REVIEW: Sophie and Carter by Chelsea Fine

Author: Chelsea Fine

Genre: Young Adult - Contemporary Romance

Pages: 117

Publisher: Acacia Publishing Inc.

Amazon: Sophie and Carter

Synopsis. (Goodreads)

While other high school seniors are dreaming about their futures, Sophie and Carter are just trying to make it through each day. Carter is overwhelmed by issues at home as he struggles to support his mother. Meanwhile, next door neighbour Sophie is left to care for her three younger siblings in place of their absent and troubled mother. All that holds these two best friends together is each other, and knowing that each night they'll sit together on Sophie's front porch swing and escape from reality, if just for awhile. But as their relationship reaches a turning point and high school graduation nears, will their friendship become something more?

REVIEW: 5 out of 5 stars

Sophie and Carter have lived as neighbors since they were children, now high school seniors they attend the same school but act as strangers whilst there but at home it is a completely different story.

18 year old Sophie’s mother is non-existent, she is a prostitute and drug addict and is only available to Sophie when the rent is due which leaves Sophie to raise two brothers and a toddler sister. Carter spent most of his childhood being abused by his father and is now the sole carer for his mentally ill mother; they have each witnessed what the other has been through and they are closer because of it.

Sophie’s porch swing has become a place of solace for Carter and Sophie to wind down and be normal after everything at home settles for the night. It is their sanctuary and also a place which has seen their friendship grow, they know virtually everything about each other and both have deep feelings for one another without it being spoken out loud, they are each others support.

The relationship progression is sweet, romantic and had me absolutely gushing at the way they were together; it was a wonderful partnership and one of the sweetest couple’s next-door romances I have read.

Sophie and Carter is a short novel at only 117 pages but it certainly packs a powerful punch, the emotions are strong, you feel along with each of the characters what they have dealt with and are dealing with, they have both had to take on huge responsibilities at such a young age and have made huge sacrifices for their families – I admired both of them for this.

Sophie and Carter is a must read! I absolutely loved everything about it and can’t recommend it highly enough. The plot flowed quickly and smoothly and Ms Fine’s writing is wonderful, I also enjoyed that it was told from both POV’s.

I have recently read another wonderful book by Ms Fine, Anew which was also brilliant so Chelsea Fine will certainly be going on my auto buy list.

If you are looking for a sweet romance with a realistic and believable back story then Sophie and Carter is for you, just be prepared to have the tissue box handy.