Reviews with content warning for Emotional abuse - I'm the Girl

Wow! This book is dark, bold, and masterfully written. I obsessively listened to every word - no warp speed 3x for this book. The power, greed, and obsession for beauty felt dirty. As the reader, I knew where this privilege was headed, but it punched me in the gut nonetheless. The consequences led to abuse which was misconstrued as power in its own right.

In so many ways, the book broke my heart! The raw display of how a naïve teenager was no match for a soulless predator played true to reality, giving me Jeffrey Epstein vibes. This book covered many discussion-worthy topics, but the content won’t be for everyone - physical, emotional, and sexual abuse of teenage girls.

I loved Lori Prince’s narration. She wholly captured Georgia: her naivety, teenage angst, and desire to be “seen” and loved. Prince brought a hardness to the predators that invoked anger in me and softness and sometimes sweetness to Georgia and Nora that had me rooting for these two. I highly recommend this format!

Content Warnings

aghoststory's review

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dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

There is one thing guaranteed from a Courtney Summers novel - it’s going to hurt.

I’M THE GIRL is no different. I actually had to take a few days before writing this review because I had a lot to think on. Honestly, I am not sure I have probably landed on what those thoughts are yet. Summers is never one to shy away from dark and difficult topics, and I love that about her work. In this latest release I knew it would be even more dark considering it is inspired by the exploitation and dangerous society young women live in (I believe this was inspired by the Jeffery Epstein case?) However, I am not sure I was prepared for just what awaited my reading experience.
Following teen Georgia as she steps into the world of Aspera and faces the darkness that lies there is hard. As a reader, I struggled to understand her actions - her dependence on needing to be see as beautiful and perfect and worthy at her own cost. And it was hard to watch her be let down by those who were supposed to protect her over and over.. My mind kept going back to an earlier review I saw that stated something along the lines of Georgia just being a girl. She was still so young. I just wished her all the peace that girls deserve to grow up with.

With themes of bodily autonomy and violence and the dangers of victim blaming I’M THE GIRL is a brutal, raw, and unflinching dive into the patriarchal society we live in

Note: Please be mindful of your personal triggers with this book. I know it is categorized as YA but it has some graphic sexual violence for the genre. It has A LOT of heavy content.

*ARC was given by Wednesday Press for review

Content Warnings

saragrochowski's review

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challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated

5.0

I’ve been reading Courtney Summers’ YA novels since 2008, the year her debut “Cracked Up to Be” was published and the last year of my own teens. There are only a handful of authors whose work I feel is always exactly what I need before I even realize I need it; that leaves me feeling seen and empowered despite the emotional devastation on the page. After that first book, I hoped there would be more from Summers and every year or so I’m excited and relieved to spot a new book announcement. Over the years my appreciation for Summers’ dedication to confronting and deconstructing the way society and those in power continually fail and victimize girls and young women has grown.

On September 13, her tenth book, “I’m the Girl,” will hit shelves. Inspired by the Epstein trial and other instances of abuse, this book is about power, agency, identity, and our need for love and acceptance. It is not an easy read. It will make you uncomfortable. It should make you uncomfortable.

I wish I had had “I’m the Girl” when I was in my teens, but I am so incredibly glad it exists today and hope it provokes honest and necessary conversations amongst teens and the trusted adults in their lives despite - and because of - that discomfort.

📚 “I’m the Girl” by Courtney Summers / Ages 14 & up / Available 9/13 from Wednesday Books

Content Warnings

clarereadstheworld's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

I found this book deeply disturbing.
I really struggled to identify with the main character, who was so desperate for any tiny scrap of validation from the male gaze that she was totally blind to how grossly she was being manipulated and abused by those around her. I know this kind of thing happens in real life, and it's important to have books and discussions about it, but I felt the writing, much like the main character was sorely missing in depth and maturity.
Not only this, I think it would be a rather dangerous book from the impressionable younger audience it seems to be written and marketed to. Seriously, do not let younger girls read this book, and even as a full grown semi mature adult I wouldn't really recommend it either.

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