Explore the Unbreakable Bonds of Family with Hastings

Guest Post by Ella Ieva.

The Victorian era was without a doubt one of the most influential periods of literature to date. Samantha Hasting’s The Invention of Sophie Carter brings a fresh YA perspective of the Victorian London scene through the eyes of two identical orphaned sisters: Sophie and Mariah. But when only one of them gets a chance of a lifetime, Sophie hatches a plan that allows them to both go—they masquerade as one person.

This book made me fall in love with the Victorian era, and the independent female characters’ relatable, humorous, and genuine personalities left me experiencing a whirlwind of emotions that I absolutely adored. This book brings out the best and the worst between two undeniably different people with the strongest bond there is, and sheds light on similar economic inequalities explored by Dickens in his renowned novels. This novel bears a resemblance to the sharp-witted and warm-hearted Bennet sisters from Jane Austen’s beloved classic, Pride and Prejudice while also exploring the bond of sisterhood, unexpected romance, and the hardships of pursuing your dreams instead of others’ expectations. Witty and enticing, this book will pull on your heartstrings, make you fall in love with the Carter sisters, and leave you wishing you could go back in time and experience this adventure right along with them.

The Invention of Sophie Carter by Samantha Hastings. Swoon Reads, July 2020.

Reviewer bio: Ella is an avid reader of all books, a lover of poetry, and an aspiring author whose favorite pastime is exploring new books with a strong cup of earl grey on rainy days.

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