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toofondofbooks_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"Trouble Girls" is a sapphic YA novel about two best friends who are about to go on a road trip, but after a night of unthinkable violence, they end up on the run from the law.
This book was an extremely quick read with engaging characters and an action packed story. I thought that the chemistry between the two main characters was electrifying and their devotion to each other unlike anything I've seen in YA recently. Even when things were at their worst, I never questioned their love for each other, it's the kind of love that was not only romantic, but familial. You can tell that they aren't going to let each other go without a fight. The way that things unfolded, especially their relationship, was realistic in most aspects, but there were some things that I thought were weird about the journey. However, I can't really explain that without giving away spoilers and I try to keep these spoiler free.
I really thought it was cool and kind of claustrophobic how it felt like I was with these girls the whole time. When they expressed being too hot, or hungry, or thirsty, or dead tired, it felt like I could feel it, too, which is something I don't always experience. I liked how the ending left things open for interpretation, which is also really all I can say about that.
Something that really stressed me out was the lack of chapters. There aren't any chapters, it's just continuous, separated by page breaks. It was still a good and easy read, but I really, really would have preferred chapters. It made my head hurt.
Extra points for the beautiful cover.
This book was an extremely quick read with engaging characters and an action packed story. I thought that the chemistry between the two main characters was electrifying and their devotion to each other unlike anything I've seen in YA recently. Even when things were at their worst, I never questioned their love for each other, it's the kind of love that was not only romantic, but familial. You can tell that they aren't going to let each other go without a fight. The way that things unfolded, especially their relationship, was realistic in most aspects, but there were some things that I thought were weird about the journey. However, I can't really explain that without giving away spoilers and I try to keep these spoiler free.
I really thought it was cool and kind of claustrophobic how it felt like I was with these girls the whole time. When they expressed being too hot, or hungry, or thirsty, or dead tired, it felt like I could feel it, too, which is something I don't always experience. I liked how the ending left things open for interpretation, which is also really all I can say about that.
Something that really stressed me out was the lack of chapters. There aren't any chapters, it's just continuous, separated by page breaks. It was still a good and easy read, but I really, really would have preferred chapters. It made my head hurt.
Extra points for the beautiful cover.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Gore, Racism, Islamophobia, Xenophobia, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Alcohol, Child abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Body horror, Murder, Dementia, Lesbophobia, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Drug use and Drug abuse
Minor: Cancer
annaonthepage's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexual violence
queersubtext's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Racism, and Rape
misscatw's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I first heard of this last September on Twitter with the line: "sapphic YA reimagining of “Thelma and Louise”. Just seeing that made me want to read it, being a fan of the film and sapphic stories.
Having finished the book, I found it was a beautifully written story of survival in the wake of incredible circumstances. Both main characters, Trixie Denton and Lux Leesburg, have experienced sexually-based trauma and in the wake of Lux's sexual assault and Trixie stabbing her attacker, the girls are forced to run for their lives. They spend the rest of the book on the run from the law, travelling west away from their hometown and lives in Blue Bottle, West Virginia. Along the way, they find that they have become the face of a #MeToo movement in the fallout of the attack, transformed by the media into these figures when they didn't ask for it.
I did like reading this book, even with its harsh topics as it deals with misogyny, rape/sexual assault, homophobia and abuse. I felt like these topics were handled well, highlighting how widespread misogyny is in the world, how it affects the perception of women in the media and can take a toll on those who experience it. While I did like the way the writing style portrays a particular aesthetic around these girls on the run, there were elements of the writing which I did not like and hindered my enjoyment of the book. It is written as one long text with no chapters, just page breaks, which I do not like - I prefer a good chapter structure. The pacing is off in parts, with it dragging through the middle of the book and only including little points of action. Also, I did not like the ending as it came to an abrupt conclusion and seemed quite open-ended since we don't find out what happens to the girls in the end. Personally, I am not a fan of open-ended conclusions as I like a good, clear ending.
We are told the story through Trixie's POV, getting to really know her character. We see a deep distrust of men - she frequently refers to them as "hogs" or "hog men" - a devotion to her best friend and love Lux, and a girl who cares about the women in her life, especially her mother, who she has to take care of. However, we get all this insight into Trixie's character but little into Lux. We know that she's a keen photographer who loves makeup, little trinkets and taking photos of everything she sees. It feels a little unbalanced with the characterisation here, since we see so much of Trixie and so little of Lux. I would have preferred it if the book was written from both their POVs so we could get an equal insight into their characters and see the events of the book from both their perspectives.
Overall, this was a great read that featured some flawed, messy characters in a situation that were not - and could not be - prepared for. They make some bad decisions along the way, but that is realistic, because they are young (seventeen, both of them) and inexperienced, in a situation beyond their control. They become known as The Trouble Girls, girls fighting back against misogyny and those who represent and perpetuate it (rapists, misogynists).
Having finished the book, I found it was a beautifully written story of survival in the wake of incredible circumstances. Both main characters, Trixie Denton and Lux Leesburg, have experienced sexually-based trauma and in the wake of Lux's sexual assault and Trixie stabbing her attacker, the girls are forced to run for their lives. They spend the rest of the book on the run from the law, travelling west away from their hometown and lives in Blue Bottle, West Virginia. Along the way, they find that they have become the face of a #MeToo movement in the fallout of the attack, transformed by the media into these figures when they didn't ask for it.
I did like reading this book, even with its harsh topics as it deals with misogyny, rape/sexual assault, homophobia and abuse. I felt like these topics were handled well, highlighting how widespread misogyny is in the world, how it affects the perception of women in the media and can take a toll on those who experience it. While I did like the way the writing style portrays a particular aesthetic around these girls on the run, there were elements of the writing which I did not like and hindered my enjoyment of the book. It is written as one long text with no chapters, just page breaks, which I do not like - I prefer a good chapter structure. The pacing is off in parts, with it dragging through the middle of the book and only including little points of action. Also, I did not like the ending as it came to an abrupt conclusion and seemed quite open-ended since we don't find out what happens to the girls in the end. Personally, I am not a fan of open-ended conclusions as I like a good, clear ending.
We are told the story through Trixie's POV, getting to really know her character. We see a deep distrust of men - she frequently refers to them as "hogs" or "hog men" - a devotion to her best friend and love Lux, and a girl who cares about the women in her life, especially her mother, who she has to take care of. However, we get all this insight into Trixie's character but little into Lux. We know that she's a keen photographer who loves makeup, little trinkets and taking photos of everything she sees. It feels a little unbalanced with the characterisation here, since we see so much of Trixie and so little of Lux. I would have preferred it if the book was written from both their POVs so we could get an equal insight into their characters and see the events of the book from both their perspectives.
Overall, this was a great read that featured some flawed, messy characters in a situation that were not - and could not be - prepared for. They make some bad decisions along the way, but that is realistic, because they are young (seventeen, both of them) and inexperienced, in a situation beyond their control. They become known as The Trouble Girls, girls fighting back against misogyny and those who represent and perpetuate it (rapists, misogynists).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence
bookcrushin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This was an intense read, I kind of enjoy the revenge fantasy of it all, but also it is a lot of trauma, so be sure to check CWs to read safely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Violence, and Sexism
Minor: Dementia, Vomit, Terminal illness, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Drug use, and Alcohol
librarianlex's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
3.0
Didn't live up to the hype.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Blood, Violence, Toxic friendship, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
Moderate: Dementia and Sexual harassment
Minor: Rape, Child abuse, Pedophilia, and Adult/minor relationship
paytograce's review against another edition
dark
funny
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
For a deep dive review, check out our podcast: You Have to Read this Book!! (Anchor.fm/youhavetoreadthisbook) out June 1!
Content Warning: sexual assault, rape, racism, minors with alcohol, suggestions of abuse, parental death, ailing parent, murder
Trouble Girls is troubling indeed.
To quote our protagonist, Trixie Denton “It’s so ridiculous it’s almost comical.”
If a book doesn’t have a really amazing, interesting plot then I need interesting characters with good development.
The reviews and synopsis of Trouble Girls was so promising I was thrilled to receive an ARC. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much plot and there was even less character development.
We follow Trixie and Lux as they run from one terrible decision to the next, and by the end of the story we see no growth, no remorse, and no change. Trixie is such an unreliable narrator that I’m not even convinced that the ending happened how it was written or that any of the odd characters they meet were real.
Rubin brings up social issue after social issue, just barely scratching the surface and then moving on. I was unconvinced of any overall moral code or resolution. The whole story had a 90’s grunge aesthetic but nothing deeper than that.
I was disappointed to say the least. This is not one you have to read.
Content Warning: sexual assault, rape, racism, minors with alcohol, suggestions of abuse, parental death, ailing parent, murder
Trouble Girls is troubling indeed.
To quote our protagonist, Trixie Denton “It’s so ridiculous it’s almost comical.”
If a book doesn’t have a really amazing, interesting plot then I need interesting characters with good development.
The reviews and synopsis of Trouble Girls was so promising I was thrilled to receive an ARC. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much plot and there was even less character development.
We follow Trixie and Lux as they run from one terrible decision to the next, and by the end of the story we see no growth, no remorse, and no change. Trixie is such an unreliable narrator that I’m not even convinced that the ending happened how it was written or that any of the odd characters they meet were real.
Rubin brings up social issue after social issue, just barely scratching the surface and then moving on. I was unconvinced of any overall moral code or resolution. The whole story had a 90’s grunge aesthetic but nothing deeper than that.
I was disappointed to say the least. This is not one you have to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Death of parent
melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for an arc of this book.
On a weekend trip, best friends Trixie and Lux run into trouble at a bar and the night ends in violence. The girls go on the run as wanted fugitives, and they have to deal with harsh truths and realities as they leave behind the only life they've ever known, and only have each other to hang onto.
I so badly wanted to love this book, but it just didn't grip me the way I had hoped it would. I felt like the pacing was quite slow, and I didn't feel like I knew the characters enough to really care about them. The important things that happened were kind of glanced over in the writing to make way for more reflection from Trixie, which is fine, but makes for a read where it feels like you're always waiting for the action to start.
The most interesting part of this book for me was the discussions of sexual assault, the forum posts, and where the girls went with that. I thought those parts made some really good points and was an important topic.
I was not a fan of the ending of this book, personally.
Pub Date: June 1, 2021
On a weekend trip, best friends Trixie and Lux run into trouble at a bar and the night ends in violence. The girls go on the run as wanted fugitives, and they have to deal with harsh truths and realities as they leave behind the only life they've ever known, and only have each other to hang onto.
I so badly wanted to love this book, but it just didn't grip me the way I had hoped it would. I felt like the pacing was quite slow, and I didn't feel like I knew the characters enough to really care about them. The important things that happened were kind of glanced over in the writing to make way for more reflection from Trixie, which is fine, but makes for a read where it feels like you're always waiting for the action to start.
The most interesting part of this book for me was the discussions of sexual assault, the forum posts, and where the girls went with that. I thought those parts made some really good points and was an important topic.
I was not a fan of the ending of this book, personally.
Pub Date: June 1, 2021
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Blood, Grief, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Murder, Rape, Homophobia, Racism, Violence, and Dementia
Minor: Toxic relationship and Panic attacks/disorders
patioclus's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Thank you so much to netgalley and Wednesday books for providing me with an ARC. This has not affected my review in any way.
I'm really sad I didn't enjoy this more. I would like to preface this by saying that I've never seen Thelma and Louise, but going off of the IMDB summary I would say this book certainly delivered as a Thelma and Louise retelling. I also want to say that as a 22 year old, I'm not the target audience for the book.
I didn't appreciate that there were no chapters in the book, however I'm not sure if that was the ARC formatting or if the final copy will be like that as well, so I have ignored this complaint in my review. My biggest issue with this book was that I did not vibe with the writing. It felt incredibly repetitive and I think the story easily could have been 100 pages shorter. I also didn't connect with either of the characters, but particularly Lux. She didn't really seem to have a personality besides being the object of Trix's affection. I would have loved to get more background on their friendship and on Lux's character in general so that I could be more invested in their relationship. Being bisexual, I have no complaints with the queer representation in general, I only wish I had felt more invested in Lux and Trix's relationship, as that was the big selling point of the book for me.
I also felt like the overall message of the book was a little disjointed. It was very clearly inspired by the MeToo movement, but Lux and Trix's motivations are kind of all over the place. I would have preferred to either expand on the Trouble Girls persona they developed and make it a major storyline or cut it out completely and just focus on the two of them on the run. In addition, while I understand what the author was going for, I don't need the main character to call men "hogs" every paragraph to understand the message about rape culture this book was going for. It ultimately felt repetitive and cheesy to me.
Overall, I loved the concept, I was ultimately just underwhelmed.
I'm really sad I didn't enjoy this more. I would like to preface this by saying that I've never seen Thelma and Louise, but going off of the IMDB summary I would say this book certainly delivered as a Thelma and Louise retelling. I also want to say that as a 22 year old, I'm not the target audience for the book.
I didn't appreciate that there were no chapters in the book, however I'm not sure if that was the ARC formatting or if the final copy will be like that as well, so I have ignored this complaint in my review. My biggest issue with this book was that I did not vibe with the writing. It felt incredibly repetitive and I think the story easily could have been 100 pages shorter. I also didn't connect with either of the characters, but particularly Lux. She didn't really seem to have a personality besides being the object of Trix's affection. I would have loved to get more background on their friendship and on Lux's character in general so that I could be more invested in their relationship. Being bisexual, I have no complaints with the queer representation in general, I only wish I had felt more invested in Lux and Trix's relationship, as that was the big selling point of the book for me.
I also felt like the overall message of the book was a little disjointed. It was very clearly inspired by the MeToo movement, but Lux and Trix's motivations are kind of all over the place. I would have preferred to either expand on the Trouble Girls persona they developed and make it a major storyline or cut it out completely and just focus on the two of them on the run. In addition, while I understand what the author was going for, I don't need the main character to call men "hogs" every paragraph to understand the message about rape culture this book was going for. It ultimately felt repetitive and cheesy to me.
Overall, I loved the concept, I was ultimately just underwhelmed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexism, Violence, and Sexual content
Minor: Islamophobia
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