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Fast Boys and Pretty Girls: A Novel
They say you can never go home again. And sometimes, you shouldn't.
Following a semi-successful career as a teen model in New York City, Danielle Greer has moved back to the mountains of North Georgia and is living in her childhood home with her husband and four daughters. One stifling, lazy afternoon, the girls are exploring the ravine behind the house when they come across a body.
Danielle knows the body doesn't belong to Benji Law, a younger local misfit who Danielle had an illicit relationship with as a teenager. No, his body was found right away, after he was killed in a motorcycle accident on the road in front of her family's house. Danielle has a good idea who the body might be, but she doesn't know how it got there.
When local police officer Cady Benson is called in to investigate, Danielle's world is turned upside down, and she's thrust back into those dark, confusing days leading up to Benji's death, battling the things she remembers with the things she can't forget.
From the acclaimed author of The Floating Girls and The Night the River Wept comes a gritty, coming-of-age, slow-burn Southern mystery with devastating characters and a twist that will leave you aching, exposing the all-consuming, obsessive power of first love and what it can do to a person.
Following a semi-successful career as a teen model in New York City, Danielle Greer has moved back to the mountains of North Georgia and is living in her childhood home with her husband and four daughters. One stifling, lazy afternoon, the girls are exploring the ravine behind the house when they come across a body.
Danielle knows the body doesn't belong to Benji Law, a younger local misfit who Danielle had an illicit relationship with as a teenager. No, his body was found right away, after he was killed in a motorcycle accident on the road in front of her family's house. Danielle has a good idea who the body might be, but she doesn't know how it got there.
When local police officer Cady Benson is called in to investigate, Danielle's world is turned upside down, and she's thrust back into those dark, confusing days leading up to Benji's death, battling the things she remembers with the things she can't forget.
From the acclaimed author of The Floating Girls and The Night the River Wept comes a gritty, coming-of-age, slow-burn Southern mystery with devastating characters and a twist that will leave you aching, exposing the all-consuming, obsessive power of first love and what it can do to a person.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 8, 2025
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July 4, 2025
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2.5 Stars
I loved the books The Floating Girls and The Night the River Wept by this author. In this story, Danielle (Dani) returns to Georgia after living in New York City and working as a model. She's even living in the house she grew up in, with her husband and four daughters in tow. One afternoon, her kids are playing at the back of the house, and they find a dead body. I should have loved everything about this slow-burning, southern, coming-of-age tale, but I didn't.
This book has an awesome setting and an excellent premise, but for some reason, it didn't click with me like her two previous books have. I think the pace was just too slow for my liking. I didn't like Dani very much either; I felt no sympathy for her. Even though the writing is great, it often feels like a young adult book. I think more of a backstory was needed, and the development of the characters wasn't there. I loved the past-and-present format, but it missed the emotional punch I got with the other two books. I also found the mystery a tad predictable. Would I read this author again? Absolutely, but this one missed the mark for me personally.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
The Book Review Crew Blog
2.5 Stars
I loved the books The Floating Girls and The Night the River Wept by this author. In this story, Danielle (Dani) returns to Georgia after living in New York City and working as a model. She's even living in the house she grew up in, with her husband and four daughters in tow. One afternoon, her kids are playing at the back of the house, and they find a dead body. I should have loved everything about this slow-burning, southern, coming-of-age tale, but I didn't.
This book has an awesome setting and an excellent premise, but for some reason, it didn't click with me like her two previous books have. I think the pace was just too slow for my liking. I didn't like Dani very much either; I felt no sympathy for her. Even though the writing is great, it often feels like a young adult book. I think more of a backstory was needed, and the development of the characters wasn't there. I loved the past-and-present format, but it missed the emotional punch I got with the other two books. I also found the mystery a tad predictable. Would I read this author again? Absolutely, but this one missed the mark for me personally.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
dnf
August 30, 2025DNF @ 20% - After struggling to connect to the story or characters, I have come to the conclusion that this book just isn’t for me. While I appreciate the way the author has set up the book, it feels more like “x happened, then y happened” versus feeling a sense of connection and depth to the story. And unfortunately, the audiobook only served to enhance this issue. I have a few other books by this author on my TBR, and I think they may be a better fit for me.
Thank you Landmark and Tantor Audio for the gifted copies.
Thank you Landmark and Tantor Audio for the gifted copies.
July 3, 2025
Then, Danielle was fresh out of Georgia, a teenage model in New York. Not a star, but successful enough to have money in her pocket and an apartment of her own. Never mind that her family doesn't think she's made for a life outside of Georgia; never mind that she's fallen for a boy back home who never wants to leave the South; never mind that modeling has put a hold on the things she always thought she'd do, like go to college.
A girl should never be told she's pretty—so pretty it's going to pay the bills. (loc. 2678*)
Now, Danielle is back in Georgia, living in the decaying old house that her parents passed down to her. Her marriage works because her ideal is to stay home with her four daughters and her husband's ideal is to be gone for work for days at a time.
She keeps Then separate from Now—until the girls find skeletal remains in the woods behind the house, and Then comes crashing in. Because Danielle knows whose bones they must be.
Something about Southern fiction calls to me sometimes—that smell of hot humid air, I think, and in this case the combination of rural poverty and deeply entrenched pride. Danielle's mother in particular is an intriguing character; she reminds me of certain women I know (from various backgrounds) for whom life as not been easy and who were (for various reasons) dissuaded from pursuing their dreams.
The balance between Then and Now doesn't always align for me. Most of the story takes place in Danielle's modeling days, when she is young and bratty and determined to feel superior to her family and friends in Georgia. I actually love how low-key unlikeable Danielle is at that point—she's full of it, but she's written to be full of it, and she doesn't have the sophistication or finesse to, well, brag in a way that achieves the desired effect. It's way more interesting than Danielle being sweet and naive and perpetually hard-working.
I would have liked to see more of the Now, though, more of what's going on with the bones and how Danielle is processing it. We really don't see much of her world as an adult: not the ways the town has changed, not her husband and daughters, not the few other people she interacts with, not even her house. We also see very little from the police (or really anyone else) regarding the body—this isn't a mystery, and possibly the author wanted to steer clear of any whiff of mystery or police procedural, but I guess I expected more questions in the Now. The earlier timeline ends up feeling far more fleshed out than the later timeline, to the extent that I might have preferred the story to just...stay in the Then.
In the end this satisfied my occasional thirst for a certain stripe of Southern literature but didn't quite have the depth of plot and character development I was hoping for. Not a standout, but an interesting read.
*Quotes are from an ARC and may not be final.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
A girl should never be told she's pretty—so pretty it's going to pay the bills. (loc. 2678*)
Now, Danielle is back in Georgia, living in the decaying old house that her parents passed down to her. Her marriage works because her ideal is to stay home with her four daughters and her husband's ideal is to be gone for work for days at a time.
She keeps Then separate from Now—until the girls find skeletal remains in the woods behind the house, and Then comes crashing in. Because Danielle knows whose bones they must be.
Something about Southern fiction calls to me sometimes—that smell of hot humid air, I think, and in this case the combination of rural poverty and deeply entrenched pride. Danielle's mother in particular is an intriguing character; she reminds me of certain women I know (from various backgrounds) for whom life as not been easy and who were (for various reasons) dissuaded from pursuing their dreams.
The balance between Then and Now doesn't always align for me. Most of the story takes place in Danielle's modeling days, when she is young and bratty and determined to feel superior to her family and friends in Georgia. I actually love how low-key unlikeable Danielle is at that point—she's full of it, but she's written to be full of it, and she doesn't have the sophistication or finesse to, well, brag in a way that achieves the desired effect. It's way more interesting than Danielle being sweet and naive and perpetually hard-working.
I would have liked to see more of the Now, though, more of what's going on with the bones and how Danielle is processing it. We really don't see much of her world as an adult: not the ways the town has changed, not her husband and daughters, not the few other people she interacts with, not even her house. We also see very little from the police (or really anyone else) regarding the body—this isn't a mystery, and possibly the author wanted to steer clear of any whiff of mystery or police procedural, but I guess I expected more questions in the Now. The earlier timeline ends up feeling far more fleshed out than the later timeline, to the extent that I might have preferred the story to just...stay in the Then.
In the end this satisfied my occasional thirst for a certain stripe of Southern literature but didn't quite have the depth of plot and character development I was hoping for. Not a standout, but an interesting read.
*Quotes are from an ARC and may not be final.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
July 9, 2025
Danielle Striker was a teenage model in New York City and has moved back to Pressville in the mountains of North Georgia and is living with her husband Jasper and four daughters. One hot afternoon the girls are exploring the ravine behind the house that's been in her mother's family for over a hundred years and they come across a body.
Danielle knows it’s not her crush Benji Law, a boy from the wrong side of the tracks who she had an illicit relationship and he died in a in a motorcycle accident over a decade ago on Bell Road. Danielle has a good idea who the body might be, but she doesn't know how it got there and why it’s taken this long to be found.
Danielle calls detective Cady Benson, she’s a local and was working in New York in the early 2000’s and when Dani was a model, she knows her history with Benji and how her parents didn’t like him and they thought she could do better.
I received a copy of Fast Boys & Pretty Girls from Edelweiss Plus and Sourcebooks in exchange for an honest review. Lo Patrick is known for writing creepy dual timeline fiction set in America’s south and with more twists and turns than the Mississippi river. This time it’s about a young model Dani Greer and I found Danielle’s character annoying, it made no sense for her to be in love with Benji and it wasn't believable and three stars from me.
Danielle knows it’s not her crush Benji Law, a boy from the wrong side of the tracks who she had an illicit relationship and he died in a in a motorcycle accident over a decade ago on Bell Road. Danielle has a good idea who the body might be, but she doesn't know how it got there and why it’s taken this long to be found.
Danielle calls detective Cady Benson, she’s a local and was working in New York in the early 2000’s and when Dani was a model, she knows her history with Benji and how her parents didn’t like him and they thought she could do better.
I received a copy of Fast Boys & Pretty Girls from Edelweiss Plus and Sourcebooks in exchange for an honest review. Lo Patrick is known for writing creepy dual timeline fiction set in America’s south and with more twists and turns than the Mississippi river. This time it’s about a young model Dani Greer and I found Danielle’s character annoying, it made no sense for her to be in love with Benji and it wasn't believable and three stars from me.
July 23, 2025
Well, I finished it despite my ongoing desire to quit several times! It’s just not a great story line- lacking creativity and authenticity. The story drug on and on in boring sequence.
February 25, 2025
After taking a shot at modeling in the big city, Dani finds herself back in her small hometown. She’s living in the house she grew up in with her husband and young daughters. Everything is going okay if not great. Until the day her daughters find human remains buried at the edge of their property. As the body is uncovered, so are bad decisions and secrets from Dani’s past. I enjoyed this book a lot and struggled between giving it four or five stars. The storytelling is a bit drawn out at times but the authors creates an air of suspense that lets you know that something bigger is coming.
August 9, 2025
A Southern mystery with models and problematic relationships, set in the early 2000s, is what immediately sold this book to me. And then, unfortunately, it ended up being too dull and boring for me to care about any aspect of it.
We follow Danielle today, after her daughters find bones on their property, and her back in 2000s, when she was a model called Dani and was living in New York. I really couldn't connect to her character, at any point. She was extremely self-centered, and her opinions were often so, so childish, even in the present day. I was excited to read about this specific era, to see how the author talks about problematic aspects of model culture from twenty years ago, but there was very little of that. I found the storytelling extremely repetitive with little to no new information being talked about. Dani is pining after a younger boy who is deemed problematic by the adults in her life and she's miserable about him — he gives her the tiniest bit of attention and/or her modeling finally starts going better — she fights with her mother and rolls her eyes to oblivion... rinse and repeat. That is literally the whole storyline, apart from the slight mystery happening in the background. I think it would have been better if more chapters were from today's timeline, or if the modeling years were at least more interesting. Either of those, or it could have been more than 100 pages shorter.
There was a lot of potential for this story and these characters, but the plot choices and the odd repetitive dialogues have made this into a disappointing read.
A huge thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark and the author for sending me an ARC of this book!
We follow Danielle today, after her daughters find bones on their property, and her back in 2000s, when she was a model called Dani and was living in New York. I really couldn't connect to her character, at any point. She was extremely self-centered, and her opinions were often so, so childish, even in the present day. I was excited to read about this specific era, to see how the author talks about problematic aspects of model culture from twenty years ago, but there was very little of that. I found the storytelling extremely repetitive with little to no new information being talked about. Dani is pining after a younger boy who is deemed problematic by the adults in her life and she's miserable about him — he gives her the tiniest bit of attention and/or her modeling finally starts going better — she fights with her mother and rolls her eyes to oblivion... rinse and repeat. That is literally the whole storyline, apart from the slight mystery happening in the background. I think it would have been better if more chapters were from today's timeline, or if the modeling years were at least more interesting. Either of those, or it could have been more than 100 pages shorter.
There was a lot of potential for this story and these characters, but the plot choices and the odd repetitive dialogues have made this into a disappointing read.
A huge thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark and the author for sending me an ARC of this book!
May 13, 2025
At 17 years old, Danielle left a small town in Georgia to start a modeling career in NYC. From the outset, I found her to be selfish & insufferable. What I found even odder was how her family just seemed indifferent towards her, especially her mother who didn’t seem at all fazed with leaving her daughter in NYC alone at such a young age. Then on one of her visits home, Danielle falls in love with a “bad boy” and becomes obsessed with him. All hell breaks loose with her family who can’t understand why she’s in a relationship with him, especially her mother who is determined to put an end to it. Then, there was a fatal accident and a missing person at the heart of the story. I didn’t really connect at all with Danielle, even as an adult. She seemed indifferent with her own children and still was so self-absorbed.
Thank you to NetGalley & Sourcebooks Landmark for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced eARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
Thank you to NetGalley & Sourcebooks Landmark for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced eARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
March 27, 2025
ARC
eARC recieved from NetGalley.
The synopsis immediately pulled me in, and the first couple of chapters did a great job of keeping me hooked. Fast Boys and Pretty Girls is written in a dual-timeline format: one follows 'Dani' as a teenager, her brief modeling career and her reckless romance with local bad boy Benjamin 'Benji' Law. The other follows an older Danielle, now a mother of four, whose life is thrown into chaos when her daughters discover a body near their home.
Lo Patrick's writing captures the teenage mindset pretty good—the rebellious streak, the "everyone is jealous of me" attitude, and that desperate longing to be seen as independent. It makes Dani seem real, and even if she’s not always likable as a character, you feel for her.
The YA angle makes this an easy read, but the mystery-thriller elements elevate it beyond just a coming-of-age story. I wasn’t shocked by the big plot twist, I had it figured out halfway, but the way it was executed still made for a compelling read.
A single complaint: I never fully bought into Dani & Benji’s romance, maybe because of the age issue, or because it never truly felt like love. It's more like Dani clinging to the idea of being in love, or using it to rebel against her mother. I wasn't invested in their relationship at all.
Overall, the book starts strong, gets even better in the latter half, and delivers a solid mix of YA drama and mystery.
eARC recieved from NetGalley.
The synopsis immediately pulled me in, and the first couple of chapters did a great job of keeping me hooked. Fast Boys and Pretty Girls is written in a dual-timeline format: one follows 'Dani' as a teenager, her brief modeling career and her reckless romance with local bad boy Benjamin 'Benji' Law. The other follows an older Danielle, now a mother of four, whose life is thrown into chaos when her daughters discover a body near their home.
Lo Patrick's writing captures the teenage mindset pretty good—the rebellious streak, the "everyone is jealous of me" attitude, and that desperate longing to be seen as independent. It makes Dani seem real, and even if she’s not always likable as a character, you feel for her.
The YA angle makes this an easy read, but the mystery-thriller elements elevate it beyond just a coming-of-age story. I wasn’t shocked by the big plot twist, I had it figured out halfway, but the way it was executed still made for a compelling read.
A single complaint: I never fully bought into Dani & Benji’s romance, maybe because of the age issue, or because it never truly felt like love. It's more like Dani clinging to the idea of being in love, or using it to rebel against her mother. I wasn't invested in their relationship at all.
Overall, the book starts strong, gets even better in the latter half, and delivers a solid mix of YA drama and mystery.
July 23, 2025
2.5 ⭐️
I liked the premise of this book, however it fell flat for me. I found it hard to like the characters and root for them since they were extremely annoying and there wasn’t much character development. It didn’t flow very well and it was very slow paced and repetitive. Felt more YA than an adult mystery fiction (since there wasn’t much of a mystery to it).
Thank you NetGalley for the copy.
I liked the premise of this book, however it fell flat for me. I found it hard to like the characters and root for them since they were extremely annoying and there wasn’t much character development. It didn’t flow very well and it was very slow paced and repetitive. Felt more YA than an adult mystery fiction (since there wasn’t much of a mystery to it).
Thank you NetGalley for the copy.
August 6, 2025
I’ve had mixed feelings about Lo Patrick’s books. I loved the first one and did not like the second. This one fell somewhere in between. It is about a woman from rural Georgia who goes to NYC to be a model. Years later she’s back in GA with her husband and daughters in her family home when they find a body on her property. Dual time periods fill in the blanks as to her life and who the body is. The who and why are revealed at the end. This didn’t have quite as much of an impact as her first book but it was a worthwhile read with excellent character development and an intriguing storyline.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss, Sourcebooks Landmark and Lo Patrick for my complimentary e-book ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss, Sourcebooks Landmark and Lo Patrick for my complimentary e-book ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
July 9, 2025
Lo Patrick's third novel, Fast Boys and Pretty Girls, delivers a mesmerizing exploration of how past traumas can shape our present lives, wrapped in the atmospheric setting of small-town Georgia. Following her acclaimed works The Floating Girls and The Night the River Wept, Patrick once again demonstrates her mastery of Southern Gothic storytelling, though this latest offering presents both compelling strengths and notable weaknesses that place it firmly in the realm of ambitious but imperfect literature.
A Story That Unfolds Like Memory Itself
The narrative follows Danielle Greer, a former teen model who has returned to her childhood home in Pressville, Georgia, where she now lives with her husband Jasper and four daughters. When her children discover human remains in the ravine behind their house, Danielle is thrust back into memories of her tumultuous past, particularly her intense relationship with Benji Law, a troubled local teenager who died in a motorcycle accident fifteen years earlier. The discovery sets in motion an investigation led by Detective Cady Benson that will unearth secrets far more devastating than anyone anticipated.
Patrick's storytelling technique mirrors the way memory actually works—fragmented, non-linear, and emotionally charged. The novel shifts between 2004 and 2019, gradually revealing the events that led to the tragic accident on Bell Road. This structure serves the story well, allowing readers to piece together the truth alongside Danielle's own fractured recollections. The pacing builds tension effectively, though some readers may find the deliberate slow burn occasionally frustrating.
Complex Characters Caught in Moral Ambiguity
Danielle emerges as a deeply complex protagonist whose journey from naive seventeen-year-old to disillusioned adult resonates with authentic emotional weight. Patrick captures the particular vulnerability of a young woman thrust into the modeling world, where she becomes both predator and prey in relationships with older men and industry manipulators. Her obsession with Benji Law—a relationship built on unequal power dynamics and mutual manipulation—reveals the darker aspects of first love that many coming-of-age stories gloss over.
The supporting characters feel equally real and flawed. Benji Law himself is portrayed not as a romantic ideal but as a troubled teenager whose own limitations and circumstances make him both sympathetic and frustrating. Deb Greer, Danielle's mother, represents the fierce protectiveness that can transform into something monstrous when pushed to its limits. Even Cady Benson, the investigating detective, carries her own baggage from her past encounters with Danielle in New York.
However, some secondary characters feel underdeveloped. Jasper, Danielle's husband, remains somewhat two-dimensional despite his importance to the story. The four daughters, while individually sketched, sometimes blur together in ways that feel more like authorial convenience than realistic characterization.
Atmospheric Setting as Character
Patrick's depiction of Pressville, Georgia, stands as one of the novel's greatest strengths. The small town emerges as a character in its own right, with its winding mountain roads, economic struggles, and suffocating social hierarchies. Bell Road itself becomes a metaphor for the dangerous curves life can take when we're not paying attention. The contrast between the claustrophobic small-town atmosphere and the equally destructive glitter of New York's modeling world creates a compelling backdrop for Danielle's psychological journey.
The author's descriptions of the modeling industry ring particularly true, capturing both its seductive appeal and its inherent exploitation. The scenes with Claudia, Danielle's agent, perfectly illustrate how the industry commodifies young women while convincing them they're special. Patrick's insider knowledge of this world—whether through research or experience—shines through in these passages.
Themes That Cut Deep
The novel's exploration of first love goes far beyond typical romantic narratives. Patrick examines how intense early relationships can arrest emotional development, leaving people stuck in patterns established in adolescence. Danielle's inability to fully mature past her relationship with Benji reflects a broader commentary on how trauma can freeze us in time.
The theme of maternal love and its potential for destruction runs throughout the story. Deb Greer's actions stem from fierce protectiveness, yet they ultimately cause more harm than the threats she was trying to eliminate. This complex portrayal of motherhood avoids easy moral judgments while acknowledging the real damage that can result from even well-intentioned actions.
Class dynamics permeate the narrative, from the tensions between the Greer family's faded respectability and the Law family's raw poverty to the hierarchies within the modeling industry. Patrick handles these themes with nuance, showing how economic circumstances shape choices without excusing harmful behavior.
Where the Novel Stumbles
Despite its many strengths, Fast Boys and Pretty Girls suffers from several significant flaws. The revelation of what actually happened to Louisa Radcliffe, while shocking, feels somewhat rushed after the careful buildup. The final act struggles to balance the multiple threads Patrick has woven throughout the story, leaving some plot elements feeling underdeveloped.
The novel's treatment of certain characters occasionally veers into caricature. Heather Clack, Danielle's coworker in Atlanta, exists primarily to provide exposition and comic relief rather than functioning as a fully realized person. Similarly, some of the modeling industry figures feel like familiar types rather than unique individuals.
Patrick's prose, while generally strong, sometimes becomes overwrought in its attempts to capture Southern Gothic atmosphere. Certain passages feel self-consciously literary in ways that can distance readers from the emotional core of the story.
A Meditation on Consequences
Perhaps the most powerful aspect of Fast Boys and Pretty Girls is its unflinching examination of how our actions ripple outward in ways we can never fully anticipate. Danielle's teenage selfishness and inability to let go of her obsession with Benji sets in motion a chain of events that ultimately destroys multiple lives. The novel doesn't offer easy forgiveness or redemption, instead presenting the harder truth that some mistakes can never be fully undone.
The book's final sections, dealing with the aftermath of the revelations about Louisa's death and Deb's role in the tragedy, ring with authentic emotional weight. Patrick resists the temptation to provide neat resolutions, instead showing how families must learn to live with difficult truths about the people they love.
Verdict: A Flawed but Compelling Southern Gothic
Fast Boys and Pretty Girls succeeds as both a mystery and a character study, offering insights into the psychology of obsession and the long-term consequences of teenage choices. While it doesn't quite reach the heights of Patrick's previous works, it remains a compelling read that will particularly resonate with readers who appreciate complex, morally ambiguous characters and atmospheric Southern settings.
The novel's exploration of first love's destructive potential sets it apart from typical coming-of-age stories, offering a more mature and unsettling perspective on formative relationships. Despite its flaws, Patrick has crafted a story that lingers in the mind long after the final page.
A Story That Unfolds Like Memory Itself
The narrative follows Danielle Greer, a former teen model who has returned to her childhood home in Pressville, Georgia, where she now lives with her husband Jasper and four daughters. When her children discover human remains in the ravine behind their house, Danielle is thrust back into memories of her tumultuous past, particularly her intense relationship with Benji Law, a troubled local teenager who died in a motorcycle accident fifteen years earlier. The discovery sets in motion an investigation led by Detective Cady Benson that will unearth secrets far more devastating than anyone anticipated.
Patrick's storytelling technique mirrors the way memory actually works—fragmented, non-linear, and emotionally charged. The novel shifts between 2004 and 2019, gradually revealing the events that led to the tragic accident on Bell Road. This structure serves the story well, allowing readers to piece together the truth alongside Danielle's own fractured recollections. The pacing builds tension effectively, though some readers may find the deliberate slow burn occasionally frustrating.
Complex Characters Caught in Moral Ambiguity
Danielle emerges as a deeply complex protagonist whose journey from naive seventeen-year-old to disillusioned adult resonates with authentic emotional weight. Patrick captures the particular vulnerability of a young woman thrust into the modeling world, where she becomes both predator and prey in relationships with older men and industry manipulators. Her obsession with Benji Law—a relationship built on unequal power dynamics and mutual manipulation—reveals the darker aspects of first love that many coming-of-age stories gloss over.
The supporting characters feel equally real and flawed. Benji Law himself is portrayed not as a romantic ideal but as a troubled teenager whose own limitations and circumstances make him both sympathetic and frustrating. Deb Greer, Danielle's mother, represents the fierce protectiveness that can transform into something monstrous when pushed to its limits. Even Cady Benson, the investigating detective, carries her own baggage from her past encounters with Danielle in New York.
However, some secondary characters feel underdeveloped. Jasper, Danielle's husband, remains somewhat two-dimensional despite his importance to the story. The four daughters, while individually sketched, sometimes blur together in ways that feel more like authorial convenience than realistic characterization.
Atmospheric Setting as Character
Patrick's depiction of Pressville, Georgia, stands as one of the novel's greatest strengths. The small town emerges as a character in its own right, with its winding mountain roads, economic struggles, and suffocating social hierarchies. Bell Road itself becomes a metaphor for the dangerous curves life can take when we're not paying attention. The contrast between the claustrophobic small-town atmosphere and the equally destructive glitter of New York's modeling world creates a compelling backdrop for Danielle's psychological journey.
The author's descriptions of the modeling industry ring particularly true, capturing both its seductive appeal and its inherent exploitation. The scenes with Claudia, Danielle's agent, perfectly illustrate how the industry commodifies young women while convincing them they're special. Patrick's insider knowledge of this world—whether through research or experience—shines through in these passages.
Themes That Cut Deep
The novel's exploration of first love goes far beyond typical romantic narratives. Patrick examines how intense early relationships can arrest emotional development, leaving people stuck in patterns established in adolescence. Danielle's inability to fully mature past her relationship with Benji reflects a broader commentary on how trauma can freeze us in time.
The theme of maternal love and its potential for destruction runs throughout the story. Deb Greer's actions stem from fierce protectiveness, yet they ultimately cause more harm than the threats she was trying to eliminate. This complex portrayal of motherhood avoids easy moral judgments while acknowledging the real damage that can result from even well-intentioned actions.
Class dynamics permeate the narrative, from the tensions between the Greer family's faded respectability and the Law family's raw poverty to the hierarchies within the modeling industry. Patrick handles these themes with nuance, showing how economic circumstances shape choices without excusing harmful behavior.
Where the Novel Stumbles
Despite its many strengths, Fast Boys and Pretty Girls suffers from several significant flaws. The revelation of what actually happened to Louisa Radcliffe, while shocking, feels somewhat rushed after the careful buildup. The final act struggles to balance the multiple threads Patrick has woven throughout the story, leaving some plot elements feeling underdeveloped.
The novel's treatment of certain characters occasionally veers into caricature. Heather Clack, Danielle's coworker in Atlanta, exists primarily to provide exposition and comic relief rather than functioning as a fully realized person. Similarly, some of the modeling industry figures feel like familiar types rather than unique individuals.
Patrick's prose, while generally strong, sometimes becomes overwrought in its attempts to capture Southern Gothic atmosphere. Certain passages feel self-consciously literary in ways that can distance readers from the emotional core of the story.
A Meditation on Consequences
Perhaps the most powerful aspect of Fast Boys and Pretty Girls is its unflinching examination of how our actions ripple outward in ways we can never fully anticipate. Danielle's teenage selfishness and inability to let go of her obsession with Benji sets in motion a chain of events that ultimately destroys multiple lives. The novel doesn't offer easy forgiveness or redemption, instead presenting the harder truth that some mistakes can never be fully undone.
The book's final sections, dealing with the aftermath of the revelations about Louisa's death and Deb's role in the tragedy, ring with authentic emotional weight. Patrick resists the temptation to provide neat resolutions, instead showing how families must learn to live with difficult truths about the people they love.
Verdict: A Flawed but Compelling Southern Gothic
Fast Boys and Pretty Girls succeeds as both a mystery and a character study, offering insights into the psychology of obsession and the long-term consequences of teenage choices. While it doesn't quite reach the heights of Patrick's previous works, it remains a compelling read that will particularly resonate with readers who appreciate complex, morally ambiguous characters and atmospheric Southern settings.
The novel's exploration of first love's destructive potential sets it apart from typical coming-of-age stories, offering a more mature and unsettling perspective on formative relationships. Despite its flaws, Patrick has crafted a story that lingers in the mind long after the final page.
December 25, 2024
I really enjoyed the writing of this book. I think that the author is a fantastic writer and especially as far as young adult books go, this is so well written. I didn’t care as much for the story, but I feel that’s personal preference. I wish the story was longer and more developed in places as I was keen to know more about the characters, the back story, the intentions behind why some characters acted the way they did. I wanted more insight into the motive of Danielle’s mum in doing what she did. I wanted to know more about why Danielle was so obsessed with Benji, their age gap weirded me out so I needed to know more about why it happened in the first place. Everything just moved a bit too fast, but also a bit too slow at the same time.
I did ultimately enjoy the writing though and I would look to read more by this writer in the future.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I did ultimately enjoy the writing though and I would look to read more by this writer in the future.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2025
Sorry, yall. For me, this book dragged on, was repetitive, and the ending was... I dont know... non existent.
August 5, 2025
I received this audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for leaving an honest review.
I went back and forth over whether to give this book 3 or 4 stars, and I think my final rating would be 3.5 leaning towards 4. I truly didn’t know what to expect from this book, as right off the bat it was clear that the main characters are not exactly the most likable. The main character, Danielle, is particularly frustrating, in a way that I eventually grew to accept that I don’t think you’re really meant to like her that much. The main love interest, Benji, is very obviously not that into her, but again I do believe that you are supposed to feel that way while reading it.
Danielle is mean to almost everyone she comes across, and very delusional when it comes to her relationship with Benji. She is a teenaged model living alone in New York City, meaning most readers will not find her relatable. All that being said.. I was hooked! I couldn’t help but want to keep listening and to figure out what was going to happen no matter how much she frustrated me. I may have been groaning at almost every decision Danielle made throughout the book, but I still wanted to know more.
I enjoyed the dual timelines that the book takes place in, and I enjoyed the writing. Patrick’s writing and Summer’s narration made the scenes very easy for me to visualize. I am not the most observant when it comes to twists in mysteries/thrillers, so I personally only figured it out about a half an hour before it was revealed at the end of the book. It is definitely a slow build up of plot, with a lot of background that leads up to the crash at the center of the book’s mystery. If you’re an avid mystery reader I wouldn’t be surprised if you figured out the twist much sooner than I did. The twist only really starts to unfold at about the last hour of the book, so if you like your mystery more upfront this may not be the book for you.
Overall, I would say if you don’t mind frustrating characters and a bit of a slow plot, I think you’ll enjoy this book! It surprised me, and it was really easy to stick with it to the end.
I went back and forth over whether to give this book 3 or 4 stars, and I think my final rating would be 3.5 leaning towards 4. I truly didn’t know what to expect from this book, as right off the bat it was clear that the main characters are not exactly the most likable. The main character, Danielle, is particularly frustrating, in a way that I eventually grew to accept that I don’t think you’re really meant to like her that much. The main love interest, Benji, is very obviously not that into her, but again I do believe that you are supposed to feel that way while reading it.
Danielle is mean to almost everyone she comes across, and very delusional when it comes to her relationship with Benji. She is a teenaged model living alone in New York City, meaning most readers will not find her relatable. All that being said.. I was hooked! I couldn’t help but want to keep listening and to figure out what was going to happen no matter how much she frustrated me. I may have been groaning at almost every decision Danielle made throughout the book, but I still wanted to know more.
I enjoyed the dual timelines that the book takes place in, and I enjoyed the writing. Patrick’s writing and Summer’s narration made the scenes very easy for me to visualize. I am not the most observant when it comes to twists in mysteries/thrillers, so I personally only figured it out about a half an hour before it was revealed at the end of the book. It is definitely a slow build up of plot, with a lot of background that leads up to the crash at the center of the book’s mystery. If you’re an avid mystery reader I wouldn’t be surprised if you figured out the twist much sooner than I did. The twist only really starts to unfold at about the last hour of the book, so if you like your mystery more upfront this may not be the book for you.
Overall, I would say if you don’t mind frustrating characters and a bit of a slow plot, I think you’ll enjoy this book! It surprised me, and it was really easy to stick with it to the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2026
I was genuinely excited to read this book, but it left me deeply disappointed. The story follows Danielle, a 30-year-old woman who resides in her childhood home. Her daughters stumble upon human remains on her property, prompting them to investigate the circumstances surrounding their discovery. As Danielle grapples with this revelation, she is compelled to confront her past.
In her youth, Danielle moved to New York City to pursue modeling. There, she had a fling with a rebellious boy from her small hometown in Georgia named Benji. Tragically, Benji passed away in a motorcycle accident when he was just 17. Despite the disapproval of everyone around her, Danielle became deeply enamored with Benji and found herself unable to move on.
When Benji unexpectedly visits Danielle in New York City, he starts a fling with her roommate, Lousia, who was also a model. Later, they discover that the human remains belong to Lousia and Danielle’s mother. Danielle’s mother initially confuses the events surrounding Lousia’s death and Benji’s involvement.
The book’s ending left me feeling deeply unsatisfied. How did Danielle’s mother receive only a month in prison for her role in the deaths of Louisa and Benji? I was close to giving this book a perfect score, but the rushed and unresolved conclusion ultimately left me disappointed.
In her youth, Danielle moved to New York City to pursue modeling. There, she had a fling with a rebellious boy from her small hometown in Georgia named Benji. Tragically, Benji passed away in a motorcycle accident when he was just 17. Despite the disapproval of everyone around her, Danielle became deeply enamored with Benji and found herself unable to move on.
When Benji unexpectedly visits Danielle in New York City, he starts a fling with her roommate, Lousia, who was also a model. Later, they discover that the human remains belong to Lousia and Danielle’s mother. Danielle’s mother initially confuses the events surrounding Lousia’s death and Benji’s involvement.
The book’s ending left me feeling deeply unsatisfied. How did Danielle’s mother receive only a month in prison for her role in the deaths of Louisa and Benji? I was close to giving this book a perfect score, but the rushed and unresolved conclusion ultimately left me disappointed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2025
I requested this book on NetGalley by the beautiful cover and the name of the book alone. Slow to unfold - but not in a negative way.- we follow southern girl Danielle on her journey from being discovered by a talent agent at a mall to moving to NY on her own at 17 to model. On a visit home she meets up with 15 year old bad boy Benji and a one sided relationship begins. At times I would forget Benji was so young when he was acting like, well a typical 15 year old boy would. I felt badly for Dani, it was a very one sided relationship and she did not want to let go. Pulled me back in time when I was 17, chasing after my own fast boy, which went as good as it did with poor Dani and Benji. This isn’t a “love story” - more a coming of age tale with some suspense peppered in with who the body found is.
I received a copy from Net Galley for an honest opinion
I received a copy from Net Galley for an honest opinion
November 5, 2025
This one starts off quickly, Danielle lives in her childhood home when her 4 daughters discover a body on the property. This discovery leads to Danielle revisiting the past - 15 years ago to her vapid teen modeling days in NYC, an illicit teenage relationship, and of another death. Raw, gritty, and filled with characters that you feel no attachment or empathy towards - yet I couldn’t stop reading.
September 7, 2025
This book was all build up…..nothing happened until 70% of the way through, and even then, it was unfulfilled disappointment.
Don’t buy it……rent it or skip it all together.
Don’t buy it……rent it or skip it all together.
September 14, 2025
Great ending but slow moving. it was tough to keep ky interest. Also, my print copy had 6 blank pages in the middle.
October 9, 2025
looking to belong
small town girl stuck in amber
haunted by her past
small town girl stuck in amber
haunted by her past
January 15, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for this arc!
This book had so much potential. The mystery plot could've been executed better - it didn't surprise me at all.
I almost gave up reading and giving it a DNF but stuck through.
I hated every single character. Everyone was super toxic and mid. No one sticks out from the rest - it felt like everyone had the same character.
The retrospective side of the story was boring and not that much exciting - after reading first few chapters you could easily guess the rest of the plot.
This book had so much potential. The mystery plot could've been executed better - it didn't surprise me at all.
I almost gave up reading and giving it a DNF but stuck through.
I hated every single character. Everyone was super toxic and mid. No one sticks out from the rest - it felt like everyone had the same character.
The retrospective side of the story was boring and not that much exciting - after reading first few chapters you could easily guess the rest of the plot.
March 19, 2025
I received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
This was a 315 page book that felt about twice as long. It could not keep my attention and I was bored the entire time. I found the book confusing, but I do not know if that is because it couldn't keep my attention or because it was overall a confusing book.
This was a 315 page book that felt about twice as long. It could not keep my attention and I was bored the entire time. I found the book confusing, but I do not know if that is because it couldn't keep my attention or because it was overall a confusing book.
January 15, 2026
I would have dnf’d this book so hard if it wasn’t my book club pick.
February 6, 2025
I found this book a little disappointing due to its lack of character development. It was well written. I liked the prose, but sometimes the way life happened for these characters was too slow. Most of the characters remained stagnant, showing little to no personal or professional growth throughout the story. The protagonist, a starting model from New York, falls deeply for a high school dropout who clearly isn’t serious about her, which felt unrealistic and frustrating. Their relationship lacked depth, making it difficult to root for them. The novel had potential, but the underdeveloped characters and implausible romance made it an unsatisfying read for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2025
This was one of the most weirdest books I have read in a long time. And not in a good way. It felt as if this book was written by a teenager for teenagers. The characters were empty. Dani was not likable. The "bad boy" concept was not even explained in a way that made the story interesting. He stayed 16 for the entirety of the book but Dani and all the characters aged.
There was nothing interesting in the story line. it was choppy, blah and forgettable. Disappointing because Lo Patrick has some great books.
I wouldn't waste your time.
There was nothing interesting in the story line. it was choppy, blah and forgettable. Disappointing because Lo Patrick has some great books.
I wouldn't waste your time.
August 2, 2025
I love a good mystery but this was not it. I liked the idea of the story. But the characters were absolutely unlikeable. Everything just seemed ho hum. The main character clearly has a mental disorder (obsessed with the boyfriend) the boyfriend was extremely unlikeable. I spent so much time trying to figure out why she was so obsessed with him and decided she had a mental issue. As an adult she was so lackadaisical and even more unlikeable. I definitely would not recommend this book.
August 11, 2025
I had high hopes for this book but it was extremely difficult to finish. None of the characters were likeable.
August 11, 2025
DNF. I couldn't stand the main character.
July 9, 2025
Lo Patrick, a former Atlanta attorney turned bestselling storyteller and novelist, is back with her latest creation, FAST BOYS AND PRETTY GIRLS.
This atmospheric Southern small-town suspense is a testament to her expertise in blending coming-of-age, crime, and literary fiction, as she weaves dark secrets from a small-town rural Georgia setting into a compelling narrative that seamlessly merges the past with the present.
"They say you can never go home again. And sometimes, you shouldn't."
About...
Set in Pressville, Georgia, Danielle lives with her family on Bell Road in rural North Georgia. Located between Atlanta and North Carolina in the North Georgia mountain area. Everyone knows you must drive carefully on Bell Road.
There is a stigma attached to this town and this road. Years ago, a teen girl went missing, and a teen boy was dead. An accident. The bad boy she loved. On this road.
Present 2019: Danielle has moved back to her childhood home in Georgia with her husband, Jasper, and four daughters (Tessa, Leigh, Palmela, and Rose). Her life did not turn out as she had planned. Little does she know, it is about to become worse.
Past 2002: Danielle used to be Dani a model. A pretty girl, she was discovered by a scout at a local mall and wound up with an agent, moving to New York City alone at the age of 17 when she dropped out of school after her junior year. She went a little wild and crazy, thinking she could conquer the world.
However, things did not go as planned. What changed was that she came home for a visit and met the bad boy Benji Law, who had just turned sixteen, a motorcycle-riding, drug-dealing, high-school dropout from her hometown. He and his brother, Blake (boys every parent wanted to keep away from their daughters).
She soon became obsessed with him, dreaming of a life with him and wanting him to move to New York with her. But he was not interested. He wanted the Southern life. Nothing more. So she found herself trying to control him, and then another girl came along.
In the present timeline, Danielle's daughter, Tessa, and her sisters discovered bones (human remains) in the woods behind their house. The woods and the house had been in her mother's family for a hundred years. Her husband was away at a conference, and now she must call Cady Benson, the local detective. They have a long history.
What happens next is a mystery of intense proportions. Cady leads the investigation. Who do the bones belong to on their land? What happened to Benji? Was it an accident? These questions will keep you on the edge of your seat as you delve deeper into the story.
My thoughts...
FAST BOYS AND PRETTY GIRLS is a compelling, moody, gritty, darkly layered mystery of the past. As dark secrets are unraveled, the truth will emerge, along with consequences, twists, and surprises.
Atmospheric and suspenseful, this is more than just a mystery. It's a poignant exploration of dysfunctional family dynamics, mother-daughter relationships, lies, secrets, dreams, desires, jealousy, obsession, and control. Murder?
By showcasing how greed and control transcend class, privilege, and urban-rural divides, the book offers a thought-provoking reflection on our society today.
No stranger to Southern tales and complex characters, the author delivers a compelling mystery that will keep you turning the pages.
Told from Danielle/Dani's POV, with dual timelines, readers get an inside view of the self-absorbed teen and her relationship with her mother, and, of course, her obsession with the bad boy. The dual timelines add depth to the story, allowing you to see how the past influences the present.
The author does an incredible job portraying the actions and innermost thoughts of a teenage girl from this age range. Great characterization. Defying parents, trying to be independent, leaving the small town life behind, and first love.
As an NC native and an Atlanta resident for most of my media career, and with a beautiful log cabin in Big Canoe (North Georgia Mountains), I am always drawn to books set in the South, and the author knows her way around this genre.
Even though none of the characters were particularly likable, I think this was a realistic view of the time, place, setting, and situation in which these characters find themselves.
The multi-generational novel would make an ideal pick for book clubs and further discussions (questions included). It will appeal not only to YA readers but also to parents, mothers, and readers of all different ages who enjoy Southern fiction.
Recs...
The novel is for fans of Southern small-town crime mysteries, family dramas, literary fiction, and coming-of-age stories. For fans of the author and those who enjoy works by Diane Chamberlain, Stacy Willingham, Ken Jaworowski, Mary Alice Monroe, Julia Heaberlin, Kristin Koval, Amy Pease, Kelly Mustian, Suzanne Redfearn, Marybeth Mayhew Whalen, Megan Miranda, and Laura Lippman. (all favorites).
Special thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for the gifted advanced reading copy, provided via NetGalley, for my honest thoughts. As always, I love the cover, which draws you in.
blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Pub Date: July 8, 2025
July Newsletter
July 2025 Must-Read Books
This atmospheric Southern small-town suspense is a testament to her expertise in blending coming-of-age, crime, and literary fiction, as she weaves dark secrets from a small-town rural Georgia setting into a compelling narrative that seamlessly merges the past with the present.
"They say you can never go home again. And sometimes, you shouldn't."
About...
Set in Pressville, Georgia, Danielle lives with her family on Bell Road in rural North Georgia. Located between Atlanta and North Carolina in the North Georgia mountain area. Everyone knows you must drive carefully on Bell Road.
There is a stigma attached to this town and this road. Years ago, a teen girl went missing, and a teen boy was dead. An accident. The bad boy she loved. On this road.
Present 2019: Danielle has moved back to her childhood home in Georgia with her husband, Jasper, and four daughters (Tessa, Leigh, Palmela, and Rose). Her life did not turn out as she had planned. Little does she know, it is about to become worse.
Past 2002: Danielle used to be Dani a model. A pretty girl, she was discovered by a scout at a local mall and wound up with an agent, moving to New York City alone at the age of 17 when she dropped out of school after her junior year. She went a little wild and crazy, thinking she could conquer the world.
However, things did not go as planned. What changed was that she came home for a visit and met the bad boy Benji Law, who had just turned sixteen, a motorcycle-riding, drug-dealing, high-school dropout from her hometown. He and his brother, Blake (boys every parent wanted to keep away from their daughters).
She soon became obsessed with him, dreaming of a life with him and wanting him to move to New York with her. But he was not interested. He wanted the Southern life. Nothing more. So she found herself trying to control him, and then another girl came along.
In the present timeline, Danielle's daughter, Tessa, and her sisters discovered bones (human remains) in the woods behind their house. The woods and the house had been in her mother's family for a hundred years. Her husband was away at a conference, and now she must call Cady Benson, the local detective. They have a long history.
What happens next is a mystery of intense proportions. Cady leads the investigation. Who do the bones belong to on their land? What happened to Benji? Was it an accident? These questions will keep you on the edge of your seat as you delve deeper into the story.
My thoughts...
FAST BOYS AND PRETTY GIRLS is a compelling, moody, gritty, darkly layered mystery of the past. As dark secrets are unraveled, the truth will emerge, along with consequences, twists, and surprises.
Atmospheric and suspenseful, this is more than just a mystery. It's a poignant exploration of dysfunctional family dynamics, mother-daughter relationships, lies, secrets, dreams, desires, jealousy, obsession, and control. Murder?
By showcasing how greed and control transcend class, privilege, and urban-rural divides, the book offers a thought-provoking reflection on our society today.
No stranger to Southern tales and complex characters, the author delivers a compelling mystery that will keep you turning the pages.
Told from Danielle/Dani's POV, with dual timelines, readers get an inside view of the self-absorbed teen and her relationship with her mother, and, of course, her obsession with the bad boy. The dual timelines add depth to the story, allowing you to see how the past influences the present.
The author does an incredible job portraying the actions and innermost thoughts of a teenage girl from this age range. Great characterization. Defying parents, trying to be independent, leaving the small town life behind, and first love.
As an NC native and an Atlanta resident for most of my media career, and with a beautiful log cabin in Big Canoe (North Georgia Mountains), I am always drawn to books set in the South, and the author knows her way around this genre.
Even though none of the characters were particularly likable, I think this was a realistic view of the time, place, setting, and situation in which these characters find themselves.
The multi-generational novel would make an ideal pick for book clubs and further discussions (questions included). It will appeal not only to YA readers but also to parents, mothers, and readers of all different ages who enjoy Southern fiction.
Recs...
The novel is for fans of Southern small-town crime mysteries, family dramas, literary fiction, and coming-of-age stories. For fans of the author and those who enjoy works by Diane Chamberlain, Stacy Willingham, Ken Jaworowski, Mary Alice Monroe, Julia Heaberlin, Kristin Koval, Amy Pease, Kelly Mustian, Suzanne Redfearn, Marybeth Mayhew Whalen, Megan Miranda, and Laura Lippman. (all favorites).
Special thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for the gifted advanced reading copy, provided via NetGalley, for my honest thoughts. As always, I love the cover, which draws you in.
blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Pub Date: July 8, 2025
July Newsletter
July 2025 Must-Read Books
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