Book Review: The Set-Up Girl by Sasha Vey

I love a contemporary YA novel set in Australia – we have some incredible authors writing in this market and I’m always keeping my eye out for new ones to add to my must-read list. Given this, I was excited to receive an early copy of local author Sasha Vey’s debut YA novel The Set-Up Girl – from Allen & Unwin. No sooner had it arrived than my almost 12yr old snatched it up to read first (she loved it), and this week, in the lead up to the Canberra Writers Festival, it was finally my turn to sink into this gorgeous novel. Check out the synopsis, and then read on for my thoughts below.

What is Sasha Vey’s The Set-Up Girl about?

Amalia’s life runs like clockwork: school, family book club, hanging out with her best (and only) friend Mae. It’s comfortable in its predictability.

So when Mae announces she’s ready to start dating – against the wishes of her strict parents – Amalia’s world is thrown into chaos. Forever the dutiful friend, she agrees to help set Mae up with the hottest boy in class: Kasun. The only problem? He’s Amalia’s secret crush.

Adopting the role of wingwoman, Amalia does her best to navigate an unfamiliar world of parties and romantic drama. Meanwhile, she grows closer to Kasun’s best mates, Jake and Laeli, who frustrate and intrigue her in equal measure.

When misunderstandings (and secret kisses) threaten to derail relationships, Amalia is left more confused than ever. Who does she really want to be with? Can the set-up girl ever become the main character of the story?

My review of The Set-Up Girl

Oh. My. Heart. I adored this one. Sasha has given us a full cast of colourful and loveable characters from Amalia and her bestie Mae to their love interests, to Amalia’s cousins and aunts – I loved them all. This was one of those novels where I don’t want it to end because I’m not ready to stop hanging out with the characters!

I mentioned above that my almost 12yr old read The Set-Up Girl, and having read it myself now I think it’s a good one for readers just stepping into the YA space. It deals with issues and experiences relevant to older teens, but in a way that I think is both age appropriate for younger readers but also engaging and fun for older teens too. My main thought, in regard to my daughter, as I read was just how glad I am that she has access to stories like this to read and love as she grows up.

I’m not sure what else to say about this one except that it felt like a hug. I found the writing and narrative style completely charming and easy to get along with. There was enough tension for it to be interesting but not so much that it felt overdramatised, and I think this really helped it feel natural and authentic. I loved that all kinds of relationships were celebrated – while we’re getting a peek into Amalia’s ‘love life’, I also really enjoyed seeing the relationships she had with her best friend (I’m all for more celebration of platonic bestie love in all books!) as well as with her sister, parents, and broader family.

Amalia’s family book club was also a highlight for me – it was so sweet and fun to get snippets of that, and Sasha has used the book club reads in a really clever way to reflect elements of what the characters are going through as the broader plot unfolds.

Overall I’m (obviously) recommending this one wholeheartedly. It would make a perfect summer read for the teens in your life – and I found so much to love that I have to say I’d recommend checking it out if (like me) your teen years are long (loooong) behind you.

Huge thanks to Allen & Unwin for sending this review copy my way!

xo Bron

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The Set-Up Girl by Sasha Vey
Out now from Allen & Unwin
Source: I received a free paperback copy from Allen & Unwin (thank you!)
Category: Aussie YA contemporary romance fiction

Keep up with the latest from Sasha Vey on their website here.
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