Reviews with content warning for Drug abuse - The It Girl

This is the first novel by Ruth Ware and I hate to say that I'm pretty disappointed. It doesn't;t help that I read a book with this similar trope just a few days prior. I've been reading a lot of thrillers lately so the tropes have definitely been getting repetitive. This book was INCREDIBLY slow. She doesn't even agree to talk to the reporter until about 150-200 pages. I don't know how to describe my experience with this book. I didn't hate it (cuz if I did I wouldn't have finished it), but I didn't particularly like it either. I feel like it dragged when it didn't need to (especially the first 60-70 pages). The last 60 pages were very anxiety-inducing so I'll give her that.

I don't think I'll classify this as a thriller because there wasn't anything "thrilling" anything about it. No bread crumbs to leave you guessing. It really just centered on Hannah's guilt that she could've potentially put an innocent man away. Speaking of him, I know she wrote him as this creepy guy to establish why Hannah felt the way that she felt about him, but even as I was reading his scenes I couldn't help but feel creeped out with her. He was a very odd bloke and his actions towards her were unsettling. Although his actions were creepy, I did see a comment that stated that John Neville's behavior was consistent with someone on the spectrum. I don't want to stigmatize so this is just a theory, but as I was reading about him and his mannerism I couldn't help but think the same thing. I don't think he meant much harm to Hannah. He may just not have understood her discomfort ( just a theory). Also, that teacher is also disgusting. I know good and well he was sleeping with his students.

As for the portion of who did it, I honestly would've preferred if this specific character that they were pointing out for most of the book was the killer.

Spoiler

Although predictable I wish it would've been Will that was the killer. They were alluding to it for a good portion of the second half of the book and I honestly think it would've made more sense. It being Hugh wasn't predictable, but his reasoning did add much impact in my opinion. It just felt like a twist that can out of nowhere. And what was the point of her finding out about that window shortcut if it was;t going to be an important element later? I feel like that was a waste of a potential plot point.

Also, can we just talk about how Hannah barely prioritized her child's health this entire book.

Spoiler

The fact that her baby survived all that stress feels extremely unrealistic even by book standards. I was honestly expecting her to lose it in the end and have Will be the killer.

Content Warnings

allielippe's review

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emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

3.0

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lindtash's review

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

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minimicropup's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective relaxing tense slow-paced

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

4.0

Narration 👌: Perfection. Character voicing wasn’t over-the-top, emotions of the characters were captured (which breaks up the more repetitive parts in the writing). Easily listenable at different speeds.

Atmosphere 👍: Created through thought and dialogue. Tone and writing style are direct, descriptive, and sentimental.

Set in Oxford, UK for the “Before” chapters. Mainly in dorms, halls, and pubs so over time I developed familiarity for certain places along with the MC. The “After” chapters are set in Edinburgh, Scotland.
People, places, and things are well described so don’t have to work overtime on the imaginings, but there’s still room for creativity (and no imagination smashing later in the book).

Main POV 👍: Limited third party narration of one MC while attending Oxford (“Before”), and ~10 years later as a married adult expecting a child (“After”). We are deep in their mind and only their mind…prepare to hear every thought they have.

Our “Before” MC is considerate, humble, loyal, forgiving, naïve, self-doubting…and a little “dense”! They are in their first year at Oxford University assigned to a charming, spontaneous roommate they admire and bond with quickly.
Our “After” MC has the same personality but is now cautious (bordering on avoidant) of anyone beyond their spouse, co-workers, and friend. They are expecting a child and struggling with some health issues related to the pregnancy and stress.

Cred Rating 👍👩‍🎓🧑‍💻: Plausible to Plausible-ish.

Realistic touch of true crime journalism putting pressure on witnesses. Accurate portrayal of toxic friendship dynamics and how they can form.
The whole situation relied on our MC being blind to HUGE red flags near the end (girl, have you ever heard of the police?!)…but that is pretty consistent with her throughout the story!

Growls and Howls 🐺:

The more atmospheric (and interesting) parts are the “Before” chapters. The “After” chapters drag on and become repetitive about Hannah’s pregnancy experience (dizzy, sweaty, sore…we get it!)
Unsupportive spouse trope is overdone in the “After” chapters. Hannah’s husband is acting controlling, dismissive, and does that “pat-pat you’re just pregnant-hysterical, honey” thing. I imagine this was done to create tension and suspense. It just didn’t have to be done SO often.
After the villain reveal I felt like we were reading a totally different character in a way that broke the story (the sudden evil-grin-rubbing-hands-together-cackling energy was a total 180 and a bit OTT).
The villain may range from aha-validation to twist for you, but I enjoyed it because there was a sprinkling of small, justifiable red flags throughout the book. I would alternatively suspect and dismiss certain characters and it had me starting to feel as confused and dense as Hannah (🤭).

Reading Journey 😊🫠: European road-trip. Sometimes you’re enjoying the drive and scenery at a leisurely pace. Other times you just wanna get to your destination; screw the scenery and leisurely pace when you’re stuck in slow-moving traffic while exhausted.

Mood Reading Match-Up:

Slow-paced narratives based on dialogue, thoughts, and monologue
Dark academia vibes (death of a roommate, academics behaving badly)
A tiny touch of “Good for Them” (villainous victim/bullying revenge)
Light commentary on classism, access to education based on generational wealth rather than merit, familial $$ control and pressure on College students
Whodunnits and red herrings
Slightly ambiguous endings…we get the who, where, how, for all the crimes, but why is less clear

Vibes: 🤓🤔😬

Content Heads-Up: Numerous descriptions of pregnancy, panic attacks, and anxiety.

Format: Audible

Content Warnings

mouwuol's review

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dark mysterious reflective tense

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

4.0

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chapterobsessed's review

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dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Meh.

It was bingeable but a little too long. It started getting good in the last 100 pages or so. Without giving spoilers, the ending left me feeling duped, like that’s the reason? 🙄

If you’re looking for a book with dual timelines, where everyone looks guilty or you need a fast thriller for fall, this works! 👌🏼

I’m not writing this author off yet, I enjoyed it for what it was. Definitely liked the past parts better than the present.

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kelseyr713's review

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-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

5.0

Ruth Ware has done it again, crafting a compelling mystery with a main character I really felt for. Hannah is extremely likeable and sympathetic, and I understood her need to solve the mystery, even all these years later. I enjoyed the split timeline narrative and had a hard time putting this one down to go to sleep, especially towards the end!

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icieri's review

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mysterious tense medium-paced

3.75

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Reviews tagging 'Drug abuse'

The It Girl by Ruth Ware

sampcole21's review against another edition

amberlfaris's review

meeklovestoread's review

allielippe's review

lindtash's review

minimicropup's review against another edition

mouwuol's review

chapterobsessed's review

kelseyr713's review

icieri's review