The Girls I've Been Review

TWs: domestic violence, child abuse, sexual predators

There is a longer synopsis for "The Girls I've Been" by Tess Sharpe here but I prefer mine: two bank robbers have their plans ruined by a mean bisexual and meaner lesbian protecting their family.

Get in loser. I found your new hyper fixation.

General Impressions

It didn't take me an entire chapter to understand why this book was optioned by Netflix long before its release. The plot, the pacing, the chapter headings that reminded the reader of what was the plan as well as the flashbacks that provided context to Nora and let the reader see how far she had come, how hard she had worked to be happy...everything added up to an unforgettable story that had been carefully thought through and lovingly executed.

The first thing I noticed about this book was how dark it is for YA. The second is that despite dealing with so many serious themes and awful situations, the focus was not in hurting the protagonists for the shock-factor but in showing how they dealt with their trauma in healthy ways as much as they can.

Unapologetically female-centred, with a majority of characters and romantic couples being queer women there are conversations about periods, sexuality, consent, gender, bisexuality, biphobia and gender non-conformism that are still not frequent enough in literature. I'm thankful I got to read about two girls who are confident in their feelings and identity loving each other without being made into a fetish or a shameful secret.

Characters

Nora

Nora is the flannel-wearing bisexual Dean Winchester was killed for being. It's through her eyes we see the action and her singular voice and skills are what makes the book.

Nora personifies the "touch my boyfriend/girlfriend and I'll end you" trope, a promise she delivers on again and again.

She is smart, cynical and loyal to a fault and carefully weights each one of her choices.

Iris

Iris seems like the lesser threat and that's usually the last mistake someone ever makes.

While Nora has a supporting family, Iris is living a different kind of truth and I'm glad the author showed that as just as valid.

Iris also gave us some well-needed endometriosis representation, something a lot of people live but not many know about.

Wes

Wes is the character that has the most reasons to act like an ass and yet he never does.

What I loved about Wes was that was the personification of strong masculinity: he didn't make everything about him but wasn't afraid of voicing his feelings and opinions and those were never discounted.

He was very much the "token straight" and if you love the "found family" trope, you will love his.

Conclusion

As YA thrillers go, you can't make a surer bet than this. A sound plot, great characters and solid writing. Perfect for those that love Kaz Brekker in Six of Crows or Michael Scoffield in Prison Break only with women at the wheel.

I'm so looking forward to the movie

Thank you to Hodder and Stoughton, Becci Mansell and Team BKMR for this proof.

Rating: 4/5