This book could have been an easy 5 Star. The reason I gave it a 4 Star, is because it was poorly edited. I found some huge mistakes that immediately took me out of the story. Names were exchanged, sentences were repeated, etc. It's unfortunate because the book was actually well written. The main character was sarcastically witty and the book really was funny. I do believe there was too much cussing. Not that I'm a prude. But this book was, after all, written for the young adult. I didn't feel it was necessary to use the F*** word so many times.

Having said that, I did enjoy the book and was able to see the good parts through the rubble of problems.

Ms. Benway is a good writer, witty and entertaining. She just needs to get a better, a much better editor.

If you can get past the frequent cussing and obvious mistakes, you will enjoy this book.

Teenager Audrey Cuttlin dumps her rock-singer/boyfriend Evan, only to have Evan write a song about the experience. After hearing the song performed at a party, Audrey assumes she's heard the end of it, until the song gets picked up and becomes a smash hit. Now Audrey is the focus of a media firestorm as the song rockets up the charts.

Can Audrey go back to being a normal teenager when her every move is scrutinized by the media, debated by the on-line community and documented for all to see?

"Audrey Waits" is a fun, fast paced novel that starts with a great hooks and never lets up until the final pages. It has a heart to it and you'll ride along as self-professed music fan Audrey at first loves the ride and then slowly comes to hate that fact that she can't have a normal life without every aspect of her personal life being up for debate. At one point, Audrey becomes so "famous" that she's not even allowed to attend classes in high school becuase of the disruption her presence causes.

I heard about this story from the popular "Unshelved" comic strip's Sunday recommendation strip. I had no idea it was a "young adult" novel and while it may come from that section of the bookstore or library, it has enough fun for adults and young adults to enjoy it. One warning to parents: the story does include some four letter words, so you may want to consider that when you decide if you want kids under 15 or so read this story.

That's really my only gripe in what is, otherwise, a fun novel and a hugely entertaining one. Robin Benway gives Audrey a life and a voice on the printed page that makes the pages fly by and you'll soon be cheering for Audrey as she tries to find a new boyfriend, tries to get along with her parents and just tries to have a normal life yet again.

I found this book in the pre teen sectiona at target....Upon trying to find something interesting for my daughter to read(B/c every sunshine state book is lame) I picked up this book, read the inside cover to her and she was very intersted. We took the book to our second home (the dance studio) and she comes out with a group of girls, infront of all the mothers telling me the f word is in the whole 1st chapter and she didn't think I would want her reading this!!
At least she was honest, I love the idea of freedom of speech, but why can't they put explicit stickers on books, and why was this in the pre teen section. I called Target to let them know, but on her site its listed as pre teen too!!! HELLO!!!

You know that song " Hey, Delilah" by the Plain White T's? Audrey, Wait! kind of reminds me of that song. Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway is the story of Audrey, a regular girl that breaks up with her musician boyfriend, who then writes a hit song about her. She's not so normal after that! When "Delilah" came out a few years ago, the press was clambering for information about THE Delilah. I think there was even a story about her in Entertainment Weekly. The same thing happens to Audrey. Her life is taken over by papparazzi, crazy fans, and picture-taking classmates. Her life goes from flirting with James, her Scooper Dooper co-worker and going to concerts with her best friend Victoria, to hiding out in bathrooms and being a YouTube phenomenon. It is one heck of a ride!

I loved the concept of the book. I loved Audrey and her friends! The story moves very quickly and the writing is fresh, light, and hilarious! I love the sarcastic comments and pop culture references! I didn't love the language. I definitely could have done without all the F-bombs. This book is definitely for older readers. If you can get past the language though, it's a pretty sweet and entertaining ride!

Title: Audrey, Wait!

Author: Robin Benway

Rating: 5/5

Good:

This book was absolutely hilarious. My favorite character, Audrey's dad, cracked me up constantly, as did all the rest of them. Robin Benway really has a way with words, and also with music! I wrote down over forty songs that were directly mentioned in the book, and there were at least a dozen more song or band references that weren't obvious. The way this book was written was also extremely addictive and mesmerizing. I can honestly say that there is too much to say about this book... I filled up about eleven pages in my Reading Log, all with quotes and exclamation points. The book was that good.


Bad:

There was only one thing I hated about this book. And that was the first and last chapter. I realize that the book was told by Audrey looking back on her experience, but in the beginning it was extremely obvious, then for the rest it was sort of like a normal novel in first person, and then at the end it went back to being obvious that she was just telling a story. The tone changed, which I hated, because I wasn't expecting an ending like that. Not for this book.

However, I'm willing to overlook that, just because everything between the first and last chapters was pure genius.

So, Audrey breaks up with her boyfriend. Pretty normal. He didn't do anything specifically wrong, but they just sorta grew apart. As you do. The only problem is that Evan has a band and he writes a song about their breakup. A song that not only catches on, becomes a huge mega-hit, and Audrey and Even become household names - to the extent that Audrey is followed around by paparazzi. Living a normal life and trying to catch her new crush is a little harder when your every move is posted online.

I'm trying to think of something negative to say, if simply just to balance out the fact that everyone who reads this book loves it. Everyone. I'm serious, try to find a negative review. Well, except that one here where some little kid was reading it and the parent got mad at the sex/drugs/rock 'n roll that was, quite appropriately, there. There's no way it would have been believable without any of that or the swearing. So, don't give it to your 9-year-old. Not hard. But, I can't think of anything negative. It's a good book. Fun. Funny. Well-developed characters. One of those good rousing speeches near the end that you know is coming, but that you can't help but be fond of. I like to be able to like and root for my characters.

The whole plot definitely takes advantage of the weird celebrity society we've cultivated in the last decade. Audrey hasn't done anything out of the normal, and she's suddenly, against her will, plunged into a role that's akin to the second coming of Paris Hilton (ew. ew. ew.). It's not the first book to deal with unwanted celebrity (another favorite is Amazing Grace by Megan Shull.), but it deals with the during, rather than the more commonly depicted aftermath.

Easy sell for older teens.

What I love most about this book is the writing style; it's fast paced and witty. Audrey is funny and quirky and easy to relate to. The other characters all seem very real and I found myself laughing out loud several times while I read this (something that doesn't happen very often). If you take a chance on this book, I promise you won't be disappointed. I certainly wasn't.

Audrey, Wait! is the story of a normal girl that breaks up with her boyfriend who just happens to be in a band. Next thing she knows he's written a song about her, it ends up on the radio and catches like wildfire all over the country and world! Audrey becomes an unwilling celebrity and this is her journey.

I had heard tons of good things about this book and it did not disappoint. This book was hilarious but with a strong heart. I'm in love with this style of writing, hilarious and full of popular culture references and asides. It reminds me a bit of the style of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist which I also adored. Audrey's cat, Bendomolena cracked me up every time she was mentioned. I want to be friends with Audrey, James, Victoria, and Jonah. I only wish I was as cool as them when I was in high school.

Each chapter is headed with a song quote. Which makes a great soundtrack for reading this book! A good portion of the musicians I recognized but I didn't begin to appreciate this type of music until I started college. But thank goodness I did!

I don't often read young adult fiction as I am quickly losing the right to call myself a young adult, but I picked up this book and couldn't put it down! Audrey and Victoria are the kind of teenagers we all aspired to be - figuring themselves out and dealing with life as it comes and having fun with it to boot. You'll smile, you'll laugh, and you'll hate to turn the last page.

AUDREY, WAIT!
ROBIN BENWAY

Rating: 5 Enchantments

What happens when your ex-boyfriend writes a song about you and it becomes one of the biggest hits of the year? As Audrey can tell you, your world turns upside down.

Seemingly in an instant, Audrey goes from a normal teenage girl to one chased by the paparazzi wherever she goes. Reporters are phoning for interviews. People on websites are discussing her and Evan's breakup and after a night out at a concert, girls are even starting to dress like her. And even weirder, people are showing up at the Scooper Dooper where she works out to have their picture taken with the famous Audrey.

Audrey suddenly finds herself caught up in a whirlwind of attention as `Audrey, Wait!' climbs the charts. While her best friend urges her to take some of the perks of her newfound celebrity, Audrey struggles to deal with the paparazzi attention, reporters who twist her words around, not to mention her budding relationship with James.

I can't say how much I loved this book enough. Audrey's a fabulous character, with a great voice. Supported by a great cast of characters from her best friend Victoria to James and even her ex-boyfriend Evan, all make AUDREY, WAIT! the first must read of 2008.

One of my favorite scenes is when Audrey discovers the interview she gave a reporter over the phone has been the victim of creative editing, making her sound like a giggly attention seeker.

This is Ms. Benway's first novel.

Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
February 2008

Audrey breaks up with her self- absorbed rocker boyfriend, Evan, because she's sick of how he treats her...like she's not even there. After the break-up he writes a song called "Audrey, Wait!" which shoots to the top of the charts! Audrey's life is turned upside down when the song and his band, The Do-Gooders, become famous. She's chased by paparazzi, pursued as a muse by another rockstar, and separated from her friends at school because her popularity is interfering with her learning. She even gets into a fight with her best friend Victoria, and has a horrible time trying to make time to see her new crush. The world finally gets to see who the real Audrey is though when she appears live on MTV.
I loved this take on the girl friend's side of a break-up song. You always hear about rock stars who write songs about the one who broke their hearts, but you never hear the girl's version. I'm a big fan of Audrey and I can sympathize with what she's going through. It's got to be hard having your words misinterpreted in an interview, and have random boys showing up on your front doorstep to snag a kiss for a picture. Although Audrey isn't very happy with how things are turning out for her, she still maintains a great sense of humor, which was carried out through the whole book by her, Victoria, and even her parents. It's too bad Audrey didn't just embrace her 15 minutes of fame, because she probably would have had more fun. Robin Benway also does a great job of incorporating music into the book, which is something I always enjoy. Books and music just mesh really well together.
This was a fun read! Highly recommended to those who enjoy YA reading!

This book was a gift to my daughter. She read about 4 pages and brought it to me and said, "This book is inappropriate for me." I read the same 4 pages and agreed. Excerpts: "He makes me be the one to get condoms from the school nurse's office," page 2. The first F-bomb is on page 4; it could have been the only one in the book, but with another on page 307 of 313, I suspect there are a couple more in between. The specific usage, by the way, on page 307 reads, "Thank ----ing God." Granted, I only read 4 or 5 pages and perhaps there is something redeeming in the pages somewhere, but I don't think this book belongs on a list of books appropriate for girls age 8 and up.

I AM SO GLAD I GOT TO READ THIS BOOK!

Audrey, Wait! is freaking awesome.

When I started this book, I was expecting great things because of all the glowing reviews it'd received. I went out of my way to buy it, too, which isn't something I do often. Some people have been saying this book is fantastic from the get-go. I agree the first chapter is positively charming. It is. But then chapter two slowed down, and I was afraid of continuing on, because I was afraid the rest would go downhill, la too many books to remember, let alone list.

Turns out I could not be more wrong. The "slow down" was actually not as slow as I figured (how did I reach that conclusion?), and as soon as I got past this perceived bump on the road, the book charged forward with such flair, such candor, and a voice that just won't quit. The writing could not be more pitch-perfect (and though there's a lot of cursing--not a problem with me, but with others it'll be, I'm sure--the profanity! is! perfectly! done!) to a teen's. While the narrative often reads like the character is enacting a monologue (and most assuredly not a monotonous one), it's also got this magnetic, readable quality that makes it shine.

And finally, to my favorite part of any review: the characters. Beautiful to the third power, well-drawn, three-dimensional; in short: great. The development was mind-blowing, not only on the part of the main character, the witty Audrey, but also Victoria's, Jonah's, and James's. And, of course, Evan, even though he's absent for most of the novel. They all--especially Audrey--had this amazing sense of humor that kept me turning pages. Pair this up with the quick pacing and edgy realism, and you've got yourself a winner.

Robin Benway's got one hell of a skill on her hand. I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next. Whatever it is, Robin, please don't kill it by sticking My Chemical Romance in the middle :P

Reviewed by Hillary Krajewski (age 15) for Reader Views (6/08)

Audrey Cuttler is just a normal teenage girl. She has two parents, a best friend, an overweight cat, and a boyfriend named Evan, who's in a band. Oh, wait. Make that an ex-boyfriend. When Audrey breaks up with him on the day of his concert, Evan writes a song about the breakup named Audrey, Wait!, to show her how he feels. But who would've expected it to become so well known? And when Audrey, Evan, and his band "The Do Gooders," all get famous, things get really crazy.

Now, as Evan's traveling the world and endorsing his new song, Audrey's stuck at home being stalked by paparazzi, as well as everyone who owns a camera phone. All she wants to do is live a normal life but she learns that that's becoming harder and harder to do. She can't go to work, school, or anywhere without being gawked at or having pictures taken of her. Will she find a way to deal with it? Because the way things are going, the attention doesn't seem to be dying down anytime soon.

I thought that the book was absolutely wonderful. It had an engaging plot and a lot of action. The book was never boring and it was nearly impossible to put down. I think that teens, ages fifteen through eighteen-years will find this book very entertaining, especially if they're into music. There was a pretty liberal use of swearing throughout the book, but a mature reader would be able to handle it. I loved that at the beginning of each chapter there was a quote from a song that tied in with the chapter. I thought that it really added to the musical aspect of the book. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves music. "Audrey, Wait" is a fantastic book written by a great new author. Robin Benway is a fabulous writer and I will be sure to check out any of her upcoming books.

...something different from the Gossip Girl books but still one of the best books you can read, Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway is definitely it.
Audrey is a different sort of character from many of the girls in teen books lately ("If you really want to know something about me...I like my music loud. I mean *loud*...You have to turn it up so that your chest shakes and the drums get in between your ribs like a heartbeat and the bass goes up your spine and fizzles your brain...").

Audrey breaks up with her self-centered boyfriend Evan (who just happens to be the singer/songwriter of a local band) and that should be that...Except he writes a song about her that ends up at number one across the country lending Audrey some not so wanted fame of her own.

Dealing with fangirls of both her own and Evan's, misquoting press, and crazy paparazzi only add to the difficulty of dealing with everything else a 'normal' teen faces--but Audrey has it all whether she asked for it or not.

Robin Benway has written an excellent first novel and (besides some heavy language that I think makes the '9-12' age range a good bit too low) I think most everyone will love this book...and I hope she writes more soon :)

I picked up this novel on a recommendation from my fave author (Meg Cabot), and I was far from disappointed. I really enjoyed this book; a really fun, excellent read. However, there were a few places where I felt that the author tried too hard, mostly just with certain 'hip' phrases. But this is her first novel, so things like that can be forgiven easily. Otherwise, it's a solidly great book.

Final verdict - buy "Audrey, Wait!" today!

Audrey talks fast and moves as fast as this book did. It was really fun to read and very well writen. It didn't get dorky like so many teen books do. Any girl who loves going to concerts, has hung out with stoner boys who are i bands or wondered what it would be like to be famous for nothing t all will dig this book.

In Audrey, Wait!, Audrey's boyfriend Evan writes a song about her that makes her famous-- and turns her world basically upside down.

There are so many fun elements of music and romance but the best thing about this book is that Audrey and her friends are witty and snarky and realistically portrayed. I thought James, the guy she works with at an ice cream store, seemed so adorable. The bossy crazy Victoria, Audrey's best friend, is someone I would want to be friends with, too.

Reading this fast-paced book will give you an immediate zap of happiness. It was like a breath of fresh air. If you want a smart, snappy, uplifting read that you can completely relate to, this book is it!

I just finished reading AUDREY, WAIT!, and I can honestly say that it was one of the most enjoyable books I've read in a long time, with one of the most loveable characters. The main character, Audrey, dumps her boyfriend at the start of the novel -- and almost immediately is thrust into the world of fame when the ex writes a hit song about her.

This book is so much fun for a lot of reasons -- number one, Audrey is hilarious. She's spunky and fun and cool. Number two, even though Audrey's situation is abnormal, Audrey's just your average girl, and is really easy to relate to. I quickly became attached to her character, and I literally read this book in one sitting. This is also a fun novel for music lovers.

I would highly recommend AUDREY, WAIT! to anyone looking for a fun, funny read that's also well-written and has emotional depth.

Audrey's tired of dealing with her boyfriend's egocentric attitude. So she breaks up with him. Should be the end of it, but it's not. Because Evan writes a song about the break-up and records it with his band, and "Audrey, Wait!" skyrockets up the charts. As the song grows more popular, so does Audrey. All Audrey wants is to be normal (and maybe go on a date with super cute James), but when the paparazzi are stalking you and people you've never met are following your every move on the internet (and hating you), being normal isn't easy.

I really loved this book. It's just as much as fun as the cover. Even though the premise is extremely unlikely, Benway handles it in an extremly believable way, with three-dimensional characters. But the best thing about this book is Audrey, who has become one of my favorite narrating characters. She is a completely realistic teen whose sarcastic wit will keep you laughing and turning the pages, wanting to know what'll happen next in her turned-upside-down world. Complete fun and highly entertaining, "Audrey, Wait!" should definitely be a popular read for the spring and summer.

Audrey has no idea that right after she breaks up with her boyfriend, he'll write a hit song about her. She still agrees to go to his gig that night and hears the song "Audrey, Wait."

Immediately, it catches on. On Monday, Evan doesn't show up for school. Rumors swirl that his band has been signed. Soon the radio starts playing the song and before Audrey knows it, a reporter calls.

The phone rings just as Audrey is headed out the door, late for work. She blows off the interview with sarcasm, which the reporter completely misses. Now, Audrey has to tell her parents that what they've printed isn't true. She also has to deal with the paparazzi that begin to stalk her.

Robin Benway takes an average girl and quickly changes her life to become the new It Girl. Audrey copes as best she can with the change: with sarcasm, wit, and a great best friend.

This book will have you laughing out loud and cheering Audrey on.

Reviewed by: Jennifer Rummel

When Audrey made the decision to dump Evan, she never imagined that millions of people would soon know about it. But then Audrey, Wait!, the song Evan wrote about the break-up, is suddenly leaping up the charts, and making Evan's band wildly popular virtually overnight, Audrey has more attention than she can handle. Mobbed by reporters, fans, and fake friends, she can barely attend school, much less move on with her love life and start dating again. All anyone knows is what the paparazzi report. Now it's time for Audrey to take matters into her own hands.

Audrey's story is laugh out loud funny and chocked full of her crazy, fun filled escapades. Audrey herself has a sardonically appealing wit about her that makes her an instant hit, and is honest, confident, and yet still quite human. Her thoughts and vivid wording are what make that connection between the protagonist and reader. Though the book is lengthy, the plot moves at a brisk pace, and each chapter is preceded by sing lyrics from a wide variety of artists throughout the ages. This is a hilarious, wise, and immensely inviting read that anyone would be willing to rock out to.

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