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A review by keysmashhh
The Girls I've Been by Tess Sharpe
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Plot: 4.75/5
Characters: 4.75/5
Relationships: 4.75/5
World-Building: 4.5/5
Genre: 5/5
Plot: The plot of this book was amazing, the way the bank heist and Nora's past intersected was really interesting, especially as it slowly built up the picture of who Nora was and how she had come to be in that situation. I found both narratives equally interesting to read and I didn't get bored by either one. The final confrontation with her mum was really well done and a really significant part of the book, the way it ended really leaves me hoping there will be a sequel.
Characters: Nora was a perfect main character. Because she isn't perfect. She didn't feel like she was too good to be true or fake, she felt like a real person with real issues. I loved her personality so much and her warped view of the world was fascinating to read. I also love Wes and Iris, both of them were amazing secondary characters and each provided interesting stories of their own. Lee was also super cool and her personality and storyline were well managed with Nora's. I am so glad the author didn't try and give more emphasis to anyone else in the bank or to the robbers, the focus on Nora, her friends and her past was perfect.
Relationships: Omg I love Iris and Nora's relationship, and I loved Nora and Wes' relationship AND I loved Wes and Iris' relationship. The way the romantic and familial love interacted was so well done. It acknowledged that you can love someone you have been in a relationship with in a different way afterwards and that romantic love can change. Also, the way that Nora's attraction to both genders was addressed was really nicely done, it wasn't over-explained, just stated as fact and I liked that, it felt very real and organic.
World-Building: The plotline in the present (the bank heist) didn't have overly-descriptive world-building because it wasn't needed but Nora's past was more descriptive and I loved it. And it was chilling, the way her mum used her for her cons and the way Nora was treated was hard to read but it made the book SO impactful.
Genre: This is definitely the best book I have read this year, it was a perfect blend of exploration of character, action and general contemporary YA features that I loved. I'm so glad I picked it off the shelf, and I really hope the author writes another book!
Characters: 4.75/5
Relationships: 4.75/5
World-Building: 4.5/5
Genre: 5/5
Plot: The plot of this book was amazing, the way the bank heist and Nora's past intersected was really interesting, especially as it slowly built up the picture of who Nora was and how she had come to be in that situation. I found both narratives equally interesting to read and I didn't get bored by either one. The final confrontation with her mum was really well done and a really significant part of the book, the way it ended really leaves me hoping there will be a sequel.
Characters: Nora was a perfect main character. Because she isn't perfect. She didn't feel like she was too good to be true or fake, she felt like a real person with real issues. I loved her personality so much and her warped view of the world was fascinating to read. I also love Wes and Iris, both of them were amazing secondary characters and each provided interesting stories of their own. Lee was also super cool and her personality and storyline were well managed with Nora's. I am so glad the author didn't try and give more emphasis to anyone else in the bank or to the robbers, the focus on Nora, her friends and her past was perfect.
Relationships: Omg I love Iris and Nora's relationship, and I loved Nora and Wes' relationship AND I loved Wes and Iris' relationship. The way the romantic and familial love interacted was so well done. It acknowledged that you can love someone you have been in a relationship with in a different way afterwards and that romantic love can change. Also, the way that Nora's attraction to both genders was addressed was really nicely done, it wasn't over-explained, just stated as fact and I liked that, it felt very real and organic.
World-Building: The plotline in the present (the bank heist) didn't have overly-descriptive world-building because it wasn't needed but Nora's past was more descriptive and I loved it. And it was chilling, the way her mum used her for her cons and the way Nora was treated was hard to read but it made the book SO impactful.
Genre: This is definitely the best book I have read this year, it was a perfect blend of exploration of character, action and general contemporary YA features that I loved. I'm so glad I picked it off the shelf, and I really hope the author writes another book!