This book really reminded me of I kissed Shara Wheeler & Good girls guide to murder, and I wasn't obsessed with those books either. I feel like this book really covered some important issues (for example, SA) and the impact it can have. I really liked how Jo grew throughout this book.

I found it dragged on at times and I found it a bit unrealistic (but this is concerns I had with the two books mentioned above). TBH how do high school students have all this free time??? I am on the fence with a 3 or 4 for this book, and I think it might just not be for me but totally can see it doing well with the right audience and I would recommend it to others! Thanks NetGalley & Bloomsbury for this ARC!

Audiobook Review - Not Like Other Girls is a great addition to the popular YA Thriller genre! The narrator does a fantastic job of pacing the story and keeping the listener interested. Hand this to fans of Karen McManus and Jennifer Lynne Barnes.

So at the beginning I was not sure why the main character had to point out and explain her whole setting. It felt weird. It didn’t take long after to get to the mystery part, which was interesting given our mains character involvement. The narrator was great. I just feel bad because the characters felt underdeveloped. Except for Jo who was defiantly thinking just like most teenage girls and how it gets exploted by society especially males. I did liked how the themes of being a teen girl and how you are suddenly perceived as prey. How girls can’t win no matter what they do even if they are pushed an agenda to be sexual, that at the end it doesn’t make her feel better, especially cuz it feeds others mysogonistic agenda.this theme is what I loved about this book, because clearly girls should allow to be girls as long as they can and never be in horrible situations. The authors note was chef kisses.

Story is 5 stars
Narrator gets 4.5 stars

I enjoyed this audio copy. It kept my attention. This book is YA and has topics and issues that are very common for those in that age category. This is very appropriate for this age range. I look forward to purchasing a hard copy for my teenage daughters, especially the 17 year old.

Thank you for the copy, this is my honest opinion.

My very first Netgalley book ahhh! "Not Like Other Girls" by Meredith Adamo!

Not like Other Girls is so A Good Girl's Guide to Murder coded. If you like Holly Jackson, you'll like this!

Not Like Other girls is a coming of age drama about friendship, honesty, and humility. Adamo skillfully navigates complex issues that are important to hit on for YA viewers (esp. when done well). Adamo deliberately keeps certain details vague in the beginning - letting your imagination run, and gets more and more detailed as the book progresses. This ultimately mirrors the genuine experience of a high school girl grappling with trauma . I would have LOVED this in high school. It focuses a bit more on teenage life and relationships with little bits of mystery/thriller until the end where all of it escalates and then is quickly wrapped up.

Every girl deserves to have her story be heard.

Trigger Warning: sexual assault

I'm still sorting through my feelings about this book. This is a tough read. I think there are alot of women who can relate to Jo's refusal to acknowledge her assault.
I enjoyed the narrator.

Holy smokes this was such a thrilling page turner!!! I was on the edge of my seat from page 1 and could not put it down! Not Like Other Girls is a heart pounding (and at times heart wrenching) YA thriller full of twists and turns I never saw coming. Equal parts mystery and raw emotion - this is a powerful read that provides much needed commentary on how society treats the trauma of young women.

Not Like Other Girls is a fantastic debut novel and I’m so excited to see what Meredith Adamo has in store for us next!

Thank you so much Bloomsbury YA for sending me a copy!

*Please check TW before reading.

I received an advance copy of the audiobook from Bloomsbury Audio via NetGalley.

Not Like Other Girls by Meredith Adamo is a coming of age story where the main character, Jo-Lynn, is wadding through the social hierarchy of high school while also trying to solve the disappearance of her former best friend. I'm going to be truthful, this is categorized as Young Adult so I was fully expecting to roll my eyes through a 3 star book. That did not happen at all.

When listening to the book, it brought me back in time to the feelings that you experience during the drama of high school. The friendships you make, the boys you crush on, the friendships that seem to fall apart and the social politics of teenage angst. There are some heavy themes that run through the book but that felt appropriate for things teens are experiencing and giving a voice to their experiences.

I really enjoyed the experience of listening to Georgina Sadler's narration of the audiobook. I could imagine the scenes being played out in a tv showing brought to you by your favorite streaming provider.

You can get your copy of Not Like Other Girls on April 30th.

The synopsis had a lot of promise, but the execution seemed to have been struggling. The narrator was lovely and a great asset to the experience. However, I was about 25% of the way through, and I genuinely could not have told you a single thing that happened.

Not Like Other Girls Review
This was NOT the type of book I was expecting to read but I loved every second of if!
As a fellow Maddie, it was obviously a factor in choosing what my next read was going to be.
Jo-Lynn was a character a lot of girls can relate to in many ways and the way her emotions were explained was beautifully done. It’s the perfect depiction of what girls feel in regards to being intimate with people.
I usually skip the author’s note but this one was a MUST READ. The majority of women can relate to at least one aspect or another in this book and it’s truly worth the read!

"Not Like Other Girls" does not read like a debut work, and instead reads as if it was written by a seasoned writer. The book takes a unique spin on the teen sleuth narrative with a reluctant main character who is dealing with failing grades and social ostracization after a former friend leaked her nude photos. Despite Jo's difficulties at school, she is witty and relatable and tries to do the right thing by attempting to solve her ex best friend's disappearance by teaming up with (and fake dating) a boy from her former social circle named Hudson. Another element of the book is Jo coming to a realization about a toxic relationship she had years prior, and building a support network of trusted adults. This book is greater than the sum of its parts (fake dating, missing ex-best friend, sexual assault). Highly recommended for mature teens who like Sadie by Courtney Summers and Monday's not coming by Tiffany D. Jackson.

I was lucky enough to win an audiobook of NOT LIKE OTHER GIRLS by Meredith Adamo through a Shelf Awareness giveaway. While I appreciate the early look, I didn't realize that I'd have to use the Netgalley Shelf app to listen to it. I think I'll wait until it's available on Libby through my local library. (Not my favorite reading app, but less buggy than Netgalley Shelf.)

3.5 stars - this was an interesting story and kept me wanting to listen. The audiobook was a great way to consume this piece of media. I’m looking forward to see what the author does next because this was a solid debut. Trigger warning for sexual assault.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Meredith Adamo, Bloomsbury YA, and Bloomsbury Audio, for early access to this book.

Not Like Other Girls is a powerful story about a young woman coming to terms with her past, her present, and her future. It is a mystery that kept me on my toes and wondering what was going to happen next.

I don't often read mysteries, so I was worried I might not like it, but I found this book highly engaging right from the beginning. It has a strong cast of characters that are realistic and have depth. It was simultaneously heart wrenching and inspiring. It's not a 'happily ever after' kind of book, but it is optimistic at the end. I don't enjoy sad books, but that's not the main feeling of this book, although it has sad moments. I very much enjoyed the book. It has love, adventure, mystery, danger, and so much more. It deals with complex family dynamics, friendships, romantic relationships, and the pressure teenagers face when transitioning out of high-school, particularly around college applications.

It's very real, which for young women that often means it's not without its trauma. I think this is an important book for young girls to read, but I would also recommend it to adults, like myself. It does deal with some sensitive topics, so check spoiler reviews for trigger warnings if you have topics you need to avoid. But it's not overly graphic and I thought the author did a great job of treating the topic with respect and honesty. It was tastefully done, and most importantly it sends the right message to young girls about the seriousness of it, the blame for it, and what they should do about it.

I listened to the audiobook, which was well read and the voice worked well with the book.

4.5-stars for a stellar YA debut.

Not Like the Other Girls is a gripping and emotionally resonant journey that I wasn't expecting to love so much. From the very start, I found myself deeply invested in Jo-Lynn's story, flaws and all. The fast-paced narrative kept me on the edge of my seat, delivering excitement and intrigue throughout.

What struck me most was the poignant commentary on the societal pressure to conform to certain stereotypes, particularly the pervasive notion of being "not like the other girls." Adamo skillfully navigates this theme, offering a heartfelt exploration of identity and self-acceptance that will undoubtedly strike a chord with young women grappling with similar struggles.

This book is a perfect combo of "Would've Could've Should've" by Taylor Swift and Veronica Mars. The story was entirely captivating, blending together mystery and chaos the entire time. Watching Jo-Lynn have to navigate through a maze of terrible friends, secrets, and newfound romances all while still having to go to school made for a thoroughly engrossing read.

The only thing that kept this from a 5-star rating for me was how everything was a little shoved into the epilogue to clean it up nicely. I actually think I would have prefered having more questions. It didn't take away from the story, but left things a little too "perfect".

Not Like the Other Girls is a powerful and thought-provoking read that offers both heartache and hope. I cannot wait to see what Adamo will write next. This is a must-read for anyone seeking a story of resilience, self-discovery, and the journey to finding one's place in the world.

Thank you Bloomsbury Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audio in exchange for an honest review.

I was surprised to learn that this was a debut author. I jumped into the story pretty quickly and stayed engaged for most of the story. There was a time about halfway through when the story felt a little slow, but the last 25% of the book jumped back into the faster pace and I was happy with the ending.

Jo's ex-friend Madi comes to her and asks her for help, but then goes missing before they can meet and talk. Everyone seems willing to write it off as she ran away, but Jo feels there is more to the story. We see glimpses of Jo's life unraveling - disinterested in school, poor grades, reckless behavior. Throughout the story we discover why she responded to life in such a self-destructive way, as well as the process she goes through when she accepts the trauma she endured and begins to heal.

The story is about lost friendships, cyberbullying, and the struggles of being in high school. You'll find mystery, fake dating, and a journey to understand and value your worth.

Romance content: sexual references, fade to black, explicit language
Trigger warning: sexual assault discussed

The way this book sucked me in, broke me and repaired me. It’s not just about a missing girl, but a girl finding herself again after not knowing she lost herself. Bad friends, mystery, total chaos and a girl who was pushed from grace by someone else’s doing. If you get the chance to listen to the audio book I highly recommend!

I listened to Not Like Other Girls by Meredith Amo and have zero regrets! It was an incredible story filled with friendships, scandal, love, family and mystery! I was sold the moment I read that it took place in Rochester, NY. As a Rochester native who has lived here my whole life I was very excited to hear a story take place here! There were so many moments where a ROC reference made me giggle with glee; garbage plates, sea breeze, the secret room at the library and the white lady ghost, just to name a few! But all of that aside I was sucked in so quickly as we follow Jo-Lynn Kirby on the wildest ride of discovery. Both discovery into her own life and a scandal that would rock the community if discovered! Meredith Amo’s writing and character development are stellar and add so much to the enjoyment of this book! I would recommend this to anyone looking for a great read! I would also note that I very much enjoyed the voice of the person reading the audio book!

Not Like Other Girls, WOW. What a debut! Very much excited to read more from Meredith Adamo.

I listened to the audiobook and 2 very big thumbs up to the narrator. She was absolutely perfect for this book and really made Jo come to life.

Not Like Other Girls follows a girl named Jo. Her ex-best friend Maddie goes missing and there is a big mystery behind it. The book is the unravelling of that mystery and also about the unravelling of of the friendship between Jo and Maddie. There was a lot of very serious and difficult topics in the book. I felt like all of those were handled well.

I absolutely loved Jo as a character. There were times I was so frustrated by her, but she felt so human. She was flawed and reacted in such a real way to trauma. There were parts that really stopped and made me think about certain relationships in my own life. Honestly, there were multiple parts of this book that felt healing to me. The "nice guy" really mirrored some experiences in my life and it felt very cathartic to hear something like that in a book.

4.25/5

i enjoyed this book a lot! it hit me in an emotional way that i really wasn't expecting. you can't help but root for jo-lynn throughout the book. her story is one i think a lot of teens can relate to unfortunately, and it's told in a very captivating way. younger me would have loved to have this book to help get me through high school.

also i can't believe this is a debut novel?! if this is how meredith adamo starts her career, i will happily stick around for the ride! that author's note had me in tears on the floor.