A review by ifoundcallie
The Girls I've Been by Tess Sharpe

adventurous dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Wow! Loved this book. A few loose ends left me wondering why they were introduced in the first place like

Olive being their safe phrase—was it Lee’s first “girl” name? Grey cap being an ex-fed or some other info Lee said making him rage—why did we not get the robbers’ stories? The man who was shot—did he die?

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Blood, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Chronic illness, Murder, Pedophilia, and Cursing

Minor: Chronic illness, Bullying, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Vomit, Rape, Pregnancy, Infidelity, and Car accident

Most information about SA is discussed using coded phrases or intentionally vague references that the reader can fill the blanks in with. Sharpe did a good job of handling this tastefully while still not shying away from the reality and effects of such abuse