The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
ramalam98's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Holly is fast becoming my favourite author for ‘feminist’ contemporary fiction. I also loved Pretending and really want to read her other adult book (I think it’s How Do You Like Me Now?).Â
Girl Friends follows two timelines of friendship, conflict, mental health and society. We get a view into the culture of being a teenager in the early 2000’s (about a decade before my time as a ‘98 baby), with some intense scenes highlighting how normalised sexual assault and coercion was for teenage girls. Contrast this with the modern day where we see the effects of exposure to this in the main character (who is also struggling with feelings over never been ‘chosen’ by one of those boys anyway). She is trying to be a ‘good’ feminist and mental health professional while also struggling with internalised feelings of competition with other women as a result of her teenage years.Â
It has a lot of themes in common with Pretending, particularly with the same message of other women not being our enemy or competition.Â
The writing style is very engaging, combining hard scenes with sometimes amusing internal dialogue. Holly has an amazing way of writing the most relatable female characters and you feel like she can see into your head.Â
The only part of this I wasn’t keen on is that I feel like Jessica’s habit of stealing boyfriends was a bit too exaggerated to then just be blamed on the culture and sexual coercion she grew up with. Â
Girl Friends follows two timelines of friendship, conflict, mental health and society. We get a view into the culture of being a teenager in the early 2000’s (about a decade before my time as a ‘98 baby), with some intense scenes highlighting how normalised sexual assault and coercion was for teenage girls. Contrast this with the modern day where we see the effects of exposure to this in the main character (who is also struggling with feelings over never been ‘chosen’ by one of those boys anyway). She is trying to be a ‘good’ feminist and mental health professional while also struggling with internalised feelings of competition with other women as a result of her teenage years.Â
It has a lot of themes in common with Pretending, particularly with the same message of other women not being our enemy or competition.Â
The writing style is very engaging, combining hard scenes with sometimes amusing internal dialogue. Holly has an amazing way of writing the most relatable female characters and you feel like she can see into your head.Â
The only part of this I wasn’t keen on is that
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Mental illness, Alcohol, Self harm, Sexism, Drug use, Hate crime, and Misogyny
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