By Fiona Neill
Published by Michael Joseph/Penguin (9 April 2015)
ISBN: 978-0718181277
Publisher's description
Fallen in love?
Yet for straight-A student Romy, Ailsa's teenage daughter, there's no escaping the intense attraction she feels towards their youngest son, Jay.
Trusted a stranger?
So when Jay tells Romy his darkest secret, she only wants to help.
Destroyed your family?
But Romy's actions could be the catalyst that tears her world apart...
My verdict
The Good Girl grabbed my attention from the prologue. I was then expecting the book to develop into a psychological thriller, but found it to be a thought-provoking novel instead. It covers controversial and topical issues, particularly teenagers, sex and relationships and the dangers of social media. It's disturbing in places and not a comfortable read.
The book focuses on two very flawed families. I didn't particularly like any of the characters, but then I'm not sure that the reader is meant to. The characters are all troubled in one way or another, leading to complex relationships within (and between) the families themselves.
There are a lot of references to neuroscience and psychology, to explain teenage behaviour and addiction. Although some of this was interesting, at times I felt that it detracted away from the story, slowing it down too much.
Overall, The Good Girl certainly makes you think. It's an intriguing book about privacy and trust, and how actions and events have consequences that may spiral out of control.
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher and through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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