I'm still not over how much I liked this book. I loved everything about it. The bank robbery plot is a tension filled page turner, and the flashbacks are just as interesting. Sometimes the whole time jump thing doesn't work, but in this case it just amps up the tension. Revealing little pieces of Nora's past and her various identities and the way her mother treated her and used her... it makes you feel so bad for what she was put through, but also like her even more in the present for working to overcome it all. I'm always up for a good mystery, and finding out what happened to get Nora where she is and contribute to who she is (not just her time before living with her sister, but after and her relationships with Wes and Iris) keeps the pages turning.

The supporting characters are great, and I love that Nora's bisexuality is not questioned or made into some huge plot point/big deal, it just exists. It's not the source of conflict, and both Wes and Iris are friends with Nora and one another and have played huge parts in making Nora's life the way it is. All the main characters, including Nora's mother, are well drawn and feel fully formed, and the ways they've affected who Nora is portrayed so well.

I have to single out Nora's sister as my favorite character outside of the trio of main characters. The author manages to give you such a complete picture of who she is even though she's only directly in a few scenes. The main scene she has with Nora is one of my favorites in the book and I would love to have a whole book about her years leading up to when she and Nora moved to the town they're in now.

The author's writing style is compelling and the story moves fast, as she fills in the characters' backgrounds vividly. I like how Nora is not perfect, how she's not fully recovered from all that happened to her but she's always trying, and how she can still use the skills she learned from her mother to protect others and herself and to foil the intentions of people worse than her. Be warned that there is reading about some of Nora's past is pretty rough. Nothing graphic, but sometimes the emotional fallout that is in the story is just as hard to read. Ultimately, it just goes towards giving you respect for Nora and all survivors of such things, but just know that it's there.

Full appreciation also for the fact that the story makes it clear that you don't always have to do everything on your own to be strong, that you can ask for help both from the people who love you and the right professional to help you overcome what's happened to you before. Nora is by no means superhuman, she's just a girl trying to live her life, even if the ways she has to ensure her own safety are far beyond what most people would have to deal with.

The only minor issue I initially had was with a plot point at the end, but after I thought about it for a bit it really does fit Nora's character.

Anyway, bottom line, great read that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves a good thriller, and watching someone who can use her wits to try to get herself and others out of a bad situation.

This is a book where I held off on reading it for far too long because I loved the first one so much that I was afraid there was no way the next could be as good. Thankfully I was wrong. I’ll admit that I don’t remember all the details of the first book but I remember getting sucked in and loving it. I kind of wish I had reread it before jumping into this one to both jog my memory with all the little details and just enjoy it again. Since I didn’t, it took me a little bit to catch up/jump back into the story, but I was quickly reminded why I love all the characters (well, okay most of them). I can never get enough of Nora, Iris, and Wes (and Turbo if I’m being honest) and this book didn’t disappoint. It didn’t take long for the action to pick up and I loved seeing them all be their badass selves as they fought for each other and their survival. I quickly found myself sucked into the story, loved the attitude and humor mixed in among the tension, enjoyed the flashbacks and reveals as things played out, and finished the book far too quickly. I already want more. The audiobook was great - appreciated the narration that gave it all life and kept me saying, “just one more chapter…”

Tess Sharpe has done it again!! Engaging, dynamic, and with true heart. This had me audibly gasping and actively pacing around my apartment. Not all books need a sequel... but i'm glad this one was written!

I loved the framework of this book and how it operates as a sequel that truly expands the characters from book 1, not just the plot.

Nora and her best friends, Wes and Iris, along with Wes’s girlfriend Amanda, are packed and ready to take a week-long backpacking trip to celebrate their high school graduation. The only twist is, Nora’s criminal stepfather has just been released from prison and is looking for revenge. He sees their trip in the remote woods of Northern California as the perfect opportunity. Can Nora escape her past once and for all?

I really enjoyed The Girl in Question! I read the first book in the series, The Girls I’ve Been, to prepare for this one and both books were equally captivating page turners. This is one that cannot be a standalone, so you absolutely must read them in order. This is one of the rare series where I feel like the second book is just as good as the first and does not disappoint at all. The characters were really well-developed and the plot kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. This is technically a YA series, but I really feel like it would appeal to a broader audience since the plot has the same level of depth as books in the adult thriller genre. This series was my first time reading this author, and it’s definitely put her on my radar for the future!

4.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

The Girl in Question follows the aftermath of The Girls I've Been. Nora, Iris, and West are getting over the best they can after being held captive in a bank heist. Their secrets are laid bare and they've created a new way of existing together, trying to celebrate the normal victories of graduating high school and prom without dying or being held captive again. Sure, the looming threat of Raymond Keene weighs heavy on their minds. But he's in jail. Oh wait. Evil men know how to get out on good behavior.

Now what's supposed to be one last hurrah after graduation has been tainted by Raymond hunting Nora in the woods. The problem? His team kidnapped the wrong girl--they took Wes's girlfriend Amanda instead. A rouge FBI agent is on the loose hunting Raymond. And Nora and Iris have been keeping a secret from Wes after promising that their days of hiding things from each other were long gone.

This book is ridiculously fast paced and a delightful read for fans of thrillers, YA or not. If you're more familiar with the genre, maybe some of the twists seem obvious, but they were still delightfully fun! And younger readers for whom this book is for will likely be in awe of the intricacy of Sharpe's reveals throughout this book. I spent the last 25% of this book curled around my kindle reading as fast as my brain allowed.

Also reading both books back-to-back is an incredibly chaotic ride. Would totally suggest.

This follows The Girls I've Been as 2nd in an edgy and fast paced YA series starring tough young Nora O'Malley and friends.

Daughter of a con-artist, she was raised to partner her mom's schemes. She snitched on her stepfather Raymond to the FBI , but kept a thumb drive of his blackmail files in reserve.

Unfortunately Raymond is out of jail and out for vengeance - and the thumb drive.

Nora, Iris, Wes and Turbo had set out on a ten day backpacking trip, followed by Raymond and his goons.

There are captures and betrayals, rescues and reconciliations, separations and reunions - and nonstop action.

The Girl in Question revisits Nora's story in this sequel. I thoroughly enjoyed The Girls I've Been so I excited to receive the ARC. The character development, the emotions, the plot, the action kept me engaged the entire read. Nora and her found family are dynamic characters who I will always root for. While the story was a little out there... I loved it. I would continue to read stories about Nora.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I loved being back with this cast of characters (plus some new ones that were only talked about in book one). The stakes in this one were much higher and in turn there ended up being a lot more action. A few things I didn’t end up liking was the unreliable narrative part, it’s just not my cup of tea when it comes to books, and how Nora was so willing to self sacrifice so many times to save her friends, it just lost the “omg don’t” feel when she kept doing it. I really enjoyed however the different narrators this time. It was nice to be in Iris and Wes’ heads for a bit when Nora was off doing whatever Nora was doing, it kept things interesting and so fast paced I finished this 400 plus page book in two days.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one and thought it was a great addition to book one. I’d love to see more from these characters or even in this world but other characters.

An utterly gripping sequel for Sharpe. The pace is fast. The tension is high. The characters are well-developed. Unputtdownable!

Although this was fast pace and entertaining I just could not fully invest myself into it. I think it could be the YA part of it, maybe I’m just not the target audience. Thank you for the netgalley.

I really enjoyed this book! It had both page-turning suspense and sweet friendships and queer romance. I couldn't put it down! It was also the right amount of scary for someone who is a wimp and normally doesn't choose thrillers! I had loved the first one and this sequel absolutely did not disappoint. Thanks so much for the e-arc and physical copy for the TBR and Beyond Tour!

We discovered all the girls they have been but now it's time to discover who Nora really is.

Raymond is out and coming for Nora and her loved ones and the perfect thing to do is prove to him once again, that he is and always will be a mark and not on her level. Through twists and necessary betrayals, The Girl in Question, slowly has you put the pieces together in an action-fueled story. The gem of this book is that we actually get Iris and Wes's POV and we see just how draining, fulfilling and complicated it is for them to be involved and loved by Nora.
The last few chapters had me singing in my head "They had it coming" and I'm glad Nora & Amanda got revenge!

Is this sequel necessary? yes and no.
If you wanted more perspective from Irish & Wes and how loving and being in Nora's life affected and changed them, then yes.
If you wanted a more closed ending, then yes.
If you wanted more insight into Nora's part selves then yes.
But if you were happy with how book 1 ended and didn't want added heartbreak, then no.

Tess Sharpe did not disappoint with this sequel to The Girls I have Been. The storyline continues with the previous plot but fills in the gaps of the character's backstory, further develops the arcs and draws the reader into the nail biting suspense of their adventures. I highly recommend both books in this series. The audiobook was also well done. Thank you Netgalley for the advance copy.

The Girl in Question picks up a bit after the end of The Girl’s I’ve Been and follows our main three people (plus Amanda) as they are hunted down by Nora’s stepfather and his goons while on a camping trip.

While I don’t think this sequel was at all necessary, it was a fun ride that opened up a bunch of new plot twists that weren’t explored in the first novel. We learn more about our character’s backstories while watching them learn more about themselves in the process. The end of the book seemed to close pretty much all necessary plots, so I don’t think there will be any more installments in this series, but we’ll see!

I didn’t like the second book as much as The Girls I’ve Been mainly because I felt like the plots stretched a bit too far beyond my imagination to seem at all realistic (I know the first book wasn’t that realistic either, but it wasn’t as bad as this one, in my opinion). I also found myself getting frustrated with what I perceived to be immaturity in the characters that I didn’t really have a problem with in the first book, despite the characters being older here.

That being said, Tess Sharpe once again did a great job delivering a thrilling ride with many twists and turns that are sure to keep you glued to your seats as you read. I’m excited to read more of her work!

“The mind, it falls into old habits. Once a con artist, always a con artist.”

The Girl in Question fits right in with The Girls I’ve Been by being incredibly well written and nearly impossible to put down once started. Once again Nora, Iris, and Wes will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. TGiQ weaves a thrilling story that not only wraps up the big bads of Nora’s past, but also explores the dynamics of romantic, platonic, familial, and even finding commonalities in antagonist type relationships.

Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys YA thrillers set in the great outdoors to add that extra layer of suspense.

“It’s nostalgia, but the horrible kind.”

Well well well call this my new favorite thriller and slap a bow on the front because this was freaking wild. a wild wild ride. I get the hype and can't wait to read more by this author.

I wish I had read the first book in the series again before picking up this one, firstly because I loved it but also so that the details could be a little clearer before heading into this new book.

It felt like the story took a minute to click into place for me, as I tried to recall some of the details from the last book. It didn’t take me long though before I was captivated once again by Nora, Iris and Wes and the situation they find themselves in.

This time it is a forest, with Raymond released from prison and coming after Nora. I loved the setting, the unknown terrain and the danger present from more than just the bad guys that are after them made for a taut atmosphere and a lot of creativity.

Nora, Iris and Wes are still magnificent characters, it is wonderful to see how their relationships have evolved and how they have each had positive and slightly scary influences on each other. Nora is more willing to stay and fight for her life and slightly less self-sacrificing, Iris is a lot stronger and more devious and Wes is still loving and protective but continues to surprise by being a little ruthless too.

I enjoyed that we got to hear from the perspectives of all three of them as it helped build the tension and let us explore the relationships a little further. I also liked that we still got to dip in and out of Nora’s past to add some further context to the story.

What I loved about the first book, as well as the characters, was the author's ability to keep me on my toes and this story is no different. There are quite a few surprises in this book which kept me gripped and the pace at a fever pitch, it is a thrilling rollercoaster ride and I didn’t want it to end.

I’m glad that I know I can pick up a book from this author and thoroughly enjoy it and I am very much looking forward to what will come next.

Nora is finally out of high school, and she should be looking forward to the next stage of her life, but since her stepdad is free and wants revenge, it is hard to concentrate on the future. She decides that a 10-day hiking trip is needed. A wrench is thrown in right away when Wes’s girlfriend comes along. That wasn’t in the plans, and neither was Amanda getting kidnapped. How did Raymond know where they would be? Why was Amanda taken? What secrets are being kept?

The Girl in Question is the sequel to The Girls I’ve Been. The first book ended with a satisfying ending, but for those who wanted to know what happened next … this book will give you the answers. There are some crazy timeline issues with all the flashbacks, but that was the same as the original and if you enjoyed that book, you would also enjoy this book. The Girl in Question is a must-read for everyone who loved The Girls I’ve Been.

This book is like if a plot twist’s plot twists had plot twists. I read THE GIRLS I’VE BEEN years ago and really enjoyed it, so I was obviously excited for another book with Nora, Iris, and Wes, and this book takes things up another notch. After everything that happens in the first book (which I feel like this book sufficiently reminded me of what I’d forgotten in the two years since I read it), it’s almost hard to see what could surprise you in another, but Tess Sharpe takes everything from Nora’s past and makes you see it in a new light. The mystery is right under your nose, you just never understood what it was about. Plus, I feel like this book gets even more Iris and Wes, and all of their relationships to one another. The first part of the book took me a little bit longer to get into (mostly because I had to remember what happened in the first book) but once I hit about 30% in I didn’t stop reading until I’d finished the entire book.

I feel like there’s two major elements to this book, the mystery/plot and the characters and their relationships, and then ultimately how those two things intertwine. The narration makes you feel like you know something but sometimes you really know nothing, in the kind of way that almost makes me want to immediately reread so I can see what I was missing the first time around. There’s also a mixture of past and present scenes that help shape the story while also laying the groundwork for what eventually ends up happening. And if you think I’m being a little vague, there’s just so much that’s possible to accidentally spoil with this or the first book and it’s so much more fun to just find out by reading.

Have I already said I love the main characters? Well, I do. Sharpe has created such fun and unique characters, and written them in a way that feels a little jagged but authentic. This second book also has the addition of a dog which, in my opinion, always makes things better. We get more of Nora, yes, but we also get more of Iris and what she wants in life (and how far she’ll go for Nora) alongside the struggles of running away from bad guys in the woods with endometriosis, and Wes and how he’s carving his own life away from his family. It feels like everyone gets to come into their own in this book, even if that maybe includes a little bit of violence.

This book was so interesting and from the second half had me absolutely on the edge of my seat as new information kept turning the situation completely on its head. If you enjoyed THE GIRLS I’VE BEEN or you just like a good mystery/thriller, this is absolutely worth the read!