Cover Image: The Glass Girl

The Glass Girl

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Member Reviews

This book was a tough read but so worth it. From the perspective of a young girl who is sent to rehab, she struggles to pull herself back and thrive.

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This book gives a real look into what alcohol abuse looks like. It shows that you can have a serious problem even if you are high functioning.

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Doesn't matter what it is, I will DEVOUR anything by Kathleen Glasgow; she has a way of creating characters so strong that you feel like you're really there with them, then Glasgow takes your heart, tears it out, and stomps on it into a million little pieces! I really liked the premise of the book - I thought most of the plot would revolve around Bella's struggle with alcohol (which it did!), but I was surprised how much of it focused on the rehab aspect. While unexpected, it was a nice change of pace; I finished it in one sitting and appreciated how the time lapses fit together, especially in the end. That being said, I had a hard time connecting with Bella as well as characters in Glasgow's other books - I did finish it quickly, but it didn't stay with me quite as long as "Girl in Pieces" or "You Should Be here". Something about her fell flat for me. Regardless, none of that will ever stop me from picking up more of Glasgow in the future. Thanks so much for the ARC!

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Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Bella is a 15-year-old alcoholic, though she wouldn’t use that word to describe herself. After a few blackouts and several traumatizing incidents at parties, she is sent to rehab. A plot like this could easily get into after school special territory, but it really didn’t. It felt pretty realistic throughout and was never preachy. Four stars.

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Never disappointed with a Kathleen Glasgow book. "You'd Be Home Now" held a special place in my heart last year, and now this heartbreaking story of Bella who could be any and every young woman I know. Doing her best to deal with the family that fails her until she fails herself and those she loves. These are difficult topics to read and understand, especially if this is not your reality - but the 100% realistic glimpse it gives into dysfunction and addiction is worth every bit of discomfort and even disbelief one might feel while reading.
Read it. Read it. Read it.
Thanks to NetGalley, Kathleen Glasgow and publisher for advanced e-copy, this is my honest review.

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Another compelling page turner from Kathleen Glasgow. She sees right into the hearts and minds of teenagers as she writes about addiction to alcohol, how it can happen, and how rehabilitation works.

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Really good book by Glasgow. With so much fantasy fiction these days, it is refreshing to read a solid realistic fiction novel.

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As a librarian, I cannot keep Glasgow's "Girl in Pieces" or "You'd Be Home Now" on my shelf. There is something in her writing and her books that teens crave and connect with and adults need to empathize and understand. I was beyond excited to read the ARC for "The Glass Girl" and devoured it throughout the day and late into the night. Like her other books, I could not put this one down. I strongly recommend that readers avoid mascara when picking up this book and to read with a friend for emotional support. The struggles in "The Glass Girl" are raw, real, and mirror what so many young adults are facing. There are potential triggers, but I strongly feel that this book needs to be read and needs to be on every libraries shelves for all the Bella's and friends of Bella's. I will be purchasing several copies for my library and one for my own bookshelf. I will also be recommending this to my young adult book club. Kathleen Glasgow writes for the voices that need to be heard and the stories that need to be told.

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Wow. This book is fast paced, important and necessary. As someone who has experienced rehab (mine was different though), I appreciated the ups and downs Bella has, both in treatment and in the beginning of her recovery. There are many books about "kids with problems" but they don't always show the rehab experience PLUS the struggle at the beginning (when you are first released). I do wish this book was longer; I would've loved to experience more of Bella's life outside of the rehab center.

Teens and adult readers who enjoy Kathleen Glasgow's other books will, without a doubt, gravitate toward this one.

Trigger warnings: alcoholism, death, overdoses, self harm, rehab centers, smoking (vaping, cigarettes), mentions of disordered eating, mental illness, grandparent death, divorce

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This novel is unflinchingly real. It is not sugar-coated. It is a hard look into the lives of teens with addictions. It will make you angry and sad. It will make you think. And for some, it will make you take a hard look at your own life. Kathleen Glasgow has written another meaningful novel with a flawed protagonist. I will certainly share it with others. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to be an early reader in exchange for my review.

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“I believe if you can walk into the darkness, then you have the strength to walk back out.”
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Bella is drowning. Her mom needs her to be her support since the divorce. Her dad needs help taking care of her little sister. Her boyfriend broke up with her because she was “too much”. And the one person in her life, her grandmother, passed away so Bella has no one. The only thing that helps dull the pain is alcohol. What started as an escape has now turned into a serious issue when she ends up face down in front of her mom’s house the day after Thanksgiving and a video of her has gone viral. Now Bella is headed to rehab at fifteen years old and her road to recovery has just begun.
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I read this in one sitting because…it was so dang good. I’m still thinking about it hours later, which doesn’t usually happen for me. @misskathleenglasgow is known for her ability not to shy away from the hard topics in her YA books and this was no exception. What an honest portrayal of alcoholism in teens. Everything felt so authentic and powerful, especially for those who work with teens and might not see the obvious signs. Make sure you read the Author’s Note at the end when this novel releases November 12. Thanks to the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

CW: alcohol, alcoholism, vomit, detox, cutting/self-harm, alcohol poisoning, hospitalization, suicide attempt, death, emotional abuse, drug use, overdose

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