Reviews with content warning for Alcoholism - She Gets the Girl

Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

She Gets the Girl by Rachael Lippincott, Alyson Derrick

438 reviews

xabbeylongx's review

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funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

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

4.0

Spoilers Ahead:

This book is a massive slow-burner, but I’m really into it? It started off really slow, and I almost thought I wouldn’t be able to finish it, but I’m so glad I managed to continue on with it.

We follow Alex and Molly as they meet. Molly has been pining after this girl, Cora, since she first met her. Molly has crippling anxiety, and, therefore, Cora doesn’t know she exists. As they move into the same college, and Alex rocks up at one of the parties, only to find out that Cora is actually very attracted to her, Molly isn’t a massive fan of Alex, especially when she embarrasses her in front of everyone.

Alex, however, has her own problems; her mum is a drunk, spending all of her - and Alex’s - money on alcohol, and her ‘girlfriend’ - I use the term loosely - thinks that she can’t take relationships seriously. She’s about to go on tour, and she makes a deal that if Alex can stay faithful and not flirt, then their love can be rekindled.

Alex and Molly re thrown together when Alex finds out about Molly’s secret crush. She agrees to help her ‘get’ Cora, and by doing so, she is also showing her ‘girlfriend’ that she can be a good person.

Alex compiles a plan, and ends up being a mentor for Molly on dates. However, as they start spending time with each other, they realise that maybe this isn’t what they want. Molly realises that she stopped liking Cora like that, and Alex realised that she deserves better than her controlling girlfriend, and they end up getting together.

The romance between Molly and Alex is so sweet. In the beginning, I wasn’t rooting for them, and even though I knew they would end up getting together, I thought they were way too different. Even now, it sort of feels quite unrealistic that they ended up together, purely just because of how much their personalities clash, but I respect it.

The characters themselves were okay, although I think it would have helped if I had liked them a bit more. Molly actually infuriated me. She made most of her obstacles for herself, the only one who was actually putting them up. I sympathise, I have been known to be anxious for a while - most of my life, actually - but come on. There’s being anxious, and then having no common sense and blaming anxiety. They were very quick to throw down diagnosis after diagnosis here. However, I do like the similarities, as well as the differences, between the two women, especially with the problems they face with their mothers: the internal racism and the alcoholism. I thought it was very cool! A very pleasant read.

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krhart's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

This is such a fun, light(er), feel good read. I'm so glad I chose it for my list.

Molly is a shy, awkward teenager heading to Pitt for college. Her massive high school crush, Cora, is headed to school with her too. Molly has every dream to make Cora recognize her and start a relationship, away from high school and the awkwardness Molly so desperately wants to leave behind.

Alex is a survivor from Philadelphia. Her mother is an alcoholic and Alex has had to fend for herself for a long time, while also trying to take care of her mom. Alex is worried but excited to get away and get to Pitt to start something new. Alex's girlfriend Natalie is frustrated with their relationship and challenges Alex.

When Alex and Molly meet, they become instant "frienemies." Alex decides she is going to help Molly win Cora over and show her girlfriend Natalie that she's trustworthy and faithful and honest.

Helping Molly win Cora over is no small task, but as the three women continue to cross paths and plan, things change.

This is a low angst, low spice, good story.

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angelajchan's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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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brekker_by_brekker's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

pulled over on the way home to finish this book; can confirm that I WANT A GF😭😭😭😭😭

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hello_ned's review against another edition

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funny hopeful reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

Wanted to pick up a light, fun read and this is exactly that. I love now natural the queerness is and how appropriately of age the characters act (quite childish!). Its lovely to see a queer married couple write this book. You can see it's written with their own experiences and love story in mind, which makes it realistic and relatable.

I think this is actually the first book I've read where characters actually call themselves "lesbians." I never thought I needed obvious lesbian representation in media before now. This book being unforgivably and transparently sapphic warmed my heart- this is the lesbian experience.

There are some parts which particularly struck a cord with me. In between the light hearted romance

Alex is seen dealing with a troubled family life. it's a hardening feeling to relate to someone being their parent's "husband, mother, and daughter." We can see how this affects her romantic relationships too, showing us that it doesn't matter who you are; any relationship can be toxic.
I related to Molly the most, with her debilitating anxiety and a mother who is her best friend and also too much her best friend.

I give this a 4/5 as it was a really good and enjoyable book, but not as hard-hitting as the ones I rated 5-star. But that is totally okay-- because sometimes you need a book like that!

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