Quick Thoughts: The Invention of Sophie Carter by Samantha Hastings

The Invention of Sophie Carter

by Samantha Hastings

July 14, 2020

Goodreads Summary:

Identical twin sisters take turns swapping places over the course of a summer in order to pursue their secret ambitions in Samantha Hastings' Victorian YA romance.

1851. Bounced from one begrudging relative to another their whole lives, orphaned identical twins Sophie and Mariah Carter have always relied on each other for love and support, even though the sisters couldn't be more different.

Brash Sophie wants to be an inventor, and demure Mariah wants to be an artist. Both long to visit London for the summer—Sophie to see the Queen’s Great Exhibition and Mariah to study the world’s finest collection of paintings. But when their cantankerous aunt answers their letter pleading for a place to stay, she insists she only has time and room to spare for one of them.

So, Mariah and Sophie hatch a clever scheme: They will travel to London together and take turns playing the part of "Sophie".

At first the plan runs like clockwork. But as the girls avoid getting caught by increasingly narrow margins and two handsome gentlemen—both of whom think they’re falling in love with the real Sophie Carter—enter the equation, the sisters find they don’t have the situation quite as under control as they thought.

With all sorts of delightful Parent Trap-style identical twin hijinks, The Invention of Sophie Carter is the perfect light-and-sweet palate cleanser.

Review

The Invention of Sophie Carter was just the pick-me-up read I needed. Sweet, comforting and quick, I flew through the story with a smile on my face.

What I Liked:

- the tight sister bond

- the obvious contrast between the twins

- two cute love stories

- girl power:

   - Sophie for knowing exactly what she wants in life

   - Mariah for not afraid of showing her emotions

- fun side characters (one grumpy but helpful) 

- family values

- some surprisingly profound realizations- not letting someone in = being all alone in life

- the twins had closure with the Captain

- the sweetest of endings

The Not So Much:

- maybe that the story felt too simple and easy at times

- I wanted more of Mariah's romance

"I suppose I want to be an inventor because you get to combine curiosity with ingenuity and create something new. Or make something better than it was before." (p. 110)