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The Ugly Girls' Club
Girlhood Friends.
Shameful Secrets.
A Rash of Suicides.
Or is it Murder?
Emma Dawson and her friends have felt ugly and overlooked for as long as they can remember. During one humiliating night, they pledge to stand by each other and form the Ugly Girls' Club.
Several years later, with summer right around the corner, the promise of beach days, bike rides, and sleepovers beckons. That is until two girls at Emma's school take their lives, overdosing on ketamine. With each death, shameful secrets come to light.
Emma has a secret of her own. A secret she'd be mortified to share with her closest friends.
As more suicides take place, a social justice movement arises. But are these kids really killing themselves? Emma and her friends aren't so sure.
It's a long summer.
Emma is growing.
Relationships are shifting.
Beauty has decided to smile upon Emma after all. But could this mean the kiss of death?
*** TRIGGER WARNINGS***
Profanity, Sex, Suicide, Abuse, Violence, Rape, and Death
Shameful Secrets.
A Rash of Suicides.
Or is it Murder?
Emma Dawson and her friends have felt ugly and overlooked for as long as they can remember. During one humiliating night, they pledge to stand by each other and form the Ugly Girls' Club.
Several years later, with summer right around the corner, the promise of beach days, bike rides, and sleepovers beckons. That is until two girls at Emma's school take their lives, overdosing on ketamine. With each death, shameful secrets come to light.
Emma has a secret of her own. A secret she'd be mortified to share with her closest friends.
As more suicides take place, a social justice movement arises. But are these kids really killing themselves? Emma and her friends aren't so sure.
It's a long summer.
Emma is growing.
Relationships are shifting.
Beauty has decided to smile upon Emma after all. But could this mean the kiss of death?
*** TRIGGER WARNINGS***
Profanity, Sex, Suicide, Abuse, Violence, Rape, and Death
- GenresFiction
369 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 19, 2022
82 people are currently reading
772 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 24, 2021
The story follows Emma and her group of friends which they call the themselves The Ugly Girls' Club. They are the outcast and they struggle with their insecurities. They actually remind me of The Loser's Club from Stephen King's It. The girls encounter a string of suicides that they find questionable. As the story progress, secrets come to light.
To be honest I was expecting a cheesy typical thriller/mystery book but I was wrong. This book has so much more to offer. It is also a coming of age story and tackles a wide variety of topics and issues such as sexuality, lgbtq+, and exploitation. Emma is a character a lot of people can relate to. She is in the stage of life, which she questions everything especially her sexuality. The book also presents conflicts within the family and group of friends. As well a exploitation, which is an important topic to talk about since there are a lot of victims due to exploitation especially younger people.
But since the book tackles a lot of topics and issue, the story tends to branch out from the main plot which is the mystery behind the string of suicides. For me, the plot became messy because of this. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed this book. The story and characters are entertaining and I commend the author of the diverse representation in this book.
Thank you to BookSirens and C.A. Wittman for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
To be honest I was expecting a cheesy typical thriller/mystery book but I was wrong. This book has so much more to offer. It is also a coming of age story and tackles a wide variety of topics and issues such as sexuality, lgbtq+, and exploitation. Emma is a character a lot of people can relate to. She is in the stage of life, which she questions everything especially her sexuality. The book also presents conflicts within the family and group of friends. As well a exploitation, which is an important topic to talk about since there are a lot of victims due to exploitation especially younger people.
But since the book tackles a lot of topics and issue, the story tends to branch out from the main plot which is the mystery behind the string of suicides. For me, the plot became messy because of this. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed this book. The story and characters are entertaining and I commend the author of the diverse representation in this book.
Thank you to BookSirens and C.A. Wittman for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 27, 2021
Wow, i’m lovin’ it! I mean, i am totally in love with this book!
Couldn’t seem to put it down, i finished it in two sittings. The story is just nice, not too slow, not too fast.
I was basically attracted to the book title. And never regretted choosing it. Lots of thanks to the author for giving me a chance to read this book. Hope to read many more of your work in the future.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Couldn’t seem to put it down, i finished it in two sittings. The story is just nice, not too slow, not too fast.
I was basically attracted to the book title. And never regretted choosing it. Lots of thanks to the author for giving me a chance to read this book. Hope to read many more of your work in the future.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 24, 2021
AWESOME!!!
Wow! I cannot say enough good things about this book. The characters were PERFECT! They were a colorful cast of unique and perfectly inclusive kids that enriched every moment of this story. The plot was great and the way it unfolded was at a perfect pace. Highly recommend!
Wow! I cannot say enough good things about this book. The characters were PERFECT! They were a colorful cast of unique and perfectly inclusive kids that enriched every moment of this story. The plot was great and the way it unfolded was at a perfect pace. Highly recommend!
August 7, 2022
I’m gonna be honest. I was interested in this book because of the cover. It took me about 80-90 pages to get into it, but when I did, I was obsessed. I love the girls’ relationship even through the bad times. Their friendships are so realistic and relatable. Emma and Hunter are my favorite characters, and I love how they confided in each other without fear. I’m a little mad at Emma for ignoring that call, but I’m sure she’s beating herself up too.
The last 200 pages had me crying. I didn’t expect to feel so much reading this book, but I wouldn’t change it. This book is so well written and thought out. It’s realistic and discusses a lot of hard truths. I can’t wait to read more by C.A. Wittman.
Thank you to BookSirens and C.A. Wittman for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The last 200 pages had me crying. I didn’t expect to feel so much reading this book, but I wouldn’t change it. This book is so well written and thought out. It’s realistic and discusses a lot of hard truths. I can’t wait to read more by C.A. Wittman.
Thank you to BookSirens and C.A. Wittman for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 3, 2021
Lost for words.
When I started this book I was not sure that this was for me. It was interesting but I felt like I was looking for a lot more.
Well the ending was nothing like I expected, it was next level. It was more than more.
Very clever story, wonderful characters and an ending to die for.
When I started this book I was not sure that this was for me. It was interesting but I felt like I was looking for a lot more.
Well the ending was nothing like I expected, it was next level. It was more than more.
Very clever story, wonderful characters and an ending to die for.
September 9, 2021
I received a free copy from Book Sirens in exchange for my review. I found this storyline to be so far fetched for such young characters. They are in 8th grade. It would be more believable if they were in high school or college.
There were some scenes which I found to be repulsive. I understand it was the way which the author chose to tell the story but it was hard to read.
There were some scenes which I found to be repulsive. I understand it was the way which the author chose to tell the story but it was hard to read.
September 8, 2021
Fantastic, brilliantly written, powerful, funny & sad all at the same time. This is an immense book that highlights many things about human nature, feminism, drug addiction etc . It very cleverly picked out teenage angst, wanting to fit in with gender stereotypes and acceptance when people are non conformist. I absolutely loved Hunters rant and it resonated with me on so many levels. The characters were brilliant and well thought out - strong & fragile at the same time.
The plot was so clever all throughout and I thought several times I had worked it out! But I didn’t until very near the end when it’s all revealed brilliantly.
Absolutely loved this book - can’t wait to read more from this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The plot was so clever all throughout and I thought several times I had worked it out! But I didn’t until very near the end when it’s all revealed brilliantly.
Absolutely loved this book - can’t wait to read more from this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 4, 2021
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest and unbiased review.
Well written story with some extremely dark undertones. The author has created a cast of characters that are complete and believable. Good flow to the story, it takes you in immediately and keeps you engaged right to the very end. When I was done I was a bit sad to say goodbye to the group of friends I had become so fond of. An excellent YA choice.
Well written story with some extremely dark undertones. The author has created a cast of characters that are complete and believable. Good flow to the story, it takes you in immediately and keeps you engaged right to the very end. When I was done I was a bit sad to say goodbye to the group of friends I had become so fond of. An excellent YA choice.
September 8, 2021
Real page turner. The characters are likeable. There are some good twists and the plot developed at a nice pace. Really enjoyed reading it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
September 10, 2021
The book cover and title caught my attention and after reading the synopsis, I was really excited to read this book. Briefly stated, it's about a close-knit group of teenage girls in LA. Girls their age start to commit suicide under suspicious circumstances and the girls begin to wonder if they were really suicides. The book starts out slow and there are a lot of characters to keep track of.
While I enjoyed the overall plotline, I felt like the writer was trying WAY too hard to be inclusive. There are white characters, Black characters, biracial characters, a nonbinary character, transgender character, someone on the autism spectrum, a heroin addict. I'm sure I'm missing someone. It felt forced and was completely unnecessary to the storyline, in my opinion. Also, the Black girl, Nisha, was a walking stereotype and her dialogue did not feel authentic to me. So I would recommend the book with those reservations about it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
While I enjoyed the overall plotline, I felt like the writer was trying WAY too hard to be inclusive. There are white characters, Black characters, biracial characters, a nonbinary character, transgender character, someone on the autism spectrum, a heroin addict. I'm sure I'm missing someone. It felt forced and was completely unnecessary to the storyline, in my opinion. Also, the Black girl, Nisha, was a walking stereotype and her dialogue did not feel authentic to me. So I would recommend the book with those reservations about it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 24, 2021
It would have been a much better book without the unnecessary pedophilia.
October 22, 2023
Rating: 4/5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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This book is exactly the reason that I usually choose to never DNF a book. Hear me out, it's not that I didn't enjoy the story at any point, it's just I wasn't exactly sure where the story was headed and there just wasn't that much thrill for me the first two thirds of the book.
This story follows Emma and her group of friends Cat, Cassandra and Nisha who at a young age felt ugly, therefore created their very own Ugly Girls' Club. Flash forward a few years, the girls are now thirteen and plan to spend the summer on the beach and taking bike rides. The summer is ultimately changed once two girls from their school are found to have committed suicide via a ketamine overdose but also bringing their secrets to light. As more kids begin to commit suicide, Emma and her friends are left with the lingering question, is this really suicide?
This is definitely a coming-of-age story, with some thrill at the end. This group is a colorful group of individuals, all of who I adored, bringing to the spotlight very different but important topics of today's society. I just wished these characters were a bit older than thirteen, it felt like they were way wise beyond their age at thirteen. (Maybe kids these days are much wiser today due to their easy access to the internet, or maybe I was just a super naive kid or maybe I didn't have the resources to really understand this, but I definitely think that some of these topics I wouldn't have been able to comprehend.)
Like I said, there wasn't much thrill for me in the first two thirds of the book, but then wow, everything starts to come together and I must say it is one hell of a ride. I seriously loved how everything came together. I did not see the ending coming at all and I loved every twist that I encountered along the way. It really was a great read; I would definitely recommend it!
•
Huge thank you to @booksirens and @cawittmanauthor for my gifted ebook in exchange for my honest review!
•
This book is exactly the reason that I usually choose to never DNF a book. Hear me out, it's not that I didn't enjoy the story at any point, it's just I wasn't exactly sure where the story was headed and there just wasn't that much thrill for me the first two thirds of the book.
This story follows Emma and her group of friends Cat, Cassandra and Nisha who at a young age felt ugly, therefore created their very own Ugly Girls' Club. Flash forward a few years, the girls are now thirteen and plan to spend the summer on the beach and taking bike rides. The summer is ultimately changed once two girls from their school are found to have committed suicide via a ketamine overdose but also bringing their secrets to light. As more kids begin to commit suicide, Emma and her friends are left with the lingering question, is this really suicide?
This is definitely a coming-of-age story, with some thrill at the end. This group is a colorful group of individuals, all of who I adored, bringing to the spotlight very different but important topics of today's society. I just wished these characters were a bit older than thirteen, it felt like they were way wise beyond their age at thirteen. (Maybe kids these days are much wiser today due to their easy access to the internet, or maybe I was just a super naive kid or maybe I didn't have the resources to really understand this, but I definitely think that some of these topics I wouldn't have been able to comprehend.)
Like I said, there wasn't much thrill for me in the first two thirds of the book, but then wow, everything starts to come together and I must say it is one hell of a ride. I seriously loved how everything came together. I did not see the ending coming at all and I loved every twist that I encountered along the way. It really was a great read; I would definitely recommend it!
•
Huge thank you to @booksirens and @cawittmanauthor for my gifted ebook in exchange for my honest review!
September 9, 2021
The Ugly Girls' Club is a murder mystery book by C.A Wittman about a group of four friends whose lives take a dramatic turn with a string of suicides.
To be honest, when I started this book, it felt like an everyday chick-lit book to me. Then it swerved round a sharp corner and took my breath away. The slow build of mystery was just perfect and I really enjoyed the way the author put all the pieces together at the end.
I can positively say that this book might just be the best book with amazing characters. They were not only diverse, but the author didn't just leave them at first name level. I was able to really know the characters and connect with them. That alone deserves five stars.
Kudos to the writer for the different themes she explored in her book. Ranging from body shaming to depression to addiction and feminism, there is no theme that was downplayed.
But what am I doing gushing so much? I just loved this one so much. It's a must read for every mystery lover and every reader that loves a good book.
I received an advance reader copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
To be honest, when I started this book, it felt like an everyday chick-lit book to me. Then it swerved round a sharp corner and took my breath away. The slow build of mystery was just perfect and I really enjoyed the way the author put all the pieces together at the end.
I can positively say that this book might just be the best book with amazing characters. They were not only diverse, but the author didn't just leave them at first name level. I was able to really know the characters and connect with them. That alone deserves five stars.
Kudos to the writer for the different themes she explored in her book. Ranging from body shaming to depression to addiction and feminism, there is no theme that was downplayed.
But what am I doing gushing so much? I just loved this one so much. It's a must read for every mystery lover and every reader that loves a good book.
I received an advance reader copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 26, 2021
Slow at first but worth reading
This book isn't my usual type of read. I dont mind YA but this had a more serious undertone. It was slow in the beginning but the more incidents that occurred, the harder it was to put down. I absolutely loved the character Hunter. I hate how their story went. I also loved Candace and how Wittman tied her story in with Gumption's at the end. There were only two things I would have personally changed. The relationship between Emma and her dad at the end. I wish he would have merely learned his lesson and had bettered himself. I also wish the girls would have gotten closer to Sam at the end. I would have liked to see her character gain a better support system, and it would have been nice if it had been Cassandra's friends since she had always wanted a better relationship with her. Otherwise, I really enjoyed the book. It definitely makes you think as well. Both trying to solve the mystery as well contemplating the issues Wittman addresses through out the book.
This book isn't my usual type of read. I dont mind YA but this had a more serious undertone. It was slow in the beginning but the more incidents that occurred, the harder it was to put down. I absolutely loved the character Hunter. I hate how their story went. I also loved Candace and how Wittman tied her story in with Gumption's at the end. There were only two things I would have personally changed. The relationship between Emma and her dad at the end. I wish he would have merely learned his lesson and had bettered himself. I also wish the girls would have gotten closer to Sam at the end. I would have liked to see her character gain a better support system, and it would have been nice if it had been Cassandra's friends since she had always wanted a better relationship with her. Otherwise, I really enjoyed the book. It definitely makes you think as well. Both trying to solve the mystery as well contemplating the issues Wittman addresses through out the book.
October 19, 2025
I could tell the writer put a lot of work into this story because there was so much going on. The story started well because the idea of a group of misfits and a murder mystery piqued my interest. The five girls bonded together by their unattractiveness, yet made me laugh out loud at times.
There were twists and turns in the story that held my interest despite the length of the story, which I felt was too long. The other thing that bothered me was the array of characters, with some of the names sharing the same syllables.
When the writer focused on a couple of characters in a scene, the story became more concise. When there were more than three characters in a scene, the story became confusing. I had to go back a few pages to catch up. The author could have earned five stars reducing some of the characters.
There were twists and turns in the story that held my interest despite the length of the story, which I felt was too long. The other thing that bothered me was the array of characters, with some of the names sharing the same syllables.
When the writer focused on a couple of characters in a scene, the story became more concise. When there were more than three characters in a scene, the story became confusing. I had to go back a few pages to catch up. The author could have earned five stars reducing some of the characters.
June 20, 2023
"The Ugly Girls' Club" wasn't what I was expecting… it was so much more. This story is equal parts "coming of age" and mystery. It follows a group of friends whose other friends are committing suicide. But the group doesn't believe that; they think it's murder.
I was expecting something more lighthearted and cozy but instead got an eye-opening look at many of the societal issues teens today face and how these issues impact their lives. I also never saw the ending coming, which is always a mark of a good mystery. Kudos to the author for tackling tough subjects in a realistic way.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was expecting something more lighthearted and cozy but instead got an eye-opening look at many of the societal issues teens today face and how these issues impact their lives. I also never saw the ending coming, which is always a mark of a good mystery. Kudos to the author for tackling tough subjects in a realistic way.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 2, 2022
I was excited to win this book as part of a goodreads giveaway and I wasn't sure what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the book. The story follows Emma and her friends who call themselves 'The Ugly Girls Club' and then suspicious suicides start happening among their classmates. It's a coming of age story that tackles a lot of topics, which sometimes I felt their were too many topics thrown into one book, but also a mystery/thriller type story. Thank you for my copy of this book!
September 23, 2021
The title of this book caught my eye and I thought it would be an interesting read. The author brings each character to life, wonderfully. The story glided through without skipping a beat. It kept my attention throughout the book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 15, 2021
This was a great story with some really interesting characters. Gumption needs her own book! So many lives that woman has lived. This book made excellent points on how girls/women view themselves and how they are sexualized from an early age. At times I felt it moved a little slow, but it was a good read.
March 29, 2025
Childhood Memories
I am so glad I'm as old as I am. When I was thirteen, we were innocent. We played Canasta at the kitchen table. Our parents rs knew where we were.
The story seemed to jump around and at times I had to stop reading and figure out the time line. I also thought the book could have moved along faster.
I am so glad I'm as old as I am. When I was thirteen, we were innocent. We played Canasta at the kitchen table. Our parents rs knew where we were.
The story seemed to jump around and at times I had to stop reading and figure out the time line. I also thought the book could have moved along faster.
October 13, 2021
Wow!!! What an amazing read!! It definitely was not what I expected. It had me guessing the entire way through! So many twists and turns and a very heart warming ending. So many storylines and character background stories. Definitely 5 stars!! Deserves multiple reads foe the enjoyment!!!
October 21, 2021
They aren’t so Ugly now.
Emma and the girls….Sam included, really did a great job. Oliver was a Poor excuse for a dad and Jill was a poor excuse for a mom. Good old Gumption! She is a winner.
Emma and the girls….Sam included, really did a great job. Oliver was a Poor excuse for a dad and Jill was a poor excuse for a mom. Good old Gumption! She is a winner.
April 22, 2023
3 Stars
I appreciate winning this book. Thank you!
Generally, I enjoyed The Ugly Girls’ Club; however, I found the tween drama in the middle story superfluous. It did not add to the story-at least for me. The mystery was enjoyable.
Again, thank you!
I appreciate winning this book. Thank you!
Generally, I enjoyed The Ugly Girls’ Club; however, I found the tween drama in the middle story superfluous. It did not add to the story-at least for me. The mystery was enjoyable.
Again, thank you!
September 13, 2021
It was slow, but thoroughly liked how it came together at thebend
October 8, 2021
A very interesting story good characters and it felt like a very modern mystery story I got this book for free and honest review
August 3, 2022
A slow starter at first, turned out to be a good read.
February 14, 2023
This book had interesting characters and several mini plots within the story. I would have liked the characters to be about two years older. However, the writing had me hooked and I enjoyed the style. I recommend giving this book a try.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews