Review: Ann, Not Annie by Sage Steadman

Ann, Not Annie
Sage Steadman
Publication date: September 20th 2017
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

Ann, not Annie, is tired of her nominal existence and has vowed to turn things around by dating the hottest guy in school, Jacob Waters. Easier said than done since Jacob isn’t even aware she exists. The truth is, due to Ann’s lively temper she spends more time in detention with the rest of the school rejects than she does fantasizing about Jacob Waters wearing spandex.

Her best friend and devout alien believer, Lisa, doesn’t like the changes she’s seeing in her BFF. Neither does Danny Feller, a fellow detention inmate and resident lost boy who has started keeping an extra watchful and unwanted eye on Ann.

When a chance encounter in an empty hallway changes everything, Ann finds all her dreams coming true and she is well on her way to living the perfect life she’s always wanted. But appearances aren’t always what they seem and Ann is going to have to face not just cold hard facts, but also her past.

Goodreads / Amazon

Ann, Not Annie is on sale for $1.99 through September 22, 2017

☆☆➹⁀☆4 stars☆➹⁀☆☆

Guest Reviewer Tom’s Thoughts:

Ann, Not Annie by Sage Steadman is a well-crafted and poignant account of a girl struggling to find herself and gain social acceptance as a teenager in the most difficult of circumstances. Through deft narration, the author develops both Ann’s complexity and simplicity in a way that instantly charmed me, and had me rooting for Ann to lift herself up and overcome her pain as she tries to navigate high school as a head of household. The author builds a good bit of tension with Ann’s family predicament that me hoping for Ann to finally catch a break.

As Ann struggles to make good choices and persevere, she eventually recognizes the people and relationships in her life that matter, and ironically it is deep family ties, in this somewhat broken family, that help to pull her through.

In a very clever way, the Ms. Steadman bonds Ann’s relationship to two other characters by their exposure to the writings and quotes of Thoreau. Hidden meanings they don’t understand become revealed to them as they each learn to embrace life on life’s terms despite its imperfections.

For a Young Adult “coming of age” read, this is is certainly one I would want teenagers to read, for Ann’s vulnerability, self reflection, resilience and eventual strength are exquisitely portrayed in an understandable way as to be an inspiration for young readers. The only negative for me was that a few chapters seem to run on a bit at the end, but as a father of two boys, I think Ann, Not Annie fabulously represents teen life.

Author Bio:

Sage Steadman was awarded a master’s degree in social work from the University of Utah. While pursuing her passion for writing, she worked as a licensed mental health therapist. She published her debut novel, “Snowflake Obsidian: Memoir of a Cutter,” in 2010 under her pen name, The Hippie, and since, re-released the second edition under her real name. The novel has been deemed an “idyllic” read, filled with love, humor, romance and heart. She is also the co-author of the gritty and inspiring historical fiction novel, “Upon Destiny’s Song,” alongside classical guitarist, Mike Ericksen, and has penned an article on teen cutting for Canadian Magazine, “Edmonton’s Child.” She has recently produced a stunning and thought-reflecting novella entitled, “The Waking Dream.” Sage is heralded as a talented writer who tackles her novels with a witty, raw and honest approach. She currently lives near Salt Lake City, Utah with family.

Website / Goodreads