Vain by Fisher Amelie

Vain by Fisher Amelie

(Goodreads Blurb)
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'm a huge fan of Fisher Amelie and this book.

Vain started as the story of a rich young Sophie Price who had one too many encounters with the law, thus embarrassing her father. Sophie was sentenced by the court to do an unusual six month community service sort of project.  (I do not wish to spoil anything, so I will leave it at that.)

While on this project, Sophie, once ruler among her peers, is now looked upon with disdain and even contempt from her co-laborers.  More precisely, one co-laborer, Ian. The area Sophie is working in has required a complete wardrobe change and a lack of electricity eliminated the need for curling irons and hair straighteners and many other beauty aids behind which Sophie has always hidden.

Even as Sophie and Ian are learning to work together and even tolerate each other, Sophie is forced to face her deepest fears and even worse, she's forced to confront herself. Sophie learns to care about things beyond herself and finds that there are things in life worth dying for. 

Ian Aberdeen is one of the most swooniest book boyfriends I've ever had.  He has the imposing presence that being raised with wealth and power can lend a person, but his heart is bigger than all of Africa.  (And did I mention the accent?  No? Well...) Here is an example of His Royal Swooniness.

“Sophie Price, you are the most beautiful girl I’ve ever met,” he stated before turning my direction and staring me dead in the eyes. “You are so gosh damn beautiful in here,” he said, tapping my chest, “that what’s here,” he spoke, running the side of his hand down my face, “is magnified tenfold and that is a sight to behold.”

My mouth gaped open. I was at a complete loss for words, all rational thought had left, so I did the only thing I could think to do. I leaped across the seat and pulled the collar of his shirt toward me.”

Well, let's just say if she hadn't responded as she did, I wouldn't be writing this review in quite the same way.  Even though the author follows a certain "fade to black" pattern that we are are familiar with, the conservative nature of the environment lends itself to subtle steamy touches and incredible tension.

After losing someone close, and with the threat of blackmail, Sophie is forced to make to most selfless decision she's ever made. The only question is, will Ian ever forgive her betrayal.

I will say that this book is nothing like a thought it would be, and that's not a bad thing, just different. I must point out, however, that the author's tendency to toss current song titles and artists names into the story is sometimes jarring and is completely unnecessary. That being said, I enjoyed this immensely, and I look forward to more in this series to see who else will be "breaking the cycle"

4.5 Stars