Reviews with content warning for Violence - I'm the Girl

Deep in the mountains lies Aspera, a rustic resort reserved for only the wealthiest, most powerful people. And Georgia hears it calling for her. Finding herself in a mess of her own, Georgia stumbles across thirteen year old Ashley Jame’s dead body. Nora, Ashley’s sister, recruits Georgia to play detective, and the two grow closer as a new opportunity arises for Georgia. At Aspera.

Georgia is beautiful, and she knows it. As she learns how to use her beauty to reach her dreams, she discovers that this new world she’s in is more complicated than she once believed.

I’m the Girl, a young adult thriller, creatively showcases the struggle of a young woman longing to be seen and appreciated for her beauty with the reality of the male gaze. The story examines the sad, honest truth behind what those in positions of power will do to preserve their wealth and status, and how they manipulate others to hold their secrets.

Courtney Summers tackles some incredibly challenging realities such as sexual assualt, sexual identity, predatory and manipulative actions, and family struggles, amongst other things. This was a HEAVY read. I probably should’ve paced myself better and not read the entire story in 24 hours, but man, thrillers like this are nearly impossible to put down. Something about the changing of the seasons has got me into these dark and spooky, cabin-in-the-woods, thrillers.

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theoceanrose's review against another edition

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challenging dark sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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karina_dreamsinwords's review

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Anyone who has read Summers' previous work know that she is not one to shy away from writing stories focusing on difficult subject matter. I'm The Girl is no exception.

This bold, hard hitting and timely thriller follows sixteen year old Georgia after she discovers the lifeless body of a young teen girl in the woods. She teams up with the victim's older sister to track down the killer before he strikes again.What Georgia finds out might reveal more than she's ready to confront.

A truly powerful story by a masterful storyteller giving a voice to those seldom heard. Summers' writing flows so effortlessly that you're pulled in from the start and are gasping for air until the very last page. I finished this one with tears streaming down my face so be warned that it may do the same for you.

Please be sure to check trigger warnings due to the subject matter in this one. If you are one that appreciates an atmospheric, boundary pushing female narrative, and stories that will stick with you long after you are finished reading be sure not to miss this!!

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drraytay's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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saragrochowski's review

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challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated

5.0

I’ve been reading Courtney Summers’ YA novels since 2008, the year her debut “Cracked Up to Be” was published and the last year of my own teens. There are only a handful of authors whose work I feel is always exactly what I need before I even realize I need it; that leaves me feeling seen and empowered despite the emotional devastation on the page. After that first book, I hoped there would be more from Summers and every year or so I’m excited and relieved to spot a new book announcement. Over the years my appreciation for Summers’ dedication to confronting and deconstructing the way society and those in power continually fail and victimize girls and young women has grown.

On September 13, her tenth book, “I’m the Girl,” will hit shelves. Inspired by the Epstein trial and other instances of abuse, this book is about power, agency, identity, and our need for love and acceptance. It is not an easy read. It will make you uncomfortable. It should make you uncomfortable.

I wish I had had “I’m the Girl” when I was in my teens, but I am so incredibly glad it exists today and hope it provokes honest and necessary conversations amongst teens and the trusted adults in their lives despite - and because of - that discomfort.

📚 “I’m the Girl” by Courtney Summers / Ages 14 & up / Available 9/13 from Wednesday Books

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betweentheshelves's review against another edition

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challenging dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Georgia Avis found the body of 13-year-old Ashley James. Depserate to find some sort of justice for her, she teams up with Ashley's older sister Nora to find out who her killer was. However, the investigation puts Georgia herself in danger as she navigates the world of the wealthy and powerful. People who never have to answer for anything.

As Nora and Georgia get closer to the killer, Georgia realizes it might not just be about one person who is guily. When everyone around you is a part of the dangerous thing, how do you decide who is at fault? And how do you keep yourself from enjoying the power that it can bring? Georgia has to figure out how to have her own power to hopefully bring Ashley's killer to justice.

Thanks to NetGalley, LibroFM, and Wednesday Books for an advanced copy of I'm the Girl by Courtney Summers to review! Courtney Summers is never afraid to cover the tough topics, and this book is no different. It's being pitched as a kind of successor to Sadie, and that's an accurate description. It definitely has the same kind of feel.

I'll start with the fact that this book isn't easy to get through. Summers tackles a lot of issues connected to teen girls in relation to men who are wealthy with power. There are some very dark moments in this book, especially as Georgia tackles her own traumas. While she might not be the most likeable character, that's also kind of the point. Teen girls are complex beings, and that's part of Summers' purpose in writing these stories. They need to be told as much as the happy ones.

Summers also nails the emotions in this book. All Georgia really wants is someone to love her and appreciate her for her beauty. She wants her life to mean something, pretty much like anyone else does. It's part of the reason the relationship between her and Nora works so well. They're both looking for someone to support them, to help them through their trauma. It felt so realistic.

The narrator for the audiobook is also fantastic. I was engaged in the story the entire time, even if it was difficult to read. Summers takes you on the same journey as Georgia.

All in all, if you look for dark, true crime like stories, this one will be right up your alley.
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No one really writes the bleak reality of teen girls quite like Courtney Summers does. Stay tuned for a full review to come soon!

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avidreaderandgeekgirl's review against another edition

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This book honestly creeped me out and not in a good thriller way.

Telling a girl she has the power to stop a man from raping her is just disgusting. I obviously don't know if the author explains that this female character's view is WRONG later, but that's what got me to just stop with this book

What I read of it just left me feeling gross.

I loved Sadie! But this book was just terrible. The MC was highly unlikeable. I think you were supposed to feel sorry for her, but honestly, I didn't really. She just seemed like an entitled poor person. who thought she deserved better because she was attractive, WTF. As someone without a lot of money, I'd never assume, "well, if I were more attractive... I'd be rich!". Just because you're attractive does not translate into an entitlement to be rich. NO ONE has the entitlement to have money. Some people are lucky enough to be born with money or have an easy or harder path to wealth, but most people will still be around where they were born.

I did like Nora and Tyler. But they couldn't make up for Georgia.

Also, Georgia's entitlement overruled any thought of the "thriller" element, which was mostly ignored for Georgia's attempts at social climbing.

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jaec11's review against another edition

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challenging dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

**I received an advance copy of this audiobook on Netgalley in exchange for my honest review**

This is the story of a girl, Georgia, who gets caught up in a new society as she grapples with all sorts of discoveries, past and present

This story is very hard to describe without spoilers, but essentially Georgia is witness to a crime, which is somehow connected to this mysterious and elusive society which she yearns to be apart of. But of course, nothing is as it seems

This book was disturbing, definitely check out the content warnings first. I also found the content very difficult to process, and I know that was kind of the point, but the ages of the characters made it hard to grapple with.

I found Avis quite unsympathetic and naive, though I do think that was purposeful. I was able to predict the ending somewhat, which also detracted from my enjoyment. I did enjoy the thrill and intensity of the book, and some of the side characters, but the main plot was definitely a little too annoying to read (because of the obvious naivetes). It was also just so heavy, and it was almost as though the heavy content didn't even get resolved. There were many plotlines that I would have appreciated more closure on

The audiobook was well done, the narrator spoke with adequate emotion and added to the depiction of the characters

R

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