The It Girl

by Ruth Ware

[Berls]

4.5 stars.

Ruth Ware continues her perfect record for me with The It Girl. Another captivating story that kept me guessing right up to the last minute!

This kind of reminded me of The Lying Game (also by Ruth Ware) in that we have this adult cast looking back at something huge that happened in their youth and uncovering the secrets and truth with huge revelations and dire consequences. I felt like the back and forth between present and past was delivered a bit better this time around - and I think mostly because I liked the main character so much better. Hannah is grappling with trying to do the right thing despite the fact that it is uncomfortable for her, her husband, and her college friends. For a bit of added tension, Hannah is at the end of her second trimester.

This one kept me guessing right up to the very end. And I was CONVINCED at least two times that I knew the right answer and was shocked when I realized I was wrong, both times. I was wrong all the way up to the end. So many unexpected twists and turns kept me on my toes.

I also found myself having such conflicting feelings about Neville - the man who was (wrongly?) convicted of April's murder - and his interactions with Hannah. On one hand, there is no doubt he was making Hannah feel so uncomfortable. And you have to kind of wonder about the wisdom of having an older, awkward man working as a porter for a dorm where young girls will be living. If you've ever been in a situation where you feel the way Hannah was feeling, it's hard not to be angry at the university for not handling that better. On the other hand, it was hard to not feel like maybe Neville was a decent guy, perhaps with some sort of social disability, that made him very awkward. The things he said and did could be easily perceived (as they were by Hannah at the time) as creepy. But, add in the possibility of social disability (something I think I'm very sensitive to because of Dante's Autism diagnosis), and my heart kind of breaks for someone who is not socially aware of how the things they are saying/doing to be kind are actually coming across as creepy. That aspect made this kind of emotional for me.

As always, Imogen Church delivers an impeccable performance. The character's voices, the pacing, the tension -- it all worked perfectly and only adds to the fantastic story that Ruth Ware weaves. Highly recommend this -- and all Ruth Ware's books -- in audio with Imogen Church narrating.