A review by kiiitasticbooks
Some Girls Do by Jennifer Dugan

2.0

 

Sometimes, books just aren’t for me. Unfortunately, sometimes that fact also coincides with the book being a pick for my book club, and I’m forced to read the book anyway.

And since I’ve finished the book, I might as well share my thoughts on it, right?

The biggest problem I had with this book was Ruby’s relationship with her mom. Being the daughter of a former beauty pageant competitor who got pregnant at 16 and was forced to drop out of competing, Ruby feels forced to compete and live out the dreams her mom has set for her, even if she would rather work on old cars instead of worrying about her nails.

Ruby’s mom isn’t the easiest character to care even a smidgen for. She’s constantly using the small amount money they have to sign up for more competitions (even if it means getting their power shut off), and even goes as far as hitting Ruby later on in the story.

But Ruby still loves her mom. Still chooses her mom’s side over everything else. And that was frustrating to read.

Ultimately, I understand the sort of story this book is telling. How Ruby sticks with her mom because it’s all she’s ever known. How she feels like she has to “make up” for the fact that she was even born.

And I appreciate how the relationship between Ruby and Morgan shows that each girl is at a different point in their queer journey. How they take the time to try and compromise what each of them wants in order to keep the relationship.

But Some Girls Do is a frustrating book, and if I had the choice, I wouldn’t have finished reading it.