A review by clarereadstheworld
The Ice Cream Girls by Dorothy Koomson

challenging emotional mysterious sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Poppy and Serena both had the same boyfriend in high school. The only problem is their boyfriend was also their teacher; a controlling, abusive and manipulative man. One fateful night, Poppy finally snaps and kills him, or at least that's what the courts decide. But 20 years later, Poppy has just been released from prison, and she's desperate to get Serena to admit her guilt so Poppy can prove her innocence and get her life back. Meanwhile, Serena's perfectly constructed life is about to come crashing down, but was she ever really that free, looking over her shoulder ever minute? 

This is a dark, nasty book which really gets under your skin. Reading the abuse both Poppy and Serena went through in their teens was uncomfortable and painful, but also very realistic. The long-lasting impact the abuse had on other girls was heartbreaking, and I'm very glad that Marcus was dead before the end of the book. 

It's well written, and kept me up far later than it should have done as I desperately tried to finish and find out which of the girls actually killed him. Definitely a page turner! 
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