pretty good, had some issues but overall was okay
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2022
The Take-Over Friend is a book about the struggles we all faced at one point in time in high school, making friends and when to draw the line.I found all of the characters in this book to be interesting and stand out for one reason or another. I really enjoyed Frances coming into her own. It touches on some darker subjects but it's handled well. It's a well written story with an interesting ending! Thank you Turn the Page Tours and Carol Dines for sharing this book with me!
October 1, 2022
#FirstLine - Maybe it only happens once.
This book is such a great book. A quick read that is small is size, but big in feels. The story is thought provoking. I loved the characters because you could relate to them. They were not made to feel overdone, they were real, raw and far from perfect. This book cover important topics that readers can learn from and it is done so in a quiet and endearing way. A great read and one I highly recommend.
This book is such a great book. A quick read that is small is size, but big in feels. The story is thought provoking. I loved the characters because you could relate to them. They were not made to feel overdone, they were real, raw and far from perfect. This book cover important topics that readers can learn from and it is done so in a quiet and endearing way. A great read and one I highly recommend.
January 18, 2023
The beginning of the book is very compelling, especially Sonja-Frances first encounter. It feels out of the blue, but charming. I like the friendship and boundaries theme that the author brought up. At some point, I agree that people need boundaries, even among best friends. It made me rethink of my friendships and my past self. In the middle, the plot is not really that engaging for me.
This book might works for teenagers that currently facing a self-exploration and having friend or searching for friend.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing this arc in exchange of an honest review.
This book might works for teenagers that currently facing a self-exploration and having friend or searching for friend.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing this arc in exchange of an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2022
The premise reminded me of that poetry workshop I never had but the class next door did. You can really feel the author's passion for verse and the emotions of the main characters even if you don't empathize with one of them. It reflects the great interest of youthful verse and how the love affair was not a hindrance (personally)
May 26, 2022
A great read. Dines weaves humor into this intense teenage friendship between Franny and Sonja, humor which gives relief to the deeper themes of co-dependence in families and friendships. A sometimes funny, sometimes sad, and completely engaging portrayal of friendship. Couldn’t put it down once I started.
May 26, 2022
I loved this book, and it made me remember my own experience with a take-over friend. Dines write scenes that ring true, and once I started the book, I couldn’t put it down. I felt for Frances, a teenager still finding herself. Great cast of characters and wonderful, true scenes of high school life. Couldn’t stop reading. Highly recommend.
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