I think I am in a huge minority here, but a review is necessary. I realize I am the black sheep here, but I am so disappointed by this book. It was a painful read, but I refused to DNF as I wanted to know what happened. In true suspense, the ending came together. But....
Many attributes that were a change, but it didn’t add to the story in my opinion. Patience is key, and there are some cringe scenes. The repetition was also very irritating. This was labeled YA? really? And there was a disappointment in WW's view of autism. Having a daughter on the spectrum- do your research before writing about this. Quite inconsistent.

American Girl
Wendy Walker
Pub Date Oct. 17 2023
Blackstone
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
The audio book is fantastic and I have had it for quite some time. Loved the characters, however, if you are expecting twists and turns there are few of them I didn’t like the ending either.
3 stars

Wendy Walker does not disappoint!! Her latest novel American Girl is not your typical thriller and I. Was. Here. For. It!

This addictive read is told through the perspective of Charlie Hudson, an autistic teenage girl. Charlie works hard at her part time job to save money- so between that and her incredible math skills, she hopes to get into a good college so she can escape her small town. Charlie’s life is going as planned until one night her whole world gets upended when her boss ends up dead! Charlie knows there are several people close to her that could be responsible for his murder and she makes it her mission to protect anyone she is close with!

Wendy Walker really knocked it out of the park with this book! I could read an entire series with Charlie Hudson narrating! The storyline was meticulously mapped out and I was truly shocked by the twists and turns—love that! Wendy Walker really reinvents herself with each novel, and adore her originality! American Girl is a 5 star novel that I highly recommend to absolutely everyone!

Wendy Walker is one of my favorite thriller writers. This book, American Girl, was good but not very thrilling. I read the ebook. It seems the audible version was fantastic with narrators and sound effects. Charley is our main character. She is on the spectrum and trying to make her way out of the little town she lives in. She witnesses a murder and the story goes from there. I loved Charley. She was endearing and had a great quality to her. This is not a book about autism. It's a book about a character who is autistic and it shows how we are all different no matter how our brains are wired.

The story flows smoothly but nothing much surprising. If you're waiting for a twist at the finish, hold that thought because there is none. The book is hard for me to rate because I loved the characters and the way everything fell together, but I didn't love the story or the ending. However, I do recommend this book. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. I greatly appreciate it.

I am a fan of Wendy Walker's books, so I was excited to read "American Girl." The premise is good and I enjoyed the neurodivergent main character. However, the book read more like strong character drama than a suspense/thriller, and I found myself not as committed to finishing it. Still, it is a good read and I would recommend it to others who enjoy well-developed characters. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Wendy Walker is such an amazing author that it's always hard to put her books down. I found myself glued to the pages and unable to let go while reading this one. And the cover? It's absolutely brilliant! I recommend not only this book but all of her books from the past as well.

Happy FriYAY!

I had a busy and adventurous week and im ready to get on with the weekend!

First things, first….

Log on to NetGalley to see if I was approved for American Girl …..

Do y’all do that? Eagerly check 10 times a day? No? just me, I get it, I’ve pretty much lost my mind but it’s so dang fun fan-girling out over Wendy Walker!

And then it happened

My most anticipated book ended up in my que and I squealed like a school girl! Well, what more could I do but to drop everything and read!

This book exceeded my already high expectations and left me completely stunned . You heard it here first folks, Wendy Walker, has once again, hit us with another sure to be best seller!

This one was TWISTED!!!!

As you can see, I couldn’t put this one down and I will forever be indebted to the good ole folks at Blackstone and NetGalley for allowing me to be an early reader in exchange for an honest review .

QOTD: What is your most anticipated read for Fall? I have quite a few but I can tell you, American Girl was fan-freaking-tastic!

Teaser:

A pulse-pounding novel about a small-town business owner found dead and the teenage girl caught in the crosshairs, American Girl is the latest thriller from internationally bestselling author Wendy Walker.
Charlie Hudson, an autistic seventeen-year-old, is determined to leave Sawyer, PA, as soon as she graduates high school. In the meantime, she works as many hours as she can at a sandwich shop called The Triple S to save money for college. But when shop owner, Clay Cooper—a man both respected and feared in their small economically depressed town—is found dead, each member of his staff becomes a suspect in the perplexing case. Before she can go anywhere, Charlie must protect herself and her friends by uncovering the danger that is still lurking in their tightknit community.

Based on the #1 bestselling Audible Original, author Wendy Walker returns with another riveting thriller, told through the eyes of an unforgettable protagonist.

This extraordinary book takes readers on a captivating journey into the mind of an autistic protagonist. It delves into the unique challenges faced by this individual in a world that can feel unfamiliar, presenting their experiences with deep empathy and understanding.

At the core of the narrative lies a gripping mystery—a puzzling murder that compels our protagonist to navigate a complex web of relationships, where even the closest loved ones become potential suspects. With a sharp intellect and analytical thinking, they gradually unravel the truth, piecing together the clues one by one.

What sets this book apart is its ability to offer readers a profound insight into the protagonist's unique perspective. Through their thoughts and perceptions, we gain a deep understanding of the inner workings of their mind. This portrayal fosters a greater appreciation for neurodiversity and the rich tapestry of human cognition.

Throughout the story, there is a poignant undertone of bittersweetness, as our protagonist's pursuit of justice is accompanied by an elusive missing piece. This reminder of life's imperfections adds depth to the narrative, serving as a reflection of the unpredictable nature of our world.

Certain moments within the book leave a lasting impact—an eagerly awaited kiss and an enchanting radio theatre. These powerful instances evoke a range of emotions, creating an indelible impression that resonates with the reader.

In conclusion, this exceptional book masterfully combines a captivating mystery with a nuanced exploration of the human experience. It celebrates the strength and resilience of diverse minds, leaving readers with a deep appreciation for the complexities of our world.


“𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘯𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦”
“𝘕𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘦, 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘥𝘰”
“𝘐𝘧 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘵”
⠀
"There are no rules when it comes to love"



Thank you Blackstone publishers for this lovely arc

Readable, but too slow and inconsistent at times. I liked the atmosphere of the story, though, and the main character was interesting enough for me to finish. I could recommend this to certain readers for sure.

I didn’t love Wendy Walker’s last title. But one of my all-time favorite thrillers is Emma in the Night. This is not like either of those two books. It is it’s own kind, thoughtful, remarkable take on the “young woman in peril” text but from a neurodivergent perspective. Very impressive, I can see myself returning to this book in the future. A feel-good Wendy Walker?! Not at all what I expected! Thank you for the ARC.

Really thrilled to get this title, as I was aware of the audiobook for a while, and had heard good things, but I am not an audiobook person (at least right now). I really enjoyed this one - I like Walker's writing style & this one was really good - as we followed the titular American Girl, Charlie, age 17 & neurodivergent, as she tries to figure out the murder of her boss at the local PA sandwich shop. It was different & it flowed well and I didn't even figure it out before the reveal!! My sincere thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for the complimentary DRC - my sincere pleasure to review it!

I have always been one to reach for Wendy's books I've always enjoyed them just as I did this one! I honestly read it and then turned around a few weeks later and listened to it and I liked it just as much if not more audio version. The audio is amazing for this book! Wow! Not only did Paige Layle knock this out of the park...I really felt she was Charlie. She was the 17-year-old girl telling us her story. We were in Charlie's mind. Another remarkable thing that made this audio stand out from the rest was the incredible sound effects! I have never heard an audiobook that had sound effects like this - footsteps, cars. It really added to the atmosphere. This was a read I wasn't able to guess the plot and as i read on it just continued to keep me guessing. Really wonderful read/listen!

Wendy Walker is a talented writer, but American Girl was just okay for me.
It centers around Charlie, a 17-year-old autistic girl living in a small town who wants to go to MIT (she's super smart). I like that the MC was autistic, but I feel like Walker had some inconsistencies when dealing with the autistic aspects. At the beginning of the book, Charlie talks about her "hot-head" and her "seesaw" and repeats phrases. At the end of the book, though, it's like Charlie's autism completely disappeared.
It really started off well, but the ending was completely unbelievable. And it had that ending where Charlie explains everything that happened instead of Walker writing what happens. By that time, I didn't really care who killed Coop.

American Girl by Wendy Walker. Interesting premise, however the book was a slow read. The POV of Charlie while seemly complex was at times hard to relate to a 17 year old autistic teenager.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

I have been waiting for this to come out as a book since it first released in audio. As always Wendy Walker thrills you as she makes you jump into the characters lives and really care about what is going on. The thrills and twists and surprises makes this a must summer read.

"American Girl" is an absolute triumph in the realm of thriller novels. From the first electrifying page to the jaw-dropping finale, this book had me on the edge of my seat, unable to tear my eyes away. It is an adrenaline-fueled masterpiece that will leave readers breathless and craving for more. Wendy Walker is so skilled!