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Some Girls Do #2
Girls Like Us
In this sequel to
Some Girls Do
, two girls struggle when long distance complicates their relationship.
Ruby and Morgan fell for each other during their senior year of high school, and now, almost a year later, they are fighting to keep their spark alive, even while they are Morgan is on a track scholarship at a university several hours away, studying public policy, while Ruby stayed in her hometown, exploring her love of mechanics in the automotive engineering program at the local community college.
Long distance weighs on the girls, with new friendships and flirtatious classmates adding complications, and the two are looking forward to a spring break getaway to Washington, D.C., and the bliss of a whole summer vacation together. But when Morgan discovers she's a finalist for the perfect internship, and Ruby gets the shot to appear on her favorite automotive TV show, the trip schedule—and their summer plans—are thrown into question. With both girls unwilling to stand in the way of each other’s future, they has the time come for them to go their separate ways?
Ruby and Morgan fell for each other during their senior year of high school, and now, almost a year later, they are fighting to keep their spark alive, even while they are Morgan is on a track scholarship at a university several hours away, studying public policy, while Ruby stayed in her hometown, exploring her love of mechanics in the automotive engineering program at the local community college.
Long distance weighs on the girls, with new friendships and flirtatious classmates adding complications, and the two are looking forward to a spring break getaway to Washington, D.C., and the bliss of a whole summer vacation together. But when Morgan discovers she's a finalist for the perfect internship, and Ruby gets the shot to appear on her favorite automotive TV show, the trip schedule—and their summer plans—are thrown into question. With both girls unwilling to stand in the way of each other’s future, they has the time come for them to go their separate ways?
336 pages, Paperback
Published May 5, 2026
About the author
Jennifer Dugan
24 books2,327 followersJennifer Dugan is a writer, geek, and romantic who writes the kinds of stories she wishes she had growing up. In addition to being a young adult novelist, she is also the writer/creator of two indie comics. She lives in New York with her family, dogs, and an evil cat that is no doubt planning to take over the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
May 9, 2026
This book tore me apart.
How can I simultaneously love and hate two people together?
Not even once, but TWICE now?
Book one, “Some Girls Do” is one of my all-time favorites. So when I found out that there was going to be a follow up? Elated. Nothing short of absolutely elated.
Thus, I was slightly nervous to read it. Because I was worried it wouldn’t live up to the hype I’d created it for inside of my head.
But- rejoice! Book two provided everything I needed it to, with the added signature drama and toxicity that I have come to know Jennifer Dugan by at this point.
Always be prepared to seethe during her books- but also be prepared to enjoy it? (At least I hope you do!)
Ruby and Morgan are an interesting couple.
I love them together, and individually. But their characters have some growing up to do… which luckily we see a bit of by the end of this. (At least I like to tell myself they would keep that energy moving forward)
They both make some questionable choices, but honestly, I can’t stop rooting for them.
What does that mean?
I could probably read five more books about these two, from the end of college through… the rest of their lives probably.
They are so worth the stress.
Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin Young Readers Group | G.P Putnam’s sons books for young readers and author Jennifer Dugan, for providing me with the eARC of “Girls Like Us”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: May 05, 2026
How can I simultaneously love and hate two people together?
Not even once, but TWICE now?
Book one, “Some Girls Do” is one of my all-time favorites. So when I found out that there was going to be a follow up? Elated. Nothing short of absolutely elated.
Thus, I was slightly nervous to read it. Because I was worried it wouldn’t live up to the hype I’d created it for inside of my head.
But- rejoice! Book two provided everything I needed it to, with the added signature drama and toxicity that I have come to know Jennifer Dugan by at this point.
Always be prepared to seethe during her books- but also be prepared to enjoy it? (At least I hope you do!)
Ruby and Morgan are an interesting couple.
I love them together, and individually. But their characters have some growing up to do… which luckily we see a bit of by the end of this. (At least I like to tell myself they would keep that energy moving forward)
They both make some questionable choices, but honestly, I can’t stop rooting for them.
What does that mean?
I could probably read five more books about these two, from the end of college through… the rest of their lives probably.
They are so worth the stress.
Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin Young Readers Group | G.P Putnam’s sons books for young readers and author Jennifer Dugan, for providing me with the eARC of “Girls Like Us”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: May 05, 2026
May 31, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
26 BOOKS IN 2026 CHALLENGE: 13/26
Actual rating 4.5 ⭐️
I can't believe I'm so late with this review, as the book was released almost a month ago...
Read Some Girls Do when it first came out and it was maybe the best book I read that year, so when I heard about a sequel I was so freaking excited... but I definitely wasn't expecting the heartbreak. This book made me hurt, but also smile and remember how much I love Morgan and Ruby. I adored seeing them work through their problems and grow so much together, but also individually.
Reading about Morgan and Ruby five years ago and finishing their story today just made me so emotional! I'm really hoping the story is not done yet and we will see these characters again someday.
26 BOOKS IN 2026 CHALLENGE: 13/26
Actual rating 4.5 ⭐️
I can't believe I'm so late with this review, as the book was released almost a month ago...
Read Some Girls Do when it first came out and it was maybe the best book I read that year, so when I heard about a sequel I was so freaking excited... but I definitely wasn't expecting the heartbreak. This book made me hurt, but also smile and remember how much I love Morgan and Ruby. I adored seeing them work through their problems and grow so much together, but also individually.
Reading about Morgan and Ruby five years ago and finishing their story today just made me so emotional! I'm really hoping the story is not done yet and we will see these characters again someday.
May 16, 2026
I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with romance series that follow the same main characters across multiple books. On the one hand, if I enjoyed the first book, I usually want to spend more time with those characters. On the other hand, sequels often miss some of my favorite parts of a romance: the falling in love, the slow build-up, and that first intimate moment. And honestly, by the time I pick up the sequel, I often don’t remember all the details from the first book anymore. I could reread it, of course, but I rarely feel motivated to do that. I did skim the synopsis beforehand, but otherwise I went into this second book about Ruby and Morgan pretty much blank.
In the end, this was simply a nice story about Ruby and Morgan, two college girls navigating a long-distance relationship now that their schools are four hours apart.
There were a few references to past events that made me wonder whether they would be explained later or if they had already been fully covered in the first book and I was just expected to remember them. That was a little frustrating at times. Still, it wasn’t too bad overall, and the book can definitely be read as a standalone. That said, I would still recommend reading the first book first and then moving on to this one fairly quickly while everything is still fresh.
Since this is YA, there’s no spice at all — not even much suggestiveness or emotional build-up leading to a fade-to-black moment. Because the story focuses on two college girls, I expected just a little bit more in that regard.
This also isn’t a particularly cheerful book. It has quite a melancholy atmosphere throughout, which makes sense considering Ruby and Morgan are at a stage in their relationship where they constantly miss each other. The distance between them grows while they struggle with being apart.
Overall, I enjoyed it well enough, but it did feel a little too safe and restrained for my taste. Then again, maybe I’m simply getting a bit too old for YA novels. A very close 4 stars.
In the end, this was simply a nice story about Ruby and Morgan, two college girls navigating a long-distance relationship now that their schools are four hours apart.
There were a few references to past events that made me wonder whether they would be explained later or if they had already been fully covered in the first book and I was just expected to remember them. That was a little frustrating at times. Still, it wasn’t too bad overall, and the book can definitely be read as a standalone. That said, I would still recommend reading the first book first and then moving on to this one fairly quickly while everything is still fresh.
Since this is YA, there’s no spice at all — not even much suggestiveness or emotional build-up leading to a fade-to-black moment. Because the story focuses on two college girls, I expected just a little bit more in that regard.
This also isn’t a particularly cheerful book. It has quite a melancholy atmosphere throughout, which makes sense considering Ruby and Morgan are at a stage in their relationship where they constantly miss each other. The distance between them grows while they struggle with being apart.
Overall, I enjoyed it well enough, but it did feel a little too safe and restrained for my taste. Then again, maybe I’m simply getting a bit too old for YA novels. A very close 4 stars.
May 21, 2026
Book #60 of the year is finished and of course it's a five star read! I was so scared for our rough patch that we had but happy it worked out in the end... I sad to say goodbye to this universe because I love Morgan and ruby so much a third book please Jennifer???
Read
May 12, 2026Thank you to PRH Audio for the free audiobook.
Ruby and Morgan are back! Some Girls Do has a special place in my heart since it was one of my first sapphic reads.
I enjoyed seeing where their relationship is now and the way both characters continued to develop, especially Ruby. My heart hurts for that poor girl. She deserves the world.
The audiobook has a great quality and two talented narrators bringing Ruby and Morgan to life.
If you enjoyed Some Girls Do, you should definitely pick this one up!
Ruby and Morgan are back! Some Girls Do has a special place in my heart since it was one of my first sapphic reads.
I enjoyed seeing where their relationship is now and the way both characters continued to develop, especially Ruby. My heart hurts for that poor girl. She deserves the world.
The audiobook has a great quality and two talented narrators bringing Ruby and Morgan to life.
If you enjoyed Some Girls Do, you should definitely pick this one up!
May 25, 2026
I really liked this!!! Unique
May 3, 2026
ARC Review (Release Date: May 05 2026)
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 ⭐️ This is the second book in the series, I didn’t read the first one but gained enough knowledge through this story that I didn’t feel lost.
There are a lot of good characters in this book, but I really struggled with the communication (or lack thereof) between Morgan and Ruby. I understand they’re young, have their own traumas, and that long distance is hard, but it was really frustrating to read at times.
The ending felt a bit rushed and I don’t know how much was truly solved.
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 ⭐️ This is the second book in the series, I didn’t read the first one but gained enough knowledge through this story that I didn’t feel lost.
There are a lot of good characters in this book, but I really struggled with the communication (or lack thereof) between Morgan and Ruby. I understand they’re young, have their own traumas, and that long distance is hard, but it was really frustrating to read at times.
The ending felt a bit rushed and I don’t know how much was truly solved.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I opened my email yesterday to find a message from Netgalley offering me Girls Like Us for 48 hours! Well, I took 12 of those hours and blew through this emotional sequel to Some Girls Do.
We pick up with Morgan and Ruby in their freshman year of college. They are maintaining their hard-won relationship long-distance while both of them pursue their individual dreams. This soon becomes increasingly challenging with time restraints, jealousy, and insecurity. They must each grow within themselves to support the other, but that lesson does not come easily.
In true Jennifer Dugan style, the characters are layered and real. Dugan writes about the inner turmoil and desperation of each girl clinging to what they once had, not realizing they will need to build something new to make it work. They fall into familiar self-doubt, relatable to anyone who has been in a relationship, and try to put on brave faces for each other rather than having the hard conversations. It is very real to see two young women trying so hard to be perfect for each other, without acknowledging how lonely they are apart.
The struggles they go through individually capture that unique time in most people's lives, when they are out of the house for the first time, on their own, in an unfamiliar place. Navigating that immense change, while gripping so tightly to the past. The growth of both characters is experienced throughout the book, pulling the reader along as you root for them to work through this.
This is an emotional journey with dividends paid off at the end.
I opened my email yesterday to find a message from Netgalley offering me Girls Like Us for 48 hours! Well, I took 12 of those hours and blew through this emotional sequel to Some Girls Do.
We pick up with Morgan and Ruby in their freshman year of college. They are maintaining their hard-won relationship long-distance while both of them pursue their individual dreams. This soon becomes increasingly challenging with time restraints, jealousy, and insecurity. They must each grow within themselves to support the other, but that lesson does not come easily.
In true Jennifer Dugan style, the characters are layered and real. Dugan writes about the inner turmoil and desperation of each girl clinging to what they once had, not realizing they will need to build something new to make it work. They fall into familiar self-doubt, relatable to anyone who has been in a relationship, and try to put on brave faces for each other rather than having the hard conversations. It is very real to see two young women trying so hard to be perfect for each other, without acknowledging how lonely they are apart.
The struggles they go through individually capture that unique time in most people's lives, when they are out of the house for the first time, on their own, in an unfamiliar place. Navigating that immense change, while gripping so tightly to the past. The growth of both characters is experienced throughout the book, pulling the reader along as you root for them to work through this.
This is an emotional journey with dividends paid off at the end.
May 7, 2026
3.5 Stars
This one I enjoyed a little more than the first one. I really like Ruby, and I love that she is a women in the automotive industry. To be honest the miscommunication in this story was rough, I understand they are young...but heck...talk to each other! It was so frustrating! I am glad there was some learning and growth but it took a little to long to get there.
Thank you to Penguin Teen, Netgalley, and Jennifer Dugan for this eArc. This review and opinions are 100% honest and mine.
This one I enjoyed a little more than the first one. I really like Ruby, and I love that she is a women in the automotive industry. To be honest the miscommunication in this story was rough, I understand they are young...but heck...talk to each other! It was so frustrating! I am glad there was some learning and growth but it took a little to long to get there.
Thank you to Penguin Teen, Netgalley, and Jennifer Dugan for this eArc. This review and opinions are 100% honest and mine.
May 16, 2026
All I can say is meh…. The first book was WAY better!
May 20, 2026
Oh Ruby and Morgan! You had my heart before and you kept hold again. I LOVED this book, this story I didn't know I needed until I read it. I love how real and authentic this felt. Even so many (many) years later, I still viscerally remember going to college and getting dumped during winter break. This book did such a great job of showing what a huge, life altering shift it is to go away to college. It really is impossible to anticipate and hard to wrap your head around sometimes. It shows how exhausting it is for Ruby to fight her feelings of abandonment, deeply rooting thanks to her mom, while also trying to balance everything and work for her dreams in addition to her rent. It shows that even the most in love couple will go through things where they can't see eye-to-eye and maybe cannot be as empathetic to the other's situation as they wish to be. It shows the struggle to balance of being selfish in a good way and selfish in a harmful way. I love seeing them work through so many things and ultimately growing so much together, but especially individually. This book made me smile, it made me hurt, and it put me back together again. I love this author's writing SO much, it completely captivated me.
Note: I listened to the audiobook it was perfectly done, bringing out the stark self doubt, insecurity, but also loving emotions throughout this story.
Thanks to the publisher for a free copy and free ALC; my thoughts and review are my own.
Note: I listened to the audiobook it was perfectly done, bringing out the stark self doubt, insecurity, but also loving emotions throughout this story.
Thanks to the publisher for a free copy and free ALC; my thoughts and review are my own.
May 16, 2026
Loved this next stage in Morgan and Ruby's love story. It's bumpier and more mature but so very worth it. I love that they both get to experience life outside of their relationship and still try to keep things so good. The struggle with long distance was so well done!!
June 15, 2026
Whatever, I miss hot dog girl
June 25, 2026
3.5⭐️ i’m sorry i just love a second chance romance!!!! this was everything
May 5, 2026
Girls Like Us is such a heartfelt continuation of Ruby and Morgan’s story.
This sequel dives into a phase of life that isn’t often romanticized in the same way.....first year of college, long distance, and the slow realization that love alone doesn’t solve everything.
Ruby and Morgan are no longer in the same place physically or emotionally. Morgan is adjusting to university life and the pressures of athletics and academics, while Ruby is navigating her own path closer to home. Watching them try to maintain what they had while growing into who they’re becoming was both emotional and incredibly authentic.
The long distance element was handled really well. The miscommunication, the jealousy, the fear of being replaced.....it all felt real without being overly dramatized. Both characters are trying their best, but they’re also struggling individually, which creates tension that feels grounded and believable.
I especially appreciated how the story explores ambition versus relationships. Both Ruby and Morgan are given opportunities that could shape their futures, and neither wants to hold the other back. That internal conflict makes their decisions feel meaningful.
The emotional pacing is strong, and the story captures that transitional time in life where everything feels uncertain and overwhelming. The growth both characters experience is subtle but important.
If you’re looking for a sapphic romance that leans into messy communication, long distance struggles, and personal growth this is a strong sequel that delivers both heart and honesty.
This sequel dives into a phase of life that isn’t often romanticized in the same way.....first year of college, long distance, and the slow realization that love alone doesn’t solve everything.
Ruby and Morgan are no longer in the same place physically or emotionally. Morgan is adjusting to university life and the pressures of athletics and academics, while Ruby is navigating her own path closer to home. Watching them try to maintain what they had while growing into who they’re becoming was both emotional and incredibly authentic.
The long distance element was handled really well. The miscommunication, the jealousy, the fear of being replaced.....it all felt real without being overly dramatized. Both characters are trying their best, but they’re also struggling individually, which creates tension that feels grounded and believable.
I especially appreciated how the story explores ambition versus relationships. Both Ruby and Morgan are given opportunities that could shape their futures, and neither wants to hold the other back. That internal conflict makes their decisions feel meaningful.
The emotional pacing is strong, and the story captures that transitional time in life where everything feels uncertain and overwhelming. The growth both characters experience is subtle but important.
If you’re looking for a sapphic romance that leans into messy communication, long distance struggles, and personal growth this is a strong sequel that delivers both heart and honesty.
May 12, 2026
just wanna put out there that this is purely nostalgia bias. No objectivity will be found here lol
Now I have a love hate relationship with miss Jennifer Dugan over here. Sometimes her books hit, but sometimes they really miss. And yet this time… it doesn’t matter. Frankly I don’t care how good or bad it was. Because I couldn’t help but fall back into my 2022-newly-out-baby-gay-reading-some-girls-do-for-the-first-time self the entire time. I was just so giddy and excited to be brought back to that time no matter what was happening on the page.
When you’re an already established couple there’s only so much you can do. Which meant there was a lot of bad communication and going in circles and me just being so frustrated at them at times, and it also just made the pacing feel so much slower, but I can’t say it was completely off brand for them or out of the blue. The problems were realistic and they were set up in a natural way.
HOWEVER. Because they’re already established in the beginning it made their moments are so much cuter. Especially becuase they’re recurring things from last book. It’s a list for the list!
- The internal thoughts about each other
- The pinky holding
- The way they’re so loudly in love and want everyone to know it
I was hurting with them. the fact that despite their anger and fighting they still couldn’t help but protect and comfort each other, it was such a slow death and it just made it sting even more. As much as I was getting mad at them when they were fighting or not communicating, them breaking up was breaking me too. The way they were still so sickly in love with each other but there was nothing else they can do. They were trying their best man, and i just couldn’t bear to not support them no matter how annoying they were about it lol. But the payoff was so worth it, it made me truly forget everything that happened before that
Which included Mac and Shiloh. Look I know I said that there’s not many paths you can take when you’re already together. That being said, cheating/another love interest does not always have to be one of them. It’s such a cop out conflict and I don’t like that how it was handled at all. It was so unnecessary and completely avoidable. And it did nothing for their overall growth. they already had other conflicts to build off of! It did not need to exist. And frankly I choose to pretend it didn’t.
I did like the healing process they both went through. It was completely necessary and I liked that they both persued their passions and got what they wanted. And selfishly I adored the pining that it caused. I mean it was very prevalent throughout the whole thing but when they were missing each other it just hit so much harder.
Shoutout to my 17 year old self for starting this journey. And now here I am at 21 about to end it. and continue it. To some girls do, thank you for solidifying my love for sapphic fiction. And to my past self, you have no idea about the world of queer books that you just opened yourself up to lol
3.75/5
Now I have a love hate relationship with miss Jennifer Dugan over here. Sometimes her books hit, but sometimes they really miss. And yet this time… it doesn’t matter. Frankly I don’t care how good or bad it was. Because I couldn’t help but fall back into my 2022-newly-out-baby-gay-reading-some-girls-do-for-the-first-time self the entire time. I was just so giddy and excited to be brought back to that time no matter what was happening on the page.
When you’re an already established couple there’s only so much you can do. Which meant there was a lot of bad communication and going in circles and me just being so frustrated at them at times, and it also just made the pacing feel so much slower, but I can’t say it was completely off brand for them or out of the blue. The problems were realistic and they were set up in a natural way.
HOWEVER. Because they’re already established in the beginning it made their moments are so much cuter. Especially becuase they’re recurring things from last book. It’s a list for the list!
- The internal thoughts about each other
- The pinky holding
- The way they’re so loudly in love and want everyone to know it
I was hurting with them. the fact that despite their anger and fighting they still couldn’t help but protect and comfort each other, it was such a slow death and it just made it sting even more. As much as I was getting mad at them when they were fighting or not communicating, them breaking up was breaking me too. The way they were still so sickly in love with each other but there was nothing else they can do. They were trying their best man, and i just couldn’t bear to not support them no matter how annoying they were about it lol. But the payoff was so worth it, it made me truly forget everything that happened before that
Which included Mac and Shiloh. Look I know I said that there’s not many paths you can take when you’re already together. That being said, cheating/another love interest does not always have to be one of them. It’s such a cop out conflict and I don’t like that how it was handled at all. It was so unnecessary and completely avoidable. And it did nothing for their overall growth. they already had other conflicts to build off of! It did not need to exist. And frankly I choose to pretend it didn’t.
I did like the healing process they both went through. It was completely necessary and I liked that they both persued their passions and got what they wanted. And selfishly I adored the pining that it caused. I mean it was very prevalent throughout the whole thing but when they were missing each other it just hit so much harder.
Shoutout to my 17 year old self for starting this journey. And now here I am at 21 about to end it. and continue it. To some girls do, thank you for solidifying my love for sapphic fiction. And to my past self, you have no idea about the world of queer books that you just opened yourself up to lol
3.75/5
May 1, 2026
2.5 ⭐️
After high school Ruby and Morgan try and figure things out with how their relationship will work when it becomes long distance.
I had just finished Some Girls Do before reading this so it was like getting bonus chapters in a way. Getting to see how much the main characters have grown; together and individually. Ruby dealing with things with her mom was so nice to see after the first book, I was so happy for her to work through that trauma.
I love this author’s work, she can write some amazing sapphic books but this just felt different. The relationship in this felt underwhelming and annoying. The miscommunication trope in this book reminds me why I hate this trope. I just didn’t care for this book as much as I did the first one. It was like writing a love story where the main characters are destined to break up. It felt so immature and I know the main characters are still young and this is a big deal with their new relationship going long distance and things in general changing in their lives, but this just felt like these two lacked chemistry completely and I’m failing to understand what the point of this book even was.
(Note: I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity.)
POV: Duel, First Person
Spice Level: (mentioned lightly)
Sad Level: 💧
Would I Recommend? No
Favorite Character(s): Ruby
Emojis Based on Vibes: 🚙🌈📚
⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse
After high school Ruby and Morgan try and figure things out with how their relationship will work when it becomes long distance.
I had just finished Some Girls Do before reading this so it was like getting bonus chapters in a way. Getting to see how much the main characters have grown; together and individually. Ruby dealing with things with her mom was so nice to see after the first book, I was so happy for her to work through that trauma.
I love this author’s work, she can write some amazing sapphic books but this just felt different. The relationship in this felt underwhelming and annoying. The miscommunication trope in this book reminds me why I hate this trope. I just didn’t care for this book as much as I did the first one. It was like writing a love story where the main characters are destined to break up. It felt so immature and I know the main characters are still young and this is a big deal with their new relationship going long distance and things in general changing in their lives, but this just felt like these two lacked chemistry completely and I’m failing to understand what the point of this book even was.
(Note: I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity.)
POV: Duel, First Person
Spice Level: (mentioned lightly)
Sad Level: 💧
Would I Recommend? No
Favorite Character(s): Ruby
Emojis Based on Vibes: 🚙🌈📚
⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse
May 25, 2026
I first read Some Girls Do when I was 15 and beginning to discover myself, now I am 20 and Girls Like Us has really met me at a perfect time in my life. In this new book, Morgan and Ruby are genuinely at their most honest, which I find so beautiful and compelling. At 18, there is still so much of yourself to sift through, and I feel like Dugan encapsulated that feeling so perfectly in this novel.
Long distance is HARD. College is HARD. Becoming an adult is HARD.
Dugan handles the stickiest situations with such grace and levity that it's easy to relate to the characters. I feel like this book is the perfect sequel to Some Girls Do, retaining the same level of honesty and beauty in both books.
LOVED IT!
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Long distance is HARD. College is HARD. Becoming an adult is HARD.
Dugan handles the stickiest situations with such grace and levity that it's easy to relate to the characters. I feel like this book is the perfect sequel to Some Girls Do, retaining the same level of honesty and beauty in both books.
LOVED IT!
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
June 3, 2026
I gravitate towards the first book more based solely on the fact that I LOVE a falling in love story, but this was such a beautiful sequel about choosing love, healthy love, even when it’s hard. It’s a YA so of course things can feel juvenile at times, but in that nostalgic and borderline painful way where it makes you remember being there and feeling those things, and what’s a book for if not to make us feel!!!!
May 24, 2026
4.5 stars.
Jennifer Dugan at it again, hurting my feelings on a Tuesday. Can I fucking live?
I missed these two SO much. Ruby has my whole heart as a character. I can't deal. Get it on my shelf, IMMEDIATELY.
It's not five stars because the first book had the "will they/won't they" falling in love aspect, but I'm still obsessed.
Jennifer Dugan at it again, hurting my feelings on a Tuesday. Can I fucking live?
I missed these two SO much. Ruby has my whole heart as a character. I can't deal. Get it on my shelf, IMMEDIATELY.
It's not five stars because the first book had the "will they/won't they" falling in love aspect, but I'm still obsessed.
May 15, 2026
The miscommunication was sooooo bad😭😭😭😭😭 Good lord. Thank god they had decent character growth in the end??? They’re cute tho I love them despite how they handled everything.
May 18, 2026
actual rating: 4.5 stars
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gosh i love these girls so much 😭 <3 another great story from Dugan
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gosh i love these girls so much 😭 <3 another great story from Dugan
March 29, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I have been waiting for this sequel since it's been announced!! I was so excited to get an ARC copy thanks to Netgalley!!
Overall, I really enjoyed my time reading this book and getting right back into following Ruby and Morgan while they go through a long distance relationship. The feelings between both characters felt genuine. The only problem I had while reading this book was that the break they decided to take felt like neither of the characters grew from that experience.
Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book.
Rating: 3.75/5
I have been waiting for this sequel since it's been announced!! I was so excited to get an ARC copy thanks to Netgalley!!
Overall, I really enjoyed my time reading this book and getting right back into following Ruby and Morgan while they go through a long distance relationship. The feelings between both characters felt genuine. The only problem I had while reading this book was that the break they decided to take felt like neither of the characters grew from that experience.
Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book.
Rating: 3.75/5
May 22, 2026
I was really excited to read this book because I read the first book back when I was fifteen and am a fan of Dugan’s books but by the eighth chapter I couldn’t read it anymore. The lack of communication between Ruby and Morgan frustrated me. Love the individual characters but their decisions pissed me off.
May 5, 2026
Wow I think I’ve been waiting for a good YA long distance romance, coming from someone who was in a LDR for 5 years, from 17-22 years old.
Dugan really portrayed the MCs LDR and dynamic beautifully, from the way they wanted to explore themselves in a college environment while also staying loyal and true to their partner. The MCs both learn how you can prioritize your career and ambitions while also cherishing a relationship that’s miles away, which is such a valuable lesson for readers of all ages. It’s not easy, but no relationship is, and if you’re honest, communicate, and truly commit to being together you can make it work.
Obviously I have lots of personal experience on this one, especially being in college several states away from my partner for all four years, but at the end of the day all those late night facetimes and skype movie nights make it all worth it. I truly loved Ruby and Morgan’s journey in this one, and it’s one of the best sequels I’ve read in a while.
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
Dugan really portrayed the MCs LDR and dynamic beautifully, from the way they wanted to explore themselves in a college environment while also staying loyal and true to their partner. The MCs both learn how you can prioritize your career and ambitions while also cherishing a relationship that’s miles away, which is such a valuable lesson for readers of all ages. It’s not easy, but no relationship is, and if you’re honest, communicate, and truly commit to being together you can make it work.
Obviously I have lots of personal experience on this one, especially being in college several states away from my partner for all four years, but at the end of the day all those late night facetimes and skype movie nights make it all worth it. I truly loved Ruby and Morgan’s journey in this one, and it’s one of the best sequels I’ve read in a while.
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Girls Like Us is the sequel to one of my favorite YA romance books, Some Girls Do. In Some Girls Do, we are introduced to Morgan and Ruby…and they are introduced to each other when Ruby hits Morgan with her car. We find that Morgan is a track star who had to leave her previous private school because of her strong support for LGBTQ+ people and beliefs. Ruby is a pageant queen who also has a gift for all things mechanical, especially cars.
Girls Like Us resumes its narrative the following year, after both girls have graduated from high school. Morgan has been accepted into a four-year university and has received a track scholarship. Ruby, on the other hand, has been granted a scholarship to attend a community college that specializes in automotive engineering located in their home town.
The two previously inseparable girls are now 4 hours and light years apart. Distance creates lapses in communication and texting and evening face times aren’t the same.
They plan a spring break together, but then opportunities arise that could advance their careers. However, they’re afraid to discuss it with each other, fearing disappointment. Everyone in their respective circles seems to have an opinion for them. They even consider taking a break from each other, (because that worked so well for “ Ross and Rachel” )
There is heart break and a lot of tears.
Being in any relationship is hard, and adding distance to the equation makes it harder. Throw in a hot girl who flirts and the feeling you have that “ultimately everyone will eventually leave you”, and you have a recipe for disaster.
As this story unfolded and the raw emotions were revealed, they all felt incredibly authentic. You could sense how the distance created misunderstandings, which in turn led to feelings of abandonment and panic. How do you feel when the person closest to you is no longer close, physically or emotionally?
I enjoyed this continuation of Morgan’s and Ruby’s story. It felt believable and had real emotion.
Thanks to Netgalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the opportunity to review this printer’s proof ARC
Girls Like Us resumes its narrative the following year, after both girls have graduated from high school. Morgan has been accepted into a four-year university and has received a track scholarship. Ruby, on the other hand, has been granted a scholarship to attend a community college that specializes in automotive engineering located in their home town.
The two previously inseparable girls are now 4 hours and light years apart. Distance creates lapses in communication and texting and evening face times aren’t the same.
They plan a spring break together, but then opportunities arise that could advance their careers. However, they’re afraid to discuss it with each other, fearing disappointment. Everyone in their respective circles seems to have an opinion for them. They even consider taking a break from each other, (because that worked so well for “ Ross and Rachel” )
There is heart break and a lot of tears.
Being in any relationship is hard, and adding distance to the equation makes it harder. Throw in a hot girl who flirts and the feeling you have that “ultimately everyone will eventually leave you”, and you have a recipe for disaster.
As this story unfolded and the raw emotions were revealed, they all felt incredibly authentic. You could sense how the distance created misunderstandings, which in turn led to feelings of abandonment and panic. How do you feel when the person closest to you is no longer close, physically or emotionally?
I enjoyed this continuation of Morgan’s and Ruby’s story. It felt believable and had real emotion.
Thanks to Netgalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the opportunity to review this printer’s proof ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
***Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for an e-arc of Girls Like Us by Jennifer Dugan! All thoughts are my own!***
Girls Like Us is the sequel novel to Some Girls. We follow the continuation of Ruby and Morgan's story as they struggle with the complications of a long distance relationship.
Ruby and Morgan fell hard for each other senior year, and now during their first year of college, they are determined to keep the spark alive while being apart. Morgan, on a track scholarship, studying political science at a university several hours away, while Ruby stayed in their hometown to continue pursing automotive engineering at a community college, exploring her passion for being a mechanic.
But when both of them meet new people in their respective programs, new friendships, and flirty classmates add complications.
They start counting down the days to spring break where they finally get to see each other again, and then a whole summer ahead of them. But when Ruby gets the opportunity of a lifetime to be on her favorite automotive TV show, which films during spring break, she doesn't want to pass up the chance. And Morgan wants to apply to a summer internship in public policy.
Neither girl wants to stand in each other's way, but can their relationship go the distance on separate paths?
It's been a while since I have read Some Girls Do, but reading Girls Like Us, it feels like no time has passed at all.
I really enjoyed this coming of age story, of their trials and tribulations during their freshman year of college. It definitely brings aspects of Some Girls Do into this story, so I recommend reading it first before going into this one. That way you get a better idea of how they got here.
Jennifer Dugan really has a way of making her stories feel so real. All the situations you encounter being in a long distance relationship, she covered. The lack of trust, the jealousy, the wanting to talk all the time in order to keep their relationship in tact. This story has it all. This was such a quick read, I was sucked into the story and didn't want to put it down, I enjoyed it so much.
I wouldn't mind if we get a story of Shiloh and Everly, especially with Shiloh being a single dad, I think it would be great older YA story.
Girls Like Us by Jennifer Dugan is out May 5, 2026! Thanks again to Netgalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for an e-arc for review!
Girls Like Us is the sequel novel to Some Girls. We follow the continuation of Ruby and Morgan's story as they struggle with the complications of a long distance relationship.
Ruby and Morgan fell hard for each other senior year, and now during their first year of college, they are determined to keep the spark alive while being apart. Morgan, on a track scholarship, studying political science at a university several hours away, while Ruby stayed in their hometown to continue pursing automotive engineering at a community college, exploring her passion for being a mechanic.
But when both of them meet new people in their respective programs, new friendships, and flirty classmates add complications.
They start counting down the days to spring break where they finally get to see each other again, and then a whole summer ahead of them. But when Ruby gets the opportunity of a lifetime to be on her favorite automotive TV show, which films during spring break, she doesn't want to pass up the chance. And Morgan wants to apply to a summer internship in public policy.
Neither girl wants to stand in each other's way, but can their relationship go the distance on separate paths?
It's been a while since I have read Some Girls Do, but reading Girls Like Us, it feels like no time has passed at all.
I really enjoyed this coming of age story, of their trials and tribulations during their freshman year of college. It definitely brings aspects of Some Girls Do into this story, so I recommend reading it first before going into this one. That way you get a better idea of how they got here.
Jennifer Dugan really has a way of making her stories feel so real. All the situations you encounter being in a long distance relationship, she covered. The lack of trust, the jealousy, the wanting to talk all the time in order to keep their relationship in tact. This story has it all. This was such a quick read, I was sucked into the story and didn't want to put it down, I enjoyed it so much.
I wouldn't mind if we get a story of Shiloh and Everly, especially with Shiloh being a single dad, I think it would be great older YA story.
Girls Like Us by Jennifer Dugan is out May 5, 2026! Thanks again to Netgalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for an e-arc for review!
May 4, 2026
"Girls like us are tougher than we think. We gotta start giving ourselves more credit.”
This book poses age-old questions for every young person in love: "How much are you willing to sacrifice for your relationship? How much distance are you willing to cross for someone you love? And how much of ourselves are we willing to lose all in the name of love?"
I can say it's a pretty straightforward and realistic portrayal of young love and queerhood. In 'Some Girls Do,' we followed Morgan and Ruby as they tried to make sense of their sexuality in an environment that forces queer people to be silent about their love. This time, in 'Girls Like Us,' we see both characters navigating long-distance relationships and trying to be both good partners and better individuals.
Reading this book just cemented one idea I had from the first book... Morgan and Ruby are too painfully incompatible. I was able to tolerate it by the end of the first book because in my head, they were young and they still had so much to learn. We did see exactly that in this sequel, but the miscommunication is just too much for me to actually believe they can be together at this point in their lives.
While I feel the author was aware of that notion of incompatibility (by repeatedly mentioning how everyone around Morgan and Ruby thought they wouldn't last long as a couple) and was hellbent on proving the critics wrong, I didn't think she was actually able to deliver with the resolution and development of Morgan and Ruby's relationship. The reconciliation feels unbelievably too fast for me.
I like the individual character developments though, most especially Ruby's. For me, she's the well fleshed out character between the two. It was not that hard to root for her. Morgan, however, is a more complicated character. The book tells me she had some epiphany about how she was treating her and Ruby's relationship, but I honestly didn't feel much for her. I also did not like how the narrative just kind of brushed over her literally committing emotional cheating with a girl from her class.
Overall, this book shows its readers a very messy sapphic relationship between messy and complex young adults trying to navigate love, life and career. If you are okay with exploring these themes in a YA romance, you can still give this book a try and you might like it better than I did.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an advanced reading copy of this book.
This book poses age-old questions for every young person in love: "How much are you willing to sacrifice for your relationship? How much distance are you willing to cross for someone you love? And how much of ourselves are we willing to lose all in the name of love?"
I can say it's a pretty straightforward and realistic portrayal of young love and queerhood. In 'Some Girls Do,' we followed Morgan and Ruby as they tried to make sense of their sexuality in an environment that forces queer people to be silent about their love. This time, in 'Girls Like Us,' we see both characters navigating long-distance relationships and trying to be both good partners and better individuals.
Reading this book just cemented one idea I had from the first book... Morgan and Ruby are too painfully incompatible. I was able to tolerate it by the end of the first book because in my head, they were young and they still had so much to learn. We did see exactly that in this sequel, but the miscommunication is just too much for me to actually believe they can be together at this point in their lives.
While I feel the author was aware of that notion of incompatibility (by repeatedly mentioning how everyone around Morgan and Ruby thought they wouldn't last long as a couple) and was hellbent on proving the critics wrong, I didn't think she was actually able to deliver with the resolution and development of Morgan and Ruby's relationship. The reconciliation feels unbelievably too fast for me.
I like the individual character developments though, most especially Ruby's. For me, she's the well fleshed out character between the two. It was not that hard to root for her. Morgan, however, is a more complicated character. The book tells me she had some epiphany about how she was treating her and Ruby's relationship, but I honestly didn't feel much for her. I also did not like how the narrative just kind of brushed over her literally committing emotional cheating with a girl from her class.
Overall, this book shows its readers a very messy sapphic relationship between messy and complex young adults trying to navigate love, life and career. If you are okay with exploring these themes in a YA romance, you can still give this book a try and you might like it better than I did.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an advanced reading copy of this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Girls Like Us
(Some Girls Do #2) by Jennifer Dugan
Thank you Penguin Teen for the ARC 💛🌈
⭐ 3.75 stars ⭐⭐⭐✨
Coming back to Ruby and Morgan felt like slipping into something familiar but a little more fragile this time.
Their relationship has already been hard-won, and now distance is testing everything they built. Morgan is away at college, running toward her future, while Ruby stays closer to home, building something completely different for herself. And that gap, physical and emotional, is where the story really lives.
This book leans heavily into the reality of long-distance relationships. The miscommunication. The insecurity. The quiet fear that maybe you’re growing in different directions and trying to pretend you’re not. It felt very real in a way that sometimes hurt to read 💔
Jennifer Dugan does such a good job capturing that early adulthood shift, where everything is changing at once. New environments, new people, new versions of yourself. And trying to hold onto a relationship in the middle of all that can feel almost impossible.
Ruby and Morgan both felt layered and human. They love each other deeply, but they also struggle in ways that feel honest. There’s a lot of internal tension, a lot of moments where they are trying to be what they think the other person needs instead of just being honest about how hard things feel.
I will say, I wanted a bit more growth payoff in certain areas, especially with how they handled some of the bigger relationship decisions. It didn’t always feel as resolved as I hoped, but the emotional journey itself was strong.
What I Loved
• A very real portrayal of long-distance relationships 💔
• Emotional honesty and messy, human characters
• Strong themes of growth, identity, and independence
• That soft, aching kind of sapphic love 🌈
What Didn’t Fully Work for Me
• Some character growth felt a little incomplete
• Certain relationship conflicts could have had stronger resolution
This one is tender, emotional, and quietly devastating in places. If you’ve ever tried to hold onto someone while your lives are pulling you in different directions, this will hit close to home 💛📖
(Some Girls Do #2) by Jennifer Dugan
Thank you Penguin Teen for the ARC 💛🌈
⭐ 3.75 stars ⭐⭐⭐✨
Coming back to Ruby and Morgan felt like slipping into something familiar but a little more fragile this time.
Their relationship has already been hard-won, and now distance is testing everything they built. Morgan is away at college, running toward her future, while Ruby stays closer to home, building something completely different for herself. And that gap, physical and emotional, is where the story really lives.
This book leans heavily into the reality of long-distance relationships. The miscommunication. The insecurity. The quiet fear that maybe you’re growing in different directions and trying to pretend you’re not. It felt very real in a way that sometimes hurt to read 💔
Jennifer Dugan does such a good job capturing that early adulthood shift, where everything is changing at once. New environments, new people, new versions of yourself. And trying to hold onto a relationship in the middle of all that can feel almost impossible.
Ruby and Morgan both felt layered and human. They love each other deeply, but they also struggle in ways that feel honest. There’s a lot of internal tension, a lot of moments where they are trying to be what they think the other person needs instead of just being honest about how hard things feel.
I will say, I wanted a bit more growth payoff in certain areas, especially with how they handled some of the bigger relationship decisions. It didn’t always feel as resolved as I hoped, but the emotional journey itself was strong.
What I Loved
• A very real portrayal of long-distance relationships 💔
• Emotional honesty and messy, human characters
• Strong themes of growth, identity, and independence
• That soft, aching kind of sapphic love 🌈
What Didn’t Fully Work for Me
• Some character growth felt a little incomplete
• Certain relationship conflicts could have had stronger resolution
This one is tender, emotional, and quietly devastating in places. If you’ve ever tried to hold onto someone while your lives are pulling you in different directions, this will hit close to home 💛📖
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The sequel I have been waiting for since its announcement! I was overjoyed to get my hands on a copy of this ARC thankd to NetGalley and the publisher!
This book the honest, emotional, adorable and enjoyable sequel to Dugan’s “Some Girls Do” following Ruby and Morgan’s adventures in college (the ups and the downs). If you haven’t read the first book in the pair, STOP, and go read it. Now into my review!
This book was a lot for me to unpack. Despite finishing the entire book in one sitting (as per usual with Dugan’s books) I decided I needed a few days to really debrief before writing up my review to properly capture this story in all its glory.
This book follows Morgan and Ruby as they struggle with the ever apparent struggles that come with long distance relationships and trying to reinvent yourself in college. Each girl having their own dreams and aspirations and yet… not sure how to go about balancing them within their relationship and time together.
This book was super enjoyable, well paced and I feel, really captivated the feeling of being all over the place especially in the beginning years of college, and “adult life.” I love and always will love Ruby and Morgan and seeing their story grow in a sequel was all I could ever want. Their first book meant the world to me when it first came out and I knew this one would be a heavy hitter too. Their dynamic was adorable and romantic at times but also serious and raw at others (I’ll admit it hit me in the feels). I think that often times romance books especially for YA hold an unrealistic expectation of perfect youthful love which this book directly pushes against. Relationships are messy but theyre also beautiful!
Now I’ll admit if you don’t like messy situationships, conflicts in relationships or slight miscommunication, then why are you reading romance..? No but actually, this book does contain all of those (in a manageable dose) just so you’re aware.
If you loved Ruby and Morgan’s first book, have enjoyed any other of Dugan’s novels OR are just looking for a quick enjoyable sapphic YA romance to delve into, I reccomend you check out this book and all of her other novels while youre at it.
This book the honest, emotional, adorable and enjoyable sequel to Dugan’s “Some Girls Do” following Ruby and Morgan’s adventures in college (the ups and the downs). If you haven’t read the first book in the pair, STOP, and go read it. Now into my review!
This book was a lot for me to unpack. Despite finishing the entire book in one sitting (as per usual with Dugan’s books) I decided I needed a few days to really debrief before writing up my review to properly capture this story in all its glory.
This book follows Morgan and Ruby as they struggle with the ever apparent struggles that come with long distance relationships and trying to reinvent yourself in college. Each girl having their own dreams and aspirations and yet… not sure how to go about balancing them within their relationship and time together.
This book was super enjoyable, well paced and I feel, really captivated the feeling of being all over the place especially in the beginning years of college, and “adult life.” I love and always will love Ruby and Morgan and seeing their story grow in a sequel was all I could ever want. Their first book meant the world to me when it first came out and I knew this one would be a heavy hitter too. Their dynamic was adorable and romantic at times but also serious and raw at others (I’ll admit it hit me in the feels). I think that often times romance books especially for YA hold an unrealistic expectation of perfect youthful love which this book directly pushes against. Relationships are messy but theyre also beautiful!
Now I’ll admit if you don’t like messy situationships, conflicts in relationships or slight miscommunication, then why are you reading romance..? No but actually, this book does contain all of those (in a manageable dose) just so you’re aware.
If you loved Ruby and Morgan’s first book, have enjoyed any other of Dugan’s novels OR are just looking for a quick enjoyable sapphic YA romance to delve into, I reccomend you check out this book and all of her other novels while youre at it.
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