The timelines were confusing and I think a lot of Ruth's storyline could have either been removed or explained in a different way to suit the story. I loved the ending though!

Here is an amazing, beautifully written book that completely hurt my feelings. It’s essentially a criticism of our True Crime obsessed behavior, a condemnation of how often we know the names of serial killers but not their victims. It’s also a very feminist work, spanning decades of strong women breaking norms and slaying in their fields. Pamela is a terrific protagonist I feel such a kinship with. Ruth’s final chapters broke me, but Pamela’s friendship with Tina saved it all. If this book doesn’t make you angry, I don’t know what will.

I love true crime. I love domestic thrillers. I am fascinated by Ted Bundy and the way his *messed up mind worked. Bright Young Woman takes all of these and spins the chaos into the most twisted, fictional take on the Bundy murders I have read. This book is dark. This book is hard to read. This book has a lot of true crime details in it. But, Jessica Knoll takes all of these things and turns it into a masterpiece novel.

This isn’t the book I was expecting. I was expecting another thriller. This is beautiful and heavy and sad and dark and poignant. Took me longer to get through than I thought but it’ll stick with me even longer.

This was SUCH a refreshing change of pace from the typical "based on a true crime story" adaptation. So often so little attention is paid to the victims, and an even brighter spotlight is put on the perpetrators (ex: Netflix's Dahmer).

One of the quotes I highlighted as I read was this: “Right here, right now, I want you to forget two things: He was nothing special, and what happened was not random.”

It's really apparent exactly WHAT crimes are described here, though I wont focus on that or mention his name to stay in the spirit of the book, but they are handled with such care. Seeing the events from the outside-but-still-inside through the lens of both Pamela and Tina (and Ruth!) lent such clarity and emotional depth to the story. It was very female empowering, and showing what people have to grapple with and overcome to move forward when a horrific event happens.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one!

“Right here, right now, I want you to forget two things: He was nothing special, and what happened was not random.”

This book was well worth the wait. The way Jessica Knoll explored a narrative we should all know with care and a ruthless eye will live with me probably forever.

What I love about this book (there’s many things honestly) is how she only names the killer once. He’s instead the footnote in the story, as it should be, and unless it’s been mentioned in other reviews or you’ve seen an interview, it may take a second to pin down what true crime story this is.

It’s a slow burn, my favorite, which really lets you soak in the unfairness of it all. How these Bright Young Women (it’s the title for a reason) encountered injustice after injustice. From being murdered to later forgotten in what was always their story, this takes important steps in rectifying a decades long narrative that was incorrect from the start.

Honestly, just read this. You’ll be swept away in the words and attached to Pamela and Ruth as they navigate the harsh realities of being a woman.

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REVIEW

BRIGHT YOUNG WOMEN ~ Jessica Knoll
Pages: 368
Genre: True Crime/Suspense Fiction

Gist: Pamela Schumacher and Tina Cannon are an unlikely pair. The two women are brought together by their desire to find justice against the killer that struck Pamela’s sorority house and murdered Tina’s friend and companion. Based on documentary evidence from the Ted Bundy murders, the women and their unwavering determination are the focus.

Thoughts: After seeing this on so many people’s “Best of 2023” lists, I couldn’t wait to read - but I’m torn on my feelings about it. Loved the true crime element and the writing is out of this world. Knoll is so gifted and I could appreciate this most in her ability to write horrific scenes with such finesse. In addition, her character development is strong, helping to make these women standout amongst a serial killer.

My trouble (and I think this is my fault) is I found the story hard to follow at times. Past, present, and alternating story lines got all jumbled up for me and I did a lot of re-reading to make sense of it all. I don’t think I was as focused as I should have been when absorbing details and character placement - probably should have held off on reading this when I could dedicate more attention to it.

True crime lovers and those who can appreciate a captivating story will be hooked to this one so definitely keep it in mind for your next read!

So dang good! Thought provoking and page turning, all while not giving any glory to the killer and focusing on victims. This is how every serial killer story should be told!

Honestly, I was excited to receive this book, but I found it really difficult to get invested because it was so juvenile

"On Saturday nights, we kept our doors open while we got ready." Oh no. Growing up in the area Ted Bundy came from (the PNW), I was immediately on alert. But also drawn into the narrative. I haven't seen many narratives speak to the victimized women, make them alive and rendered whole before these tragic murders. I appreciate Knoll's writing here. An important novel intervention.

In "Bright Young Women," we follow the gripping tale of Pamela, a sorority president grappling with the tragic loss of four sisters to a senseless killing. As she endeavors to uncover the truth and bring the perpetrator to justice, the narrative unveils the stories of the other victims and their grieving loved ones. The pace is swift, the plot is filled with twists, and the suspense keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

It's noteworthy that the novel revolves around Ted Bundy's victims, a realization that dawns on the reader perhaps later than expected. The disappointment of this revelation not being an original creation by Knoll lingers, yet there's a redeeming quality in the author's unique approach. Knoll masterfully crafts her own narrative, giving voice to the forgotten, dismissed, and tragically killed women. By purposefully omitting Bundy's name, she strips away the killer's notoriety and legacy, transforming the novel into a poignant exploration of female resilience.

While the ending may leave some yearning for a wholly original story, "Bright Young Women" stands as a feminist retelling of one of America's most infamous serial killers. Knoll navigates the delicate subject matter with respect for the victims, offering readers not only an engaging read but also a thought-provoking exploration of the strength and endurance of women in the face of adversity.

I am a huge fan of Jessica Knoll. Luckiest Girl Alive stayed with me for a long time. The same is true for Bright Young Women. I love Jessica’s goal to bring voices to the victims. There was a lot I knew about this case and discovered there was even more that I didn’t. It was eye opening and I could not put this book down.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this novel. Unfortunately, I was not able to finish the novel so I won't be leaving a full review.

This book is very “the girls who get it, get it.” It is a deeply feminist story that is a mashup of the true crime and psychological thriller genres.

“Bright Young Women” is based on the sorority murders at Florida State University in the 1970s, but instead of glorifying serial killer Ted Bundy, it retells the story from the women’s perspectives. Pamela Schumacher is the pre-law sorority president and key witness. Across the country, Tina Cannon is convinced her missing friend fell victim to the same killer. Pamela and Tina join forces for justice for their slain friends.

I have admired Jessica Knoll’s writing since her debut “The Luckiest Girl Alive,” and “Bright Young Women” is so well told. (I own her second novel, “The Favorite Sister,” but haven’t read it). I KNEW this book was going to send me spiraling into a book hangover before I was even halfway through, and it did. The ending hit me like a ton of bricks, and I closed the book and just stared into space for awhile. It’s impossible not to be haunted by this one.

Wow! What a cast and range of women are portrayed in this deep dive of the sensationalism of serial killers and our societies double standards for men and women.

TW: Language, drinking, rape, gory scenes, blood, violence, sexual assault, cheating, grief, mourning, abusive relationship, toxic family relationships, grooming, cheating

*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:
January 1978. A serial killer has terrorized women across the Pacific Northwest, but his existence couldn’t be further from the minds of the vibrant young women at the top sorority on Florida State University’s campus in Tallahassee. Tonight is a night of promise, excitement, and desire, but Pamela Schumacher, president of the sorority, makes the unpopular decision to stay home—a decision that unwittingly saves her life. Startled awake at 3 a.m. by a strange sound, she makes the fateful decision to investigate. What she finds behind the door is a scene of implausible violence—two of her sisters dead; two others, maimed. Over the next few days, Pamela is thrust into a terrifying mystery inspired by the crime that’s captivated public interest for more than four decades.

On the other side of the country, Tina Cannon has found peace in Seattle after years of hardship. A chance encounter brings twenty-five-year-old Ruth Wachowsky into her life, a young woman with painful secrets of her own, and the two form an instant connection. When Ruth goes missing from Lake Sammamish State Park in broad daylight, surrounded by thousands of beachgoers on a beautiful summer day, Tina devotes herself to finding out what happened to her. When she hears about the tragedy in Tallahassee, she knows it’s the man the papers refer to as the All-American Sex Killer. Determined to make him answer for what he did to Ruth, she travels to Florida on a collision course with Pamela—and one last impending tragedy.
Release Date: September 19th, 2023
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 384
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

What I Liked:
1. In love with that colorful cover
2. Writing was well done

What I Didn't Like:
1. Pamela annoyed me
2. Confusing characters and timelines
3. Monotone
4. Plot changes focus

Overall Thoughts:
I was drawn to this book because it's a fictional pov from the victims of a serial killer based on Ted Bundy. I've read everything about Ted Bundy and have watched his interviews so many times on YouTube. It's so easy to see how he got away with things and to get women to "help" him. In the book Pamela says that women are conditioned to help men and men are conditioned to ask & expect help. If that isn't absolutely true...

I couldn't tell if Pamela was just in shock and that's why she was acting the way she was - very callous and straightforward or if that's just her personality. Like she seemed bothered when she didn't know the doctor calling on the phone or she felt like she had to be helpful during a time where people were attacked. It was very odd. She didn't act concerned she acted like she just wanted to be needed. The way she insisted on telling Denise's Mom that she was dead. Rather than let her go to the hospital and the doctor talked to her she insisted on telling her that her daughter was dead in the most bland saying no it has to be me who tells you kind of way.

Ohhhhh there is a part where Ed continues to groom Tina. He bathes her from 11 to 15. They get married and he's in his 70s at this time. So weird and gross.

I don't enjoy books that have heavy subjects such as rape and torture to the jump into over the top sex scenes. It's disturbing. It's unnecessary and blurs the lines of the point you're trying to make. There are countless pages of men having sex with young girls and jumping to preteen girls doing sexual things to each other. It's completely unneeded in a story as one that deals with such terrible events.

Final Thoughts:
I liked how this book pointed out that no one cared about the women; the victim, but everyone catered to the serial killer. They almost make a joke of it. Two women are murdered and two are beaten near death but the police department only sends one officer, one less then they promised. The police them tell them just to change the locks if they are worried about him coming back. How terrible to feel like the police don't care about you because they only put being a man ahead of any logic.

I enjoyed the many ways the author brought out how little the world cares about women, even when women are the victims. The author did a fantastic job reminding you how blind the world is to women while catering to men's needs and not viewing men as a danger to other men.

This book had so much promise when it started but that petered out soon and we were left with confusing and unnecessary characters. People that didn't add anything to the story or further the plot towards something happening. The author does that and throws in multiple timelines from multiple pov's and you're just scratching your head trying to even understand what's going on.

For me too I felt the book lost it's focus and took on different things that didn't matter. It bothered me so much to read about a brutal Rape and a few pages jump to an over the top sex scene. I never understand why books that deal with heavy scenes throw sex in them. Speaking of sex what was with ALL the sex in this book? One scene, two? But thus had so much sex in it I often times forgot that this was a story based on a serial killer.

In the end the book was just okay for me. It wasn't what I expected. I didn't enjoy it beyond the fabulous writing style but in the end the loss of focus added with multiple pov's & timelines killed it for me. No pun intended.

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Thanks to Netgalley and S&S/ Marysue Rucci Books for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sickening, and refreshing perspective on the Ted Bundy murders.
I’ve never immersed myself into true crime to the point I actually know what is going on, but reading this book was incredibly rewarding. It’s a step away from the odd, sick fandoms and a connection to tangible empathy for the victims and their families. Serial killers should not be romanticized and yet they so often are; Young Bright Women is the first appropriate perspective on the despicable acts of Ted Bundy.

This was a really well done book! I struggled to get into the story a little bit but after about 30% I was hooked. I love the take on true crime but focused on the victims and seeking justice rather than glorifying the killer. Loved the writing style and it was so easy to read.

I loved the way that Knoll gave voice to the women who were killed or left behind instead of to the killer - so often that is missing! The premise was interesting as a though-exercise and I've recommended this book to many people.

I really struggled with this book. First of all, the sentence structure was bordering on run on sentences; not in a stream of consciousness way but rather in a “I’m trying to sound sophisticated so I’m making this as complicated as possible” way. Once I got past that, I just couldn’t make peace with the fact that this novel is based on very real events, it references these exact events, yet everything else is fictionalized. I want it to either be completely fictional and inspired by real events or a true crime fiction. This middle road just didn’t work for me as I thought it didn’t serve the purpose of the book, which was to give a stronger voice to the victims of heinous crimes as opposed to the perpetrators. How is fictionalizing everything except the crimes of the perpetrator achieving that goal? I can see the merit in the goal but it just didn’t work for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon Element for the ARC. All opinions are my own.