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That Green Eyed Girl
2022. First Edition. 391 pages. Signed by the author. Illustrated dust jacket over black cloth boards with lettering. Flat signed by author to title page. Pages are bright and clear with no visible markings. Binding throughout remains firm. Boards have light edgewear with minor corner bumping. Mild crushing to spine, with occasional markings overall. Lettering is bright and clear. Panels have light edgewear with some creases. Minor markings to all surfaces.
391 pages, Hardcover
First published April 14, 2022
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August 30, 2021
The same apartment, New York City in 1975 and 1955.
In 1975 Ava Winters lives with the uncertainty of her mothers deteriorating mental health and her father’s relationship with much younger woman, Candy Jackson. A box arrives in the mail from Paris and it contains an assortment of items including a photograph with the word LIAR emblazoned across it. In 1955, teacher Dovie Carmichael lives with a fellow teacher Gillian and impulsively invites unlikeable nosey parker Judith for dinner which she will live to deeply regret.
This is an emotional, poignant, thoughtful and thought provoking novel which digs deep in both timelines taking you on a moving journey. The alternating timeline is done extremely effectively, it’s not forced and doesn’t seem to jump about. The quality of the writing is very good so you feel the heat of summer in NYC and want to loosen your collar, your eyes water in the smokey jazz clubs of 1955, and you taste and smell the coffee in Paris where Dovie and Gillian dream of living. The characterisation is deft, Dovie is extremely likeable, you want to hug Ava and are so glad she’s got such a lovely friend in Viola and you definitely want to punch Judith who is sly, manipulative, taunting, treacherous and hateful. Yes, I’ve not hung back and with good reason!! There is so much tension when she’s around you could cut it with a knife. The portrayal of Ava’s mothers mental health issues and the treatment she receives in 1975 breaks your heart and Ava’s stress, anxiety and loneliness is palpable. Other issues such as relationships, including hidden ones, friendship, love and loss are done well too. What we end up with is a mystery in 1975 surrounding the box and bravery, fear and heartache in 1955 both of which connect together with all the little clues being pieced together cleverly.
Overall, this is such a compelling and impressive debut. Yes it’s painful and sad but you are swept along in a desire to see how it all pans out. I can’t wait to see what this author comes up with next.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Penguin Michael Joseph for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
In 1975 Ava Winters lives with the uncertainty of her mothers deteriorating mental health and her father’s relationship with much younger woman, Candy Jackson. A box arrives in the mail from Paris and it contains an assortment of items including a photograph with the word LIAR emblazoned across it. In 1955, teacher Dovie Carmichael lives with a fellow teacher Gillian and impulsively invites unlikeable nosey parker Judith for dinner which she will live to deeply regret.
This is an emotional, poignant, thoughtful and thought provoking novel which digs deep in both timelines taking you on a moving journey. The alternating timeline is done extremely effectively, it’s not forced and doesn’t seem to jump about. The quality of the writing is very good so you feel the heat of summer in NYC and want to loosen your collar, your eyes water in the smokey jazz clubs of 1955, and you taste and smell the coffee in Paris where Dovie and Gillian dream of living. The characterisation is deft, Dovie is extremely likeable, you want to hug Ava and are so glad she’s got such a lovely friend in Viola and you definitely want to punch Judith who is sly, manipulative, taunting, treacherous and hateful. Yes, I’ve not hung back and with good reason!! There is so much tension when she’s around you could cut it with a knife. The portrayal of Ava’s mothers mental health issues and the treatment she receives in 1975 breaks your heart and Ava’s stress, anxiety and loneliness is palpable. Other issues such as relationships, including hidden ones, friendship, love and loss are done well too. What we end up with is a mystery in 1975 surrounding the box and bravery, fear and heartache in 1955 both of which connect together with all the little clues being pieced together cleverly.
Overall, this is such a compelling and impressive debut. Yes it’s painful and sad but you are swept along in a desire to see how it all pans out. I can’t wait to see what this author comes up with next.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Penguin Michael Joseph for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
April 2, 2022
On my blog.
Rep: lesbian mcs, side character with unspecified mental illness (PTSD?), Black side characters
CWs: period typical homophobia, lesbophobia, implied sexual assault (in police raid at bar), electroconvulsive therapy (implied as cure for lesbianism, later as treatment for mental illness)
Galley provided by publisher
That Green Eyed Girl reads to me as a quiet kind of tragedy. From the first page, there’s that inevitability about it, a sense that this is the happiest moment of the characters’ lives, that they’ll never quite reach this level of happiness again.
The story follows a dual timeline: 1955, with Dovie and Gillian, lovers living together in a small flat, and 1975, with Ava and her mother, living in the same flat. When a mysterious package is delivered to the flat, Ava is compelled to find out who it’s meant for and to pass it along. Meanwhile, the past timeline follows the disintegration of Dovie and Gillian’s relationship as they are forced to take on another lodger.
The best part of this book for me is in its quietness. It’s a book that’s very much about the characters—Dovie trying to balance being blackmailed about her sexuality with protecting Gillian, Ava trying to deal with her mother ending up in hospital, her father’s new (and younger) girlfriend, and the feeling that everyone is abandoning her—and that’s its strength. And Julie Owen Moylan spends a lot of time on creating characters that you can sympathise with. They make mistakes! They’re messy! But you want happiness for them, above all.
I think that quietness also expands into the worldbuilding. It’s very delicately done and you feel as though you’re actually there with the characters for a lot of it. But in a kind of quiet way. The world doesn’t overawe the characters, it’s in the background to everything. It’s quite filmic in that respect—you could see it being turned into a Tell it to the Bees or Summerland style film.
Despite all that, I can only really say that I liked this book. There’s nothing I can point out as being exactly what makes me feel this way, but that was how I found it. I enjoyed reading it, to be sure, and it was a quick enough read. I just never felt that I loved it.
However, since I’m notoriously Not Good at reading adult literary fiction, contemporary or historical, I’m willing to chalk this up as just a me thing. You, of course, might feel otherwise, so I would urge you to keep an eye out for this one. You won’t want to miss out.
Rep: lesbian mcs, side character with unspecified mental illness (PTSD?), Black side characters
CWs: period typical homophobia, lesbophobia, implied sexual assault (in police raid at bar), electroconvulsive therapy (implied as cure for lesbianism, later as treatment for mental illness)
Galley provided by publisher
That Green Eyed Girl reads to me as a quiet kind of tragedy. From the first page, there’s that inevitability about it, a sense that this is the happiest moment of the characters’ lives, that they’ll never quite reach this level of happiness again.
The story follows a dual timeline: 1955, with Dovie and Gillian, lovers living together in a small flat, and 1975, with Ava and her mother, living in the same flat. When a mysterious package is delivered to the flat, Ava is compelled to find out who it’s meant for and to pass it along. Meanwhile, the past timeline follows the disintegration of Dovie and Gillian’s relationship as they are forced to take on another lodger.
The best part of this book for me is in its quietness. It’s a book that’s very much about the characters—Dovie trying to balance being blackmailed about her sexuality with protecting Gillian, Ava trying to deal with her mother ending up in hospital, her father’s new (and younger) girlfriend, and the feeling that everyone is abandoning her—and that’s its strength. And Julie Owen Moylan spends a lot of time on creating characters that you can sympathise with. They make mistakes! They’re messy! But you want happiness for them, above all.
I think that quietness also expands into the worldbuilding. It’s very delicately done and you feel as though you’re actually there with the characters for a lot of it. But in a kind of quiet way. The world doesn’t overawe the characters, it’s in the background to everything. It’s quite filmic in that respect—you could see it being turned into a Tell it to the Bees or Summerland style film.
Despite all that, I can only really say that I liked this book. There’s nothing I can point out as being exactly what makes me feel this way, but that was how I found it. I enjoyed reading it, to be sure, and it was a quick enough read. I just never felt that I loved it.
However, since I’m notoriously Not Good at reading adult literary fiction, contemporary or historical, I’m willing to chalk this up as just a me thing. You, of course, might feel otherwise, so I would urge you to keep an eye out for this one. You won’t want to miss out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2022
Good dual timeline book that takes place in the 1950s and the 1970s. In the 1950’s we meet Gillian and Dovie who live together and both work at a school, we then meet Judith who has a secret about them and she blackmails the pair into letting her move in with them because she’s desperate to connect with them and curb her loneliness. In the 1970’s Ava is living in that same apartment with her mother, whose mental health is rapidly deteriorating, when one day she receives a mysterious package sent all the way from Paris, but who is the recipient and does does it bring both of these timelines together? You’ll have to read to find out!
This is a wonderfully written book that touches on the stigma and treatment of gay women and mental health patients in America, heartbreak and bravery, and how to say enough is enough and take control of your own life. It’s written with such care and detail, and honest to gods, this book broke my heart in multiple places.
Thank you NetGalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
This is a wonderfully written book that touches on the stigma and treatment of gay women and mental health patients in America, heartbreak and bravery, and how to say enough is enough and take control of your own life. It’s written with such care and detail, and honest to gods, this book broke my heart in multiple places.
Thank you NetGalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
November 11, 2021
I was really excited to read this book… until I got into it. I can see well-drawn characters and some strong themes around LGBTQ+, keeping secrets, mental health issues and family dynamics… but it never really grabbed me. I plodded my way through resenting it. I didn’t warm to any of the characters and found many of them self centred or manipulative.
It’s a very rare thumbs down from me
It’s a very rare thumbs down from me
March 22, 2022
A tale of forbidden love in 1950s New York. 20 years later, a box appears at the same apartment where the love story began, but who does it belong to & why did it turn up there? Ava, the occupant of the apartment in 1975 is determined to find out.
I loved this book! It’s so well written, which a dual timeline that works really well, and a character you’ll just love to hate. In fact, I think there’s a club forming on Twitter to discuss our dislike (of the character, not the book!).
Highly recommended. And I’ll definitely be reading more of Julie Owen Moylan’s work!
I loved this book! It’s so well written, which a dual timeline that works really well, and a character you’ll just love to hate. In fact, I think there’s a club forming on Twitter to discuss our dislike (of the character, not the book!).
Highly recommended. And I’ll definitely be reading more of Julie Owen Moylan’s work!
July 26, 2023
This is a story with a dual timeline predominantly set in an apartment in New York City in 1975 and 1955.
In 1975 we follow Ava who lives with her mother whose mental health is quickly deteriorating and a rarely present father, who has found a new lover. One day a parcel is delivered to their apartment with an assortment of belongings including a picture with with the word "Liar" written accross it and a letter written in French. Ava's curiosity is peaked and so begins her investigation into who the letter is from and who the contents of the parcel belong to.
In 1955 we follow teacher Dovie and her roommate, fellow teacher and lover Gillian. Life as they know it begins to change once Covie feels compelled to invite their colleague Judith to dinner one evening, who quickly figures out that Covie and Gillian are hiding that they are in a relationship.
This is such a beautiful and well written debut. I could not put this book down. It had me feeling so many emotions and pulled me in so quickly. The alternating timeline was done well and I did not find it jarring like I have with other books. I didn't feel like I preferred one timeline more than the other, as they both had points of interest to keep you invested.
There is a diverse cast of characters, some of whom you like, some you will want to cuddle and some you will end up despising. I also appreciated that the author did not shy away from depicting mental health issues and the stigma that came along with those issues in the 1970s. As well as what it would have been like to be homosexual in the 50s and how the resulting treatment and "cures" ruined lives.
The mirroring of loneliness, hopelessness, pain and feeling of abandonment experienced by the two main characters whilst in their different timelines was difficult to read at times, but really well done. You really do feel everything along with them.
This book was a painful, but beautiful read and it's one that has kept me thinking back to it even many months after finishing it. There is love, hate, friendship, loss, heartbreak and a little mystery. What more could you want?!
I can not recommend this book enough. It is definitely one of my favourites of the year!
In 1975 we follow Ava who lives with her mother whose mental health is quickly deteriorating and a rarely present father, who has found a new lover. One day a parcel is delivered to their apartment with an assortment of belongings including a picture with with the word "Liar" written accross it and a letter written in French. Ava's curiosity is peaked and so begins her investigation into who the letter is from and who the contents of the parcel belong to.
In 1955 we follow teacher Dovie and her roommate, fellow teacher and lover Gillian. Life as they know it begins to change once Covie feels compelled to invite their colleague Judith to dinner one evening, who quickly figures out that Covie and Gillian are hiding that they are in a relationship.
This is such a beautiful and well written debut. I could not put this book down. It had me feeling so many emotions and pulled me in so quickly. The alternating timeline was done well and I did not find it jarring like I have with other books. I didn't feel like I preferred one timeline more than the other, as they both had points of interest to keep you invested.
There is a diverse cast of characters, some of whom you like, some you will want to cuddle and some you will end up despising. I also appreciated that the author did not shy away from depicting mental health issues and the stigma that came along with those issues in the 1970s. As well as what it would have been like to be homosexual in the 50s and how the resulting treatment and "cures" ruined lives.
The mirroring of loneliness, hopelessness, pain and feeling of abandonment experienced by the two main characters whilst in their different timelines was difficult to read at times, but really well done. You really do feel everything along with them.
This book was a painful, but beautiful read and it's one that has kept me thinking back to it even many months after finishing it. There is love, hate, friendship, loss, heartbreak and a little mystery. What more could you want?!
I can not recommend this book enough. It is definitely one of my favourites of the year!
August 26, 2024
THIS BOOK. THIS BOOK.
currently writing this review at 4am but omg I’m on the brink of tears, I adored this book and everyone needs to read it!
That Green Eyed Girl is set in 1955, following Dovie and Gillian who are two women who fall in love in secret. They share a mutual love for jazz and whiskey, and stay close together, knowing that they’ll never be able to love each other freely.
Twenty years later, Dovie and Gillian are both long gone. However the new occupant, Ava, discovers their story.
What happened to the two women? Why did they disappear all of a sudden? Where are they today?
Guys this book was EXCELLENT OMG. It’s like a queer historical fiction mixed in with a little mystery. It’s such a beautiful book that tells the story of two women who only want to love each other, but are stopped because of the society of their time, as being a lesbian was seen as “unnatural”.
I also loved the second perspective of the book that followed our narrator, Ava. Ava is a teenager who struggles with her identity and the relationship with her parents.
She feels unseen by the two people who should care about her the most, a pain as fundamental as a physical injury. I resonated with her character and wanted to give her the biggest hug:)
“𝐃’𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐞 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐭? 𝐖𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐝𝐬, 𝐀𝐯𝐚. 𝐖𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐣𝐨𝐛.”
“𝐈 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐬𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐩𝐢𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈’𝐦 𝐬𝐨…𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐲. 𝐈’𝐦 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞.”
This book is for those who want to read about a tragic love story, a hopeful, idealistic love in a miserable, hateful world.
If you love queer books then you will 100% love this:)
When you love someone you have to be prepared to lose them and I think this book embodies that.
You cannot put your life on pause waiting for the right person. Because at the end, you will be wishing for the life you could have lived instead of waiting for the right time, the perfect job, the perfect person. Live in every moment, enjoy every memory.
more of my favourite quotes:
“I felt an old familiar feeling of discomfort as my stomach clenched, the misery of someone being unhappy with me.”
“I think… we are… the same.” She said. Then she touched her heart and mimed a breaking of it in two pieces. I bit my bottom lip because I could feel tears welling in my eyes. I could only nod.”
“I wonder if I will live to see the spring flowers and I think of how strange life is when you’re running out of time. Everything is the last time.”
currently writing this review at 4am but omg I’m on the brink of tears, I adored this book and everyone needs to read it!
That Green Eyed Girl is set in 1955, following Dovie and Gillian who are two women who fall in love in secret. They share a mutual love for jazz and whiskey, and stay close together, knowing that they’ll never be able to love each other freely.
Twenty years later, Dovie and Gillian are both long gone. However the new occupant, Ava, discovers their story.
What happened to the two women? Why did they disappear all of a sudden? Where are they today?
Guys this book was EXCELLENT OMG. It’s like a queer historical fiction mixed in with a little mystery. It’s such a beautiful book that tells the story of two women who only want to love each other, but are stopped because of the society of their time, as being a lesbian was seen as “unnatural”.
I also loved the second perspective of the book that followed our narrator, Ava. Ava is a teenager who struggles with her identity and the relationship with her parents.
She feels unseen by the two people who should care about her the most, a pain as fundamental as a physical injury. I resonated with her character and wanted to give her the biggest hug:)
“𝐃’𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐞 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐭? 𝐖𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐝𝐬, 𝐀𝐯𝐚. 𝐖𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐣𝐨𝐛.”
“𝐈 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐬𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐩𝐢𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈’𝐦 𝐬𝐨…𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐲. 𝐈’𝐦 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞.”
This book is for those who want to read about a tragic love story, a hopeful, idealistic love in a miserable, hateful world.
If you love queer books then you will 100% love this:)
When you love someone you have to be prepared to lose them and I think this book embodies that.
You cannot put your life on pause waiting for the right person. Because at the end, you will be wishing for the life you could have lived instead of waiting for the right time, the perfect job, the perfect person. Live in every moment, enjoy every memory.
more of my favourite quotes:
“I felt an old familiar feeling of discomfort as my stomach clenched, the misery of someone being unhappy with me.”
“I think… we are… the same.” She said. Then she touched her heart and mimed a breaking of it in two pieces. I bit my bottom lip because I could feel tears welling in my eyes. I could only nod.”
“I wonder if I will live to see the spring flowers and I think of how strange life is when you’re running out of time. Everything is the last time.”
June 11, 2023
I’m very undecided on my thoughts on this book. I have enjoyed reading it and hence my rating.
I loved the writing and the depth of character as well as their development throughout the book. Dovie was infuriating at times and I honestly couldn’t relate to her at all but she was also a very real a flawed character which made me want to keep on reading and find out her story even if my choices would have been very different from hers. Ava was really endearing and acted as a teenager would, with crushes on popular boys, friendship drama and self-esteem issues. She was a delight to follow and showed a very different side of loneliness and anxiety contrasting with Dovie’s. Judith made my skin crawl. Every time she would speak she would give me the ick. I couldn’t imagine a more despicable character.
However, I can’t stop myself from feeling disappointed by the ending. It had potential to be way more thrilling and more mysterious than it was and the link in between the two story lines felt a bit weak. I would have preferred for the two story lines to only be linked by the flat rather than other feeble and almost coincidental links revealed at the end. I’m not sure I’m exactly mad at it for making it seem more than it was and I don’t think the title is totally the right one for this book. I just wanted either more or less but I feel a tiny bit cheated in thinking there would be more to it or that the title would have a bigger importance to the story.
As you can see, I have very mixed feelings about the direction the author decided to take and if you’re expecting mystery and thrill maybe skip this one. If you want a deeply sad, poignant and thought provoking novel about friendship, love, loss, deceit, anxiety, loneliness and treatment of mental illness in the 50s/70s, then definitely pick up this book! (Or if you’re looking for queer rep in historical fiction).
I loved the writing and the depth of character as well as their development throughout the book. Dovie was infuriating at times and I honestly couldn’t relate to her at all but she was also a very real a flawed character which made me want to keep on reading and find out her story even if my choices would have been very different from hers. Ava was really endearing and acted as a teenager would, with crushes on popular boys, friendship drama and self-esteem issues. She was a delight to follow and showed a very different side of loneliness and anxiety contrasting with Dovie’s. Judith made my skin crawl. Every time she would speak she would give me the ick. I couldn’t imagine a more despicable character.
However, I can’t stop myself from feeling disappointed by the ending. It had potential to be way more thrilling and more mysterious than it was and the link in between the two story lines felt a bit weak. I would have preferred for the two story lines to only be linked by the flat rather than other feeble and almost coincidental links revealed at the end. I’m not sure I’m exactly mad at it for making it seem more than it was and I don’t think the title is totally the right one for this book. I just wanted either more or less but I feel a tiny bit cheated in thinking there would be more to it or that the title would have a bigger importance to the story.
As you can see, I have very mixed feelings about the direction the author decided to take and if you’re expecting mystery and thrill maybe skip this one. If you want a deeply sad, poignant and thought provoking novel about friendship, love, loss, deceit, anxiety, loneliness and treatment of mental illness in the 50s/70s, then definitely pick up this book! (Or if you’re looking for queer rep in historical fiction).
September 23, 2021
New York, 1955:
In an apartment on the lower East Side, two school teachers Dovie and Gillian live the seemingly innocent and care-free lives of lodgers just trying to get by in their jobs and private lives always enjoying each other’s company as good friends.
However, on the other side of that door they are much more and they do their best to guard this secret from a world full of criticism, judgement and unspeakable consequences should they ever be discovered for all they want is to love one another and be left in peace but when someone who really has no right to point fingers guesses the truth, a rift soon forms between them, testing their patience to breaking point when finally enough is enough and things change forever…
1975: Twenty years have passed, and in that very same apartment Ava Winters has her own secrets to keep with her mother becoming increasingly erratic, haunted by something Ava could possibly never understand, until one morning, she disappears.
Shortly after Ava’s mother leaves, she receives a parcel addressed to her apartment with no contact information, it contains many items including a photo of a woman with the word ‘LIAR’ scribbled across it. Ava sets out to uncover the meaning of this, seeking answers from many years ago and tracking down the woman at the very heart of this mess.
Unforgettable, emotional and glorious. My heart shattered and then the author slowly pieced it back together
In an apartment on the lower East Side, two school teachers Dovie and Gillian live the seemingly innocent and care-free lives of lodgers just trying to get by in their jobs and private lives always enjoying each other’s company as good friends.
However, on the other side of that door they are much more and they do their best to guard this secret from a world full of criticism, judgement and unspeakable consequences should they ever be discovered for all they want is to love one another and be left in peace but when someone who really has no right to point fingers guesses the truth, a rift soon forms between them, testing their patience to breaking point when finally enough is enough and things change forever…
1975: Twenty years have passed, and in that very same apartment Ava Winters has her own secrets to keep with her mother becoming increasingly erratic, haunted by something Ava could possibly never understand, until one morning, she disappears.
Shortly after Ava’s mother leaves, she receives a parcel addressed to her apartment with no contact information, it contains many items including a photo of a woman with the word ‘LIAR’ scribbled across it. Ava sets out to uncover the meaning of this, seeking answers from many years ago and tracking down the woman at the very heart of this mess.
Unforgettable, emotional and glorious. My heart shattered and then the author slowly pieced it back together
July 29, 2023
Overall, I’m so disappointed with this. It’s always good to see queer representation in fiction, but yet again, why does it always need to be about a struggle and be so depressing!
The dual time line worked to an extent, and did make me want to keep reading at least, but the Ava storyline was also pretty bleak. I don’t know what the teenage ‘unrequited love’ storyline added to the book at all. Some characters were very one-dimensional - there is literally no attempt to explain a certain character’s backstory or what motivated them to be so damn awful to people.
The ending resolved a far too tidily for me, and I’d worked the ‘twist’ out about half way through. The ‘coincidences’ throughout felt very contrived.
I also wasn’t keen on the authors writing style which felt immature. Overly descriptive of the surroundings and actions that added absolutely nothing to story development and just felt like filler. It felt very much as though the author had submitted this for a creative writing class.
The dual time line worked to an extent, and did make me want to keep reading at least, but the Ava storyline was also pretty bleak. I don’t know what the teenage ‘unrequited love’ storyline added to the book at all. Some characters were very one-dimensional - there is literally no attempt to explain a certain character’s backstory or what motivated them to be so damn awful to people.
The ending resolved a far too tidily for me, and I’d worked the ‘twist’ out about half way through. The ‘coincidences’ throughout felt very contrived.
I also wasn’t keen on the authors writing style which felt immature. Overly descriptive of the surroundings and actions that added absolutely nothing to story development and just felt like filler. It felt very much as though the author had submitted this for a creative writing class.
June 8, 2023
i hardly ever cry at books but I SOBBED this was so good and broke my heart into a million pieces … not an exaggeration. I was crying at half way through so at the end it was a different level and I had to stop reading at work and wait till i was home so i didn’t sob on stage door. Thank you Liv for buying it for me <3 it slayed
June 17, 2022
Review to follow
February 15, 2024
This story just made my heart melt in so many ways
January 28, 2024
This has been sat on my bedside table for nearly a year, so I chose it as my Book Club pick to get me to finally read it, and I’m so glad I did!!
Equal measures heartwarming and heart-wrenching & a lot of relatable themes for me. I’m really looking forward to discussing with the girls next week 😊
Equal measures heartwarming and heart-wrenching & a lot of relatable themes for me. I’m really looking forward to discussing with the girls next week 😊
July 19, 2022
Set over two timelines That Green Eyed Girl was such an evocative read, capturing New York brilliantly. In 1955 we meet young teachers Dorie and Gillian who are lovers but have to keep it hidden as homosexuality is illegal. When fellow teacher Judith guesses the truth about them, she blackmails Dorie into letting her live in the apartment with them which makes live stressful for the women.
In 1975 we meet Ava Winters, a teenager whose mother has mental health problems and whose father has a younger girlfriend and isn’t that good at being a dad. When she discovers a box addressed to her apartment from Paris, she opens it to find a collection of photographs and letters and sets to try and discover who the box belongs to.
I loved both of the timelines – often when I read a book like this, I secretly tend to like one set of characters more but I genuinely loved both which made That Green Eyed Girl a joy to read. I loved the tenderness of Dorie and Gillian’s relationship but was shocked by the way homosexuals were treated, often being arrested and even having electroshock therapy to try and cure them of their unnatural urges. Gillian especially was terrified about the possibility of being found out.
I felt heartbroken for Ava, left alone when her mum couldn’t cope, with a dad who didn’t do a very good job of stepping up, all while trying to negotiate the hormones and other pressures of being a teenage girl. I loved her ingenuity of trying to find out who the box of belongings belonged to.
The stories overlap in more ways than one and I really liked this. I do love a book set in New York and the atmosphere from the different time periods was evocative and I really felt like I could imagine life for both sets of characters,
A special shout out to the supporting cast! I don’t think I have ever hated a character more than Judith – I’m not sure she has any redeeming features! But Ava’s friend Viola was an absolute darling. She tried so hard to make sure Ava is OK even when Ava won’t share her problems. She perseveres with Ava and eventually manages to break through her barriers to help her.
I absolutely loved That Green Eyes Girl. It is a fabulous historical debut with brilliant characters, heart-breaking storylines and is beautifully written.
In 1975 we meet Ava Winters, a teenager whose mother has mental health problems and whose father has a younger girlfriend and isn’t that good at being a dad. When she discovers a box addressed to her apartment from Paris, she opens it to find a collection of photographs and letters and sets to try and discover who the box belongs to.
I loved both of the timelines – often when I read a book like this, I secretly tend to like one set of characters more but I genuinely loved both which made That Green Eyed Girl a joy to read. I loved the tenderness of Dorie and Gillian’s relationship but was shocked by the way homosexuals were treated, often being arrested and even having electroshock therapy to try and cure them of their unnatural urges. Gillian especially was terrified about the possibility of being found out.
I felt heartbroken for Ava, left alone when her mum couldn’t cope, with a dad who didn’t do a very good job of stepping up, all while trying to negotiate the hormones and other pressures of being a teenage girl. I loved her ingenuity of trying to find out who the box of belongings belonged to.
The stories overlap in more ways than one and I really liked this. I do love a book set in New York and the atmosphere from the different time periods was evocative and I really felt like I could imagine life for both sets of characters,
A special shout out to the supporting cast! I don’t think I have ever hated a character more than Judith – I’m not sure she has any redeeming features! But Ava’s friend Viola was an absolute darling. She tried so hard to make sure Ava is OK even when Ava won’t share her problems. She perseveres with Ava and eventually manages to break through her barriers to help her.
I absolutely loved That Green Eyes Girl. It is a fabulous historical debut with brilliant characters, heart-breaking storylines and is beautifully written.
June 5, 2022
What an incredibly written novel. Thought provoking, emotional and compelling. I feel like my heart was broken and put back together again. A very character focused read that I absolutely devoured. I’d had my eye on this book for a while and it really didn’t disappoint.
I really loved the dual timeline, in New York. 1955 the view from Dovie and 1975 the view from Ava. The same apartment but different people. It was so cleverly written in how everything unfolded and was so brilliantly weaved together. I really connected with both Dovie and Ava. Two very different women who just want to be loved and both suffer heartbreak. I really felt the emotions.
It was definitely an eye opener and it was so sad how Dovie and Gillian could only be who they really were, indoors. In their apartment, their sanctuary. Hiding away from the cruelties that was 1950s America.
This is such a stunningly written book and I couldn’t recommend this enough. The author has done such a great job with this novel, looking at women’s lives over the years, full of pressures and struggles. Emotional but beautiful. I can’t wait to see what the author comes up with next.
I really loved the dual timeline, in New York. 1955 the view from Dovie and 1975 the view from Ava. The same apartment but different people. It was so cleverly written in how everything unfolded and was so brilliantly weaved together. I really connected with both Dovie and Ava. Two very different women who just want to be loved and both suffer heartbreak. I really felt the emotions.
It was definitely an eye opener and it was so sad how Dovie and Gillian could only be who they really were, indoors. In their apartment, their sanctuary. Hiding away from the cruelties that was 1950s America.
This is such a stunningly written book and I couldn’t recommend this enough. The author has done such a great job with this novel, looking at women’s lives over the years, full of pressures and struggles. Emotional but beautiful. I can’t wait to see what the author comes up with next.
October 30, 2021
I can't wait until I can hold an actual physical book of That Green Eyed Girl in my hands and devour it all over again. I loved everything about this story: the perfectly executed settings in the New York of the 1950s and 70s, also a brief sojourn in Paris; the characters Dovie, Gillian, Ava, the dreadful Judith, and the gripping, emotional ride the reader is taken on.
In 1955 Dovie and Gillian are school teachers who share a home together until Judith discovers a secret about them and, in return for keeping silent, blackmails Dovie into letting her move in with them.
In 1975 teenage Ava is living in the same apartment, her father leaves her on her own and her mother is in a mental hospital. When Ava receives a parcel sent from Paris she sets out to find the recipient.
This is a heartbreaking love story that delves both into the experiences of mid century American gay women and also mental health 'treatments' of the time. Highly recommended. First 5* review for 2022! Many thanks to NetGalley and Michael Joseph for the opportunity to read and review That Green Eyed Girl.
In 1955 Dovie and Gillian are school teachers who share a home together until Judith discovers a secret about them and, in return for keeping silent, blackmails Dovie into letting her move in with them.
In 1975 teenage Ava is living in the same apartment, her father leaves her on her own and her mother is in a mental hospital. When Ava receives a parcel sent from Paris she sets out to find the recipient.
This is a heartbreaking love story that delves both into the experiences of mid century American gay women and also mental health 'treatments' of the time. Highly recommended. First 5* review for 2022! Many thanks to NetGalley and Michael Joseph for the opportunity to read and review That Green Eyed Girl.
December 25, 2024
This was a bit of a weird one for me. I can see what was intended but the execution falls a bit flat with very matter-of-fact prose. We alternate chapters between a 16-year-old whose mother is having a breakdown and whose father is too busy carrying on with his new flame to care about his family and twenty years in the past where the same apartment housed a lesbian couple who had to hide their relationship because it was the fifties. The chapters are quite short and so you're shunted back and forth without really having enough time to get engaged with one time and perspective. The end is not surprising but it does leave a few loose ends.
Overall, I guess if I have to express an opinion, this was fine and a reasonably good way to spend a day reading some light mystery historical fiction.
Overall, I guess if I have to express an opinion, this was fine and a reasonably good way to spend a day reading some light mystery historical fiction.
August 20, 2023
This is so emotional- this story made me HATE quite intensely. Loved the dual timelines and the development of all the characters throughout. Her writing style is so evocative and engaging and the plot feels authentic and original. A twist on a story showing the impact one person can have on the world.
April 29, 2022
This is the author's debut published novel and what a wonderful story it is. From the original and compelling first line, right through to the very end, this story totally captured me. I love a dual time slip story, and the short chapters, alternating between New York in the 1950s and the 1970s are done so very well. All too often, with dual time line stories, the reader can become more invested in one era. Not with this book. I was enthralled by both stories, by all of the characters and not least by the evocative and totally convincing portrayal of New York city.
The author cleverly sets both parts of the story in the same apartment. This is the New York that we see on the large screen, before the clean up. We are taken deep into the heart of the residential areas, as the inhabitants suffer the extreme heat during the summer months, followed by the bitter cold of winter.
In 1955, the apartment is home to Dovie and Gillian. Two teachers who share their space so well. For them, the apartment is their sanctuary, the place that they can be who they really are. Away from prying eyes and judgemental tongues. As they listen to their jazz records, dance around the living room and share a nightcap tumbler of whiskey, there is no doubt that these are two women who care so much for each other. However, it's the 1950s America and there are people who would stop at nothing to make sure that their happiness doesn't last. With the risk of losing their jobs, and coping with family disapproval, they've done all they can to hide what they are. Then Judith turns up. What a totally obnoxious, bitter and vile character she is. Perfectly crafted, Judith will make readers howl with frustration and anger as she schemes and plots to get what she wants. She will allow nobody to get in her way.
In 1975, fifteen-year-old Ava lives in the apartment with her mother. Her father has left, he's now shacked up with Candy, a flashy, younger woman who waits tables at a nearby diner. Ava's mother is a delicate, troubled woman, and Ava feels a huge sense of responsibility towards her. Her mother's behaviour gets more erratic, until one day she disappears and when found is taken away for treatment.
Whilst Ava and Dovie (who narrated the majority of the 1950s story) are on the face of it, two very different women, from different eras, with different backgrounds, their similarities are many. They both want to be loved, yet feel at times that they are unlovable. They both suffer loneliness and heartbreak and are both affected by the actions of those around them, with far reaching effects, that will come to change their lives.
The author cleverly weaves both stories together when a box of old photographs and letters are delivered to the apartment in 1975. Ava makes it her mission to find out where Dovie and Gillian are, she would like nothing more than to give their possessions to them.
This is such an elegantly written novel that swept me away. The author deals with issues of prejudice so very well and her evocative descriptions of New York are unforgettable. It's a book that looks at women's lives over the years; the pressures, the struggles and the changes.
Emotional and stylish, this is a truly wonderful story and I highly recommend it to all
The author cleverly sets both parts of the story in the same apartment. This is the New York that we see on the large screen, before the clean up. We are taken deep into the heart of the residential areas, as the inhabitants suffer the extreme heat during the summer months, followed by the bitter cold of winter.
In 1955, the apartment is home to Dovie and Gillian. Two teachers who share their space so well. For them, the apartment is their sanctuary, the place that they can be who they really are. Away from prying eyes and judgemental tongues. As they listen to their jazz records, dance around the living room and share a nightcap tumbler of whiskey, there is no doubt that these are two women who care so much for each other. However, it's the 1950s America and there are people who would stop at nothing to make sure that their happiness doesn't last. With the risk of losing their jobs, and coping with family disapproval, they've done all they can to hide what they are. Then Judith turns up. What a totally obnoxious, bitter and vile character she is. Perfectly crafted, Judith will make readers howl with frustration and anger as she schemes and plots to get what she wants. She will allow nobody to get in her way.
In 1975, fifteen-year-old Ava lives in the apartment with her mother. Her father has left, he's now shacked up with Candy, a flashy, younger woman who waits tables at a nearby diner. Ava's mother is a delicate, troubled woman, and Ava feels a huge sense of responsibility towards her. Her mother's behaviour gets more erratic, until one day she disappears and when found is taken away for treatment.
Whilst Ava and Dovie (who narrated the majority of the 1950s story) are on the face of it, two very different women, from different eras, with different backgrounds, their similarities are many. They both want to be loved, yet feel at times that they are unlovable. They both suffer loneliness and heartbreak and are both affected by the actions of those around them, with far reaching effects, that will come to change their lives.
The author cleverly weaves both stories together when a box of old photographs and letters are delivered to the apartment in 1975. Ava makes it her mission to find out where Dovie and Gillian are, she would like nothing more than to give their possessions to them.
This is such an elegantly written novel that swept me away. The author deals with issues of prejudice so very well and her evocative descriptions of New York are unforgettable. It's a book that looks at women's lives over the years; the pressures, the struggles and the changes.
Emotional and stylish, this is a truly wonderful story and I highly recommend it to all
October 19, 2024
4.25 stars
Incredibly moving and illuminating. It explores a period of history I knew very little about, and although you really get a sense of time and place, the morals/issues at its centre feel very much still things humanity battles with today.
It took me a little bit to get into it, but I was soon swept up in the story. I enjoyed unraveling the mystery with the characters, and trying to find connections. I was continually surprised. My loyalties continued to shift (though Vi remained a fave). It's very vivid, and I cared deeply about them. A few bits were a little repetitive, but it doesn't take away from the fact that I felt tipped into the characters' minds and world.
You can't help but think about your own life in relation to the story, and a book that makes you think is great in my book. A strong debut, and I look forward to picking up more from the author.
Incredibly moving and illuminating. It explores a period of history I knew very little about, and although you really get a sense of time and place, the morals/issues at its centre feel very much still things humanity battles with today.
It took me a little bit to get into it, but I was soon swept up in the story. I enjoyed unraveling the mystery with the characters, and trying to find connections. I was continually surprised. My loyalties continued to shift (though Vi remained a fave). It's very vivid, and I cared deeply about them. A few bits were a little repetitive, but it doesn't take away from the fact that I felt tipped into the characters' minds and world.
You can't help but think about your own life in relation to the story, and a book that makes you think is great in my book. A strong debut, and I look forward to picking up more from the author.
May 25, 2022
That Green Eyed Girl is a beautifully written, emotional tale by Julie Owen Moylan. The dual timeline of the 1950s and 1970s New York are both superbly depicted by the author. The rich descriptions offer a real sense of time and place for the reader. A hugely impressive début. I'm pleased to have this new author on my radar.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Penguin Michael Joseph UK via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Penguin Michael Joseph UK via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
July 10, 2021
A story set in two timelines — 1955 and 1975 intimately connected by a sense of place.
In 1955, Dovie and Ava risk everything to be together. Judith would do anything to connect and not feel so lonely.
In 1975, Ava lives with her mother whose deteriorating mental health overwhelms her. She can't turn to her father for help as he's left them and is shacked up with a young woman, busy recapturing his youth. One morning, a mysterious box turns up at Ava's apartment which will bring all those stories together.
Beautiful written and sharply observed, Julie Owen Moylan weaves a compelling story.
In 1955, Dovie and Ava risk everything to be together. Judith would do anything to connect and not feel so lonely.
In 1975, Ava lives with her mother whose deteriorating mental health overwhelms her. She can't turn to her father for help as he's left them and is shacked up with a young woman, busy recapturing his youth. One morning, a mysterious box turns up at Ava's apartment which will bring all those stories together.
Beautiful written and sharply observed, Julie Owen Moylan weaves a compelling story.
October 6, 2023
Wow 5 ⭐ What a debut!
Absolutely adored this beautifully written, yet heartbreaking story set across 2 time lines.
A thoughtful, thought provoking novel with strong female characters-Dovie will stay with me forever 😭
Wrote in such a way you actually felt part of the story.
This story delves into mental health and the hardships gay women faced in the 1950s.
That Green Eyed Girl is about finding love, losing love, friendships, jealousy and betrayal.
Would recommend a thousand times over 💕
Absolutely adored this beautifully written, yet heartbreaking story set across 2 time lines.
A thoughtful, thought provoking novel with strong female characters-Dovie will stay with me forever 😭
Wrote in such a way you actually felt part of the story.
This story delves into mental health and the hardships gay women faced in the 1950s.
That Green Eyed Girl is about finding love, losing love, friendships, jealousy and betrayal.
Would recommend a thousand times over 💕
August 4, 2023
SORRY JULIE this just wasn’t for me. I read the first half, got really really bored, didn’t find the characters compelling, so then I skipped to the last few chapters and found the dialogue at the end really weird and then a very upsetting ending just all round not great :( I bought this to read on a long bus journey and it suited that purpose but doesn’t really have anything too compelling outside of that context
May 28, 2023
4.5 Stars
One of the first books in a long time I couldn’t wait to read. Duel timeline that wasn’t hard to follow and well linked between the two parts. Enjoyed!! Not 5 stars as I found Dovie an irritating character.
One of the first books in a long time I couldn’t wait to read. Duel timeline that wasn’t hard to follow and well linked between the two parts. Enjoyed!! Not 5 stars as I found Dovie an irritating character.
December 3, 2023
I read 73 Dove Street earlier this year, and it's easily my favourite book of 2023. However, Julie Owen Moylan has done it again for me with this one. I absolutely loved every page of it. A new favourite author of mine for sure
March 30, 2024
i was pissed and mad, and wanted more madness in the end. i was so thirsty for revenge... but i guess it still came out as a five-star
i won't be able to stop thinking about this for some time
i won't be able to stop thinking about this for some time
July 23, 2022
I was drawn to this book by the Gatsby-esque vibes I was getting from the cover (New York, cocktails, the colour green - a pretty loose connection now I think about it, it's not even the right half of the 1900s) and absolutely adored it. The novel is told through teenager Ava's point of view in 1975 and twenty-something Dovie's in 1955 from the same city apartment as they navigate societal expectations and personal relationships. One day Ava receives a cryptic parcel and she dedicates her summer solving the mystery behind it which unfolds to the reader through the dual narrative.
While the mystery is integral to the plot, the real heart of the story is the characters and their relationships. Dovie and Gillian's sincere and compelling romance was bittersweet: I was rooting for them to be together and outraged that they weren't able to be a couple in public or ever fully relax in their relationship. It's not often I cry while reading but their love was heart-wrenching. Meanwhile in the 70s, Ava is dealing with the regular struggles of growing up as well as coping with her erratic mother and absentee father and I was taken right back to the angst and awkwardness of being a teenager.
Not only is Julie Owen Moylan's writing so emotive, it's also amazingly evocative of time and place. Her vision of summer in New York was so vivid I was right there in the dry heat of the apartment and the sweat and smoke of the underground jazz clubs, "simultaneously enchanted and repelled" by society (seriously, there's something Fitzgeraldian about this novel). I was truly enthralled by every aspect of That Green Eyed Girl - it's a perfect bittersweet, striking summer read.
While the mystery is integral to the plot, the real heart of the story is the characters and their relationships. Dovie and Gillian's sincere and compelling romance was bittersweet: I was rooting for them to be together and outraged that they weren't able to be a couple in public or ever fully relax in their relationship. It's not often I cry while reading but their love was heart-wrenching. Meanwhile in the 70s, Ava is dealing with the regular struggles of growing up as well as coping with her erratic mother and absentee father and I was taken right back to the angst and awkwardness of being a teenager.
Not only is Julie Owen Moylan's writing so emotive, it's also amazingly evocative of time and place. Her vision of summer in New York was so vivid I was right there in the dry heat of the apartment and the sweat and smoke of the underground jazz clubs, "simultaneously enchanted and repelled" by society (seriously, there's something Fitzgeraldian about this novel). I was truly enthralled by every aspect of That Green Eyed Girl - it's a perfect bittersweet, striking summer read.
November 11, 2024
Beautiful heart wrenching story!
I’ve had this one in my bookshelf for a while now, but I am so glad I finally got around to it. The dual time-line worked amazing and had me craving more at the end of each chapter.
I’ve had this one in my bookshelf for a while now, but I am so glad I finally got around to it. The dual time-line worked amazing and had me craving more at the end of each chapter.
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