I struggled with this one, but mostly for the writing style. It switches between both main characters: Ginny and Adrian. But also in first person. And there are time jumps, but thankfully they stay linear and don’t jump back and forth along a timeline.

I went in completely blind and was kinda shocked at how deep this book took an eating disorder, but also how this was more of a self acceptance book that turned into a full romance.

Ginny suffered from anorexia for 5 years throughout her older life, and through college, where she meets her guys: the group of guys who become her best friends. But now, it’s changing from anorexia to bulimia and it’s very apparent on page and can be very triggering for people I’d assume. Then there’s Adrian, working himself to death and isn’t sure how to process emotions due to his father dying before he was born and never wanting to let someone hurt him or break him like that broke his mother. He’s also one of the guys’ who in this little friend group.

I hate how abrupt and forced the ending was. Like? What ends up happening? We got zero resolve. Does she finish treatment? Does she end up being part of the 70% or 30%? What does she do after recovery? Does she end up writing? WHAT does she end up writing if she does?

Unfortunately, this one was just not for me. I found the writing to be too choppy, the stream of consciousness style is not a favorite of mine. And while I am all for flawed characters, it was really hard for me not to be completely frustrated and annoyed with Ginny and Adrian.
Also, this book didn’t feel like a romance to me at all. I think that was the most frustrating part - it could be a coming of age or literary fiction but the romance was not an essential point of the plot and labeling it as such felt misleading.
I’d recommend this one - with TWs for eating disorders - to those who enjoy character-driven, stream of consciousness fiction.

Oh my god, this was such a good book. Far from traditional romance, more like a contemp. fiction with love as a theme and that was exactly what I wanted.

Content is hard to stomach at times for me but the characters were so raw and brilliantly written that it just squeezed my heart. 4 stars!

ARC audiobook provided in exchange for an honest review.

Lori Prince really hit the narration on this book! She was clear and concise and very easy to listen to for hours at a time. The story was equally sweet and heartbreaking, made me feel happy and sad, as a good book should put you through a range of emotions. The eating disorder really runs the whole book, as it so often does the people’s lives that are affected by it. I love stories of people overcoming hardships and this one did not disappoint! I would highly recommend if you like reluctant romance!

What a pleasant surprise! I was intrigued by the plot of this book because of the whole concept of being a guy’s girl, like I get it. But of course Ginny breaks her own rule and the story just gets better from there. The story was well written and the cover is beautiful. I hadn’t read anything by this author before but I will be on the lookout for more!

This new adult romance was interesting. Guy's Girl is about Ginny, a young woman battling an eating disorder, and her quest for love. She's desperately searching for it wherever she can when she should be concentrating on her self and recovering from her bulimia. This book was an emotional one for me. It is so deep and raw that you'll connect and feel for every single character.

I put off reading this for so long because I kept thinking I wasn't going to like it, and honestly, this one really snuck up on me. It consumed my thoughts and I didn't want to tear my eyes away from it.

This is a tough read due to some of the subject matter surrounding eating disorders. This in no way glamorizes eating disorders, but showcases their all consuming thoughts and how easy it can be to spiral. I don't even know how to talk about this without spoiling any plot points, so I will just say this book will not leave me anytime soon.

If this is Noyes' adult debut? Dang, I can't wait for more work from her.

Thank you to Berkley for the arc! All thoughts are my own.

This book is a hard one to rate as it is a really hard read. If you have any experience with eating disorders, do not pick this up as the content is pretty heavily immersed in the topic. While the depiction of mental illness is important and everyone deserves a romance, I found it really hard to connect with this book.

I appreciate the author writing about her own experience and you can tell this is something that has truly affected her. Maybe this book will help someone that is living in the same position.

Guy's Girl

by Emma Noyes

 

Ginny Murphy is a total guy’s girl. She has always found friendships with boys easier to form and keep drama-free – as long as they do not fall for her, and she does not fall for them. She and her best guy friends have stuck to that. But then she meets Adrian Silvas, the only one who has ever made her crave more, and Ginny begins to question her own rules.

 

I did not expect Guy's Girl to be so intense or to love it as much as I did. I really enjoyed reading about Ginny and Adrian and their relationship with each other. There was a lot of character growth in the story, and I would classify this as a New Young Adult. I really resonated with Ginny in so many aspects which made this even more of a great read to me. Trigger warning: eating disorders.

I tried to get through this book multiples times, but I could never get into it. It just doesn't pull me in and keep my interest.

Wow! This book really packed a punch! "Guy's Girl" tells the story of the developing relationship between Ginny and Adrian. And while it definitely can be considered a romance, it deals with so many more topics within their relationship. It is an exploration of the struggles that Ginny deals with regarding eating disorders, namely anorexia and bulimia, as well as her lack of self-confidence. Add to that the difficulties that Adrian goes through in dealing with his emotions (or lack of dealing with them), as a result of the traumas that he dealth with during his childhood in Hungary. The story includes a well-rounded cast of side charcters, including the guys that Ginny shares an apartment with, Adrian's grandparents who attempt to help Adrian care for Ginny, and Ginny's sister, who surprising to Ginny becomes her advocate and support in her battle against her anorexia/bulimia.

There is so much to unpack here in the story, and it isn't always easy- in fact, the book starts off with a trigger warning regarding the eating disorders, and the author's own struggles with them. While not the entirety of this story, the anorexia and bulimia do play a significant role. The trauma that Adrian dealt with as a child and the effect it has on his ability to be in a relationship with someone. The effects of struggling with issues of low self-esteem/self-confidence/self-love. The mind games that men can sometimes play on women (in this case, Ginny's current roommate and ex-boyfriend Finch). It's a lot- but at the end we do some growth in Ginny and Adrian in coping with thier demons, and a sense of hope. This was an incredible debut novel by this author , and I look forward to what will come from her next.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Berkley Besties program for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Ginny Murphy is a pick-me girl, a guy's girl – but not really. I mean, who knows? This coming-of-age story surprised me; the cover screams romance, but it's way more than that! Never judge a book by its cover, right?

Ginny and Adrian, college grads, navigate post-college life, dealing with trauma and disordered eating. The story's like a rollercoaster – dark and deep beneath the pretty cover. Michigan references? Love them!

But, honestly, I'm torn. The quest for love feels like a detour from Ginny's recovery journey. Maybe ditch Adrian? The authentic portrayal of her eating disorder is commendable, but the romance plot? Not my cup of tea. Add it to your TBR, but be ready for a ride with mixed feelings!

Guy’s Girl by Emma Noyes was a good break from the thrillers I was soaking in last month. Although it’s subject matter, eating disorders, is actually scarier than any ghost or boogeyman I have been reading about.
‌
As a girl who had just as many or more guy friends than girl friends, I felt a kinship to Ginny and her group of guy friends. She said she preferred guys because there is usually less drama, which was why I cherished those friendships myself.
‌
However drama ensues when you fall for one of the guys or one of those guys falls for you. Guess what happens in this book? The twist is that even though this group has known each other for years, they apparently still have secrets. Ginny doesn’t get close enough to let them see her distorted relationship with food and Adrian has a deep seated belief that love isn’t worth it.
‌
The author did a great job of letting me grow close to Ginny and really understand how she succumbed to eating disorders and how she lived with it day to day. It wasn’t overly dramatic and seemed more realistic than many books out there that tackle this subject.
‌
The friendships and romance wrapped up in this story made it feel full and well rounded and I really enjoyed it. It was a pretty quick, easy read.

Guy's Girl by Emma Noyes was a breath of fresh air as it was not what I was expecting going into it. I love the main characters of Ginny and Adrian. The book is written to alternate between their perspectives as to what is taking place. There are some heavy topics in this book but the author does a fantastic job of navigating them. The author keeps us educated but in a light way. Overall it was a great read and I look forward to more from this author!

Guy’s Girl is a turbulent, emotional journey that takes a deep look at disordered eating as well as grief. While the story had a “Happily Ever After” ending- this was not your typical romance. The amount of healing that needed to happen in order for Ginny and Adrian to make their way to each other was both daunting and admirable. I love stories where characters need to find self love in order to be their best selves in a relationship and Guy’s Girl delivered. This book felt deeply personal and will stay with me for a long time. A truly heartfelt read, Guy’s Girl is a beautiful and rewarding read.

While this book explored tough and intriguing themes, I had a hard time connecting with the story. However, that is obviously on me and not the book. I recognize that it has great potential to appeal to other readers and I encourage others to try it out!

Ginnie has always had a lot of guy friends. Her best friends in college where guys. When she graduates, she takes a job in the Midwest but misses her boys and jumps at the chance to move to New York City. She falls back into the routine with her guys, but then she's reintroduced to Adrian. As Ginnie and Adrian start to hang out more, she becomes more attached and for the first time in a long time wants to be more than just one of the guys. But with this wanting, she's opening herself up to show the things she's worked so hard to keep secret. But when Ginnie lets her guard down, she'll learn so much more about herself and her friends. TW: disordered eating.

"Guy's Girl" by Emma Noyes is a refreshing and relatable contemporary romance that explores the complexities of modern dating and friendship. Noyes crafts a delightful story around Charlie, a relatable and endearing protagonist navigating the challenges of love and self-discovery. The narrative unfolds with humor and authenticity, capturing the essence of platonic and romantic relationships. Noyes' writing is engaging, and her characters are well-developed, resonating with readers on a personal level. "Guy's Girl" is a charming and heartwarming tale that celebrates the importance of authenticity, friendship, and the unexpected twists that love can take, making it a delightful read for fans of contemporary fiction.

I wasn’t expecting this to be as amazing as it was, or as deep and it was so so good! I couldn’t stop reading!

I was provided and ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own. I did end up listening to the final published version of the audiobook.

I don't know how to feel about this book. This is certainly not the type of book I typically read. When I initially read the synopsis, I thought it was a romcom or a YA romance, it is neither. This is pretty heavy as it focuses on mental heath (anxiety and PTSD to be specific) and eating disorders. It is not YA at all, there are some mature scenes. It is very well written as the author pulls from her own experiences and acknowledges that it may be triggering for some readers.

Ginny has always felt more comfortable when surrounded by guys. She has three brothers, and when she went to college she found herself three more of her choosing. Ginny is a people pleaser and a rule follower, she lets people use her because she can't bear to tell people no in the event they might not like her. She always does what is expected, but on the inside she is struggling with the consequences of always doing what other want, focusing on her weight and self acceptance. She has body dysmorphia and struggles with her self-worth. She is struggling in silence and hides that she is struggling first with anorexia and then bulimia. Adrian is also struggling in silence. His trauma occurred before he was born in Hungary. His father was killed in a tragic car accident, and his loss has shaped his entire personality and view on relationships. His mother was very depressed when his father died, and no one in his family really dealt with their grief. Adrian grew up with a very skewed vision of love and relationships because of it.

Adrian and Ginny knew each other in college, but it isn't until they reconnect after graduation that they have a spark. They develop a friendship that turns into something more. Unfortunately because they are both dealing with very real monsters that they aren't ready to face yet, their relationship isn't able to flourish. Adrian doesn't know how to love anyone and continues to hurt Ginny. Ginny continues to choose men who cannot give her the love she needs so much and equate their lack of reciprocation to her looks. The author does an amazing job of describing how the brain works in mysterious ways and focuses on things that aren't related. As an outsider looking in who has never experienced the trauma of either main character was hard for me to know if Ginny and Adrian were good for each other. Their relationship seemed to be more damaging than healing, though it did pack an emotional punch.

Overall I think this was well written and given the fact it was not at all what I anticipated it was a good read. This was an emotional rollercoaster, and I think we need more books that talk about mental health.