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batmanbussy's review against another edition
5.0
holy shit. this was so intricate and awesome and had such great handling of really serious topics… along with such an engaging storyline?! wow
thechanelmuse's review against another edition
3.0
Have you ever been in an awkward situation where you were held hostage in a bank heist alongside your girlfriend and ex-boyfriend? Well, our con-artist protagonist, Nora, has.
The Girls I’ve Been starts off strong, clever and funny, but manages to lose its thrill as it fluctuates between short chapters of fast-paced sequences during the present-day action in the bank to the slower-paced chapters of our characters backstories filled with childhood abuse, abandonment, and other forms of trauma that takes up a great deal of the book. It feels disjointed and unorganized at times, almost like it’s two books in one—our main story and a prequel.
It’s not a bad book, just not great one.
The Girls I’ve Been is being adapted into a Netflix movie starring Millie Bobby Brown. Maybe this will pan out better for the screen since it already reads like one.
The Girls I’ve Been starts off strong, clever and funny, but manages to lose its thrill as it fluctuates between short chapters of fast-paced sequences during the present-day action in the bank to the slower-paced chapters of our characters backstories filled with childhood abuse, abandonment, and other forms of trauma that takes up a great deal of the book. It feels disjointed and unorganized at times, almost like it’s two books in one—our main story and a prequel.
It’s not a bad book, just not great one.
The Girls I’ve Been is being adapted into a Netflix movie starring Millie Bobby Brown. Maybe this will pan out better for the screen since it already reads like one.
oujo_umi's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Sexual assault, and Pedophilia
stripes_and_naps's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
I could barely put this book down. I love the way the author wove together the present story with glimpses of the past. It also had just the right ratio of danger to problem solving, so the situation never felt too hopeless. Overall I thought it was very well done and an enjoyable read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Violence, Murder, Toxic relationship, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Domestic abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Pedophilia
Minor: Vomit, Abortion, and Homophobia
rocketbeard's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
blaizealx's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
4.0
May 2024 Re-read:
I bought the sequel to this book and realised as I was about to read it that I couldn’t remember the details of what happened in the first book as I read it over a year ago. Decided I needed a little refresher and this book was just as good the second time around. I didn’t get bored or feel like I was rehashing old ground. It was just as fast paced and anticipation filled as the first time I read it.
Whilst you could say it’s not a good book because I forgot most of what happened, I would say that that’s purely down to my bad memory. I’m really glad I re-read this and I’m excited to start the second book to see what happens with Nora, Iris, Wes & Lee.
I bought the sequel to this book and realised as I was about to read it that I couldn’t remember the details of what happened in the first book as I read it over a year ago. Decided I needed a little refresher and this book was just as good the second time around. I didn’t get bored or feel like I was rehashing old ground. It was just as fast paced and anticipation filled as the first time I read it.
Whilst you could say it’s not a good book because I forgot most of what happened, I would say that that’s purely down to my bad memory. I’m really glad I re-read this and I’m excited to start the second book to see what happens with Nora, Iris, Wes & Lee.
lucyistoocool's review against another edition
5.0
This book is exactly what it set out to be. It was sharp, entertaining, dark, and an absolute page-turner. It’s also definitely a young adult book but I do enjoy those every now and then
zivi's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
jowithtwoiis's review against another edition
1.0
DNF. I was instantly intrigued by the bank heist, former con artist set up but just as quickly turned off by the dumb ass love triangle that is ALWAYS in YA books now. I hate that trope so much that even the character being bi couldn't make me continue reading to find out how they get out of the bank.
2many2read's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-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