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Sleeping Around
A teen violinist hopes to leave her foster care baggage behind at college. Instead, she starts sleeping around campus—from air mattresses to random couches—after a roommate nightmare.
"Exploring trauma and resilience in gritty first-person detail, Sleeping Around by Morgan Vega is a powerful reflection on stability, the concept of home, and the heavy baggage we all must sometimes carry." —Self-Publishing Review
"A masterpiece of early college angst, complicated friendships, young love, and overcoming trauma. The author expertly weaves together multiple themes, carefully framing difficult subjects—homosexuality, religious trauma, foster care, insecurity—into an accessible, charming novel . . . A fabulously written slice-of-life story about a girl finding herself." —Publisher’s Weekly, The BookLife Prize
Foster care always promised her a bed. Now she doesn’t even have that.
Coralee (Corey) Reed can’t wait to trade her current foster house for Harmony Hall, the dorm for music majors. Corey arrives at Borns College with her pawn-shop violin and a borrowed duffle bag, ready to leave her foster care baggage behind.
But Corey's first day on campus starts on a sour note. She runs into her archrival violinist Dylan Mason, then her name's not on the dorm's roster. Worst of all, Corey can't live at Harmony Hall. Period. Because she's not yet accepted into the music program. Instead, Reslife shoves her into a temporary triple with two unsuspecting (and beyond different) roommates.
When one of her roommates does the unforgivable, Corey starts sleeping around campus—from air mattresses to random couches—while waiting for an open room. But how can she beat Dylan for first chair if she can’t keep her eyes open? How can she pass her finals without a good night’s sleep? Will college, the place she thought would launch her dreams of becoming a professional violinist, be the place her dreams end all too soon?
277 pages, Paperback
First published August 3, 2021
About the author
Morgan Vega
1 book39 followersMorgan Vega earned her BA in English from Bridgewater College and MA in Technical Writing from James Madison University. She worked in higher education for seven years before transitioning into the publishing industry. Morgan interned at Kore Press, worked as an editor at Scarsdale Publishing, and now does marketing for No Starch Press.
Morgan grew up and lives in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. When she’s not writing, Morgan’s freelance editing and talking about books on social media.
Morgan grew up and lives in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. When she’s not writing, Morgan’s freelance editing and talking about books on social media.
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May 15, 2021THIS SOUNDS SO GOOD i can’t wait
December 14, 2022
What a breath of fresh air this was!
First and foremost this book is about family, and finding yourself and where you fit in. It’s a perfect read for teens going through big transitions in their life. Its wholesome and real and emotional.
We follow Coralee (Corey), and her experience leaving the foster care system and going to college, while also following her passion for playing the violin. However she quickly finds out that the music department hasn’t accepted her and is also without a room. This leaves her to find shelter in any place she can, while still striving to compete for first chair in the orchestra.
I really enjoyed reading from Corey’s perspective, she was very interesting and I thought it was clever how the author wrote her internal thoughts, especially how Corey personify’s ‘Violin’.
The only thing I didn’t enjoy so much was Corey’s developing relationship with Dylan, I’d rather it have stayed more friendship than anything else. However I have to say they did grow on me the more I read.
As a whole this is a really emotional, yet heartwarming read and I really enjoyed the authors writing. While being a rather fast read, Vega still managed to create a lyrical story that packs a punch. I honestly can’t believe this is a debut because it was so well executed. I would definitely recommend!
Thank you so much to Morgan for sending me an early copy in exchange for an honest review!
First and foremost this book is about family, and finding yourself and where you fit in. It’s a perfect read for teens going through big transitions in their life. Its wholesome and real and emotional.
We follow Coralee (Corey), and her experience leaving the foster care system and going to college, while also following her passion for playing the violin. However she quickly finds out that the music department hasn’t accepted her and is also without a room. This leaves her to find shelter in any place she can, while still striving to compete for first chair in the orchestra.
I really enjoyed reading from Corey’s perspective, she was very interesting and I thought it was clever how the author wrote her internal thoughts, especially how Corey personify’s ‘Violin’.
The only thing I didn’t enjoy so much was Corey’s developing relationship with Dylan, I’d rather it have stayed more friendship than anything else. However I have to say they did grow on me the more I read.
As a whole this is a really emotional, yet heartwarming read and I really enjoyed the authors writing. While being a rather fast read, Vega still managed to create a lyrical story that packs a punch. I honestly can’t believe this is a debut because it was so well executed. I would definitely recommend!
Thank you so much to Morgan for sending me an early copy in exchange for an honest review!
July 30, 2021
"Foster care taught me nothing about staying and only about moving, leaving, escaping. I'm tired of escaping. Of not belonging."
4.5 stars
I didn't think this would be a book where I cried, but I was wrong. My heart broke for Corey. She just wanted a place to belong, she just wanted to be seen and appreciated, but everything started falling apart around her.
I loved the journey Corey went through emotionally; she was so closed off to the idea that a foster home could be a home, that she didn't realise it was where she belonged the most. I loved seeing her relationships change within the foster home as she begun to heal from her past wounds. Tom and Kathryn are amazing people and it would be an honour to meet them if they weren't fictional.
Morgan Vega has a very easy writing style to follow and her words flow from one sentence to the next seamlessly. I have a lot going on at the moment, but I found comfort in how I was able to sink into this novel and breeze through it. I was able to escape the stress of reality and not have to worry about trying hard to follow the narrative of the novel. I really appreciate that.
As someone who has had NIGHTMARE experiences with college roommates, I related 100% to Corey's situation. There is nothing worse than a hostile sleeping environment, it breaks a person down slowly over time - and you see that in Corey.
I loved Corey and Emma's friendship. It reminded me how freshman year of college is such a whirlwind, how life is so different and exciting. I really enjoyed how much they leaned on one another and that they were able to work through the differences they had. It felt very realistic and pure.
The only reason this wasn't a full 5 stars is that the romance wasn't fleshed out. I loved our love interest's character because he brought in great conversations about being bisexual and the pressures that are placed on them to appear "queer enough." But I just felt like the relationship was more of a friendship.
Lastly, while Corey is a violinist and is taking music classes, I didn't find myself bogged down by the music-speak (if that is even what you call it). The fact that Vega can write a story about a violinist trying to win first chair in her college orchestra and manage to make it easy for non-musicians to understand just shows how much talent she has.
I am so glad I got to read an early copy of this book and I am excited for what Vega has in store next.
4.5 stars
I didn't think this would be a book where I cried, but I was wrong. My heart broke for Corey. She just wanted a place to belong, she just wanted to be seen and appreciated, but everything started falling apart around her.
I loved the journey Corey went through emotionally; she was so closed off to the idea that a foster home could be a home, that she didn't realise it was where she belonged the most. I loved seeing her relationships change within the foster home as she begun to heal from her past wounds. Tom and Kathryn are amazing people and it would be an honour to meet them if they weren't fictional.
Morgan Vega has a very easy writing style to follow and her words flow from one sentence to the next seamlessly. I have a lot going on at the moment, but I found comfort in how I was able to sink into this novel and breeze through it. I was able to escape the stress of reality and not have to worry about trying hard to follow the narrative of the novel. I really appreciate that.
As someone who has had NIGHTMARE experiences with college roommates, I related 100% to Corey's situation. There is nothing worse than a hostile sleeping environment, it breaks a person down slowly over time - and you see that in Corey.
I loved Corey and Emma's friendship. It reminded me how freshman year of college is such a whirlwind, how life is so different and exciting. I really enjoyed how much they leaned on one another and that they were able to work through the differences they had. It felt very realistic and pure.
The only reason this wasn't a full 5 stars is that the romance wasn't fleshed out. I loved our love interest's character because he brought in great conversations about being bisexual and the pressures that are placed on them to appear "queer enough." But I just felt like the relationship was more of a friendship.
Lastly, while Corey is a violinist and is taking music classes, I didn't find myself bogged down by the music-speak (if that is even what you call it). The fact that Vega can write a story about a violinist trying to win first chair in her college orchestra and manage to make it easy for non-musicians to understand just shows how much talent she has.
I am so glad I got to read an early copy of this book and I am excited for what Vega has in store next.
July 7, 2021
Sleeping Around has been 6 years in the making, and it's close to my heart. It's a loving reminder to myself—and now to you—that we don't have to be perfect to deserve love.
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Content warnings: Includes underage drinking; very brief mentions—not depictions—of infertility and police brutality; and lots of sexual innuendos. Does not include sex scenes.
Feel free to submit questions about the book here on Goodreads♥
Preorder the book!
Get freebies for preordering the book!
Content warnings: Includes underage drinking; very brief mentions—not depictions—of infertility and police brutality; and lots of sexual innuendos. Does not include sex scenes.
Feel free to submit questions about the book here on Goodreads♥
October 18, 2021
Antes que nada quiero agradecer a Morgan por darme una copia avanzada de su libro y por confiar en mi para leer su novela debut, también le quiero dar las gracias por su infinita compresión que tuvo conmigo sobre el porque no pude leer su libro para cuando se suponía ( mil veces perdón).
💫
Sleeping around es la novela juvenil debut de Morgan y tengo que decir que para ser su primera novela me encanto su forma de escribir y de narrar la historia y que se que sin dudas va a llegar muy lejos como autora. Ahora tristemente la historia no fue para mi y no porque fuera mala pero si sencillamente porque creo que mi mente anda en un mood de fantasía aunque también porque siento que le falto trama a la historia y que sus personajes no quedaron grabados en mi corazón.
💫
Escritura
💫
Como mencione arriba ame la forma de escribir de Morgan, tristemente he leído muchas novelas debuts que están desafortunadamente mal escritas o que a sus autores les falta pulir ese don de atrapar a la gente con sus relatos, afortunadamente este no es el caso de Morgan, su escritura es fresca y sencilla y tiene una pluma que no se te complica de leer y que antes es bastante fluida y hace que leas el libro con mas facilidad.
💫
World Building.
💫
Realmente no hay world bulding ya que la historia en su mayor parte sucede en la universidad, así que si buscas un libro que este en ese entorno puede que este sea el libro para ti.
💫
Trama
💫
Aquí es donde empiezo con los peros y es que realmente para mi no hubo trama, la sinopsis te vende por así decirlo una trama y esa trama pasa en las ultimas 30 paginas de la historia de resto es solo una chica en la universidad quejándose de su vida y lo entiendo porque su vida en hogares de paso no ha sido fácil y si lo pongo en esa perspectiva entiendo el porque el nombre de la novela y entiendo a donde quería llegar la autora, pero yo me enfoque en la sinopsis y mientras leía solo podía pensar que ya iba a terminar la historia y que lo que había leído en la sinopsis aun no pasaba y de hecho si lees la sinopsis básicamente te dice hacia donde va dirigido lo que estas leyendo y por lo tanto los plot twist que pudieron haber existido pues no existen porque son muy fáciles de deducir. Ahora volviendo a la ''trama'' de nuevo para mi no hubo, en sus 277 paginas que tiene el libro solo acompañamos a nuestra protagonista a la universidad y la vemos sentir lastima de ella misma por todo lo que ha tenido que pasar y se que no ha sido fácil y si me pongo en los zapatos de ella probablemente actuaria igual pero el problema es que no podía sentir compasión por ella y es que llego un punto en que su actitud de ''victima'' me llego a molestar bastante porque podía darme cuenta de todo lo que estaba haciendo mal y como alejaba a la gente que se preocupaba por ella de verdad. Ahora su final.... tampoco me gusto y fue mas el hecho que todos los ''problemas'' que tiene la protagonista se solucionan con una sola charla que tuvo con unos de los personajes y listo ya esta, todo lo que la protagonista tiene que ''aguantar'' durante toda la trama es solucionado en una pagina..... Para una persona como yo que esta acostumbrada a la fantasía y digamos a tramas mas complejas donde las cosas se solucionan como el 7 libro pues podemos decir que no estaba muy complacida. Ahora para alguien que este mas acostumbrado a las novelas juveniles puede que no les moleste tanto como a mi.
💫
Romance
💫
El romance es el típico enemies to lovers que en realidad nunca fueron enemigos sino dos adolescentes que tuvieron una pequeña revalidad en la escuela pero que en realidad se gustaban y eso se intensifica en la universidad porque mágicamente terminan en la misma universidad ? pues eso es exactamente lo que pasa en esta historia. ¿Lo disfrute? Pues claro que si, mi corazón fangirlea con todo, pero si tengo que decir que no lo disfrute TANTO como suelo disfrutar los otros romances que de verdad amo, en conclusión estuvo cute pero nada mas que destacar.
💫
Personajes
💫
Lo he dicho muchas veces pero para mi una historia la hace en su mayor parte los personajes y como te conectas con ellos, en esta ocasión no me pude conectar con los personajes que aparecen en este libro pero en especial con su protagonista, como ya lo mencione arriba en su mayor parte (98% del libro) se la pasa como la ''victima'' y de nuevo entiendo el porque lo hace y si fuera yo en su lugar muy probablemente también actuaria de la misma forma.... pero no pude con su actitud y su forma de actuar y bueno en el final por fin se da cuenta de sus errores y yo estaba como '' ya era hora''. Pero por otra parte tenemos a Emma y Dylan y otros personajes que sin duda me cayeron mucho mejor que Corey que es nuestra protagonista, en especial Emma que la ame demasiado con su forma de ser y que siento que fue con ella con la que mas me identifique, pero por supuesto también me encanto Dylan que es un amor de persona pero sin perder su imagen de ''típico chico hot de secundaria''. Sin dudas puedo ver que Morgan tiene un gran potencial para crear mejores personajes que te lleguen al corazón y aunque estos no lo lograron si quiero destacar la forma en que maneja a la comunica LGTBIQ+ , los pronombres, la lucha con nuestras creencias y lo que en realidad sucede en el mundo y que no podemos ignorar, el no sentirse bienvenido en ninguna parte y como todos necesitamos un hogar aunque a veces este no sea como lo estábamos esperando.
💫
En conclusión Sleeping around es la novela debut de una maravillosa autora con mucho potencial que aunque a pesar de que personalmente a mi no me cautivo siento que tiene la capacidad de atrapar a lectores mas jóvenes.
💫
3.3 💫
💫
Sleeping around es la novela juvenil debut de Morgan y tengo que decir que para ser su primera novela me encanto su forma de escribir y de narrar la historia y que se que sin dudas va a llegar muy lejos como autora. Ahora tristemente la historia no fue para mi y no porque fuera mala pero si sencillamente porque creo que mi mente anda en un mood de fantasía aunque también porque siento que le falto trama a la historia y que sus personajes no quedaron grabados en mi corazón.
💫
Escritura
💫
Como mencione arriba ame la forma de escribir de Morgan, tristemente he leído muchas novelas debuts que están desafortunadamente mal escritas o que a sus autores les falta pulir ese don de atrapar a la gente con sus relatos, afortunadamente este no es el caso de Morgan, su escritura es fresca y sencilla y tiene una pluma que no se te complica de leer y que antes es bastante fluida y hace que leas el libro con mas facilidad.
💫
World Building.
💫
Realmente no hay world bulding ya que la historia en su mayor parte sucede en la universidad, así que si buscas un libro que este en ese entorno puede que este sea el libro para ti.
💫
Trama
💫
Aquí es donde empiezo con los peros y es que realmente para mi no hubo trama, la sinopsis te vende por así decirlo una trama y esa trama pasa en las ultimas 30 paginas de la historia de resto es solo una chica en la universidad quejándose de su vida y lo entiendo porque su vida en hogares de paso no ha sido fácil y si lo pongo en esa perspectiva entiendo el porque el nombre de la novela y entiendo a donde quería llegar la autora, pero yo me enfoque en la sinopsis y mientras leía solo podía pensar que ya iba a terminar la historia y que lo que había leído en la sinopsis aun no pasaba y de hecho si lees la sinopsis básicamente te dice hacia donde va dirigido lo que estas leyendo y por lo tanto los plot twist que pudieron haber existido pues no existen porque son muy fáciles de deducir. Ahora volviendo a la ''trama'' de nuevo para mi no hubo, en sus 277 paginas que tiene el libro solo acompañamos a nuestra protagonista a la universidad y la vemos sentir lastima de ella misma por todo lo que ha tenido que pasar y se que no ha sido fácil y si me pongo en los zapatos de ella probablemente actuaria igual pero el problema es que no podía sentir compasión por ella y es que llego un punto en que su actitud de ''victima'' me llego a molestar bastante porque podía darme cuenta de todo lo que estaba haciendo mal y como alejaba a la gente que se preocupaba por ella de verdad. Ahora su final.... tampoco me gusto y fue mas el hecho que todos los ''problemas'' que tiene la protagonista se solucionan con una sola charla que tuvo con unos de los personajes y listo ya esta, todo lo que la protagonista tiene que ''aguantar'' durante toda la trama es solucionado en una pagina..... Para una persona como yo que esta acostumbrada a la fantasía y digamos a tramas mas complejas donde las cosas se solucionan como el 7 libro pues podemos decir que no estaba muy complacida. Ahora para alguien que este mas acostumbrado a las novelas juveniles puede que no les moleste tanto como a mi.
💫
Romance
💫
El romance es el típico enemies to lovers que en realidad nunca fueron enemigos sino dos adolescentes que tuvieron una pequeña revalidad en la escuela pero que en realidad se gustaban y eso se intensifica en la universidad porque mágicamente terminan en la misma universidad ? pues eso es exactamente lo que pasa en esta historia. ¿Lo disfrute? Pues claro que si, mi corazón fangirlea con todo, pero si tengo que decir que no lo disfrute TANTO como suelo disfrutar los otros romances que de verdad amo, en conclusión estuvo cute pero nada mas que destacar.
💫
Personajes
💫
Lo he dicho muchas veces pero para mi una historia la hace en su mayor parte los personajes y como te conectas con ellos, en esta ocasión no me pude conectar con los personajes que aparecen en este libro pero en especial con su protagonista, como ya lo mencione arriba en su mayor parte (98% del libro) se la pasa como la ''victima'' y de nuevo entiendo el porque lo hace y si fuera yo en su lugar muy probablemente también actuaria de la misma forma.... pero no pude con su actitud y su forma de actuar y bueno en el final por fin se da cuenta de sus errores y yo estaba como '' ya era hora''. Pero por otra parte tenemos a Emma y Dylan y otros personajes que sin duda me cayeron mucho mejor que Corey que es nuestra protagonista, en especial Emma que la ame demasiado con su forma de ser y que siento que fue con ella con la que mas me identifique, pero por supuesto también me encanto Dylan que es un amor de persona pero sin perder su imagen de ''típico chico hot de secundaria''. Sin dudas puedo ver que Morgan tiene un gran potencial para crear mejores personajes que te lleguen al corazón y aunque estos no lo lograron si quiero destacar la forma en que maneja a la comunica LGTBIQ+ , los pronombres, la lucha con nuestras creencias y lo que en realidad sucede en el mundo y que no podemos ignorar, el no sentirse bienvenido en ninguna parte y como todos necesitamos un hogar aunque a veces este no sea como lo estábamos esperando.
💫
En conclusión Sleeping around es la novela debut de una maravillosa autora con mucho potencial que aunque a pesar de que personalmente a mi no me cautivo siento que tiene la capacidad de atrapar a lectores mas jóvenes.
💫
3.3 💫
July 15, 2021
Thank you so much Morgan for sending me my first ever ARC and I am so happy to say I very much enjoyed it!
Heartfelt, emotional, and relatable.
Sleeping Around brings me back to freshmen year of college something fierce. Even though my experience was definitely different than Corey’s I had enough similarities to make her journey in this story super relatable. When I first got to college during move in I made fast friends with some of my hallmates so watching Corey and Emma’s friendship bond grow reminded me very much of my own experience.
Vega has a gift for writing emotion, her ability to convey to the the reader Corey’s thoughts and emotions in such a way that the reader feels Corey’s situations and choices as if they were their own. The raw emotion conveyed in Corey’s foster family and their struggles is an insight to what so many children have to go through their entire childhood and the toll it takes on them. Vega also has a way of writing these college freshmen experiences and college environment as a whole in a way that sucks you into the world of Sleeping Around and transports you back to your own experiences as well.
Reading this has reminded me how excited I am to be heading back to college for my junior year in a few month!
Heartfelt, emotional, and relatable.
Sleeping Around brings me back to freshmen year of college something fierce. Even though my experience was definitely different than Corey’s I had enough similarities to make her journey in this story super relatable. When I first got to college during move in I made fast friends with some of my hallmates so watching Corey and Emma’s friendship bond grow reminded me very much of my own experience.
Vega has a gift for writing emotion, her ability to convey to the the reader Corey’s thoughts and emotions in such a way that the reader feels Corey’s situations and choices as if they were their own. The raw emotion conveyed in Corey’s foster family and their struggles is an insight to what so many children have to go through their entire childhood and the toll it takes on them. Vega also has a way of writing these college freshmen experiences and college environment as a whole in a way that sucks you into the world of Sleeping Around and transports you back to your own experiences as well.
Reading this has reminded me how excited I am to be heading back to college for my junior year in a few month!
July 22, 2021
Thank you to the author for sending me an advanced copy!
Sleeping Around is a YA contemporary following Coralee (Corey) who has been in the foster care system her entire life but now has the opportunity to leave it behind as she is going to college to be a part of the music program. When Corey arrives at Borns College, she finds out she isn't actually in the music program yet which would have promised her a place to live in Harmony Hall. Corey is then put into a forced triple but when tensions rise with one of her roommates, she has to sleep around campus while she waits for a room to open up.
I thought this book was the perfect mix of hard-hitting discussions while also having more light-hearted moments as well. There was a lot of emphasis on the foster care system and the things Corey has had to deal with because of that which I thought was really interesting to explore. There were also some good discussions surrounding religion as well as the LGBTQ+ community and I think the author did a great job of discussing these things in a realistic and respectful way.
But the book didn't just focus on Corey having all these internal and external struggles, she also develops a strong friendship with one of her roommates, Emma. It was great to see Corey, who had struggled to form friendships in the past, find someone who was a genuine friend!
There also was a romance that I loved!! It was a sort of rivals to lovers situation and I loved all the banter between Corey and the love interest!
Also a small part of the book but another thing I loved was pumpkin day!!! There's a whole day at the school dedicated to fall activities and pumpkin treats and as a lover of all things autumn, it was definitely a stand out moment for me. And now I need to have pumpkin spice cinnamon rolls asap lol
The only reason this was not a full 5 star rating was because I felt the pacing, particularly the pivotal plot point towards the end and the resolution, happened a bit fast. The buildup to the conflict I think was done well, it just felt like the fallout and the solution to that conflict happened very quickly and I wish we had seen a bit more of the consequences of that situation.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story and loved reading about Corey's journey of navigating through college and the challenges that brings while also finding an unexpected family with the people who truly matter to her and support her.
Sleeping Around is a YA contemporary following Coralee (Corey) who has been in the foster care system her entire life but now has the opportunity to leave it behind as she is going to college to be a part of the music program. When Corey arrives at Borns College, she finds out she isn't actually in the music program yet which would have promised her a place to live in Harmony Hall. Corey is then put into a forced triple but when tensions rise with one of her roommates, she has to sleep around campus while she waits for a room to open up.
I thought this book was the perfect mix of hard-hitting discussions while also having more light-hearted moments as well. There was a lot of emphasis on the foster care system and the things Corey has had to deal with because of that which I thought was really interesting to explore. There were also some good discussions surrounding religion as well as the LGBTQ+ community and I think the author did a great job of discussing these things in a realistic and respectful way.
But the book didn't just focus on Corey having all these internal and external struggles, she also develops a strong friendship with one of her roommates, Emma. It was great to see Corey, who had struggled to form friendships in the past, find someone who was a genuine friend!
There also was a romance that I loved!! It was a sort of rivals to lovers situation and I loved all the banter between Corey and the love interest!
Also a small part of the book but another thing I loved was pumpkin day!!! There's a whole day at the school dedicated to fall activities and pumpkin treats and as a lover of all things autumn, it was definitely a stand out moment for me. And now I need to have pumpkin spice cinnamon rolls asap lol
The only reason this was not a full 5 star rating was because I felt the pacing, particularly the pivotal plot point towards the end and the resolution, happened a bit fast. The buildup to the conflict I think was done well, it just felt like the fallout and the solution to that conflict happened very quickly and I wish we had seen a bit more of the consequences of that situation.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story and loved reading about Corey's journey of navigating through college and the challenges that brings while also finding an unexpected family with the people who truly matter to her and support her.
July 14, 2021
*3.5*
Thank you to the author for an early copy of this book :)
This book follows our main character Coralee (Corey) as she goes off to college after having lived her life through the foster care system. College is finally going to be a place she can call home and where she'll have a permanent bed for the first time in her life. However when she arrives this isn't the case. She hasn't been allocated a room at all so ends up bunking with the girl she just met called Emma. So much for a bed.
This book is set during the first few weeks at college but it's so much more than that. It focuses on the foster care system a lot more than I thought (which I LOVED. I loved getting to know Corey's foster family) and that you can find your home and family in the most unexpected of places.
It has conversations regarding the LBGT+ community, more specifically bisexual. Which explored the fact that bisexuals are often mistreated for having an attraction to more than one gender. But they are just as valid as everyone else. I thought this topic was really well discussed and I hope people feel seen through the conversation when reading this book.
I thought Corey, our main character was really well thought out but I wish the side characters had a little more depth to them.
My final thought is I thought the pivotal plot point was resolved too quickly for my personal preference and wished there was more consequences that may have developed the story a little further.
Overall I had a great time reading this and would recommend it to people who enjoy self-love and acceptance stories about finding your own family in the most unexpected of places. It pulled at my heart-strings at the end and thought this was a really cure read :)
Thank you to the author for an early copy of this book :)
This book follows our main character Coralee (Corey) as she goes off to college after having lived her life through the foster care system. College is finally going to be a place she can call home and where she'll have a permanent bed for the first time in her life. However when she arrives this isn't the case. She hasn't been allocated a room at all so ends up bunking with the girl she just met called Emma. So much for a bed.
This book is set during the first few weeks at college but it's so much more than that. It focuses on the foster care system a lot more than I thought (which I LOVED. I loved getting to know Corey's foster family) and that you can find your home and family in the most unexpected of places.
It has conversations regarding the LBGT+ community, more specifically bisexual. Which explored the fact that bisexuals are often mistreated for having an attraction to more than one gender. But they are just as valid as everyone else. I thought this topic was really well discussed and I hope people feel seen through the conversation when reading this book.
I thought Corey, our main character was really well thought out but I wish the side characters had a little more depth to them.
My final thought is I thought the pivotal plot point was resolved too quickly for my personal preference and wished there was more consequences that may have developed the story a little further.
Overall I had a great time reading this and would recommend it to people who enjoy self-love and acceptance stories about finding your own family in the most unexpected of places. It pulled at my heart-strings at the end and thought this was a really cure read :)
July 7, 2021
I was lucky to get a eARC of this book from the author. This book was and incredibly emotional story about identity, and trying to figure out who you are and your place in the world. All this under the surface of a great story set in college. I don’t see too many stories set at this time, and I have been looking for more. This is exactly what I wanted.
This story takes you on a very immersive adventure following Corey as she explores college for the first time. Yet there is a twist of sorts: Corey is from the foster care system and is dealing with aging out and starting the new experience that is college. All at the same time! She also plays violin, and you feel how important this is to her. Even the chapters are titled movements, which is pretty ingenious. And there are little definitions at the beginning of each chapter to keep you up to speed with the characters. You don’t have to know much if anything about music, Vega helps you out along the way.
I’m not sure how Vega did it, but I laughed, cried, cringed, and more with these characters. I ended up caring deeply for Corey and the friends and family she makes along the way. I found myself rooting for her in every aspect of this story. It’s truly hard me to believe this is her debut novel. She writes like someone who has been published for a while. I cannot wait to see what other things this author comes out with. She definitely has a fan in me!
This story takes you on a very immersive adventure following Corey as she explores college for the first time. Yet there is a twist of sorts: Corey is from the foster care system and is dealing with aging out and starting the new experience that is college. All at the same time! She also plays violin, and you feel how important this is to her. Even the chapters are titled movements, which is pretty ingenious. And there are little definitions at the beginning of each chapter to keep you up to speed with the characters. You don’t have to know much if anything about music, Vega helps you out along the way.
I’m not sure how Vega did it, but I laughed, cried, cringed, and more with these characters. I ended up caring deeply for Corey and the friends and family she makes along the way. I found myself rooting for her in every aspect of this story. It’s truly hard me to believe this is her debut novel. She writes like someone who has been published for a while. I cannot wait to see what other things this author comes out with. She definitely has a fan in me!
July 13, 2021
Sleeping Around is a young adult contemporary novel following Coralee (Corey) Reed’s transition from foster care to college by debut author Morgan Vega.
Corey arrives at Borns College with her pawn-shop violin and a borrowed duffle bag, ready to leave her foster care baggage behind. Unfortunately, due to miscommunication with the College of Music she isn’t actually an accepted music major and Reslife shoves her into a temporary triple. Her roommate relationships spiral down and Corey starts sleeping around campus—from air mattresses to random couches—while waiting for an open room.
I was also in a forced triple my freshman year, and had tense roommate relationships. Though luckily not as bad as Corey. It’s been about ten years since I was in college, but this story did a great job of capturing some of the real excitement and anxiety of freshman year!
I’ve played music for most of my life - recorder, piano, flute - and loved the inclusion of musical terms for each chapter. The communication with the violin played a minor role that I didn’t feel invested in, but I appreciated Corey’s connection to music and her playlist.
I had a hard time putting the book down, I was captivated seeing Corey navigate life with her foster family, budding friendships, and potential enemies turned lovers.
Thanks so much to the author Morgan Vega for sharing an early access copy with me!
Corey arrives at Borns College with her pawn-shop violin and a borrowed duffle bag, ready to leave her foster care baggage behind. Unfortunately, due to miscommunication with the College of Music she isn’t actually an accepted music major and Reslife shoves her into a temporary triple. Her roommate relationships spiral down and Corey starts sleeping around campus—from air mattresses to random couches—while waiting for an open room.
I was also in a forced triple my freshman year, and had tense roommate relationships. Though luckily not as bad as Corey. It’s been about ten years since I was in college, but this story did a great job of capturing some of the real excitement and anxiety of freshman year!
I’ve played music for most of my life - recorder, piano, flute - and loved the inclusion of musical terms for each chapter. The communication with the violin played a minor role that I didn’t feel invested in, but I appreciated Corey’s connection to music and her playlist.
I had a hard time putting the book down, I was captivated seeing Corey navigate life with her foster family, budding friendships, and potential enemies turned lovers.
Thanks so much to the author Morgan Vega for sharing an early access copy with me!
July 27, 2021
Full review on my blog Sometimes Leelynn Reads . Publishing on 07/31 @ 12pm EST.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Morgan Vega and Tearstain Books for this free copy. All quotes in this review are taken from the Advanced Reader Copy and may change in final publication.
I remember the last time I blew through a book so fast, and I felt the exact same way then as I do right now. I was so involved in this story and my emotions were all over the place in the best way. Vega’s debut novel truly reminds us that despite our past, we deserve a second chance, and we deserve the opportunity to not be alone in life.
This was a wonderfully sad yet hopeful story, and I believe that you should give this one a chance.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Morgan Vega and Tearstain Books for this free copy. All quotes in this review are taken from the Advanced Reader Copy and may change in final publication.
I remember the last time I blew through a book so fast, and I felt the exact same way then as I do right now. I was so involved in this story and my emotions were all over the place in the best way. Vega’s debut novel truly reminds us that despite our past, we deserve a second chance, and we deserve the opportunity to not be alone in life.
This was a wonderfully sad yet hopeful story, and I believe that you should give this one a chance.
August 9, 2021
3.5
A very strong debut especially for a self pub author.
I really enjoyed the themes around found family and learning to make mistakes/be forgiven. Overall I enjoyed the writing and story.
A very strong debut especially for a self pub author.
I really enjoyed the themes around found family and learning to make mistakes/be forgiven. Overall I enjoyed the writing and story.
July 23, 2021
Sleeping Around was SO GOOD. I’ve never read a book that really shedded a lot of light on the foster care system and I loved that this book did! I think that is important especially getting to see Coreys family dynamic with her foster family. it really opened my eyes to the system and how it works (and how it’s flawed).
this was an emotional story about identity and trying to find your place in this world. this book made me feel all of the emotions. it was a perfect combo, even with some serious situations, there was still light-hearted moments. it was a nice balance. i loved Corey and I found myself rooting for her through the whole story!
the characters were fantastic. I felt like I was so connected to them and like I knew them in real life and they were my friends. I have to say i did enjoy Corey and Dylan’s friendship over a relationship but the idea of the two of them did grow on me more as I read especially because it’s like an enemies to lovers vibe (which im usually a sucker for!) I also loved Emma, she was such a genuine friend to Corey!
I also really enjoyed the music aspect and how involved it was with the story. i’m not a music person, but I never felt lost when reading which was amazing! I loved how ambitious Corey was with her music, it was really admirable!
overall I HIGHLY recommend Sleeping Around! it was a 10/10 and such an important story! I was always intrigued while reading and I was thinking about it when I wasn’t reading!! it’s definitely a story that will stick with me and one I will be rereading.
thank you to the author for allowing me to read an e-arc of your debut novel.
this was an emotional story about identity and trying to find your place in this world. this book made me feel all of the emotions. it was a perfect combo, even with some serious situations, there was still light-hearted moments. it was a nice balance. i loved Corey and I found myself rooting for her through the whole story!
the characters were fantastic. I felt like I was so connected to them and like I knew them in real life and they were my friends. I have to say i did enjoy Corey and Dylan’s friendship over a relationship but the idea of the two of them did grow on me more as I read especially because it’s like an enemies to lovers vibe (which im usually a sucker for!) I also loved Emma, she was such a genuine friend to Corey!
I also really enjoyed the music aspect and how involved it was with the story. i’m not a music person, but I never felt lost when reading which was amazing! I loved how ambitious Corey was with her music, it was really admirable!
overall I HIGHLY recommend Sleeping Around! it was a 10/10 and such an important story! I was always intrigued while reading and I was thinking about it when I wasn’t reading!! it’s definitely a story that will stick with me and one I will be rereading.
thank you to the author for allowing me to read an e-arc of your debut novel.
August 5, 2021
WHAT A STRONG DEBUT NOVEL!!
Sleeping Around is a coming into self set on a college campus that intimately reflects the physical and psychological struggles of growing up in foster care, experiencing trauma, being lgbtqia, trying to heal, and more. it was emotional, it was hysterical, it was all the things!
all characters in this book are extremely relatable and you can tell the author poured her heart into every one of them. the atmosphere was spot on and pulled right out of a photo and dropped onto the page in words. this book will take you back, make you stupid happy, make you cry, and most of all educate you.
thankyou to the author for the research you put in, and giving us a piece of your soul. can't wait to see what's next for you and your writing journey. it will definitely be an auto buy from me!
Sleeping Around is a coming into self set on a college campus that intimately reflects the physical and psychological struggles of growing up in foster care, experiencing trauma, being lgbtqia, trying to heal, and more. it was emotional, it was hysterical, it was all the things!
all characters in this book are extremely relatable and you can tell the author poured her heart into every one of them. the atmosphere was spot on and pulled right out of a photo and dropped onto the page in words. this book will take you back, make you stupid happy, make you cry, and most of all educate you.
thankyou to the author for the research you put in, and giving us a piece of your soul. can't wait to see what's next for you and your writing journey. it will definitely be an auto buy from me!
July 31, 2021
Full review in its optimum format can be found on my blog, Cierra’s Cynosure, here.
Notice: thank you to the author for sending an eARC of the book in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book.
LIKES
Sleeping Around has been one of the easiest to read and impactful books of my 2021 thus far. It features a main character who has been battered by the foster care system but also has a determination of steel and a good head and heart.
Coralee thinks her problematic past with foster care will be swept away with the beginning of her musical career at Borns College. She’s excited to leave a past identity behind and make a whole new one at school, only it doesn’t go as smoothly as she pictured in her head. Sleeping Around is a coming-of-age novel that involves a lot of common freshman year tribulations: roommate issues, dorm assignments, unhelpful points of contact, and trying to find your way as a new student in a new environment. I appreciate how authentically the freshman year experience is captured in this novel, and it was fun for me to personally reminisce on my own freshman year experience as a rising senior.*Shudders at the thought*
But while I enjoyed reading Sleeping Around for the list of lighthearted college burdens, this book more importantly shines a light on the hardships and trauma that the foster care system in America can bring. Coralee has been through eleven foster homes since turning 18, and luckily, her last one with Kathryn and Tom isn’t so bad. But as this line in the book between Coralee and one of her foster siblings Zeke points out, landing in a “good” home after so many bad ones leaves lingering trauma:
“‘But we’re in a good spot with Tom and Kathryn.‘
‘We are. But it’s everything before them, you know?‘
I do know. I know too well.”
As we traverse the book through Coralee’s point of view, it is immediately evident that her previous traumatic foster homes have made her distrustful of people’s intentions. She displays a tendency to view everything as transient and temporary because that is what her life has been like in the system. She, as many people who are wounded by childhood trauma do, has learned to be hypervigilant and aware of other people’s emotions. Why? To accommodate them. To avoid more conflict. It pained me to see these characteristics in Coralee and know where they originate from. The book is littered with flashbacks she has from previously abusive and/or neglectful homes she’s been in.
One thing Sleeping Around does that I appreciate is acknowledge and disprove the idea that foster care children are inherently bad or destined for nothing. This very harmful perception of kids in the system is far too easily internalized and (unfortunately) sometimes realized because it is the only narrative that system children hear. It becomes the single story they hear about themselves through peers and adults, and we all know the danger of a single story.
“Another memory resurfaces in my mental trash bag. Sixth grade, new foster house, and I was invited to a girl in my homeroom’s birthday party. A pity invite. Except her mom watched me the entire three hours, even as I walked down the hallway to the bathroom. As I ate my piece of Dairy Queen ice cream cake. I’d seen the same disdain in that mom’s watchful eyes before in my foster parents, my teachers. They pre-defined me in one word: troubled.”
“Pity hurts, but fear hurts more. Neither’s new, though.”
I appreciate that the typical narrative of the freshman year experience was given a new depth with the inclusion of the tribulations of the American foster care system. I appreciate that this book humanizes system children and young adults and allows them to make mistakes without deeming them as inherently troubled. It reminds me of the “person-first” language the disability community is normalizing. (i.e. “person with a disability” and not “disabled person.”) In this instance, a child in the foster care system that displays problematic behavior is not a “problematic system child.” I think this is a narrative that needs to further be explored and dismantled for current and future people that will go through the foster care system.
In all, I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the commentary that it offers. Once again, thank you to Morgan Vega for sending me an eARC of the book! Sleeping Around is out on August 3rd, 2021.
Notice: thank you to the author for sending an eARC of the book in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book.
LIKES
Sleeping Around has been one of the easiest to read and impactful books of my 2021 thus far. It features a main character who has been battered by the foster care system but also has a determination of steel and a good head and heart.
Coralee thinks her problematic past with foster care will be swept away with the beginning of her musical career at Borns College. She’s excited to leave a past identity behind and make a whole new one at school, only it doesn’t go as smoothly as she pictured in her head. Sleeping Around is a coming-of-age novel that involves a lot of common freshman year tribulations: roommate issues, dorm assignments, unhelpful points of contact, and trying to find your way as a new student in a new environment. I appreciate how authentically the freshman year experience is captured in this novel, and it was fun for me to personally reminisce on my own freshman year experience as a rising senior.
But while I enjoyed reading Sleeping Around for the list of lighthearted college burdens, this book more importantly shines a light on the hardships and trauma that the foster care system in America can bring. Coralee has been through eleven foster homes since turning 18, and luckily, her last one with Kathryn and Tom isn’t so bad. But as this line in the book between Coralee and one of her foster siblings Zeke points out, landing in a “good” home after so many bad ones leaves lingering trauma:
“‘But we’re in a good spot with Tom and Kathryn.‘
‘We are. But it’s everything before them, you know?‘
I do know. I know too well.”
As we traverse the book through Coralee’s point of view, it is immediately evident that her previous traumatic foster homes have made her distrustful of people’s intentions. She displays a tendency to view everything as transient and temporary because that is what her life has been like in the system. She, as many people who are wounded by childhood trauma do, has learned to be hypervigilant and aware of other people’s emotions. Why? To accommodate them. To avoid more conflict. It pained me to see these characteristics in Coralee and know where they originate from. The book is littered with flashbacks she has from previously abusive and/or neglectful homes she’s been in.
One thing Sleeping Around does that I appreciate is acknowledge and disprove the idea that foster care children are inherently bad or destined for nothing. This very harmful perception of kids in the system is far too easily internalized and (unfortunately) sometimes realized because it is the only narrative that system children hear. It becomes the single story they hear about themselves through peers and adults, and we all know the danger of a single story.
“Another memory resurfaces in my mental trash bag. Sixth grade, new foster house, and I was invited to a girl in my homeroom’s birthday party. A pity invite. Except her mom watched me the entire three hours, even as I walked down the hallway to the bathroom. As I ate my piece of Dairy Queen ice cream cake. I’d seen the same disdain in that mom’s watchful eyes before in my foster parents, my teachers. They pre-defined me in one word: troubled.”
“Pity hurts, but fear hurts more. Neither’s new, though.”
I appreciate that the typical narrative of the freshman year experience was given a new depth with the inclusion of the tribulations of the American foster care system. I appreciate that this book humanizes system children and young adults and allows them to make mistakes without deeming them as inherently troubled. It reminds me of the “person-first” language the disability community is normalizing. (i.e. “person with a disability” and not “disabled person.”) In this instance, a child in the foster care system that displays problematic behavior is not a “problematic system child.” I think this is a narrative that needs to further be explored and dismantled for current and future people that will go through the foster care system.
In all, I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the commentary that it offers. Once again, thank you to Morgan Vega for sending me an eARC of the book! Sleeping Around is out on August 3rd, 2021.
July 21, 2021
An emotional and honest journey of identity, belonging and ultimately: love.
One of the best things about this book were the characters. They all felt unique and they were interesting in their own way, but most importantly they were flawed. All of them. And it was so refreshing!! Most of the characters made mistakes and were far from perfect but they all tried and that's what matters. This book taught me that everyone deserves a second chance.
The story starts less than ideally for the main character Corey (Coralee) who's trying to escape foster care and taking control over her life. Of course, nothing goes as expected and I have to say some moments were hard to read. Not because of the way they were told or mentioned but because of the way Corey felt. The author managed to capture her feelings perfectly and made us root and care for her. I got teary-eyed so many times and I really applaud the writing style for that.
I think this was my first time reading about a character that grew up in foster care and it gave me a better understanding of how the system works and the many ways it is broken. I will definitely do some research after reading this because it is such an important issue and it is too often erased from stories.
I think the author also showed in an accurate and honest way the anxiety and fear of the first year of college. I could relate to so many of Corey’s thoughts and fears and it was bittersweet. Nothing was romanticized and I felt so sorry for everything she went through. College is an adjustment.
An aspect I also loved was how important music was!! I recently started learning guitar and I loved how driven and ambitious Corey was with her music career. How much she cared and was willing to put in the work. I loved all the nods to music and the overall atmosphere. It made me want to see a concert and I did look up most of the songs mentioned in the book! The definitions of musical terms and the funny commentary of them were my favorite part of the chapters and I sincerely enjoyed that little detail.
Talking about details, this is what made the story as great as it was!! The Sunday pancakes, eating dessert as a meal, Dylan calling her buttercup and so many elements made this story very immersive and “real”. The romance made me swoon and I loved how the topic of bisexuality was briefly mentioned. The book raises many aspects but simply mentions them, and it is always done in a respectful way.
Sleeping Around was such an enjoyable read and I cannot recommend it enough!
Huge thank you to the author for reaching out to me and providing me an eArc for this wonderful story!
One of the best things about this book were the characters. They all felt unique and they were interesting in their own way, but most importantly they were flawed. All of them. And it was so refreshing!! Most of the characters made mistakes and were far from perfect but they all tried and that's what matters. This book taught me that everyone deserves a second chance.
The story starts less than ideally for the main character Corey (Coralee) who's trying to escape foster care and taking control over her life. Of course, nothing goes as expected and I have to say some moments were hard to read. Not because of the way they were told or mentioned but because of the way Corey felt. The author managed to capture her feelings perfectly and made us root and care for her. I got teary-eyed so many times and I really applaud the writing style for that.
I think this was my first time reading about a character that grew up in foster care and it gave me a better understanding of how the system works and the many ways it is broken. I will definitely do some research after reading this because it is such an important issue and it is too often erased from stories.
I think the author also showed in an accurate and honest way the anxiety and fear of the first year of college. I could relate to so many of Corey’s thoughts and fears and it was bittersweet. Nothing was romanticized and I felt so sorry for everything she went through. College is an adjustment.
An aspect I also loved was how important music was!! I recently started learning guitar and I loved how driven and ambitious Corey was with her music career. How much she cared and was willing to put in the work. I loved all the nods to music and the overall atmosphere. It made me want to see a concert and I did look up most of the songs mentioned in the book! The definitions of musical terms and the funny commentary of them were my favorite part of the chapters and I sincerely enjoyed that little detail.
Talking about details, this is what made the story as great as it was!! The Sunday pancakes, eating dessert as a meal, Dylan calling her buttercup and so many elements made this story very immersive and “real”. The romance made me swoon and I loved how the topic of bisexuality was briefly mentioned. The book raises many aspects but simply mentions them, and it is always done in a respectful way.
Sleeping Around was such an enjoyable read and I cannot recommend it enough!
Huge thank you to the author for reaching out to me and providing me an eArc for this wonderful story!
August 1, 2021
Thank you so much to Morgan Vega for reaching out to me via my bookstagram, @UnabridgedBren , and giving me the opportunity to review this inspiring and emotional debut novel! The title is just as suggestive as some of Coralee's (also known as Corey) music definitions-- some of my favorites including 'g-string' and 'f-hole'-- but it is revealed to have a much more devastating meaning. Corey is a foster kid; one in the system so long that she has lost hope in most people-- keeping her Violin closer than anything else in her life. We follow her journey as she takes off to college, excited about the prospect of actually being independent and having her musical talent recognized. Things soon fall apart beneath her, starting with the revelation that she did not get accepted into the music program.
Corey's childhood trauma comes back in full force as she learns that she has nowhere to live-- an error unnoticed by the college management. She does, however, make a friend named Emma who invites her to stay in her dorm; tensions in this situation rise as the two butt heads with Emma's assigned roommate, Harper. Feeling unwanted and unmoored, Corey starts to have flashbacks to her former foster homes, her grades begin to slip, and her relationships falter. Though her knee-jerk reaction is to keep trudging through on her own-- she slowly realizes that maybe she needs and deserves the support system that has been trying to get through to her all along, and that she doesn't have to be perfect in order to have value. She allows herself to learn, and therefore truly grow-- not only within understanding herself, but also being more empathetic toward the struggles of others.
I know without a shadow of a doubt that this story will speak to kids and adults alike that have been through foster care. That was not my experience growing up, but that did not lessen the reading experience here for me. I know well what it's like to try to handle things on my own; not trusting the helping hands reaching for me. I will never forget what I was told in therapy-- "We're pack animals. The human species is not meant to go without interaction". Of course, this was offered advice about the stressors of the pandemic, but it also applies here. I think this is a beautiful book about coming into your own but accepting the help of others who have your best interests at heart. Doing this very thing saved my life, and I think it completely turned Corey's around. The best thing is that it's never too late to do so. Whether it be when you're 18 or 29, you can always build that foundation of support that will keep the house of your life from completely collapsing.
Corey's childhood trauma comes back in full force as she learns that she has nowhere to live-- an error unnoticed by the college management. She does, however, make a friend named Emma who invites her to stay in her dorm; tensions in this situation rise as the two butt heads with Emma's assigned roommate, Harper. Feeling unwanted and unmoored, Corey starts to have flashbacks to her former foster homes, her grades begin to slip, and her relationships falter. Though her knee-jerk reaction is to keep trudging through on her own-- she slowly realizes that maybe she needs and deserves the support system that has been trying to get through to her all along, and that she doesn't have to be perfect in order to have value. She allows herself to learn, and therefore truly grow-- not only within understanding herself, but also being more empathetic toward the struggles of others.
I know without a shadow of a doubt that this story will speak to kids and adults alike that have been through foster care. That was not my experience growing up, but that did not lessen the reading experience here for me. I know well what it's like to try to handle things on my own; not trusting the helping hands reaching for me. I will never forget what I was told in therapy-- "We're pack animals. The human species is not meant to go without interaction". Of course, this was offered advice about the stressors of the pandemic, but it also applies here. I think this is a beautiful book about coming into your own but accepting the help of others who have your best interests at heart. Doing this very thing saved my life, and I think it completely turned Corey's around. The best thing is that it's never too late to do so. Whether it be when you're 18 or 29, you can always build that foundation of support that will keep the house of your life from completely collapsing.
August 5, 2021
Coralee Reed has big dreams. Having grown up in a series of lackluster foster homes, her only predictable possession is her Violin, which she hopes to take with her first to Juilliard and ultimately to a career with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Her freshman year at Borns College is supposed to be the beginning of her future success as a violinist, but when a clerical error leaves her without a dorm room, Coralee must set aside the biases she has come to harbor to find a place where she truly belongs.
This beautifully executed story introduces readers to Coralee Reed, a girl who has defied the odds and found herself in college after living in foster homes all her life. Anxious for a better, permanent situation, she begins referring to herself as ‘Corey’ and trying to solve all her problems on her own. Despite making new friends and having a home to return to as she needs, though, Corey is reluctant to trust anyone or let them into her life. Only when she hits rock bottom does she finally consider that things could be different this time.
Classical music forms the backbone of this story, just as it has become the through line of Corey’s life. Every chapter, or movement, begins with a musical term and definition that directly relates to the narrative, connecting readers to Corey’s love of music as the story progresses. Multifaceted characters coexist in Corey’s life, reflecting the many perspectives that are found on college campuses. From challenges Black youth face with the police to non-binary sexuality to religious insecurity, each person in Corey’s vicinity is coming to realize who they are within the context of the greater world.
As Corey moves into her life as an adult, she, like many other fledgling college students, realizes the strength of the ties she has to home, no matter what that looks like. Through the lens of a musician, Corey’s story unfolds in a series of emotionally compelling moments that leave readers driven to learn what happens next. While the author has not experienced foster care herself, an extensive list of references at the end of the book supports her mission to make her depiction of Corey’s experience as accurate as possible. This is a superb and highly recommended coming-of-age story for older young adult readers.
I received a copy of this book from Reedsy and I chose to leave this review.
This beautifully executed story introduces readers to Coralee Reed, a girl who has defied the odds and found herself in college after living in foster homes all her life. Anxious for a better, permanent situation, she begins referring to herself as ‘Corey’ and trying to solve all her problems on her own. Despite making new friends and having a home to return to as she needs, though, Corey is reluctant to trust anyone or let them into her life. Only when she hits rock bottom does she finally consider that things could be different this time.
Classical music forms the backbone of this story, just as it has become the through line of Corey’s life. Every chapter, or movement, begins with a musical term and definition that directly relates to the narrative, connecting readers to Corey’s love of music as the story progresses. Multifaceted characters coexist in Corey’s life, reflecting the many perspectives that are found on college campuses. From challenges Black youth face with the police to non-binary sexuality to religious insecurity, each person in Corey’s vicinity is coming to realize who they are within the context of the greater world.
As Corey moves into her life as an adult, she, like many other fledgling college students, realizes the strength of the ties she has to home, no matter what that looks like. Through the lens of a musician, Corey’s story unfolds in a series of emotionally compelling moments that leave readers driven to learn what happens next. While the author has not experienced foster care herself, an extensive list of references at the end of the book supports her mission to make her depiction of Corey’s experience as accurate as possible. This is a superb and highly recommended coming-of-age story for older young adult readers.
I received a copy of this book from Reedsy and I chose to leave this review.
July 13, 2021
It's been a while since I've devoured a book and that's exactly what I did. I thought that Vega really wrote a poignant view of foster care and the transition for a child into adulthood, college, and extended foster care (which I had never realized was a thing). She weaved a story that I was invested in from the beginning.
So we start off with Coralee (Corey), who is off to college to play her violin, major in music, and get out of the foster care system as soon as possible. She soon finds disappointment as the music department has not accepted her and she is without a room, which is the worst thing for a young person who is used to being shuffled from house to house. She finds temporary shelter with a new friend, but is soon vastly unwelcomed by her third roommate. Eventually she is lead to sleeping on an air mattress, in a music practice room, and a futon, jumping from place to place. Will she be able to find a room in order to compete for 1st chair in the orchestra? Or will the instability crush her dreams and future?
I really liked Corey. I thought she had a realistic view of the world without being too heavy or down. Her passion for the violin was admirable. With her foster care background, she pushes away relationships with her entire foster family. I like the conversation she had with them at the end of the book and how that resolved. It was very well put and heartfelt.
My only qualms is Corey's flirtations, and kind of, relationship with Dylan. I almost like their friendship more than I like any attempt at relationship. I think I wanted to see more connection between the two of them to truly believe and want for them to be a couple. However, their sparring was entertaining at times.
I will say that this book got me out a huge reading slump! It's a solid 4.5 for me! I really enjoyed the writing! It was a quick read, but still driven with real emotion. I was rooting for Corey the whole time and was able to relate to her feelings of frustration, hope, and uncertainty. I will for sure be reading more by this author.
So we start off with Coralee (Corey), who is off to college to play her violin, major in music, and get out of the foster care system as soon as possible. She soon finds disappointment as the music department has not accepted her and she is without a room, which is the worst thing for a young person who is used to being shuffled from house to house. She finds temporary shelter with a new friend, but is soon vastly unwelcomed by her third roommate. Eventually she is lead to sleeping on an air mattress, in a music practice room, and a futon, jumping from place to place. Will she be able to find a room in order to compete for 1st chair in the orchestra? Or will the instability crush her dreams and future?
I really liked Corey. I thought she had a realistic view of the world without being too heavy or down. Her passion for the violin was admirable. With her foster care background, she pushes away relationships with her entire foster family. I like the conversation she had with them at the end of the book and how that resolved. It was very well put and heartfelt.
My only qualms is Corey's flirtations, and kind of, relationship with Dylan. I almost like their friendship more than I like any attempt at relationship. I think I wanted to see more connection between the two of them to truly believe and want for them to be a couple. However, their sparring was entertaining at times.
I will say that this book got me out a huge reading slump! It's a solid 4.5 for me! I really enjoyed the writing! It was a quick read, but still driven with real emotion. I was rooting for Corey the whole time and was able to relate to her feelings of frustration, hope, and uncertainty. I will for sure be reading more by this author.
July 30, 2021
Review time!
Disclaimer: I was send an early e-book copy by Morgan Vega for review and this in no way influences the rating and review I'm giving it.
Sleeping around is a YA debut novel by Morgan Vega. The story is about a 18 year old Corey who has grown up in foster care and is hoping for independence and good times as she enters college. But it turns out that college isn't everything she imagined it would be. Together with her violin and passion for music she tries to make it through her first year while the administration keeps messing up her place to stay and she has to sleep in a variety of places.
I really enjoyed my time reading this book! It was fun and quick, heartwarming and even a little sad sometimes. I even shed a tear near the ending. I really liked the friendship between Corey and Emma and the way it developed. Sometimes you just latch onto each other in stressful times and find out you just work together. I also really liked the love interest! He was adorable and reminded me of a human golden retriever haha. I also really liked that he is bisexual and also talked about his ex-boyfriend.
Another thing I liked was that the classical music and instrument language was included, but also explained. It made it really easy to follow for me as I have literally no knowledge when it comes to classical music.
The start felt a bit slow to me, but around the 100 page mark it really picked up and I flew through the rest of the book in 1 evening. There was however a lot less sleeping around on other people's sofas and in other people's rooms than I expected after reading the synopsis. This didn't bother me too much, because there were enough other things that kept my interest. I also thought the ending was really strong, I really liked it.
So to summarize this review, I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a bit slow at the start, but picked up the pace eventually and I really really liked the ending so I'm giving it 4 out of 5 stars.
Another thank you to Morgan for sending me an e-arc of this book!
Disclaimer: I was send an early e-book copy by Morgan Vega for review and this in no way influences the rating and review I'm giving it.
Sleeping around is a YA debut novel by Morgan Vega. The story is about a 18 year old Corey who has grown up in foster care and is hoping for independence and good times as she enters college. But it turns out that college isn't everything she imagined it would be. Together with her violin and passion for music she tries to make it through her first year while the administration keeps messing up her place to stay and she has to sleep in a variety of places.
I really enjoyed my time reading this book! It was fun and quick, heartwarming and even a little sad sometimes. I even shed a tear near the ending. I really liked the friendship between Corey and Emma and the way it developed. Sometimes you just latch onto each other in stressful times and find out you just work together. I also really liked the love interest! He was adorable and reminded me of a human golden retriever haha. I also really liked that he is bisexual and also talked about his ex-boyfriend.
Another thing I liked was that the classical music and instrument language was included, but also explained. It made it really easy to follow for me as I have literally no knowledge when it comes to classical music.
The start felt a bit slow to me, but around the 100 page mark it really picked up and I flew through the rest of the book in 1 evening. There was however a lot less sleeping around on other people's sofas and in other people's rooms than I expected after reading the synopsis. This didn't bother me too much, because there were enough other things that kept my interest. I also thought the ending was really strong, I really liked it.
So to summarize this review, I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a bit slow at the start, but picked up the pace eventually and I really really liked the ending so I'm giving it 4 out of 5 stars.
Another thank you to Morgan for sending me an e-arc of this book!
July 26, 2021
(3.5 Stars!!!)
Major thank you to the author for sending me an advanced e-copy. This book was such a sweet read. It’s perfect for creatives and musical artists who understand the hard work that goes into artistic pursuits. It also shows a realistic portrayal of the realities of a first year in college. I had major roommate troubles myself during my freshman year, so I can relate lol.
The main character, Corey, is easily someone you just want to root for. As we follow her on her journey in her first year of college, we see her grow and evolve into a person who realizes a found family is just as good, if not better, than one you’re born into. She’s hit with trials she doesn’t expect during just the first few weeks alone in her first semester of college. The story tackles mental health, specifically for a foster kid, in a way that I didn’t expect and much appreciated.
I enjoyed the side characters. I absolutely loved Corey’s foster parents! But I do wish that there was more of the roommates and love interest. There were a few conflicts that occurred between Corey and the side characters that I thought was resolved a bit too easily. Especially with one of the roommates. She does something that is unforgivable but is never confronted by Corey and her other roommate. I really wanted to see Corey stand up for herself. (Again Corey is that character that you just can't help but root for!)
But overall, this was definitely a solid first novel. Well done! Perfect for YA Contemporary lovers who want a book that tackles real issues but is still light hearted. It was an enjoyable read! & I definitely recommend!
Major thank you to the author for sending me an advanced e-copy. This book was such a sweet read. It’s perfect for creatives and musical artists who understand the hard work that goes into artistic pursuits. It also shows a realistic portrayal of the realities of a first year in college. I had major roommate troubles myself during my freshman year, so I can relate lol.
The main character, Corey, is easily someone you just want to root for. As we follow her on her journey in her first year of college, we see her grow and evolve into a person who realizes a found family is just as good, if not better, than one you’re born into. She’s hit with trials she doesn’t expect during just the first few weeks alone in her first semester of college. The story tackles mental health, specifically for a foster kid, in a way that I didn’t expect and much appreciated.
I enjoyed the side characters. I absolutely loved Corey’s foster parents! But I do wish that there was more of the roommates and love interest. There were a few conflicts that occurred between Corey and the side characters that I thought was resolved a bit too easily. Especially with one of the roommates. She does something that is unforgivable but is never confronted by Corey and her other roommate. I really wanted to see Corey stand up for herself. (Again Corey is that character that you just can't help but root for!)
But overall, this was definitely a solid first novel. Well done! Perfect for YA Contemporary lovers who want a book that tackles real issues but is still light hearted. It was an enjoyable read! & I definitely recommend!
July 28, 2021
This book follows coralee/Corey, a foster kid as she navigates through college. She's never had anything easy and college seems to be the same. All her life she moved from one foster home to other but when she reached college she hoped for things to be diffrent but due to some issues her living situation is extremely unstable once again, hence the name sleeping around.
It's just so amazing to see Corey discover herself and build relationships she never thought possible for her as the story moves ahead. Its just such a cozy YA that also incorporates problems that foster kids face every single day and the way it shapes their personality.
I also really enjoyed the way the author has included music in this novel, it was especially refreshing concidering I'm a music Person✨
I just hope that there was a little more depth to the side charecters. my favourite was Emma (Corey's best friend in college) she was such a suportive and genuine friend 💞
There was also a phenomenal portrayal of the LGBTQ+ community with some aspects of the story focusing on acceptance that many fail to recieve. Absolutely loved the way people added their pronouns every time introducing themselves and I would love to see this concept in real life.
Overall this was a good easy read and I would recommend it to all the YA lovers out there ✨
Special thanks to the author for sending an arc of her debut novel my way. She's phenomenal and I am so exited to see what the future holds for her💕
It's just so amazing to see Corey discover herself and build relationships she never thought possible for her as the story moves ahead. Its just such a cozy YA that also incorporates problems that foster kids face every single day and the way it shapes their personality.
I also really enjoyed the way the author has included music in this novel, it was especially refreshing concidering I'm a music Person✨
I just hope that there was a little more depth to the side charecters. my favourite was Emma (Corey's best friend in college) she was such a suportive and genuine friend 💞
There was also a phenomenal portrayal of the LGBTQ+ community with some aspects of the story focusing on acceptance that many fail to recieve. Absolutely loved the way people added their pronouns every time introducing themselves and I would love to see this concept in real life.
Overall this was a good easy read and I would recommend it to all the YA lovers out there ✨
Special thanks to the author for sending an arc of her debut novel my way. She's phenomenal and I am so exited to see what the future holds for her💕
July 25, 2021
I want to thank the author Morgan for reaching out to me to review her book and providing me with an advanced copy!
This is a really solid YA debut and I can see this being perfect for fans of Rainbow Rowell’s Fangirl! I loved Corey’s relationship and growth with her foster parents. She starts out not wanting any help from them but she learns to be vulnerable and let people in. I also enjoyed Dylan’s character and I thought his competitive banter with Corey was really fun. There were also some good discussions surrounding religion and the LGBTQ+ community (specifically being bisexual). I don’t see many YA books featuring college freshmen either, so I know a lot of readers will be able to relate to Corey’s struggle of finding herself and making friends.
I did have to suspend my disbelief a bit with how bad one of Corey’s roommates was. The character didn't really have a personality (except for being terrible) and I couldn’t understand why Corey and the nicer roommate just let her take control of everything when it was 2 vs 1. Also, the main plot of Corey not being able to find a place to live was solved really easily for my liking.
However, I did really like how her housing situation was wrapped up at the end! It was a very sweet ending! So overall I would recommend this one to fans of YA especially if you’re looking for a book with a college aged MC!
This is a really solid YA debut and I can see this being perfect for fans of Rainbow Rowell’s Fangirl! I loved Corey’s relationship and growth with her foster parents. She starts out not wanting any help from them but she learns to be vulnerable and let people in. I also enjoyed Dylan’s character and I thought his competitive banter with Corey was really fun. There were also some good discussions surrounding religion and the LGBTQ+ community (specifically being bisexual). I don’t see many YA books featuring college freshmen either, so I know a lot of readers will be able to relate to Corey’s struggle of finding herself and making friends.
I did have to suspend my disbelief a bit with how bad one of Corey’s roommates was. The character didn't really have a personality (except for being terrible) and I couldn’t understand why Corey and the nicer roommate just let her take control of everything when it was 2 vs 1. Also, the main plot of Corey not being able to find a place to live was solved really easily for my liking.
However, I did really like how her housing situation was wrapped up at the end! It was a very sweet ending! So overall I would recommend this one to fans of YA especially if you’re looking for a book with a college aged MC!
July 26, 2021
So happy that I was given the chance to read this ABSOLUTE GEM before it's release!
Coralee is a foster kid - she's had 11 different homes in her life, and she's learned that the only person she can depend on is herself. She's determined to prove to both her fosters and the system that she can be so much more than just a "foster kid" when she goes off to college to major in music.
Now without giving spoilers because I want everyone to read this review... this book was SO STINKING CUTE, and exactly what I needed to get me out of my reading slump.
The relationships built in this book actually focus less on the romantic relationship and more upon Corey understanding herself, and how to interact with others. The best relationship formed was with her first college friend, Emma. The characters are beautiful and nostalgic to me, and I absolutely love everything Corey learns during her first semester in college.
Now speaking to the actual meat of the story, I am absolutely obsessed with the commentary on found family, foster care, and seeing it from a foster child's perspective. Corey's reliance on herself is totally understandable, but the way she grows and changes during the story is absurdly beautiful. I can't wait for others to experience that.
Moral of this long-winded review - PLEASE read this book! It's not your typical romance by any means. It focuses so much more on the relationships Corey builds in general, not just on who she ends up falling for.
Thank you so much Morgan for allowing me to read your book baby before it's out!
Coralee is a foster kid - she's had 11 different homes in her life, and she's learned that the only person she can depend on is herself. She's determined to prove to both her fosters and the system that she can be so much more than just a "foster kid" when she goes off to college to major in music.
Now without giving spoilers because I want everyone to read this review... this book was SO STINKING CUTE, and exactly what I needed to get me out of my reading slump.
The relationships built in this book actually focus less on the romantic relationship and more upon Corey understanding herself, and how to interact with others. The best relationship formed was with her first college friend, Emma. The characters are beautiful and nostalgic to me, and I absolutely love everything Corey learns during her first semester in college.
Now speaking to the actual meat of the story, I am absolutely obsessed with the commentary on found family, foster care, and seeing it from a foster child's perspective. Corey's reliance on herself is totally understandable, but the way she grows and changes during the story is absurdly beautiful. I can't wait for others to experience that.
Moral of this long-winded review - PLEASE read this book! It's not your typical romance by any means. It focuses so much more on the relationships Corey builds in general, not just on who she ends up falling for.
Thank you so much Morgan for allowing me to read your book baby before it's out!
July 9, 2021
Sleeping Around follows the story of displaced college freshman, Corey. After a life in the foster system, Corey is excited for the stability college promises. That is until she learns her room assignment was a mistake and she has nowhere to live. So her cycle of sleeping around begins again (get it? That's the title).
This book is a solid debut, with all of the cozy YA themes of friendship and finding yourself. It's a book for modern readers and young adults just bridging that gap from high school into college. The fear, the feelings - I've been there.
As an adult it also made me incredibly nostalgic for my own college experience, despite all of Corey's struggles. My Alma mater is also the author's Alma mater, and I can easily tell how it influenced the setting. The size (tiny), fall on campus (picturesque), THE party (off campus) and so much more. If you attended a private college in the Valley, you know the feels. And even if you didn't, you'll get them from Vega's writing.
In 2016 I volunteered to beta read a book. Fast forward to 2020 one random night: I was trying to fall asleep, and I kept thinking about a story, but for the life of me I could not remember what movie or book it was. Out of nowhere it hit me - I was thinking about Sleeping Around.
"Damn. I wonder if I'll ever get to know how it ends."
I can finally say I know how it ends. Pick it up in August to find out for yourself.
Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC!
This book is a solid debut, with all of the cozy YA themes of friendship and finding yourself. It's a book for modern readers and young adults just bridging that gap from high school into college. The fear, the feelings - I've been there.
As an adult it also made me incredibly nostalgic for my own college experience, despite all of Corey's struggles. My Alma mater is also the author's Alma mater, and I can easily tell how it influenced the setting. The size (tiny), fall on campus (picturesque), THE party (off campus) and so much more. If you attended a private college in the Valley, you know the feels. And even if you didn't, you'll get them from Vega's writing.
In 2016 I volunteered to beta read a book. Fast forward to 2020 one random night: I was trying to fall asleep, and I kept thinking about a story, but for the life of me I could not remember what movie or book it was. Out of nowhere it hit me - I was thinking about Sleeping Around.
"Damn. I wonder if I'll ever get to know how it ends."
I can finally say I know how it ends. Pick it up in August to find out for yourself.
Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC!
July 13, 2021
An enjoyable and uplifting read! Thanks to Morgan Vega for this eArc. It was a privilege to read this early.
I love that Corey’s instrument is referred to as a person ‘Violin’ throughout this book and how she has internal dialogue with it. That hooked me from the first few pages.
The musical language infused into the writing is lovely and sets this book apart in tone and style from other YA reads. The humor balanced the serious conflicts and situations Corey faces as she transitions from foster care to college. The positive presence of new friend Emma and the members of her current foster family prevents the trials from feeling too bleak.
Dylan is initially flirty in a typical over-confident male way, but there were enough sincere tender moments that I easily forgave his bravado. I grew fond of him.
The short chapters made this easy to stop and pick back up when life interrupted my reading time, but I didn’t ever feel the need to stop reading. I was consistently engaged in the story.
Only one book has ever made me cry, but Vega got me close to tears with this story. There was a moment when I choked up and wanted to hug Corey, not because things were so rough, but because she took that first brave step out of it.
A great debut novel!
I love that Corey’s instrument is referred to as a person ‘Violin’ throughout this book and how she has internal dialogue with it. That hooked me from the first few pages.
The musical language infused into the writing is lovely and sets this book apart in tone and style from other YA reads. The humor balanced the serious conflicts and situations Corey faces as she transitions from foster care to college. The positive presence of new friend Emma and the members of her current foster family prevents the trials from feeling too bleak.
Dylan is initially flirty in a typical over-confident male way, but there were enough sincere tender moments that I easily forgave his bravado. I grew fond of him.
The short chapters made this easy to stop and pick back up when life interrupted my reading time, but I didn’t ever feel the need to stop reading. I was consistently engaged in the story.
Only one book has ever made me cry, but Vega got me close to tears with this story. There was a moment when I choked up and wanted to hug Corey, not because things were so rough, but because she took that first brave step out of it.
A great debut novel!
July 28, 2021
This was an emotional and heartwarming, “found family” journey!
I really enjoyed the writing, the personification of Corey’s (the MC aka Coralee) violin, and how each chapter started with a musical definition (I took piano lessons for ten years so this really stood out to me and made me so happy lol).
I liked Corey’s inner dialogue; she was smart and witty but it made me sad how much she felt unwanted (for lack or a better word) by her foster parents, when that wasn’t necessarily the case. I could understand and appreciate where that came from, though. She was tired of being the foster care system and just wanted to be on her own to avoid being uprooted (again). I was nervous this would make for a predictable story and while it didn’t end in any shocking kind of way it wasn’t that eye-rolling predictable type of ending either!
I think this was a fresh story that offered insight into a reality we don’t really see a lot of in books, let alone a debut! We see adoption, but not much about foster care and foster families so this was a welcomed change of scenery!
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC!
I really enjoyed the writing, the personification of Corey’s (the MC aka Coralee) violin, and how each chapter started with a musical definition (I took piano lessons for ten years so this really stood out to me and made me so happy lol).
I liked Corey’s inner dialogue; she was smart and witty but it made me sad how much she felt unwanted (for lack or a better word) by her foster parents, when that wasn’t necessarily the case. I could understand and appreciate where that came from, though. She was tired of being the foster care system and just wanted to be on her own to avoid being uprooted (again). I was nervous this would make for a predictable story and while it didn’t end in any shocking kind of way it wasn’t that eye-rolling predictable type of ending either!
I think this was a fresh story that offered insight into a reality we don’t really see a lot of in books, let alone a debut! We see adoption, but not much about foster care and foster families so this was a welcomed change of scenery!
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC!
July 28, 2021
Thank you to the author for reaching out to review this book!
This hadn’t been on my radar before the author reached out as Instagram’s algorithm sucks and I miss out on content because of it! It sounded like a book that was definitely up my alley so I am glad that the author did reach out because it gave me a chance to read it early.
Content Warning (From Author): Underage drinking, very brief mentions-not-depictions-of infertility and police brutality; and lots of sexual innuendos
Coralee Reed aka Corey loves the violin and has a special connection with the one she recently purchased. She has been in foster care for a lot of her life and has rules to make due with it and passes on that knowledge to the other foster kids she has lived with .Corey is finally breaking free to go to college but things don’t always go the way she had hoped.
I have never had to deal with the foster care system so I can’t really give my two cents about that. It is heartbreaking though to see the news that circles around it. I will say that I feel like this book does a good job of detailing the feelings and hardships that come from it like changing foster homes, not wanting to get too close, and just feeling like you don’t have a place in this world. Corey deals with this among other things and when you add the struggles of transitioning to college on top of it any person would eventually break.
Even though it’s been years since I was in college myself, the author captures the first year of it well. Meeting people can be hard and sometimes the people who you think are friends aren’t. There can be roommate issues (luckily I lived off campus!) and sometimes the experience just isn’t what we thought college would be. I liked seeing Corey maneuver her way through the hardships and growing from the process. She does finally let her foster parents in and it was precious. I’m glad that it all worked out in the end.
There is a bit of romance but it is a very minor aspect of the book. The banter between Corey and Dylan was gold. I do think that their relationship was rushed through so it was hard to fully connect with them as a couple.
Overall, this was a unique plot that involved foster care and finding yourself through the struggles. I think it will do well for those going to college or someone who loves a good YA contemporary.
This hadn’t been on my radar before the author reached out as Instagram’s algorithm sucks and I miss out on content because of it! It sounded like a book that was definitely up my alley so I am glad that the author did reach out because it gave me a chance to read it early.
Content Warning (From Author): Underage drinking, very brief mentions-not-depictions-of infertility and police brutality; and lots of sexual innuendos
Coralee Reed aka Corey loves the violin and has a special connection with the one she recently purchased. She has been in foster care for a lot of her life and has rules to make due with it and passes on that knowledge to the other foster kids she has lived with .Corey is finally breaking free to go to college but things don’t always go the way she had hoped.
I have never had to deal with the foster care system so I can’t really give my two cents about that. It is heartbreaking though to see the news that circles around it. I will say that I feel like this book does a good job of detailing the feelings and hardships that come from it like changing foster homes, not wanting to get too close, and just feeling like you don’t have a place in this world. Corey deals with this among other things and when you add the struggles of transitioning to college on top of it any person would eventually break.
Even though it’s been years since I was in college myself, the author captures the first year of it well. Meeting people can be hard and sometimes the people who you think are friends aren’t. There can be roommate issues (luckily I lived off campus!) and sometimes the experience just isn’t what we thought college would be. I liked seeing Corey maneuver her way through the hardships and growing from the process. She does finally let her foster parents in and it was precious. I’m glad that it all worked out in the end.
There is a bit of romance but it is a very minor aspect of the book. The banter between Corey and Dylan was gold. I do think that their relationship was rushed through so it was hard to fully connect with them as a couple.
Overall, this was a unique plot that involved foster care and finding yourself through the struggles. I think it will do well for those going to college or someone who loves a good YA contemporary.
July 21, 2021
This book was a pleasant surprise!
The story follows Coralee (Corey) as she moves out of her final foster house and goes to university to study her one true passion: music. But once she gets there, poor Corey seems to run into problem after problem, leading to unsuspecting homelessness. And so she ends up sleeping in a bunch of different places, all the while trying to earn her place as a music major.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I loved getting to know Corey and her somewhat odd relationship with her violin, as well as her love for music. I found the writing style easy to read and down to Earth. My only criticism is that I feel her relationship with Dylan could have been explored further - while cute, the romance felt very surface level to me.
Vega brilliantly covers a wide plethora of topics, including the foster system, found families, the LGBTQ+ community, religion and more. But most importantly, this book reiterates that it is okay to ask for help if you need it.
Thank you to the author for sending me an eARC of this book!
The story follows Coralee (Corey) as she moves out of her final foster house and goes to university to study her one true passion: music. But once she gets there, poor Corey seems to run into problem after problem, leading to unsuspecting homelessness. And so she ends up sleeping in a bunch of different places, all the while trying to earn her place as a music major.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I loved getting to know Corey and her somewhat odd relationship with her violin, as well as her love for music. I found the writing style easy to read and down to Earth. My only criticism is that I feel her relationship with Dylan could have been explored further - while cute, the romance felt very surface level to me.
Vega brilliantly covers a wide plethora of topics, including the foster system, found families, the LGBTQ+ community, religion and more. But most importantly, this book reiterates that it is okay to ask for help if you need it.
Thank you to the author for sending me an eARC of this book!
July 31, 2021
I loved this book. I loved loved loved that Sleeping Around fit perfectly between YA and NA. Readers of both will enjoy Corey’s story and find it heartwarming.
Sleeping Around touches on acceptance, growth, trust, and friendship. There are so many things I enjoyed about this book.
Corey, like all of us, is nervous to start college, more so leaving the stability her currant foster family offers. Her first day on campus is less than ideal, leaving her without a dorm. As Corey works through this and every other problem that pops up, we see how she has coped growing up in the foster care system. Corey must look past her old ways to move forward, she must learn to trust. I loved it.
I enjoyed the perspective Corey’s character offered. I haven’t read a book in this genre that features this view of family. From Corey, to her foster parents, and the other children in the house—it was amazing to see how much was covered. Everything played out prefect until the final page. It was a breath of fresh air.
I have to point out the effort and research by Vega to ensure the details of the foster care system were presented in a correct way.
Sleeping Around will humor older readers as they reflect on their younger days, encourage younger readers to face challenges, and give all readers the bravery to trust.
Sleeping Around touches on acceptance, growth, trust, and friendship. There are so many things I enjoyed about this book.
Corey, like all of us, is nervous to start college, more so leaving the stability her currant foster family offers. Her first day on campus is less than ideal, leaving her without a dorm. As Corey works through this and every other problem that pops up, we see how she has coped growing up in the foster care system. Corey must look past her old ways to move forward, she must learn to trust. I loved it.
I enjoyed the perspective Corey’s character offered. I haven’t read a book in this genre that features this view of family. From Corey, to her foster parents, and the other children in the house—it was amazing to see how much was covered. Everything played out prefect until the final page. It was a breath of fresh air.
I have to point out the effort and research by Vega to ensure the details of the foster care system were presented in a correct way.
Sleeping Around will humor older readers as they reflect on their younger days, encourage younger readers to face challenges, and give all readers the bravery to trust.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews