What do you think?
Rate this book
Arcadia High Anarchists #1
Good Girls
Caught between two worlds, I no longer know who I am.
I was one of the Chosen. Four girls, and four boys, destined to have it all: wealth, status, and a future. Now, I find myself on the other side looking for a way back in.
My father’s criminal case meant we lost it all. Forced out of our home, our city, our life, we started anew in a sweet country town called Arcadia.
Except after one day as “the new girl” I know there isn’t a single sweet thing about Arcadia High. Boys versus girls. Those who have it all versus those who’d do anything to get it.
Trouble brews amongst the student body. Love, lies, and betrayal. And when the consequences spill out the decorative gates?
These spoilt country kids won’t know what hit them after the city come to collect.
I was one of the Chosen. Four girls, and four boys, destined to have it all: wealth, status, and a future. Now, I find myself on the other side looking for a way back in.
My father’s criminal case meant we lost it all. Forced out of our home, our city, our life, we started anew in a sweet country town called Arcadia.
Except after one day as “the new girl” I know there isn’t a single sweet thing about Arcadia High. Boys versus girls. Those who have it all versus those who’d do anything to get it.
Trouble brews amongst the student body. Love, lies, and betrayal. And when the consequences spill out the decorative gates?
These spoilt country kids won’t know what hit them after the city come to collect.
229 pages, ebook
Published July 16, 2019
545 people are currently reading
1107 people want to read
About the author
Max Henry
52 books1,011 followersFacebook -> http://bit.ly/2F4XrG3
Instagram -> http://bit.ly/2ruERF3
Newsletter -> http://www.maxhenryauthor.com/newsletter
Born and raised in Canterbury, New Zealand, Max now resides with her family in beautiful and sunny Queensland, Australia. Life with two young children can be hectic at times and, although she may not write as often as she would like, Max wouldn’t change a thing.
An avid lover of stories from a young age, she enjoys nothing more than to get lost in the pages while the characters dictate what direction she takes. Her favourite genre to write is new adult and the events in her stories may or may not be related to real life experiences (only she will ever know for sure).
In her down time, Max can be found at her local gym brainstorming through a session with the weights. If not, she’s probably out drooling over one of many classic cars on show that she wishes she owned.
Instagram -> http://bit.ly/2ruERF3
Newsletter -> http://www.maxhenryauthor.com/newsletter
Born and raised in Canterbury, New Zealand, Max now resides with her family in beautiful and sunny Queensland, Australia. Life with two young children can be hectic at times and, although she may not write as often as she would like, Max wouldn’t change a thing.
An avid lover of stories from a young age, she enjoys nothing more than to get lost in the pages while the characters dictate what direction she takes. Her favourite genre to write is new adult and the events in her stories may or may not be related to real life experiences (only she will ever know for sure).
In her down time, Max can be found at her local gym brainstorming through a session with the weights. If not, she’s probably out drooling over one of many classic cars on show that she wishes she owned.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
Read
July 10, 2019I'm in the minority here under a huge cloud of high ratings. So it could well be it's me and not the book. My non rating has no reflection on the author whatsoever. I really tried to like this adding that it comes from a new to me author too but I just didn’t connect with the heroine at all and it took it away from enjoying this story.
July 17, 2019
Lacey is one of the Chosen. She's wealthy, privileged, admired, and part of the popular crowd. That is until her family's status takes a tumble after her father is arrested for unwittingly taking part in illegal activities. Their fortune is taken from them leaving them no choice but to move from their lavish apartment in the city to a modest residence in the country.
With her old friends shunning her and the kids at her new school bullying her, Lacey feels all alone in the world. Even the brother she loves so dearly has quickly become a stranger. Her mother and father are miserable, and in just a couple of months, another shocking revelation turns her life upside down once more.
Good Girls by Max Henry is a new adult, bully romance filled with secrets, lies, and betrayal. The hero, Tuck, is a cowboy, and Lacey is a spoiled, shallow, little rich girl. Those are not the type of characters I usually look for in a book, but surprisingly, I enjoyed it all the same. Tuck is one hot cowboy, and in Lacey's case, there is a lot of character development throughout the story that turned her from a character that repulsed me to one I could root for and sympathize with.
On top of the fact that the characters are so different from what I generally prefer, I had never read anything from this author before.
Would I like her writing style? What about the romance? Would the plot keep me interested? Bully romance is my shit though, so I decided to give it a try despite my concerns.
Am I glad I did? Yes! Was it what I expected? No, but that wasn't a bad thing! It's somewhat different from the other books I've read in this particular niche, and that is something that's becoming harder to find with this subgenre's recent rise in popularity.
I enjoyed the author's writing style.The plot kept me intrigued, and the budding romance left me wanting more. That being said, the first half of the book didn't necessarily feel like a romance novel to me. It felt kind of like a family drama with a female main character. I'm not bothered by it at this point, because I know that there are going to be several books in the series. I also happen to like family dramas, so I'm content with watching as the overall story slowly unfolds.
I want to see more about her family after everything that transpired in this installment. I REALLY need to know more about the Chosen! What's going on with those assholes? How was the group formed? What does being a member mean? What's up with Christian, Libby, and Richard? The author leaves us with so many questions that it guarantees you'll be coming back for book 2 if you enjoyed this one.
I recommend Good Girls to fans of bully romance with flawed characters that don't mind a slowburn.
With her old friends shunning her and the kids at her new school bullying her, Lacey feels all alone in the world. Even the brother she loves so dearly has quickly become a stranger. Her mother and father are miserable, and in just a couple of months, another shocking revelation turns her life upside down once more.
Good Girls by Max Henry is a new adult, bully romance filled with secrets, lies, and betrayal. The hero, Tuck, is a cowboy, and Lacey is a spoiled, shallow, little rich girl. Those are not the type of characters I usually look for in a book, but surprisingly, I enjoyed it all the same. Tuck is one hot cowboy, and in Lacey's case, there is a lot of character development throughout the story that turned her from a character that repulsed me to one I could root for and sympathize with.
On top of the fact that the characters are so different from what I generally prefer, I had never read anything from this author before.
Would I like her writing style? What about the romance? Would the plot keep me interested? Bully romance is my shit though, so I decided to give it a try despite my concerns.
Am I glad I did? Yes! Was it what I expected? No, but that wasn't a bad thing! It's somewhat different from the other books I've read in this particular niche, and that is something that's becoming harder to find with this subgenre's recent rise in popularity.
I enjoyed the author's writing style.The plot kept me intrigued, and the budding romance left me wanting more. That being said, the first half of the book didn't necessarily feel like a romance novel to me. It felt kind of like a family drama with a female main character. I'm not bothered by it at this point, because I know that there are going to be several books in the series. I also happen to like family dramas, so I'm content with watching as the overall story slowly unfolds.
I want to see more about her family after everything that transpired in this installment. I REALLY need to know more about the Chosen! What's going on with those assholes? How was the group formed? What does being a member mean? What's up with Christian, Libby, and Richard? The author leaves us with so many questions that it guarantees you'll be coming back for book 2 if you enjoyed this one.
I recommend Good Girls to fans of bully romance with flawed characters that don't mind a slowburn.
July 11, 2019
Straight up? This story blew me away and has left me strung out like a an addict jonesing for a fix!
I'm by no means a huge fan of YA/NA reads, but when it's Max Henry at the helm then I'm always up for anything, so picking up this book was a no-brainer for me.
What I didn't expect was to have my emotions and allegiances tossed around like a cork in a washing machine, making me question just who are the heroes and villains in this story!
When Lacey Williams' father takes the fall for his dodgy business partners and the family loses it's prestigious societal position along with all their money, the family ends up in country town Arcadia and Lacey finds herself having to switch out her couture Gucci boots for the RM Williams variety!
Expecting to secure her status as the elite of the new school she is quickly torn down several pegs by her new schools own "mean girls" and their male counterparts, but that is just the start of the drama.
There's very little to like about the very shallow, very pretentious Lacey we meet at the start of the book, but Max Henry does a superb job of transforming this naive spoilt brat by opening her eyes to not only the real world, but to her own behaviour and that of her family and previous so called friends.
As Lacey learns to adapt, find new allies and enjoy the building chemistry between her and one of Arcadia's own elite, so the tension also builds, the lies start to be divulged and the insidious undercurrent of this story becomes apparent.
Central to this tale is the issue of bullying; and this author does such a brilliant job of not only highlighting its destructive, caustic influences but also the real challenges in dealing with it effectively.
There's no way I'm missing out on seeing where Henry takes this sordid tale next, I can't wait for more of the Arcadia High Anarchists!!!
I'm by no means a huge fan of YA/NA reads, but when it's Max Henry at the helm then I'm always up for anything, so picking up this book was a no-brainer for me.
What I didn't expect was to have my emotions and allegiances tossed around like a cork in a washing machine, making me question just who are the heroes and villains in this story!
When Lacey Williams' father takes the fall for his dodgy business partners and the family loses it's prestigious societal position along with all their money, the family ends up in country town Arcadia and Lacey finds herself having to switch out her couture Gucci boots for the RM Williams variety!
Expecting to secure her status as the elite of the new school she is quickly torn down several pegs by her new schools own "mean girls" and their male counterparts, but that is just the start of the drama.
There's very little to like about the very shallow, very pretentious Lacey we meet at the start of the book, but Max Henry does a superb job of transforming this naive spoilt brat by opening her eyes to not only the real world, but to her own behaviour and that of her family and previous so called friends.
As Lacey learns to adapt, find new allies and enjoy the building chemistry between her and one of Arcadia's own elite, so the tension also builds, the lies start to be divulged and the insidious undercurrent of this story becomes apparent.
Central to this tale is the issue of bullying; and this author does such a brilliant job of not only highlighting its destructive, caustic influences but also the real challenges in dealing with it effectively.
There's no way I'm missing out on seeing where Henry takes this sordid tale next, I can't wait for more of the Arcadia High Anarchists!!!
September 11, 2019
“𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐨 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧?
Tuck asks quietly.
“𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠.”
I drop my head to the steering wheel.
“𝐈 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐦,”
He chuckles before adding on a whisper,
“𝐀𝐬 𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐥.”
Cute. Innocently angsty. As the story progressed, Lacey grew on me in big waves. The cliffhanger was enough of a tease to grab a hold of me. I'll reading Bad Boys today!
Tuck asks quietly.
“𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠.”
I drop my head to the steering wheel.
“𝐈 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐦,”
He chuckles before adding on a whisper,
“𝐀𝐬 𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐥.”
Cute. Innocently angsty. As the story progressed, Lacey grew on me in big waves. The cliffhanger was enough of a tease to grab a hold of me. I'll reading Bad Boys today!
July 24, 2019
Full review can be found HERE --> https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
*ARC provided for a voluntary honest review.* ~Sonal
*ARC provided for a voluntary honest review.* ~Sonal
March 12, 2021
Wow, just, wow! After reading this incredible book I needed to sit back and take a big breath! YA isn’t generally my favourite genre but this story is so amazing I literally couldn’t put it down.
Good Girls is the story of Lacey Williams, her family and her life as a nearly seventeen year old. Told from her perspective it gives us a deep insight into her character as well as her growth, and boy does she change.
Leaving the rich life at Riverbourne and moving to Arcadia High was not only a culture shock, such a hard confusing time for her but also an enlightening one too. Meeting The Mavericks was not her favourite thing except for Tuck Brallant, someone she finds very alluring as well as intriguing. Her brother, Colt, is another kettle of fish altogether and one I have to admit interests me but I also find hard to really like.
There are quite a few issues raised throughout this book and I feel there will be more. Issues that highlight many things wrong in society today like bullying, emotionally draining at times to read about them but extremely well compiled and expanded on by the author.
This is the first book in a four book series and I am already looking forward to reading the next three books. An excellent read I recommend to everyone who enjoys quality stories.
Good Girls is the story of Lacey Williams, her family and her life as a nearly seventeen year old. Told from her perspective it gives us a deep insight into her character as well as her growth, and boy does she change.
Leaving the rich life at Riverbourne and moving to Arcadia High was not only a culture shock, such a hard confusing time for her but also an enlightening one too. Meeting The Mavericks was not her favourite thing except for Tuck Brallant, someone she finds very alluring as well as intriguing. Her brother, Colt, is another kettle of fish altogether and one I have to admit interests me but I also find hard to really like.
There are quite a few issues raised throughout this book and I feel there will be more. Issues that highlight many things wrong in society today like bullying, emotionally draining at times to read about them but extremely well compiled and expanded on by the author.
This is the first book in a four book series and I am already looking forward to reading the next three books. An excellent read I recommend to everyone who enjoys quality stories.
July 17, 2019
It was a little scattered story wise...it was hard to get behind the h as she started out entitled. I do like Tuck. As the country people started being decent our h had to deal with another faction. Cliffhanger.
Hate em.
Hate em.
Want to read
July 1, 2024🎁 FREE on Amazon today (12/18/2019)! 🎁
August 22, 2021
three outta five
okay? i guess i have a thing for country boys now? ugh i cant keep up with the amount of 'types' i have due to books. i have mixed feelings about this book. i enjoyed the book but it wasn't upto the 'bully romance' standards. penelope douglas has spoiled me. she has set the standards so goddamn high. anyways tuck gave me butterflies by reading a kiss. a kiss. it wasnt even intimate smh. i dont really like the ages of the characters in this book. they seem so young, even how they word.
okay? i guess i have a thing for country boys now? ugh i cant keep up with the amount of 'types' i have due to books. i have mixed feelings about this book. i enjoyed the book but it wasn't upto the 'bully romance' standards. penelope douglas has spoiled me. she has set the standards so goddamn high. anyways tuck gave me butterflies by reading a kiss. a kiss. it wasnt even intimate smh. i dont really like the ages of the characters in this book. they seem so young, even how they word.
July 25, 2020
This entire series is 5/5 stars. I’d give it way more if I could! It is incredibly captivating. This book, book 1, is off with a bang right from the start! It’s definitely a series that requires you to read the books in order and definitely expect cliffhangers. It’s so good! It had me reaching for book 2 immediately. I highly recommend it.
July 10, 2019
I love a good high school bully romance and this series is off to a great start! Lacey went from being on of the “Chosen” elite living in a life full of entitlement and riches to suddenly losing it all after her father is used as scape goat for some nefarious business dealings. This pampered girl and her brother, Colt find themselves uprooted from the city to start the school year at Arcadia high - a rural school. Of course the transition is anything, but easy and the author does a great job illustrating this.
At first, I wasn’t sure what to make of Lacey. She starts off with a major superiority complex. However, she won me over as she evolved and matured as a character. Many times, my heart hurt for her as she was belittled and treated poorly. The author beautifully showed her struggle in figuring out just where she belonged. I also want to give a shout out to Maggie. I love that girl’s quirkiness and how she is such a great friend to Lacey.
There are bullying pranks, hurled insults, lies, and deception at play as well as the beginnings of a budding romance between Lacey and one of the other characters. While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I did find that some small parts of the middle dragged when compared to how the beginning started off and with how much the storyline progressed during the last third. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed this high school bully romance. I receive Good Girls for free and I am definitely looking forward to seeing where this author leads us next!
At first, I wasn’t sure what to make of Lacey. She starts off with a major superiority complex. However, she won me over as she evolved and matured as a character. Many times, my heart hurt for her as she was belittled and treated poorly. The author beautifully showed her struggle in figuring out just where she belonged. I also want to give a shout out to Maggie. I love that girl’s quirkiness and how she is such a great friend to Lacey.
There are bullying pranks, hurled insults, lies, and deception at play as well as the beginnings of a budding romance between Lacey and one of the other characters. While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I did find that some small parts of the middle dragged when compared to how the beginning started off and with how much the storyline progressed during the last third. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed this high school bully romance. I receive Good Girls for free and I am definitely looking forward to seeing where this author leads us next!
July 20, 2019
I loved this book... so excited that it's set in my home country New Zealand, it makes the story all the more real. This is the story of a wealthy city family disgraced and starting over in the rural countryside town of Arcadia. We see their two teenage kids, Colt and Lacey try and navigate a new high school where they are not the popular kids they're used to being... so many secrets and lies, who can they trust even their own family members are keeping huge secrets that could tear them apart. I feel like this book was a great build up to something more, and I can't wait to see what that something is... Bring on book 2!
July 12, 2019
What I love most about a Max Henry book is I never know what the FLIP is going to happen! I go in with no expectations and I try to not guess the outcome because I’m slammed EVERY SINGLE TIME! I’m reeling right now for Lacey! She has no one in her corner and the ones who could be can’t be! I want to jump Into the pages and slap her whole family! Omg I can’t wait to see what Max has up her sleeve with the next book!
August 27, 2019
Oh my goodness...this book took me by surprise and I loved it. Lacey shows strength in the worst of circumstances and continues to grow strong while going against her family and so called friends. This book is filled with drama and rich kid antics/hell rich adult antics also. Excited for the next book.
July 17, 2019
Fun and gripping
A fun and gripping adventure. Layered with twists and mystery that had me on the edge of my seat unable to put the book down. The characters are entertaining and sassy. A look inside what’s expected and how it feels to push for more.
A fun and gripping adventure. Layered with twists and mystery that had me on the edge of my seat unable to put the book down. The characters are entertaining and sassy. A look inside what’s expected and how it feels to push for more.
July 25, 2019
This book hooked me from page one, and when it finished, I wanted more
August 21, 2019
This was a good story it sucked me right in and i didnt wsnt to put it down
July 10, 2020
Review by: Jennifer
(4 stars)
After her father got arrested for fraud, Lacey's family had to leave their rich lifestyle in the city and move to Arcadia... a place that is definitely not city if the people riding horses in the streets are anything to go by. Starting school at a new place is super hard, but when you don't fit in that makes it a bit more difficult, and Lacey doesn't fit in. Just like every school, there is that one group of people that rule the school, and they have made it their mission to make sure that Lacey and her brother, Colt, get the crap end of the stick. While things at school are crappy and Lacey is trying to figure out how to make new friends, the old friends have pretty much dropped her as she isn't rich anymore and no longer a part of their group. The moment Lacey starts to actually make a friend and enjoy this life in Arcadia, everything goes crazy and Lacey is left wondering just who is her enemy and who can she trust.
Wow, talk about drama! This was so full of drama that the hits didn't stop coming. I really feel for Lacey and the situation she has found herself in. I can't wait to see what happens next. I give this 4 stars.
(4 stars)
After her father got arrested for fraud, Lacey's family had to leave their rich lifestyle in the city and move to Arcadia... a place that is definitely not city if the people riding horses in the streets are anything to go by. Starting school at a new place is super hard, but when you don't fit in that makes it a bit more difficult, and Lacey doesn't fit in. Just like every school, there is that one group of people that rule the school, and they have made it their mission to make sure that Lacey and her brother, Colt, get the crap end of the stick. While things at school are crappy and Lacey is trying to figure out how to make new friends, the old friends have pretty much dropped her as she isn't rich anymore and no longer a part of their group. The moment Lacey starts to actually make a friend and enjoy this life in Arcadia, everything goes crazy and Lacey is left wondering just who is her enemy and who can she trust.
Wow, talk about drama! This was so full of drama that the hits didn't stop coming. I really feel for Lacey and the situation she has found herself in. I can't wait to see what happens next. I give this 4 stars.
July 24, 2020
Good Girls is about a girl named Lacey whose world was turned upside down after her father got into trouble. She used to be one of the Chosen at her old school, but at her new school, well, after the first day the bullying began. So, she's at a new school with no friends & old friends ignoring her back home, with a family who are all doing their own thing (& miserable) leaving her to feel all alone in the world. Within a couple of months into their new normal, a huge twist shakes everything up again, like anything more needed to happen. With the twists of betrayals & lies, and secrets not making friends, I was on the edge of my seat the whole way through. If you're a new reader to this series, make sure you read High Horse (the Prequel) first. Anyway, on to the next book I go! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
July 18, 2023
Lacey was brought up one way, the only way she knows how to live life is by status. When the family ends up having to move and loses all their wealth, Lacey is thrust into an unknown world.
Everything changes so quickly for Lacey, she’s bullied by the mean girls, her brother who she was always close to suddenly has secrets.
Tuck seems to be nice to her but she’s not sure if it’s real or part of the bullying, and the mean girls make sure she knows to stay away from him.
Lacey finally thinks that things could settle down when another bomb is dropped on her, one that changes everything.
Everything changes so quickly for Lacey, she’s bullied by the mean girls, her brother who she was always close to suddenly has secrets.
Tuck seems to be nice to her but she’s not sure if it’s real or part of the bullying, and the mean girls make sure she knows to stay away from him.
Lacey finally thinks that things could settle down when another bomb is dropped on her, one that changes everything.
August 25, 2021
sinto que esse livro funcionaria melhor se fosse uma série de tv, gosto da ideia de ver adolescentes ricos passando por cima de todos os princípios pra continuar no topo da cadeia alimentar, o pensamento de “isso seria algo que eu faria?” se passou muito pela minha cabeça. gostei dessa mistura de gossip girl made in roça com uma patricinha na fazenda
July 17, 2020
Heels and the Country don't mix.
Solid 4 star read. I am intrigued by the secrets and lies that Lacey's family is hiding. The poor FMC is the only one who doesn't know! Tuck is a strong male lead and I'm looking forward to reading more about Tuck and Lacey.
Solid 4 star read. I am intrigued by the secrets and lies that Lacey's family is hiding. The poor FMC is the only one who doesn't know! Tuck is a strong male lead and I'm looking forward to reading more about Tuck and Lacey.
December 12, 2020
DNF at 18%.
One reason is it’s just kind of all over the place.
But I was going to try & continue on until I realized from reviews this is not an RH. This series popped up on Amazon under Reverse Harem but it’s not. So I quit reading.
One reason is it’s just kind of all over the place.
But I was going to try & continue on until I realized from reviews this is not an RH. This series popped up on Amazon under Reverse Harem but it’s not. So I quit reading.
August 16, 2020
Great book!!
Different from my usual read but it was a great book. Lacey and Tuck are great MCs. I loved reading about Laceys transformation. The whole series is great
Different from my usual read but it was a great book. Lacey and Tuck are great MCs. I loved reading about Laceys transformation. The whole series is great
August 2, 2021
tão ruim to com dó
September 28, 2021
eu esperava q fosse ruim mas na vdd é mto bom até
dnf
October 20, 2021DNF @14% cuz I thought this was a standalone
Read
February 3, 2022DNF at 18%
April 22, 2022
DNF at 40%
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews