Reviews with content warning for Misogyny - The It Girl

This is the first novel by Ruth Ware and I hate to say that I'm pretty disappointed. It doesn't;t help that I read a book with this similar trope just a few days prior. I've been reading a lot of thrillers lately so the tropes have definitely been getting repetitive. This book was INCREDIBLY slow. She doesn't even agree to talk to the reporter until about 150-200 pages. I don't know how to describe my experience with this book. I didn't hate it (cuz if I did I wouldn't have finished it), but I didn't particularly like it either. I feel like it dragged when it didn't need to (especially the first 60-70 pages). The last 60 pages were very anxiety-inducing so I'll give her that.

I don't think I'll classify this as a thriller because there wasn't anything "thrilling" anything about it. No bread crumbs to leave you guessing. It really just centered on Hannah's guilt that she could've potentially put an innocent man away. Speaking of him, I know she wrote him as this creepy guy to establish why Hannah felt the way that she felt about him, but even as I was reading his scenes I couldn't help but feel creeped out with her. He was a very odd bloke and his actions towards her were unsettling. Although his actions were creepy, I did see a comment that stated that John Neville's behavior was consistent with someone on the spectrum. I don't want to stigmatize so this is just a theory, but as I was reading about him and his mannerism I couldn't help but think the same thing. I don't think he meant much harm to Hannah. He may just not have understood her discomfort ( just a theory). Also, that teacher is also disgusting. I know good and well he was sleeping with his students.

As for the portion of who did it, I honestly would've preferred if this specific character that they were pointing out for most of the book was the killer.

Although predictable I wish it would've been Will that was the killer. They were alluding to it for a good portion of the second half of the book and I honestly think it would've made more sense. It being Hugh wasn't predictable, but his reasoning did add much impact in my opinion. It just felt like a twist that can out of nowhere. And what was the point of her finding out about that window shortcut if it was;t going to be an important element later? I feel like that was a waste of a potential plot point.

Also, can we just talk about how Hannah barely prioritized her child's health this entire book.

The fact that her baby survived all that stress feels extremely unrealistic even by book standards. I was honestly expecting her to lose it in the end and have Will be the killer.

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kelseyr713's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-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

5.0

Ruth Ware has done it again, crafting a compelling mystery with a main character I really felt for. Hannah is extremely likeable and sympathetic, and I understood her need to solve the mystery, even all these years later. I enjoyed the split timeline narrative and had a hard time putting this one down to go to sleep, especially towards the end!

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uranaishi's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

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