In this novel, three women’s stories converge in a unique way. Celia wakes up with no memories, only a husband and daughter she doesn’t recognize. She quickly realizes things aren’t right, but she doesn’t know who to trust. Allie is heading on a birthday weekend trip with her two girlfriends and their boyfriends. She thinks they’re going to the beach, but instead is surprised to find their getaway is now at a secluded cabin in the woods. Maggie awakens tied to a chair, forced to participate in a series of games with other women, their loved ones have been kidnapped, and only one will survive. Will the three women survive their stories? How is it all connected? You’ll have to read to find out!

I loved this thriller! It was such a fun combination of tropes and familiar stories that ultimately come together at the end. The book is made up of four sections. Celia’s is a spin on the Stepford Wives, The Truman Show, and Don’t Worry Darling. Allie’s story pays homage to The Cabin in the Woods, Scream, Halloween, and The Strangers. Maggie’s story references YA dystopian stories like the Hunger Games, 5th Wave, and Maze Runner. I loved how the characters referenced all of these popular books and movies, and they ultimately become a big part of the storyline. If you are a fan of these familiar thriller tropes and stories, you should read this book! It was such a fun thrill ride with a feminist twist. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough!

Thank you to Christina Henry, Berkley Publishing, and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first book by Christina Henry but it definitely won't be my last! This was such an intriguing and cleverly written book! Christina Henry showcases incredible creativity as readers are taken on a fast paced, exciting whirlwind of a ride with 3 different scenarios that will leave you with multiple theories and your mind racing.

We start off with Celia's story, which has very Stepford Wives vibes. Celia is a very interesting character right off the bat because she is very intelligent and suspicious about the Truman Show like circumstances right from the get go. I loved the overall theme of these women out-smarting the villains. Right when Celia's plot hits the peak, we are taken to Allie's story.

Again, Allie is an extremely intelligent character. I absolutely loved how Christina Henry broke the fourth wall with all the discussion and action around usual tropes, character roles and plots existing in popular slasher films. It read almost as a satire of each different genre, it was so insanely clever I kept being amazed at how uniquely brilliant this entire book was. We follow Allie through her own story, and once again, as soon as the plot hits it's peak we are are taken to Maggie's story.

Maggie's journey pulls elements from popular dystopian novels, including The Hunger Games and Battle Royale. Maggie faced moral dilemmas that added to both the growth of her character and the overall plot of the entire story. With each individual story, the intensity seems to keep getting higher and higher and although each separate scenario are uniquely different, each main female character is built up as a very intelligent and resilient person, having the reader cheer them along through each of their struggles.

The fourth scenario has all 3 main characters meeting for the first time and merging together into one timeline. I could have kept reading this book for many many many more chapters. The writing was intriguing, the characters were bad ass and instantly likeable, the concept was brilliant and the suspense was spot on!

This book takes readers on a thrilling and captivating journey through its gripping plot lines, weaving together the stories of three remarkable women who find themselves in dire circumstances. Each storyline brings a unique flavor to the narrative, evoking different movie genres and paying homage to iconic films.

From the moment I delved into the pages, I was immediately intrigued by Celia's storyline, which combines elements of Stepford Wives and Truman Show. It transported me into a suburban wife's life filled with echoes of a forgotten identity. The parallels to Olivia Wilde's "Don't Worry Darling" added an extra layer of excitement, although I couldn't help but imagine Celia in the role played by Florence Pugh.

As Celia's tale intensified, the author skillfully shifted the focus to Allie, a young and skeptical woman thrust into a terrifying situation with her mismatched group of friends in a secluded cabin. The nods to movies like Cabin in the Woods and Friday the 13th injected an extra dose of tension and nostalgia, keeping me on the edge of my seat as I wondered who would survive the night.

But the surprises didn't end there. Just as I thought I had unraveled the mysteries within the cabin, the narrative took another thrilling turn, plunging me into Maggie's harrowing journey. Kidnapped and forced to partake in a deadly game, Maggie's experiences echoed the intensity and survival themes found in popular dystopian tales like The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner. The moral dilemmas she faced added depth to her character, showcasing the complexity of human nature even in dire circumstances.

Eventually, these interconnected storylines converged, creating a tapestry of suspense and intrigue. However, while the book built tension masterfully, the revelations and conclusion left me wanting more. The ending felt slightly rushed, leaving a desire for a more satisfying resolution. An epilogue could have provided additional closure and tied up loose ends.

Despite the somewhat underwhelming conclusion, the book excelled in executing its multiple storylines, and the characters were brilliantly portrayed, particularly with a focus on feminist empowerment. The strength and resilience displayed by the three women left a lasting impression.

As an avid reader and a fan of Christina Henry's works, I eagerly anticipate diving into more of her controversial and Alice in Wonderland-inspired creations in the near future. I extend my heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for granting me the opportunity to embark on this action-packed journey through a digital reviewer copy, in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Wild and fast-paced, a truly engaging, fun read. The idea for the story was original and fascinating. I breezed through this one very quickly. Recommended.

4 stars

Wow! This was my first time reading Christina Henry, but it won’t be my last. This was definitely an exciting read. It was non stop from the beginning. It was so fun and easy to read, that I had trouble putting it down. I highly recommend this if you’re into the thriller type books!

Christina Henry's Good Girls Don't Die is a non-stop thrill ride that once again demonstrates the author's range and creativity. Seldom does any author manage to reference so many popular books, directly and indirectly, without trampling on their own story or confusing the point, but here they're used to guide the reader's expectations, which are promptly subverted so that each surprise or twist achieves its fullest potential.

It's difficult to describe the plot without spoiling something, but this book will be like candy for readers who enjoy mysteries, thrillers and speculative fiction--satisfying and hard to put down.

Good Girls Don't Die has a thematic overlap with Naomi Alderman's The Power, and readers who enjoyed that book should get a lot out of this one. Strong female characters are authentic and complex enough without dragging down the pace, the action scenes are well done and believable, and transitions are seamless. For a story that will defy expectations at every turn, characters that keep you engaged on every page, and thrills like world's best amusement park, grab Christina Henry's latest.

A conspiratorial thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC.