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gemwilder's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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
gingerbread_void's review against another edition
5.0
This was the Thelma and Louis story my lesbian heart has always needed! I almost cried I wad filled with so much joy.
I wanted to devour this book all in one sitting but I made myself take my time and enjoy every page. I loved everything about Rubin's writing! Her characters, her setting, just EVERYTHING about this was perfect and filled me with joy. I can not wait to get this as a physical book and show it off and never shut up about it!
I wanted to devour this book all in one sitting but I made myself take my time and enjoy every page. I loved everything about Rubin's writing! Her characters, her setting, just EVERYTHING about this was perfect and filled me with joy. I can not wait to get this as a physical book and show it off and never shut up about it!
lezreadalot's review
3.0
All I know is, I'd still be me, and I'd still want to love every part of someone just like Lux.
3.5 stars. I'm trying to figure out if I'd have liked this more or less if I'd ever seen/knew more than the bare basics about the movie Thelma and Louise. Would I have gotten more out of it, to see all the parallels? Or would all the similarities have frustrated me?
I don't know. But I did enjoy this. Mostly? It's the story of two girls who end up on the run after what was supposed to be a weekend getaway turns bloody. This is an extremely anxiety-inducing book, especially from the perspective of an adult who's just so worried and scared for these girls, and so angry about all the ugliness and hate that surrounds them. They make a lot of bad decisions, but it's all very realistic; they're scared teenagers, and they're panicking, and they don't have any experience with things like this. It's still very nerve-wracking, seeing it all play out, and that anxiety wasn't exactly enjoyable, as a reader?
But that's a bit of the point. This isn't meant to be an easy read. Trixie and Lux's story is a condemnation of rape culture and misogyny; a close-lensed look at the suffering and PTSD that can come with being a queer teenage girl. Trixie and Lux aren't always likeable, but there's something very cathartic about their rage, and the way they refuse to be cowed. I really loved their burgeoning romance; everything about Trixie's feelings and insecurities and the way it was described felt so authentic and real and my heart just hurt for them. Another thing I especially liked was Rubin's writing and craftsmanship; she really succeeded in creating the perfect atmosphere and characters.
I'm not quite satisfied with this though. At times it was a bit... essentialist? In its commentary and discussion? And idk, it's very possible to write a story about rape culture and the violence that men inflict upon women and the ways it's ingrained in the fabric of society without going there. IDK. I also didn't love the whole "hog" thing, though there are story reasons for it, and I understand. It was used a lot, and started to border on fatphobic, when she used it on random side characters. And the ending didn't feel very satisfying to me. It either needed to end some time before or after that moment, for me to really feel a sense of completion. (There were also a bunch of typos, but I'm assuming that's just an arc issue.)
Definitely a compelling read, one that shouldn't be approached lightly.
Content warnings:
Spoiler
past csa, attempted rape, rape culture, murder, death, homophobia, misogyny, panic attacks and anxiety.☆ Review copy provided via NetGalley.
thatlizhunter's review against another edition
2.0
initial thoughts -
what's the point of an entire road trip escape from crime if you're not really even trying to escape? I'm confused
what's the point of an entire road trip escape from crime if you're not really even trying to escape? I'm confused
paragraphsandpages's review against another edition
2.0
I absolutely love that we're getting more and more f/f rep in YA, but I guess it can't all be in good books.
I feel like the concept of this book was very strong, and there were moments where this concept really rung clear, but most of the time I... was just kind of bored. For such a short book, it felt really long and repetitive, and it kind of just ambled along until the end. There wasn't a clear goal in mind, not really, because while they had a final destination (sort of?), that destination didn't actually promise any sort of hope, and only one character actually wanted to go there. It made the book feel like a string of events without a real purpose.
For two people on the run, the plot had very little tension and excitement. There were only a few moments where this became an issue, but most of the time it resolved itself fairly quickly. There were no high speed chases or immediate repercussions for any of their actions, they'd just see their latest crime on the news a few days later. At some point, everything just started to blur together because it was just them doing petty crimes because they were almost broke, complaining and suffering from being almost broke, and some 'sweet' moment between Trixie and Lux sprinkled in between.
I feel like this is a book that could have been saved by the characters or the romance, but I spent this book flip flopping between being frustrated and feeling indifferent. I honestly don't even know if Trixia actually even liked Lux because she'd complain about her a lot, and all the compliments and positive opinions she had of Lux felt superficial or skin-deep (which is odd seeing as they grew up together?) I dunno, but neither the characters or romance really worked for me.
All in all, this just wasn't the book for me, but maybe it's what someone else is looking for! I just would've liked something more, whether that be tension, action, excitement, whatever.
I feel like the concept of this book was very strong, and there were moments where this concept really rung clear, but most of the time I... was just kind of bored. For such a short book, it felt really long and repetitive, and it kind of just ambled along until the end. There wasn't a clear goal in mind, not really, because while they had a final destination (sort of?), that destination didn't actually promise any sort of hope, and only one character actually wanted to go there. It made the book feel like a string of events without a real purpose.
For two people on the run, the plot had very little tension and excitement. There were only a few moments where this became an issue, but most of the time it resolved itself fairly quickly. There were no high speed chases or immediate repercussions for any of their actions, they'd just see their latest crime on the news a few days later. At some point, everything just started to blur together because it was just them doing petty crimes because they were almost broke, complaining and suffering from being almost broke, and some 'sweet' moment between Trixie and Lux sprinkled in between.
I feel like this is a book that could have been saved by the characters or the romance, but I spent this book flip flopping between being frustrated and feeling indifferent. I honestly don't even know if Trixia actually even liked Lux because she'd complain about her a lot, and all the compliments and positive opinions she had of Lux felt superficial or skin-deep (which is odd seeing as they grew up together?) I dunno, but neither the characters or romance really worked for me.
All in all, this just wasn't the book for me, but maybe it's what someone else is looking for! I just would've liked something more, whether that be tension, action, excitement, whatever.
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
sammireads7's review against another edition
4.0
I received an arc from a goodreads giveaway and I never expected it to be this good.
Characters: 3.5/5
Romance: 4.5/5
Plot: 5/5
Thriller Aspect: 5/5
Overall: 4/5
Okay so this books had pretty solid characters. There were just a few i wasn’t really a fan of. Also Trixie and Lux were such powerful characters, they are just elite characters. I also loved that it was queer. And Trixie just has a never trust a man vibe which you see from the first page.
The romance was just fun to see the relationship grow as the story goes on.
The plot was amazing. A lot of the time there is either a good plot or good characters. This book had both. It was just beautifully written.
The thriller aspect was really fun to see play put.
And the overall story was just fun to follow along. Also I love how there is a page that says content warning because not many books have that. If you want to get into thrillers I would recommend checking this book out. All in all it is a beautifully written fun story.
Characters: 3.5/5
Romance: 4.5/5
Plot: 5/5
Thriller Aspect: 5/5
Overall: 4/5
Okay so this books had pretty solid characters. There were just a few i wasn’t really a fan of. Also Trixie and Lux were such powerful characters, they are just elite characters. I also loved that it was queer. And Trixie just has a never trust a man vibe which you see from the first page.
The romance was just fun to see the relationship grow as the story goes on.
The plot was amazing. A lot of the time there is either a good plot or good characters. This book had both. It was just beautifully written.
The thriller aspect was really fun to see play put.
And the overall story was just fun to follow along. Also I love how there is a page that says content warning because not many books have that. If you want to get into thrillers I would recommend checking this book out. All in all it is a beautifully written fun story.
elle_oftheball's review against another edition
5.0
I read it in a day, but I’ll be thinking about it for weeks to come.
Everything about Trouble Girls feels both wondrous and harrowing, almost like a particularly hard nightmare to wake up from. Trixie and Lux are both charmingly dislikeable, and the book felt like one long ride in the best way.
Everything about Trouble Girls feels both wondrous and harrowing, almost like a particularly hard nightmare to wake up from. Trixie and Lux are both charmingly dislikeable, and the book felt like one long ride in the best way.
hitbooksnotgirlz's review against another edition
4.0
Trixie & Lux were impossible not to fall in love with and root for. I wanted them to come out on top so, so badly. While I enjoyed every aspect of their journey, the ending of the novel was quite disappointing to me.
kthornette's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 ⭐️ rounded
“I press my lips to her ear and whisper, ‘let’s go light some shit on fire.’”
On the surface, this story was made for me: beautiful cover, alluring title, girl power, road trip gone wrong.
Trixie and Lux’s relationship was so beautifully complex and complicated. From the start, you could tell how much they care about each other and love each other, friends or more. I wish we had more details on why they liked/loved each other. They were very different and complemented each other and I loved how their relationship wasn’t just happy moments but they dealt with tough and deep situations. I felt as if they were really dependant on each other; Lux on Trixie more than vice versa. I do think Lux was a bit immature and naive given her backstory and how she acted on the trip. Trixie acted like her mom at some point ... which I guess makes sense given Lux’s attitude.
That being said,
“I press my lips to her ear and whisper, ‘let’s go light some shit on fire.’”
On the surface, this story was made for me: beautiful cover, alluring title, girl power, road trip gone wrong.
Trixie and Lux’s relationship was so beautifully complex and complicated. From the start, you could tell how much they care about each other and love each other, friends or more. I wish we had more details on why they liked/loved each other. They were very different and complemented each other and I loved how their relationship wasn’t just happy moments but they dealt with tough and deep situations. I felt as if they were really dependant on each other; Lux on Trixie more than vice versa. I do think Lux was a bit immature and naive given her backstory and how she acted on the trip. Trixie acted like her mom at some point ... which I guess makes sense given Lux’s attitude.
That being said,