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A review by sharkbrarian
The Girls I've Been by Tess Sharpe
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-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
4.5
Gripping, poignant, and fierce.
The pacing and structure of this twisty mystery is perfectly tuned, making it very hard to put down. The fascinating, damaged main character is loved by a small cadre of steadfast, clever friends and family, which buffers the reader through the flashback sections (cleverly set apart by grey pages) that are rough going, as Nora unspools her upbringing as an accessory to her mother’s grift schemes.
The plot offers compelling glimpses into this criminal world, but the engine of the story is Nora’s journey toward healing and her personal reconciliation with the impossible and often violent choices she is forced to make in the name of survival.
Would I buy this title for my high school library? YES, though when book-talking it I would provide content warnings and would actively promote it to older students rather than younger
The pacing and structure of this twisty mystery is perfectly tuned, making it very hard to put down. The fascinating, damaged main character is loved by a small cadre of steadfast, clever friends and family, which buffers the reader through the flashback sections (cleverly set apart by grey pages) that are rough going, as Nora unspools her upbringing as an accessory to her mother’s grift schemes.
The plot offers compelling glimpses into this criminal world, but the engine of the story is Nora’s journey toward healing and her personal reconciliation with the impossible and often violent choices she is forced to make in the name of survival.
Would I buy this title for my high school library? YES, though when book-talking it I would provide content warnings and would actively promote it to older students rather than younger
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence, Gore, Pedophilia, Misogyny, and Injury/Injury detail