What do you think?
Rate this book
Lucky Girl
Being a pretty girl is who Rosie is, but it’s the start of a new school year and she wants to be more. Namely, she’s determined to be better to her best friend, Maddie, who’s just back from a summer program abroad having totally blossomed into her own looks. Rosie isn’t thrilled when Maddie connects with a football player who Rosie was hooking up with—but if it makes her friend happy, she’s prepared to move on. Plus someone even more interesting has moved to town: Alex, who recently garnered public attention after he stopped a classmate from carrying out a shooting rampage at his old high school. Rosie is drawn to Alex in a way she’s never really experienced for a boy before—and she is surprised to discover that, unlike every other guy, he seems to see more to her than her beauty.
Then one night, in the midst of a devastating storm, Rosie suffers an assault that tears apart her life and friendship with Maddie. Forced to face uncomfortable truths about beauty, reputation, and what it really means to be a friend, Rosie realizes that change doesn’t always happen the way you want it to—every disaster has consequences. But with a lot of help and the right people around you, there might also be a way forward.
Then one night, in the midst of a devastating storm, Rosie suffers an assault that tears apart her life and friendship with Maddie. Forced to face uncomfortable truths about beauty, reputation, and what it really means to be a friend, Rosie realizes that change doesn’t always happen the way you want it to—every disaster has consequences. But with a lot of help and the right people around you, there might also be a way forward.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published April 25, 2017
9 people are currently reading
1867 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Maciel
10 books112 followersAmanda Maciel has worked in book publishing since graduating from Mount Holyoke College and is currently a senior editor at Scholastic. She spends her free time writing, running, or riding the subway with her young son. She lives with him, her husband, and their cat, Ruby, in Brooklyn, New York. Tease is her first novel.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
April 20, 2017
It’s my fault he sees me like that - I am like that.
But it’s not my fault he doesn’t see that I’m a person, too.
I am so torn on this book. It is an exploration of rape culture, slut-shaming, self-worth, and it is all rather powerful. What brings it down is the additional, unnecessary plot lines going on throughout.
Rosie is a beautiful girl and she knows this. She is a proud flirt who knows the whole boy thing. She just gets it. Where her best friend Maddie is more the nerdy, sporty one who goes to Rosie for boy advice. Maddie just spent the summer in Spain for camp, while Rosie stayed home working at Dairy Queen hooking up with Cory for the summer. The story begins with Rosie and their shared BFF, Ryan, picking up Maddie from the airport. Rosie thought a lot this summer about how she is determined to be a better friend to Maddie this year especially with her parent's newfound divorce. The first bump in the road comes when Maddie comes off the plane looking more gorgeous than she ever has. Rosie has conflicting feelings about this and even starts to feel jealous of her friend for the first time ever.
Unbeknownst to Rosie, Maddie always had a crush on her summer fling Cory. In an attempt to be that better friend she so badly wants to be, Rosie decides to move on. It is okay, though, because the new kid Alex, has caught Rosie's eye. He has a sort of celebrity status for preventing a shooting at his last school.
Now is when the real stuff happens: a party on a devastatingly stormy night. Rosie gets assaulted only for Maddie to walk in thinking something else entirely. Rosie loses her best friend at a time when she needs her the most. Rosie struggles to come to terms with what happened. She has a hard time not placing the blame on herself.
I’m not safe, but I’m secure. And I’m not comfortable because I don’t deserve to be.
The story has diversity and plenty for teens to relate to. Rosie is a fantastic protagonist though she is a flawed character. She is selfish, shallow, self-indulgent, and at times can get pretty annoying. But she feels real and is easy to feel empathy for. Her path of self-discovery is beautifully heartbreaking. One of my favorite things is the portrayal of a complex female friendship in all its glory. That is one of the true stars of the novel.
I don’t want those men to see me. I just want to be invisible for a little while longer.
I try not to think about what a strange new feeling that is, wanting to be invisible.
I loved Alex Goode and what he brought to the table in terms of how Rosie views herself. But I don't think Alex's storyline was completely necessary. The brief look at gun violence in schools is important. I can even appreciate when the characters discuss the emergency drills done in schools today because I remember when the drills for a possible shooter in the building first became a thing. There was constant commotion while trying to get what would be considered a "successful drill" just right. I just didn't think it worked within this particular book where the messages could be that much more powerful had this additional storyline not been a thing.
At times the writing is more strong than others. While certain passages are impactful, others drag a bit too much as you wait for something to happen.
The idea of ones reputation and how sometimes we judge before truly knowing someone is a common theme. This is an extremely important story for teens and young adult of all ages if one can only take away the necessary lessons. This isn't the first book I would recommend on the topic because of the lack of strict focus on said themes. All the Rage by Courtney Summers is an incredibly powerful one.
April 6, 2017
(I received an advance copy of this book for free. Thanks to HarperCollins and Edelweiss.)
This was a YA contemporary story about a girl who gets sexually assaulted.
Rosie was quite a shallow girl, and she seemed quite selfish too. Her best friend came back from a summer abroad and all she could think about was how pretty her best friend looked now, and how jealous she was. She whined quite a bit about the fact that Maddie seemed to have learned how to flirt too, and she thought that she was supposed to be the one who was good with boys.
The storyline in this started out with Rosie being jealous of her best friend Maddie. She then found out that Maddie had a crush on the boy who she had been hooking up with - Cory, and decided to step back and ‘let’ Maddie have Cory instead. The near-rape then happened We also got a brief storyline about a storm, which went nowhere, and another about a new boy at school who had prevented a school shooting, but the book just never really got off the ground for me, and I had to force myself to keep reading.
The ending to this was okay, but overall I was disappointed with this book, especially after liking the author’s other book – Tease.
6.25 out of 10
““You could be a model,” I finally manage to say. She laughs like I’m joking, and I’m glad because that means she can’t hear how jealous I sound. Am I jealous? God.”
This was a YA contemporary story about a girl who gets sexually assaulted.
Rosie was quite a shallow girl, and she seemed quite selfish too. Her best friend came back from a summer abroad and all she could think about was how pretty her best friend looked now, and how jealous she was. She whined quite a bit about the fact that Maddie seemed to have learned how to flirt too, and she thought that she was supposed to be the one who was good with boys.
The storyline in this started out with Rosie being jealous of her best friend Maddie. She then found out that Maddie had a crush on the boy who she had been hooking up with - Cory, and decided to step back and ‘let’ Maddie have Cory instead. The near-rape then happened We also got a brief storyline about a storm, which went nowhere, and another about a new boy at school who had prevented a school shooting, but the book just never really got off the ground for me, and I had to force myself to keep reading.
The ending to this was okay, but overall I was disappointed with this book, especially after liking the author’s other book – Tease.
6.25 out of 10
November 17, 2017
I'm somewhat shocked this book isn't getting more publicity. It's got all the character work and depth of Courtney Summers, yet with a slightly less issue-novel tone and a less "cliche unpopular girl" protagonist.
Our heroine, Rosie, is a popular girl. In fact, she's the “pretty” one in her friendship with Maddie. But after Maddie's new love interest tries to assault Rosie, she becomes the "school slut" and is abandoned by Maddie.
I'm sure you'll have figured out by now that this is a book about slut-shaming and victim blaming. I particularly liked that this isn't a typical contemporary about a girl being assaulted and a boy making it better. Maciel doesn't base this book off a romance. It's all about the friendship here. I especially loved the ending, powerful and full of hope.
Maciel touches on a ton sexual assault, shaming, and friendship and handles each theme with care. But that's not everything I loved about the book. Lucky Girl gets its real power from the incredible character work. Rosie is such a real character. There's her genuine depth of character, first of all. She's selfish but she's trying not to be. She's jealous but she's trying not to be. But there's also her character arc. I loved Rosie's internalized self-doubt, her feelings of guilt over betraying Maddie even though it wasn't her. Maciel does a good job of portraying her feelings without acting as if they're correct.
I also appreciated that Lucky Girl accurately portrays the complexities of friendships between the “popular” girls. Maddie and Rosie are often somewhat unlikable, and yet it's hard not to feel sympathy and understanding for each of them.
I'm seeing a lot of reviewers criticize Lucky Girl for aimlessness, and I'm somewhat inclined to agree. Yet I also feel that the novel gets its power from the lack of clear problem, clear solution. Maciel perfectly conveys the desperate, hopeless feeling of blaming yourself and having everyone else blame you, too. She's not in a situation with a clear beginning and a clear end. The aimless tone is appropriate for the novel, distinguishing it from a typical issues book.
VERDICT: Highly recommended, along with Maciel's debut novel, Tease.
Our heroine, Rosie, is a popular girl. In fact, she's the “pretty” one in her friendship with Maddie. But after Maddie's new love interest tries to assault Rosie, she becomes the "school slut" and is abandoned by Maddie.
I'm sure you'll have figured out by now that this is a book about slut-shaming and victim blaming. I particularly liked that this isn't a typical contemporary about a girl being assaulted and a boy making it better. Maciel doesn't base this book off a romance. It's all about the friendship here. I especially loved the ending, powerful and full of hope.
Maciel touches on a ton sexual assault, shaming, and friendship and handles each theme with care. But that's not everything I loved about the book. Lucky Girl gets its real power from the incredible character work. Rosie is such a real character. There's her genuine depth of character, first of all. She's selfish but she's trying not to be. She's jealous but she's trying not to be. But there's also her character arc. I loved Rosie's internalized self-doubt, her feelings of guilt over betraying Maddie even though it wasn't her. Maciel does a good job of portraying her feelings without acting as if they're correct.
I also appreciated that Lucky Girl accurately portrays the complexities of friendships between the “popular” girls. Maddie and Rosie are often somewhat unlikable, and yet it's hard not to feel sympathy and understanding for each of them.
I'm seeing a lot of reviewers criticize Lucky Girl for aimlessness, and I'm somewhat inclined to agree. Yet I also feel that the novel gets its power from the lack of clear problem, clear solution. Maciel perfectly conveys the desperate, hopeless feeling of blaming yourself and having everyone else blame you, too. She's not in a situation with a clear beginning and a clear end. The aimless tone is appropriate for the novel, distinguishing it from a typical issues book.
VERDICT: Highly recommended, along with Maciel's debut novel, Tease.
April 28, 2017
Release Date: April 25, 2017
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Lucky Girl is an important young adult novel that explores sexual assault. In addition to this, the author touches upon self esteem and how far one may go in order to be popular. Both of these themes and more make the story stand out and I hope many will consider reading it. With that, this is a well written and eye opening novel that will not only appeal to young adults, but older adults as well. The story is very relatable, although it may take some time to get used to the main character as she comes off as very shallow and jealous. However, if you look at the bigger picture as how her character progresses throughout the story her flaws do become bearable.
In addition to the theme of assault, readers will be taken back to their high school days while reading this one. We all know how cruel teenagers can be and how many will do just about anything for a little bit of attention and this becomes apparent in this novel. Also, if you like a little bit of romance thrown in then you will get this too although, it is not the main focus of the story.
Overall, I did like this one but not as much as I liked the authors debut, Tease. But, the overall message of the story is a very important one so I had to give it at least 4 stars. Readers who enjoy young adult fiction that deals with social issues (such as assault) would pair well with this one.
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Lucky Girl is an important young adult novel that explores sexual assault. In addition to this, the author touches upon self esteem and how far one may go in order to be popular. Both of these themes and more make the story stand out and I hope many will consider reading it. With that, this is a well written and eye opening novel that will not only appeal to young adults, but older adults as well. The story is very relatable, although it may take some time to get used to the main character as she comes off as very shallow and jealous. However, if you look at the bigger picture as how her character progresses throughout the story her flaws do become bearable.
In addition to the theme of assault, readers will be taken back to their high school days while reading this one. We all know how cruel teenagers can be and how many will do just about anything for a little bit of attention and this becomes apparent in this novel. Also, if you like a little bit of romance thrown in then you will get this too although, it is not the main focus of the story.
Overall, I did like this one but not as much as I liked the authors debut, Tease. But, the overall message of the story is a very important one so I had to give it at least 4 stars. Readers who enjoy young adult fiction that deals with social issues (such as assault) would pair well with this one.
April 28, 2017
This book flew by. Important, but never preachy. Realistic, but hopeful. I love discussions of beauty in YA -- I think because so many girls don't feel beautiful at this age, and so many others won't admit they do like their looks for fear of being called arrogant or self-absorbed. So it felt fresh to read a character who knows she's beautiful, and maddening how others feel "entitled" to that beauty simply because that's what she puts into the world. A lot to unpack here. Eager to discuss it with someone!
October 19, 2016
I love Amanda Maciel. I love that she writes books with less than perfect protagonists that make me think. This was beautiful and tragic and so important for everyone to read.
March 19, 2017
***WARNING: BOOK MIGHT MAKE YOU STAY UP ALL NIGHT READING***
What follows is not a review, but a fangirl-ish "episode". (I'm sorry, I'm just too excited!) I finished this book at 4am yesterday and had to forced myself to go to sleep, when all I wanted to write the review right then while things were fresh! So I went to bed and decided to sleep on it...
First, you've got Rosie. She's gorgeous, outgoing, and a flirt. Her best friend had it hard last year, and Rosie's made it her goal to make sure she's happy. :)
Then you've got Maddie: the best friend, book nerd, and at times overlooked sidekick. She's been away in Europe gettin' her soccer on, mingling with the guys. While over there she becomes "Britney." Do you understand? She returns home with toned legs, an exotic tan, and stunning blonde hair.... *FLIPS HAIR OVER SHOULDER*
Which brings me to the next character: Cory. Aka, Rosie's boyfriend, and a star football player. Worth mentioning: He's also the guy who takes a special interest in Maddie after seeing her transformation.
And finally....(I saved the best for last!) The new town celebrity: Alex Goode. A few years ago, Alex gained national attention after he stopped a school shooting.
WHY I LOVED THIS BOOK
1) It is VERY relatable, and I don't say that lightly.
2) It is diverse.
3) The lead protagonist, though described as perfect, is nowhere near. You can't help but root for her as she undergoes this "evolution" throughout the book. There were times when I wanted her to step up and really stand her ground, but then I realized that her strength was her patience.
4) Alex. Oh Alex. I liked everything about him. The person that Maciel created was so heartfelt. I just wanted to give him a big hug and pet him...and tell him it was going to be okay!
5) Lucky Girl pushes boundaries, and in doing so makes you question your morals.
6) The writing was impeccable.
7) The storyline SOLID.
8) I loved the main characters, as well as minor characters. (Ryan!!!!) To me that is the true test of a book. I felt like I knew Cory, Stephanie, and Ryan just as well as Rosie. (Even Gabe.)
IN CONCLUSION: 5 STARS***HIGHLY RECOMMEND***
Lucky Girl will be available on April 25th!
CLICK HERE to Preorder
Special thanks to HarperCollins for sending me this glorious ARC
What follows is not a review, but a fangirl-ish "episode". (I'm sorry, I'm just too excited!) I finished this book at 4am yesterday and had to forced myself to go to sleep, when all I wanted to write the review right then while things were fresh! So I went to bed and decided to sleep on it...
First, you've got Rosie. She's gorgeous, outgoing, and a flirt. Her best friend had it hard last year, and Rosie's made it her goal to make sure she's happy. :)
Then you've got Maddie: the best friend, book nerd, and at times overlooked sidekick. She's been away in Europe gettin' her soccer on, mingling with the guys. While over there she becomes "Britney." Do you understand? She returns home with toned legs, an exotic tan, and stunning blonde hair.... *FLIPS HAIR OVER SHOULDER*
Which brings me to the next character: Cory. Aka, Rosie's boyfriend, and a star football player. Worth mentioning: He's also the guy who takes a special interest in Maddie after seeing her transformation.
And finally....(I saved the best for last!) The new town celebrity: Alex Goode. A few years ago, Alex gained national attention after he stopped a school shooting.
WHY I LOVED THIS BOOK
1) It is VERY relatable, and I don't say that lightly.
2) It is diverse.
3) The lead protagonist, though described as perfect, is nowhere near. You can't help but root for her as she undergoes this "evolution" throughout the book. There were times when I wanted her to step up and really stand her ground, but then I realized that her strength was her patience.
4) Alex. Oh Alex. I liked everything about him. The person that Maciel created was so heartfelt. I just wanted to give him a big hug and pet him...and tell him it was going to be okay!
5) Lucky Girl pushes boundaries, and in doing so makes you question your morals.
6) The writing was impeccable.
7) The storyline SOLID.
8) I loved the main characters, as well as minor characters. (Ryan!!!!) To me that is the true test of a book. I felt like I knew Cory, Stephanie, and Ryan just as well as Rosie. (Even Gabe.)
IN CONCLUSION: 5 STARS***HIGHLY RECOMMEND***
Lucky Girl will be available on April 25th!
CLICK HERE to Preorder
Special thanks to HarperCollins for sending me this glorious ARC
March 18, 2022
This review was originally posted on The Moonlight Library
I had a lot of thoughts about this.
I thought it was beautifully written. The skill of the author as a wordsmith and storyteller were really great. The word choice, pacing, and characterisation led to high engagement and I ended up reading this book pretty quickly.
I didn't much like Rosie as a person, but I loved her as a protagonist. She's not meant to be likeable, though I did keep having to remind myself hat she was an ignorant, uneducated teen girl in a misogynist world. Being pretty is the only thing she has to offer, and it hasn't gotten ehr anywhere in life except to lure in the boys she enjoys. The flip side of that is that even older guys whose attentions she doesn't want are take by her looks.
She recognises her own flaws, and she's trying to be a better person. She's insecure and seeks her internal validation from boys, tying her looks to her self-worth, and is desperate to be prettier and 'better' than her supposed best friend. She thinks having fun and getting attention from boys is all life is about. But she doesn't deserve to be labelled a slut. There is no 'because'. No one deserves to be slut-shamed.
Rosie's big problem, and the internal obstacle for this book, is that she and the entitled boys around her don't understand the concept of consent. She internalises the things that happen to her because of someone else's choices and ends up blaming herself.
As I was reading, I kept remembering this event from the one season of Big Brother Australia that I watched all the way through when I was a teenager. Two men held down a woman and 'turkey-slapped' her (that is, slapped her face with their genitals). The boys thought it was funny, but the girl didn't appreciate their 'prank' and told them they were being mean, but more in an offended rather than angry way. Of course, this was caught on camera (and actually live streamed) because it's Big Brother. The producers immediately kicked the boys out, because what they did was a sexual assault. However the girl cried and blamed herself for the boys' own actions.
Rosie likes it when boys grab her and throw her around. She thinks it's fun and she loves being the centre of male attention, which makes her beauty a powerful gift. But Rosie also grows as a character throughout the events of this novel to realise there is more to life than meaningless fling after meaningless fling, and that liking someone for who they are rather than what they do or the attention they give is so much better than meaningless fun. She discovers it's better when someone likes you for you rather than your beauty.
I think this book was also supposed to be about her friendship with Maddie, I liked Maddie, and I can understand her own actions, especially since Rosie makes so many bad choices that reflect poorly on her - like taking forever to explain what actually happened at the party. I also liked that once Maddie heard the truth, she did not continue to side with a dumb boy but renewed her friendship, because sisters before misters.
However I found Rosie's relationship with Alex Goode (as conspicuous a surname as Bella Swan and Anastacia Steele), the only guy who doesn't objectify her, much more interesting and engaging. I liked how the events of the novel led to them spending genuine time together so that Alex could see the real Rosie, not the fun loving boy crazy one. I liked how organic their relationship was. But I think the inclusion of Alex's off-page girlfriend was unnecessary to the plot.
I think I enjoyed this novel more than I initially thought I did. I thought it was a great character study and watching Rosie evolve was one of the highlights. I wasn't that impressed with the ending, however, since I was hanging out for the antagonist to get more of a come-uppance than a drink thrown in his face. However the novel was much, much more about Rosie's coming to terms with her beauty, her self-centredness, and how she interacts with it than revenge on a boy.
I just want to point out that it’s 2022 and I am reviewing an ARC of this book I received from Edelweiss in 2016 in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. It’s been a long time coming, with other review books getting prioritised over this one, the actions of which I regret. I’m working through my old ARCs because I feel bad for never getting to them.
I had a lot of thoughts about this.
I thought it was beautifully written. The skill of the author as a wordsmith and storyteller were really great. The word choice, pacing, and characterisation led to high engagement and I ended up reading this book pretty quickly.
I didn't much like Rosie as a person, but I loved her as a protagonist. She's not meant to be likeable, though I did keep having to remind myself hat she was an ignorant, uneducated teen girl in a misogynist world. Being pretty is the only thing she has to offer, and it hasn't gotten ehr anywhere in life except to lure in the boys she enjoys. The flip side of that is that even older guys whose attentions she doesn't want are take by her looks.
She recognises her own flaws, and she's trying to be a better person. She's insecure and seeks her internal validation from boys, tying her looks to her self-worth, and is desperate to be prettier and 'better' than her supposed best friend. She thinks having fun and getting attention from boys is all life is about. But she doesn't deserve to be labelled a slut. There is no 'because'. No one deserves to be slut-shamed.
Rosie's big problem, and the internal obstacle for this book, is that she and the entitled boys around her don't understand the concept of consent. She internalises the things that happen to her because of someone else's choices and ends up blaming herself.
As I was reading, I kept remembering this event from the one season of Big Brother Australia that I watched all the way through when I was a teenager. Two men held down a woman and 'turkey-slapped' her (that is, slapped her face with their genitals). The boys thought it was funny, but the girl didn't appreciate their 'prank' and told them they were being mean, but more in an offended rather than angry way. Of course, this was caught on camera (and actually live streamed) because it's Big Brother. The producers immediately kicked the boys out, because what they did was a sexual assault. However the girl cried and blamed herself for the boys' own actions.
Rosie likes it when boys grab her and throw her around. She thinks it's fun and she loves being the centre of male attention, which makes her beauty a powerful gift. But Rosie also grows as a character throughout the events of this novel to realise there is more to life than meaningless fling after meaningless fling, and that liking someone for who they are rather than what they do or the attention they give is so much better than meaningless fun. She discovers it's better when someone likes you for you rather than your beauty.
I think this book was also supposed to be about her friendship with Maddie, I liked Maddie, and I can understand her own actions, especially since Rosie makes so many bad choices that reflect poorly on her - like taking forever to explain what actually happened at the party. I also liked that once Maddie heard the truth, she did not continue to side with a dumb boy but renewed her friendship, because sisters before misters.
However I found Rosie's relationship with Alex Goode (as conspicuous a surname as Bella Swan and Anastacia Steele), the only guy who doesn't objectify her, much more interesting and engaging. I liked how the events of the novel led to them spending genuine time together so that Alex could see the real Rosie, not the fun loving boy crazy one. I liked how organic their relationship was. But I think the inclusion of Alex's off-page girlfriend was unnecessary to the plot.
I think I enjoyed this novel more than I initially thought I did. I thought it was a great character study and watching Rosie evolve was one of the highlights. I wasn't that impressed with the ending, however, since I was hanging out for the antagonist to get more of a come-uppance than a drink thrown in his face. However the novel was much, much more about Rosie's coming to terms with her beauty, her self-centredness, and how she interacts with it than revenge on a boy.
I just want to point out that it’s 2022 and I am reviewing an ARC of this book I received from Edelweiss in 2016 in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. It’s been a long time coming, with other review books getting prioritised over this one, the actions of which I regret. I’m working through my old ARCs because I feel bad for never getting to them.
April 29, 2017
Disclaimer: I received a free copy via Edelweiss for review purposes.
TW: sexual assault
Rosie is pretty. She likes being pretty. She likes getting boys attention. But she also wants to be more than that. She wants to be a better best friend to Maddie who has just returned home from summer camp in Europe a different girl. But also deep down, Rosie is jealous. Rosie was always the prettier one. She's especially jealous when Maddie starts getting closer to the football player Rosie has been hanging out with over the summer. When Maddie's new footballer boyfriend assaults Rosie at a party during a storm, Rosie and Maddie's friendship falls apart. Rosie blames herself, feeling guilty for catching his attention. Lucky Girl examines rape culture, slut-shaming, and misogyny.
I've read several books that examine rape-culture, most notably Asking For It by Louise O'Neill and Exit, Pursued by a Bear by E. K. Johnson [tw: sexual assault]. Both of these books left an impression on me. I loved their honesty, their brutal look at rape-culture and the affect it has on young girls. Yet I felt myself being disappointed with Lucky Girl as I read on. There were too many sub-plots that seemed to go nowhere, and I didn't feel that the novel's prominent topic (sexual assault), was fully fleshed out. I did like Rosie as a character, but again, I didn't think that she was fully fleshed out as a character. The relationship between Maddie and Rosie wasn't fully explored either, at least not until the last 20% or so, so I didn't feel fully invested in their friendship. There were too many things going on and not enough attention devoted to any one, so it felt unfinished and disappointing.
It's probably not a book I would recommend. I would, however, recommend Louisa O'Neill's Asking For It for anyone looking for a unflinchingly honest book with a similar topic. (I've also seen other rec All the Rage by Courtney Summers, but have yet to read it).
TW: sexual assault
Rosie is pretty. She likes being pretty. She likes getting boys attention. But she also wants to be more than that. She wants to be a better best friend to Maddie who has just returned home from summer camp in Europe a different girl. But also deep down, Rosie is jealous. Rosie was always the prettier one. She's especially jealous when Maddie starts getting closer to the football player Rosie has been hanging out with over the summer. When Maddie's new footballer boyfriend assaults Rosie at a party during a storm, Rosie and Maddie's friendship falls apart. Rosie blames herself, feeling guilty for catching his attention. Lucky Girl examines rape culture, slut-shaming, and misogyny.
I've read several books that examine rape-culture, most notably Asking For It by Louise O'Neill and Exit, Pursued by a Bear by E. K. Johnson [tw: sexual assault]. Both of these books left an impression on me. I loved their honesty, their brutal look at rape-culture and the affect it has on young girls. Yet I felt myself being disappointed with Lucky Girl as I read on. There were too many sub-plots that seemed to go nowhere, and I didn't feel that the novel's prominent topic (sexual assault), was fully fleshed out. I did like Rosie as a character, but again, I didn't think that she was fully fleshed out as a character. The relationship between Maddie and Rosie wasn't fully explored either, at least not until the last 20% or so, so I didn't feel fully invested in their friendship. There were too many things going on and not enough attention devoted to any one, so it felt unfinished and disappointing.
It's probably not a book I would recommend. I would, however, recommend Louisa O'Neill's Asking For It for anyone looking for a unflinchingly honest book with a similar topic. (I've also seen other rec All the Rage by Courtney Summers, but have yet to read it).
February 11, 2019
I really liked Rosie, I connected and empathized with her. I would have rated this higher if the transitions were smoother, and if the ending didn’t feel as rushed as it did. I liked Rosie’s relationship with her family and her coworker Steph. I couldn’t really get on board with her fast connection with Alex, it seemed a little like insta-love. Maddie and Ryan, didn’t think they were the best of friends to Rosie, but they sort of came around. I understand the rating for this book, but I honestly enjoyed it and read it in pretty much one sitting.
October 22, 2017
A friend described this book as a "donut"--sugary sweet, fluffy nothingness that doesn't amount to anything but feels good while you're consuming it. And for the first half of the book, I totally agreed. At moments it was inane; at others, it rang so true to the teenagers I know (as a high school teacher, that number is quite large), that I smiled in familiarity.
But the second half of the book was different. It explored rape culture, slut-shaming, and the hazy gray area of sexual assault in a way that I found both poignant and relevant and timely. Perhaps if the novelist zoomed in on this more and did not veer off in so many other distracting and unfulfilling ways, the messages could be clearer, more resonant, and more powerful.
In the end, I couldn't help but feel disappointed. I found the novel to fall short of its potential to say something about this issue, especially in the realm of teenagerdom. It fell victim to so many YA traps, and most disappointing of all, the idea that love (romantic love that is) can save girls from all their troubles.
But the second half of the book was different. It explored rape culture, slut-shaming, and the hazy gray area of sexual assault in a way that I found both poignant and relevant and timely. Perhaps if the novelist zoomed in on this more and did not veer off in so many other distracting and unfulfilling ways, the messages could be clearer, more resonant, and more powerful.
In the end, I couldn't help but feel disappointed. I found the novel to fall short of its potential to say something about this issue, especially in the realm of teenagerdom. It fell victim to so many YA traps, and most disappointing of all, the idea that love (romantic love that is) can save girls from all their troubles.
Want to read
September 30, 2016This one is probably going to hurt me. But even if it hurts, that doesn't make it any less important.
November 15, 2016
I adored this author's last book - Tease, in fact, re-read twice (something I rarely do). So, I was so excited to read this one.
However, after literally pushing myself to finish (I kept counting the number of remaining pages - never a good sign) I feel as though the author committed the ultimate sin (in my eyes), she wrote an incredibly boring book.
Once again, Maciel does a good job of clearly defining her characters and I had a love/hate relationship with Rosie throughout. As well, I love Maciel's writing, she can detail a scene extremely well, without putting too much or too little detail.
But the story was simply soooooo slow. At one point, when I got to the party/storm section of the book I thought "okay, this is where its going to get good" - but it didn't. Then when I got to the "assessing the storm damage and the flipped car" I thought "now, it will get good" - but it didn't.
It just never "got" good. I am so disappointed and while I know that Maciel's story was about how one night can change who you are, it simply never came to life for me.
However, after literally pushing myself to finish (I kept counting the number of remaining pages - never a good sign) I feel as though the author committed the ultimate sin (in my eyes), she wrote an incredibly boring book.
Once again, Maciel does a good job of clearly defining her characters and I had a love/hate relationship with Rosie throughout. As well, I love Maciel's writing, she can detail a scene extremely well, without putting too much or too little detail.
But the story was simply soooooo slow. At one point, when I got to the party/storm section of the book I thought "okay, this is where its going to get good" - but it didn't. Then when I got to the "assessing the storm damage and the flipped car" I thought "now, it will get good" - but it didn't.
It just never "got" good. I am so disappointed and while I know that Maciel's story was about how one night can change who you are, it simply never came to life for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2017
My favorite genre is ficion so of course I wanted to read it right off the bat. One of the things that hooked me on this book was that it was about a high school girl which I could relate to because I am in 10th Grade. I picked out this book during the Summer, but never got around to reading it. When my teacher mentioned that we would be reading a choice book each month, immediately I knew I wanted to read this one first. It covers the heavy and contraversial topics about sexual assault, social ostracization, slut-shaming, and victim blaming.
The story is about a very beautiful girl named Rosie Fuller. Everybody gives her admiring looks whether they are from high school boys and other girls or older men. New problems arise when her best friend, Maddie, comes back from studying abroad in Spain. The jock that Rosie is currently dating, Cory, is an unknown long time crush of Maddie's. She believes that she could give him up to make Maddie happy since her friend is going through a hard time with her home life. Although it did not work out quite as she hopes. Maddie is getting closer and closer to her new football boyfriend and Rosie is getting jealous, but doesn't want to be. Cory assaults Rosie at a party during a storm, but Maddie does not listen to her side of the story and abandons her. A new "hero" moves to to town and becomes friends with Rosie. After the incident, he is the only person who is there for Rosie. Rosie is always feeling guilty about everything that had happened and thinking it is all her fault, but in reality nothing is her fault and she was never to blame. This is hard for her because of the the kids at school bullying and outcasting her. Though she eventually realizes it, she does not want to believe it.
I liked how Maciel created all of the characters to be SO real. It made most of them extremely relatable and this is one of the major factors that made me like the book. Also, since the characters were so real, it made me feel almost part of the story, as if I knew the characters myself. Another factor that contributed to my liking of the book was how the story is very realistic like the characters. This is because these types of things happen so much everywhere and in a majority of schools.
There was basically nothing about this book I didn't like. The only thing that I did not find enjoyable about it is how hard she was on herself and how mean other people were to her, but that isn't the author's fault. It's just upsetting to know that this is very common among teenagers and in schools.
Overall, the story was much more thrilling than I thought it was going to be. This made it hard for me to stop reading after our in-class time was over. I could really feel all of Rosie's emotions and see how she develops as a person and how anybody could change perspectives and morals after finishing this book.
The story is about a very beautiful girl named Rosie Fuller. Everybody gives her admiring looks whether they are from high school boys and other girls or older men. New problems arise when her best friend, Maddie, comes back from studying abroad in Spain. The jock that Rosie is currently dating, Cory, is an unknown long time crush of Maddie's. She believes that she could give him up to make Maddie happy since her friend is going through a hard time with her home life. Although it did not work out quite as she hopes. Maddie is getting closer and closer to her new football boyfriend and Rosie is getting jealous, but doesn't want to be. Cory assaults Rosie at a party during a storm, but Maddie does not listen to her side of the story and abandons her. A new "hero" moves to to town and becomes friends with Rosie. After the incident, he is the only person who is there for Rosie. Rosie is always feeling guilty about everything that had happened and thinking it is all her fault, but in reality nothing is her fault and she was never to blame. This is hard for her because of the the kids at school bullying and outcasting her. Though she eventually realizes it, she does not want to believe it.
I liked how Maciel created all of the characters to be SO real. It made most of them extremely relatable and this is one of the major factors that made me like the book. Also, since the characters were so real, it made me feel almost part of the story, as if I knew the characters myself. Another factor that contributed to my liking of the book was how the story is very realistic like the characters. This is because these types of things happen so much everywhere and in a majority of schools.
There was basically nothing about this book I didn't like. The only thing that I did not find enjoyable about it is how hard she was on herself and how mean other people were to her, but that isn't the author's fault. It's just upsetting to know that this is very common among teenagers and in schools.
Overall, the story was much more thrilling than I thought it was going to be. This made it hard for me to stop reading after our in-class time was over. I could really feel all of Rosie's emotions and see how she develops as a person and how anybody could change perspectives and morals after finishing this book.
April 12, 2017
I need some time to really formulate a review for this. but disclaimer: this novel does contain a scene of sexual abuse. I have her strong feelings about the matter, so writing a review for Lucky Girl will take me some time. A satisfying story with a happy ending depending on the readers outlook. I did love the snark and banter from Rosie. More to come soon.
Read
March 30, 2022Trigger & Content Warnings:
Sexism
Slut-shaming
Sexual assault
Sexism
Slut-shaming
Sexual assault
September 13, 2022
It started out boring and it was like a typical young girl but in the middle after the incident it started getting more interesting. It’s definitely not a book I would recommend since I didn’t really love it but it was alright. Definitely makes you think and open your eyes.
February 20, 2021
TRIGGER WARNING: dubbio consenso, aggressione, tentato stupro, stupro (nel passato di un personaggio secondario), slut-shaming.
Rosie sa di essere una ragazza fortunata: ha una famiglia, un tetto sopra la testa, due migliori amici che adora e soprattutto è bella. Può avere tutti i ragazzi che vuole, sin da quando ha cominciato a svilupparsi e ad interessarsi all'altro sesso le è sempre piaciuto flirtare, essere notata, attirare l'attenzione, essere ammirata.
Il fatto che lei fosse la più bella tra lei e Maddie non è stato fonte di conflitto: Maddie è sempre stata più timida con i ragazzi, a volte in cerca dei consigli di Rosie che ha cominciato prima a fare esperienza, ma comunque più interessata al calcio femminile, alla scienza e al comitato scolastico.
Con l'estate agli sgoccioli e Maddie di ritorno da un campeggio di scienze/calcio in Spagna, Rosie è pronta ad essere un'amica migliore per Maddie: sa che non è stata all'altezza del compito quando i genitori di Maddie si sono separati, non riuscendo a trovare le parole o i modi adatti per confortare la sua migliore amica.
E Maddie ritorna dalla Spagna bellissima, più bella e cresciuta di quanto non fosse mai stata e Rosie si trova improvvisamente a provare gelosia nei suoi confronti.
Ma si dice che è normale, che passerà.
Quando poi scopre che Maddie anni fa aveva una cotta - e ce l'ha ancora - per Cory, il ragazzo che Rosie ha cominciato a vedere durante l'estate, Rosie pensa bene di farsi da parte: in fondo non prova nulla di che per Cory, non si è mai innamorata né ha mai provato le farfalle nello stomaco per nessuno e sanno tutti che la sua soglia di attenzione è sempre molto bassa quando si tratta di ragazzi.
Ad una festa cambia tutto però: complice una tempesta e un blackout, complice l'alcol, complice il continuare a flirtare come una seconda natura, complice la gelosia e la paura di perdere i riflettori, Rosie si trova in una situazione in cui nessuna ragazza vorrebbe mai trovarsi. E la cosa peggiore accade quando non riesce a spiegare a Maddie come sono andate veramente le cose, specialmente quando la sua migliore amica la accusa di essere la "tipica" Rosie, che pensa solo a se stessa e ai ragazzi e vuole tutto e tutti per sé.
Mai Rosie aveva pensato che un giorno avrebbe desiderato passare inosservata.
Immagino cosa stiate pensando: Rosie è una protagonista estremamente antipatica, con cui è difficile entrare in sintonia e in empatia - sbagliato.
O meglio, inizialmente lo è un po': si lamenta, è critica nei confronti degli altri ma senza quella malizia che di solito contraddistingue le classiche antagoniste dell'eroina di un libro - poi cresce e diventa più consapevole di molte cose. È innegabile che sia un po'... unlikeable, ma se vi devo dire la verità mi sono trovata quasi più coinvolta da lei che da Sara, la protagonista di Tease - e con lei sì che avevo cose in comune.
Perché sì, Rosie è bella e popolare, ma neanche troppo e soprattutto non è una mean girl. È semplicemente una ragazza a cui piace flirtare, a cui piacciono i ragazzi e scherzare e uscire con loro - non è cattiva, non sminuisce le altre ragazze con il proposito di buttarle giù alla "io sono meglio di te".
Ora, io non sono bella e sotto questo punto di vista non sono riuscita a mettermi completamente nei panni di Rosie - non sono mai stata io quella che attirava l'attenzione dei ragazzi nel mio gruppo di amiche. Ma come ragazza so cosa vuol dire la gelosia, il volere le attenzioni per sé, il volere essere notata a discapito delle altre.
Rosie ci chiarisce subito che si sente a suo agio nel suo corpo, che non ha vergogna di mostrare un po' di pelle - le piace mettersi in tiro e mostrarsi al meglio. Ma ci dice anche che sono le occhiate dei suoi coetanei che cerca e che quelle degli uomini adulti che frequentano la gelateria dove lavora le danno fastidio.
Però dopo quella festa a casa di un suo compagno di scuola, Rosie sente il bisogno di nascondersi - di nascondere la pelle, di nascondere la vergogna, di nascondere quello che NON può essere accaduto, di nascondere se stessa e passare inosservata almeno per un po'. E con Alex, il ragazzo nuovo, sembra funzionare perché lui non sembra notare affatto quanto lei sia bella.
La trama è fuorviante: non aspettatevi bullismo grafico o scontri fisici e verbali tra Rosie e Maddie - per quanto la loro amicizia sia un pilastro fondamentale di questa storia, è Rosie che la analizza nella sua mente e la rielabora quando vede Maddie a scuola. Il confronto tra loro arriva molto avanti e devo dire che, per quanto io sia sempre alla ricerca di storie di amicizie (tossiche) che vanno in frantumi o esplodono, non è questo il caso: ho apprezzato molto il modo in cui è stata sviluppata e sviscerata la loro amicizia, in relazione non solo all'aspetto estetico ma anche ai loro interessi personali e il modo in cui si sono sempre accettate così come sono.
Anche la parte di Alex non prende molto spazio: non aspettatevi che il romance sia la parte principale di questo libro, non aspettatevi il ragazzo che arriva a salvare la protagonista. Anzi, Alex mi è rimasto anche alquanto indifferente e, se devo dire la verità, quello che comunque nasce tra loro mi è sembrato un po' campato sul nulla. Alex resta sempre marginale pur avendo un grosso trauma alle spalle che confida a Rosie in dettagli che in pochi sanno, ma resta poco sviluppato.
Alex è però uno dei catalizzatori (tra gli altri) che spingono Rosie a riflettere.
A riflettere su stessa, su come si sente e vede e su come in realtà possono vederla e percepirla gli altri - ovvero come una ragazza a cui piace fare festa e che nessuno prende sul serio. Riflette sul modo in cui sua madre le sta sempre addosso per via dei ragazzi e sull'esempio che sta dando alla sua sorellina minore Ayla - che non si sente bella come Rosie o la loro madre e che per questo ogni tanto va in crisi.
Rosie ha soprattutto a che fare con la colpa che si addossa per ciò che è successo avendo bevuto e flirtato con il suo aggressore, con lo slut-shaming di cui lei stessa si fa vittima, con il sentire di meritarselo per via dei sentimenti di gelosia e insicurezza che provava per Maddie e il modo in cui si sente indegna della loro amicizia, con l'improvviso senso di abbandono, con i dubbi su se stessa e il proprio valore, con la sensazione di panico e vergogna quando ora un ragazzo le si avvicina o anche solo la guarda.
Quello di Rosie è un percorso di crescita e scoperta: un percorso che la porta a scoprire che è una ragazza fortunata anche in altri sensi perché non si è arrivato a quel peggio che invece è toccato ad altre ragazze - ma è stata comunque vittima di un'aggressione che ancora fatica ad accettare come tale e a pensare in quei termini.
Lucky Girl è un romanzo sullo slut-shaming, sulla cultura dello stupro, su Rosie che prende coscienza che va bene volere le attenzioni e volere essere notate e guardate, ma che non va bene quando ciò oltrepassa i limiti che imponiamo - quando smettiamo di essere persone agli occhi di chi aggredisce, che ci vede solo alla stregua di parti da afferrare senza alcun riguardo.
Mi ha coinvolta parecchio, anche se non in maniera "intensa" e ammetto che ci sono stati romanzi sullo stesso tema che mi hanno fatta "arrabbiare" di più.
E se in un primo momento un discorso della madre di Rosie può dare fastidio - le belle ragazze devono stare sempre più attente delle altre, sono le prime che possono finire in brutte situazioni, le prime a ricevere attenzioni sgradite - è anche vero, come dice dopo, che la bellezza non c'entra nulla quando qualcuno vuole prendersi qualcosa che non sei disposta a dargli perché è un problema universale che riguarda il potere che gli aggressori decidono di arrogarsi e imporre sugli altri.
Tease era stato un romanzo che mi aveva fatta sentire molto in conflitto, pur avendo io tante cose in comune con la protagonista; la Rosie di Lucky Girl è quanto di più lontano possa esserci da me, eppure l'ho sentita vicina ed è stato molto facile empatizzare con lei - perciò direi che questo libro è consigliato.
Rosie sa di essere una ragazza fortunata: ha una famiglia, un tetto sopra la testa, due migliori amici che adora e soprattutto è bella. Può avere tutti i ragazzi che vuole, sin da quando ha cominciato a svilupparsi e ad interessarsi all'altro sesso le è sempre piaciuto flirtare, essere notata, attirare l'attenzione, essere ammirata.
Il fatto che lei fosse la più bella tra lei e Maddie non è stato fonte di conflitto: Maddie è sempre stata più timida con i ragazzi, a volte in cerca dei consigli di Rosie che ha cominciato prima a fare esperienza, ma comunque più interessata al calcio femminile, alla scienza e al comitato scolastico.
Con l'estate agli sgoccioli e Maddie di ritorno da un campeggio di scienze/calcio in Spagna, Rosie è pronta ad essere un'amica migliore per Maddie: sa che non è stata all'altezza del compito quando i genitori di Maddie si sono separati, non riuscendo a trovare le parole o i modi adatti per confortare la sua migliore amica.
E Maddie ritorna dalla Spagna bellissima, più bella e cresciuta di quanto non fosse mai stata e Rosie si trova improvvisamente a provare gelosia nei suoi confronti.
Ma si dice che è normale, che passerà.
Quando poi scopre che Maddie anni fa aveva una cotta - e ce l'ha ancora - per Cory, il ragazzo che Rosie ha cominciato a vedere durante l'estate, Rosie pensa bene di farsi da parte: in fondo non prova nulla di che per Cory, non si è mai innamorata né ha mai provato le farfalle nello stomaco per nessuno e sanno tutti che la sua soglia di attenzione è sempre molto bassa quando si tratta di ragazzi.
Ad una festa cambia tutto però: complice una tempesta e un blackout, complice l'alcol, complice il continuare a flirtare come una seconda natura, complice la gelosia e la paura di perdere i riflettori, Rosie si trova in una situazione in cui nessuna ragazza vorrebbe mai trovarsi. E la cosa peggiore accade quando non riesce a spiegare a Maddie come sono andate veramente le cose, specialmente quando la sua migliore amica la accusa di essere la "tipica" Rosie, che pensa solo a se stessa e ai ragazzi e vuole tutto e tutti per sé.
Mai Rosie aveva pensato che un giorno avrebbe desiderato passare inosservata.
Immagino cosa stiate pensando: Rosie è una protagonista estremamente antipatica, con cui è difficile entrare in sintonia e in empatia - sbagliato.
O meglio, inizialmente lo è un po': si lamenta, è critica nei confronti degli altri ma senza quella malizia che di solito contraddistingue le classiche antagoniste dell'eroina di un libro - poi cresce e diventa più consapevole di molte cose. È innegabile che sia un po'... unlikeable, ma se vi devo dire la verità mi sono trovata quasi più coinvolta da lei che da Sara, la protagonista di Tease - e con lei sì che avevo cose in comune.
Perché sì, Rosie è bella e popolare, ma neanche troppo e soprattutto non è una mean girl. È semplicemente una ragazza a cui piace flirtare, a cui piacciono i ragazzi e scherzare e uscire con loro - non è cattiva, non sminuisce le altre ragazze con il proposito di buttarle giù alla "io sono meglio di te".
Ora, io non sono bella e sotto questo punto di vista non sono riuscita a mettermi completamente nei panni di Rosie - non sono mai stata io quella che attirava l'attenzione dei ragazzi nel mio gruppo di amiche. Ma come ragazza so cosa vuol dire la gelosia, il volere le attenzioni per sé, il volere essere notata a discapito delle altre.
Rosie ci chiarisce subito che si sente a suo agio nel suo corpo, che non ha vergogna di mostrare un po' di pelle - le piace mettersi in tiro e mostrarsi al meglio. Ma ci dice anche che sono le occhiate dei suoi coetanei che cerca e che quelle degli uomini adulti che frequentano la gelateria dove lavora le danno fastidio.
Però dopo quella festa a casa di un suo compagno di scuola, Rosie sente il bisogno di nascondersi - di nascondere la pelle, di nascondere la vergogna, di nascondere quello che NON può essere accaduto, di nascondere se stessa e passare inosservata almeno per un po'. E con Alex, il ragazzo nuovo, sembra funzionare perché lui non sembra notare affatto quanto lei sia bella.
La trama è fuorviante: non aspettatevi bullismo grafico o scontri fisici e verbali tra Rosie e Maddie - per quanto la loro amicizia sia un pilastro fondamentale di questa storia, è Rosie che la analizza nella sua mente e la rielabora quando vede Maddie a scuola. Il confronto tra loro arriva molto avanti e devo dire che, per quanto io sia sempre alla ricerca di storie di amicizie (tossiche) che vanno in frantumi o esplodono, non è questo il caso: ho apprezzato molto il modo in cui è stata sviluppata e sviscerata la loro amicizia, in relazione non solo all'aspetto estetico ma anche ai loro interessi personali e il modo in cui si sono sempre accettate così come sono.
Anche la parte di Alex non prende molto spazio: non aspettatevi che il romance sia la parte principale di questo libro, non aspettatevi il ragazzo che arriva a salvare la protagonista. Anzi, Alex mi è rimasto anche alquanto indifferente e, se devo dire la verità, quello che comunque nasce tra loro mi è sembrato un po' campato sul nulla. Alex resta sempre marginale pur avendo un grosso trauma alle spalle che confida a Rosie in dettagli che in pochi sanno, ma resta poco sviluppato.
Alex è però uno dei catalizzatori (tra gli altri) che spingono Rosie a riflettere.
A riflettere su stessa, su come si sente e vede e su come in realtà possono vederla e percepirla gli altri - ovvero come una ragazza a cui piace fare festa e che nessuno prende sul serio. Riflette sul modo in cui sua madre le sta sempre addosso per via dei ragazzi e sull'esempio che sta dando alla sua sorellina minore Ayla - che non si sente bella come Rosie o la loro madre e che per questo ogni tanto va in crisi.
Rosie ha soprattutto a che fare con la colpa che si addossa per ciò che è successo avendo bevuto e flirtato con il suo aggressore, con lo slut-shaming di cui lei stessa si fa vittima, con il sentire di meritarselo per via dei sentimenti di gelosia e insicurezza che provava per Maddie e il modo in cui si sente indegna della loro amicizia, con l'improvviso senso di abbandono, con i dubbi su se stessa e il proprio valore, con la sensazione di panico e vergogna quando ora un ragazzo le si avvicina o anche solo la guarda.
Quello di Rosie è un percorso di crescita e scoperta: un percorso che la porta a scoprire che è una ragazza fortunata anche in altri sensi perché non si è arrivato a quel peggio che invece è toccato ad altre ragazze - ma è stata comunque vittima di un'aggressione che ancora fatica ad accettare come tale e a pensare in quei termini.
Lucky Girl è un romanzo sullo slut-shaming, sulla cultura dello stupro, su Rosie che prende coscienza che va bene volere le attenzioni e volere essere notate e guardate, ma che non va bene quando ciò oltrepassa i limiti che imponiamo - quando smettiamo di essere persone agli occhi di chi aggredisce, che ci vede solo alla stregua di parti da afferrare senza alcun riguardo.
Mi ha coinvolta parecchio, anche se non in maniera "intensa" e ammetto che ci sono stati romanzi sullo stesso tema che mi hanno fatta "arrabbiare" di più.
E se in un primo momento un discorso della madre di Rosie può dare fastidio - le belle ragazze devono stare sempre più attente delle altre, sono le prime che possono finire in brutte situazioni, le prime a ricevere attenzioni sgradite - è anche vero, come dice dopo, che la bellezza non c'entra nulla quando qualcuno vuole prendersi qualcosa che non sei disposta a dargli perché è un problema universale che riguarda il potere che gli aggressori decidono di arrogarsi e imporre sugli altri.
Tease era stato un romanzo che mi aveva fatta sentire molto in conflitto, pur avendo io tante cose in comune con la protagonista; la Rosie di Lucky Girl è quanto di più lontano possa esserci da me, eppure l'ho sentita vicina ed è stato molto facile empatizzare con lei - perciò direi che questo libro è consigliato.
April 4, 2021
Rosie is the pretty, flirty girl who can get any boy she wants. Then she's sexually assaulted at a party by her best friend, Maudie's new boyfriend Cory (and Rosie's ex). Rosie said no, but still blames herself for being attacked. Now she has no friends, except maybe the new boy Alex, about whom people are also judging by what they think they know.
LUCKY GIRL was one of my most anticipated spring releases. I loved Amanda Maciel's debut novel TEASE, so my expectations were for something equally outstanding. Maciel took too long to set up the story, which bored me until 35% into LUCKY GIRL, after which the book improved considerably.
Maciel tackles important territory of rape culture, slut shaming, sexual assault and bullying without hammering an Important Message into reader's heads. I loved that Rosie had a positive body image. She knew she was pretty. Unfortunately, she thought pretty was her only attribute. She dated a lot of boys, flirted with even more and probably slept with far fewer than others imagined. YA lit has so few stories with teens who have a positive body image, I was glad to see Maciel give Rosie that confidence.
Rosie was a complex, insightful character. She had a good heart, recognized her jealousy. I could see why she blamed herself, and didn't realize she was assaulted not because she did anything wrong, but because girls are taught not to get raped which carries an implicit message of the responsibility to protect oneself from a (usually) bigger, stronger, heavier (usually) guy. I don't think, from an early age, boys universally get the same messages about respecting boundaries. Rosie grows a great deal during the book.
The resolution was unsatisfactory, though realistic. She would have been raked through the coals for laughing, as a drunk response to feeling shattered. Her flirtiness, clothes and dating history would have been an issue. Plus she waited weeks before telling anyone, because she was ashamed and didn't realize what happened was an assault. I wish Maciel had shown scenes where Rosie an her mother reported the rape, rather than having Rosie to tell Maddie afterward.
The most unrealistic part of LUCKY GIRL was that everybody believed and supported Rosie. I hope, but doubt, we've achieved that space where victims are believed and supported upon disclosure.
LUCKY GIRL is an important book with an average execution.
LUCKY GIRL was one of my most anticipated spring releases. I loved Amanda Maciel's debut novel TEASE, so my expectations were for something equally outstanding. Maciel took too long to set up the story, which bored me until 35% into LUCKY GIRL, after which the book improved considerably.
Maciel tackles important territory of rape culture, slut shaming, sexual assault and bullying without hammering an Important Message into reader's heads. I loved that Rosie had a positive body image. She knew she was pretty. Unfortunately, she thought pretty was her only attribute. She dated a lot of boys, flirted with even more and probably slept with far fewer than others imagined. YA lit has so few stories with teens who have a positive body image, I was glad to see Maciel give Rosie that confidence.
Rosie was a complex, insightful character. She had a good heart, recognized her jealousy. I could see why she blamed herself, and didn't realize she was assaulted not because she did anything wrong, but because girls are taught not to get raped which carries an implicit message of the responsibility to protect oneself from a (usually) bigger, stronger, heavier (usually) guy. I don't think, from an early age, boys universally get the same messages about respecting boundaries. Rosie grows a great deal during the book.
The resolution was unsatisfactory, though realistic. She would have been raked through the coals for laughing, as a drunk response to feeling shattered. Her flirtiness, clothes and dating history would have been an issue. Plus she waited weeks before telling anyone, because she was ashamed and didn't realize what happened was an assault. I wish Maciel had shown scenes where Rosie an her mother reported the rape, rather than having Rosie to tell Maddie afterward.
The most unrealistic part of LUCKY GIRL was that everybody believed and supported Rosie. I hope, but doubt, we've achieved that space where victims are believed and supported upon disclosure.
LUCKY GIRL is an important book with an average execution.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2017
3.5/4 stars
This was my first book by Amada Maciel, I was a bit sad that I never got to read Tease because many of my friends loved it. Just like Tease was an important book, Lucky Girl is, too. I wish I read a book like this when I was younger and I hope young readers have the chance to read it, too.
TW: Lucky Girl is a book about rape culture. If you have any triggers about rape, I’d suggest you keep this in mind.
I had a hard time connecting with Rose in the first pages of the book, because she was a little whiny and selfish. The first thing you know about her is that she’s jealous of her best friend because she returned home looking hot and finally learned how to flirt with guys.
I didn’t read the synopsis when I started it, so I was afraid she was going to be an unlikable and shallow main character until I started to understand.
Rosie is an honest and real character. She knows her own flaws and she’s trying to change, to be a better friend for Maddie. And later on, a better sister and a better person.
I think the most important thing in Lucky Girl is the message of self-worth and real friendships.
This book tackles hard topics such as near-rape experiences and slut shaming. It’s something you see in real life and it made me think of how we judge people when we don’t know them.
Personally, I don’t think I loved any character. I liked them all, yeah, but I don’t think the author put enough attention to their characters arcs. I really liked Rosie’s sister and Ryan, though. I wish there were more scenes with them, but I’m content with what I got.
The writing was okay, too. Just not as good as I heard it’s Tease’s.
For me, the importance of Lucky Girl is the message it sends. It’s really empowering to read something that made me remember of my self-worth and how important is to overcome prejudice.
Overall, Lucky Girl is a good book with a deep message, but it didn’t shine among the other with similar topics.
This was my first book by Amada Maciel, I was a bit sad that I never got to read Tease because many of my friends loved it. Just like Tease was an important book, Lucky Girl is, too. I wish I read a book like this when I was younger and I hope young readers have the chance to read it, too.
TW: Lucky Girl is a book about rape culture. If you have any triggers about rape, I’d suggest you keep this in mind.
I had a hard time connecting with Rose in the first pages of the book, because she was a little whiny and selfish. The first thing you know about her is that she’s jealous of her best friend because she returned home looking hot and finally learned how to flirt with guys.
I didn’t read the synopsis when I started it, so I was afraid she was going to be an unlikable and shallow main character until I started to understand.
Rosie is an honest and real character. She knows her own flaws and she’s trying to change, to be a better friend for Maddie. And later on, a better sister and a better person.
I think the most important thing in Lucky Girl is the message of self-worth and real friendships.
This book tackles hard topics such as near-rape experiences and slut shaming. It’s something you see in real life and it made me think of how we judge people when we don’t know them.
Personally, I don’t think I loved any character. I liked them all, yeah, but I don’t think the author put enough attention to their characters arcs. I really liked Rosie’s sister and Ryan, though. I wish there were more scenes with them, but I’m content with what I got.
The writing was okay, too. Just not as good as I heard it’s Tease’s.
For me, the importance of Lucky Girl is the message it sends. It’s really empowering to read something that made me remember of my self-worth and how important is to overcome prejudice.
Overall, Lucky Girl is a good book with a deep message, but it didn’t shine among the other with similar topics.
May 16, 2017
I wish Goodreads had half stars, because this book should get 3.5 stars. I felt that the characters were realistically depicted for their ages. it was an easy and quick read.
February 7, 2017
This book was hard to read in parts but I was really impressed with the story and the way that the author was able to handle some of the topics with such grace. (Don't read this book if sexual assault is a trigger for you..quick heads up.)
Rosie has always been the pretty girl, she is used to men of all ages looking a little bit too long at her and most of the time she kinda enjoys the attention. When something happens one night, Rosie will begin to learn that being the pretty girl isn't what she thought....and she will learn that sometimes the only person to protect her is herself.
Amanda Machiel has written a lovely story...even though it was hard to read in parts I think that the subject matter is something that needs to be talked about more, sadly I might add.
Thanks to HarperCollins for the ARC!
Rosie has always been the pretty girl, she is used to men of all ages looking a little bit too long at her and most of the time she kinda enjoys the attention. When something happens one night, Rosie will begin to learn that being the pretty girl isn't what she thought....and she will learn that sometimes the only person to protect her is herself.
Amanda Machiel has written a lovely story...even though it was hard to read in parts I think that the subject matter is something that needs to be talked about more, sadly I might add.
Thanks to HarperCollins for the ARC!
November 1, 2018
I can see what he sees. A girl who drinks, who wears short skirts. Who gets dressed up so that people will look at her, think she’s pretty. A girl everyone does think is pretty. A girl who likes attention and dark rooms and boys and parties and dumb, flirty conversation.
It’s my fault he sees me like that—I am like that.
But it’s not my fault he doesn’t see that I’m a person, too.
— An exploration of beauty, self-worth, slut-shaming, and rape culture. It’s a relevant read, but the plot was kind of all over the place. I wish it focused more on the issues that mattered.
January 5, 2019
A strong theme, not well developed. I actually think the main character is realistic, but unfortunately that doesn't make her likeable. It was hard to keep reading since she talks endlessly about how pretty she is and it gets tiring. Last half is better than the first half.
Amazon review:
Lucky Girl is a book that discusses the underlying rape culture that exists in everyday life - the one where a regular party girl is slut-shamed easily, where she doubts herself because she thinks she is responsible for inciting the crime - you know, regular ingrained misogyny. Rosie is pretty - the whole town knows it, and she loves it. She likes that she can have any boy she wants, and when her friend Maddie returns, from her summer abroad, more beautiful, she is a little jealous and unsure at first. She thought her friendly dynamic was based around the fact that she is the prettier and more experienced one. But then when Maddie's new boyfriend assaults Rosie at a party, and Maddie thinks she was hooking up, Rosie is at a loss as how to explain it to her. Firstly, she feels guilty for attracting his attention (even though she had hooked up with him before Maddie and he got together) and secondly, she feels like she has projected this image of a loose party girl who no one will take seriously.
The book subtly approaches these topics of slut-shaming, rape culture, prejudices, and how boys get away easily with stuff, as well as how girls are conditioned into blaming themselves for other's reactions to them. Rosie almost becomes a rape statistic and her first response is to deny anything ever happened. She is embarrassed by it, blames herself for it, feels unworthy of her friendship because of it - while the boy who did it still goes on living his life as normal. And although it comes from the perspective of a girl who is pretty and therefore more likely to gain unwanted attention, it also points out that this is a universal problem. There is also a very important sex-positive message which while not overt, still is pervasive in the book's theme.
While I loved the message this book gives, and how it is a good example of a coming-of-age novel that approaches topics like sexuality subtly, it is perhaps not a book I would recommend solely on the basis of that. Like, if you wanted me to prescribe a book to you about said topic, this wouldn't be the first book to spring to my mind. This is because while it does speak about these things, it doesn't feel fully invested in it. There are too many plot threads running around like the storm, that whole story arc with Alex (which felt extraneous) and her arc with her sister - it felt underdeveloped and unpolished in those regards. The writing is okay, but nothing to jump up excitedly about. In short, despite the way the author handled these serious topics, it ultimately felt like an average sort of book.
Amazon review:
Lucky Girl is a book that discusses the underlying rape culture that exists in everyday life - the one where a regular party girl is slut-shamed easily, where she doubts herself because she thinks she is responsible for inciting the crime - you know, regular ingrained misogyny. Rosie is pretty - the whole town knows it, and she loves it. She likes that she can have any boy she wants, and when her friend Maddie returns, from her summer abroad, more beautiful, she is a little jealous and unsure at first. She thought her friendly dynamic was based around the fact that she is the prettier and more experienced one. But then when Maddie's new boyfriend assaults Rosie at a party, and Maddie thinks she was hooking up, Rosie is at a loss as how to explain it to her. Firstly, she feels guilty for attracting his attention (even though she had hooked up with him before Maddie and he got together) and secondly, she feels like she has projected this image of a loose party girl who no one will take seriously.
The book subtly approaches these topics of slut-shaming, rape culture, prejudices, and how boys get away easily with stuff, as well as how girls are conditioned into blaming themselves for other's reactions to them. Rosie almost becomes a rape statistic and her first response is to deny anything ever happened. She is embarrassed by it, blames herself for it, feels unworthy of her friendship because of it - while the boy who did it still goes on living his life as normal. And although it comes from the perspective of a girl who is pretty and therefore more likely to gain unwanted attention, it also points out that this is a universal problem. There is also a very important sex-positive message which while not overt, still is pervasive in the book's theme.
While I loved the message this book gives, and how it is a good example of a coming-of-age novel that approaches topics like sexuality subtly, it is perhaps not a book I would recommend solely on the basis of that. Like, if you wanted me to prescribe a book to you about said topic, this wouldn't be the first book to spring to my mind. This is because while it does speak about these things, it doesn't feel fully invested in it. There are too many plot threads running around like the storm, that whole story arc with Alex (which felt extraneous) and her arc with her sister - it felt underdeveloped and unpolished in those regards. The writing is okay, but nothing to jump up excitedly about. In short, despite the way the author handled these serious topics, it ultimately felt like an average sort of book.
January 10, 2020
Plot:
Rosie was the ‘it’ girl. From a small town, it was Rosie and her trio: best friend Maddie, more of a tomboy than anything else, and Ryan her gay best friend. The trio spent their days drinking beer at field parties, shopping on weeknights, and a trip to the beach on lazy afternoons. With the start of junior year, they were ready to kick back and relax. Maddie was back from her soccer/science, camp in Spain, and she was looking like a total bombshell. Gone were her boy shorts and frizzy hair, and hello to perfectly straight blonde hair, short-shorts, and some flip flops. The pretty girl and her sidekick turned into two hotties, and Rosie did not like the competition. Relying on her looks for everything, from tips at Dairy Queen, from bonuses from her night manager, now she must compete with her best friend? Totally unfair. Yet Rosie was going to give it to her, after all their years of friendship, Maddie should be the one guys talk too, she should be the one to turn peoples' heads. Maddie should, finally, be the one to get the guy. Rosie was willing to give it all to Maddie until her flirty girl attitude was getting her into trouble. Now Rosie needs to save her friendship, realize that looks may not be everything, and maybe even, get the guy, the right guy, in the end after all.
Thoughts:
Originally titled A Perfect Disaster Amanda Maciel changed it to Lucky Girl as that was what Rosie was: a lucky girl. Lucky that things that night did not go worst. Lucky that Maddie had a brain unlike other girls in this situation. Lucky that of all the pretty girls, smart girls, girls with real personality at her school, Alex saw something in her, that even she did not know was there. Overall Maciel wrote the story of Rosemary Fuller, a truly lucky girl. The true star of the novel was Maddie, as where Maciel could have written her as the crazy girl with no bounds, she gave Maddie not only a brain but a heart as well. Rosie on the other hand, not much of a nice character. She is what you expect; the pretty girls who know it and flaunts it everywhere. She flips her hair, laughs at the jock jokes, and slept with half the football team without being labeled as a slut. But Maciel lets us see the volunteered side to Rosie, the one that she tries to hide, yet is forced out of her by Alex. A story about how sexual abuse, friendship, and high school dramas can change a girl’s life, and not always in the wrong way, as throughout this horrible time, Rosie grows closer with her family, Alex, and maybe even herself too.
Rosie was the ‘it’ girl. From a small town, it was Rosie and her trio: best friend Maddie, more of a tomboy than anything else, and Ryan her gay best friend. The trio spent their days drinking beer at field parties, shopping on weeknights, and a trip to the beach on lazy afternoons. With the start of junior year, they were ready to kick back and relax. Maddie was back from her soccer/science, camp in Spain, and she was looking like a total bombshell. Gone were her boy shorts and frizzy hair, and hello to perfectly straight blonde hair, short-shorts, and some flip flops. The pretty girl and her sidekick turned into two hotties, and Rosie did not like the competition. Relying on her looks for everything, from tips at Dairy Queen, from bonuses from her night manager, now she must compete with her best friend? Totally unfair. Yet Rosie was going to give it to her, after all their years of friendship, Maddie should be the one guys talk too, she should be the one to turn peoples' heads. Maddie should, finally, be the one to get the guy. Rosie was willing to give it all to Maddie until her flirty girl attitude was getting her into trouble. Now Rosie needs to save her friendship, realize that looks may not be everything, and maybe even, get the guy, the right guy, in the end after all.
Thoughts:
Originally titled A Perfect Disaster Amanda Maciel changed it to Lucky Girl as that was what Rosie was: a lucky girl. Lucky that things that night did not go worst. Lucky that Maddie had a brain unlike other girls in this situation. Lucky that of all the pretty girls, smart girls, girls with real personality at her school, Alex saw something in her, that even she did not know was there. Overall Maciel wrote the story of Rosemary Fuller, a truly lucky girl. The true star of the novel was Maddie, as where Maciel could have written her as the crazy girl with no bounds, she gave Maddie not only a brain but a heart as well. Rosie on the other hand, not much of a nice character. She is what you expect; the pretty girls who know it and flaunts it everywhere. She flips her hair, laughs at the jock jokes, and slept with half the football team without being labeled as a slut. But Maciel lets us see the volunteered side to Rosie, the one that she tries to hide, yet is forced out of her by Alex. A story about how sexual abuse, friendship, and high school dramas can change a girl’s life, and not always in the wrong way, as throughout this horrible time, Rosie grows closer with her family, Alex, and maybe even herself too.
August 20, 2017
So, honestly, this book could have gotten such a higher rating.
Rosie is pretty. Like, really pretty. Guys notice her, and she likes that. In fact, she wants them to. And when her best friend comes back from a summer soccer program in Europe way hotter and more confident than she left, Rosie can even admit she has a moment of panic. Maybe she's not the hot one anymore? But it doesn't matter, because she's going to be a better friend this year, and that means making sure Maddie's long time crush, Rosie's current boyfriend, becomes suddenly available. Besides, she didn't really like him that much, and anyway, there's a new guy in town who's caught her eye. Summer is sure to be perfect, right?
Wrong. Because what could go wrong with that situation? Surprisingly, not what I thought,
Anyway. The whole Alex/new guy in town plot line just. Could have been left out entirely, and that would have been fine. She did not need a new guy to fix her, she needed to be *less* focused on boys.
I don't know. How her situation was handled just left a very sour taste in my mouth. From her friends, from her school, etc. I don't know. I think the self-shame and hatred was very well done, but I also can't say I enjoyed it.
I think it would have been a lot better if it focused less on her pursuing Alex, and more on coming to terms with what actually happened.
Rosie is pretty. Like, really pretty. Guys notice her, and she likes that. In fact, she wants them to. And when her best friend comes back from a summer soccer program in Europe way hotter and more confident than she left, Rosie can even admit she has a moment of panic. Maybe she's not the hot one anymore? But it doesn't matter, because she's going to be a better friend this year, and that means making sure Maddie's long time crush, Rosie's current boyfriend, becomes suddenly available. Besides, she didn't really like him that much, and anyway, there's a new guy in town who's caught her eye. Summer is sure to be perfect, right?
Wrong. Because what could go wrong with that situation? Surprisingly, not what I thought,
Anyway. The whole Alex/new guy in town plot line just. Could have been left out entirely, and that would have been fine. She did not need a new guy to fix her, she needed to be *less* focused on boys.
I don't know. How her situation was handled just left a very sour taste in my mouth. From her friends, from her school, etc. I don't know. I think the self-shame and hatred was very well done, but I also can't say I enjoyed it.
I think it would have been a lot better if it focused less on her pursuing Alex, and more on coming to terms with what actually happened.
December 31, 2017
Thank you to publishers and NetGalley for allowing me to read this prior to publication. A hard-hitting and topical read, that will probably appeal to teen readers.
Rosie is one of those girls it would be easy to hate. Pretty and popular, she is used to using her looks to get what she wants. Initially, she seems shallow and quite unlikeable and definitely not a good friend to Maddie. However, Maciel tries to show there’s more to Rosie than people realise.
After her best friend returns from a summer in Spain, Rosie is jealous of her new relationship. Sadly, she ends up in a situation she can’t control and feels alone after she is assaulted by her ex. There’s no graphic description of the assault, and in the current media focus on sexual harassment it’s important to get teen readers exploring just what constitutes assault. Sadly I think there’ll be many teen readers who will recognise what happens to Rosie as an all-too-familiar story, and all too many who will think Rosie is wrong to question what happens to her.
The novel felt like a powerful idea that didn’t quite work out. I personally felt I got too side-tracked by the plots surrounding Sophie’s relationship with her sister, and her friendship with Alex. Throwing in a best gay friend story felt like too many bases were being covered to really explore any in appropriate depth.
Rosie is one of those girls it would be easy to hate. Pretty and popular, she is used to using her looks to get what she wants. Initially, she seems shallow and quite unlikeable and definitely not a good friend to Maddie. However, Maciel tries to show there’s more to Rosie than people realise.
After her best friend returns from a summer in Spain, Rosie is jealous of her new relationship. Sadly, she ends up in a situation she can’t control and feels alone after she is assaulted by her ex. There’s no graphic description of the assault, and in the current media focus on sexual harassment it’s important to get teen readers exploring just what constitutes assault. Sadly I think there’ll be many teen readers who will recognise what happens to Rosie as an all-too-familiar story, and all too many who will think Rosie is wrong to question what happens to her.
The novel felt like a powerful idea that didn’t quite work out. I personally felt I got too side-tracked by the plots surrounding Sophie’s relationship with her sister, and her friendship with Alex. Throwing in a best gay friend story felt like too many bases were being covered to really explore any in appropriate depth.
October 1, 2018
A for effort. The book tried to be gritty, timely, topical, and powerful. It tried. It failed but I almost appreciate the effort. Two BFFs, a jock/predator, an angsty artsy one, the gay BFF, and of course the new guy/hero. Being popular and beautiful is so trying. Being a good friend is hard. Trying to have a relationship with a guy who doesn't want you just for sex can be difficult to adjust to. Having a gay friend who wont tell you who he likes is such a bother. Connecting with a little sister you've ignored the last 13 years proves harder then you'd think. These are all Rosie's trials and along with all this, her ex-boyfriend/current BFF's boyfriend/football star tries to force himself on her at a drunken party. If that isn't bad enough the voices in her head tell her she deserves all of it. Oh yeah and there's a tornado that has gone through town and destroyed a bunch of stuff.
I applaud the author for trying to take on a tough subject but man on man it was like she didn't really want to take it on so she threw every cliche available to make it easier to digest. I'm not sure why. Tackle the topic. Be real. Date rape and sexual assault are real and tough to talk about but wrapping them up in a sugar coating aren't helping anyone or moving the conversation forward. Be brave! This book isn't brave.
I applaud the author for trying to take on a tough subject but man on man it was like she didn't really want to take it on so she threw every cliche available to make it easier to digest. I'm not sure why. Tackle the topic. Be real. Date rape and sexual assault are real and tough to talk about but wrapping them up in a sugar coating aren't helping anyone or moving the conversation forward. Be brave! This book isn't brave.
May 9, 2017
"i don’t want those men to see me. i just want to be invisible for a little while longer."
T H O U G H T S:
when rosie is assaulted, her best friend walks in assuming something entirely different. and so, rosie loses both herself and her best friend, in the time she needed her most. i had the same reaction to reading lucky girl as i did to reading amanda maciel's tease: i appreciate the confrontation of serious issues like sexual assault, rape culture, slut-shaming, and self-worth, but the storyline and writing style didn't impress me or move me. all the rage was a more powerful exploration of such themes.
R A T I N G:
plot // 3
pacing // 2
language // 2
story world // 2
protagonist // 2
antagonist // 2
secondary characters // 1
T H O U G H T S:
when rosie is assaulted, her best friend walks in assuming something entirely different. and so, rosie loses both herself and her best friend, in the time she needed her most. i had the same reaction to reading lucky girl as i did to reading amanda maciel's tease: i appreciate the confrontation of serious issues like sexual assault, rape culture, slut-shaming, and self-worth, but the storyline and writing style didn't impress me or move me. all the rage was a more powerful exploration of such themes.
R A T I N G:
plot // 3
pacing // 2
language // 2
story world // 2
protagonist // 2
antagonist // 2
secondary characters // 1
March 23, 2020
Realmente es un 3'5. Tenía muchas expectativas con este libro ya que trata bastante el tema de la "rape-culture" y el "slut-shaming", pero no me gustó demasiado cómo lo trata. Me esperaba mucho monólogo interno, ella reflexionando y explorando estos aspectos, sin embargo se limita a describir las crisis de ansiedad o cualquier proceso físico relacionado con la ansiedad que experimenta, dejando todo el trabajo al lector de figurarse los pensamientos que rondan por su cabeza. La historia de amor con Alex no me gustó. La sentí súper forzada, hubiera preferido que no acabaran juntos, simplemente que se hicieran amigos, pero hasta ahí. En general ha sido una buena lectura, me gusta mucho cómo retrata la amistad entre Maddy y Rosie, como plasma las situaciones familiares (la relación con su madre, con su hermana, con su padrastro), aunque hubiera preferido que se exploraran un poco más, pero bueno, están bastante bien; adoré el momento feminista que tiene la protagonista con su madre donde descubrimos el pasado de esta y vemos que su hija ha seguido los mismos pasos. Así que ha sido una buena lectura, aunque esperaba más y me ha decepcionado en algunos aspectos
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews