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marmijournals's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I am thrilled by the writing of this author yet taken aback by the middle to ending as i didnt expect her to be entrenched in a toxicy relationship and am a bit troubled by how it ended? or confused? But i am so so so so excited to read more, very curious to see future writing!!!! i want more!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault
minaopal's review
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Abortion, Addiction, Alcohol, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Sexual content, and Adult/minor relationship
daniellekat's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The writing was outstanding. The characters felt real and relatable and honest and imperfect. I loved that it was set in Toronto but not in your face about it (I hate when authors have to prove that they know a city by dropping obscure references in every other sentence). I loved the commentary on what it means to be a 'good' feminist and the social constructs of success. Most of all the ending was so perfect. It was hilarious but almost hopeful and just fit the book so well. My only drawback was that I think Lucy and Malcolm's 'relationship' was drawn out too long and that it slowed down the storytelling too much
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Cursing
Minor: Bullying, Body shaming, and Drug use
bdsmsleaterkenneth's review
funny
reflective
medium-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
5.0
rocks
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Sexual violence
james1star's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Thank you to NetGalley and Bespeak Audio Editions for accepting me as a prepublication reviewer for the audiobook of Good Girl. I do feel obliged to highlight the book’s good points but they do want an honest review and this is my authentic take.
The ‘plot’ follows Lucy who is a mid-twenties chaotic mess of a person. She’s working at a bookstore but really wants to pursue writing. She has sexual desires for a man to beat her and just very into kinky BDSM stuff in that department. She finds out about a 70s teen music magazine and this ignites a passion for writing again where she delves further into this media world of the time - specifically the experiences of woman. There is more to this but I don’t really care to explain it.
There are some interesting and important discussions on many topics: feminism, consent, BDSM/rough sex, women in media, female objectification of men, the reality of porn, friendships, among others. These are okay but nothing is fully explored or expanded on, I didn’t really learn anything new or that insightful. Lucy touches on her relationship with her mum and childhood in some ways but again not deep enough to understand why she has a preference for rough sexual acts like being beaten, tied, verbally abused, controlled, etc - like why? She never really thought about this. It sort of gives the impression that such a relationship is one people can go into lightly which I don’t think is a very position outlook. I did like how Lucy does have this interest and explores different types in a way and teeters on the role of consent. I guess it’s a voice I have yet to come across in books that I have read, so explicitly sharing her sexual fantasies, specifically ones we may have thoughts/desires about but rarely explore ourselves. I just needed more reasoning. Lucy’s research and interest into the media world of the 70s via her interviews with members of the SMASH magazine throw up important discussions on the role of women and the toxicity surrounding it but then it doesn’t really go anywhere. This is a running theme with many of the different plot lines is this book: they all are left rather unfinished, I would be more annoyed at this if I had been interested in them but really I wasn’t. But still it irked me.
The characters were all kinda insufferable. I found them all quite annoying, unrealistic, shallow, un-relatable and just very ‘meh’. Lucy did so so many things that just pi**ed me off like I wanted to shake her, she didn’t follow though with things and I dunno I could not care for her. Nora was very unrealistic in my opinion, the way she speaks, her attitude and just everything was so forced. Sasha is Yhh alright, she’s a decent friend and I agree with her morals in part but I would say she was kinda jarring and hypocritical. Lucy’s mum was alright I guess, she showed her daughter love albeit in some embarrassing ways - but like I did feel Lucy should have been more appreciative… I dunno. Danny was Yhh fineish but his character super super underdeveloped. The other men were all so crap: Malcolm, Henry, Sasha’s bf (forgot and don’t care about his name), the man she went to LA to speak to (forgot his name too) and just like they were all annoying, shallow and ehh. Nigel the dog was the only good character for obvious reasons: she was just a dog.
The writing was alright. I didn’t find it particularly great or intriguing. I did laugh at a few things but for the most part, the humour or ‘wittiness’ was rather forced and just not for me. The dialogue did flow but wasn’t realistic. There were many many times I felt super cringed with what was being said or happening and a plethora of ‘eye roll’ moments. If a certain thing happened near the end I would literally have thrown my phone at a wall. So yes I am extremely happy with that decision, mostly for my phone and not an appreciation for the story. It was that or physically throwing up at how cringy that would’ve been. That’s all I say on the matter.
The ‘plot’ follows Lucy who is a mid-twenties chaotic mess of a person. She’s working at a bookstore but really wants to pursue writing. She has sexual desires for a man to beat her and just very into kinky BDSM stuff in that department. She finds out about a 70s teen music magazine and this ignites a passion for writing again where she delves further into this media world of the time - specifically the experiences of woman. There is more to this but I don’t really care to explain it.
There are some interesting and important discussions on many topics: feminism, consent, BDSM/rough sex, women in media, female objectification of men, the reality of porn, friendships, among others. These are okay but nothing is fully explored or expanded on, I didn’t really learn anything new or that insightful. Lucy touches on her relationship with her mum and childhood in some ways but again not deep enough to understand why she has a preference for rough sexual acts like being beaten, tied, verbally abused, controlled, etc - like why? She never really thought about this. It sort of gives the impression that such a relationship is one people can go into lightly which I don’t think is a very position outlook. I did like how Lucy does have this interest and explores different types in a way and teeters on the role of consent. I guess it’s a voice I have yet to come across in books that I have read, so explicitly sharing her sexual fantasies, specifically ones we may have thoughts/desires about but rarely explore ourselves. I just needed more reasoning. Lucy’s research and interest into the media world of the 70s via her interviews with members of the SMASH magazine throw up important discussions on the role of women and the toxicity surrounding it but then it doesn’t really go anywhere. This is a running theme with many of the different plot lines is this book: they all are left rather unfinished, I would be more annoyed at this if I had been interested in them but really I wasn’t. But still it irked me.
The characters were all kinda insufferable. I found them all quite annoying, unrealistic, shallow, un-relatable and just very ‘meh’. Lucy did so so many things that just pi**ed me off like I wanted to shake her, she didn’t follow though with things and I dunno I could not care for her. Nora was very unrealistic in my opinion, the way she speaks, her attitude and just everything was so forced. Sasha is Yhh alright, she’s a decent friend and I agree with her morals in part but I would say she was kinda jarring and hypocritical. Lucy’s mum was alright I guess, she showed her daughter love albeit in some embarrassing ways - but like I did feel Lucy should have been more appreciative… I dunno. Danny was Yhh fineish but his character super super underdeveloped. The other men were all so crap: Malcolm, Henry, Sasha’s bf (forgot and don’t care about his name), the man she went to LA to speak to (forgot his name too) and just like they were all annoying, shallow and ehh. Nigel the dog was the only good character for obvious reasons: she was just a dog.
The writing was alright. I didn’t find it particularly great or intriguing. I did laugh at a few things but for the most part, the humour or ‘wittiness’ was rather forced and just not for me. The dialogue did flow but wasn’t realistic. There were many many times I felt super cringed with what was being said or happening and a plethora of ‘eye roll’ moments. If a certain thing happened near the end I would literally have thrown my phone at a wall. So yes I am extremely happy with that decision, mostly for my phone and not an appreciation for the story. It was that or physically throwing up at how cringy that would’ve been. That’s all I say on the matter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Pedophilia, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Sexism, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault
Minor: Abortion, Drug use, Alcohol, Homophobia, and Toxic friendship
linneahbt's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Fun and quick. Wanted more for Lucy but that's just because I liked her so much! Definitely unexpected at times and I'm not sure that the back cover synopsis prepared me for the contents (and I'm not sure I'm upset about that) Check the tw!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Sexual harassment
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