Reviewed by Wendy Lipke
This young adult comedy is the debut novel by Sasha Vey, an Australian author who enjoys writing about the complicated and often embarrassing transition into young adulthood. In this story many of the everyday dramas of teenagers on this journey are highlighted.
The title, although it applies to one girl in particular who is trying to set up her friend, could have several meanings in this book. Amalia is trying to help her best friend, Mae, connect with the guy she has a crush on even though she herself has the same crush. So, is she the set-up girl or is her friend? Also, throughout the story I kept wondering if Amalia herself might be being set-up for some reason and whether this might be malicious or helpful. The cover of this book is bright yellow with pictures of stickers and photos to catch the eye of the young adult reader.
The characters in this story are in their last year at high school. Both Amalia and Mae have lived very sheltered lives. Their families have strict religious affiliations, so the girls have had little experience outside family settings. Mae is ready to break out and, not comfortable on her own, takes her best friend along with her.
They soon find themselves in a world which requires sneaking out without parent approval, involving parties and alcohol. Fortunately for them both, the other students they meet up with are very inclusive and caring.
The story is told in the first person by Amalia as she tries to help her friend in this new environment. At one stage she finds herself in a dark theatre with her crush, her best friend and two boys she didn’t know. She is looking at a movie she has no interest in and is still a little hung over from her first experience with alcohol.
This is a story about long time friendships and new experiences which may change the dynamic of the other. Amalia experiences misunderstandings, jealousy and reading something into nothing as she navigates this new social situation. She becomes confused and wants to know about boundaries in friendships with others so she can know how to behave respectfully.
This is also a time when teenagers may be uncertain regarding their own feelings in friendships and who they might be attracted to. Although Amalia does not feel comfortable in many of the situations, she finds herself often in the company of Jake, a friend of her original crush, and he has a way of cutting to the centre of her anxieties. She feels comfortable with him because he is not her central focus at the time.
This is also a story about families and sibling support. As the story unfolds through Amalia’s eyes it is lovely to see how these young people mature in their thinking while still being true to their friends.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story and am sure other readers for whom the book was written will enjoy it too.
The Set-up Girl
(2025)
by Sasha Vey
Allen & Unwin
ISBN:978-1-76118-154-2
$19.99;384pp