Sam Dubarry is a cynic. Growing up in the foster system in NYC does that to you. And falling in love is by far the stupidest thing you could do in her opinion. But there’s one thing she craves more than anything–family. The illegitimate American daughter of an English Lord, Sam is desperate to make her father take notice of her. Which is where the Animos Society comes in. The exclusive Oxford … exclusive Oxford University club is her family’s legacy–and full of the worst kind of rich men. But becoming the first female member will take everything she has. Maybe more.
Daniel Best is the one man who truly sees Sam. The real her. The new mechanic for her father, Daniel is everything the Animos’ aren’t. Kind, honorable, good. But then the worst thing she can imagine happens…
The Society will let her in, if she destroys the one person she might be falling in love with first.
more
Sam Dubarry is a young American woman, she wanted what she never had; a family. Growing up in foster care was brutal and all she wanted was a family to call her own. Finding her father, a man of English nobility then knowing that he doesn’t care for her, it hurt. Now she has a new goal. To be accepted by her father Sam is determined to try out for the Secret Animos Society at Oxford. This is a male run group, making Sam the first woman to have anything to do with the Society.
After accomplishing ever task they gave her, the Society then gives her another. Make someone fall in love with her and take that person to the Animos Society Ball.
Enter Daniel Best; the one man who she would never want to hurt. Daniel is charged with taking care of her father’s car collection and spends his free time at his Grandma’s shop, determined to make his dream of becoming a singer come true. Daniel is one of the most fantastic characters I have had the pleasure of reading in some time, he is sweet, gentle, kind and an all-around good person. Sam goes to the extreme with this group, and there were some parts of this book that really made me not want to finish it.
Sam’s journey shows her parts of herself I don’t think she was ready to see, but also teaches her a few lessons that were necessary. A very good story and one I would recommend to other readers.
Thank you to Entangled for an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Society Girl
By: Alys Murray
*REVIEW*
Society Girl is a compelling look at the importance of validation and belonging. Sam is a lost soul. She’s been in the United States foster system but eventually ends up in England to be with her father, whom she has never known. No one sees Sam, and that has been the sad story of her life. No validation from her father or anyone else that she is seen and loved. Sam decides to take control of her life and become the first female member of an all male secret society at Oxford. This will surely get her father’s attention. Of course, though, the over privileged boys of this society must haze Sam before she can become a member. They can do what they please because their status in society is secure no matter what. Those on the outside must claw and fight to become a part of the inner circle. Only a person with extremely low self worth would do what Sam does. She’s become a villain. Ultimately, she’s tasked with the destruction of Daniel, a guy who actually sees and loves her as she is. Sam uses his love for her to shatter him. It’s the ultimate ironic betrayal. She’s too blinded by her own self loathing to see the recognition and validation Daniel gives her. Sam has been unimportant for so long, so she assumes that’s all she’ll ever be. It’s what we all want-to know our existence is important and we belong. Will Sam ever realize that she does matter? Is she too far gone to recognize love? While I sympathize with Sam’s character, I don’t like her. She’s mean and self centered. Daniel is a kind, selfless loving character, and I did like him. The story is engaging, revealing and thought provoking. Overall, it’s a solid read with a unique premise and a bit of darkness that will keep you reading.
Samantha is struggling to fit into the society she finds herself. To do that she has to become a new version of herself. Danny is a sweetheart from the wrong side of the track. The story tells a sad tale of the adult child who has never been given the validation she wanted from her parents. She struggles with self worth issues and is on a destructive path. The one person who sees her and loves her she ultimately shatters. She has to work very hard at repairing the broken pieces, starting with herself, before she can be worthy of the love of a good man. This is a good book that explores the disparity that still exists in British society.