this is a book that’s really hard for me to rate. its not a 5 stars as in “i love the characters, the romance was great, mystery well done, i enjoyed reading it & couldn’t put it down”.

no, this is not that type of 5 stars. at least not to me.

going into this book, you knows it going to be horrendous. i’ve been keeping up with what courtney posts about this book, including marilyn monroe’s influence on this book.

so i think mostly, you need to know every single dirty detail of what this book is about so you don’t go in and feel disoriented and played later. this isn’t a romance. it’s not a mystery either. it’s our fucking world, & it sucks. i wish i could say all of this is unrealistic, no way can can people do things like that & get away scotch free, but it happened. it HAPPENS, every fucking day.

i read many reviews stating how dumb georgia was, even characters in the book calling her it. and i think what people don’t understand is, coming from the fact i’m georgia’s age right now, our life, what we see, what we hear, it rules us. even as a lesbian, you can see how much the male gaze haunts georgia. the length she will go just so she’ll feel beautiful, wanted, desired, love, not knowing that without those men, she can still be all of the above. it hurts reading this, as i see a lot of myself in her character. you can be aware and still played a fool, and it’s always the people the closest to you, the adults were supposed to trust, who promise us safety.

it’s a hard read. anyone with a right mind wouldn’t be able to read this and think “well that was fun.” it’s reminds me a lot of lolita, a book that’s so glamorized for the aesthetic that the true meaning goes away. books like these you can appreciate it, the message, what it’s spreading and showing it’s audience without glorifying it. because this book was fucked. 100% fucked.

you’ll think being in georgia’s pov will get you to understand why she she reacts the way she does. you’ll understand without victim blaming, but atlas, many people will fail to see how the world around us, shapes us. the internet, what we devour on tv, our relationships-or non existent relationships with our parents. every. single. thing. matters. georgia isn’t a dumb character. she’s not an idiot who’s willing to do whatever it is she needs to feel worth it.

she’s a girl. like me. like so many others. young, naive, hopeful, too kind, trusting. throughout this all, after everything, she’s still just a girl.

this book has many triggers (death of a parent, cancer, sexual abuse, sexual assault, rape, pedophilia) just to name some from the top of my head. so please go into this with an open mind, it’s messy from the beginning, to the end.

and yeah maybe it’s not what you wanted, you want the character to fight & get justice, but like this books shows you, sometimes it not worth it. doesn’t mean you should give up, never give up. you don’t always have to face things all by yourself, which leads on to the significance of nora’s character. yes she’s a love interest, the sister of the deceased, a messy by all means & raw character.

but nora to me is another girl. a girl who sees. a girl who will never stop wanting justice for the others around her. nora the type of character georgia isn’t, they were raised differently, loved differently. georgia went through things nora can imagine for sure obviously, but never went through herself. it’s easier as a nora to fight, but sometimes us georgia’s can’t, and we need a nora to help us along.

it’s not a love story, no. there’s love, and there’s definitely hate, but above all its hope. this book will leave you feeling angry, disappointed, maybe even unsatisfied. but to me, it left me with hope. with everything going on in the world right now, with roe v wade being overturned, men being praised for the bare minimum, their acts left unaccounted, it’s gives me hope. maybe that’s dumb, look at how we’re going backwards, how can one hope in times like this? but it does, and i’m not a believer, but like i said, with nora’s character, maybe we won’t get justice, maybe they’ll continue to walk away scotch free, it’s more than likely they will. but there hope in being heard, believed, loved. having a hand to hold, to tell you they’ll fight even if you don’t.

i honestly didn’t imagine writing this long of a review, i was going to write simply “what the fuck was this?” and call it a day, and even if no one sees this, i want to write from my pov, from another young scared girl. maybe some adults think these types of books shouldn’t be read by people my age who can’t handle it, but many things happens to us as kids, teens, the ages where we can’t handle it. we shouldn’t have to be able to handle these types of things, but a lot do. they live it, it happens. you cant hide anyone from the pains & horrors of this world, but you can warn them, & help them. and i think this book would be a good read for people in need of that. its definitely not a book i’ll be revisiting any time soon, i need to clear my head and like i said this isn’t a 5 stars read that’s rated highly because it’s enjoyable, a book i could read over and over again. it’s none of the above. it’s triggering, it’s nasty, it’s brutal, but it’s real. there a georgia in all of us, a nora, an ashley.

but one thing i do want to point out though is that, yes it’s a man’s world, this books shows you the painful truth of that. but unlike what many are forced to believe, who give up on believing in anything else, it doesn’t mean we have to live in it. we don’t have to abide by anyones rules but our owns.

if you made it to the end of this long ass review, let me tell you if no one else told you today that you’re loved, you’re beautiful, you’re needed, you’re valued, you’re WORTH IT.

thank you netgalley & st martin’s. press/wednesday books for allowing me access to this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Ever since I read Sadie a couple years back, Courtney Summers has always been an author who I'm constantly looking out for. Summers really takes these dark subject matters and really shines a spotlight on them, even if they're the most despicable, disturbing aspects which the average person could barely stomach. And, oh boy, did she really shine the light for this one.

I'm the Girl is, quite blatantly, about the patriarchy, of how men in influential positions wield their power in order to gain favor with the authorities and take advantage of young women, one of those being our protagonist Georgia.

Georgia is put though the ringer throughout the story. Not only is she hit by a car right at the beginning, but everyone around her takes advantage of her naiveté and her desperation for to be loved in one way or another, some of which gets incredibly sickening and why any one who readers this should really consider the content warning the book gives. Despite her determination to prove herself, it was frustrating to see her get trapped in these situations because I wanted so badly for her to get out. But it's easy to forget that Georgia is just sixteen, a minor whose brain is far from being fully developed. She's so convinced she can make these decisions because she looks so grown-up; shouldn't she makes choices like a grown-up, too?

In other words, there will be no victim-blaming Georgia here. Otherwise, I'll be throwing some virtual hands on here.

I know I'm being incredibly vague, but it's only because it's better for anyone who wants/can handle to read this to jump in blind and try to hold on as tightly as they can. It's disturbing and ugly, but it's also beautifully written and incredibly raw in its portrayal of the twisted reality we inhabit.

In typical Courtney Summers fashion, this book is a raw and unflinching look at how girls are perceived by the world, and how that shapes how young girls see themselves. It's a fast-paced, addictive read, with a really engaging voice, but definitely look at the content warnings if you have triggers, because this one is dark. The protagonist makes a lot of bad choices but it's very authentic to the age she is, and ultimately makes her growth through the story more compelling.

I had high hopes for this one because I loved Sadie….
But this just wasn’t for me. I felt the plot was poorly written and at times confusing to follow

This book was fantastic. Twisty and creepy, it was so raw. I really love the way the story was crafted—Courtney Summers is a crazy talented writer. The subject matter centers around violence towards women, and while I appreciate the story being told, and the prose was woven in such a way that the horrible and the hopeful were intertwined so tightly, it was still difficult to read in parts.


Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC version of this book! All words and opinions here are my own.

very good book about a girl who finds love and working and trying to solve a mystery about a girl. loved the place that she worked, reminded me of something but I couldn't place it. Overall a good story.

This was sooooo good! I loved Sadie and The Project. This book was different but still awesome. I liked the fast pace and twisty plot, highly recommend. Thank you for the ARC.

If there's anything I've come to expect from Courtney Summers it's a slightly disturbing, but completely gripping read - and I'm The Girl is no different. Summers' writing is completely engrossing and the plot is so fast paced I did want to put this book down!

I'm The Girl follows Georgia who discovers the body of a dead girl on the side of the road and gets swept up in the investigation. Throughout the book Georgia forms a relationship with Nora, the sister of the girl that was killed. Nora is obsessed with finding her sister's killer and as the two grow closer Georgia is determined to help her. At the same time, Georgia has begin working at the town's exclusive resort Aspera - where she begins to suspect that the power players there might have been involved in the murder.

I really enjoyed this book! It was the definition of a page turner and Summers' definitely succeeded in creating a tense atmosphere. I was on my toes trying to put the pieces together and she was able to keep me guessing throughout. My only criticism is that the ending felt very rushed, and in my opinion lacking a satisfying conclusion. While we do get the answers we've been waiting for I wish we had fleshed out more of the consequences and what would come next. I would still recommend though!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

To say I "enjoy" Courtney's books doesn't sound quite right - they are heavy, unrelenting, and often depressing but also beautiful and so well done. I found I'm the Girl heartbreaking and compelling and I read it in one feverish setting because I could not put it down. Highly, highly recommended.

Mother Of All Otters!! 😳😯🤯🥺😳

This quickly became a favourite of mine by Summers. I've read all her books and this was so good! It's raw, true, at times depressing & heart breaking, but yet so bold with the topics & subject matter. Be prepared for ALL the feels with this novel. The suspenseful aspect is nothing short in this novel, mixed with trying to figure out who you are and what the world wants you to be.

Mყ 𝐒ყɴ𝐨ρѕιѕ: Sixteen year old Georgia was nearly run over and stumbles across the body of thirteen year old Ashley. Her older sister Nora and Georgia decide to work together to figure out what happened to Ashley, and stop it from happening to anyone else. But as they investigate and dive deeper into the world of the wealthy and privileged, of which Georgia is not, she'll be facing more than just a murderer closing in, but who she is, her own self, & how a young woman can fight against what feels like an unfair and unbalanced battle.

The ending was so perfectly done, even if bittersweet. You will be clueless the whole time and not see it coming. The twists & turns are plenty and you'll be kept at the edge of your seat. As tough as some of the subject matter is, Summers does it with raw and real justice. I was breathless and shocked once I was done and yet again, a hit by her! Riveting, relevant & well executed. Be ready for some tough things with this one.

🔴 Trigger Warnings: Sexual Assault

Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin's Press for this ARC.
Release Date: September 13, 2022

𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭: 4 / 5 Beach Waves! 🌊

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this novel. I am rating this book based the stars due to lack of time to leave a full review. #AMUSTREAD

This one was REALLY good. It was an extremely fast paced book that had me hooked from the very beginning. I was excited about the big reveal at the end. What a pay off!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I'm the Girl was thought-provoking and honestly, pretty creepy and made my stomach turn a couple of times, which was definitely the point. However, although this story was a murder mystery (marketed as a mystery/thriller), that plotline kind of took the backseat. This book is very centered on Georgia being thrown into the upper echelons of society and the secrets that they hold. They are teeming with money and power, and with that, guilty and unimaginable horrors. I still can't tell if I liked Georgia very much, even though I know she's supposed to be an unlikable character. I tried to sympathize with her and could only do so a portion of the time. I would definitely recommend this to fans who are looking for something in the vein of Euphoria, actually.

Every time I read a Courtney Summers book, I can't imagine she can outdo herself with the next one. I'm always wrong. Sadie is one of my favorite books and I'm the Girl has the same gritty, emotional and raw feeling. It was hard to put this one down and I was sad when it was over. I think most woman remember when they realized the power that their sexuality can wield. How confusing and scary it feels. My heart hurt for Georgia and her need to be something special to someone that she thinks matters.

I'm the Girl is a well-written, extremely powerful, and quite dark story of sixteen-year-old Georgia who has aspirations of being accepted by the area's elite crowd. She's fixated on her looks and believes that past choices made by her mother have now stripped her of her desired future. She is willing to do anything to change that. Adding to her own teenage troubles, Georgia discovers the body of another young girl who was brutally murdered. As I initially stated, the writing is superb; the characters, the places, everything is beautifully developed/described. I truly felt like I was in the small town and then later at Aspira. The themes and material is very dark., which makes some parts difficult to read. There are quite a few detailed references/depictions of sexual assault, rape, and murder. I wouldn't necessarily categorize this book as a thriller; it is more of a tragic drama. While the story is upsetting in many ways, I did really like the book and will be recommending it.

**Check Trigger Warnings**

As expected, Courtney Summers has left me gut punched. To which I will always respond with, “Thank you, may I have another?”

This starts with 16-year-old Georgia finding the body of a local 13-year-old girl from her small town.

She goes full Nancy Drew with the victim’s older sister, Nora. Infiltrating a bougie spa-like country club type place near the site of the body.

The suspense had me wincing ahead of time, just waiting for all of the shoes to drop. Georgia is both parts naïve and guileful. It is stressful to see her try to navigate through situations with so many traps that she cannot see.

Many will be frustrated with her character for her naivety, but the author wrote an article that brought up one of the many hard questions you will ask yourself after reading.

“And I knew when I wrote I’m the Girl, there would be the question—though there should be no question—of who some readers would feel more betrayed by: its abusers, or its victim.”

The inclusion of Georgia and Nora’s romance was a light in all of the dark. It was pure and wonderful, the exact opposite of everything else.

The writing was lyrical and beautiful while presenting such harsh truths.

Overall, this book is Georgia becoming and understanding what it means to be a woman in this world and if she is willing to accept it.

Check it out, when it hits shelves, 9/13/22!

A big thanks to the Publisher & NetGalley for gifting me a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this book a lot, even though there were pieces that were kind of hit and miss for me. In this book, the main character, Georgia discovers the body of Ashley and almost is killed herself. It's a strong setup and the opening scenes in this book were action-packed and intentionally confusing and fragmented to read. I was able to tell right away that we wouldn't be getting the full story as Georgia learns the secrets of both Ashley's death and Aspera. She alludes to things in the past or other things she knows that we don't get to see until later in the story. While I thought the prologue was almost too confusing, I enjoyed this element of the book. Georgia is an excellent unreliable narrator.

Georgia is a fascinating if at times frustrating character to read about. She teeters on the edge of being manipulative and ambitious and being incredibly naive and unaware of what is going on around her. At times this juxtaposition was believable, at other times it was not, but it was always interesting to read about as she explores a new world of wealth and power at Aspera. It also sparks an important conversation about the power dynamics of sex and consent, especially with Georgia being underage.

While the mystery, as it went on, pointed pretty clearly to who had committed the crime, there are so many other layers to this story than just finding out who Ashley's murder was. Georgia goes through a lot, so does Nora, and I actually ended up liking all these other parts of the book that weren't directly related to Ashley's murder the most.

I loved Sadie by this author when I read it, and while I didn't love this one as much, it was still an excellent read.

Courtney Summers is an author that never misses. I have been a fan of her writing since Cracked Up to Be and I'm always ready to read about more of her unforgettable girls. This novel isn't any different from her previous in the sense that it draws readers in immediately and hooks them on the plot and the characters. After finding the body of Ashley, Georgia is then thrust into a world that she is not prepared for. The plot keeps readers on their toes as they route for Georgia even though you are able to see where her story is headed. I loved this book.

Powerful, compelling, and a little uncomfortable to read. This definitely won't be up everyone's alley, but it is so well done, with hints of both Sadie and The Project.

Right from the beginning, this story doesn't hold back on how harsh the world is. It's about heavy topics and it doesn't shy away from them - something that remains true through the end, and is thematically important with a story like this. Summers doesn't pull her punches. We're immediately faced with issues of class, privilege, and misogyny, all filtered through the lens of Georgia, who desperately wants to push through that ceiling and rise above her station.

The characters are as spiky and flawed and messy as ever. This is an area in which Courtney Summers always excels, and that's definitely true in this outing as well. Georgia is stubborn and resentful and ambitious, in ways that girls often aren't portrayed. Nora is angry and fiery and stoic, which all makes perfect sense and makes her quite the compelling love interest. The duo in charge of Aspera are each slyly manipulative, charming and powerful and too polished to be authentic.

And then that ending! I really appreciate that Summers committed to her themes and commentary rather than taking the easy way out. Things end hopeful, but not happy. The resolution is character-based. It keeps the whole story feeling grounded, if perhaps a little unsatisfying in how little gets truly tied up.

The pacing is a little uneven in places. The story has to establish itself on several fronts, which means sections focused more on building up Aspera and the relationships there instead of investigating Ashley's murder. It's not a major distraction but it threw me off early on in my read, since the synopsis is so Ashely-focused - it doesn't mention Aspera at all.

Another thing that I kept pausing on while reading is how old the characters are. Nora and Georgia are about 16, fine. Nothing out of the ordinary there for a YA book, though definitely young enough to capture the creepiness needed for so much of the story's points to land. But Ashley and her friend are 13, and it's implied that they've been partying and drinking and doing drugs for at least a year if not longer. And everyone in town knows about it. Which just seems...a little young? I know that's the point, that they're children, but I also can't imagine seeing a 12 year old (who by all descriptions looks 12) in one of these situations and being fine with it. Or Ashley's dad, a sheriff's deputy, being this chill about his daughter staying out all night. It just felt a little bit unlikely to me, but it definitely did add significantly to how disgusting everything is.

TL;DR: A really powerful, stressful read.

I had a bit of a difficult time categorizing this book. There’s murder, romance, coming of age. I overall liked the story of Georgia Avis but there were just some confusing parts. I thought it was pretty graphic for it to be young adult. The mystery was strong but I definitely wanted more at the beginning and end of the story. It took a minute to pick up after the initial couple of chapters and then at the end I’m left with so many questions, specifically about Aspera girls.