Thank you to Joyce Oben for providing me with a free audiobook in return for an honest review.
Sway is the third book in Lorson’s ‘Shelfbrooke Academy’ series. I had not read any of the previous books but it worked well as a stand alone. I likely missed a lot of ‘Easter eggs’ as various characters were mentioned at different points that I did feel were points to other books, however it didn’t affect the story as the mains were brand new characters.
Anne attends Shelfbrooke Academy after a romantic summer with Christopher, who she met while visiting her aunt. On arrival and in attempt to for in, Anne is coaxed to end her new relationship with Christopher in order to maintain status in the new school. She is surprised to then find him and his sister as the new transfers a term following. Anne now sets out to regain Christopher’s heart.
I found this story to be a bit of a slow burner, the opening prologue with Anne and Christopher’s meeting was adorable. Then I did find it quite hard to get into. About halfway through however, it was a really good listen. The growing friendship between an unlikely bunch of teenagers is very ‘breakfast club’esque. The author’s humour was right up my street with funny banter between the two best friends and the mishaps that Anne encounters.
The character development was quite intentionally slow. Anne began as a very annoying and impressionable teenager, and throughout the book we, as the readers watch her grow and develop her own thoughts and morals.
Narrator Joyce Oben did a great job of carrying the story. She had a tone that made it obvious if she was reading narrative or dialogue and also managed to differentiate all characters so that it didn’t get confusing. She had a good steady pace and I really enjoyed listening to her.
I think that this may be a great coming of age series for teenage reader and romance fans. I did find some characters a bit infuriating at times because of their immature nature, however, I think it’s really fitting for a younger age group and will be very well enjoyed.
World's Slowest Reader 