Vain Series: The Seven Deadly #1 on February 7 2013
Pages: 392
Format: eBook
Goodreads
If you're looking for a story about a good, humble girl, who's been hurt by someone she thought she could trust, only to find out she's not as vulnerable as she thought she was and discovers an empowering side of herself that falls in love with the guy who helps her find that self, blah, blah, blah...then you're gonna' hate my story.
Because mine is not the story you read every time you bend back the cover of the latest trend novel. It’s not the “I can do anything, now that I’ve found you/I’m misunderstood but one day you’ll find me irresistible because of it” tale. Why? Because, if I was being honest with you, I’m a complete witch. There’s nothing redeeming about me. I’m a friend using, drug abusing, sex addict from Los Angeles. I’m every girlfriend’s worst nightmare and every boy’s fantasy.
I’m Sophie Price...And this is the story about how I went from the world’s most envied girl to the girl no one wanted around and why I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.
I was pleasantly surprised by Vain. I bought it on a whim (being doing a lot of that recently to great success so far!) and was not expecting to be so drawn in.
Vain is the story of Sophie Price. Sophie is perfect in every way. Rich, beautiful and popular, all the guys want her and all the girls want to be her. She can have anyone she wants and frequently does, never caring if she hurts anyone in the process. She uses her beauty to seduce and manipulate others. Sophie is a bitch you see. She doesn’t give a damn about anybody. Or does she? Sophie is the very definition of a mean girl but you quickly see that most of this is just a front, a facade to cover up the vulnerable and neglected young girl she really is. Her parents are fabulously wealthy but do not pay her any attention. Sophie has practically raised herself and as a result is acutely lonely.
After a party she is attending is busted by the police, and Sophie is caught snorting coke, her life is flung into chaos. In order to avoid a prison sentence (as this is not her first offence) Sophie is ordered to 6 months working in an orphanage in Uganda. This is where the story really kicks off. Sophie meets a young man dubbed ‘Dingane’ who has been sent to pick her up from the airport and take her to the orphanage where he works as a teacher and general handy man. Sophie is surprised to see a white man there to pick her up (she was expecting an African). She instantly feels a strong and undeniable attraction to this young man who as it turns out is from Cape Town (real name Ian Aberdeen), the son of two wealthy politicians. He appears to hate her on sight however, and treats her with contempt.
Sophie is nearly brought to tears when she sees the children at the orphanage. Most of them are wounded in some way, missing limbs, eyes, even parts of their faces. All of these children have been affected by hardship and violence. The orphanage is a tough challenge for Sophie, who is not used to living rough at all, but she becomes entranced with the children and is soon accepted into the small community. Dingane (or Ian) takes longer to warm up to her but it soon becomes apparent that he too has very strong feelings for her and a warm friendship is begun that soon turns into a romance.
However, their relationship faces more dangers than they could ever imagine and there is also the fact that Sophie’s time is limited, that she is to return home once her sentence is complete. Will their relationship survive the trials they face?
This was a surprisingly intense novel. The story was very different and the romance between the two main characters was realistic and hard-won. Overall I really enjoyed this and will now be checking out the author’s other works.
Great Review! I have read so many great reveiws on this book, I have my copy on pre-order. Looking forward to it!
It is a really good book – I would highly recommend it!