Saving Sophie

by Debbie Schrack

Seventeen-year-old Gabe Hunter knows he has a purpose in life. He has always strived to be the “best of the best,” but lately nothing has gone his way. Gabe was devastated six months earlier when his half-brother Josh had a drunk driving accident that killed four members of a family and left a sixteen-year-old girl named Sophie an orphan. Josh went to prison and Gabe struggles to forgive him because how can he forgive the unforgivable? When Gabe reluctantly agrees to do math tutoring for his senior service project, he discovers that the girl he will be tutoring is also named Sophie. But in a town of eighty thousand people, what are the odds it will be the same person? Astronomical, Gabe figures.

Gabe soon discovers, though, that it is the same Sophie. A former National Merit Scholar finalist, Sophie had a severe brain injury in the accident. She has seizures, amnesia, and can barely read or write. When he meets her, Gabe realizes what his purpose in life must be—to help Sophie and make amends for his brother. His plan is to spend the rest of the school year tutoring Sophie, then say goodbye and go quietly off to college without ever telling her that his brother was the one who killed her family. What Gabe doesn’t count on is falling in love.

292 pages, Paperback

Published April 10, 2022

About the author

Debbie Schrack is the author of SAVING SOPHIE, a young adult contemporary romance, which won the 2022 Paris Book Award for young adult fiction. She is also the winner of the SCBWI Haunted States of America contest for the state of Virginia. A former teacher, she lives in Fairfax, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, D.C. When she’s not conjuring dark and twisty plots or hanging out with her family, you can find her riding her horse or poring over travel brochures, ready to check off another box on her bucket list of travel adventures. You can follow Debbie on Facebook or Twitter @debbie_schrack or contact her through her website debbieschrackbooks.com.

Reviews

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabe is a perfectionist, but he cannot no matter how hard he tries find his perfect girl. Never in 1 million years what he thought it would be the only one of his brothers victims to live after the drunk driving accident that put her parents brother and little sister in the grave and his brother Josh in prison. What are the chances that his senior project would be to help her with math and what are the chances that she would be the one.? The only problem is Sophie doesn’t know his brother was the one that caused her to forget, have seizures and be an orphan he has other problems as well like his best friend Matt thinks he slept with his Long time girlfriend Jess and worse than that he is now going to Sophie‘s school. He knows he hast to tell Sophie can he work up the courage to do it before someone else does? This book was so so good! A definite five star read! Gabe is still young enough to believe in his forever love that to him is who Sophie is but if he doesn’t work up the coverage to tell her he could lose her… Forever! The story quickly progresses in the tension mounts as he tries to decide what to do and it is so good this book could be read by any age I am 49 and thoroughly enjoyed it. I received this book from net galley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I was given an ARC by Netgalley and Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review, these thoughts are my own opinion. I saw this book as an option on Netgalley and thought I need to read this book it’s right in my wheelhouse. We meet Gabe who is riddled with guilt after his brother Josh drove drunk and killed 4 people a mom, dad and two kids. There is one sole surviver Sophie but she has a TBI ( traumatic brain injury) and as a result has seizures plus amnesia. Gabe is angry and can not forgive his brother for what he did. He thinks about Sophie a lot wondering what she is like and how she is doing. Gabe then has to do a senior project and picks tutoring someone in math. The person he tutors ends up being named Sophie. Gabe thinks to himself “ it can’t be here there are lots of Sophie’s right?” Wrong it turns out be the Sophie from the accident. Gabe starts to tutor her and through the time spent together Sophie learns to excel in math and starts getting parts of her memory back. Gabe has fallen head over heels for Sophie but how does he tell her the truth? I loved that we saw a seizure alert dog and epilepsy representation. In the disability filed that I work in I have experienced supporting people with epilepsy and I found the author was spot on. I loved Joe he is such a good dog for Sophie! I liked the way Gabe’s anxiety was explained through monkeys and chimps. Gabe is extremely smart and they always say the smartest people have the crowded brains. My favourite quote from the book is “ Almost every element here on Earth, including the ones that make up humans, we’re formed at the heart of a star.” I could go on and on about how beautifully written this book was! Everyone needs to pick this up! Highly recommend!

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received the ebook version of Saving Sophie from Voracious Readers Only in exchange for my honest review.

Wow, I really enjoyed reading this book even if I don’t normally choose to read Young Adult books. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters in the story and really wanting Gabe to do the right thing. Sophie is a sweet young girl who has been through so much over the past year. I just wanted to hug her through the story.

Gabe is in his last year of high school, dealing with the anger he has towards his brother who is in prison for drunk driving and killing a family all but one person, Sophie.
Gabe, a perfectionist in everything he does is a straight A student. He is about to learn that nothing in life is perfect and that lies and secrets only cause trouble. He takes on a tutoring project for school only to find out the girls name he will be tutoring is Sophie. Could it be the same Sophie? The only family member that survived the horrific accident? He can’t tell anyone, not even his best friend Matt who he is also keeping another secret from.

[John Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent first novel and a perfect example of an author taking experiences from her profession and turning them into a polished, sympathetic and very enjoyable story. Gabe's guilt and anger surrounding his older brother's drunken driving accident is extremely well portrayed. He not only feels anger, but is barely in touch with his own feelings of loss surrounding the close relationship the two of them once had.
Then there's Sophie, the sole survivor of the fatal crash. She's struggling with a brain injury as well as amnesia. When Gabe is offered an opportunity to tutor her, he's conflicted, but agrees. The last thing he expects is to fall for her. What follows is sweet, messy, and extremely believable, particularly the end. It's a terrific story and deserves consideration by all school and public libraries.

[Kait · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet high school drama romance.

Gabe strives to be the best of the best. All his plans derail when his brother goes to prison for drunk driving. The family he hit only had one survivor, Sophie. He’s never met her but can’t help but be devastated for her and what she’s lost. When he decides to tutor for his senior project he can’t believe his luck when it’s Sophie who needs the tutor. As time goes on and their friendship grows, he learns a lot about himself.

A sad but beautiful journey. You really feel for Sophie and everything she deals with. I wanted to give her a big hug. Gabe is so sweet with her. Lots of drama which I didn’t care for but played a big part on the story. I wish Gabe spoke more of his feelings to Matt.

*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review with my honest opinion.*

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished the book and have so many thoughts/feelings/emotions regarding it. I loved it, but after the end, I felt that I want and need more! The characters are all relatable, and if you enjoy drama/lots of things happening, this will be your cup of tea. The setting is in high school, so it's understandable and expected that there will be topics mentioned related to academics/athletics, future stress, and relationships (romantic and platonic). I am in love with the main character - he's the kind of guy every girl deserves, but he proves that even the perfect ones can make mistakes. Gabe is a 17-year-old senior who falls in love with Sophie, a 16-year-old junior. Six months earlier, Gabe's older brother killed Sophie's family in a drunk driving accident. Gabe is struggling to forgive his brother, and then after falling in love with Sophie, struggling to find the right way/time to be honest, which is extremely difficult when what's at stake is worth more than you realize. Meanwhile, Gabe is navigating around unsteady friendships and happenings left and right with everyone around him. I would love a book 2 someday to follow up on the characters!

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I am an adult, I truly enjoyed reading this young adult novel. The situations that severely impact the main character, a seventeen-year-old male, can happen to anyone. I love the development of her characters. It is a very realistic story, and I highly recommend the book to teenagers and adults.

[Elizabeth Campbell-Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a free copy by Voracious Readers Only, and this is my unbiased review. I gave this book 5 stars, as I absolutely loved everything about it. The characters and their development, the plot, the author's writing style...I hated having to do normal life stuff because I wanted to jump back into it - sleeping even took a back seat. I was yelling at the main character to just tell the truth, but as in life things are never straightforward. Thank you for such a brilliant book, I look forward to your next offering/s with bated breath!

[Lisa Forest · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would definitely recommend this beautifully written heart warming story!
I went through every emotion with Gabe and Sophie. From laughing to tears and everything in between!
Thank you to Debbie Schrack for my complimentary copy through Voracious Readers!

[T. Atkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. Although Saving Sophie is a young adult book, it offers something for everyone. It is an amazing read that hooks the reader from the beginning, til end.

[Anna B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Packed with emotion and detailed character development. I couldn't put it down! Can't wait to see what comes next from this YA author.

[Rach3l · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read. It packed a lot of drama into one book. But that was great because it kept me entertained and engaged the whole time.

Side note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review

[Chris S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully written, dramatic and heartfelt. I was really wrapped up in the story and eager to see what happened next. One of the better recent YA novels, in my opinion.

[Beccy F · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given the ebook version of Saving Sophie from Voracious Readers in exchange for my honest review of the book.

I will start off by saying I didn't have high hopes for the book as I wasn't a fan of the cover (just personal preference) however, as the old saying goes, don't judge a book by its cover.

I read this book in a few days as I struggled to put it down. I was so invested in the story and was urging Gabe to tell the truth! Both main characters, Gabe and Sophie (and Joe!), are really likeable and very easy to warm to. The story moves at a great pace and I didn't feel there was any filler. My only criticism is that I wish we found out what happened after the ending, but it did have to end somewhere!

Overall, this book was a brilliant, hard to put down read, I really recommend it!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting premise that I think would appeal to a unique audience.

[Terri Broemm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for book club. Wasn’t expecting to like it so much. It’s a YA book and written in the voice of a 17 year old. Very engaging

[Beatrice Rivers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabe just wants a normal senior year. But his brother, Josh, is in prison after drunkenly crashing his car and killing four people, leaving just the sixteen year old girl alive, and orphaned. How can Gabe possibly have a normal senior year when he is living the repercussions of his brother's mistakes, and can’t move on because he absolutely cannot forgive his brother?

By the time Gabe signs up for his senior service project, there aren’t many options left. He opts for a math tutoring position, and finds himself in a difficult situation. The girl he’s signed up to tutor is named Sophie, and suffers from amnesia and seizures after being involved in a car accident that killed her family. Sophie doesn’t remember anything from before the accident, but Gabe certainly does, and he is all too aware that he has placed himself directly in the middle of the mess his brother caused. And yet, Gabe can’t ask for a different service project - he has to try and help put things back together. His brother ruined Sophie’s life, and he has a chance to maybe help her, if only a little.

There is a very big message of forgiveness in this book. Gabe finds it very hard to even think about talking to Josh, he can’t understand how Josh could have been so reckless to cause the accident in the first time, let alone how he doesn’t seem to hold any remorse for what happened. Sophie doesn’t remember anything from before the accident, so she doesn’t remember the family she lost and has a disconnection from the accident, unlike Gabe. But as situations change, they both have to come to terms with what happened, and Gabe grows to realise that maybe forgiveness just takes a while to come around.

It seems almost inevitable that Gabe and Sophie’s relationship will evolve to more than friends. The progression is slow, and paced perfectly. Sophie doesn’t jump into anything because she is unsure how she feels, and Gabe is afraid of hurting her after she suffered so much at the hands of Josh. But secrets threaten to tear everything apart – Sophie doesn’t know that Gabe is Josh’s brother, and Gabe keeps the fact that he is tutoring Sophie a secret from everyone he knows. Secrets in relationships are also a big part of this book, and they never end well. It’s all the secrets that cause the wondering as to whether forgiveness is possible.

There are several characters in this book that I absolutely loved. Sophie and Gabe are obvious favourites, but also Jess, one of Gabe’s best friends, and Joe, Sophie’s seizure alert dog. I don’t think anyone could help but love Joe! I definitely related to Gabe’s obsessiveness over being the best he possibly can be. He strives for perfection and is never satisfied with second best. I think Gabe in particular came across as a very real character. He struggles with very real problems, and his reactions are depicted wonderfully.

There are a lot of real and difficult topics covered in this book. After the accident, Gabe swears off drinking for fear of doing the same, but plenty of his teenage friends don’t. Parties with heavy drinking, and drug use, are depicted, as well as Josh being in prison and struggling with alcoholism. There are some difficult decisions that have to be made with regards to an unplanned pregnancy, although I can’t talk about that too much for fear of giving away the story. The characters in this book are teenagers, barely adults, and yet they are all dealing with very adult problems, most of the time without the support of the adults around them. In addition to all of this, Sophie’s physical needs, such as a limp and her need for a seizure alert dog, are all intertwined with the story very realistically. Not everyone feels pity for her, or understands, but instead many make fun of her, and she struggles a lot. It is finding a friend in Gabe that allows Sophie to build confidence, and realise that she is strong enough to do what she wants.

This is a book that I read in any spare moment I had. I couldn’t leave the characters for too long without missing them, and I clung to every word. As the book neared the end, I did start to grow a little concerned that there would be a cliffhanger, or an unresolved ending that would be picked up in a second book, but that was not the case. Everything came together in a neat little bow and the ending was definitely one that I was satisfied with, although I’m not going to say any more about it! I did absolutely love reading this book, it is most certainly one that I will read again and again until I know the story inside and out. If you are a fan of YA romance, this book is a must!

[READER VIEWS · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Saving Sophie” by Debbie Schrack is a coming-of-age story about a boy and a girl in love and learning to navigate this feeling under uncommon circumstances. Gabe is a seventeen-year-old high school senior, perfectionist, athlete, academic scholar, and a down-to-earth guy trying to survive the end of high school and figure out his future while working around a social and love life. Frustration and resentment take over as his primary emotions toward his older brother who is currently in prison. Six months earlier, his brother killed four members of a family in a drunk driving accident and is now serving nearly a decade for it. The sole survivor of the family devastated by this wreck is Sophie, a sixteen-year-old who now struggles with seizures and a learning disability. Following the accident, the lives of both Gabe and Sophie turn upside down in different yet similar ways.

Having to choose a senior project, Gabe becomes Sophie’s tutor, causing him to feel uncomfortable but also allowing some restitution for his brother’s actions toward her family. He’s ready and accepting of this task; what he’s not prepared for is falling in love with her. Gabe must navigate the murky waters of having intense feelings toward someone with a disability while carrying a secret that has the potential to ruin it all.

“Saving Sophie” is not a story that I will soon forget. The author’s skill in writing about the relationships, struggles, temptations, atmosphere, and joys in each of the characters’ lives was realistic and relatable; I felt each of their emotions personally. I became engrossed in the story and might have taken out some feelings on others around me – oops.

Apart from the uncertainty that encompasses high school, other themes include underage drinking/alcoholism/partying/drug usage, drunk driving with its potential natural consequences (prison, death, lasting effects), teen pregnancy and abortion, mixed-race relationships, gay relationships, disabilities/seizures, and mental health symptoms. I could not put down this book – a torrent of emotions took over, exhausting at times, along with an eye-opening experience. The fictional characters demonstrate to their real-life audience valuable and memorable tips through their choices – a big lesson on honesty and openness. Frustration (at the characters and their choices) is a strong emotion I acknowledged, along with awe and curiosity at the author’s ability to put me in tune with the characters. The story “A Walk to Remember” has similarities with this story, yet “Saving Sophie” by Debbie Schrack is a standalone novel that deserves its due respect. Having reached the end, I am sure that I need more.

[Carolina Colleene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Language: R (108 swears, 2 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG
Everything has gone downhill since Gabe’s brother, Josh, caused a fatal accident as a drunk driver. Not only has Gabe (17yo) had to deal with rumors at school, but his mother is pushing Gabe to forgive Josh as if Gabe is the one in the wrong, and he’s being forced to visit Josh in jail on Thanksgiving – his favorite holiday! The only bright spot has been tutoring Sophie after school, but even that is complicated: Sophie is the only survivor in her family from the accident Josh caused, and she doesn’t know that Gabe and Josh are related.
Forgiveness is hard, whether giving it or asking for it. Gabe struggles throughout the book on both sides of forgiveness, and it’s easier to see why others should forgive than why he should. Schrack invites readers to learn with Gabe on this journey of forgiveness. However, I found it frustrating to see Gabe procrastinate making good decisions, which made reading the last half of the book more painful to read than it should have been as I waited for the dramatic consequences I knew would follow.
Gabe is half Italian and shown as White on the cover, Sophie is described as “pale” multiple times in the text but appears to have darker skin on the cover, Matt is White, and Jess is Black. The mature content rating is for drug use; underage drinking; mentions of sex, condoms, boners, and rape; discussions of abortion; innuendo; and sexting. The violence rating is for fist fighting, discussions of a bad car accident, and mentions of gun use.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/

[Cherokee - Books With A Chance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saving Sophie was a really cute and bittersweet novel.

I loved the characters. They were all so real.
They made mistakes just like everyone else and had to live with those very real consequences, trying to accept and forgive.
Forgiveness is a very prevailing theme in Saving Sophie. Each set of characters is looking for forgiveness in one way or another.

I really liked the character growth that Gabe had. He started out as this uptight perfectionist. While he never really lost those tendencies per se, he did overcome them some.

I wasn't fond of the fact that everything (inanimate objects) had a name. I got a bit confused with all the different names being thrown around. Honestly, I would have been fine with "climbed into the truck" over "climbed into Max," as the latter sounds pretty odd.

There was definitely a lot going on in this book.
Alcoholism, drug use, and teen pregnancy, just to name a few. With everything it could be a bit overwhelming.
I loved seeing a service dog in the book, as they don't get much shine, however I wasn't thrilled that Gabe was allowed to treat Joe (the service dog) as a pet while he (the service dog) was working.

Saving Sophie was a nice read full of emotion. I'd love to see more by this author.

You can read my original review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/saving...

[Amirah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to the first book I have read that showcases a complete story of drunk driving. I applaud the author as this book is so well written. The backdrop is a wonderful small town so cleverly woven that you can see and feel the Wind, Snow, and Seasons changing as Gabe narrates his life.

As, Gabe takes us through his struggles, we the reader begin too understand that Josh's choice took other individuals choices away. Josh unfortunately has decided that he and he alone will make all right with the soul survivor. Life, however, is fickle and always changing.

What is also so wonderful about this story is Every single character in strong and vulnerable in all the right places, which creates a story that just flows so well. The characters stay with the reader even after the book has ended.

Definitely a book I recommended to individuals of all reading ages. We could learn a lot about ourselves just by viewing life through the eyes of Gabe.

Thank you Voracious Readers Only and author for this thoughtful story.

[Munira Vahed · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was quite slow and as it was purely from Gabe’s perspective. It would have been better if it had different perspectives from the other characters in the story.
The book is part of the young adult genre and would be suitable for the older teens. It deals with trauma, losing loved ones, romance and friendships.
It follows Gabe as he deals with life after his brother does the unthinkable after drink driving.
Gabe comes across Sophie who he is to tutor. Sophie is none other than the surviving member of a family that Gabe’s brother crashed into.
Gabe decides to help Sophie and believes that is his goal in life now to be there for Sophie.
Gabe has to deal with some drama with his best friend, Matt and Matt’s girlfriend, Jess.
It was an interesting read but felt too slow at times.
I received a complimentary copy from the author via Voracious Readers. I voluntarily read and review this book. This is my honest review.

[Jem · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book to read in your downtime. It's very chilled-out with a slow but consistent pace and some interesting elements thrown in. Despite there being a lot going on throughout most of the story, I never felt overwhelmed or confused. It's very sweet with a pretty likeable male protagonist who has a nice emotional growth arc (aside from a few anger management issues). It is pretty packed with clichés and tropes, with a few awkward/cringe moments here and there, but I knew this going in and it really didn't diminish my enjoyment of the book much at all. Overall, I can really see this book appealing to people who like easy-going high school romances with some added drama. If you're looking for a more gentle exploration of subjects such as drunk driving, teen sex, disability, and trauma, you'll definitely enjoy this book.

I was provided with a copy of this book by VRO in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

[Manda · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ARC PROVIDED FOR AN HONEST REVIEW ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Received this book from Voracious Readers Only as an ARC participant.

I read the blurb to this book and it stuck with me for like 2 days, my mind kept telling me I had to read this book.

Let's just say, I wasn't disappointed.

This story was beautifully written, I loved the main characters Gabe and Sophie and the different obstacles each had to endure during this rollercoaster ride.

I laughed and cried and really felt the emotions of all the characters in the book, whether it was Gabe, Sophie, Matt, Jess, Josh, Gran & Gramps, it felt like each had a story to share.

Thanks to author Debbie Schrack for my copy of this book, here's my honest review:

[Sian Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s rare that a book hooks me from the very first sentence, but that’s exactly what this one did. The story of Gabe and his messed-up relationship with his brother and mom is engaging enough, but then the author adds relationships between Gabe and two very different girls – and a conscience-twisting situation – into the mix (and that’s not all). Jeopardy, empathy and every emotion you can think of are intertwined in this page-turner of a story. A great YA novel, well written and pretty much perfect.
Trigger warning for injury and bereavement and some of the themes are quite adult.

[Rachel Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was gifted this book through Voracious Readers in return for an honest review.

Initially I thought it was going to be a predictable read, and in some ways it was, but the side stories and how the characters developed I did not see coming. I really loved seeing the story unfold, and read the whole thing in a little over 24hrs. As a 30-something I don't think I am quite the target audience, but I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend! I will miss the characters now I've finished, and wonder how their story continued, and that is usually a sign a book deserves 5 stars!

[Nana Abena Osei · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good read. I was hooked right from the start.
It was refreshing to see the characters' growth and how relatable they were in certain areas. The author did an excellent job at describing the physical and mental states of the characters in such a way that it was easy to understand them, even if you haven't experienced it before.

I'm looking forward to reading another book by Debbie!

I received a complimentary copy from the author via Voracious Readers Only.

[Shannon H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great read! If you like character-driven stories that pull you in and keep you cheering until the end, I highly recommend this book. It packs an emotional punch, but there is such a clever humor woven through the writing and the dialogue that it delivers on every front. Definitely give it a try!

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given this book as an ARC by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review …

The premise for this story gripped me straight away - and while I didn’t fall in love with the characters I did like them and I empathized with the situations they found themselves in. For me - Gabe was a little unrealistic and the ending was rushed …

Overall - I’m glad I read it but it’s not one I would revisit

[DJA RLA · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little romance that touches on some very important themes, such as honesty, trust, grief and choice. Really appreciated the way the author tied in loss in multiple different ways. Enjoyed this