DNF at 25%

I was very excited to read this and it sounded very promising, but unfortunately I couldn't connect to the story or the characters. The pacing felt off in the action scene as it seemed to be over really quickly and then we went back to it being slow.

I think I read this at the wrong time and I might give it another chance in the future. I can definitely see other people loving this story and it is the sapphic-murder-story we need.

Teenagers Trixie and Lux are about to go on a weekend camping trip. They decide to stop at a college bar on their way to the campground. At the bar, they end up having a violent run in with a guy. They decide to run, rather than go to the cops. Their new plan is to drive across the country to California.

The book was pretty decent. It actually made me stay up way later than I should have on a work night one night. A book hasn't done that for me in a long time.

What I didn't love, was out of the blue the book kind of got "political." It just seemed out of character for Trixie to do some of the things she did, and it pulled me out of the story a couple times. It is written in first person, so we see everything through Trixie's point of view. For the most part she is a pretty typical teenager with emotions all over the place, but then just BAM, she does some things that didn't seem like her.

Overall, I liked the book. I was invested in what was going to happen to the girls, and how things were going to play out. I do wish there was a touch more to the ending. I would have liked to see what happened next.

This book was harder for me to get through than I thought it would be. There's a lot of heavy scenes and I wasn't ready for that. The story progressed well and I ended up really liking it. Just had to make sure I was in the right frame of mind to read it.

“i always knew this girl would be trouble.” the first sentence had me hooked. this was definitely thelma & louise but make it sapphic. it had everything i wanted from that movie but made into a book. i enjoyed every moment of it.

A weekend trip between friends end up turning into Trixie and Lux being on the run.

This book tackles some really heavy and difficult topics and I think the author did a good job with them.

I don’t want to spoil anything but this was a fast and interesting read and is worth checking out.

TROUBLE GIRLS is a darkly delightful romp that explores the consequences of freedom and trauma. It felt very twisty and turny, chronicling a flight away from consequences rather than an actual journey. I personally felt that we didn't get enough of an explanation of why everything was happening and had barely enough to piece it all together by the end of the novel.

I'm not a Thelma & Louise fan to begin with, so maybe this book was never going to hit right with me. It's for those readers who don't mind going to dark places with no let-up, maybe, or else me quitting out early meant all I had were dark places. I need my dark places tempered with something else: the supernatural (metaphors), or streaks of light, or SOMETHING. This book is relentless in its claustrophobic feeling of poverty and self-destruction, so I quit out around 60%. Which is not to say it is a bad book. It was just a bad fit.

Once again, I am resentful that I am required to give a star review.

4.5 this is a dark, gritty and inspiring story of two young women on the run, very well written and i rooted for them and their love and survival story. I wish it didn't end where it did but continued a bit to what happened next. while this is not every woman's story, it is every woman story in certain ways and way beyond time for things to change

Trouble Girls is a book that feels mostly aesthetic and not much deeper. I mean, I’m perfectly willing to accept that this might just have been me — plenty of people haven’t had this problem after all. But if we’re talking why I didn’t enjoy this book, that would be the biggest reason (and one I’ll come back to later).

The story follows Trixie and Lux as they set off on a weekend roadtrip. Only, quite rapidly, their plans go downhill after Trixie stabs a man who’s sexually assaulting Lux. And, thereafter, they go on the run from the cops and media.

As I said at the start, the book feels more of an aesthetic than anything particularly deep. I don’t quite know how to explain it, because it’s just a feeling, not something so concrete, but I think what illustrates it is this: there’s a line somewhere in the first quarter where Trixie says something along the lines of “you never know which nice-projecting men might be actual shits so you go around assuming they all are”. I hate to be defending cishet men here, but that line kind of loses any power it might have when all you’re shown is shitty men. That’s what I mean by this book is all aesthetic and no depth. It’s things like that, and how Lux is supposed to be some critique of the Manic Pixie Dream Girl trope but feels barely fleshed out in that respect. Add onto that the fact I actually needed to be shown a lot more than I was, particularly regarding Trixie and Lux’s feelings of powerlessness, and what led Trixie to straight up stab a guy as her first instinct. None of that felt clear to me.

And then there’s the fact that there’s no real drive to the plot thereafter. They go on the run, sure, but they never feel as though they really are. There’s the occasional part where they get to see what the media’s saying, but there’s never a hint that anyone’s near to catching them, not until the very end. All you’d need is maybe someone recognising them, or someone looking about to call the police. As such, much of the plot feels somewhat pointless, like when they pick up a hitchhiker and she… I don’t know, teaches them some things? This is what I mean by pointlessness and lack of drive. They spend about 80% of the book just dicking about on the road.

Which means the ending really falls flat. It’s not forecasted at all and it comes very abruptly, with no hint of perhaps they make it out of all this. I get that this book was supposed to be some catharsis, getting revenge on the system, on rape culture, for women. But none of it lands, because they end up arrested still. Not to mention all this sticking it to the system seems to come out of nowhere, because we’re not really shown Trixie and Lux’s powerlessness effectively. It seems more that they do it on a thoughtless whim, to have a bit of fun (not to mention none of what they do is that big? It’s just spraypaint). So as much as this book was supposed to be cathartic, in the end the only catharsis I experienced was in writing this review.

And then we get to the romance. This is another aspect I didn’t feel was effectively foreshadowed or shown, but I won’t dwell on that because the same as above applies. But once they started on it, none of it felt like I had a reason to root for them together. Perhaps this is because the book as a whole felt somewhat rushed (again linking in to not being shown a lot maybe?). There was no time for things like romance to breathe, which I get is hard because these characters are (supposedly) on the run. They can’t exactly settle down for a few days and develop the relationship in the same way a romance novel would. But on the whole, there was not really a whole lot there that suggested to me they were in love. It felt more like “oh we’re on the run together, all this adrenaline, we have to hook-up”. Which was a shame.

In the end, then, this is a book that just didn’t land for me. It had the potential, it just didn’t live up to it.

Trix and Lux are the modern Thelma and Louise that you’ve been wanting complete with the grit that you’ve been missing. Trouble Girls starts with a disastrous camping trip gone wrong and the two girls are on the run from the cops trying to make it as far as they can without getting caught. The entire time I was reading this it felt like a car chase scene from a Fast and Furious movie only in slow motion in the best of ways.

I absolutely loved the voice of Trixie. She reminded me of my own childhood in the south and embodied that desperate feeling of wanting to be an adult but not quite getting there yet. Lux is the bubbly best friend who tries her best but as the journey deeper and deeper into darkness the two girls go, it’s clear the Lux can very much hold her own.

Trouble Girls has definitely helped me get out of my reading slump seeing as I read it in under a day which hasn’t happened for the longest time. I felt like I was watching a car crash and couldn’t look away until I knew these girl’s fates. Highly HIGHLY recommend!!

Trouble Girls boasted to be a "queer YA #MeTOO reimagining of Thelma and Louise" and it admittedly drew me in.

I struggled with this book. It felt like a stream of consciousness, which might be due to the lack of chapters, but it left me wanting more structure. The plot fell flat for me despite it touching on heavy subjects such as rape and sexual assault. Overall this felt rushed and it felt too unrealistic and repetitive.

A queer, modern day Thelma & Louise for the YA market. Trouble Girls had me hooked from the very first paragraph. In a couple of sentences Julia Lynn Rubin had set the tone for the entire story. I instantly knew Trixie’s voice and her outlook on the world. The journey that Trixie and Lux go on isn’t a scene for scene recreation of the movie so the plot still kept me on the edge of my seat.

I personally loved how harsh and messy this book was at times. I can see how those things won’t appeal to all readers. Trixie and Lux constantly make bad decisions. However I do think that is understandable since they’re young, on the run, and in way over their heads. They’re willing to do whatever is necessary to try and protect one another.

The ending of the book had my heart racing. I was anxious to find out if the story was going to end like the movie or not. I can see people wanting more from the ending, but I’m personally satisfied with where it left off. This is a dark book that won’t be for all readers, but I definitely recommend it to people who enjoy hard-hitting YA books.

Thank you netgalley for the e-arc

I was really excited for the queer reimagining of Thelma & Louise, but it fell slightly short of my expectations. The plot of this book is almost identical to Thelma & Louise, the only real difference being the more modern day aspects and overall gayness.

I loved Trixie’s character because she felt so realistic. I empathized with her making a bad decision to protect a loved one, and then having to make a slew of bad decisions because it was the only path she felt she had. Her pining for Lux was so sweet. Watching the two of them fall in love was one of my favorites subplots.

The backstories were done in such a beautiful way. A mix of flashbacks and ‘do you remember...’ that really fit the story are sprinkled throughout the novel. Some of the best chapters are just Lux and Trixie driving for miles, talking about everything and nothing.

I didn’t really like the ending to be honest. An epilogue with the sentencing, or the end results of the feminists work, or what happened to Trixie’s mama would have really helped tie things up. The way it was left off felt a little lazy, like an “well where does this kind of story end?” type deal.

Overall I enjoyed this and I would definitely recommend it to lovers of queer thrillers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for giving me the opportunity to read “Trouble Girls” in exchange for an honest review!

I was very excited for this novel after hearing it hyped up in other reviews and by my friends, but it just wasn’t for me. In my opinion, “Trouble Girls” showed great potential but lacked effective execution. The points of the novel that could’ve been the most impactful were overshadowed by my frustrations with the main characters. The girls were half-insistent on not getting caught but also deliberately putting themselves in the line of investigative sight. This would’ve been a great portrayal of psychology with some edge––telling yourself you’ll never get caught but subconsciously wanting the chase to be over––but it wasn't implemented well.

Also, while I don’t believe that the progression of tension must be linear, the build-up of this novel felt indecisive. The exciting moments were sprinkled far and few between. Several of the duller moments were too repetitive. Although this was likely desired to portray the monotony of the long trip, the tension was stagnant instead of rising. Looking back, it seemed like this journey lasted several months, when such a cross-country trip should take little over a week.

This novel holds up precisely because it is a queer retelling of "Thelma and Louise,” but it doesn’t offer much else as a book. Nevertheless, it was an important story to tell in its modern relevance. I hope that future readers of "Trouble Girls" learn about the difficulties facing women who speak up about sexual assault 30 years after the original.

What surprised me, however, was the ending. The last few pages definitely upped my opinion and review. The ending demonstrated the decisiveness that I felt was lacking from the rest of the book. It’s not quite a surprise if you’re familiar with the inspiring movie, but impactful either way. I wish I would’ve enjoyed the novel more, but for now I’m rating "Trouble Girls” 3.5 stars.

Trouble Girls is a powerful and dark read. Filled with visceral and gritty details, it tells the story of two girls who attempt to go on the run and flee West after a night of violence. With the cops closing in and the heat increasing, sparks fly between the girls as they drive. Trouble Girls examines violence against women, the patriarchy, and the power of women everywhere uniting to protect each other against predators.

There is no doubt in my mind that this is a very important book that many will find reflects aspects of their lives back to them. The romance between Trixie and Lux was heartbreaking and bittersweet. I enjoyed the stolen romantic moments between the girls as they explore what it means to be in love while the ticking clock of their pursuers relentlessly pushes them to drive. The descriptions of violence were sometimes graphic, yet they reflect the reality of what it means to exist as a woman. The prose is unflinching and honest. Trouble Girls pulls no punches, makes no apologies, and holds a mirror up to the world we live in. This was a heartbreaking and wildly burning tale that I will be thinking about for some time. I would recommend reading the trigger warnings for this book, especially regarding sexual assault, abuse, sexism, and violence. Thank you to Julia Lynn Rubin, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Trouble Girls releases June 1, 2021.

For publisher: My review will be posted on the publication date and I will publish it on Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble etc

I really wanted to love this book but I felt like it didn't deliver. The main characters are short sighted, irresponsible, and selfish in ways that made their characters feel unrealistic. The message of the book never truly comes out, and the writing felt distant. I really loved the idea behind this book, but the story felt aimless and unsatisfying.

It took me a few days to digest this book. While I enjoyed it, it wasnt one i just couldnt wait to get back to. I dont know why we needed to describe multiple sex scenes. I get the first one or two. It was sweet and fit so well within the story. Then it just got unnecessary. I felt like there were a lot of introduced side stories that just got immediately forgotten. And dont get me started on poor Judy. What Trixie did to her was just plain wrong. I would've liked a more definitive ending. But, it was honestly exactly what i expected after the Thelma and Louise references.

I typically don't read or enjoy YA novels and I probably wouldn't have even requested this one if I had realized it was YA before I started it. Here's the thing though once I started, I was pulled in fast and aggressively and this book totally took me by surprise!

Trixie and Lux are both complex co-protagonists who decide to take a little girls' weekend. This is needed for them both as their lives at home are a mess. Both girls have had to deal with very adult issues and grow up much faster than they should have. They have no idea what's to come over the course of this trip. We end up with two girls who protect each other, fall in love, and get themselves in and out of trouble on a daily basis- for example when they pick up the hitchhiker and visit a cult-like encampment that no sane person would do anymore. Obviously, as much as they have had to grow up, these are still kids. The pacing in the beginning of the book was a little slow since it's mainly a road trip, but it picked up in the second half as they became more and more desperate to flee and stay together. The end is inevitable, but you know that these two have been through more than any teens should have to and you're still cheering for them at the end! Do expect: sexual assault, stabbing, alcohol consumption, victim blaming, slut-shaming - just as a warning for possible triggers.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

I love the premise of this story and the underlying issues that the story is getting at. The wonderful writing takes you through all the emotions. Trixie and Lux, best friends on a weekend road trip end up getting into trouble and end up on the run. Great, great story. I just felt that it lagged a bit and became redundant for a little while. If this was a shorter read, 5 stars, all the way!

A special thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Julia Lynn Rubin for providing me with an ARC.

I received an e-arc of this book from NetGalley for an honest review.


This concept of this book is what really drew me in. I love women fighting back again men who feel they are entitled to our bodies. And it’s even better when it turns out to be queer.


From the get go, this book is realistic and immersive. Any woman who has experienced or seen anything similar to what happens in this book can tell you just how real it feels. I related a lot to their views and opinions and experiences. Many of us do.

I felt so much when reading this. I felt the anger at men and at how our society wants to raise up men by putting down women. I felt anger at the world and reality many of us live in. I felt protective of these characters and how real they felt. I felt compassion as if they were younger sisters I couldn’t stand to see hurt. I felt hope in love their for each other.

There were a few things that I felt could have been better tho. I felt the character development could have been a little better and that we could’ve gotten to know a bit better outside of all that was happening. But mostly, I was dissatisfied with the ending. I wanted a more conclusive closing, and a more hopeful one for that matter. But overall, this book is a really important and powerful story. And I’m grateful to have had the chance to read and review it.