A review by lezreadalot
Trouble Girls by Julia Lynn Rubin

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.