Review: Audrey, Wait!

Title: Audrey, Wait!
Author: Robin Benway
# of Pages: 320
Published: May 5, 2009
Publisher: Penguin Young Reader Group
Rating: 4/5

According to a poll on the front page of USA Today, 63 percent of Americans blame me for the breakup, so let me clear the air right now: they're right. Sixty-three percent of Americans are no fools when it comes to my love life, a fact which is really creepy and not helping me sleep well at night...

The best way to summarize Audrey, Wait!, Robin Benway's debut novel? It's like eating a chocolate bar, and by that I don't mean overindulgence leads to acne breakouts and love handles. Nope, I'm talking about the delicious satisfaction you get while eating it, the sweet taste lingering on your tongue, and the sugar rush you get once it's gone.

Audrey, Wait! is an addicting read that appears to be written while drinking approximately 38954505 coffees and eating 982348 candy bars. It's the kind of novel that is sweet and pure, impossible to resist, and just like eating a chocolate bar, you can't help but want to do it all over again once you're done. There is no question in my mind that I would re-read this novel and enjoy it just as much as the first time, if not more.

Benway's debut novel tells Audrey's story: to put it simply, how breaking up with her boyfriend led her to become one of the most sought after celebrities and her privacy completely unregarded, all because her ex wrote a song called "Audrey, Wait!" about their breakup. The plot may sound silly or even cliched (after all, haven't we all felt sympathy for people like Miss Britney Spears?), but Benway takes this unlikely story and makes it believable to its readers who are living in an era where communications and media are growing and are a necessity in mainstream culture. These are, obviously, the culprits and instigators of Audrey's fame, and the rest of the novel explains Audrey's relationship with the media and how it affects her life in teen girl characteristic ways: being followed on a date, pictures of her making out in tabloids, free stuff being delivered to her house, endless phone calls from interviewers, etc.

The plot itself is fairly original for a YA, and though it appears to be fabricated out of extreme unlikelihood, somehow it completely won me over. Through Benway's storytelling, Audrey becomes a relatable character that faces the same problems that most teen readers go through, such as breaking up and new crushes, fights with best friends, etc. It's always difficult to take a largely unreachable concept for a story and make it believable and genuine to readers who are outside of the situations the main character lives, but I'm truly sold on this story thanks for Benway's fantastic skills.

When it comes to structure, Benway follows the most widely known format and simply allows her characters to go through certain events that build up to the big climax. By no means is this degrading, it's simply quite standard and works well for this story.

Characters are without a doubt essential in this novel and a wonderful delight. Audrey is by far one of my most favourite recent teen girl characters in YA: she's absolutely hilarious and the kind of girl that would be my best friend if she were real. There's something very human and touching about her that make her a stand out among very washed out stereotypical YA characters. I also admire Benway for creating a character as strong as Audrey: despite all the trouble her fame causes her, she remains true to herself and refuses to stop living her life. Yes, she does get slightly paranoid, but who wouldn't after all the things Audrey must bear? Overall Audrey really grows through her experience and becomes a strong character that is sure to inspire many readers.

Her best friend Victoria is also a great character who is true to Audrey and loves her like any best friend should. Though I doubted her motives in the beginning of the novel when Audrey first becomes famous, I came to understand why she behaved the way she does, and for that I respect her intentions as well. Her chemistry with Audrey is great, and Benway completely sells Victoria as a best friend.

James also makes for a decent romantic interest. Though he's nothing I haven't seen before, he's cute and predictable, and that's about it. However, his relationship with Audrey is sweet and realistic. The issues that arise between them pull at your heartstrings, and I couldn't help but invest myself in this couple.

Finally, as aforementioned, Benway's style is crazed and absolutely brilliant. She voices Audrey perfectly in the first person, and the entire narrative feels like a gigantic sugar rush. Every page is filled with excitement and bursting with energy, just like Audrey herself. In addition, Benway's diction and style is simple and easy to follow, with many references to current young adult sayings and lifestyles. I finished this book in under 24 hours and loved just about every minute of it: I simply could not put it down. I was most impressed with Benway's addictiveness in this novel, and yearned to have more to read when I was done.

Only slight disappointments in the novel exist: I found Victoria overbearing when it came to telling Audrey to take advantage of her fame, as well as taking advantage of Audrey's situation for her own personal gain, though this could have risen out of my skeptic nature and distrust of people. Also, Audrey's relationship was James was very typical of YA, there was nothing new or compelling about their relationship, it was fairly simple and born out of a need for a love interest and not actual compatibility. I also found the ending pretty cheesy, but that being said, I still enjoyed it and forgave Benway for writing it as there really wasn't any other way for it to end. It still provided a great conclusion and wrap-up to the narrative, so don't be discouraged from reading Audrey, Wait! in the least.

Overall, Audrey, Wait! is a delightful surprise and a fantastic addition to the YA literature community. It is both funny and touching and features an exceptionally hyped-up sixteen year old unlikely star who learns how to embrace her life, no matter who is watching. Its little faults like a stereotyped love interest and a famewhore best friend are forgiven through Benway's brilliant caffeinated ride. I award a 4/5 to Robin Benway's achievement Audrey, Wait!, and am now off in search of the next chocolate bar...