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Not Like Other Girls
A girl risks everything to find her former best friend in this powerful debut mystery about trauma, girlhood, and what we deserve.
When Jo-Lynn Kirby's former best friend—pretty, nice Maddie Price—comes to her claiming to be in trouble, Jo assumes it's some kind of joke. After all, Jo has been an outcast ever since her nude photos were leaked—and since everyone decided she deserved it. There’s no way Maddie would actually come to her for help.
But then Maddie is gone.
Everyone is quick to write off Maddie as a runaway, but Jo can’t shake the feeling there's more to the story. To find out the truth, Jo needs to get back in with the people who left her behind—and the only way back in is through Hudson Harper-Moore. An old fling of Jo’s with his own reasons for wanting to find Maddie, Hudson hatches a fake dating scheme to get Jo back into their clique. But being back on the inside means Jo must confront everything she’d rather forget: the boys who betrayed her, the whispers that she had it coming, and the secrets that tore her and Maddie apart. As Jo digs deeper into Maddie’s disappearance, she’s left to wonder who she’s really searching for: Maddie, or the girl she used to be.
Not Like Other Girls is a stunning debut that takes a hard look at how we treat young women and their trauma, through the lens of a missing girl and a girl trying to find herself again.
When Jo-Lynn Kirby's former best friend—pretty, nice Maddie Price—comes to her claiming to be in trouble, Jo assumes it's some kind of joke. After all, Jo has been an outcast ever since her nude photos were leaked—and since everyone decided she deserved it. There’s no way Maddie would actually come to her for help.
But then Maddie is gone.
Everyone is quick to write off Maddie as a runaway, but Jo can’t shake the feeling there's more to the story. To find out the truth, Jo needs to get back in with the people who left her behind—and the only way back in is through Hudson Harper-Moore. An old fling of Jo’s with his own reasons for wanting to find Maddie, Hudson hatches a fake dating scheme to get Jo back into their clique. But being back on the inside means Jo must confront everything she’d rather forget: the boys who betrayed her, the whispers that she had it coming, and the secrets that tore her and Maddie apart. As Jo digs deeper into Maddie’s disappearance, she’s left to wonder who she’s really searching for: Maddie, or the girl she used to be.
Not Like Other Girls is a stunning debut that takes a hard look at how we treat young women and their trauma, through the lens of a missing girl and a girl trying to find herself again.
448 pages, Hardcover
First published April 30, 2024
129 people are currently reading
21187 people want to read
About the author
Meredith Adamo
1 book169 followersMeredith Adamo (she/her) is an author based in North Carolina, but she's originally from Rochester, New York, which is her favorite place on the planet. Her debut novel NOT LIKE OTHER GIRLS was the recipient of the 2025 William C. Morris YA Debut Award and the Southern Book Prize for Young Readers, and it was named a Chicago Public Library Best of the Best, a BookPage Best Young Adult Book of 2024, a May/June Kids' Indie Next List pick, and the May 2024 Target YA Book Club pick.
Her non-writing interests include collecting vintage bakeware, crocheting the ugliest blankets you've ever seen, and grocery shopping.
Her non-writing interests include collecting vintage bakeware, crocheting the ugliest blankets you've ever seen, and grocery shopping.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 639 reviews
April 20, 2025
read in july - august 2024 & april 2024!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Audio for this arc in exchange for my review!
If I had to describe this book in one word, it would be: WILD… but in a good way, definitely in a good way. It's so good I wanna cry.
Before even starting this book, my first impressions was that it was gonna be cringy. I’m mean I’m NoT LiKe OtHeR gIrLs? What more could I expect?
But right off the bat, I fell in love.
The main character, Jo, is so relatable and is easily one of the best characters I’ve read about in a long time. I love the feeling how she’s not telling the story, but she's really talking to you and how you can really feel her emotions through the book, her joy, anxiety, anger and sadness, you really feel it.
I was not expecting there to be a fake dating trope in the book, but I loved it, absolutely love it. Jo and Hudson are so friggin cute, even as friends. Hudson is the standard. Give me a Hudson right now. He's so loving and understanding and AHHH!!
I loved all the characters so much. Even the ones you’re supposed to hate, I loved hating them. The dynamic of all the different characters interacting was just written so well. Each person had their own individual personalities that made it so hard not to relate to someone.
The message in this book was amazing and I hope it brings awareness to the problems discussed. Following Jo throughout the story, finding things about herself, made me realize things about me as well and I could really relate to her. I hope that anyone who reads this and relates to what happened to Jo, finds comfort in this book and knows they aren't alone <33
I love how this was a mystery, but it wasn’t the MAIN focus and there were other things that drove the book, it made it a lot more enjoyable.
The ending was crazy and overwhelming and... underwhelming at the same time… but in a good way?? I don’t know how to explain it but everything in this book was just done right. The small hints you get, the romance, the mystery. I really REALLY enjoyed it and I’m so, SO sad to leave these characters behind.
I’m so excited to read everything else Meredith Adamo writes in the (hopefully near!) future ❤️
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Audio for this arc in exchange for my review!
"Pretty, nice, Maddie Price. Missing. Kidnapped. Dead."
If I had to describe this book in one word, it would be: WILD… but in a good way, definitely in a good way. It's so good I wanna cry.
"Please know I say this with the utmost compassion, but you need a therapist, like holy crap."
Before even starting this book, my first impressions was that it was gonna be cringy. I’m mean I’m NoT LiKe OtHeR gIrLs? What more could I expect?
But right off the bat, I fell in love.
The main character, Jo, is so relatable and is easily one of the best characters I’ve read about in a long time. I love the feeling how she’s not telling the story, but she's really talking to you and how you can really feel her emotions through the book, her joy, anxiety, anger and sadness, you really feel it.
"This is the trouble with girls like me, we don't stop, don't listen, don't shut up, don't say the right thing, don't say anything when it matter most. And we run, always from something, never towards anything."
I was not expecting there to be a fake dating trope in the book, but I loved it, absolutely love it. Jo and Hudson are so friggin cute, even as friends. Hudson is the standard. Give me a Hudson right now. He's so loving and understanding and AHHH!!
"Maybe this can’t happen right now, but if I have to choose between it or you, I choose you everytime."
I loved all the characters so much. Even the ones you’re supposed to hate, I loved hating them. The dynamic of all the different characters interacting was just written so well. Each person had their own individual personalities that made it so hard not to relate to someone.
The message in this book was amazing and I hope it brings awareness to the problems discussed. Following Jo throughout the story, finding things about herself, made me realize things about me as well and I could really relate to her. I hope that anyone who reads this and relates to what happened to Jo, finds comfort in this book and knows they aren't alone <33
"No, two letters, one complete sentence."
I love how this was a mystery, but it wasn’t the MAIN focus and there were other things that drove the book, it made it a lot more enjoyable.
The ending was crazy and overwhelming and... underwhelming at the same time… but in a good way?? I don’t know how to explain it but everything in this book was just done right. The small hints you get, the romance, the mystery. I really REALLY enjoyed it and I’m so, SO sad to leave these characters behind.
"I dont think it's Maddy you miss, I think you miss you."
I’m so excited to read everything else Meredith Adamo writes in the (hopefully near!) future ❤️
April 27, 2024
I showed up for the mystery and stayed for the great writing and the thoughtful exploration of consent. It encompasses everything from joyful connection to how sexual assault sometimes isn't named as such and how it affects the the victim.
December 9, 2023
4.5 stars
Mindy McGinnis herself recommended me this book when I was basically like, "ma'am what do you recommend if I love your books but I am out of new ones to read????" and she was RIGHT
Jo is kind of like, the school slut. She's never even really done anything to "earn" that spot, she just grew up only fitting in with the boys, then had her nudes leaked by one of said boys... and now girls don't like her and guys don't really think the best of her either. Ya know? Even shitty adults in her life think she's "one of those girls"... there's just no winning as a teenage girl I stg
So yeah, her ex best friend Maddie is super mean to her, Maddie's friend group has always seemed catty, the boys Jo grew up with are now like... teenage boys and foul towards girls and toward each other. Her brother is back from college with a sports injury, busy with PT, her parents are pretty nice but not really present, and she's flunking out of school because no one is there to tell her not to. Things are just bad and also annoying and Jo is just coasting through life trying to have people be as least shitty as they can to her.
The dynamic shifts for Jo when Maddie goes missing. What's interesting is that things don't seem to shift for anyone else... things carry on basically as usual. Cody, Maddie's boyfriend, is still throwing parties, and the Birds, Maddie's best friends, are still attending said parties, along with the rest of the school. Everyone seems to think Maddie just ran away.
Jo doesn't think that, especially knowing what she knows about Maddie's disappearance....
So she begins working with Hudson, a former friend and a still casual acquaintance, to figure out what happened. He naturally suggests fake dating as a way for her to get back "in" with the popular crowd..... hehehe....
So it's like, serious, because of the subject matter, but also a little fun, because of the romance and Jo's inner monologue. Jo and Hudson really uncover a lot of secrets about their school, classmates, and little town.
I just really liked Jo. I like how smart she is in a lot of ways, and how clueless she is about certain things she doesn't want to think about. Her POV is so fun to read from, and I really liked her relationship with Hudson.
I also don't think you'll guess what the story behind Maddie's disappearance is!
This book is just a great study in "not like other girls" culture because even when people use that phrase as a compliment about you, really it's just an insult in the end. You've got to be unlike other girls to be special, but if you're too unlike other girls, you're trashy, so you can never really win, and Jo gets it from all sides over the course of this novel.
There's also some really sweet unexpected female friendship! Maddie's friends end up getting pretty close to Jo in a genuine way and I really enjoyed their characters.
We had some racial diversity in the side characters as well as some queer side characters, but nothing too flashy, just a few mentions.
But yeah this is a definite recommend!!
Mindy McGinnis herself recommended me this book when I was basically like, "ma'am what do you recommend if I love your books but I am out of new ones to read????" and she was RIGHT
Jo is kind of like, the school slut. She's never even really done anything to "earn" that spot, she just grew up only fitting in with the boys, then had her nudes leaked by one of said boys... and now girls don't like her and guys don't really think the best of her either. Ya know? Even shitty adults in her life think she's "one of those girls"... there's just no winning as a teenage girl I stg
So yeah, her ex best friend Maddie is super mean to her, Maddie's friend group has always seemed catty, the boys Jo grew up with are now like... teenage boys and foul towards girls and toward each other. Her brother is back from college with a sports injury, busy with PT, her parents are pretty nice but not really present, and she's flunking out of school because no one is there to tell her not to. Things are just bad and also annoying and Jo is just coasting through life trying to have people be as least shitty as they can to her.
The dynamic shifts for Jo when Maddie goes missing. What's interesting is that things don't seem to shift for anyone else... things carry on basically as usual. Cody, Maddie's boyfriend, is still throwing parties, and the Birds, Maddie's best friends, are still attending said parties, along with the rest of the school. Everyone seems to think Maddie just ran away.
Jo doesn't think that, especially knowing what she knows about Maddie's disappearance....
So she begins working with Hudson, a former friend and a still casual acquaintance, to figure out what happened. He naturally suggests fake dating as a way for her to get back "in" with the popular crowd..... hehehe....
So it's like, serious, because of the subject matter, but also a little fun, because of the romance and Jo's inner monologue. Jo and Hudson really uncover a lot of secrets about their school, classmates, and little town.
I just really liked Jo. I like how smart she is in a lot of ways, and how clueless she is about certain things she doesn't want to think about. Her POV is so fun to read from, and I really liked her relationship with Hudson.
I also don't think you'll guess what the story behind Maddie's disappearance is!
This book is just a great study in "not like other girls" culture because even when people use that phrase as a compliment about you, really it's just an insult in the end. You've got to be unlike other girls to be special, but if you're too unlike other girls, you're trashy, so you can never really win, and Jo gets it from all sides over the course of this novel.
There's also some really sweet unexpected female friendship! Maddie's friends end up getting pretty close to Jo in a genuine way and I really enjoyed their characters.
We had some racial diversity in the side characters as well as some queer side characters, but nothing too flashy, just a few mentions.
But yeah this is a definite recommend!!
January 31, 2025
UPDATE 1/31: I would like to recirculate this review now that my girl has WON the William C. Morris award!!! The committee has taste. I beg everyone to read this book…
I have no choice but to give 5 heartpounding, enthralling, harrowing stars to this GORGEOUS piece of work.
When I say this book should be required reading for all young women, heck, all people, I really mean it. It would have meant the WORLD to me as a kid to have Jo-Lynn as a main character. In her I see every woman who has been told they’re not enough while simultaneously being told they’re too much. She is you, she is me, she is every girl to ever exist.
Luckily, it still means the world to be able to read a story like this now. If someone were to ask me why YA is worthy of respect (first of all, that’s a stupid question anyway, but I digress) Exhibit A would be this bad boy right here by Meredith Adamo.
It’s a gutsy, in-your-face book that never shies away from the darker side of growing up in a digital age and being sexualized. Our lead girl Jo-Lynn is NOT like other girls. She's been brought low by the friends she used to hold closest. Now on the outside of her former clique, she'll do anything to get to the truth after her former BFF Maddie goes missing. Even if that means fake dating her maybe ex fling from that last horrible summer before everything changed.
Adamo tackles it all—consent, sexual assault, rape culture, cyberbullying, and more. She does it so well and so flawlessly through her lead that I was stunned from page 1 at the authority of the writing.
Jo-Lynn is the most brazen, loud, and "out there" female protagonist I've read in a long time. If anyone wants to hate on Jo, they'll have to go through me FIRST.
The romance between her and Hudson is so sweet and realistic, and I love how Adamo takes the time to showcase the awkward part of adolescent first love, while also spotlighting consent in a way that adds to the romance of the story.
UGH. There's so much more I could say, and maybe I will later, but right now I need to sleep. Goodnight to everyone who reached the end of this review.
I have no choice but to give 5 heartpounding, enthralling, harrowing stars to this GORGEOUS piece of work.
When I say this book should be required reading for all young women, heck, all people, I really mean it. It would have meant the WORLD to me as a kid to have Jo-Lynn as a main character. In her I see every woman who has been told they’re not enough while simultaneously being told they’re too much. She is you, she is me, she is every girl to ever exist.
Luckily, it still means the world to be able to read a story like this now. If someone were to ask me why YA is worthy of respect (first of all, that’s a stupid question anyway, but I digress) Exhibit A would be this bad boy right here by Meredith Adamo.
It’s a gutsy, in-your-face book that never shies away from the darker side of growing up in a digital age and being sexualized. Our lead girl Jo-Lynn is NOT like other girls. She's been brought low by the friends she used to hold closest. Now on the outside of her former clique, she'll do anything to get to the truth after her former BFF Maddie goes missing. Even if that means fake dating her maybe ex fling from that last horrible summer before everything changed.
Adamo tackles it all—consent, sexual assault, rape culture, cyberbullying, and more. She does it so well and so flawlessly through her lead that I was stunned from page 1 at the authority of the writing.
Jo-Lynn is the most brazen, loud, and "out there" female protagonist I've read in a long time. If anyone wants to hate on Jo, they'll have to go through me FIRST.
The romance between her and Hudson is so sweet and realistic, and I love how Adamo takes the time to showcase the awkward part of adolescent first love, while also spotlighting consent in a way that adds to the romance of the story.
UGH. There's so much more I could say, and maybe I will later, but right now I need to sleep. Goodnight to everyone who reached the end of this review.
May 13, 2024
Really enjoyed this book. It’s the type of book that you could easily devour in one sitting. The only reason it isn’t a 5 star read for me is because the ending felt a little rushed after being built up so much but overall I’m really happy I found this little gem. This book would’ve had a big impact on me as a teenager.
May 5, 2024
I received an AD PR copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review as part of the book tour hosted by Kaleidoscopic book tours.
Not Like Other Girls is a thought-provoking, YA, mystery, and coming of age story that hooked me from chapter one.
We follow Jo who's who's struggling at home and at school. She's been labelled derogatory things by her peers after a boy she was friends with sent everyone in his contacts, nude photos of her stolen from her phone in revenge. We see different sides and perspectives of Jo as the book progresses, and my heart really went out to this lost girl on so many occasions as she navigates friendships, relationships, home life, school, and trauma.
When her ex-bestfriend comes to her asking for her help, Jo agrees to meet her. But when Maddie doesn't turn up and is later reported as missing, Jo tries to unravel what's happened, where she's gone, what she's afraid of, and more. This book makes you reflect on so much and look at people from new angles. As a debut, this was amazingly written, plotted, and executed, and I can't wait to read more from this author in the future.
Not Like Other Girls is a thought-provoking, YA, mystery, and coming of age story that hooked me from chapter one.
We follow Jo who's who's struggling at home and at school. She's been labelled derogatory things by her peers after a boy she was friends with sent everyone in his contacts, nude photos of her stolen from her phone in revenge. We see different sides and perspectives of Jo as the book progresses, and my heart really went out to this lost girl on so many occasions as she navigates friendships, relationships, home life, school, and trauma.
When her ex-bestfriend comes to her asking for her help, Jo agrees to meet her. But when Maddie doesn't turn up and is later reported as missing, Jo tries to unravel what's happened, where she's gone, what she's afraid of, and more. This book makes you reflect on so much and look at people from new angles. As a debut, this was amazingly written, plotted, and executed, and I can't wait to read more from this author in the future.
October 4, 2023
this book-- this book. i don't even know how to type a review for this book, because i just read the author's note and i'm tearing up because of how familiar it all feels. jo is a character that will stay with me for a very long time. i love her, and i love this book, and i cannot wait to read more books from this author. what an incredibly powerful debut novel.
June 19, 2024
4.5⭐️
Holy sh!t..
I loved this book.
I got the (really well narrated) audio ARC from Netgalley 🫶 and was hesitant at first because of the title, I couldn't figure out if this was an ironic "not like other girls" or a serious one and I was still pretty confused on that point until about 40% through the book.
What I didn't expect was the insane emotional impact that this book would have on me. This feels like the kind of book that's important.
This feels like the book you get assigned in class or find on your own when you're like 15 that changes the trajectory of your life. This feels like something I wish I had read when I was in high school. I'm honestly kind of mad that she didn't go back in time and give me that chance.
When trying to explain this feeling to people, I compared it to reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower or 13 Reasons Why or The Outsiders. Not to say that this book is on par or above or below those, but just in the way of how impactful, I think it could be on the YA scene.
Even when Jo was annoying the crap out of me with her "not like other girls" vibe, I never disliked her. There was always something about her that made me care for her or feel sympathy for her. Watching her change and come into herself throughout the novel was everything to me.
The mystery and the fake dating plot were really fun, too! They gave the story so many more layers.
The only reason I can't give it a 5⭐️ is because I got a little confused and a little "over it" by the end. The mystery plot kinda went wild, and I found myself forgeting who was who and who did what to whom and why this person was mad at that person and just generally got a little lost. It felt a bit rushed, and by that point in the book, I barely cared about the mystery anymore as I was so invested in Jo herself.
I was so proud of myself (a notoriously easy crier)for not crying at all throughout the read, but then she had to go and hit me with that authors note😭.
I hope this book gets the love it deserves!
Holy sh!t..
I loved this book.
I got the (really well narrated) audio ARC from Netgalley 🫶 and was hesitant at first because of the title, I couldn't figure out if this was an ironic "not like other girls" or a serious one and I was still pretty confused on that point until about 40% through the book.
What I didn't expect was the insane emotional impact that this book would have on me. This feels like the kind of book that's important.
This feels like the book you get assigned in class or find on your own when you're like 15 that changes the trajectory of your life. This feels like something I wish I had read when I was in high school. I'm honestly kind of mad that she didn't go back in time and give me that chance.
When trying to explain this feeling to people, I compared it to reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower or 13 Reasons Why or The Outsiders. Not to say that this book is on par or above or below those, but just in the way of how impactful, I think it could be on the YA scene.
Even when Jo was annoying the crap out of me with her "not like other girls" vibe, I never disliked her. There was always something about her that made me care for her or feel sympathy for her. Watching her change and come into herself throughout the novel was everything to me.
The mystery and the fake dating plot were really fun, too! They gave the story so many more layers.
The only reason I can't give it a 5⭐️ is because I got a little confused and a little "over it" by the end. The mystery plot kinda went wild, and I found myself forgeting who was who and who did what to whom and why this person was mad at that person and just generally got a little lost. It felt a bit rushed, and by that point in the book, I barely cared about the mystery anymore as I was so invested in Jo herself.
I was so proud of myself (a notoriously easy crier)for not crying at all throughout the read, but then she had to go and hit me with that authors note😭.
I hope this book gets the love it deserves!
April 15, 2024
Initial Thoughts
This was a great book! I am a bit surprised by just how much I connected to the main character, Jo-Lynn. Jo-Lynn is one of those girls that everyone has labeled a "bad girl." Her old friend Maddie would never come to her for help, but ends up doing exactly that before disappearing. Jo teams up with Hudson to try to figure out what really happened and learns a lot of things in the process. I enjoyed this mystery and loved how layered the story was. I listened to the audiobook and thought that the narrator did a fantastic job with this story.
Review copy provided by the publisher. Full review to be posted soon.
This was a great book! I am a bit surprised by just how much I connected to the main character, Jo-Lynn. Jo-Lynn is one of those girls that everyone has labeled a "bad girl." Her old friend Maddie would never come to her for help, but ends up doing exactly that before disappearing. Jo teams up with Hudson to try to figure out what really happened and learns a lot of things in the process. I enjoyed this mystery and loved how layered the story was. I listened to the audiobook and thought that the narrator did a fantastic job with this story.
Review copy provided by the publisher. Full review to be posted soon.
February 5, 2024
I was surprised at how much I like this one. Jo-Lynn (she often goes by Jo Hyphen Lynn) used to be one of the popular girls who could do no wrong until an online betrayal of nude photos gone viral. When her former friend, now nemesis Maddy reaches out for help and then disappears, Jo-Lynn doesn't know what to believe, even wondering if Maddy has been murdered. She knows something is off and a great deal more is going on than what the authorities say, so she finds a way to work her way back into Maddy's group and start asking questions.
There is so much more than this to the novel. Jo-Lynn is one of the most real characters I have met. She is smart but deeply wounded and distrustful, and has become her own worst enemy. While looking for what happened to Maddy, she begins to discover more about her own past while learning more about herself, and being able to once again trust. It is a very complex psychological and emotional story, with very authentic characters who leap off the page. Once you start, you won't be able to stop. Outstanding.
There is so much more than this to the novel. Jo-Lynn is one of the most real characters I have met. She is smart but deeply wounded and distrustful, and has become her own worst enemy. While looking for what happened to Maddy, she begins to discover more about her own past while learning more about herself, and being able to once again trust. It is a very complex psychological and emotional story, with very authentic characters who leap off the page. Once you start, you won't be able to stop. Outstanding.
April 27, 2025
This felt exactly like Veronica Mars and I LOVED IT.
Jo is incredible. She has had a really rough go of her teenage years so far and things become even harder when a girl from her school, her ex-best friend Maddie, goes missing. Or runs away? That's our mystery. Jo thinks she can possibly unravel the truth and seeks help from one of the "in-crowd". He agrees to be her pretend boyfriend to get her access to the social scene that Maddie was a part of. Turns out Jo is way more involved in the situation than she could have ever thought, and there is something truly sinister happening. Through some amateur sleuthing to figure out what happened to Maddie and what's happening at her school, she also begins to understand what happened to her in her past was really damaging, and a none of it was her fault and she has been let down by really all the friends and adults she had in her life. Characters in this book will absolutely surprise you!
There is an incredibly sad and intense story being told and it is one too many teens face and they usually face it alone. Not Like Other Girls is one of those books that I wish had been around and available to me as a teen. I think a story like this can also be super beneficial to adults and parents because there's often a lot more going on in a teens life than you can possibly imagine. Jo is brilliant and beautiful and people took advantage and did terrible things to her and made her feel like it was her fault. This happens all the time in real life and I wish it didn't.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Audio for a digital review copy. I'm preordering a copy of this book right now because I will absolutely reread it.
Trigger Warnings:
Jo is incredible. She has had a really rough go of her teenage years so far and things become even harder when a girl from her school, her ex-best friend Maddie, goes missing. Or runs away? That's our mystery. Jo thinks she can possibly unravel the truth and seeks help from one of the "in-crowd". He agrees to be her pretend boyfriend to get her access to the social scene that Maddie was a part of. Turns out Jo is way more involved in the situation than she could have ever thought, and there is something truly sinister happening. Through some amateur sleuthing to figure out what happened to Maddie and what's happening at her school, she also begins to understand what happened to her in her past was really damaging, and a none of it was her fault and she has been let down by really all the friends and adults she had in her life. Characters in this book will absolutely surprise you!
There is an incredibly sad and intense story being told and it is one too many teens face and they usually face it alone. Not Like Other Girls is one of those books that I wish had been around and available to me as a teen. I think a story like this can also be super beneficial to adults and parents because there's often a lot more going on in a teens life than you can possibly imagine. Jo is brilliant and beautiful and people took advantage and did terrible things to her and made her feel like it was her fault. This happens all the time in real life and I wish it didn't.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Audio for a digital review copy. I'm preordering a copy of this book right now because I will absolutely reread it.
Trigger Warnings:
May 6, 2024
Finished read #2 and omg there are so many things I didn't pick up on until my second read!!!
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Books like these remind me why I love YA lit.
Jo deeply stressed me out at times, but I couldn't help but care and root for her (and deeply hate every adult in her life who failed her). This book had such a strong voice, and I haven't been so engrossed in a book in a long time. I wish I had this book in high school, and I'm so excited to add this book to my library's collection. I hope it finds someone who needs it.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC, and to Meredith for sharing this with the world.
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Books like these remind me why I love YA lit.
Jo deeply stressed me out at times, but I couldn't help but care and root for her (and deeply hate every adult in her life who failed her). This book had such a strong voice, and I haven't been so engrossed in a book in a long time. I wish I had this book in high school, and I'm so excited to add this book to my library's collection. I hope it finds someone who needs it.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC, and to Meredith for sharing this with the world.
April 16, 2025
Stellar young adult mystery about sexual assault, slut shaming, revenge p*rn, friend breakups, and so much more. Absolutely LOVED the “voice” of the main character - so snarky and heartfelt and achingly authentic. Audio narration is excellent.
Source: Sora audiobook via WSDLC
Source: Sora audiobook via WSDLC
January 2, 2025
4.75/5
Niezwykła historia, początkowo nie byłam pewna czego się spodziewać po tej książce, jednak stopniowo czytając ją, zrozumiałam, co pokazuje. Wywołała we mnie dużo emocji i chwilami nie mogłam się aż od niej oderwać. Główna bohaterka opowiada o swoich przeżyciach i stopniowo uświadamia sobie, co tak naprawdę się w jej życiu wydarzyło. Książka naprawdę warta uwagi, jestem w szoku, że jest aż tak mało znana.
Niezwykła historia, początkowo nie byłam pewna czego się spodziewać po tej książce, jednak stopniowo czytając ją, zrozumiałam, co pokazuje. Wywołała we mnie dużo emocji i chwilami nie mogłam się aż od niej oderwać. Główna bohaterka opowiada o swoich przeżyciach i stopniowo uświadamia sobie, co tak naprawdę się w jej życiu wydarzyło. Książka naprawdę warta uwagi, jestem w szoku, że jest aż tak mało znana.
April 10, 2024
thank you to bloomsbury audio for the audiobook arc of "not like other girls".
⇢ 2.4 ★
the first half of this book was stellar. it had the same atmosphere of "i kissed shara wheeler" and "a good girl's guide to murder". however, the second half severely fell flat in my opinion. it dragged on, yet all of the plots and subplots left me with unanswered questions. there were times were the disappearance plot (the literal main focus of the storyline) got put on the backburner at some points for subplots that ended up being disjointed and convoluted too. the narrator embodied jo, the main character, exceptionally. she heightened the reading experience. the book tackles extremely important topics, but they were not executed effectively throughout the book the way i hoped.
i think my rating would have been a 3 or 4 had i been in high school when i read this. jo is the exact type of girl i wanted to be when i was in high school: sarcastic, edgy, gets along well with the guys. because i am a bit out of the target audience range, i think that affected my eading experience. this would be a great read for people between the ages of 13 and 17.
౨ৎ TRIGGER WARNINGS
* sexual assault / rape
* slut-shaming
* misogyny
* cyberbullying (nudes leaked)
⇢ 2.4 ★
the first half of this book was stellar. it had the same atmosphere of "i kissed shara wheeler" and "a good girl's guide to murder". however, the second half severely fell flat in my opinion. it dragged on, yet all of the plots and subplots left me with unanswered questions. there were times were the disappearance plot (the literal main focus of the storyline) got put on the backburner at some points for subplots that ended up being disjointed and convoluted too. the narrator embodied jo, the main character, exceptionally. she heightened the reading experience. the book tackles extremely important topics, but they were not executed effectively throughout the book the way i hoped.
i think my rating would have been a 3 or 4 had i been in high school when i read this. jo is the exact type of girl i wanted to be when i was in high school: sarcastic, edgy, gets along well with the guys. because i am a bit out of the target audience range, i think that affected my eading experience. this would be a great read for people between the ages of 13 and 17.
౨ৎ TRIGGER WARNINGS
* sexual assault / rape
* slut-shaming
* misogyny
* cyberbullying (nudes leaked)
Read
August 8, 2024Not Like Other Girls (Bloomsbury, 2024) is the promising debut young adult novel by Meredith Adamo. Because so much contemporary YA writing seems to have a check-the-box, formulaic approach, I’m always looking for what makes a book different, what is has that I’ve not seen before. Not Like Other Girls includes a few well-traveled YA tropes–a missing girl, a fake relationship, scholarship-driven academic cheating–but Adamo’s main character Jo-Lynn is a fresh take.
Let’s start with her name. Jo-Lynn is called Jo, JoLynn, JoJo, Jo-Hyphen-Lynn, and a few other variations. This might not seem that important, but on some level it symbolizes her shifting identity–how she is seen by others and herself. People say she is “trouble,” “wild,” “reckless,” “not like other girls,” not to mention “easy” and a “slut.” Did the problem with her reputation start when Cody forwarded nude pictures of her to everyone at a party, or was that just the explosion from a fuse lit even earlier? I can’t say much more about that because part of this book’s importance is how Jo-Lynn unravels and faces the events that affected her.
Is Jo-Lynn bothered by her reputation? To a certain extent, yes, but she also doesn’t shy away from perpetuating it, and that’s what makes Jo-Lynn such a fascinatingly complex and maybe even inspirational character. She is smart, witty, vulnerable, brave, funny, brash, and in some ways her own worst enemy. Her family and schoolmates are all absorbed in their own agendas, leaving Jo-Lynn to figure things out on her own, but sometimes it’s just easier not to.
Things change though when her former best friend Maddie disappears. While I think the character of Jo-Lynn is the book’s strongest aspect, the plot is also compelling. Did Maddie run away, or was foul play involved? As in any good mystery, there is no shortage of suspects and motives. Maddie and Jo-Lynn are in a social group of academic achievers, and nobody knows how to get themselves in really interesting trouble like smart kids.
Not Like Other Girls includes a few sexually-charged scenes, but none of them are gratuitous. Adamo presents these moments in ways that lead readers to consider if they are instances of consensual romance or sexual violence. This is more clear in some places than others, and that’s one of the book’s valuable contributions to young adult literature.
Meredith Adamo’s Not Like Other Girls is for readers who like realistic fiction but who can maturely process issues of sexuality and promiscuity. Recommend this to those who want more books like Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson, I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston, or All the Fighting Parts by Hannah V. Sawyerr.
This review is also posted on my What's Not Wrong? blog in slightly different form.
June 15, 2023
I received an advanced copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.
This is a story about how deceitful first impressions are. We meet Jo, an average high school teenager, who likes to hang out with friends and maybe has some trouble with grades, except... she looks over her shoulder often, people talk all possible gossip about her, and what is really the truth here?
The masterful first person narration feels like talking with a friend - a friend who had something happen to them, but she tries to laugh it off, and it's really no biggie, and it was all my fault... until you realize things aren't like they seem.
Piecing together Jo's past is the biggest mystery. What really happened? Why? How did the surrounding tackle it? It provides a stinging social commentary about parents, teachers and professionals who frame things how it's convenient to them and who pays the price of this attitude. All that while teenagers are subject to peer pressure and judgment, all so easy in the era of social media.
Besides the thrilling backstory of Jo, there's also the plot thread about a girl gone missing, which slowly unfolds into something much bigger, a whole conspiracy of students full of cutthroat rivalry and complex social dynamics. Behind a facade of the nicest person or the meanest bully could be someone completely different than the first impression made you assume...
Jo herself was extremely relatable to me, with her "I'll be late omg even though I left a sticky note to set alarm clock yesterday!", her issues with driving and her forgetfulness ("I saw that thing somewhere, but I can't remember, argh!"), her doodling, fidgeting and missing deadlines, and with the teachers saying "you could achieve more if you only applied yourself". I experienced that part of Jo myself (and nobody even asked "are you simply lazy and scatterbrained, or is it adhd?") and I would hope anyone who sees themselves in that part of Jo finds validation.
Another thing I found very striking was the commentary of how we women often view our bodies and intimacy, and how the hardest part is to be vulnerable in a world where many people don't have good intentions. How do you navigate this? Because when things backfire... you might not be treated the way you deserve, but be told you deserve how you were treated.
The book is a page-turning read, but doesn't shy from exploring important subjects with honesty and realism, all the way until the very end. You won't find here easy solutions or saccharine conclusions, but rather a testament of resilience against all odds.
I'm usually a slow reader, but I devoured this book in 3 sittings and in the end I wanted to give Jo a hug and slap a few characters in the face. Which is a proof how they pop off the page - both the ones you'd love, and the ones you'd love to hate. The plot twists kept me glued to the seat and many came as a surprise. I've been thinking about this book for a long time after I finished it.
Fully recommend. 5 stars.
This is a story about how deceitful first impressions are. We meet Jo, an average high school teenager, who likes to hang out with friends and maybe has some trouble with grades, except... she looks over her shoulder often, people talk all possible gossip about her, and what is really the truth here?
The masterful first person narration feels like talking with a friend - a friend who had something happen to them, but she tries to laugh it off, and it's really no biggie, and it was all my fault... until you realize things aren't like they seem.
Piecing together Jo's past is the biggest mystery. What really happened? Why? How did the surrounding tackle it? It provides a stinging social commentary about parents, teachers and professionals who frame things how it's convenient to them and who pays the price of this attitude. All that while teenagers are subject to peer pressure and judgment, all so easy in the era of social media.
Besides the thrilling backstory of Jo, there's also the plot thread about a girl gone missing, which slowly unfolds into something much bigger, a whole conspiracy of students full of cutthroat rivalry and complex social dynamics. Behind a facade of the nicest person or the meanest bully could be someone completely different than the first impression made you assume...
Jo herself was extremely relatable to me, with her "I'll be late omg even though I left a sticky note to set alarm clock yesterday!", her issues with driving and her forgetfulness ("I saw that thing somewhere, but I can't remember, argh!"), her doodling, fidgeting and missing deadlines, and with the teachers saying "you could achieve more if you only applied yourself". I experienced that part of Jo myself (and nobody even asked "are you simply lazy and scatterbrained, or is it adhd?") and I would hope anyone who sees themselves in that part of Jo finds validation.
Another thing I found very striking was the commentary of how we women often view our bodies and intimacy, and how the hardest part is to be vulnerable in a world where many people don't have good intentions. How do you navigate this? Because when things backfire... you might not be treated the way you deserve, but be told you deserve how you were treated.
The book is a page-turning read, but doesn't shy from exploring important subjects with honesty and realism, all the way until the very end. You won't find here easy solutions or saccharine conclusions, but rather a testament of resilience against all odds.
I'm usually a slow reader, but I devoured this book in 3 sittings and in the end I wanted to give Jo a hug and slap a few characters in the face. Which is a proof how they pop off the page - both the ones you'd love, and the ones you'd love to hate. The plot twists kept me glued to the seat and many came as a surprise. I've been thinking about this book for a long time after I finished it.
Fully recommend. 5 stars.
April 6, 2024
Thank you Net Galley for the ARC audio of Not Like Other Girls.
I rate this story 4.5 stars.
*Spoilers may follow*
Meredith Adamo created a fantastic narrative and provided a clear voice for young girls. She displayed an incredible understanding for girls who have been faced with a confusing and scary situation that involves unsaid consent. As a victim myself of being influenced by a older guy who I was seeing in high school and he attempting to turn things around on me and suggest that because I didn't say no, I wanted it, this story hits extremely close to home. As that experience happened a long time and I have long forgiven myself, I struggled with the same feelings, emotions, and concerns that Jo did. Major props for the writing and emotional side of the story.
In addition, this story gave me such a cinematic, nostalgic feeling. This brought me back to some of the earlier 2000s teen sleuth dramas, like Pretty Little Liars, etc. It was a fun setting!
While it was fun, the mystery part of it also made it a little bit far fetch for me as a whole because of all the layers to the dramatic revelations that Jo found.
It was entertaining, dramatic, poignant, and yet therapeutic. Great story!
I rate this story 4.5 stars.
*Spoilers may follow*
Meredith Adamo created a fantastic narrative and provided a clear voice for young girls. She displayed an incredible understanding for girls who have been faced with a confusing and scary situation that involves unsaid consent. As a victim myself of being influenced by a older guy who I was seeing in high school and he attempting to turn things around on me and suggest that because I didn't say no, I wanted it, this story hits extremely close to home. As that experience happened a long time and I have long forgiven myself, I struggled with the same feelings, emotions, and concerns that Jo did. Major props for the writing and emotional side of the story.
In addition, this story gave me such a cinematic, nostalgic feeling. This brought me back to some of the earlier 2000s teen sleuth dramas, like Pretty Little Liars, etc. It was a fun setting!
While it was fun, the mystery part of it also made it a little bit far fetch for me as a whole because of all the layers to the dramatic revelations that Jo found.
It was entertaining, dramatic, poignant, and yet therapeutic. Great story!
June 9, 2024
So, I really am torn about this book.
On one hand, I really loved, admired, and appreciated the character and storyline of Jo, as a girl who would do anything for boys to notice her, who would do anything for attention, who was ultimately torn apart from what happened to her through the course of being a teenager. I felt like her story was so important to tell.
The plot also surprised in how it evolved into such complexity and high stakes and danger; I was really hooked from the 70% mark and onward.
But on the other hand, I was bored, disconnected, and felt like DNFing before everything kicked in.
And my main problem with this book was the high school atmosphere... and all that that entails. I was grimacing, rolling my eyes, and just not enjoying having such an intimate, graphic view into high school life.
Overall, I took a chance on this book. And while I'm not entirely disappointed, I'm not entirely satisfied either.
🎶Soundtrack:
"this is me trying" by Taylor Swift 😔
"Fifteen" by Taylor Swift 😢
On one hand, I really loved, admired, and appreciated the character and storyline of Jo, as a girl who would do anything for boys to notice her, who would do anything for attention, who was ultimately torn apart from what happened to her through the course of being a teenager. I felt like her story was so important to tell.
The plot also surprised in how it evolved into such complexity and high stakes and danger; I was really hooked from the 70% mark and onward.
But on the other hand, I was bored, disconnected, and felt like DNFing before everything kicked in.
And my main problem with this book was the high school atmosphere... and all that that entails. I was grimacing, rolling my eyes, and just not enjoying having such an intimate, graphic view into high school life.
Overall, I took a chance on this book. And while I'm not entirely disappointed, I'm not entirely satisfied either.
🎶Soundtrack:
"this is me trying" by Taylor Swift 😔
"Fifteen" by Taylor Swift 😢
March 31, 2024
A new favorite. The plot has a simple hook: One of Jo-Lynn’s only friends—“pretty, nice Maddie Price,” as Jo calls her—has run away, and Jo is convinced there must be more to the story. But then Jo’s investigation into Maddie’s disappearance starts to uncover parts of Jo’s own past that she may not be ready to deal with and can no longer ignore.
A couple of events strain plausibility, but this book is so funny and raw and true that I can forgive a lot. Meredith Adamo is an author to watch and I’ll definitely be checking out whatever she writes next.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an ARC! I’ll be posting a video review soon.
A couple of events strain plausibility, but this book is so funny and raw and true that I can forgive a lot. Meredith Adamo is an author to watch and I’ll definitely be checking out whatever she writes next.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an ARC! I’ll be posting a video review soon.
Read
November 16, 2024Nie wiem co myśleć bo zadziało się tu tak wiele rzeczy…
Była to książka, która porusza wiele bardzo ważny oraz bardzo trudnych tematów, których nie ukrywam się nie spodziewałam. Myślę, że to ten typ książki, któremu nie chce wystawiać oceny w gwiazdkach, a jedynie opisać plusy i minusy.
Zacznijmy od sprawy Maddie. Cieszę się, że przez cały czas był jej temat poruszany i mimo, że mamy wiele innych wątków to ten mimo, że czasem schodził na bok, nie był wykluczony. Ciągle dowiadywaliśmy się czegoś nowego i jedynie co to żałuję, że trzeba było czekać tak długo, by poznać prawdę. Liczyłam chyba, że rozwiązanie będzie minimalnie inne ale i tak było ciekawe, więc nie narzekam.
Śledztwo samo w sobie było niezwykle ciekawe i interesujące. To jak wszystko stopniowo zaczęło się łączyć było zaskakujące i nieraz wprawiło mnie w szok. Nie wszystko jest takie jak nam się może wydawać.
Wątek romantyczny był ciekawy i przez większość czasu była zachwycona, w jednym momencie miałam zwątpię, ale później zostało to wyjaśnione i dalej uważam, że ten wątek był najprzyjemniejszym i przy nim najlepiej się bawiłam.
Historia Jo jest w tym wszystkim najbardziej poruszająca. Było mi po prostu żal głównej bohaterki, że musiała zmagać się z tym wszystkim sama i że nie miała wcześniej kogoś kto by jej pomógł i był przy niej, kiedy tego najbardziej potrzebowała. Że brakło kogoś kto jej wysłuchał. Książka porusza wiele trudnych tematów, o których warto mówić. Porusza te tematy i namawia do rozmowy o nich i do odpowiedniego reagowania. Pokazuje odczucia ofiary oraz to jak ona czuję się z tym wszystkim i jak próbuje dojść do siebie po tak trudnych przeżyciach. Przez ten właśnie czynnik nie potrafię ocenić książki. Zawsze czytając o trudnych doświadczeniach bohaterów i o walce jaką pokonują czuję, że nie umiem tego przedstawić za pomocą gwiazdek i tego nie robię.
Podsumowując - „Inna niż wszystkie” to książka pełna akcji, tajemnic, zwrotów akcji oraz zmagań się z demonami przeszłości i zrozumieniem samego siebie. Nie jest to łatwa książka, ale myślę, że jest warta uwagi.
Na koniec mogę jedynie zacytować fragment
„[…] jak te inne dziewczęta, które mają swoją historię. W końcu zyskałam głos, by ją opowiedzieć. Zasługuje na to.”
Współpraca z wydawnictwem Youngbook
Była to książka, która porusza wiele bardzo ważny oraz bardzo trudnych tematów, których nie ukrywam się nie spodziewałam. Myślę, że to ten typ książki, któremu nie chce wystawiać oceny w gwiazdkach, a jedynie opisać plusy i minusy.
Zacznijmy od sprawy Maddie. Cieszę się, że przez cały czas był jej temat poruszany i mimo, że mamy wiele innych wątków to ten mimo, że czasem schodził na bok, nie był wykluczony. Ciągle dowiadywaliśmy się czegoś nowego i jedynie co to żałuję, że trzeba było czekać tak długo, by poznać prawdę. Liczyłam chyba, że rozwiązanie będzie minimalnie inne ale i tak było ciekawe, więc nie narzekam.
Śledztwo samo w sobie było niezwykle ciekawe i interesujące. To jak wszystko stopniowo zaczęło się łączyć było zaskakujące i nieraz wprawiło mnie w szok. Nie wszystko jest takie jak nam się może wydawać.
Wątek romantyczny był ciekawy i przez większość czasu była zachwycona, w jednym momencie miałam zwątpię, ale później zostało to wyjaśnione i dalej uważam, że ten wątek był najprzyjemniejszym i przy nim najlepiej się bawiłam.
Historia Jo jest w tym wszystkim najbardziej poruszająca. Było mi po prostu żal głównej bohaterki, że musiała zmagać się z tym wszystkim sama i że nie miała wcześniej kogoś kto by jej pomógł i był przy niej, kiedy tego najbardziej potrzebowała. Że brakło kogoś kto jej wysłuchał. Książka porusza wiele trudnych tematów, o których warto mówić. Porusza te tematy i namawia do rozmowy o nich i do odpowiedniego reagowania. Pokazuje odczucia ofiary oraz to jak ona czuję się z tym wszystkim i jak próbuje dojść do siebie po tak trudnych przeżyciach. Przez ten właśnie czynnik nie potrafię ocenić książki. Zawsze czytając o trudnych doświadczeniach bohaterów i o walce jaką pokonują czuję, że nie umiem tego przedstawić za pomocą gwiazdek i tego nie robię.
Podsumowując - „Inna niż wszystkie” to książka pełna akcji, tajemnic, zwrotów akcji oraz zmagań się z demonami przeszłości i zrozumieniem samego siebie. Nie jest to łatwa książka, ale myślę, że jest warta uwagi.
Na koniec mogę jedynie zacytować fragment
„[…] jak te inne dziewczęta, które mają swoją historię. W końcu zyskałam głos, by ją opowiedzieć. Zasługuje na to.”
Współpraca z wydawnictwem Youngbook
March 28, 2024
NetGalley review (thankyou to Bloomsbury for letting me read an ARC of this book):
If you go into this book looking for a true mystery thriller this is not what you will get and quite possibly will be disappointed, however if you come to this book knowing what it really is about is following the story of a girl who has been wronged and let down by everyone in their life with the setting of a missing ex best friend where the real mystery isn’t the actual missing girl but of watching the story of Jo unravel her own history and the truths behind it starting from her fall from grace after her nudes are leaked by someone she thought was a friend. This story is a beautiful understanding of what it is like to be the victim and the isolation that comes along with it whether you have experienced things similar like revenge porn and grooming or you have experience with that feeling of being the victim like I do you will be able to relate to this book and know exactly what it feels like to be that person always forgotten. This book has such a powerful and profound message that everyone should read, is it the best written book? No, is it an impactful one? Yes, everyone has a story to tell and Jo’s is one you won’t forget.
If you go into this book looking for a true mystery thriller this is not what you will get and quite possibly will be disappointed, however if you come to this book knowing what it really is about is following the story of a girl who has been wronged and let down by everyone in their life with the setting of a missing ex best friend where the real mystery isn’t the actual missing girl but of watching the story of Jo unravel her own history and the truths behind it starting from her fall from grace after her nudes are leaked by someone she thought was a friend. This story is a beautiful understanding of what it is like to be the victim and the isolation that comes along with it whether you have experienced things similar like revenge porn and grooming or you have experience with that feeling of being the victim like I do you will be able to relate to this book and know exactly what it feels like to be that person always forgotten. This book has such a powerful and profound message that everyone should read, is it the best written book? No, is it an impactful one? Yes, everyone has a story to tell and Jo’s is one you won’t forget.
July 31, 2024
With a title like Not Like Other Girls, you really hope it's going to be wrestling with that designation, not doubling down on it, and I can assure you it's wrestling hard. I got serious Courtney Summers vibe from this book in the absolute best way. Definitely look for content warnings before reading if that's a concern, as this deals with a lot of rough subjects, like rape. I'm not usually into mysteries or dark contemporaries, but this really hit for me.
August 19, 2024
Such a great book, we should talk about this type of shit more. Smart, witty, interesting and brave.
December 20, 2024
I really liked this. It was such an interesting story and not what I expected when I picked it up. It really felt like a window into me in high school, which really wasn't great to think about at times- but it was an important story!
March 28, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ I enjoyed this book overall and liked how fast pace it felt. I also liked how the writing allowed me to take guesses as to what I think happened to Maddy. I would recommend this to psychological thriller lovers.
Read
May 23, 2025Inna niż wszystkie nie jest kolejną historią o „wyjątkowej” dziewczynie (jak tytuł może sugerować).
Inna niż wszystkie to opowieść pełna autentycznych emocji i trudnych pytań, które autorka stawia przed czytelnikiem. Jest bezkompromisowa i szczera.
Meredith Adamo z odwagą porusza tematy traumy, fałszywych przyjaźni i społecznych oczekiwań wobec młodych kobiet. To histiora o Jo-Lynn, dziewczynie, która musi stawić czoło niesprawiedliwym osądom i przypisanej jej łatce oraz odnaleźć siebie w świecie, który skazuje ją na wykluczenie.
Autorka nie unika trudnych tematów sek*ualnych, podchodząc do nich z dużym zrozumieniem. Przedstawia brutalność osądzania i zjawisko victim blamingu, a wszystko to sprawia, że książka zmusza do refleksji nad tym, jak traktujemy innych oraz jak kształtujemy ich tożsamość przez nasze opinie i uprzedzenia.
Nie możemy też zapomnieć o wątku kryminalnym. Maddie, znika bez śladu, a Jo jest jedyną osobą, która naprawdę wierzy, że dziewczyna nie uciekła i zaczyna śledztwo na własną rękę. A żeby jeszcze bardziej skomplikować sprawy, zgadza się udawać związek z chłopakiem, z którym kiedyś flirtowała (jeden z przyjemniejszych i zdecydowanie luźniejszych wątków w książce).
Podsumowując, nie brakuje tu mocnych tematów, takich jak presja społeczna czy trauma, ale pojawiają się także nieco słodkie momenty, które w całym tym chaosie naprawdę rozgrzewają serce.
Szczerze polecam, jeśli macie ochotę na coś wciągającego, prawdziwego, a jednocześnie wcale nieprzytłaczającego. Adamo udało się złapać równowagę między poważnymi tematami a ciekawą, pełną zwrotów akcją.
Inna niż wszystkie to opowieść pełna autentycznych emocji i trudnych pytań, które autorka stawia przed czytelnikiem. Jest bezkompromisowa i szczera.
Meredith Adamo z odwagą porusza tematy traumy, fałszywych przyjaźni i społecznych oczekiwań wobec młodych kobiet. To histiora o Jo-Lynn, dziewczynie, która musi stawić czoło niesprawiedliwym osądom i przypisanej jej łatce oraz odnaleźć siebie w świecie, który skazuje ją na wykluczenie.
Autorka nie unika trudnych tematów sek*ualnych, podchodząc do nich z dużym zrozumieniem. Przedstawia brutalność osądzania i zjawisko victim blamingu, a wszystko to sprawia, że książka zmusza do refleksji nad tym, jak traktujemy innych oraz jak kształtujemy ich tożsamość przez nasze opinie i uprzedzenia.
Nie możemy też zapomnieć o wątku kryminalnym. Maddie, znika bez śladu, a Jo jest jedyną osobą, która naprawdę wierzy, że dziewczyna nie uciekła i zaczyna śledztwo na własną rękę. A żeby jeszcze bardziej skomplikować sprawy, zgadza się udawać związek z chłopakiem, z którym kiedyś flirtowała (jeden z przyjemniejszych i zdecydowanie luźniejszych wątków w książce).
Podsumowując, nie brakuje tu mocnych tematów, takich jak presja społeczna czy trauma, ale pojawiają się także nieco słodkie momenty, które w całym tym chaosie naprawdę rozgrzewają serce.
Szczerze polecam, jeśli macie ochotę na coś wciągającego, prawdziwego, a jednocześnie wcale nieprzytłaczającego. Adamo udało się złapać równowagę między poważnymi tematami a ciekawą, pełną zwrotów akcją.
June 25, 2024
Not Like Other Girls is--on the surface--a mystery, but it's really a reckoning: with the adults who have failed to notice that Jo is troubled; with the former friend who steals and distributes her naked pictures; with the peers who have shunned her because of those pictures; with her former best friend (who has gone missing); with the events of the summer she turned 15 ; and with her own "bad" behavior (aka a trauma response).
While I am not a regular reader of YA, this book is a powerful reminder that you don't need to be a teenager to find stories in this genre resonant and important. I wish this book had existed when I was a teenage girl because so much of Jo's story mirrors my experiences and those of my friends. While the plot is full of twists, Jo's interior life is the most compelling part of this novel--and her narrative voice is one of the strongest I've come across in recent memory. Hilarious and heartbreaking in equal measure, Not Like Other Girls is a book I will be thinking about for a long time.
While I am not a regular reader of YA, this book is a powerful reminder that you don't need to be a teenager to find stories in this genre resonant and important. I wish this book had existed when I was a teenage girl because so much of Jo's story mirrors my experiences and those of my friends. While the plot is full of twists, Jo's interior life is the most compelling part of this novel--and her narrative voice is one of the strongest I've come across in recent memory. Hilarious and heartbreaking in equal measure, Not Like Other Girls is a book I will be thinking about for a long time.
May 3, 2024
If I hadn't been told that this was a debut novel, I would never have thought it.
The story really had everything needed for an intensely interesting and gripping read.
Jo is a great main character, and I just wanted everything to be OK for her.
The dark themes through the book make me so mad for Jo. She went through something traumatic, not understanding what happened, and then self sabotaging her life, which made me really sad for her.
Jo's friend goes missing, and she takes it upon herself to investigate and find out what really happened. But this is really just a background story. The real story is Jo's journey of believing in herself, finding her footing (if not for real at first), and understanding that what happened was not her fault.
This was a fantastic debut, and I will definitely be looking out for more from this author.
The story really had everything needed for an intensely interesting and gripping read.
Jo is a great main character, and I just wanted everything to be OK for her.
The dark themes through the book make me so mad for Jo. She went through something traumatic, not understanding what happened, and then self sabotaging her life, which made me really sad for her.
Jo's friend goes missing, and she takes it upon herself to investigate and find out what really happened. But this is really just a background story. The real story is Jo's journey of believing in herself, finding her footing (if not for real at first), and understanding that what happened was not her fault.
This was a fantastic debut, and I will definitely be looking out for more from this author.
May 11, 2024
This was a touching, difficult, wonderful story. It explores a lot of really tough topics while also piecing apart a mysterious disappearance of a former best friend. I loved the layers to this story, the characters and their struggles and I really appreciated the look at consent.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
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