Finding Phoebe is a story about friendship and family secrets. It’s a story about difficult conversations, challenging ourselves, and growing. I read this in a few days I enjoyed it so much! Keep reading this book review of Finding Phoebe for my full thoughts.
Summary
Phoebe is autistic. She prefers to stay in her comfort walking her dog, writing fantasy fiction, surviving school with as few incidents as possible.
When her best (and only) friend rebels and gets a secret boyfriend, Phoebe reluctantly agrees to cover for her. Before long, Phoebe’s dealing with all sorts of things she’d rather not, like deception, fashionable jackets, and the bewildering politics of the school chess club. Breaking the rules has never been Phoebe’s thing, but as events take a seriously unexpected turn, she realises there’s more to her than she ever imagined . . .
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Phoebe has gotten so used to her having her best friend, her close relationship with her father, and her dreams. But this new semester, everything will change. When Phoebe covers for her best friend, it sets off a chain of events which will change how she thinks of the people around her and her best friend. Finding Phoebe reminds me of the social games and hidden agendas, the secret words, that everyone seems to know which neurodiverse people struggle with.
(Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links. For more information you can look at the Policy page. If you’re uncomfortable with that, know you can look up the book on any of the sites below to avoid the link)
In Finding Phoebe, Phoebe struggles with these white lies, these niceties we are expected to smooth over. But it’s not only her having to lie for Bethany, Phoebe also discovers a new side to her father. We can think we know about our parents. That they don’t have these hidden secrets, mistakes to cover up, and complicated decisions. However in Finding Phoebe we see the truth behind the stories we think are true. And Phoebe’s story becomes about being true to ourselves, our right to be seen and heart, and the mistakes we can make. The ways that people will surprise us, the ways we can challenge ourselves without changing who we are, and how we don’t need to change for others.
Find Finding Phoebe on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, & Blackwells.