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The Girl Who...
The girl who... survived
The girl who... inspires
The girl who... has something to hide
People can't bring themselves to say what happened to her. They just describe her as 'the girl who... you know...'. But nobody really knows, no one sees the real Leah.
Leah is the perfect survivor. She was seven years old when she saw her mother and sister killed by a troubled gang member. Her case hit the headlines and her bravery made her a national sweetheart: strong, courageous and forgiving.
But Leah is hiding a secret about their deaths. And now, ten years later, all she can think of is revenge.
When Leah's dad meets a new partner, stepsister Ellie moves in. Sensing Leah isn't quite the sweet girl she pretends to be, Ellie discovers that Leah has a plan, one she has been putting together ever since that fateful day. Now that the killer - and the only one who knows the truth - is being released from prison, time is running out for Ellie to discover how far Leah will go to silence her anger . . .
The girl who... inspires
The girl who... has something to hide
People can't bring themselves to say what happened to her. They just describe her as 'the girl who... you know...'. But nobody really knows, no one sees the real Leah.
Leah is the perfect survivor. She was seven years old when she saw her mother and sister killed by a troubled gang member. Her case hit the headlines and her bravery made her a national sweetheart: strong, courageous and forgiving.
But Leah is hiding a secret about their deaths. And now, ten years later, all she can think of is revenge.
When Leah's dad meets a new partner, stepsister Ellie moves in. Sensing Leah isn't quite the sweet girl she pretends to be, Ellie discovers that Leah has a plan, one she has been putting together ever since that fateful day. Now that the killer - and the only one who knows the truth - is being released from prison, time is running out for Ellie to discover how far Leah will go to silence her anger . . .
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 14, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
January 24, 2021
This was a great YA thriller, a standalone, focused on a story that felt unusual but credible. It took the reader into the world of a creepy psychotic killer who had severe mental illness (there may be some triggers for people here). The book definitely whipped up some empathy from me for the killer and if you read it, I think you’ll understand why.
I thought it was clever to move forward in time to Leah, on the verge of adulthood, in a new blended family, plotting for something. Leah, although the victim, was super creepy at times and clearly understandably damaged by her experiences. Her new step sister Ellie brought the third POV (killer, Leah, Ellie) who ended up embroiled with things.
I had two hours to kill before I risked my life to save the stepsister who hated me, and nothing else but play Bubble Quest and stare out of the window.
David won the award for one of the most annoying parents, notwithstanding his own traumatic experiences. The way he handled Leah and the new additions to the family made me irritated. Claire wasn’t much better but did have some redeeming features.
This was a twisty, sometimes dark, sometimes creepy, sometimes predictable read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It had that page-turning feel and the need to get answers as the story played out. The Girl Who was a great debut from Andreina Cordani; I’ll definitely be looking out for a future release from her.
Thank you to Atom Books for the review copy.
This review can be found on A Take From Two Cities Blog.
I thought it was clever to move forward in time to Leah, on the verge of adulthood, in a new blended family, plotting for something. Leah, although the victim, was super creepy at times and clearly understandably damaged by her experiences. Her new step sister Ellie brought the third POV (killer, Leah, Ellie) who ended up embroiled with things.
I had two hours to kill before I risked my life to save the stepsister who hated me, and nothing else but play Bubble Quest and stare out of the window.
David won the award for one of the most annoying parents, notwithstanding his own traumatic experiences. The way he handled Leah and the new additions to the family made me irritated. Claire wasn’t much better but did have some redeeming features.
This was a twisty, sometimes dark, sometimes creepy, sometimes predictable read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It had that page-turning feel and the need to get answers as the story played out. The Girl Who was a great debut from Andreina Cordani; I’ll definitely be looking out for a future release from her.
Thank you to Atom Books for the review copy.
This review can be found on A Take From Two Cities Blog.
March 22, 2024
CW: murder, attempted suicide, underage alcohol consumption, death of a family member, death of a family member from illness, gang violence, unchallenged fatphobia, unchallenged homophobia, unchallenged classism, poor portrayal of mental illness
This book is a huge case of wasted potential.
This should have been an examination of trauma, and of the unrealistic expectations that can be placed on young people, and how the two combined can have catastrophic effects on people’s mental health. Leah witnessed the murder of her mother and younger sister as a child. Since then she’s been the face of a charity focused on rehabilitation for young offenders, and a minor celebrity in her own right. That’s a Lot for someone to go through. There was an opportunity to dig deep into this, and Cordani just didn’t do that.
This should have also been an examination of fame, and the effects that can have on people’s personal lives. Leah is a minor celebrity through no fault of her own, which makes her personal privacy something that she and her father fiercely protect. Her step-sister Ellie is a YouTuber and social media influencer, who even gets requests to collab from other social media stars. Except we barely see any of Ellie’s interactions with social media, and barely any of her pov chapters dedicate any time to it. We’re told that it’s important to her, but it ultimately took up the equivalent of less than a couple of pages, and could’ve been excised from the book in its entirety without changing anything. There was the opportunity here to explore different kinds of fame, both wanted and unwanted, and the potential consequences of sharing too much about your life either with the press or online. And Cordani did nothing with it! Ellie’s rise to internet fame was the closest thing this book had to a subplot, and it would’ve been an excellent subplot, but as it is it’s not mentioned enough for me to feel like I can describe it as a subplot at all.
This should have also been about the difficulties that come with suddenly gaining a step-family. This is the theme that Cordani comes closest to actually exploring. Leah and Ellie’s initial dislike of each other was very girl-hatey which I didn’t enjoy at all, but the chapters near the end when they’ve finally clicked with each other and are working as a team are the best ones in the book. There’s a line from Leah where she makes the connection between her new step-siblings and the baby sister she saw die that was genuinely a great character moment! It’s a shame that it was just the one moment. This is the theme that Cordani came closest to actually exploring, yes, but that exploration was surface level at best.
There were also chapters from the pov of the killer, Boyd. His mental illness is never named, but was probably supposed to be schizophrenia. Probably. There were aspects of it that made me think that Cordani was actually aiming for something like DID or OSDD, but didn’t do any research, so really I couldn’t tell. People with mental illnesses are statistically significantly more likely to be the victims of violent crimes than the perpetrators, but that inconvenient fact never gets mentioned in this book, despite the decision to write Boyd in this way. I nearly dnf’d this book when I realised what Boyd’s deal was going to be. This isn’t okay.
There was no need to include the detail of Ellie’s mother’s friend being slightly homophobic, it was completely unnecessary. Also Cordani needs to talk to some real teenage girls. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone describe someone else as ‘bosomy’ before in my entire life.
I wouldn’t go so far as to say that people absolutely shouldn’t read this, but thinking about it makes me sad because to me it reads like the ghost of a much better story. You can probably skip this one.
I received an e-arc through Netgalley in return for an honest review. Any quotes may differ in the published version.
This book is a huge case of wasted potential.
This should have been an examination of trauma, and of the unrealistic expectations that can be placed on young people, and how the two combined can have catastrophic effects on people’s mental health. Leah witnessed the murder of her mother and younger sister as a child. Since then she’s been the face of a charity focused on rehabilitation for young offenders, and a minor celebrity in her own right. That’s a Lot for someone to go through. There was an opportunity to dig deep into this, and Cordani just didn’t do that.
This should have also been an examination of fame, and the effects that can have on people’s personal lives. Leah is a minor celebrity through no fault of her own, which makes her personal privacy something that she and her father fiercely protect. Her step-sister Ellie is a YouTuber and social media influencer, who even gets requests to collab from other social media stars. Except we barely see any of Ellie’s interactions with social media, and barely any of her pov chapters dedicate any time to it. We’re told that it’s important to her, but it ultimately took up the equivalent of less than a couple of pages, and could’ve been excised from the book in its entirety without changing anything. There was the opportunity here to explore different kinds of fame, both wanted and unwanted, and the potential consequences of sharing too much about your life either with the press or online. And Cordani did nothing with it! Ellie’s rise to internet fame was the closest thing this book had to a subplot, and it would’ve been an excellent subplot, but as it is it’s not mentioned enough for me to feel like I can describe it as a subplot at all.
This should have also been about the difficulties that come with suddenly gaining a step-family. This is the theme that Cordani comes closest to actually exploring. Leah and Ellie’s initial dislike of each other was very girl-hatey which I didn’t enjoy at all, but the chapters near the end when they’ve finally clicked with each other and are working as a team are the best ones in the book. There’s a line from Leah where she makes the connection between her new step-siblings and the baby sister she saw die that was genuinely a great character moment! It’s a shame that it was just the one moment. This is the theme that Cordani came closest to actually exploring, yes, but that exploration was surface level at best.
There were also chapters from the pov of the killer, Boyd. His mental illness is never named, but was probably supposed to be schizophrenia. Probably. There were aspects of it that made me think that Cordani was actually aiming for something like DID or OSDD, but didn’t do any research, so really I couldn’t tell. People with mental illnesses are statistically significantly more likely to be the victims of violent crimes than the perpetrators, but that inconvenient fact never gets mentioned in this book, despite the decision to write Boyd in this way. I nearly dnf’d this book when I realised what Boyd’s deal was going to be. This isn’t okay.
There was no need to include the detail of Ellie’s mother’s friend being slightly homophobic, it was completely unnecessary. Also Cordani needs to talk to some real teenage girls. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone describe someone else as ‘bosomy’ before in my entire life.
I wouldn’t go so far as to say that people absolutely shouldn’t read this, but thinking about it makes me sad because to me it reads like the ghost of a much better story. You can probably skip this one.
I received an e-arc through Netgalley in return for an honest review. Any quotes may differ in the published version.
August 8, 2023
This book was so entertaining and captivating oh my days. I finished it in under a day. It's a 3 part perspective about a girl who's mum and sister were murdered and you piece together what happened and how People are dealing with it. Some perspective shifts are in the past, pre murder and some are dealing with the present plot of two families merging into one. I would really recommend this book if you want a quick but not light hearted read.
January 19, 2021
‘The Girl Who...’ by Andreina Cordani is a twisted, suspenseful thriller set at a quick pace which makes you want to read it cover to cover in one sitting.
We get to read from the viewpoint of multiple characters which creates tension and a lot of mystery surrounding the events that actually happened in the character’s pasts. I found myself turning the pages of ‘The Girl Who...’ as fast as I could because I was just desperate to know what had happened and how everything would be wrapped up.
I really enjoyed the pacing of this book but I feel like I would have liked it if it was slightly longer as I would’ve loved to know more about the history of certain characters and how their lives continued to develop.
Overall this is a quick, tense thriller which I’d definitely recommend if you’re looking to read more of this genre.
We get to read from the viewpoint of multiple characters which creates tension and a lot of mystery surrounding the events that actually happened in the character’s pasts. I found myself turning the pages of ‘The Girl Who...’ as fast as I could because I was just desperate to know what had happened and how everything would be wrapped up.
I really enjoyed the pacing of this book but I feel like I would have liked it if it was slightly longer as I would’ve loved to know more about the history of certain characters and how their lives continued to develop.
Overall this is a quick, tense thriller which I’d definitely recommend if you’re looking to read more of this genre.
December 29, 2020
I don't read a lot of Young Adult novels, in fact I think The Girl Who ... is the only one that I've read this year. I was really attracted to this one by the blurb; the fact that it's not a 'girl meets boy' story, but a psychological thriller that deals with some really serious issues. I'm far too old for teenage love stories, but any story that deals with the effects of trauma does resonate with me. I'm so glad that I picked this one up. It's sophisticated and extremely well written.
Leah's name is well-known throughout the country. What happened to her as a child is so difficult for people to comprehend that she's usually referred to as 'the girl who ..', with a long silence after the 'who'.
Leah witnessed the brutal murder of her mother and younger sister. Stabbed by a teenage gang member, seemingly at random. Leah was unharmed physically, but her mental scars are deep and instead of healing with time, they just get bigger and more painful.
On the surface, Leah is the poster girl for the charity that her father set up after the murders. She speaks of forgiveness, she looks wholesome and pretty and well mannered. Inside, Leah is broken. There are things about 'Crow', the boy who killed her mother and sister that she has never told another person. She is eaten up by guilt, by anger and by a desire for revenge. She holds all of that inside.
When Leah's father meets a new partner, two families blend to try to become one. Suddenly, Leah is no longer the only girl in the household. Ellie has arrived. Ellie is outspoken and glittery. Obsessed with 'likes' on her YouTube channel and hates having to live above a stuffy bookshop with this strange, perfect girl who is protected from everything.
The novel is narrated by both Leah and Ellie, and also by Boyd - aka Crow; the teen who is responsible for the whole situation. I thought this was an excellent way to structure the story, enabling the reader to have some insight into the most private thoughts of each character. We see them as nobody else does, we see the real them, we are privy to their innermost thoughts and anxieties.
Cordani deals with the effect of trauma so very well. She realises that young people who are not quite adults yet are often told how they should feel, rather than be allowed to express their actual emotions. We learn how guilt and anger can consume one person, destroying them from the inside, controlling their every moment and affecting the people around them.
The Girl Who ... is sensitively written. It is a multi-layered story with characters who are incredibly well crafted. Whilst aimed at the Young Adult market, this is a story that is relevant and appropriate for any age of reader.
Leah's name is well-known throughout the country. What happened to her as a child is so difficult for people to comprehend that she's usually referred to as 'the girl who ..', with a long silence after the 'who'.
Leah witnessed the brutal murder of her mother and younger sister. Stabbed by a teenage gang member, seemingly at random. Leah was unharmed physically, but her mental scars are deep and instead of healing with time, they just get bigger and more painful.
On the surface, Leah is the poster girl for the charity that her father set up after the murders. She speaks of forgiveness, she looks wholesome and pretty and well mannered. Inside, Leah is broken. There are things about 'Crow', the boy who killed her mother and sister that she has never told another person. She is eaten up by guilt, by anger and by a desire for revenge. She holds all of that inside.
When Leah's father meets a new partner, two families blend to try to become one. Suddenly, Leah is no longer the only girl in the household. Ellie has arrived. Ellie is outspoken and glittery. Obsessed with 'likes' on her YouTube channel and hates having to live above a stuffy bookshop with this strange, perfect girl who is protected from everything.
The novel is narrated by both Leah and Ellie, and also by Boyd - aka Crow; the teen who is responsible for the whole situation. I thought this was an excellent way to structure the story, enabling the reader to have some insight into the most private thoughts of each character. We see them as nobody else does, we see the real them, we are privy to their innermost thoughts and anxieties.
Cordani deals with the effect of trauma so very well. She realises that young people who are not quite adults yet are often told how they should feel, rather than be allowed to express their actual emotions. We learn how guilt and anger can consume one person, destroying them from the inside, controlling their every moment and affecting the people around them.
The Girl Who ... is sensitively written. It is a multi-layered story with characters who are incredibly well crafted. Whilst aimed at the Young Adult market, this is a story that is relevant and appropriate for any age of reader.
November 26, 2023
Book’s Content Warnings: violence, death, mental illness (schizophrenia, ptsd).
I received a digital review copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, I am leaving this review voluntarily. (I made the mistake of waiting a while before I wrote this review, so it might be a bit short!)
When Leah was seven, her mother and sister were killed in front of her, by a troubled gang member. Her case hit the headlines and the nation rallied behind her bravery, making her a national sweetheart. But Leah is hiding a secret about their deaths, and now 10 years later, she can only think of revenge. Leah’s dad has met someone, and Leah’s stepsister, Ellie, is moving in. Ellie senses that Leah isn’t quite the sweetheart she seems to be. She discovers Leah’s plan, one she’s been creating this whole time. Now that the killer is being released from prison, time is running out for Ellie to find out how far Leah is willing to go for her revenge.
I really liked the two main characters in this book – Leah and Ellie. Leah was very mysterious at the beginning, and I really enjoyed how different parts of her personality were revealed. I loved Ellie too, and the development of the relationship between the two characters, especially towards the end of the book. The one thing that let the book down for me a little was the lack of development around the side character – particularly Ellie’s mother and brother, and some of her friends.
The writing style was good, and it was easy to read. I sped through it, the story was so compelling that I was just desperate to find out what was going to happen. I was especially desperate to find out the full extent of Leah’s backstory, which was revealed cleverly in dribs and drabs throughout the beginning and middle part of the book. I also loved the inclusion of chapters from the killers perfective – the perfect blend of psychotic and empathy inducing, with some severe mental illnesses (this may be triggering from some readers). Yes, it sounds mad to empathise with a murderer, but I promise it makes sense when you read it!
I loved the mystery element of the book, and it had a satisfying ending, which is always good in a standalone novel!
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend to fans of other YA mysteries. If you’ve enjoyed books by Patrice Lawrence, I think you’d like this one too. Pleasantly surprised at how much I did remember about this book!!
Thanks again to Netgalley and to Little Brown Book Group UK, the publisher, for my review copy.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, I am leaving this review voluntarily. (I made the mistake of waiting a while before I wrote this review, so it might be a bit short!)
When Leah was seven, her mother and sister were killed in front of her, by a troubled gang member. Her case hit the headlines and the nation rallied behind her bravery, making her a national sweetheart. But Leah is hiding a secret about their deaths, and now 10 years later, she can only think of revenge. Leah’s dad has met someone, and Leah’s stepsister, Ellie, is moving in. Ellie senses that Leah isn’t quite the sweetheart she seems to be. She discovers Leah’s plan, one she’s been creating this whole time. Now that the killer is being released from prison, time is running out for Ellie to find out how far Leah is willing to go for her revenge.
I really liked the two main characters in this book – Leah and Ellie. Leah was very mysterious at the beginning, and I really enjoyed how different parts of her personality were revealed. I loved Ellie too, and the development of the relationship between the two characters, especially towards the end of the book. The one thing that let the book down for me a little was the lack of development around the side character – particularly Ellie’s mother and brother, and some of her friends.
The writing style was good, and it was easy to read. I sped through it, the story was so compelling that I was just desperate to find out what was going to happen. I was especially desperate to find out the full extent of Leah’s backstory, which was revealed cleverly in dribs and drabs throughout the beginning and middle part of the book. I also loved the inclusion of chapters from the killers perfective – the perfect blend of psychotic and empathy inducing, with some severe mental illnesses (this may be triggering from some readers). Yes, it sounds mad to empathise with a murderer, but I promise it makes sense when you read it!
I loved the mystery element of the book, and it had a satisfying ending, which is always good in a standalone novel!
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend to fans of other YA mysteries. If you’ve enjoyed books by Patrice Lawrence, I think you’d like this one too. Pleasantly surprised at how much I did remember about this book!!
Thanks again to Netgalley and to Little Brown Book Group UK, the publisher, for my review copy.
November 6, 2020
Strong themes inside this book.
It takes a lot for me to give an ARC a five-star review but when I say I was up all night reading this book, I mean it. This book was powerful. Probably some of the toughest themes were detailed in this book and I felt connected to Leah's character in a way I can't describe.
Here's what I loved:
- The characters: First of all, Ellie was such a likeable character. I really liked her upbeat personality and she chats for England (which I relate to). I thought the way she went about things was true to her age and her character and she developed so well over the course of the book. Leah was also interesting. I felt weirdly invested in her in a way I can't explain. At first, I was honestly convinced she was a budding psychopath and played a part in her mother and sister's murder but by the end, I could see how much pain she was putting upon herself. I thought Leah was such a unique person.
- The plot: This book dealt with some hard issues and some very relatable ones. I thought the concept was original and the way the author went about it was also very unique. I liked the structure of the book and how we got some backstory to what happened to Leah and the aftermath of those terrible events.
- The writing: Andreina really knows how to write from a teenage girl's point of view. Both Leah and Ellie had distinct personalities and this was shown through her writing. I felt like this book had a way of making the story feel very real.
I think the chapters we saw from Boyd's perspective really made the book. I felt so many conflicting emotions towards him and the scenes between him and Leah were really gut-wrenching. I think Andreina depicted mental illness very well and I am glad to have got an insight into his head.
Overall, a powerful book that brings across the message of the importance of family and having each other.
I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It takes a lot for me to give an ARC a five-star review but when I say I was up all night reading this book, I mean it. This book was powerful. Probably some of the toughest themes were detailed in this book and I felt connected to Leah's character in a way I can't describe.
Here's what I loved:
- The characters: First of all, Ellie was such a likeable character. I really liked her upbeat personality and she chats for England (which I relate to). I thought the way she went about things was true to her age and her character and she developed so well over the course of the book. Leah was also interesting. I felt weirdly invested in her in a way I can't explain. At first, I was honestly convinced she was a budding psychopath and played a part in her mother and sister's murder but by the end, I could see how much pain she was putting upon herself. I thought Leah was such a unique person.
- The plot: This book dealt with some hard issues and some very relatable ones. I thought the concept was original and the way the author went about it was also very unique. I liked the structure of the book and how we got some backstory to what happened to Leah and the aftermath of those terrible events.
- The writing: Andreina really knows how to write from a teenage girl's point of view. Both Leah and Ellie had distinct personalities and this was shown through her writing. I felt like this book had a way of making the story feel very real.
I think the chapters we saw from Boyd's perspective really made the book. I felt so many conflicting emotions towards him and the scenes between him and Leah were really gut-wrenching. I think Andreina depicted mental illness very well and I am glad to have got an insight into his head.
Overall, a powerful book that brings across the message of the importance of family and having each other.
I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 6, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this before publication. It didn’t go quite as I expected, but it is definitely one I’d recommend reading.
When I first started reading I couldn’t make my mind up about either Leah or Ellie. These two had more in common than was suggested at the start, but it was a rollercoaster ride to get them to realise it.
Leah and Ellie are both reluctant to let the other get close. They have their reasons, and the hints at the secrets they were keeping totally lead me up the garden path in my thoughts of what might happen.
Their respective parents have got together so the family are at the awkward stage of adjusting to life together. Ellie is the life and soul of her world, while Leah is more circumspect. However, the narrative from Leah’s view shows us she’s not quite what she makes out.
It was clear that Leah was somewhat fixated on the events surrounding her dead mother and sister. She wanted revenge on the gang member who stabbed them, but her interactions with her family keep this hidden. Only as we near the end do we see just how dangerous her fixation could be.
I liked the split narrative as it kept just enough unclear to prevent it all being obvious, but it also helped us develop a less negative view of each girl. The inclusion of narrative from a third character was, initially, confusing but it became interesting to see the developing role this character played. Unfortunately, I’m not wholly convinced by the way things were resolved but I’m prepared to admit this was because I expected something so different.
When I first started reading I couldn’t make my mind up about either Leah or Ellie. These two had more in common than was suggested at the start, but it was a rollercoaster ride to get them to realise it.
Leah and Ellie are both reluctant to let the other get close. They have their reasons, and the hints at the secrets they were keeping totally lead me up the garden path in my thoughts of what might happen.
Their respective parents have got together so the family are at the awkward stage of adjusting to life together. Ellie is the life and soul of her world, while Leah is more circumspect. However, the narrative from Leah’s view shows us she’s not quite what she makes out.
It was clear that Leah was somewhat fixated on the events surrounding her dead mother and sister. She wanted revenge on the gang member who stabbed them, but her interactions with her family keep this hidden. Only as we near the end do we see just how dangerous her fixation could be.
I liked the split narrative as it kept just enough unclear to prevent it all being obvious, but it also helped us develop a less negative view of each girl. The inclusion of narrative from a third character was, initially, confusing but it became interesting to see the developing role this character played. Unfortunately, I’m not wholly convinced by the way things were resolved but I’m prepared to admit this was because I expected something so different.
May 1, 2023
No one died in this books and that's kind of disappointing 😅
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2022
This book was pretty average. I enjoyed the two points of view but felt like the book was pretty predictable. They had this cool line about Leah killing her family then it just turned out it wasn't really her fault and it could have been such a cool plot twist.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2021
The Girl Who follows the story of stepsisters Leah and Ellie, Leah is the survivor of a tragic attack who puts on a façade as the perfect daughter which Ellie slowly unravels as she finds out Leah’s dark secret.
The book is a short and quick read, I did like the writing style and it made me want to read on even though I thought the plot of the book was boring. Right from the start, the book reveals a lot of information and so there is no mystery to what has happened in the book, there is no suspense being built up and the story is kind of flat. The lack of suspense was also because the book is told through three perspectives including Leah and Ellie which means that there is little that is left unknown, it was kind of disappointing to have everything told/described.
Although I did like the characters, the book is really short and because everything is fast paced there is little time to connect to the characters and I would have liked more focus on the relationship between Leah and Ellie. The plot of the book is just as the synopsis states, so nothing was shocking or interesting in the book and just overall it was disappointing, the action that happens towards the end was rushed and the ending itself wrapped up things too neatly.
2/5
The book is a short and quick read, I did like the writing style and it made me want to read on even though I thought the plot of the book was boring. Right from the start, the book reveals a lot of information and so there is no mystery to what has happened in the book, there is no suspense being built up and the story is kind of flat. The lack of suspense was also because the book is told through three perspectives including Leah and Ellie which means that there is little that is left unknown, it was kind of disappointing to have everything told/described.
Although I did like the characters, the book is really short and because everything is fast paced there is little time to connect to the characters and I would have liked more focus on the relationship between Leah and Ellie. The plot of the book is just as the synopsis states, so nothing was shocking or interesting in the book and just overall it was disappointing, the action that happens towards the end was rushed and the ending itself wrapped up things too neatly.
2/5
January 10, 2021
Looking at the existing reviews for this book i feel I'm in the minority with my thoughts for this book.
I really did not enjoy this.
I had such high hopes for this book as I have seen it a lot through social media, and it's supposed to be 'one to watch' for 2021. The pacing for this book felt incredibly slow, I didn't warm to the characters and by the end of it, I wasn't fussed about any of them. Not too great when your female protagonists are dealing with trauma, and therefore as a reader you should be empathetic. I think the lack of empathy I felt for the characters was its biggest downfall for me.
I liked the premise of the book, but I just don't feel the book lived up to this.
I can't really think of too many redeeming features for this book. Wasn't for me!
I really did not enjoy this.
I had such high hopes for this book as I have seen it a lot through social media, and it's supposed to be 'one to watch' for 2021. The pacing for this book felt incredibly slow, I didn't warm to the characters and by the end of it, I wasn't fussed about any of them. Not too great when your female protagonists are dealing with trauma, and therefore as a reader you should be empathetic. I think the lack of empathy I felt for the characters was its biggest downfall for me.
I liked the premise of the book, but I just don't feel the book lived up to this.
I can't really think of too many redeeming features for this book. Wasn't for me!
April 24, 2022
3.5 stars
February 26, 2021
2.5 stars - I have a lot of thoughts about this book but I'm finding it hard to put them into words.
The premis of this book was really intriguing to me but after finishing it I just felt sort of flat and unbothered with it all. I got halfway through the book and began to consider not even finishing it.
Leah, a 17 year old girl is living with the trauma of seeing her mum and sister murdered in front of her. We learn, very slowly, that Leah had known the murderer and she blamed herself for the untimely death of her family. Hell bent on revenge, Leah bides her time and meticulously plots to murder Crow, the man who took everything from her. This story had such potential but the whole time I was reading it I felt like it was missing so much.
Leahs father David meets another woman through his charity which he founded to help keep troubled youths off the streets. This woman is Claire, she gets engaged to David and herself and her children move in with David and Leah. Claires daughter Ellie is a complete diva. Her incessant whining throughout the majority of the book was what made me not want to finish it. She lives in her own little world of glitter and making YouTube videos. She is 17 also but honestly her maturity level was that of an 11 year old. Personally I don't think there should have been any need for half the story to be told from Ellies perspective it was just a waste of pages that could've been given to Leahs narrative.
David, Leahs father was a character who spent most of the story contradicting his own "rules". He believed the best thing for his traumatised daughter was to lay down very strict rules which included no photos, no touching and no invasion of her privacy. Fair enough. However, he is constantly getting her to make speeches, go to events and be the face of the Carey charity which to me seems like a complete invasion of her privacy and is publicising his daughter. He was another character which just annoyed me, he was so pressed to make sure that Leah went to therapy to help her come to terms with her trauma when I think he needed it too.
Crow, the murderer, was another character where there was a lot of backstory given to him. He was an undiagnozed schizophrenic who was part of a drug gang. He suffered from a bad upbringing where him and his brother were neglected. His brother died young of meningitis and Crow blamed his stepfather Tony. This is where we learn that Crow had some serious issues to work through and needed to be medicated. His other personalities were taking hold of him and convincing him to kill Tony and avenge his brothers death. When Crow has the opportunity to do so he runs away and in turn takes his anger and hatred towards Tony out on Leahs mother and sister just by coincidence that they are in the exact same place at the same time.
I feel Cordani was trying to foreshadow that when Leah had the opportunity to exact her revenge on Crow, she too couldn't do it and ran away. This was just a bit pointless because as a reader, you know as the whole story is being told that Leah would never have the strength to go through with it.
The story is written well enough but to me just didn't deliver. I think that Cordani had a great idea but just added a lot of waffle. Personally, this story could have been great if it was solely told from Leahs perspective so we could delve into her thoughts and trauma with her rather than just getting a snippet of it and then having to read in the next chapter about Ellie glitter bombing someone. This isn't one I will be recommending to people unfortunately as I just find that all I'm feeling after finishing is relief that its done.
The premis of this book was really intriguing to me but after finishing it I just felt sort of flat and unbothered with it all. I got halfway through the book and began to consider not even finishing it.
Leah, a 17 year old girl is living with the trauma of seeing her mum and sister murdered in front of her. We learn, very slowly, that Leah had known the murderer and she blamed herself for the untimely death of her family. Hell bent on revenge, Leah bides her time and meticulously plots to murder Crow, the man who took everything from her. This story had such potential but the whole time I was reading it I felt like it was missing so much.
Leahs father David meets another woman through his charity which he founded to help keep troubled youths off the streets. This woman is Claire, she gets engaged to David and herself and her children move in with David and Leah. Claires daughter Ellie is a complete diva. Her incessant whining throughout the majority of the book was what made me not want to finish it. She lives in her own little world of glitter and making YouTube videos. She is 17 also but honestly her maturity level was that of an 11 year old. Personally I don't think there should have been any need for half the story to be told from Ellies perspective it was just a waste of pages that could've been given to Leahs narrative.
David, Leahs father was a character who spent most of the story contradicting his own "rules". He believed the best thing for his traumatised daughter was to lay down very strict rules which included no photos, no touching and no invasion of her privacy. Fair enough. However, he is constantly getting her to make speeches, go to events and be the face of the Carey charity which to me seems like a complete invasion of her privacy and is publicising his daughter. He was another character which just annoyed me, he was so pressed to make sure that Leah went to therapy to help her come to terms with her trauma when I think he needed it too.
Crow, the murderer, was another character where there was a lot of backstory given to him. He was an undiagnozed schizophrenic who was part of a drug gang. He suffered from a bad upbringing where him and his brother were neglected. His brother died young of meningitis and Crow blamed his stepfather Tony. This is where we learn that Crow had some serious issues to work through and needed to be medicated. His other personalities were taking hold of him and convincing him to kill Tony and avenge his brothers death. When Crow has the opportunity to do so he runs away and in turn takes his anger and hatred towards Tony out on Leahs mother and sister just by coincidence that they are in the exact same place at the same time.
I feel Cordani was trying to foreshadow that when Leah had the opportunity to exact her revenge on Crow, she too couldn't do it and ran away. This was just a bit pointless because as a reader, you know as the whole story is being told that Leah would never have the strength to go through with it.
The story is written well enough but to me just didn't deliver. I think that Cordani had a great idea but just added a lot of waffle. Personally, this story could have been great if it was solely told from Leahs perspective so we could delve into her thoughts and trauma with her rather than just getting a snippet of it and then having to read in the next chapter about Ellie glitter bombing someone. This isn't one I will be recommending to people unfortunately as I just find that all I'm feeling after finishing is relief that its done.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2020
This was a YA psychological thriller at its absolute best.
This book touched on so many themes: gang culture, knife crime, criminal justice, media persecution, and manipulation but it was the most common of the themes, the realities of a blended family and the relationship between the two young girls that for from strangers to sisters in a single conversation that grabbed my attention and made this book so worthwhile for me.
This story perfectly encompasses how it feels to be a teen girl with little to no power over their lives, depending on adults to have their best interests at heart and be infallible which they rarely are, even less when they are struggling in their own personal lives and relationships and forget that a human being depends on them for absolutely everything from food, to clothes to emotional support.
Leah and Ellie were impeccably written. I rarely saw two teenage girls written in such a real way, particularly when it came to Ellie. She reminded me a bit of Bryce Quinlan in Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas in how she was a party girly girl but that did not mean she was dim, despite that being how most people would think of her. I loved her fire and passion for her special interests, how she was at the same time perfectly imperfect, both incredibly kind and blind to other people's feelings. I felt like I knew these girls and was them at some point in my life.
The plot itself kept in on the edge of my seat from beginning to end and something else that I really loved was that Crow, had as many chapters as the girls, showing the reader that he was not a monster, just someone that unlike most, was born in a violent family, in a bad part of town and unlucky enough to have that feed into his decease.
The final showdown could have packed a bigger punch but I was happy enough with it for a debut, making Andreina Cordani one of my automatic buys from now on.
Thank you to Atom and Little Brown, Books for this ARC.
This book touched on so many themes: gang culture, knife crime, criminal justice, media persecution, and manipulation but it was the most common of the themes, the realities of a blended family and the relationship between the two young girls that for from strangers to sisters in a single conversation that grabbed my attention and made this book so worthwhile for me.
This story perfectly encompasses how it feels to be a teen girl with little to no power over their lives, depending on adults to have their best interests at heart and be infallible which they rarely are, even less when they are struggling in their own personal lives and relationships and forget that a human being depends on them for absolutely everything from food, to clothes to emotional support.
Leah and Ellie were impeccably written. I rarely saw two teenage girls written in such a real way, particularly when it came to Ellie. She reminded me a bit of Bryce Quinlan in Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas in how she was a party girly girl but that did not mean she was dim, despite that being how most people would think of her. I loved her fire and passion for her special interests, how she was at the same time perfectly imperfect, both incredibly kind and blind to other people's feelings. I felt like I knew these girls and was them at some point in my life.
The plot itself kept in on the edge of my seat from beginning to end and something else that I really loved was that Crow, had as many chapters as the girls, showing the reader that he was not a monster, just someone that unlike most, was born in a violent family, in a bad part of town and unlucky enough to have that feed into his decease.
The final showdown could have packed a bigger punch but I was happy enough with it for a debut, making Andreina Cordani one of my automatic buys from now on.
Thank you to Atom and Little Brown, Books for this ARC.
January 2, 2021
“The girl who .... survived. The girl who ... inspires. The girl who ... has something to hide.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
People can't bring themselves to say what happened to her. They just describe her as 'the girl who... you know...'. Leah is the perfect survivor. She was seven years old when she saw her mother and sister killed by a troubled gang member. Her case hit the headlines and her bravery made her a national sweetheart. But Leah is hiding a secret about their deaths. And now, ten years later, all she can think of is revenge. When Leah's dad meets a new partner, stepsister Ellie moves in. Sensing Leah isn't quite the sweet girl she pretends to be, Ellie discovers that Leah has a plan, one she has been putting together ever since that fateful day. Now that the killer - and the only one who knows the truth - is being released from prison, time is running out for Ellie to discover how far Leah will go to silence her anger
Both main characters, Leah and Ellie, have conflicting personalities. And whilst they were relatively true to their ages, I did feel they were far too whiny occasionally. Yes, Leah has gone through some trauma and Ellie has had to deal with things in her life too, but I just felt neither had the overall level of maturity I’d expect.
This book had the potential to be really good but it just missed the mark completely for me, which is such a shame. There was a lot of evading from each character’s plans and ideals, despite being in their heads. I felt confused through a lot of the story and then just felt underwhelmed. I had really hoped to enjoy this book more, but I sadly didn’t. However, this book could be someone else’s cup of tea.
Overall, The Girl Who is an interesting twist on the typical YA story.
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you again to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for an advanced copy of this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
People can't bring themselves to say what happened to her. They just describe her as 'the girl who... you know...'. Leah is the perfect survivor. She was seven years old when she saw her mother and sister killed by a troubled gang member. Her case hit the headlines and her bravery made her a national sweetheart. But Leah is hiding a secret about their deaths. And now, ten years later, all she can think of is revenge. When Leah's dad meets a new partner, stepsister Ellie moves in. Sensing Leah isn't quite the sweet girl she pretends to be, Ellie discovers that Leah has a plan, one she has been putting together ever since that fateful day. Now that the killer - and the only one who knows the truth - is being released from prison, time is running out for Ellie to discover how far Leah will go to silence her anger
Both main characters, Leah and Ellie, have conflicting personalities. And whilst they were relatively true to their ages, I did feel they were far too whiny occasionally. Yes, Leah has gone through some trauma and Ellie has had to deal with things in her life too, but I just felt neither had the overall level of maturity I’d expect.
This book had the potential to be really good but it just missed the mark completely for me, which is such a shame. There was a lot of evading from each character’s plans and ideals, despite being in their heads. I felt confused through a lot of the story and then just felt underwhelmed. I had really hoped to enjoy this book more, but I sadly didn’t. However, this book could be someone else’s cup of tea.
Overall, The Girl Who is an interesting twist on the typical YA story.
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you again to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for an advanced copy of this book.
January 19, 2021
I’ve not read a lot of ya books but the ones I have read have been very romance based so reading The Girl Who was a very pleasant surprise as it’s a psychological thriller that deals with some very serious issues with not a love heart in sight.
Told from three different perspectives we get to know the characters well. Boyd aka Crow is the teenager who is very mentally disturbed, so much so he kills a mother and her daughter.
Leah is the survivor, it’s her mother and younger sister who were brutally murdered when she was young and shes now known as ‘the girl who’ because no one knows how to finish that sentence.
Ellie is bright and bubbly, she wants to be famous and loves her glitter. She recently moved in with Leah as her Mum and Leah’s Dad are soon to be married.
I really enjoyed getting inside each characters mind, what you see on the surface is often not true and it’s easy to put a mask on and be what others want you to be, especially in Leah’s case. The author has done a fantastic job of really letting us get inside their minds and showing us their hidden feelings and thoughts and by doing so I felt a real sympathy for each of them, even Boyd. I would never condone what he did but he’s a very troubled teenager.
This was a quick read, I found I was totally hooked from the first page and although I wanted to get to a conclusion quickly I really didn’t want it to end. I said previously this is a ya book but I really think this would appeal to any age and the author has dealt with the serious issues with sensitivity.
It’s such a good read, it has suspense and a tension that builds and builds. I wasn’t sure how it would end and it could have went any number of ways but I was pleased it ended the way it did.
This is a fantastic debut and I’m super excited to see what Andreina Cordani has up her sleeve next. I’ll definitely be recommending The Girl Who, it’s a cracker.
Told from three different perspectives we get to know the characters well. Boyd aka Crow is the teenager who is very mentally disturbed, so much so he kills a mother and her daughter.
Leah is the survivor, it’s her mother and younger sister who were brutally murdered when she was young and shes now known as ‘the girl who’ because no one knows how to finish that sentence.
Ellie is bright and bubbly, she wants to be famous and loves her glitter. She recently moved in with Leah as her Mum and Leah’s Dad are soon to be married.
I really enjoyed getting inside each characters mind, what you see on the surface is often not true and it’s easy to put a mask on and be what others want you to be, especially in Leah’s case. The author has done a fantastic job of really letting us get inside their minds and showing us their hidden feelings and thoughts and by doing so I felt a real sympathy for each of them, even Boyd. I would never condone what he did but he’s a very troubled teenager.
This was a quick read, I found I was totally hooked from the first page and although I wanted to get to a conclusion quickly I really didn’t want it to end. I said previously this is a ya book but I really think this would appeal to any age and the author has dealt with the serious issues with sensitivity.
It’s such a good read, it has suspense and a tension that builds and builds. I wasn’t sure how it would end and it could have went any number of ways but I was pleased it ended the way it did.
This is a fantastic debut and I’m super excited to see what Andreina Cordani has up her sleeve next. I’ll definitely be recommending The Girl Who, it’s a cracker.
July 18, 2021
An interesting young adult book from Andreina Cordani. We meet Leah, who witnessed the murder of her mother and baby sister when she was only a child. She has grown up and is a 'poster child' of recovering trauma so to speak, often referred to as "... you know, the girl who ...". We watch her deal very poorly with the price of fame and the intrusion into her privacy. We also meet Ellie, her step-sister, a socialmedia influencer. We don't see much else of her insta-life which is strange as there is so much that could have been expressed with respect to privacy and fame, something that could have been explored more given the book's age target. Nor do we see a lot of depth in the issues relating to belonging to a step family, and, this would have been a intrinsic theme to explore further. There was time spent looking at the relationship between Leah and Emma, once dark and distant and then becoming closer than they initially were. Leah's father seemed so preoccupied with her trauma that he seemed to be ignorant of his daughter growing into a young woman, and the dynamics of his blended family.
In this book the reader experiences the views of Leah, Ellie and also the killer of Leah's mother and sister. And the killer's story is an interesting one as it unfolds. The reader does have exposure to mental health themes, grief and loss, insta and media fame, peer pressure, and the effects of traumatic events. The events unfold at speed during the last quarter of the book, and it is here that the book's strength is evident. Great writing weaves the events together. A short book but worthy of a read.
In this book the reader experiences the views of Leah, Ellie and also the killer of Leah's mother and sister. And the killer's story is an interesting one as it unfolds. The reader does have exposure to mental health themes, grief and loss, insta and media fame, peer pressure, and the effects of traumatic events. The events unfold at speed during the last quarter of the book, and it is here that the book's strength is evident. Great writing weaves the events together. A short book but worthy of a read.
July 8, 2021
4.5 out of 5 ⭐️
TW: death, murder, multiple personality disorder, sharp objects, self harm
I really did not expect much going into this, in fact the only reason I picked it up in the first place was because I had to for work, but this story came as a pleasant surprise.
It’s quite a slow-paced and yet intriguing young adult thriller/contemporary following Ellie and Leah, two girls who are forced to live together after their parents start dating. However, Leah is different from all the other girls her age, when she was little she witnessed the murder of her mother and her little sister, as they say it in the book ‘she was lucky to get away’.
One of the great pros of this book is the atmosphere and the way it envelopes the reader, letting them escape from reality and the problems of the outside world.
I’d also like to point out the immense character development. You can clearly see the growth of the two girls as their relationship changes drastically all the way throughout the story.
As with any children’s/young adult thriller ‘The girl who’ is very accessible and could easily be finished in a couple of evenings, it’s definitely one of those books you pick up to just relax and get away from reality.
Age-wise I think this would be suitable for 13-14+ readers because it deals with quite serious themes, but there’s no horrifically graphic scenes or anything too inappropriate.
TW: death, murder, multiple personality disorder, sharp objects, self harm
I really did not expect much going into this, in fact the only reason I picked it up in the first place was because I had to for work, but this story came as a pleasant surprise.
It’s quite a slow-paced and yet intriguing young adult thriller/contemporary following Ellie and Leah, two girls who are forced to live together after their parents start dating. However, Leah is different from all the other girls her age, when she was little she witnessed the murder of her mother and her little sister, as they say it in the book ‘she was lucky to get away’.
One of the great pros of this book is the atmosphere and the way it envelopes the reader, letting them escape from reality and the problems of the outside world.
I’d also like to point out the immense character development. You can clearly see the growth of the two girls as their relationship changes drastically all the way throughout the story.
As with any children’s/young adult thriller ‘The girl who’ is very accessible and could easily be finished in a couple of evenings, it’s definitely one of those books you pick up to just relax and get away from reality.
Age-wise I think this would be suitable for 13-14+ readers because it deals with quite serious themes, but there’s no horrifically graphic scenes or anything too inappropriate.
June 16, 2025
Thankfully most of us will never know what’s it’s like to have your childhood ripped away at the age of seven by witnessing your mother and sister be murdered.
You would think that Leah would have buried the memories of what happened as deeply as possible but, her new stepsister Ellie, suspects that not only does Leah clearly remember that terrible night, she is also planning something awful in an act of revenge.
Wow what a read this one is. The Girl Who is a tense psychological thriller, aimed at young adults, that delves deep into some pretty hard hitting topics, which are conveyed throughout so realistically but, also sensitively.
The characters of Leah, Ellie and Boyd are the main focus of the story and their points of view are alternated through the chapters and different timeframes. They have all been created very well and each carry the story perfectly.
The Girl Who is a super fast paced read and is one that once I got to the end, I was disappointed that it was over. Andreina Cordani is a great storyteller and I would most definitely be interested reading more from her going forward.
The Girl Who is a well written, gripping, compelling and powerful tale for both young adults and adult readers alike. It was a pleasure to read and review The Girl Who, which I recommend.
You would think that Leah would have buried the memories of what happened as deeply as possible but, her new stepsister Ellie, suspects that not only does Leah clearly remember that terrible night, she is also planning something awful in an act of revenge.
Wow what a read this one is. The Girl Who is a tense psychological thriller, aimed at young adults, that delves deep into some pretty hard hitting topics, which are conveyed throughout so realistically but, also sensitively.
The characters of Leah, Ellie and Boyd are the main focus of the story and their points of view are alternated through the chapters and different timeframes. They have all been created very well and each carry the story perfectly.
The Girl Who is a super fast paced read and is one that once I got to the end, I was disappointed that it was over. Andreina Cordani is a great storyteller and I would most definitely be interested reading more from her going forward.
The Girl Who is a well written, gripping, compelling and powerful tale for both young adults and adult readers alike. It was a pleasure to read and review The Girl Who, which I recommend.
November 21, 2020
I received this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review
So, this book follows Leah and Ellie. Leah is a victim of a knife attack which killed her mum and younger sister when she was 8 years old. Everyone thinks it was a random attack.. except Leah, who knows the truth. She's been carrying her guilt around for years, pretending to be the textbook survivor. But when her father proposes to his new girlfriend, her whole life is turned around. Enter Ellie, dramatic vlogger who loves glitter and all things fun. Ellie never asked to move into a poky, rundown bookshop. But she soon finds out there is more to her to-be stepsister than meets the eye. What ensues is a tumultous journey of forgiveness, revenge and relationships.
This book started out a little slow and I was nearly tempted to drop it but I carried on for the sake of this review and OMG it got better and better. The author built up the suspense through the novel and you literally feel the tension through the pages. The climax was slightly disappointing but very satisfying, but the ending felt a little too rushed. All in all, a very interesting book which explored some important themes.
So, this book follows Leah and Ellie. Leah is a victim of a knife attack which killed her mum and younger sister when she was 8 years old. Everyone thinks it was a random attack.. except Leah, who knows the truth. She's been carrying her guilt around for years, pretending to be the textbook survivor. But when her father proposes to his new girlfriend, her whole life is turned around. Enter Ellie, dramatic vlogger who loves glitter and all things fun. Ellie never asked to move into a poky, rundown bookshop. But she soon finds out there is more to her to-be stepsister than meets the eye. What ensues is a tumultous journey of forgiveness, revenge and relationships.
This book started out a little slow and I was nearly tempted to drop it but I carried on for the sake of this review and OMG it got better and better. The author built up the suspense through the novel and you literally feel the tension through the pages. The climax was slightly disappointing but very satisfying, but the ending felt a little too rushed. All in all, a very interesting book which explored some important themes.
January 6, 2021
A twist on the typical YA with a harrowing story. After reading adult fiction books with similar base plots, it was interesting to read the story unfolding for a teen.
The blurb pulled me in to read this book, with it being completely true to the story. As the reader, you are completely intrigued by the true story of what happened to "the girl who"
The timing was a bit confusing throughout the book, with no real description of events that give you an idea of how long it has taken for the story but I don't believe this affected my understanding of the story. The story being told from the perspective of both Leah and her new step-sister Ellie was perfect to set up the story but at times, they did both seem a little one dimensional
I enjoyed this read and it did pull me in, with me finishing it in a couple days. I would recommend it to any fan of young adult books that wants more than the drama of boys and gossip, with a adult real issue at hand
Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for the ARC, in return for an honest unbiased review.
The blurb pulled me in to read this book, with it being completely true to the story. As the reader, you are completely intrigued by the true story of what happened to "the girl who"
The timing was a bit confusing throughout the book, with no real description of events that give you an idea of how long it has taken for the story but I don't believe this affected my understanding of the story. The story being told from the perspective of both Leah and her new step-sister Ellie was perfect to set up the story but at times, they did both seem a little one dimensional
I enjoyed this read and it did pull me in, with me finishing it in a couple days. I would recommend it to any fan of young adult books that wants more than the drama of boys and gossip, with a adult real issue at hand
Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for the ARC, in return for an honest unbiased review.
December 31, 2020
A tense, exciting book. Cutting between points of view and between time frames ensures that revelations are spaced out and not overwhelming. I genuinely didn't know what was going to happen at several points.
It's a very clever look at the victims of crimes like this and what can become of them as years go by. Although David clearly meant well by his daughter, he didn't handle things very well (though, admittedly, neither did she.) It's a very difficult situation, of course, and there's no right way to handle it.
The only, very minor problem I had: I couldn't always follow the flow of time. It didn't seem like very much had happened, but then the narration would say it had been months. Near the end, we're told it's been nearly a year, I couldn't have guessed that if you'd paid me.
Otherwise, though, brilliant. I loved the characters, the tension - this was a great read, really well handled. Fantastic.
It's a very clever look at the victims of crimes like this and what can become of them as years go by. Although David clearly meant well by his daughter, he didn't handle things very well (though, admittedly, neither did she.) It's a very difficult situation, of course, and there's no right way to handle it.
The only, very minor problem I had: I couldn't always follow the flow of time. It didn't seem like very much had happened, but then the narration would say it had been months. Near the end, we're told it's been nearly a year, I couldn't have guessed that if you'd paid me.
Otherwise, though, brilliant. I loved the characters, the tension - this was a great read, really well handled. Fantastic.
January 9, 2021
The title and blurb instantly intrigued me. I wanted to know what happened to this 'it' girl that everyone seemed to know about but somehow kept at arms length. Boy did this book keep me waiting to find out, but it was so worth the payoff when I did.
Don't be thrown by the slight changes in tense (actually reading the chapter titles help - I was a bit enthusiastic and had to go back and check them to understand why everything suddenly didn't follow), what a clever storytelling tool I didn't even think to pick up on.
Slowly through chapters set in the past, Cordani subtly feeds you the tragic tale so naturally you'll barely think of it, until the 'big reveal' and that 'ah-ha!' moment as you realise you sort of knew it all along.
Blended families as they're often called now are increasingly common, not always going as smoothly as one would hope. It's lovely to read a tale that has a happy ending of sorts, at least where the combined family is concerned.
Don't be thrown by the slight changes in tense (actually reading the chapter titles help - I was a bit enthusiastic and had to go back and check them to understand why everything suddenly didn't follow), what a clever storytelling tool I didn't even think to pick up on.
Slowly through chapters set in the past, Cordani subtly feeds you the tragic tale so naturally you'll barely think of it, until the 'big reveal' and that 'ah-ha!' moment as you realise you sort of knew it all along.
Blended families as they're often called now are increasingly common, not always going as smoothly as one would hope. It's lovely to read a tale that has a happy ending of sorts, at least where the combined family is concerned.
January 21, 2021
I’m not sure whether ‘enjoy’ is the right word to describe this book. ‘Gripping’ and ‘harrowing’ might be more appropriate. I couldn’t put it down though.
When Leah was little she witnessed the murder of her mum and younger sister. Now a teenager, she lives in a protective bubble with her dad and now his fiancé & her two children. Dad runs a charity dedicated to forgiveness and helping youngsters at risk of getting caught up in a life of crime.
When step sister Ellie moves in, they certainly don’t see eye to eye. Ellie struggles to follow the “rules” around Leah but things between them become reality strained when she discovers Leah’s secret.
This compelling story was hard to read but the characters are well developed and I loved the contrast between the two girls. Being a victim is not easy but neither is being a survivor.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
When Leah was little she witnessed the murder of her mum and younger sister. Now a teenager, she lives in a protective bubble with her dad and now his fiancé & her two children. Dad runs a charity dedicated to forgiveness and helping youngsters at risk of getting caught up in a life of crime.
When step sister Ellie moves in, they certainly don’t see eye to eye. Ellie struggles to follow the “rules” around Leah but things between them become reality strained when she discovers Leah’s secret.
This compelling story was hard to read but the characters are well developed and I loved the contrast between the two girls. Being a victim is not easy but neither is being a survivor.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 10, 2022
“The girl who…”, is a story which explores more than Leah’s growing need for revenge on the man who killed her mother and young sister in front of her. The book is about why she needs this revenge. Leah wants to be free, she wants to be allowed to live.
Although the plot seemed interesting enough, I only gave this book 3 stars as although it definitely wasn’t horrible it lacked something. I should have been clamouring to turn the page, but instead I only had a single gram of interest to see how the book would resolve itself.
Although the plot seemed interesting enough, I only gave this book 3 stars as although it definitely wasn’t horrible it lacked something. I should have been clamouring to turn the page, but instead I only had a single gram of interest to see how the book would resolve itself.
November 17, 2020
A riveting read, edge-of-your-seat YA thriller. Tackles some very difficult subjects sensitively, but doesn't back away from showing the harsh realities of the situation. The characters feel very realistic, particularly Ellie and it's easy to empathise with them. There is definitely a place for this book in our collection, and can see it appealing to readers of Juno Dawson, Patrice Lawrence and Sara Barnard.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ebook to read and review.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ebook to read and review.
January 11, 2021
Im not sure how to address everything I want to say about this book without giving spoilers.
So let me first start saying that for a debut author this was written well, in the way I didn't want to put it down. However, the writing style was let down by the story. The characters were all very stereotypical, things didn't fully make sense to me and the ending all seemed to be a little too neatly wrapped up.
I will still give the author another try though.
So let me first start saying that for a debut author this was written well, in the way I didn't want to put it down. However, the writing style was let down by the story. The characters were all very stereotypical, things didn't fully make sense to me and the ending all seemed to be a little too neatly wrapped up.
I will still give the author another try though.
January 21, 2021
With tight, intelligent writing, The Girl Who keeps you guessing from start to finish. I really enjoyed the different perspectives, how close you feel to each character, and the unexpected twists and turns that kept my pulse racing. This is the type of book where you promise yourself, ‘Just one more chapter,’ and then before you know it, an hour’s passed!
February 26, 2022
While 'The Girl Who' was written for young adults, I loved this debut novel as much as my granddaughter. I loved that the characters were completely different, but you cared about both of them. You think you know what's going to happen, but you don't! Teenagers and adults alike will find this a book that is very, very hard to put down. I am ready to order Andreina's next book.
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