The Good Girls

by Teresa Mummert

[Angie]

The Good Girls did not click with me. We got off to a bit of a rough start because the prologue is a scene from later in the story, and therefore a spoiler. I hate this writing device. After that, we're introduced to our two main characters: Cara and Elise. Elise's mother has just died, so she's moved in with her father whom she barely knows and his girlfriend. Cara also lives there, although Elise isn't sure why. Cara is determined to get Elise out of her shell which causes feelings that she hoped to repress to stir up.

I didn't like either of the girls in The Good Girls. Elise has zero personality. At first, I put this off to her being depressed about her mother's death and not really knowing her father at all. But as the story went on, she was still so blank. Cara makes comments about her not being as reserved as she acted, but I didn't see it at all. She was just flat. On the other hand, Cara had a lot of personality, but I simply didn't like her. I can't exactly pinpoint why, but she rubbed me the wrong way.

As for the romance portion of The Good Girls, it was lacking. Obviously, both girls are hiding their sexuality from the small-minded idiots of their town. The only times that they get to kissing or more is when they're both drunk. I get that putting on a show for the drunk frat boys was one of the only ways they could show affection in public, but that's the only time they do. I really did not feel any emotion between them. They just say that they're in love, but spend most of the book apart. Then it jumps to the happily ever after. Not exactly my idea of a great Romance.

The Good Girls had some great ideas. I love the different family dynamics, and that Elise finds a good friend in one of the boys that she meets. I also enjoyed Cara's reason for even being there, although I don't think we're told quite enough about what happened. Everything is just so vague and glossed over, which is another big reason I didn't enjoy it as much as I could have. It's just a sad case of great premise, awkward execution.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.