destiny_julie 's review for:

Girls Who Play Dead by Joelle Wellington

3.75

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Thank you Netgalley for the e-arc!

Girls Who Play Dead has been an extremely anticipated read after I finished Vicious Games -- a book I LOVED. This book follows the aftermath of a murder in a very classic stereotypical small town as two siblings deal with the trauma.

Unfortunately, this just didn't live up to the hype that Their Vicious Games set. (Not to say that it was bad, by any means of course)

One of my favorite parts was the sibling relationship. I'm always so locked in for sibling relationships in books and it's always been a favorite part. Mikky is such a compelling character, both as a brother and a person. I LOVED his whole punk goth look, and it very much gave me Roderick Heffley vibes.

Him and his sister also had this whole "Hold my hand, don't let go." which were both iconic moments when it showed up

.

However, I also really wished we got to see more of him as a character because it felt more of him being a brother + having his own side romance then also being his own character. I wanted to learn more about his experience when he was a freshman and the trauma and the therapy and everything.

I also felt like there were some "fuck capitalism" moments that just. weren't needed? It didn't contribute to the actual message of the story, and it just felt off to me.

The romance he had was extremely cute. I fear I may have done a little kick and giggle at some of the scenes they had together. guys..they liked each other so much ugh. 

The romance with the sister was..not it. (WHEN I SAY THIS I DO NOT MEAN INCEST) It just felt like there was romance for the sake of romance? Kyla deserves to grieve and getting it on with him was. weird. i wanted toxic yuri okay 💔 and it was SO implied in this book u cannot convince me im wrong. 

Mystery also felt just a little lacking? I can't quite place my finger on it, but it could have been better. 

The other pov we follow was Kyla who's literally an icon tbh. she's mean, petty, and grieving and she's out to get you <3. classic mean girl LMAO and very unlikable but I love to see it. 

Overall, loved the characters but eh for everything else.