What do you think?
Rate this book
The Girlfriend
She's bad. So bad...
Scotty has the perfect life. And the perfect girlfriend. But one weekend while she's away, Scotty goes just a little...astray.
Suddenly he has a new girlfriend. One who won't go away. His one wild night has become a nightmare.
Because his new girlfriend has decided that she loves Scotty...to death.
Scotty has the perfect life. And the perfect girlfriend. But one weekend while she's away, Scotty goes just a little...astray.
Suddenly he has a new girlfriend. One who won't go away. His one wild night has become a nightmare.
Because his new girlfriend has decided that she loves Scotty...to death.
165 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 1991
58 people are currently reading
2199 people want to read
About the author
R.L. Stine
1,679 books18.6k followersRobert Lawrence Stine known as R. L. Stine and Jovial Bob Stine, is an American novelist and writer, well known for targeting younger audiences. Stine, who is often called the Stephen King of children's literature, is the author of dozens of popular horror fiction novellas, including the books in the Goosebumps, Rotten School, Mostly Ghostly, The Nightmare Room and Fear Street series.
R. L. Stine began his writing career when he was nine years old, and today he has achieved the position of the bestselling children's author in history. In the early 1990s, Stine was catapulted to fame when he wrote the unprecedented, bestselling Goosebumps® series, which sold more than 250 million copies and became a worldwide multimedia phenomenon. His other major series, Fear Street, has over 80 million copies sold.
Stine has received numerous awards of recognition, including several Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards and Disney Adventures Kids' Choice Awards, and he has been selected by kids as one of their favorite authors in the NEA's Read Across America program. He lives in New York, NY.
http://us.macmillan.com/itsthefirstda...
R. L. Stine began his writing career when he was nine years old, and today he has achieved the position of the bestselling children's author in history. In the early 1990s, Stine was catapulted to fame when he wrote the unprecedented, bestselling Goosebumps® series, which sold more than 250 million copies and became a worldwide multimedia phenomenon. His other major series, Fear Street, has over 80 million copies sold.
Stine has received numerous awards of recognition, including several Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards and Disney Adventures Kids' Choice Awards, and he has been selected by kids as one of their favorite authors in the NEA's Read Across America program. He lives in New York, NY.
http://us.macmillan.com/itsthefirstda...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
November 14, 2018
La portada fue de las que más me atrajo cuando lo compré.
La chica loca que ves una vez y de ahí no te deja en paz es un elemento que ya he visto en varias
películas, pero aquí estuvo bien manejado.
Me me hacía super extraño imaginarme a una muchacha escondida detrás de un auto esperando el momento justo para perseguir al chico que en más de una ocasión y de manera explicita ya le dejó claro que no quiere nada con ella, y que aún así estuviera al acecho, era una cosa peliaguda.
La chica loca que ves una vez y de ahí no te deja en paz es un elemento que ya he visto en varias
películas, pero aquí estuvo bien manejado.
Me me hacía super extraño imaginarme a una muchacha escondida detrás de un auto esperando el momento justo para perseguir al chico que en más de una ocasión y de manera explicita ya le dejó claro que no quiere nada con ella, y que aún así estuviera al acecho, era una cosa peliaguda.
August 8, 2018
Scotty cheats on he’s girlfriend Lora whilst she’s away on holiday with Shannon. The only problem is Shannon soon becomes totally obsessed with Scotty, what price is he about to pay?
This is the first Point Horror title that I’ve come across which has a male as the main protagonist of the story, which really helped it stand out!
This is the first Point Horror title that I’ve come across which has a male as the main protagonist of the story, which really helped it stand out!
August 11, 2012
I read this for the nostalgia factor, but I didn't really enjoy it like I remember enjoying Stine's books in middle school. I kept thinking that Scotty really should tell someone that he's being stalked/etc., especially after she broke his hand--and ESPECIALLY after she blew up his car. The end was unrealistic to me, where Lora takes Scotty's unfaithfulness in stride, saying something like, "Maybe we're just moving too fast and acting like an old married couple." Really?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2025
I read this with my book club that I run on Instagram where we revisit Point Horror and other books from our childhood - @talespointhorrorbookclub
Memorable For – a brilliant unhinged red haired lover!
Some Thoughts -
Scotty has the perfect life and the perfect girlfriend. Lora is smart, beautiful, and popular. When Lora goes out of town, Scotty has an unforgettable secret weekend with Shannon, a girl he just met. On Monday, Scotty wants to go back to Lora, but Shannon plans to keep Scotty any way she can—and some ways are pretty horrible.
Shannon’s in love with Scotty. She likes to call him “baby” …. A lot! Oh and also break his fingers, turn up invited to posh luncheons and set cars on fire!
Think a teenage Fatal Attraction!
Other highlights include a male protagonist - unusual for Point Horror but refreshing albeit he’s an idiot 😂, a cat called fluffernutter, a useless bestie, a wealthy family and a wild ending that will make you think stab him with that ski pole! 😜
Trigger warning for two quite graphic animal deaths in this book 😢
Memorable For – a brilliant unhinged red haired lover!
Some Thoughts -
Scotty has the perfect life and the perfect girlfriend. Lora is smart, beautiful, and popular. When Lora goes out of town, Scotty has an unforgettable secret weekend with Shannon, a girl he just met. On Monday, Scotty wants to go back to Lora, but Shannon plans to keep Scotty any way she can—and some ways are pretty horrible.
Shannon’s in love with Scotty. She likes to call him “baby” …. A lot! Oh and also break his fingers, turn up invited to posh luncheons and set cars on fire!
Think a teenage Fatal Attraction!
Other highlights include a male protagonist - unusual for Point Horror but refreshing albeit he’s an idiot 😂, a cat called fluffernutter, a useless bestie, a wealthy family and a wild ending that will make you think stab him with that ski pole! 😜
Trigger warning for two quite graphic animal deaths in this book 😢
October 22, 2016
As a child/younger reader, I loved anything R.L. Stine wrote. As I've gotten older and experienced different writing styles and different authors, from time to time I like to go back and read authors that I loved back then. R.L. Stine is one of my favorites, but nowadays his books can be a hit or miss with me. I've loved some of his books I've read recently, but not this one.
My Rating: 1.5 stars
I don't want to start this review out negative so I'll give some positives about this book. For one, I really liked the relationship that Lora and Scotty had. I actually liked the book's premise, I just wasn't a fan of the book's execution. (Well, this turned negative quickly) But as I was saying, I didn't like the book's execution. I would've liked Shannon to have said more than the three phrases: "You've hurt me, Scotty." "You're my baby now." "You have to break up with her."
I understand that Shannon's character is supposed to be totally unhinged, but I wanted more dialogue from her. We've seen all the crazy things she's capable of but I just wanted more from her. I can't really explain it.
And let's talk about that ending. I'm not one of those people who constantly says "It's not realistic" when talking about books, movies, etc. I'm pretty open-minded and understand that books aren't always meant to be realistic. I have my limits. This was too unrealistic, even for me.
All in all, I wanted to enjoy this book, but I didn't. This still doesn't take away my love for R.L Stine's work, though. I'm really interested in reading more Point Horror Books.
My Rating: 1.5 stars
I don't want to start this review out negative so I'll give some positives about this book. For one, I really liked the relationship that Lora and Scotty had. I actually liked the book's premise, I just wasn't a fan of the book's execution. (Well, this turned negative quickly) But as I was saying, I didn't like the book's execution. I would've liked Shannon to have said more than the three phrases: "You've hurt me, Scotty." "You're my baby now." "You have to break up with her."
I understand that Shannon's character is supposed to be totally unhinged, but I wanted more dialogue from her. We've seen all the crazy things she's capable of but I just wanted more from her. I can't really explain it.
And let's talk about that ending. I'm not one of those people who constantly says "It's not realistic" when talking about books, movies, etc. I'm pretty open-minded and understand that books aren't always meant to be realistic. I have my limits. This was too unrealistic, even for me.
All in all, I wanted to enjoy this book, but I didn't. This still doesn't take away my love for R.L Stine's work, though. I'm really interested in reading more Point Horror Books.
December 21, 2019
I really loved this book. I grew up reading R.L. Stine books. I couldn't wait to get to the ending to see if Shannon the stalker got what she deserved. She really messed up Scotty's life. I can't wait to read more books like this.
May 23, 2020
Even for Stine, this was not a very well written book. The characters were stupidly one-note and just kept saying the same things over and over. And what should have been a shocking ending finished up instead like some convenient sit-com "Oh well" moment.
October 11, 2019
I spent most of this book chortling to myself, noting down every time Scotty says something is "bogus!", and shaking my head at Scotty continuously digging himself deeper down in his hole.
Then I got to the really disturbing part of the story where Scotty goes all toxic masculinity on his stalker's arse and thinks . Yeah, I'm not kidding about that part. Pages 149 - 157 were just creepy and disturbing, with Scotty's stream-of-consciousness freakout.
More notes about these scenes with Scotty and Shannon:
Anyway, this book was a mix of hilarious, disturbing, absolutely not PC in any way, and gasp-worthy. I actually physically clapped a hand over my mouth at the moment when Scotty arrives at Lora's house with his cargo and turns the lights on, and gets a surprise.
What can I say? Scotty is lucky that Lora forgave him. But what I want to know is, what exactly DID Scotty and Shannon do? Was it just making out, or was it a full on love fest cheating session? Either way, he's lucky on many counts.
Here are my notes jotted down while reading (I noted every mention of the word 'bogus', and added one myself for posterity):
Then I got to the really disturbing part of the story where Scotty goes all toxic masculinity on his stalker's arse and thinks . Yeah, I'm not kidding about that part. Pages 149 - 157 were just creepy and disturbing, with Scotty's stream-of-consciousness freakout.
More notes about these scenes with Scotty and Shannon:
Anyway, this book was a mix of hilarious, disturbing, absolutely not PC in any way, and gasp-worthy. I actually physically clapped a hand over my mouth at the moment when Scotty arrives at Lora's house with his cargo and turns the lights on, and gets a surprise.
What can I say? Scotty is lucky that Lora forgave him. But what I want to know is, what exactly DID Scotty and Shannon do? Was it just making out, or was it a full on love fest cheating session? Either way, he's lucky on many counts.
Here are my notes jotted down while reading (I noted every mention of the word 'bogus', and added one myself for posterity):
Read
August 14, 2020This took me back to my adolescence.
March 27, 2022
The common refrain running through my mind during this entire read is "This book is so dumb". Scotty the all-star quarterback and his girlfriend Lora, the head cheerleader, are the quintessential golden couple at high school. But when Lora goes off on a 1 week family trip to Paris, lonely Scotty cheats on her with some new girl named Shannon. She's a little weird and lives in the sticks, but hey, she's "cool looking" with her waist-long red hair and likes making out so what's a harmless little dalliance before Lora comes back, right?
Except after Scotty breaks it off with Shannon, she won't go away. Instead she shows up at his doorstep, at his locker, at a private fancy dinner party, and always exclaiming "YOU'RE MY BABY NOW. YOU'RE MY BABY. DON'T HURT MY FEELINGS, BABY." This only served the purpose of making me want to throw the book across the room. How many damn times can she repeat herself? What the hell is wrong with her? Can she just die already?
2 out of 5 psycho stalker tropes which have been done to death already. This is an RL Stine miss for me.
Except after Scotty breaks it off with Shannon, she won't go away. Instead she shows up at his doorstep, at his locker, at a private fancy dinner party, and always exclaiming "YOU'RE MY BABY NOW. YOU'RE MY BABY. DON'T HURT MY FEELINGS, BABY." This only served the purpose of making me want to throw the book across the room. How many damn times can she repeat herself? What the hell is wrong with her? Can she just die already?
2 out of 5 psycho stalker tropes which have been done to death already. This is an RL Stine miss for me.
October 13, 2019
It was fun, and short enough to not be a drag. The stakes are very low. Anything of consequence is, as is often the case with these YA and juvenile horror books, reversed or reversible by the end.
I still had fun with it, and reading a book that takes place in the fall during the fall is always fun. I knew what I was getting into when I started it, so I’m not going to bash the common tropes. It delivered pretty much exactly what I expected, and it did so well enough.
I still had fun with it, and reading a book that takes place in the fall during the fall is always fun. I knew what I was getting into when I started it, so I’m not going to bash the common tropes. It delivered pretty much exactly what I expected, and it did so well enough.
May 16, 2025
Un petit frissons , le 19e
terminée.
chapitre court
petite histoire de rencontre que personne ne souhaite
terminée.
chapitre court
petite histoire de rencontre que personne ne souhaite
November 15, 2024
Honnêtement, c’est un des premiers de la collection que je ne devine pas avant la fin. Le livre a bien vieilli je trouve (ce qui est rare avec R.L. Stine quand même)
August 14, 2025
Well this was bloody mad 😳
Scotty and Lora are the perfect high school couple, he’s the football player, she’s the cheerleader and everyone sees them as made for each other! When Lora and her family go away, Scotty in a moment of insanity goes on a date with Shannon and now she will not let him go!
Why did he not just let someone know? Shannon is unhinged but Scotty is a moron honestly and you will spend a lot of time reading this incredulous at the shenanigans 😆 a thoroughly entertaining, albeit crackers, 90mins of reading!
Scotty and Lora are the perfect high school couple, he’s the football player, she’s the cheerleader and everyone sees them as made for each other! When Lora and her family go away, Scotty in a moment of insanity goes on a date with Shannon and now she will not let him go!
Why did he not just let someone know? Shannon is unhinged but Scotty is a moron honestly and you will spend a lot of time reading this incredulous at the shenanigans 😆 a thoroughly entertaining, albeit crackers, 90mins of reading!
January 13, 2025
Book: The Girlfriend
Written By: R.L. Stine
Genre: YA Horror (but the spine of my copy says thriller)
Rating: 4/5 stars
Recommendation:
I would recommend buying this book instead of borrowing it.
Would you read another book by this author?:
Stine is a staple from my childhood, so of course!
Who might enjoy this book?:
Someone looking for a quick read during the spooky months. Fans of movies like Swimfan, You Get Me and The Roommate
Overview:
Fast paced and intriguing, I didn’t want to put it down. This is a story you’ve probably seen in movies a million times. Boy makes mistake of giving girl attention (or cheating with her), while he has a girlfriend. He tries to keep it secret but then- the girl goes crazy. But Stine makes me generally interested in what is happening. I can feel my heart beating faster wondering what Shannon is going to do do Scottie when she doesn’t give him the attention she wants.
The book starts off with Scottie and his girlfriend Lora at a party thrown by her parents to celebrate their acceptance to Princeton. Scottie is sad that Lora is going away to Paris for a week with her family and will miss his football game as well as the Homecoming dance. Lora jokingly tells him ”I think it would be really funny if you got a date to the dance.”
The irony strikes when Scottie meets Shannon after his football game. Being the friendly guy that he is, he offers her a lift home because she got a flat tire on her bike. He finds his mind wondering at how attractive he finds her, so he decides to take her out to dinner to spend more time with her.
![]()
As the story progresses and Scottie tries to cut ties with Shannon, she becomes very upset and starts to threaten him. Scared his girlfriend will find out, Scottie tries to handle the situation himself instead of going to the cops.
Without spoiling anything I am amazed with the description of panic that Scottie goes through near the end of the book. I felt fearful as if I was Scottie. Such amazing writing and descriptions for a YA novel.
Issues while reading:
- While my copy was produced in 2004, I am reminded that this book was written in the 90s when Stine describes things such as clothing. The only person I can picture in a velvet green dress is a toddler around Christmas time.
- Scotty is a pig who got himself into this mess.
Written By: R.L. Stine
Genre: YA Horror (but the spine of my copy says thriller)
Rating: 4/5 stars
Recommendation:
I would recommend buying this book instead of borrowing it.
Would you read another book by this author?:
Stine is a staple from my childhood, so of course!
Who might enjoy this book?:
Someone looking for a quick read during the spooky months. Fans of movies like Swimfan, You Get Me and The Roommate
Overview:
Fast paced and intriguing, I didn’t want to put it down. This is a story you’ve probably seen in movies a million times. Boy makes mistake of giving girl attention (or cheating with her), while he has a girlfriend. He tries to keep it secret but then- the girl goes crazy. But Stine makes me generally interested in what is happening. I can feel my heart beating faster wondering what Shannon is going to do do Scottie when she doesn’t give him the attention she wants.
The book starts off with Scottie and his girlfriend Lora at a party thrown by her parents to celebrate their acceptance to Princeton. Scottie is sad that Lora is going away to Paris for a week with her family and will miss his football game as well as the Homecoming dance. Lora jokingly tells him ”I think it would be really funny if you got a date to the dance.”
The irony strikes when Scottie meets Shannon after his football game. Being the friendly guy that he is, he offers her a lift home because she got a flat tire on her bike. He finds his mind wondering at how attractive he finds her, so he decides to take her out to dinner to spend more time with her.
As the story progresses and Scottie tries to cut ties with Shannon, she becomes very upset and starts to threaten him. Scared his girlfriend will find out, Scottie tries to handle the situation himself instead of going to the cops.
Without spoiling anything I am amazed with the description of panic that Scottie goes through near the end of the book. I felt fearful as if I was Scottie. Such amazing writing and descriptions for a YA novel.
Issues while reading:
- While my copy was produced in 2004, I am reminded that this book was written in the 90s when Stine describes things such as clothing. The only person I can picture in a velvet green dress is a toddler around Christmas time.
- Scotty is a pig who got himself into this mess.
July 18, 2012
Excellent entry into the series that tells the story of a crazed girl stalking a young man called Scotty. Scotty is one of the towns supposed perfect couple but when his girlfriend goes travelling for a week Scotty decides to play the field. He picks the wrong girl because after he feels guilty and breaks it off she refuses to leave him alone and begins stalk and threaten violence against him. It excellently written and is quite gritty and realistic. Perhaps the ending is a little out there but it's a good read and well worth your time.
August 11, 2011
It`s turning out to be a great, exciting, and seat jumping book and i cant wait to get to the end.
Im finally done with the book and it was soooooooooooooooo good i wish i could read it again but time to move on.
Im finally done with the book and it was soooooooooooooooo good i wish i could read it again but time to move on.
July 19, 2018
This book was so fun and outlandish. I especially got a kick out of the description of Scotty, “Scotty had straight, light brown hair that he kept short on top but down to his collar in the back...” So a mullet then, Scotty has a mullet.
November 18, 2024
This was irritating, and again, I'd already bloody read it with a different title! Why do they do that??
- Fatal Kiss
- Fatal Kiss
May 22, 2019
The Girlfriend by R.L. Stine
“The Girlfriend” by R.L. Stine is a really enjoyable book to read. I think it contains all the tip-top categories that a book should have: action, romance, suspense, and thriller. I love how Stine can turn a book from love and happiness to thriller and suspense just like that. I actually was surprised when I found out that Stine was the one who wrote this book. I didn’t think he wrote anything else but “Goosebumps”. When I read the ending, I was surprised the way he ended the book unlike his “Goosebumps” books.
I do really love this book. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes reading R.L. Stine, but I would recommend it for kids who are in high school because there is some cursing and adult commentary in this book. The age limit in this book is about 13-14 so if you are this age, you’re good to go.
“The Girlfriend” by R.L. Stine is a really enjoyable book to read. I think it contains all the tip-top categories that a book should have: action, romance, suspense, and thriller. I love how Stine can turn a book from love and happiness to thriller and suspense just like that. I actually was surprised when I found out that Stine was the one who wrote this book. I didn’t think he wrote anything else but “Goosebumps”. When I read the ending, I was surprised the way he ended the book unlike his “Goosebumps” books.
I do really love this book. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes reading R.L. Stine, but I would recommend it for kids who are in high school because there is some cursing and adult commentary in this book. The age limit in this book is about 13-14 so if you are this age, you’re good to go.
March 11, 2022
This was appalling. The plot was laughable and completely unrealistic. There was zero character arcs or world building. Generally, utterly stupid and enraging. Definitely the worst reread of the Point Horror's I've come across so far.
June 24, 2023
The author couldn't have done anything better but it still didn't hit the same
January 1, 2024
5 stars because of the nostalgia these books bring me!
September 17, 2024
had to for the nostalgia
August 24, 2025
Well whenever I pick up a book by RL Stine I know i’m in for a wild ride 😂 it was pretty fast paced like his other books and he included some of his signature cliffhanger chapter endings. It got tense at times but as with the boyfriend I didn’t like the MC, he was a complete dirtbag and I didn’t feel sorry for him in the slightest. Also it sometimes seems like Stine comes up with the story and vibe without a plausible ending because this is like the 3rd book of his that i’m left scratching my head thinking that makes no sense. 😂 enjoyable enough though
August 27, 2025
I read these books as part of a book club on Instagram @talesofpointhorrorbookclub and rate them against other PH books.
This one was ok, team Lora for sure. stars lost for animal sacrifices 😢 RIP Ernie and fluffernutter 🐍🐱
This one was ok, team Lora for sure. stars lost for animal sacrifices 😢 RIP Ernie and fluffernutter 🐍🐱
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2025
This was one of my favorites growing up snd rereading it as an adult was a treat. This was stuck with me all these years. Would have been 5 ⭐ but the ending was kinda... tame lol. Just sayen...I'd a been swinging them ski poles a lot harder.
August 11, 2020
The Girlfriend marks the first Point Horror book so far to feature a male protagonist (not including a couple of the short stories in
Thirteen Tales of Horror
). It's a refreshing change. This is also a vast improvement over the majority of R.L. Stine's other Point Horror offerings.
R.L. Stine seems to relish writing unlikeable protagonists, with perhaps the most audacious example being Joanna Collier in The Boyfriend . See also a handful of his Goosebumps books, with You Can't Scare Me being the most recent example that I've read. Here in The Girlfriend, our protagonist Scotty Singleton is a typical high school jock quarterback (who sports a mullet because of course he does) who is dating cheerleader and Homecoming Queen Lora DeMarco. Whilst Lora is away on a week long vacation visiting Europe with her parents, Scotty happens across red-headed Shannon Smith and ends up taking her out on a date. Scotty attempts to justify his behaviour, but he knows what he's doing is wrong. Still, he does it anyway.
So R.L. Stine presents us with a protagonist who makes a few pretty dumb decisions and then has to deal with the consequences. Typically, I would be of the opinion that he made his bed and now must lie in it. In the case of The Girlfriend, those consequences are Shannon thinking Scotty is now her baby and woe betide anyone who stands in her way. What's remarkable about this book, for me, is that despite Scotty being a total jerk, I still couldn't help but feel for him as Shannon's infatuations escalate rapidly and dangerously.
R.L. Stine's Point Horror efforts are almost always well paced (providing we overlook Beach Party which was a drag) and this was no exception. I raced through this book, and much to my astonishment found myself enjoying it immensely. Until the ending.
The climax begins to head in a genuinely shocking and interesting direction before Stine wimps out and throws a very rushed and shockingly stupid ending on the page. It wasn't so bad that it tainted the rest of my experience reading this, not like, say, The Boyfriend , but it does leave a bitter taste as the book concludes. Despite this, I must admit The Girlfriend is actually my favourite Point Horror I've read so far.
4/5
Point Horror Ranked
1) The Girlfriend - 4/5
2) Trick or Treat - 3.5/5
3) Teacher's Pet - 3.5/5
4) The Baby-Sitter II - 3.5/5
5) The Cheerleader - 3.5/5
6) April Fools - 3.5/5
7) My Secret Admirer - 3.5/5
8) The Lifeguard - 3.5/5
9) Thirteen Tales of Horror - 3/5
10) The Accident - 3/5
11) Funhouse - 3/5
12) The Boyfriend - 2/5
13) Mother's Helper - 2/5
14) The Baby-Sitter - 1.5/5
15) Beach Party - 1/5
R.L. Stine seems to relish writing unlikeable protagonists, with perhaps the most audacious example being Joanna Collier in The Boyfriend . See also a handful of his Goosebumps books, with You Can't Scare Me being the most recent example that I've read. Here in The Girlfriend, our protagonist Scotty Singleton is a typical high school jock quarterback (who sports a mullet because of course he does) who is dating cheerleader and Homecoming Queen Lora DeMarco. Whilst Lora is away on a week long vacation visiting Europe with her parents, Scotty happens across red-headed Shannon Smith and ends up taking her out on a date. Scotty attempts to justify his behaviour, but he knows what he's doing is wrong. Still, he does it anyway.
So R.L. Stine presents us with a protagonist who makes a few pretty dumb decisions and then has to deal with the consequences. Typically, I would be of the opinion that he made his bed and now must lie in it. In the case of The Girlfriend, those consequences are Shannon thinking Scotty is now her baby and woe betide anyone who stands in her way. What's remarkable about this book, for me, is that despite Scotty being a total jerk, I still couldn't help but feel for him as Shannon's infatuations escalate rapidly and dangerously.
R.L. Stine's Point Horror efforts are almost always well paced (providing we overlook Beach Party which was a drag) and this was no exception. I raced through this book, and much to my astonishment found myself enjoying it immensely. Until the ending.
The climax begins to head in a genuinely shocking and interesting direction before Stine wimps out and throws a very rushed and shockingly stupid ending on the page. It wasn't so bad that it tainted the rest of my experience reading this, not like, say, The Boyfriend , but it does leave a bitter taste as the book concludes. Despite this, I must admit The Girlfriend is actually my favourite Point Horror I've read so far.
4/5
Point Horror Ranked
1) The Girlfriend - 4/5
2) Trick or Treat - 3.5/5
3) Teacher's Pet - 3.5/5
4) The Baby-Sitter II - 3.5/5
5) The Cheerleader - 3.5/5
6) April Fools - 3.5/5
7) My Secret Admirer - 3.5/5
8) The Lifeguard - 3.5/5
9) Thirteen Tales of Horror - 3/5
10) The Accident - 3/5
11) Funhouse - 3/5
12) The Boyfriend - 2/5
13) Mother's Helper - 2/5
14) The Baby-Sitter - 1.5/5
15) Beach Party - 1/5
August 14, 2025
Basically Fatal Attraction, but toned down.
Read
December 16, 2025Adult Review of Juvenile/YA horror:
THE GIRLFRIEND, by R.L. Stine
(not to be be confused with The Dead Girlfriend, also by R.L. Stine)
VERDICT: I'm not in the target age bracket, so I won't punch any discrete stars this time... but it would be somewhere around a 2.25 as an adult reader (and I may be a bit generous even then). I'd guess it's closer to 3.4 for tween or younger teen readers.
It was mildly entertaining, if you don't mind corny dialogue, and a
The "new" girlfriend was the most interesting character by far; the rest are cheesy teens acting & talking not much like actual teens would (or maybe I'm wrong; publication date was c. 1991). Characters here repeatedly both underreact and overreact to various situations.
There is some decent suspense as to how things will end, as well as if anything actually paranormal is afoot (read & see, I'm not telling). The ending was a bit abrupt, with more unrealistic responses by characters. But this short book passed the time on a couple of colder nights, so it deserves at least 2 stars.
RECOMMENDED? Yes, by a nose -- IF you are into this kind of campy teen 1990s horror. It's not Stine's best or most creative, but it does put a character or two in mild to moderate peril
THE GIRLFRIEND, by R.L. Stine
(not to be be confused with The Dead Girlfriend, also by R.L. Stine)
VERDICT: I'm not in the target age bracket, so I won't punch any discrete stars this time... but it would be somewhere around a 2.25 as an adult reader (and I may be a bit generous even then). I'd guess it's closer to 3.4 for tween or younger teen readers.
It was mildly entertaining, if you don't mind corny dialogue, and a
The "new" girlfriend was the most interesting character by far; the rest are cheesy teens acting & talking not much like actual teens would (or maybe I'm wrong; publication date was c. 1991). Characters here repeatedly both underreact and overreact to various situations.
There is some decent suspense as to how things will end, as well as if anything actually paranormal is afoot (read & see, I'm not telling). The ending was a bit abrupt, with more unrealistic responses by characters. But this short book passed the time on a couple of colder nights, so it deserves at least 2 stars.
RECOMMENDED? Yes, by a nose -- IF you are into this kind of campy teen 1990s horror. It's not Stine's best or most creative, but it does put a character or two in mild to moderate peril
Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews