This book definitely feels similar to The Handmaid's Tale, but I think one of its major strengths is that its stands on it own outside of those similarities, and takes its plot and themes in some unique directions. I also felt like it adapted some of the ideas in Handmaid's Tale very well to a high school audience, and the problems a current high school audience is facing.
It's very fast-paced and engaging, and I think the short chapter length really works in its favor.
My one criticism is that I feel like it would have benefited from being slightly longer, and having more time to focus on Stella's character growth- especially in the third part, there were places where the audience was told things I feel the story would have been much stronger if we'd been shown.

The Chaperone is a modern take on The Handmaid's Tale that exists in an eerie, not-so-distant future. Though this book wasn't my favorite, it was propulsive and easy to read and getting wrapped up in. I could totally imagine my high school self being unable to tear myself away, but as an adult, it didn't do a ton for me.

With premise similar to Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale" with a unique spin, "The Chaperone" focuses on a teen girl who knew nothing about what life was like before restrictions were put on her community. Given a "chaperone" to accompany her outside of the house, she is never to be alone. It was an interesting take on a hypothetical future, and I found it entertaining. However, I feel the second half of the plot is very rushed as if the author tried to finish the novel off in a hurry.

I am not really sure what I just read but I found it intriguing. This book had major Handmaids Tale vibes. I do not usually read Dystopian books but if you do this will be right up your ally. I am so happy I gave this book a read. I mean this book had me hooked from the first page.

I loved the premise of this novel! Dystopian novels are some of my favorites, especially when a female protagonist grows into her own over the course of the plot. I really liked the dynamics between most characters and would love a sequel. The only reason I took away an star is because it felt like it escalated too quickly and that the protagonist's development was rushed at times.

First of all, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of The Chaperone. At first, I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into, but the deeper I went into what I thought was a dystopia, the more intrigued I became. There were a few threads I felt were just abandoned midway through their development. There's some room for a sequel, but if there is one, I wish that this one had been developed a bit differently to give more room to a couple of those threads. I liked this one a lot, but there are some sticking points keeping me from giving it the highest marks.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC!

I love me a teen dystopia so I immediately knew I’d enjoy The Chaperone. While it does feel a little borrowed from Handmaid’s Tale season 3, it was genuinely a good read and I ripped through it in a day. The book absolutely set itself up for a sequel so I am absolutely gunning for this!

This was better than I thought it would be when I initially started it. I made several assumptions that proved to be false, and it got quite a bit grittier than I was expecting.

It does feel a little bit at times like it's beating you over the head with the fascist, dystopian-isms. For example, naming the district that the main character lives in the "Gaslight District" is not exactly subtle. I realize that back in ye olden days living in the gaslight district was a sign of wealth, because the expensive parts of town were afforded the luxury of literally having gas lamps lit in the evenings to provide light. And sure, Stella lives in a ritzy neighborhood and we could draw that connection, but we all know that's not what the author is implying here...

Anyway, this really picks up about 3/4 through and you'll want to finish the whole thing at once when it does. I'm interested to see if we do get a sequel, because there are several loose ends. But this could easily stand on its own.

In the first quarter of The Chaperone, I was struck by how similar it is to The Handmaid’s Tale. Women and girls have limited opportunities, may not be alone, are controlled by the males of their family, and live in what used to be the United States. Unfortunately when a book is so much like a classic, it will pale in comparison. The Handmaid’s Tale had such wonderful world building and the jumps in time between sections helped to see the backstory without clunkily inserting it into the narrative. However, I do feel as though it’s a wonderful novel about a dystopian America in which women have no power for teens or people who have not read The Handmaid’s Tale. Once I was able to refocus my brain and say “they may be similar, but you have to read this on its own merit,” I enjoyed The Chaperone much more. I would rate it a 4/5, if we are pretending that other book does not exist.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

WOW! Wow, wow, wow!! Okay it took me a bit...about 100 pages to find the rhythm but once I did, EXPLOSIONS! Imagine if The Handmaids Tale had a baby with Divergent....yupp this book is better! I had no idea it was the authors debut novel but I am anxiously awaiting another book. It had some scenes of eerie similarity to our world. Goosebumps and feelings abound. Great job! Someone give this author a standing ovation and do yourself a favor, BUY THIS BOOK.

Dystopian perfection! I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down. Fabulous feminist undertones and serious issues addressed.

Heart pounding thriller that left me on the edge of my seat. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Absolutely five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this novel. I encourage you to check this one out! Really solid read.

I wanted to love this one as the pitch seemed amazing and I am always on the hunt for more dystopian (the kids are asking for it!!). However I just couldn't connect to Stella and her world. Stella and her friends, despite growing up in New America, talked almost like they were from our time. I wanted more concrete world building in the beginning; sometimes being thrown into a dystopian world works, and here it just didn't quite click. Love the cover though!!