I had trouble reading this book and connecting with the main character and overall storyline. I just truly didn’t care for most of it. The beginning broke my heart, though.

A YA Handmaid’s Tale like dystopian fiction? I knew I had to pick this one up. Ever since I had to write a long-detailed paper on The Handmaid’s Tale in college, this type of dystopian fiction has fascinated me, so I was all in.

To be completely honest, I struggled with this one. It was a fast read. I read 80% of it in one day, so the story line compelled me along but just sadly, it mostly missed the mark for me. When trying to put my finger on what I think was missing, I come to the world building. I needed a little bit more to completely understand how we got to where we were and the history of New America. It took me about 25% of the book to feel like I had somewhat of a handle on what was going on, the world, and for the action to pick up to where I started to feel invested.

Don’t get me wrong, this is a fascinating and timely story. Here we find a world built by men, putting down women, who are brought up basically to get married and have babies. Be seen and not heard. Taught that this is for their safety. Not to mention all girls must have a chaperone one they hit puberty to when they graduate from high school. They can’t raise their hand in class, talk to boys, learn to drive, or go anywhere alone.

This would be a great book club pick. There are so many great discussion points throughout the story. Just for me personally as a reader, I needed a little more world building and fleshed out characters to take it to the next level.

I didn’t realize I would be reading a YA version of The Handmaid’s Tale when I began this book, but it became very quickly apparent that that’s what it was, and it will haunt me the same way Atwood’s classic does. What makes this book especially unsettling is that it feels so realistic and right around the corner. It’s a bit too believable, both to its credit and to the United States’ shame.
M Hendrix does a terrifyingly excellent job of portraying what life might be like if the U.S. experienced a schism between progressives and conservatives, whether it’s from an outright Civil War or from a more “civilized” split. I didn’t want “New America” to feel familiar and realistic, but as a former teacher, current mom, and current journalist living in Texas, it felt all too real, particularly as I see legislation being introduced and passed that eerily resembles some of the laws that are taken for granted in the “New America” that Stella lives in.
Stella is a fantastic protagonist to carry the story. She’s smart but naive, questioning but obedient and not wanting to make waves, curious but traumatized, frightened but brave. The growth she experiences in the novel as she learns more about herself and her world — and the world her country left behind — is realistic and paced well.
This novel does not have the depth and layers that The Handmaid’s Tale had, but as a YA book, I also don’t think it needs it. It feels authentically told from the perspective of a naive but intelligent and thoughtful 18-year-old. The world-building is, again, eerily familiar to anyone living in the contemporary U.S. Bible Belt, and I never felt that Hendrix went too over the top. Any time it seemed she might make things seem too fantastical, she pulled back and it felt real instead.
I have already recommended this book to friends, and I’ll continue to do so. It’s an important work that issues a warning similar to what The Handmaid’s Tale issued, but with far greater urgency.
This review is based on reading a complimentary advance reader copy of this book from NetGalley.

I honestly thought this book was awful. I wanted to like it, the concept seemed fantastic. However the characters were just terrible and I truly disliked this book.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for a review copy.

If you enjoyed The Handmaid's Tale, this book is for you. Stella Graham lives in New America. She isn't allowed to go out by herself or spend time with boys without her Chaperone. Her chaperone, Sister Helen, dies suddenly and she is assigned a new Chaperone.

Sister Laura is different from the others. She leaves Stella alone in the library and gives her banned books. Sister Laura talks about freedom and staying safe. Will Stella stay in her sheltered life and get married OR will she set off on her own?

I love finding Kentucky authors since I live in Kentucky as well. M. Hendrix lives in Bowling Green and has set this book in New Bowling Green, called Bull Run. I enjoy reading dystopian YA and this one hooked me right in. This was a pretty quick read for me; I read it on a bumpy flight so it was a great distraction.

New America where girls must live by the code: Deflect attention, Abstain from sin, Navigate the world with care, Respect your chaperone. Stella lives in New America. She knows all the rules and what girls must and must not do. But, when she is is assigned a new chaperone (someone to watch her and teach her to be a proper woman) she starts to question everything she’s known. Using her intuition and wit, and with the help of others, Stella learns about the real world and everything New America is keeping from girls. Stella is bound and determined to help as many girls as she can, see that there is more to the world than New America. Fans of The Handmaid’s Tale will love this updated young adult read-alike.

I was so excited to read this book after hearing about it on a webinar but truth be told, I was a little hesitant to start reading for thinking it might be hitting to close to home. In many ways it did. This book was so well written in most places; but in others I thought it fell flat. I would have really liked to see more of the old America scenes. The uncanny connection to the issues in the United States now will not be lost to anyone. Even though parts where flat, I truly hope there is a sequel to the book because se th ending definitely leaves you wanting more.

The Chaperone
by M Hendrix
Pub Date: 06 Jun 2023
Oof! This one hits hard. It's dystopian but not in the wild fantasy type way. More like the oh-my-goodness-if-things-keep-going-the-way-they-are-going-we-are-going-to-end-up-like-this kind of way.
Stella comes from an affluent family in "New" America. New America has broken away from Old America (that's basically us right now). New America has strict rules which are heavily enforced. Book banning was just the start. While males and females attend the same schools, they do not have most classes together. Boys and girls are not allowed to be alone together. Girls must wear clothes that do not seek attention. Girls must stay slim and trim so they will be chosen for marriage one day. Girls must not talk back to boys. Girls must always be chaste. Girls must not wear too much makeup. Girls must never use foul language. Girls must never be in public by themselves. Girls must study how to be good wives. New America says it's about freedom, but really it's about oppressing females.
One more thing...if they can afford it, girls must have a chaperone once they have their period. Chaperones are assigned by the government and see to the "training" of each girl to become a woman (ie. wife, because that's all New America believes women are good for.)
Stella's beloved chaperone Sister Helen suddenly dies a horrific death and Stella is afraid of who she might get next. Sister Helen wasn't like the other chaperones. Yes, she was with her every waking second of the day, but she was good and she encouraged Stella to try new things although girls were not allowed to be curious.
Stella is soon assigned Sister Laura. Sister Laura bucks the system even harder than Sister Helen did. She tells Stella the truth about the "heathens" in old America, where females actually are free..free to chose their own partner, free to walk alone, free to purchase what they want and read what they want to read. Old America may not be perfect, but they have freedom. Despite the possibility of public shaming or even death, Sister Laura opens Stella's eyes to all the possibilities in Old America It's just the life she has been dreaming of even if she has to give up everything she knows to get there.
I hope this book stays a work of fiction, but our reality is quickly starting to mirror the events in this book. 😕
#netgalley
#TheChaperone
#MHendrix

For fans of The Handsmaid Tale this book is a must read. In New America women are to be seen and not heard. Obedience is mandatory and no young women must be alone. Stella is going though life just fine until her chaperone is murdered. What happened from there opens Stella’s eyes to the reality of not only New America but to the role her own father has in this world.

This is a great story of perseverance and standing up to what is right, even if it’s the harder path. I loved the storyline and Stella was a great character that was likable and appropriately imperfect.

Thank you Netgalley and to the publishers for allowing me to read this advanced copy.

I was super excited to read this, as it has a Handmaids-ish vibe. I would have rated this higher, but I found the pacing to be off. The beginning was very slow, to the point I almost dnf, then the middle was all action and tension and couldn't put it down, then slowed down again. The premise is fabulous and seems to be setting up for a possible sequel (I hope!). Very glad I stuck with it as it drew me in, it just took a while to get there.

I don't know if I will even be able to put into words how much I loved this book. Seventeen year old Stella lives in a future America, one I would not wish to be a part of. A world where women cannot speak, make decisions, or have careers. This is the story of Stella's survival. I don't think I've read a dystopian since the days of Divergent, when they were all over. To be honest, I wasn't sure I'd want to read another dystopian, thinking I grew out of that phase. But I am SO GLAD I picked this one up. I've been in such a reading slump, and today I wanted to skip my hardest class to finish and find out what happens to Stella (I didn't, but I wanted to!!) M Hendrix sure knows how to write a gripping book, and I mean I was GRIPPING my phone trying to devour this book. Starting this book I was worried it would be too long for me since I've been in a reading slump, but this one PULLED ME OUT at such a fast pace. This does not feel like Hendrix's debut, it feels more like I've been a fan of hers for years. But, I will now be a fan for years to come!

I love a good dystopian book and this one pulled me in and kept me interested! Something about those worlds just suck me in and I devour a book in no time at all.

Think Handmaid's Tale but with a younger voice. Stella is the perfect New American daughter until she learns that her way of life wasn't always the norm. Soon she longs to have the freedom to make her own decisions. How far will she go to live the life of her own choosing?

For fans of The Handmaid's Tale, you will definitely want to grab a copy of The Chaperone. Dystopian, power, control, and high school dynamics. I can see why it is categorized as YA, but I did not feel it should be solely in that genre. The Chaperone is based off the premise that young women, as they enter puberty, are assigned a chaperone to guide them in their pubescent lives. When a lovely chaperone who has formed a trusting relationship with her teen dies, we start to wonder if there is more to these chaperones than it seems.
Fast-paced, and hard to put down until the very end!

Thank you Netgalley for the eARC!

I tore through this book in two days! It is great to have a young adult dystopian in the classic sense to hand to my teen readers. It definitely gives off Handmaids Tale vibes (the TV show especially) but was fresh enough to keep me guessing. The writing was clean and direct, a refreshing change to the heavy, descriptive YA books that typically come across my desk these days. Can't wait to share it with my patrons.

The Chaperone is the debut book by M Hendrix. The feel of this book is a YA Handmaid’s Tale. The story follows the life of Stella as her chaperone has died out of blue, and her coping with the arrival a new chaperone. The United States as we know it no longer exists, or so we think, as it is now deemed “New America”. New America has a stricter set of rules to help keep young girls pure, controlled, and constantly prepping to become a wife and mother. Stella is a strong lead character and goes through a rewarding journey to find out the truth about New America and her family!

This book is very action packed and I loved that the chapters were short! I couldn’t put it down, and felt like I was there with Stella cheering her on! I found it interesting how the author spoke about purity culture, as I had experience with that growing up. Especially how the girls were held to such a high standard as opposed to the boys who were held to basically nothing. Sadly, that’s an area where life imitates art in many cultures today. While there were several sensitive topics brought up, I thought the author did a great job of staying objective and giving many different views. I was rooting for Stella and was thrilled to see such developed character growth! In fact, upon finishing this book, I wanted more! I hope the author has plans for a second installment, because I am ready to see what’s next!

Dystopian fiction is always hit or miss for me, but this was definitely a hit! Seventeen-year-old Stella and younger sister, Shea live with their parents and the girls' "chaperone" in New America where girls are not allowed to be on their own or even be alone with boys. Of course when they graduate from high school they are expected to marry quickly and have children; it's a dream world, right? Fortunately Stella is unhappy when her chaperone dies unexpectedly and a boy she doesn't even like proposes marriage. What's a girl to do when her parents are so encouraging? If you are already incensed, this book is for you! It builds slowly but its intensity is smoldering and I raced through it!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Love dystopian worlds, especially thought-provoking ones! The concept of this book mirrors the turmoil and division that is happening in today's society. It's terrifying to envision just how far the US will plummet in infringing upon a person's rights and freedoms. Stella's journey to get out and escape is fast-paced and leaves you turning page after page. I felt that her decision to re-enter New America felt rushed and the last part of the book ended rather abruptly. Hopefully this means a sequel is in the works. The short chapters in this book and the quest to fight back against governmental power and control will appeal to teens. I would like to thank Goodreads and NetGalley for offering ARC copies of this book.

A wrinkle in time
The Allegory of the cave
I capture the castle
A room of one’s own
A room with a view
The house on mango street
Darius the Great is not Ok
The Outsiders
Of mice and men
Deenie
Lord of the Flies
Their eyes were watching god
Bless me Ultima
The diary of Anne Frank
In the time of butterflies
Love in the time of cholera
Incidents in the life of a slave girl
Uncle Toms cabin
Omelas
The collection poems of Langston Hughes
Fahrenheit 451
Dante’s inferno
The scarlet letter
The lottery

Is there any point arguing with him? Then I remember something Sister Laura said. She told me to make my own attack rather than be put on the defensive.
Mr. Russell turns away like he's done with me, but I keep going. "It seems like you don't want to call on me because I'm a girl, Mr. Rus-sell." Someone gasps out loud. Nearly everyone else, including Levi, gawks at me like my head's on fire.

This is what it feels like.
This is what they talk about in books.

The story has a secret story within itself
The topic that we’re all familiar with it, maybe sick of hearing in a way it’s kind of like the handmaid‘s tale without the graphic content
It’s a fun look into another reality, and I hope the next book comes out quickly and more badass

I never knew how much I missed dystopian ya books until I started this one. I think I read over 250 pages in one sitting. I was enthralled. I find stuff like this so fascinating because, unfortunately, I can see situations like this happening in the future.

I think the one things that prevented me from giving it five stars was that I wanted more. I loved the relationship between Stella and Sister Laura but I wanted more situations of them building relationships. I also loved the relationship between Stella and Mateo. Again, I wanted more. I understand there is only so much hidden, super secret moments to be had but I live for those situations.

I’m intrigued for more and I hope there will be more.

Could dystopia make a comeback? I think with this book it could. For those that wanted to enjoy the Handmaid’s Tale but maybe found it inaccessible, this book is a good jumping off point.