Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for providing an e-ARC of Girl, Unframed. I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Girl, Unframed is set to release on June 23, 2020.
This was my first introduction to Deb Caletti’s work and I have to say I am a fan. This thrilling coming-of-age book is the story all teen girls need to read. Sydney might be the daughter of a movie star, spending the summer in a multi-million dollar beach house, but she is remarkably relatable. I think many young women can remember that summer when men suddenly noticed you, and not necessarily in a good way. Caletti took every girl’s dream life and removed the rose colored glasses. What we are left with is a deeply disturbing tale of modern femininity, societal expectations, and abuse.
This book is like a bomb and the timer starts ticking on page one. The tension was immediate and, before I knew it, I was on the edge of my seat, frantically flipping pages to see what came next. I didn’t know where the hit was coming from, but I expected it around every corner.
The relationships in this book gave me all the feels. I wanted to smack Lila, hug Meredith, kiss Nicco, and surreptitiously shove Jake off a cliff. Each character feels well developed and unique. Lila was particularly complex and I was intrigued by the role she played and how it differed each chapter.
My biggest issue with this book was that it ended. I am so engaged in Sydney’s story and I just want to know what happens next. I wasn’t dissatisfied with the ending, but I could have read on for many more chapters (or maybe a sequel?). There is also a lot of use of the phrase “you know” when referencing things we don’t actually know, like “you know what he looks like” in reference to a character who is famous in the book, but ultimately fictional. I understand the purpose of this device and it even fits the voice of a sixteen-year-old girl, but it was overdone in my opinion.
This exciting YA novel will leave you white-knuckled and sleep deprived in the best way.
*Trigger warnings for domestic abuse, sexual harassment, and violence.
Great review! Sure makes me want to read it!