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blue_reader's review
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I disliked the two main characters so much. They were spoiled brats and feels too stupid to be explained as 'they are teens'. The relationship is so toxic that it's funny this is a romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexism, Pedophilia, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault, Homophobia, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Rape
Minor: Vomit
katiethepenguin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Blood, Homophobia, Misogyny, Child abuse, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Rape
toofondofbooks_'s review
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
ergaich's review against another edition
Too much SA. Characters not intriguing enough. No true plot/character development.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, and Murder
Moderate: Dementia, Terminal illness, and Sexual content
chelseamoretz's review against another edition
dark
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? It's complicated
4.25
This story resonated with me so much. It was really beautiful and heart-wrenching, and horrible at times in the best way. I read it in all of two days, and that's saying a lot with my crazy schedule because I just could not put it down. You want to root for Trixie and Lux, you want them to make it to California and start over. Props to Julia Lynn Rubin for crafting such an amazing story, if you're a fan of true crime, LGBTQ stories, women's rights, you need to read this book, it really takes you for a wild ride across the country with these girls! There is a huge content warning from about page 30 or so in, but that's all explicitly stated at the beginning, so definitely read the content warning if you think anything might affect you, I will say there were parts that were hard to read but merely surrounding the nature of the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Murder
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
readalongwithnat's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I received a free eARC from Netgalley and Wednesday Books in exchange for my honest review.
WOW. This book was wonderful. There were so many twists and turns that I did not anticipate. I loved how the #MeToo movement played a role in their story. This is a great queer release that I will be recommending to so many folks!
WOW. This book was wonderful. There were so many twists and turns that I did not anticipate. I loved how the #MeToo movement played a role in their story. This is a great queer release that I will be recommending to so many folks!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Sexual assault
Minor: Death of parent
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
literarypenguin's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5 Stars
When I finished reading this book yesterday, I had to carefully gather my thoughts and feelings about this book. I can now say with honesty that I have mixed feelings about it. My feelings do lean more positive then negative but I do have thoughts. I did enjoy the book but some things to dampen my enjoyment just a bit.
Trixie and Lux are two small town girls with hard upbringings. After deciding to take a road trip to get away for awhile, Trixie and Lux make a small pit stop at a college bar. That pit stop soon turns violent as the girls are forced to run for their lives. Now on the run, Trixie and Lux must decide if they turn themselves in or leave their former lives behind forever.
One thing I loved about this story was that the characters, especially Trixie and Lux, were flawed and messy. I love when characters are flawed because it makes them more human and not some unattainable form of perfection. Trixie had some clear issues with PTSD/Anxiety that she has yet to get help with. Lux has abandonment issues and issues with her emotions that she cant control. These issues that Trixie and Lux had made the story all the more real and raw. The writing was very good and the locations are definitely what kept me invested. I loved seeing the different places and people the girls encountered on the road, how some were good and some not so good.
One thing that bothered me was how when the girls got a unexpected windfall of money, they spent it very fast and without much care. I know they are teenagers and they can make irresponsible decisions but I thought since they both were taking care of people, Trixie being the sole caretaker of her mother with early onset dementia or Alzheimers and Lux taking care of her little brother, i thought they would be more aware of their money and more responsible with it. I really didnt like some of their decisions either and how some situations were a little too convenient for them.
I thought that the #Metoo movement could have been included a little bit more and found a better way to fit more into the story rather then just in blog posts and forums. I thought the ending could have been a bit better either with a epilogue or better ending.
So even though my feelings were mixed by the end, I still enjoyed it. Take a read for yourselves and whether your feelings are positive, negative or mixed like me I hope you get enjoyment from it like I did.
When I finished reading this book yesterday, I had to carefully gather my thoughts and feelings about this book. I can now say with honesty that I have mixed feelings about it. My feelings do lean more positive then negative but I do have thoughts. I did enjoy the book but some things to dampen my enjoyment just a bit.
Trixie and Lux are two small town girls with hard upbringings. After deciding to take a road trip to get away for awhile, Trixie and Lux make a small pit stop at a college bar. That pit stop soon turns violent as the girls are forced to run for their lives. Now on the run, Trixie and Lux must decide if they turn themselves in or leave their former lives behind forever.
One thing I loved about this story was that the characters, especially Trixie and Lux, were flawed and messy. I love when characters are flawed because it makes them more human and not some unattainable form of perfection. Trixie had some clear issues with PTSD/Anxiety that she has yet to get help with. Lux has abandonment issues and issues with her emotions that she cant control. These issues that Trixie and Lux had made the story all the more real and raw. The writing was very good and the locations are definitely what kept me invested. I loved seeing the different places and people the girls encountered on the road, how some were good and some not so good.
One thing that bothered me was how when the girls got a unexpected windfall of money, they spent it very fast and without much care. I know they are teenagers and they can make irresponsible decisions but I thought since they both were taking care of people, Trixie being the sole caretaker of her mother with early onset dementia or Alzheimers and Lux taking care of her little brother, i thought they would be more aware of their money and more responsible with it. I really didnt like some of their decisions either and how some situations were a little too convenient for them.
I thought that the #Metoo movement could have been included a little bit more and found a better way to fit more into the story rather then just in blog posts and forums. I thought the ending could have been a bit better either with a epilogue or better ending.
So even though my feelings were mixed by the end, I still enjoyed it. Take a read for yourselves and whether your feelings are positive, negative or mixed like me I hope you get enjoyment from it like I did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Dementia and Murder
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Toxic 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