This was a new to me author and this book was so different from anything I've read. I will definitely be looking to read more from Christina Henry!

This one mixed in a few horror/scary movie genres, some Hunger Games, some true crime and some baddie women who don't give up. It was a wild ride and sometimes I was like - what is happening? But it all came together nicely at the end and I loved it!

It's really three stories in one. About three different women thrown into horrifying circumstances and having to fight their way out. It was like they were each in their own worst nightmare. Each of them was strong, smart and determined! And when the three meet up - they are a force to be reckoned with.

If you're looking for something different and refreshing, with lots of action and twists, this one is definitely for you!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an ARC in exchange for my honest review and for allowing me to be a part of this Berkley Buddy Read!

“People are never what you see on the surface. There’s always a secret heart with a fortress around it, a hideout for their smallest and truest selves, the piece that they never show anybody else.”

Okayyyy now that is probably the best closing line of a book I have read. Ever. 🙌🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Never underestimate the power of a woman scorned‼️ That one sentence could stand as my whole review. Wheeeeee what a ride this was!

I feel like going in blind may be your best bet so I’ll say only a little. This book is essentially split into 4 parts. It seamlessly transitions through them and you’re not sure how they all connect at first. But when they do, prepare to be mind blown.

I loved the references to alll of the cult classic movies of my past. The cliche tropes, if you will. Stepford Wives. Truman. Scream. Hunger Games. All of the dystopian tales. Beauty And The Beast. Even The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe. This book is simply genius and so so clever. I highly recommend it!! It is fantastic on audio as well. I listened along as I read as @lisaflanaganvoice nailed the voices, the angst, the terror, the anger. Just all of it!

Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing, and Christina Henry for the ARC and thanks to @PRHAudio for the free #audiobook.

“You never think about this stuff when you’re watching or reading a book… The main characters never seem to need the bathroom. I’m telling you right now, I would have shit my pants immediately if I were in those Hunger Games.”

Told in parts, this book opens on Celia- a woman who awakens to a life, and a family, she has no recollection of. Convinced she’s being manipulated in some way, but not understanding how or why, she makes it her mission of finding a way out.

In the next installment we meet Allie, a young woman who expected to celebrate her birthday with a weekend away with the girls. But when her friends and their boyfriends hijack the plans, the single Allie suddenly finds herself staying in a secluded cabin in the woods-where a killer just happens to be on the loose.

Lastly we follow Maggie, a headstrong woman who has somehow been dropped into a sadistic game show. Here, the survival of the women participants
and their loved ones depend on each woman’s escape. Can she get out before time runs out?

With a truly unique premise with call backs to The Truman Show and Hunger Games, Good Girls Don’t Die is a fast paced thriller that keeps the reader guessing. When it all comes together in the end, however, I found myself a bit taken aback by the surprisingly feministic slant. Disappointingly, what felt like a fun thrill ride all along morphs into a message on misogyny-the real killer I didn’t see coming.

That being said, I’d still recommend checking this book out, especially if bite sized brain teasers where women kick ass are your thing.

This book was so smartly written! I loved the 3 povs, with completely different stories, but how they all came together in the end. I was not expecting it to be so riveting! Now I will say, there were a few times when I kind of rolled my eyes at the cheesiness of some of the moments, and characters. But overall, I thought it was a great story.

The Maze Runner meets The Stepford Wives in Christina Henry’s latest novel. The novel combines three stories, each from a different woman’s point of view. The stories don’t seem to be related in the beginning, and that’s probably the draw of the novel — to find out how each story is connected to each other.

The novel was engaging until the three stories interconnected. After that, the novel just lost its steam. And with a surreal and underwhelming finale, it just wasn’t what I had hoped for. It might have been better if each of the three stories were developed on their own instead of attempting to connect the dots after the fact.

I enjoyed all of the characters in the novel. Each of them were fully developed and I liked how author Henry was able to cross generational gaps in each of her characters — projecting both mature adult and college student personalities into each of them.

Overall, Good Girls Don’t Die was a satisfactory read worthy of three solid stars. I recevied a DRC from Berkley Publishing Group through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

If you’re looking for a different type of thriller, look no further than this one…

When Celia wakes up one day to a man claiming to be her husband and a little girl that’s supposed to be her daughter, she knows something isn’t right. She doesn’t know these people at all. She goes through the motions, trying to piece together her life. All while feeling that someone is watching her and facing debilitating headaches.

Allie has a fun girls trip planned, but when her friends show up with their boyfriends, the group ends up camping in the woods instead of the beach weekend Allie had been anticipating. The first night, she wakes to strange noises outside. Then, one of the girls is attacked in their cabin.

Maggie wakes up outside in some sort of shipping container, with no memory of how she got there. All she knows is that a masked man is telling her he will kill her and her daughter if she doesn’t participate in a deadly game.

Three women…three dangerous situations.

This book is divided into several parts and I was immediately drawn into Celia’s story. It didn’t make sense, yet I couldn’t stop reading! The same was the case with Allie’s and then Maggie’s. Each woman’s story kept me glued to the pages! The whole time, I was wondering not only what was going on, but how were these stories going to come together?!

I went into this completely blind and think that made it so much more fun not knowing what to expect. Told in multiple points of view, this was a fast-paced, action packed thriller like no other.

Thank you to Netgalley, Berkeley Pub and Christina Henry for the ARC! “Good Girls Don’t Die” releases November 14, 2023.

This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)

If you enjoy some horror with your mystery and thrills, then Good Girls Don’t Die by Christina Henry may be the next book you will want to read. Three women awaken to circumstances that don’t seem right. Celia wakes up in a house with a husband and child that don’t feel like hers. She can’t remember her “real” life, but the house isn’t decorated to her tastes and there are no books in the home. She knows she reads every day. Allie and her friends Cam and Madison planned a beach getaway for Allie’s twenty-first birthday. However, when they come to pick her up, their boyfriends Brad and Steve are with them. Brad takes them to a remote cabin in the woods. Allie is sure something isn’t right, but what is wrong? Maggie wants to be home with her daughter, but she wakes up in a dangerous situation that she must get out of to ensure her daughter is safe.

The story follows each woman through a significant part of their ordeal. Part four brings the story to its conclusion. I found the least character depth to be that of Celia. However, that is likely due to her confused memories. Everything she thinks she remembers about herself doesn’t fit with the life she’s living. Allie is smart, funny, and reliable. However, she tends to go along with others’ plans since she is scared to make herself vulnerable. She shows the most character growth as her story unfolds. Maggie is determined to save her daughter so she comes across as strong and a leader, from the beginning despite her fears. In part four, readers find out how each character understands the others as well as their connections. This added depth to the characters.

The online chats at the beginning of each chapter piqued my interest and the first chapter pulled me into the story. The world-building was fantastic in all four parts of the story. With a combination of mystery and horror, the book kept me on the edge of my seat. Who will survive and what is happening in each scenario? There are also some unpredictable moments and plot twists in this gripping storyline. My one quibble is that I wanted more closure on Celia’s story.

Overall, I am glad I read this novel, which was suspenseful, gritty, heartbreaking, and atmospheric with plenty of chills. This is my first novel by this author, but I am looking forward to reading others.

Berkley Publishing Group and Christina Henry provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for November 14, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

Celia, a mystery novel fan, wakes up with no memory of her life, and manages to muddle through her day in a strange, sleepy little town – until someone turns up dead. Horror movie fan Allie’s weekend away with her friends turns into a horrifying slasher film. And Maggie, a lover of apocalyptic YA books, finds herself kidnapped and forced to compete against other women in a deadly obstacle course. They all have found themselves trapped in a story straight out of their favorite genre – and it’s not as much fun to live it as it as it is to read or to watch.

This book is part thriller, part mystery, part horror movie, part Hunger Games, part Truman Show. The first parts, one for each main character in a different “genre,” were great. But once the three main characters came together, the truth was revealed, and we met the mastermind behind it all, I had a hard time suspending disbelief. There were some too-coincidental coincidences, and the bad guys were cartoonishly evil and misogynistic. Like, I know that extreme and violent misogyny exists, but the way the number 1 bad guy reacted just struck me as a way that no person, no matter how sure he is of women’s inferiority, would behave in that situation. Unrealistic behavior is what really throws me out of a story, even when the setup for that story is fantastical or unusual – I had no trouble suspending disbelief for the bizarre situation these women found themselves in, but the way the bad guy acted was just ridiculous and ruined the story for me. Four stars for the bulk of the book but one star for the end. Two stars overall.

CW: gore, extreme misogyny

𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
This story was so fun with such a unique story line. It is told from the perspective of three different women, but all three storylines weave together at the end. Each of these women find themselves trapped within three very different and weird situations. Each of the women have a love for stories, each have their own favorite genre, and they each find themselves trapped within different movie tropes, but there is one thing that ultimately links these three women together, and that one thing is far more disturbing than any of the scenarios the women find themselves in. This book is full of twists and suspense. I think that the author did an amazing job with this unique storyline with fun and relatable characters while diving deep into how women are viewed and displayed to audiences in these all too familiar circumstances. Henry weaves together several different horror elements and tropes throughout this book with three badass women who are strong and full of feministic rage. Overall, this book is entertaining, fast paced, full of action, with plenty of twists to keep you entertained throughout. Each of the women’s stories are told as if they are their own story, but in the end each story comes together in a shockingly twisted and satisfying conclusion.

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞?
Anyone who is a fan of horror movies or fantasy movies such as The Truman Show, The Hunger Games, Halloween, or The Stepford Wives should check this one out!

𝐌𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫4.25/5

Thank you, NetGalley and Berkley, for providing me with a complimentary digital copy of this book for review.

This book skillfully combines the captivating elements of Stepford Wives, Slasher Movies, and Maze Runner, resulting in a truly one-of-a-kind reading experience. The author's adept storytelling effortlessly blends these unique vibes, creating a narrative that is both engrossing and unforgettable.

Moreover, the novel delves into the theme of feminism, utilizing dark humor as the three protagonists navigate their way through the challenges posed by a deeply misogynistic male character. This exploration adds depth and complexity to the storyline, highlighting important social issues.

However, the enigmatic ending of the book caught me off guard, leaving me with lingering unanswered questions about the fate of the characters.

This was such a unique and clever premise, and I was really enjoying it right up until the end. I’m sorry to say that the ending took the wind out of my sails for my enjoyment level.

I still say you should give it a try because you might love it.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

What a unique and wild story. I couldn't put Good Girls Don't Die down, and was really impressed by how the stories all tied together.

First, we meet Celia, who doesn't remember her husband, child, or any aspect of her life, and then becomes a suspect in the murder of her neighbor. Next, we meet Allie who is on a vacation with her friends in the deserted woods, when they start being stalked by a nefarious character. Finally, we're brought into a survival game with 12 women, who are drugged, brought to a deserted place, and forced to take place in a dangerous maze.

How all of these elements came together was fantastic, and the powerful premise at the end was one I won't forget.

Be forewarned, there is a lot of gore. A LOT. So if that's not your thing, skip this one. It gets bloodier and more brutal as the story goes on. Also, if you're an arachnophobe like me, there's a pretty intense part towards the end of the book that definitely had me rattled. I wish I knew about that going into it, at least to prepare myself.

The only thing I wished for was an epilogue. While it doesn't necessarily need it, I would have liked to know more about what happened after.

A great read.
Thank you Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC!

This story follows our three leading ladies, Celia, Allie and Maggie. They all have one thing in common, and that is their passion for a very specific genre of media! For Celia, it’s cozy mystery books. Allie is a horror movie fanatic. Maggie is super into YA Dystopian novels!

But while these passions might bring them joy, they just might also be the cause of the dangerous and terrifying situations they find themselves thrown into.

I know, I KNOW this review is super vague, but there is really no way for me to go into any further details without ruining the surprise twists and turns.

I will say in very non-spoilery fashion, that while I did enjoy parts of this, I do feel that there were some let downs along the way. I liked the beginning SO much more than the end, like I really thought I was buckled up for a 5 Star Read in the beginning. But I ended up liking one characters story so much better than the other two. All in all I'd say it was a fun, easy read. Would probably classify it as a thriller, but with horror elements as well. I'm not super sure if I'd necessarily recommend it to everyone, but I'm not mad that I read it. I think there was some missed potential, but all in all okay!

.4.5 stars. What a unique fun book.

When I first started reading, I thought "what on EARTH is going on?" Then a small twist occurred, and then another, and I started getting into the flow of what was happening.

My best advice: just go in blind and go with it.

I didn't really love the ending, but it was decent closure. The rest of it was so original and out of the ordinary for a thriller that I give props to the author for coming up with an out of the box concept.
There's also some intriguing and insightful analysis of women and how women are viewed and treated.

If you're looking for something different in a thriller, give this one a try.

Good Girls Don't Die
by Christina Henry
Pub Date: November 14, 2023
Berkely
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
This book just wasn't for me. I have read this author before and the synopsis sounded interesting so I thought I would give her another try. Unfortunately, it just wasn't a good fit.
I hope you enjoy it more than I did.
3 stars

I don’t think I’ve ever read a book quite like this before - three main parts, each with a different woman as the focal point, each dropped into a reality that isn’t hers. Each must fight for her life in order to survive.

Truth be told - I loved this book, until the very end. So, I won’t spoil it but the final part felt very overwrought and the villain felt like a caricature of a real person. However - the overall vibe and sentiment of this book were chefs 💋

Three stories, three women challenged to prove themselves.
They begin with online chats - women posters antagonized by men stating they would not survive a minute.
Celia, Maggie and Allie wake up strange places, no memories of arrival. They must complete a task - with little to no support while pushing hard to face the challenge.
I'm a huge fan of women overcoming sexism - this book is very engaging, enraging and terrifying.

I'm not sure what this book was trying to accomplish or even if it did so. Sure, men hate women and do terrible things to them but this book didn't say anything new to me. I found the ending to be lackluster as well.

Hot dang, Christina Henry is on fire in this sizzling and snapping good read! She takes well-known tropes and spins them into scorching, thrilling twists in this innovative sci-fi feminist thriller.

While playing with distinct scenarios reminiscent of cozy mysteries, horror films, and dystopian young adult novels, Christina Henry creates a razor-sharp, mind-bending journey for three women who suddenly find themselves trapped within stories they know don't belong to them. She cleverly entwines these genres, crafting narratives that are both playfully inventive and relentlessly intense, and I was turning the pages so fast sparks were coming off them.

What set this story apart for me was the fresh and unapologetically feminist perspective. Christina Henry fearlessly grapples with misogyny and spotlights resolute, empowering female characters who defy underestimation. These are women you'll want to root for as they navigate the challenges and men they encounter. However, this is a thriller. Christina Henry heavily dishes out an exhilarating, fast-paced, over-the-top story with the most awful men you will encounter while still offering plenty of depth.

Beneath its moments of high drama, the story delves into profound themes, ensuring a captivating and thought-provoking empowering reading experience for the unapologetically feminist reader. This was the dynamic, entertaining, intriguing, feminist-driven thriller that boldly subverts expectations I didn’t know I was looking for and I loved every minute of it!!

I have tried to read other books by this author in the past and they weren't for me. I thought that being that this one had an intriguing premise and was not based on a fairy tale, that I would like it. Unfortunately, that was not the case.

I did not get on with the story at all. All of the characters annoyed me and the story-line was simplistic and not explained well. I did not care for the ending either.