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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A thoughtful and unflinching look at coercive control, consent, age gaps and manipulation within supposedly romantic relationships, a trope well trodden in fiction as much as it is so sadly relevant in society. The Girls of Summer reads like a fast paced psychological thriller - the characters are well developed and relatable, the dialogue is the right balance of punchy and well considered and the plot is as chilling as it is compulsive. TGOS is set on a dual timeline and split between a dreamy Greek island in the 00s and London in the current day - a sharp and immersive novel with echoes of stories such as My Dark Vanessa and The Paper Palace.
This book would make a fantastic book club read; it could inspire endless conversation and cathartic sharing, though Rachel’s story is not one I felt sympathy for at all times as she does behave in some pretty questionable ways I do think it’s one we can all empathise with in some way. A book that’s readable enough for the beach and smart enough to keep you engaged - thanks so much to Random Things Tours and to the publisher, Bantam for having me on the tour and sending me this proof copy in exchange for a fair review.
This book would make a fantastic book club read; it could inspire endless conversation and cathartic sharing, though Rachel’s story is not one I felt sympathy for at all times as she does behave in some pretty questionable ways I do think it’s one we can all empathise with in some way. A book that’s readable enough for the beach and smart enough to keep you engaged - thanks so much to Random Things Tours and to the publisher, Bantam for having me on the tour and sending me this proof copy in exchange for a fair review.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was an interesting read. There was an issue and a message, but it didn’t appear to the end of the book. As you read you know something is up and you want to scream at Rachel to open her eyes, but alas there wouldn't be a book if she did. I really liked the setting of a Greek Island and can imagine the draw of being independent and in love for the first time.
The story moves along at its own pace, which is slow, as it flips back and forth between the present day and Rachel’s time in Greece. You get to know Rachel well, but you only know the other characters through Rachel’s eyes. I’m not sure I would categorize this as a thriller, but maybe a women’s fiction book. While there might be some danger to the characters but there is never an intensity that they feel in any danger.
Rachel’s realization where her life is and what she wants along with the atmospheric location were my favorite parts of the read. I would be interested in the author’s next book.
The story moves along at its own pace, which is slow, as it flips back and forth between the present day and Rachel’s time in Greece. You get to know Rachel well, but you only know the other characters through Rachel’s eyes. I’m not sure I would categorize this as a thriller, but maybe a women’s fiction book. While there might be some danger to the characters but there is never an intensity that they feel in any danger.
Rachel’s realization where her life is and what she wants along with the atmospheric location were my favorite parts of the read. I would be interested in the author’s next book.
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Grief, Abortion, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was definitely hard to stomach at points, but that’s kind of the point right? This isn’t an easy story to digest, it’s not easy to hear what happened to the girls and how it affected them later on in life, but the story is important. It’s important to show and make you feel how easy it is to manipulate a story in your own head to make you believe a certain scenario. To make it easier to swallow. The descriptive words to talk about the island were incredible. Wonder read, will be sharing this with others for sure!
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Book Summary:
You know how first loves go. They hit you hard and fast. Sometimes you move on; sometimes, you don't. The latter is true for Rachel. She's loved Alistar for going on fifteen years now. Even marrying somebody else didn't help her get over that love.
The more Rachel delves into the love of her past, the more she realizes that things are not as idyllic as she once thought. Was this whirlwind affair really her own choice? And if so, how have so many others followed her same steps?
My Review:
Ooph. The Girls of Summer hits hard. Rachel's story often feels too real, which some readers will likely adore – while others will feel repelled. So keep that in mind before picking up The Girls of Summer.
The author (Katie Bishop) described The Girls of Summer as exploring the "gray area of consent." If that was her goal – she nailed it. Make of that what you will, but this book will certainly make you stop and think - for better or worse.
The Girls of Summer is a memorable, if slightly dark read. I think knowing that this could (and has) happen in real life made it darker for me. As such, I'm not sure that this book is suited for all readers.
Highlights:
Coming of Age
Thriller
Trigger Warnings:
Age Gap
#MeToo elements
Thanks to StMartinsPress and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
You Can Also Find Me On:
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | The Book Review Crew | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy
You know how first loves go. They hit you hard and fast. Sometimes you move on; sometimes, you don't. The latter is true for Rachel. She's loved Alistar for going on fifteen years now. Even marrying somebody else didn't help her get over that love.
The more Rachel delves into the love of her past, the more she realizes that things are not as idyllic as she once thought. Was this whirlwind affair really her own choice? And if so, how have so many others followed her same steps?
My Review:
Ooph. The Girls of Summer hits hard. Rachel's story often feels too real, which some readers will likely adore – while others will feel repelled. So keep that in mind before picking up The Girls of Summer.
The author (Katie Bishop) described The Girls of Summer as exploring the "gray area of consent." If that was her goal – she nailed it. Make of that what you will, but this book will certainly make you stop and think - for better or worse.
The Girls of Summer is a memorable, if slightly dark read. I think knowing that this could (and has) happen in real life made it darker for me. As such, I'm not sure that this book is suited for all readers.
Highlights:
Coming of Age
Thriller
Trigger Warnings:
Age Gap
#MeToo elements
Thanks to StMartinsPress and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
You Can Also Find Me On:
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | The Book Review Crew | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Abortion
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes