You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
sad
tense
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:
Yes
⚠️ TW - Sexual Abuse, mentions of Human Trafficking and grooming, manipulation.
The storyline is narrated in a dual timeline of now and then from the perspective of the main character, Rachel. It was slow to start in places, but once the storyline developed, I found myself really intrigued. The story definitely shows us that when we are younger, our perception of the truth and what is morally correct is seriously warped and that we can be really naive. It took 16 years and fresh information for Rachel to realise the truth of what really happened in Greece.
The story starts as what seems like a teen girls holiday and turns into her worst nightmare without her even being aware of it. It was dark and suspenseful and really engaging. The characters were really well developed, and as for the descriptions, the words drifted off the page and made the island seem like a beautiful place to be at times.
It's a terrific debut novel not to miss, coming in May 2023.
I requested a digital ARC from Netgalley, and I'm providing my review voluntarily.
The storyline is narrated in a dual timeline of now and then from the perspective of the main character, Rachel. It was slow to start in places, but once the storyline developed, I found myself really intrigued. The story definitely shows us that when we are younger, our perception of the truth and what is morally correct is seriously warped and that we can be really naive. It took 16 years and fresh information for Rachel to realise the truth of what really happened in Greece.
The story starts as what seems like a teen girls holiday and turns into her worst nightmare without her even being aware of it. It was dark and suspenseful and really engaging. The characters were really well developed, and as for the descriptions, the words drifted off the page and made the island seem like a beautiful place to be at times.
It's a terrific debut novel not to miss, coming in May 2023.
I requested a digital ARC from Netgalley, and I'm providing my review voluntarily.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Sexual assault, Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual content
slow-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Suicide, Trafficking
I always wondered when an author would take a look at the Jeffery Epstein situation and write a novel on a similar theme, exporing things from the girls' point of view. This is that novel. Now, this is not a novel of that scandal but it is set on a remote Greek island where girls are invited to parties, one man in particular meets a young girl in a bar and she is dazzled by him. Later something happens in the island and the police are called. Then, and only then is the final picture revealed...
A gripping story and one that really gets inside your head since it's written in the voice of the girl who is spellbound by that man in a bar who invites her to party. It's uncomfortable reading at times but it examines what goes on in a young girl's head when faced with the chance to live in paradise, have a man worship the ground you walk on and how easy it is for someone powerful to abuse all he has and more.
It's a novel that is going to get a lot of chatter at bookclubs that's for sure. Oh and that cover!! If Book Publishers did Gucci ads. Hope the finished cover is half as glam as the proof!
A gripping story and one that really gets inside your head since it's written in the voice of the girl who is spellbound by that man in a bar who invites her to party. It's uncomfortable reading at times but it examines what goes on in a young girl's head when faced with the chance to live in paradise, have a man worship the ground you walk on and how easy it is for someone powerful to abuse all he has and more.
It's a novel that is going to get a lot of chatter at bookclubs that's for sure. Oh and that cover!! If Book Publishers did Gucci ads. Hope the finished cover is half as glam as the proof!
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really enjoyed this one but it was a bit of tough reading for personal reasons.
I loved the overall setting and flashbacks to partying in the sun!
I found this book really easy to read. It’s set in London and Greece and “then” and “now”. I like jumping timelines and at no point was this confusing or difficult. I also read this in a day!
The storyline for this was good too. I can’t really discuss the storyline too much without giving the story away but I can really relate to how the idea of something that happened when you were younger isn’t the sunshine and roses you think it was. There are some quite hard-hitting parts of this book that felt as though I was reading my own thoughts
I think this was a good book for how girls and women can both support and alienate each other. I’m not always a fan of “girl power” books and there were some parts (mainly the “now” sections) that felt a bit forced and far-fetched but they did add to for the story and they weren’t too unbelievable.
This fluctuated between 3/4 stars for me but I settled on 3 based on my review guide.
The reasons why I fluctuated and why this isn’t a 5 star read are:
I didn’t LOVE any of the characters. There wasn’t amazing development of them and I do think that more could have been done to develop them both “then” and “now”.
There are a few things I’d change about the book (development, what happens in “now”, certain parts of the story)
I really did feel things during this book but it was more because of my own experiences rather than the writing. You guys know I love laughing and crying with books and I didn’t get that with this one but maybe, because of my own past, I’m a little desensitised? Either way, more could have been done to make the emotional sections more emotional (I think?)
There were a couple of plotholes/areas that I found a little unbelievable which made me snap back to reality a little.
I’d definitely recommend this book. The Girls of Summer will be published on 25th May 2023.
I loved the overall setting and flashbacks to partying in the sun!
I found this book really easy to read. It’s set in London and Greece and “then” and “now”. I like jumping timelines and at no point was this confusing or difficult. I also read this in a day!
The storyline for this was good too. I can’t really discuss the storyline too much without giving the story away but I can really relate to how the idea of something that happened when you were younger isn’t the sunshine and roses you think it was. There are some quite hard-hitting parts of this book that felt as though I was reading my own thoughts
I think this was a good book for how girls and women can both support and alienate each other. I’m not always a fan of “girl power” books and there were some parts (mainly the “now” sections) that felt a bit forced and far-fetched but they did add to for the story and they weren’t too unbelievable.
This fluctuated between 3/4 stars for me but I settled on 3 based on my review guide.
The reasons why I fluctuated and why this isn’t a 5 star read are:
I didn’t LOVE any of the characters. There wasn’t amazing development of them and I do think that more could have been done to develop them both “then” and “now”.
There are a few things I’d change about the book (development, what happens in “now”, certain parts of the story)
I really did feel things during this book but it was more because of my own experiences rather than the writing. You guys know I love laughing and crying with books and I didn’t get that with this one but maybe, because of my own past, I’m a little desensitised? Either way, more could have been done to make the emotional sections more emotional (I think?)
There were a couple of plotholes/areas that I found a little unbelievable which made me snap back to reality a little.
I’d definitely recommend this book. The Girls of Summer will be published on 25th May 2023.
‘The Girls of Summer’ is a compelling read about processing, and the coming to terms with, trauma.
Decades ago, 17 year old Rachel worked as bar staff on an idyllic Greek island - where she became intertwined with businessman Alistair, engaging in what she perceived to be a summer romance.
Now, years later, the story is told between two perspectives - current Rachel, and past Rachel. As it unravels readers understand the depth of manipulation that Rachel has fallen victim to - twenty years on, she still perceives it as a love; and it is slowly destroying every relationship around her.
This was superbly written and such an engaging read - it was told simplistically but with the appropriate amount of sensitivity for the subject matter.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
Decades ago, 17 year old Rachel worked as bar staff on an idyllic Greek island - where she became intertwined with businessman Alistair, engaging in what she perceived to be a summer romance.
Now, years later, the story is told between two perspectives - current Rachel, and past Rachel. As it unravels readers understand the depth of manipulation that Rachel has fallen victim to - twenty years on, she still perceives it as a love; and it is slowly destroying every relationship around her.
This was superbly written and such an engaging read - it was told simplistically but with the appropriate amount of sensitivity for the subject matter.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Yet another debut that absolutely rocked me! The subject matter is tough, but is definitely something that needs to be read (check trigger warnings!). The story is told from our MC Rachel’s point of view, in dual timelines of past and present. You really feel for this character and want to just grab her and shake her because she is still in such denial 16 years later.
Originally when I started this I got ‘The Last Housewife’ vibes, but it’s less cult-like than that. I still think you would enjoy this one if you liked TLH though as the feelings I got while reading were similar (if that even makes sense).
Add this to your summer TBR’s because this is sure going to be one of the most talked about books this summer!
Thank you to NetGallery and St. Martin’s Press for this eARC!
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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
I was in a major reading slump last week, and I jumped ahead in my to-read pile way out until May 2023…all because the plot of this book caught my attention! This book blends international travel, a compelling coming of age story, and complex themes that kept me intrigued until the last page!
It reminded me a lot of My Dark Vanessa, especially in that it presented a protagonist who felt conflicted about her feelings toward her abuser. It was dark and introspective in the ways that I liked, but I think the writing could have been richer — this would have helped me connect better to the protagonist. Still, an interesting read with a relatively fresh take on #MeToo culture.
It reminded me a lot of My Dark Vanessa, especially in that it presented a protagonist who felt conflicted about her feelings toward her abuser. It was dark and introspective in the ways that I liked, but I think the writing could have been richer — this would have helped me connect better to the protagonist. Still, an interesting read with a relatively fresh take on #MeToo culture.