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A review by sarahmreads
The Girls I've Been by Tess Sharpe
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Nora, her ex-boyfriend Wes, and her now girlfriend Iris find themselves wrapped up in a hostage situation when their trip to the bank goes awry. However, Nora isn't just Nora. She's also a bunch of other girls who her mother groomed her to be through con scams. The Girls I've Been follows a dark story of abuse and tragedy that made Nora who she really is, and how she can survive both the bank robbery and her past.
Before I get into this review, I was to HIGHLY emphasize that you research all the trigger warnings going into this book. It is HEAVY and might be overwhelming with how much it covers in the span of 300+ pages.
I was pleasantly surprised with how much I loved this story. I actually really liked Nora! You really sympathize with her but also root for her along the way because of how smart and loving and protecting she is of her family and friends. Yes, she's had a dark past, and most of the time authors tend to use that as the only leverage to make you like a character. Tess Sharpe builds and molds Nora into her own person that is more than just her trauma, which I think is this story's greatest strength. Also, Nora's bisexual rep was a bit heavy handed at the beginning but mellowed out a lot to help build to the story.
Most of the minor characters I also loved! Iris was the loving but strong girlfriend with a nice quirk about her, and Wes is the protective and loving ex, but now best friend. They each have their own dark pasts with parents, and Wes's story is fleshed out a bit more than Iris's, but it adds more depth to them and I feel explains why they're all drawn to each other and love each other. Also Lee was such a badass.
The narrative telling of Nora's story I think was cleverly done. It often switches back and forth between the current scenes and the ones from her past with her mother and Raymond and how it shaped who she is today. It discusses in pretty heavy detail the cycle of abuse, both between parent and child and those in relationships, and doesn't really sugar coat it, which I feel was super important for the context of the story. I cannot say to what degree this accuracy is as I did not experience any of these triggers myself, so I recommend checking out some reviews of those who have and discuss it in their reviews.
The Girls I've Been is a fast-paced, captivating story that's as dark as it is inspirational and highly recommend everyone pick up this book if able.
Before I get into this review, I was to HIGHLY emphasize that you research all the trigger warnings going into this book. It is HEAVY and might be overwhelming with how much it covers in the span of 300+ pages.
I was pleasantly surprised with how much I loved this story. I actually really liked Nora! You really sympathize with her but also root for her along the way because of how smart and loving and protecting she is of her family and friends. Yes, she's had a dark past, and most of the time authors tend to use that as the only leverage to make you like a character. Tess Sharpe builds and molds Nora into her own person that is more than just her trauma, which I think is this story's greatest strength. Also, Nora's bisexual rep was a bit heavy handed at the beginning but mellowed out a lot to help build to the story.
Most of the minor characters I also loved! Iris was the loving but strong girlfriend with a nice quirk about her, and Wes is the protective and loving ex, but now best friend. They each have their own dark pasts with parents, and Wes's story is fleshed out a bit more than Iris's, but it adds more depth to them and I feel explains why they're all drawn to each other and love each other. Also Lee was such a badass.
The narrative telling of Nora's story I think was cleverly done. It often switches back and forth between the current scenes and the ones from her past with her mother and Raymond and how it shaped who she is today. It discusses in pretty heavy detail the cycle of abuse, both between parent and child and those in relationships, and doesn't really sugar coat it, which I feel was super important for the context of the story. I cannot say to what degree this accuracy is as I did not experience any of these triggers myself, so I recommend checking out some reviews of those who have and discuss it in their reviews.
The Girls I've Been is a fast-paced, captivating story that's as dark as it is inspirational and highly recommend everyone pick up this book if able.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Rape, Physical abuse, Gun violence, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Pregnancy