I'm The Girl Review

Author: Courtney Summers

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Release Date: Sept. 13, 2022

Order Link: Amazon

Many thanks to Wednesday Books for an arc.

The new groundbreaking queer thriller from New York Times bestselling and Edgar-award Winning author Courtney Summers.

Review:

 I'm the Girl  is another unique story by Courtney Summers, one that takes on social issues especially the issue of powerful manipulation of the innocent.  More specifically wealthy people profiting from pretty teen girls from impoverished backgrounds.  They draw them in, groom and train them all the while making them believe they're the best thing that's ever happened to them.  The use of women (think Jeffrey Epstein!) to recruit young girls who don't yet realize how to safely explore their budding sexuality is exploitation of power - an adult preying on the inexperience and dreams of minors.  The difference between consent and manipulation is graphically explored in I'm the Girl as the main character is a lesbian just beginning to explore her feelings with a girlfriend - a consensual relationship.  And then there's a power scene between an adult and a sixteen year old - clearly a case of abuse of power which may be uncomfortable for some readers.  I applaud Summers for effectively and carefully presenting the subject manner.

I'm the Girl is the story of Georgia, who discovers the murdered body of a young teen girl. She joins forces with Nora, the sister of the girl, to find out what happened to her.  Georgia is beautiful, and has long held dreams of being one of the elite Aspera Girls, beautiful young women who are chosen for their looks to work at a wealthy exclusive resort. This could be her ticket out of poverty.  When circumstances land her there, she's excited because it's all she's ever dreamed of . . . and yet, something's off.  I'm the Girl unfolds entirely from Georgia's point of view.  Her character is naive and innocent - aware of the power of her beauty to a point, but totally unprepared for the harsh reality of real life and the predators lurking out there.  

The mystery in this story is convoluted and not always easy to follow as the pacing feels a bit off.  However, I recognize that I'm not the target audience as this book is shelved young adult. I do however, appreciate that the story spotlights some extremely difficult issues such as poverty, grooming, sexual assault/abuse and abuse of power.  Summers's writing lends itself to rendering stories about young teen girls and once again, she's penned a beautiful yet heartbreaking story.  She doesn't sugar coat anything - just lays it out there and challenges readers to read and absorb it and maybe, just maybe make some noise about it.  It's a call for action, a cry, a warning we should all heed.  Highly recommended to fans of young adult mystery.

Synopsis:

When sixteen-year-old Georgia Avis discovers the dead body of thirteen-year-old Ashley James, she teams up with Ashley's older sister, Nora, to find and bring the killer to justice before he strikes again. But their investigation throws Georgia into a world of unimaginable privilege and wealth, without conscience or consequence, and as Ashley’s killer closes in, Georgia will discover when money, power and beauty rule, it might not be a matter of who is guilty—but who is guiltiest.

A spiritual successor to the 2018 breakout hit, Sadie, I'm the Girl is a masterfully written, bold, and unflinching account of how one young woman feels in her body as she struggles to navigate a deadly and predatory power structure while asking readers one question: if this is the way the world is, do you accept it?