Kathleen Fine has a unique writing style, and is able to elicit very vivid imagery within the reader through what I can only term to be 'practical' imagery. On one occasion, I read about a broken hearted girl's 'Swiss-cheese heart', and on another occasion, a man's eyes that were blue like the flames on a gas stove. I honestly can't think of another time where my mind conjured up an image as fast whilst reading a book.

Writing style aside, Fine writes a crime-style novel that is at its heart, a crime-stopping novel. Trigger warnings for: sexual assault, substance abuse, etc are duly provided at the onset of the book.

As for the plot itself, the first third of the book was strong, the middle drooped somewhat but then picked up pace again. However, at the end I felt that the two timelines we were following from the beginning of the book become unnecessary and aimless. The timeline set in the past seemed to not add much at the end of the book, other than some family memories and good vibes. One time would have been fine, but after that, it became too many.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read and I look forward to reading some 'Fine' material again!

A high school girl, Emily, longs to be popular. She begins to go against her personal morals and make questionable decisions to fit in with “popular” girl, Hannah. When a family dies, Emily goes on trial to determine if she is at fault. (I don’t want to give much detail because I don’t want to give to much away)

Okay, this one started a little slow for me--BUT I am so happy I kept reading. After a few chapters I was HOOKED. This story is told in multiple timelines that are broken up nicely throughout the book and come together PERFECTLY at the end. The trial in this story slowly unfolds in a way that makes you NEED to keep turning the pages. There are the perfect amount of twists to keep you on the edge of your seat. This story is perfect for those that love suspense!

I will absolutely recommend this book!

Girl on Trial will be released October 24, 2023!!

Thank you so much to Kathleen Fine and CamCat books for this gifted ARC!

Loved this family drama. Bravo!
Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

Synopsis (from Netgalley, the provider of the book for me to review.)
*********************************************************

Does doing one bad thing make you a bad person?

Sixteen-year-old Emily Keller, known by the media as Keller the Killer, is accused of causing the deaths of four family members, including young children. Emily is one of the youngest females to be accused of a crime so heinous, making this the nation’s biggest trial of the year. But what really happened that fateful night―and who’s responsible―is anything but straightforward.

Living in a trailer park in Baltimore with her twin brother and alcoholic mother, Emily’s life hasn’t been easy. She’s had to grow up fast, and like any teen, has made questionable decisions in a desperate attempt to fit in with her peers. Will her mistakes amount to a guilty verdict and a life in prison? It’s up to the jury to decide.

My answer is no ... we all make mistakes but Emily is kind of heinous. And devious. and Unlikeable....this book will be very polarizing so I will recommend it to book clubs and my patrons will eat it up as well. Expertly crafted, utterly readable --- fantastic book!
#shortbutsweetreviews

Firstly thank you to NetGalley and they author for an ARC of this book. This is the authors debut and it was certainly a five star read for me.

The story is of teenager Emily Keller dubbed “Keller the killer” who is on trial for the manslaughter of a family of four. The book jumps back and forth from the days of Emily’s trial and also the days leading up to the incident in question.

I raced through this book and found it hard to put down. The story covers sexual abuse, rape and self harm and is also quite a sad thriller. I can’t wait to read more from Kathleen Fine

The chapters changed from past to present and really hyped up the mystery of the book. At first, I wasn’t really sure I liked the story, but I kept reading and it did get better. Such a heartbreaking story, but also very eye-opening!

Emily and her twin brother Nate live with their single mom Deborah in the small trailer she’s 16 and has always wanted to be part of the popular group and although she’s had a lifelong friend in Steph the grass always seems to be more greener at the popular girls house. So when a girl named Hannah who is part of that group starts wanting to hang out with them Ali she is Uber excited about it she even invites Hannah over and they drink some of her mom Deborah‘s beer because Deborah is a big-time alcoholic and this makes Hannah think Emily is cool when they go to babysit the Thompson’s girls Kayde and Sophie Emily isn’t comfortable with leaving them home alone to go across the street to the park to meet Hannah‘s boyfriend topper in his best friend chuck due to her wanting to be popular she does it anyway and when Chuck acts like he was owed sex for his appearance at the park she is totally turned off by him and eshe’s glad to make her escape when little Sophie woke up. She also finds it weird that Hannah thinks Mr. Thompson is good looking and when Emily runs into him at the thrift store and he insist on buying her expensive boots and then taking her home she gets a creepy feel from him so when he drops her off she is happy to get out of the car. One night after a party however when Emily gets sick from too much drinking she asked Hannah to bring her home but Hannah said she will call her a car only for creepy Mr. Thompson to show up and instead of bringing her home he brings her to his house because his wife and two daughters are out of town and he totally takes advantage of the situation and it leaves Emily traumatized so when Hannah once again ask her to babysit the Thompson’s kids because she herself will be out of town at her grandmas funeral Emily refuses but when her mom finds out she guilt Emily into doing it everything goes wrong and Emily finds herself on trial for the families murder. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I also enjoyed the fact that the author made it clear that money and status does not make good parents in bad parents can be found at any class level. Emily‘s mom loved her and her twin brother Nate but at the same time was an enabler an alcoholic and a serial dater but having said that I still love this book and highly recommend it I want to think Net Galley and books go social media for my free Ark copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

I liked this story about 16-year-old Emily
It's a thought-provoking tale
You realise how quickly a young person can get themselves into bad situations quickly
The need to fit in and be accepted is at the heart of this story
Recommended reading

thanks to netgallery & camcat books for the free earc in exchange for a fair and honest review!

this story is perfect. i have absolutely no qualms with the story. it's amazing, down to the pacing and characters. the origin of my complaints is the writing style. from the beginning, the writing was quite clunky and occasionally a little cringy - although this calmed down a lot by the middle of the book. to me, it seems as if the first 100 or so pages need another round of editing. that is the only reason this isn't a 5 star book.
this is a perfect example of how peer pressure works, and although there were a surprisingly large amount of characters with very little plot relevance (nate, steph, the third triplet (why couldn't they just be twins?)) this could be completely disregarded in the name of realism. because i found this book to be so much more realistic than many other examples of how peer pressure and teenage mistakes happen. so give this a read. its worth it.

Girl on Trial is an intriguing and captivating novel.

Sixteen year old Emily Keller lives in a trailer with her alcohol addicted mother and twin brother. She is unhappy with her life and is longing for acceptance and friends.

This longing has led her into becoming friends with a girl named Hannah, who also has scars but hides behind fake smiles and friends. This friendship is the biggest regret of Emily's life because she is now being put on trial for a crime she had no intention of doing. Would she get a justified verdict. You'll have to read to find out!!

The topics that strikes me when reading were peer pressure, social hierarchy and abuse (alcohol, drug and sexual). As teenagers, we are faced with trying to prove a point and this leads us to taking on and maintaining false pretenses.

While reading this novel, I remembered the phrase one of my high school teachers instilled in me. 'Friends will bring you, but they don't carry you back!!' This story of this novel is a classic example.

There were many emotions, I enjoyed this story as it reminded me of my teenage days and the problems we faced and tried to hide. Growing up in a distant household, I can relate to the protagonist because we share similar feelings.

This is the first novel I have read by the author Kathleen Fine. I enjoyed it. I am looking forward to reading more of her novels. The only disappointment was the ending was predictable. I anticipated the true culprit was indeed the person I assumed from the start of getting to know the character.

Regardless, it was a great story, my favorite character would have to be Nate Keller. He does not stray or allows his peers to instigate him. He knows what he wants.

I would recommend this book and I rate it 4 out of five stars.

This one had me gripped from the very beginning. The story being told between the past and present made it easy to follow but also helped build the tension.

I liked the storyline and the pacing of the story was just right. The ending felt a little rushed after the entire story building up to that moment but I enjoyed it nevertheless.

This book also carried an important message about not being influenced by others!

This is an interesting, unique thriller and I would be interested in reading more of this authors work.

This book is so great. I loved the way it's told in three different timelines and the way it starts near the end, as it made me want to read on to find out how we got to the place. The topic of this book revolves around the death of a family, including children and also some other events that could be very triggering for some to read so I would recommend that anyone thinking about introducing it into a school library reads it before they do so. However, it also deals well with peer pressure and the impact it could have on someones life. I think fans of crime and mystery books would really enjoy this book. I loved it.

I absolutely adored this book! I was hooked by the first few chapters and couldn't wait to see it all end. The story itself is compelling and sheds a light on what we mean by accountability for our actions. The flashbacks are really useful and so wonderfully inserted to keep the reader on its toes.

It made me feel like I was reading the book version of Thirteen sometimes and I really enjoyed that!

I'd never read a story like this and I hope to see more.

Emily was helping her new friend Hannah babysit for a family. An incident occurred and the family died so now Emily is standing trial for murder. This is an extremely gripping YA novel that has many twists and keeps you guessing throughout. It covers a range of issues such as self harm, sexual assault and abuse of power in a sensitive way. A brilliant read.

This book follows 16 year old Emily Keller, aka Keller the Killer as dubbed by her community, as she stands trial for manslaughter following the deaths of four people (including two young children).

The story flips between past and present - which is not my favorite- but was important for context here. As a mom of young kids, some parts of this were extremely hard to read and also enraging at times. I didn’t feel connected to any of the characters really, but I did feel for Emily who was just trying to fit in at high school.

But the story itself is gripping and I kept going because I had to know the truth. I’d say this book is equal parts heartbreaking as it is suspenseful. The chapters are super short, which made it easy to read.

I wish Good Reads would allow us to give half stars - this one would be a 3.5 stars for me.

My first ever review of a book from NetGalley and WoW!! This book blew me away.
Emily Keller just wants to be popular, but a series of poor decisions leaves her in court for man slaughter. The story flips between the past, showing the events running up to her being charged, and the trial. I love thé format and found it easy to follow. I was gripped all the way through the story and I found myself not wanting to put it down which is always the sign of a great book! Highly recommend!!

Emily wanted to be popular, to have a cool friend, someone to help her forget her life with her alcoholic mom and life in the trailer park. When she meets Hannah she thinks she has found that friend, someone to go to parties with and drink with, but Emily quickly realizes she is in over her head and when she ends up on trial for manslaughter she realizes how much she has lost her way. This was a great story about addiction in all his manifestations, friendship and taking responsibility for your own actions. There are some definitely some trigger warnings here for sexual assault and self harm but both topics are covered with dignity and care. A great book!

This was such a good read! I’d highly encourage young girls 15+ to read this. It’s a heartbreaking storyline about how making a few stupid choices could truly change the rest of your life. I have been seeing this title around a bit and I’m so glad that I got the opportunity to read it! As a mom and adult I still enjoyed this book because as a teen I didn’t make the best decisions either and the world in which we live today….. doesn’t make doing the right thing easy. Thank you for giving me the change to read this!!

Thanks so much to the publisher and to Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC copy of this book! My reviewing & platforms information is linked in my profile.

Hooked me from the start despite not being exactly what I thought it was. Emily was an incredibly developed and believable character who faced some raw things.

Man, what a story! It's been about a week since I finished it and I'm STILL thinking about it. I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this one, but I was hooked after the first few chapters. I really liked the alternating timelines - each transition had just enough of a cliffhanger to keep me going without dragging things out or feeling repetitive. Maybe it was my Kindle version, but I do wish the chapter headings were more heavily bolded as there were times I became a bit confused as to what time period it was. I really loved Emily's character - I sympathized with her as well as cheered her on! Her relationship with Hannah was relatable as it can be hard to do the right thing when you want to fit in. That being said, I wanted more about her relationship with her old BFF. I was pleasantly surprised by the ending as it truly kept me guessing until the very end. I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this author for more works in the future!

Thank you Netgalley and Camcat Publishing for the ARC of Girl on Trial by Kathleen Fine. I really liked this book about Emily, a teenager, who is on trial for killing a family of 4, including 2 children. This story is about peer pressure, adults taking advantage of young girls, teen alcohol and drug use. The author did an amazing job telling Emily’s story. I look forward to reading more books by Kathleen Fine.

Emily Keller is sixteen years old and lives with her often drunk mom and twin brother in a trailer park. She is a great student but she doesn’t have many friends. In an effort to become popular, she befriends a classmate who encourages her to engage in risky behaviors. Now Emily has been charged with manslaughter for the deaths of a family of four. Kathleen Fine uses multiple timelines to show what happened leading up to her arrest and during the trial. I couldn’t put this book down. The characters and situations were totally believable. Even the court testimony seemed like it could happen just as the author portrays it. Emily’s actions seemed typical for many high schoolers. There were even several unexpected twists. I highly recommend it. I thank NetGalley and CamCat books for giving me the chance to read this ARC and introducing me to this author.

ARC Review - Girl on Trial

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

TW - SA, SH, Substance abuse

WOW this book was an absolute amazing read.

The story follows teenager Emily as she faces her trial for the manslaughter of the Thomas family. Going between the trial (current) and the past to layout to the reader the events that occurred.

I read this book super quick and was absolutely hooked from the get go. I have not read any of Kathleen Fine’s work before but after reading Girl on Trial I definitely will seek out more.

There are a number of serious topics discussed in the duration of the book with these issues being discussed in a very open and raw manner. There were also trigger warnings at the start of the book and helpline contacts at the end which I feel a lot more authors should do.

The book brings in the question of if a good person does a bad thing does that make them a bad person, using tales Emily’s teenage endeavours including both alcohol and drug use to do so. As we hear of these we see the teenage naivety and the impact peer pressure can have during these years.

Overall I just could not put this book down and can’t recommend it highly enough! Be sure to read yourself when the book is published the 24th October 2023

Thank you @netgalley and @kathleenfineauthor for the opportunity to read this amazing book🥰❤️

I absolutely loved this book. I was sad when it was over. I felt like I was really able to put myself in Emily's shoes. The struggles of wanting to fit in, to hide your upbringing and ultimately making decisions and choices that do not match who you are as a person in order to accomplish this.

Trigger warning for this book regarding SA.

For readers who enjoy Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll, 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher, and One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus.

This was hard to read at times (due to the subject matter, not the prose) but I am glad that I did. A great, stressful Y.A. mystery/thriller.

4⭐️

i cannot express how much i loved this book. like this was actually so good????

the story follows the current and past events of emily, known as, “kellan the killer,” who is on trial for the murder of a family of 4. the book starts out going through the current events and each day of trial while jumping to the past dates leading up to her trial. emily comes from a tough background always feeling the need to fit in and is determined to make friends and be popular; then she meets hannah and everything starts taking a turn for the worse.

CAN WE JUST APPRECIATE THAT ENDING AND THE CONSTANT TWISTS AND TURNS???? like this book was so good it was baffling. i will be recommending this to anyone who loves a juicy thriller. i could not put this down for the life of me. this book goes into the dark side of broken family’s and mental health and i feel like it was portrayed so well. i found myself relating to emily so much throughout the story. i really appreciated how well this was written and how smoothly it flowed. the only reason i knocked it down a star was solely because it wasn’t an absolute favorite and i don’t like handing out 5 stars unless i’d sacrifice my life for a book.

⚠️TRIGGER WARNINGS INCLUDE SELF-HARM, ALCOHOLISM, RAPE, SEXUAL ASSULT⚠️

thank you netgalley, camcat books, and kathleen fine for a copy of the arc in exchange for an honest review!! <3

This book is a little peculiar, when one speaks of children who committed crimes I am always conflicted, I cannot help but think that the child is the first victim. That said I loved this book and I recommend it.

When starting this book, I didn't know quite what to expect. Girl on Trial? For what? This wasn't a fender bender, or a case of underage drinking. Within a couple of pages, I was completely sucked into the story, and invested in this character's future. The main character was well written, and easy to relate to, as we have all been through high school and understand wanting to have friends. It is a timeline jump book, so most chapters alternate, but they were very easy to follow and immediately picked up where it left off. If you have an issue reading books like this, I would STILL recommend this, as you could easily read the past chapters in order, and then go back and read the current happenings. Some of the secondary characters could have been fleshed out a bit more, as they came across somewhat one dimensional, such as Nate, who is supportive, but doesn't add much to the plot itself. The twist and the way the information was slowly dripped to the reader make up for that small critique. I would love to see more by this author!!

Emily Keller is on trial for the deaths of four family members, but what happened that night isn’t as straightforward as it may seem.

This was a very solid four star read for me. I flew through this one in just a few hours - from beginning to end, I found myself guessing and guessing what might happen.

There were some parts of the story that did seem a little obvious to me and some of the phrasing was strange (Nate & she rather than She & Nate), but overall, I could never have guessed exactly how this story would end.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Abuse, neglect, self-harm, addiction (narcotics & alcohol), rape.

*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*

This book deals with serious subject matters and because of this it felt hard to keep reading. But I'm glad I did and I'd read more by the author

Kathleen Fine’s debut is about 16-year-old Emily Keller, or “Keller the Killer”, who is on trial for the manslaughter of a family of four. The book follows a dual-timeline structure, where one chapter follows the events leading up to the deaths of the Thomas family, and the next follows Emily’s trial in court. In the chapters prior to the trial, Emily is quite an unlikeable narrator; she is judgmental, jealous, and desperate for attention. These characteristics mean that when she starts a friendship with a popular girl, Hannah, Emily is willing to do pretty much anything to stay in Hannah’s favour; drinking, drugs, meeting up with older boys, going to parties, and being negligent babysitters. I really enjoyed the flipping between different timelines as it kept me engaged, and the short chapters meant that the pace was very fast-moving. I especially liked the courtroom chapters, as I felt they were done really well; they weren’t meanderingly dull but kept to the point and told us exactly what we needed to know.

Emily’s unlikability and immaturity also begs the question of whether forgiveness and redemption are really possible, as Emily makes a lot of mistakes throughout the book - but were they enough to amount to murder?

This really reminds me of a cross between the hard-hitting content of Girl in Pieces (Kathleen Glasgow) and the suspenseful mystery elements of A Good Girl's Guide To Murder (Holly Jackson).

Content warnings: alcoholism, drug use, sa, sh, child neglect.

Emily’s on trial at 16 years old for the deaths of the Thomas family.

There’s more than meets the eye with this story because you have social class, high school politics, sexual abuse, neglect, substance abuse, and more.

Glimpsing into Emily’s thoughts through multiple timelines showcase the complexity of making a decision - one that could alter her life forever.

While I enjoyed the book, I do hope that the final version of the Kindle ebook improves readability as my copy had words without spaces, random line breaks, the authors name inserted throughout various pages, and overall formatting issues that made the book less readable.

*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*

This was such an interesting and intriguing novel to read, I enjoyed it very much. I could not put the novel down and finished it within a few days, which is good for me.

We meet Emily, young at only 16 but on trial for the murder of a family of 4. Whoa this book really knocked me for six and I ploughed my way through it.

The story is multi-layered and features what has happened in the past and how Emily is in the predicament that she is. The content of the novel covers some sensitive subjects and you really feel for the main character and see why she is the person she is.

Some of the characters in this novel are highly unlikeable but I did warm to Emily as young girl who has been through a lot.

Thanks to Netgalley, Kathleen Fine and the publishers for allowing me a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Great heartbreaking story. I couldn't put it down.
Emily is on trial for manslaughter when the family she babysits for, including the two small children die due to her negligence.
It's a new school year and Emily wants to be popular and in order to do so, she makes a new friend.. Thanks to her new friend , she starts making a lot a bad choices with big consequences including that faithful night
The story goes back and forth between the trial, and past events that lead the deaths. Great storytelling while flipping between the two.

TW - sexual assault, self harm, drug/alcohol abuse

The book is designated YA but the concepts are really heavy. There's alcoholic parents, absent parents, r@pe, abortion, drug use by teenagers including vaping marijuana, underage drinking, peer pressure, self-harm/cutting. My star rating for this book went up the longer I read it. I felt like the writing at times could be juvenile but the longer I dove in: I realized this was the author’s way of showing how young Emily was at heart, even though she was really struggling to impress other kids her age. The character development was really good within this story, and you felt sorry for and forgave and loved the characters. Emotions came back to me of that desire as a younger me to be accepted: And I mean, does that desire ever go away as an adult? How far will Emily go to “act cool”? Alcohol use is strong in this book, and honestly, even though I despise how many books have such strong themes of alcohol, atleast this one had a resolution for the abuse of the substance. (And the abuse of alcohol made the plot thicker, as the MC struggled with peer pressure and the use of alcohol by her mother and basically every other adult)

🥃 This line hit me some type of way:
“Emily glanced back and forth at the two adults in front of her, casually offering her a flask of liquor before ten in the morning in front of a courthouse.”

All in all, I really recommend picking this one up next month! It publishes 10/24: Keep an eye out!
This would be a GREAT book club book: lots of things to discuss on this one!

Sixteen year old Emily Keller is starting her trial for causing the deaths of a family of four. The media calls her Keller the Killer. Living in a trailer park in Baltimore, her life hasn’t been easy but she never expected this.

I started this one last night before bed and didn’t finish it until it was over. I literally could not put it down. It starts with major suspense, wondering what the main character did and how, and doesn’t let up, quickly moving into the trial itself. There are a lot of topics here that will appeal to young adults- namely peer pressure and the desire to be included, but the suspense and drama keeps adult attention as well.

“Does one mistake make me a bad person even though I’ve lived my life being a good person? Can good people do bad things to good people?”

Girl on Trial comes out 10/24.

I chose to read Girl on Trial after reading its synopsis, because I wanted to preview its appropriateness for the high school book club I advise. I had no expectations when I started the book as it is not a book I would typically pick up to read. The author, Kathleen Fine, astounded me with her writing style. I found this novel relatable and pertinent to the issues and concerns of today’s teens. Although the book does deal with tough subjects such as drugs, alcohol, rape, and peer pressure, these topics are covered in a very favorable format.

Thank you, NetGalley and BooksGoSocial, for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed above are my own.

We've all survived high school. Some of us were lucky enough to survive high school BEFORE social media. I thank God everyday I was one of them. This book took me right back to those rebellious years. The years of longing, and questioning and dying to fit in. Of wanting to be ANYONE but myself. Kathleen Fine wrote an incredible book that tells the story of what could happen (to ANY OF US) had we made the wrong decision. How in one split second your life can change. How wanting to be anyone but yourself can have deadly consequences. I loved this book, I feel like I lived vicariously through this book. When my children are of the right age, they will be given this book to read. Nothing sets the stage for high school like hearing tales of "What If."

THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD!!

i really liked how the story was told with a dual timeline, alternating between the past events that led up to emily's conviction and the present day of her going through the trial. i also really enjoyed the short, simple chapters!!

i will say that i was a bit confused on a couple of things in the ending, but overall, it was a really engaging book!!

"Girl on Trial" by Kathleen Fine takes readers on a gripping journey through the twists and turns of a harrowing courtroom drama, challenging preconceptions and exploring the complexities of human actions and their consequences.

At the center of the storm is sixteen-year-old Emily Keller, dubbed "Keller the Killer" by the media. Accused of a horrific crime that claimed the lives of multiple family members, including young children, Emily becomes the focal point of a nationally significant trial. The book delves into her challenging life in a Baltimore trailer park, alongside her twin brother and an alcoholic mother. It unravels the layers of Emily's desperate attempts to fit in, showcasing the difficult decisions she has made along the way.

The narrative is a thrilling exploration of broken families and mental health, delving unflinchingly into the dark realities that many face. Fine crafts a compelling portrayal of Emily's mother, a character that reflects the complex nature of addiction and its impact on family dynamics. Throughout the book, the plot twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats, navigating the intricacies of the trial and the characters' lives.

The writing is well-crafted, allowing the story to flow smoothly, pulling readers into the heart of the legal proceedings and the lives of the characters. The courtroom scenes, while engaging, may occasionally stretch believability, reminding readers that this is a work of fiction.

One of the book's strengths lies in its portrayal of the consequences of actions, reminding readers that every choice we make has far-reaching effects. The characters are meticulously developed, each with their own depth and unique personality, contributing to the richness of the narrative.

"Girl on Trial" does not indulge in unnecessary details or descriptions. Instead, it maintains a sharp focus on the plot and the intricate web of emotions and events that shape the lives of its characters.

In summary, Kathleen Fine's "Girl on Trial" is a thrilling and thought-provoking read, delving into the darkness of human experiences and the complexities of justice. With its engrossing narrative and well-drawn characters, this book is a testament to the consequences of our actions and the trials we face in our pursuit of truth and understanding.

3.9 rounded up to 4/5.

Enjoyed the writer's style and descriptions. It started a bit slow for me, but once I got going it was really enjoyable! Thank you for the ARC copy!

"Girl on Trial" is a gripping legal thriller that takes readers on a suspenseful journey into the courtroom, intertwining the past and present to unveil the circumstances that led the protagonist, Keller, to stand trial. The novel's fast-paced narrative and intriguing plot twists make it an addicting read, perfect for those who enjoy legal drama.

One of the standout features of the book is its ability to captivate readers from the very beginning. The seamless weaving of past and present narratives keeps the suspense levels high, encouraging readers to devour the book in a single sitting. The courtroom scenes are vividly described, providing an immersive experience that allows readers to feel like they're part of the legal proceedings.

However, as much as "Girl on Trial" excels in its storytelling and suspense, it does have its shortcomings when it comes to accuracy in portraying the criminal justice system. Some elements may come across as far-fetched or blatantly inaccurate to readers familiar with legal procedures. This can be a minor but noticeable issue for those seeking a more authentic representation of the legal world. I also found the writing pretty jovial - be forewarned it is YA.

In spite of these minor hiccups, the novel's strengths outweigh its weaknesses. It successfully delivers an engaging and thrilling story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Keller's character development and the exploration of her past make for a compelling narrative, adding depth to the overall plot.

In conclusion, "Girl on Trial" is a riveting legal thriller that will undoubtedly satisfy fans of the genre. Its ability to seamlessly blend past and present narratives creates an addictive reading experience, and Keller's journey is both captivating and emotionally resonant. While some aspects of the criminal justice system might not align with reality, the book's compelling storytelling ultimately makes it a worthwhile and enjoyable read.

Thank you to the publisher, author & NetGalley for my gifted copy!

Oh my goodness! Where do I start from? From the moment I picked up this book I was hooked. I honestly could not put it down. I read this starting at breakfast and by dinner, I was done! I loved the way the story developed through both the present day trial and by going back to the actual events as they happened. I was rooting for Emily the whole way through and by the end was quite attached to the character. There are so many emotions throughout and I couldn't wait to find out what was coming next but at the same time did not want the story to end.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Gripping read … Emily dreams of being popular at school and making friends with Hannah is her gateway to this .. suddenly her life changes and she’s going to parties drinking and making bad decisions so much do she ends up on trial for murder . I loved the past/present chapters with a great twist at the end

Trigger warnings for Girl on Trial include: sexual assault, substance abuse and self harm.
☆
☆
Sometimes I don't prefer books that jump between past and present day, but this one signposted the changes in time, which made it easier to read.
~
I found the characters to be likeable enough, and enjoyed the plot through the story. Some aspects felt a little too relatable, talking about how the person who might seem the happiest could be the person who's hurting the most.
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I didn't like that Hannah and Emily didn't get justice for what happened to them, but I did like that everyone began to heal from their traumas and addictions by seeking help for it.
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Overall, it was an interesting story, and one that kept me reading. I initially I tried to set myself page goals to get it read before I needed to post this review, that very quickly went out of the window as I got more invested in the lives of the girls and in the story.
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Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC copy of this book.

thank you so much to netgalley and booksgosocial for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

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16 year old emily keller is on trial for the deaths of four family members (including two kids). in one of the nation’s biggest trials that year, emily is one of the youngest females accused of such a heinous crime. but, what really happened that night is what the court has got all wrong.

emily’s life hasn’t been easy, growing up in a baltimore trailer park with her brother and her alcoholic mother. like any other teen, she’s made many questionable decisions, but will her mistakes land her in prison?
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what i liked:
-this book was set in maryland and was done SO WELL
-the twists??!??!?!!
-emily had so much depth.
-this was nearly impossible to put down and i lost so much sleep because i was up reading
-i normally hate switching from the past to the present in books, but i really enjoyed it here

what i didn’t like
-the only thing is that the ending was a bit rushed

trigger warnings:
-SA/rape
-self harm
-addiction
-alcoholism
-death (including children)

wow. this book was incredible and i’m so glad i got to read it!!! the characters had depth and the plot itself was well-developed. i noticed that this book had a lot of mentions of maryland, as it was set there. and it’s kind of stupid, but it made me very delighted to find a book set in my state. i found out afterwards that the author lives in MD and went to the same uni as both my parents. just thought it was cool.

"Girl on Trial" by Kathleen Fine is a gripping and thought-provoking thriller that delves into the complexities of the justice system and the question of whether one mistake defines a person's entire life.

The story follows sixteen-year-old Emily Keller, who becomes the center of a national trial after being accused of causing the deaths of a family of four, including young children. Emily, known as Keller the Killer by the media, is one of the youngest females to face such serious charges. The narrative explores the events leading up to that fateful night, as well as the trial itself, offering multiple perspectives and keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

Emily's character is both sympathetic and complex. Living in a challenging environment in a Baltimore trailer park with her twin brother and alcoholic mother, Emily's life has been far from easy. The author skillfully portrays her struggles, decisions, and the desperate desire to fit in with her peers. As the trial unfolds, readers are left to question whether Emily's past mistakes should lead to a guilty verdict and a life in prison.

Kathleen Fine's writing is compelling, and she skillfully weaves together different timelines and perspectives to create a narrative that keeps readers engaged and emotionally invested. The book raises important questions about empathy, redemption, and the idea that people are more than their worst actions.

The praise for "Girl on Trial" from notable authors and Kirkus Reviews speaks to the book's quality and its ability to captivate readers. The story's conclusion provides a satisfying resolution to the gripping mystery surrounding the events of that tragic night.

Overall, "Girl on Trial" is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats while challenging their perceptions of justice, empathy, and the potential for redemption.

Sixteen-year-old Emily is standing trial for the manslaughter of all four members of the family she was babysitting for on the night they died and the book follows her trial from start to finish, alongside past narrative of the events in the run-up to the deaths.

This is a great YA novel and I’ll be recommending it to fellow YA fans. It’s attention-grabbing and plot-twisty without being absurdly far-fetched. Emily is a well-rounded, believable character who you empathise with from early on in the book.

A really good read. Thank you to the publisher for access to this ARC.

A suprsingly layered story with a great balance of past and present day narration.
The dark complications of teenage girlhood were tackled head on in this novel, while also being weaved into Emily's experience as the typical compromises we make as we mature. What starts are a small compromise can lead to an avalanche you can't control.
There were also a couple twists I did not see coming!
Highly recommend and interested to see what this author does next.