Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 06/10/2023
Published by: Macmillan
ISBN: 9781529090307
Cover:
While the red, black and white colours effortlessly drew my eye to this design, it is a bit too simple for my liking. Still, the colours and ladybug illustrations neatly convey the central elements of the story.
Writing:
I completely adored the rich, quotable prose and chapter-ending cliffhangers used in this book. Although I struggled slightly with the constantly shifting points of view (POVs), these are clearly marked and cleverly used to increase the scope and complexity of the story.
A good book can cure loneliness, change minds, or even change the world.
Storyline:
It took me a while to settle into this story due to the leisurely pace at which it unfolds and the multiple POVs. However, the continuous revelations and mystery kept me intrigued, and I soon found the unpredictable storyline gripping. I also loved how complex themes surrounding mother/daughter relationships and good/bad choices are explored and added depth to the storyline.
Main characters:
Through their distinct personalities and experiences, Frankie, Edith, Patience and Clio are shown to be complex characters shaped by past decisions (both good and bad). I relished each secret revealed about these characters and loved how this gradually tied them together.
Life without dreams is just a slow kind of death
Secondary characters:
Several secondary characters help drive various aspects of the storyline and add dimensions to the story. I especially loved DCI Charlotte Chapman as her character is given some depth and a strong personality despite her little role.
Narration & Audio:
I only have praise for the narration by Katherine Press and Stephanie Racine! Their engaging vocal cadence and tone brilliantly enrich the story and convey the complex emotions experienced by the characters.
In the end, I enjoyed ‘Good Bad Girl‘ far more than I initially expected! I was especially impressed by Alice Feeney’s writing style and the constant revelations throughout the story. I recommend Five Survive by Holly Jackson as another character-driven, unpredictable read to check out if you enjoyed this.
Do you agree or disagree with anything mentioned above? Let us know in the comments below. For those who have read this and want to discuss it, swipe for some questions (contains spoilers!!):
Q: Which revelation/twist surprised you most?
My answer: Mine has to be Frankie being Clio’s daughter! I did not see that revelation coming at all, but I love how it strengthens the ties between the characters. It also helps create a cute, satisfying ending to the story.
Q: Which character was your favourite?
My answer: DCI Charlotte Chapman! Yes, she is not one of the main characters, but I loved her interactions with and connection to them. I honestly would not mind getting more of her character (maybe a spin-off series…?).
Q: Do you have any criticisms?
My answer: My main criticism is that the start of this story felt painfully slow and confusing! I was seriously tempted not to finish reading this book because of that, but I am so glad I kept going.
To read other book related posts, click here or check out the tag cloud for more options.