This is a book about personal and cultural identity. It is a character-based plot, which I enjoyed. I recommend this book for fans of Otessa Moshfegh and Lillian Fishman.

Thank you to the publisher for the e-copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ARC of this book.

I really don’t want hating “All This Could Be Different” by Sarah Thankam Mathews to be a core part of my identity here, but I simply could not help but notice the many clichéd parallels between that book and this one (Mathews even blurbs this book, go figure): a sullen narrator whose big secret is that she’s hiding a core aspect of her identity from her friends (in this case, her Afghani background*), parents whose entire narrative revolves around their diasporic despair after leaving their home country, a shitty white addict partner with whom she engages in degrading sex and later, light DV, vague mumblings about Marxist philosophy, flat depictions of people of color who exist as window dressings to the narrator, and annoying white friends who are placed on a pedestal and simultaneously treated as complex and nuanced while being impossible to tell apart.

There are so many other narrative cliches that exist in this book - the use of photography and musings about the creative process to lend color to an otherwise unpleasant narrator, getting found out by a family member about her dalliances with a white guy in a supremely far-fetched manner, falling in love with another girl as a teenager, the Dead Parent of it all, flattened toxic family members whose conservative attitudes exist in opposition to the narrator’s unruliness, ending the book with the narrator getting into college and leaving her city and therefore opting out of a satisfying conclusion, a fucking hate crime at the climax that fizzles out to nothing. Please, I’m so tired!

Two stars for some inspired turns of phrases.

*side note: the narrator kept mentioning over and over again how she’d tell people she’s Israeli when they would ask where she’s from. I get this is to show her shame over being perceived as an other, but this goes mostly unquestioned and just feels gross to read when Israel is committing a genocide in front of our eyes.

Imagine if Berlin’s underground rave scene and existential crises had a love child, and that child grew up conflicted, poetic, and on a steady diet of techno and identity issues. That’s Good Girl, Aria Aber’s edgy, electric debut. Here, we follow Nila, a nineteen-year-old Afghan-German who tackles her cultural identity crisis the way any self-respecting millennial would: with questionable men, too many drugs, and lots of blurry nights in dimly lit clubs.

Nila, our endearing mess of a protagonist, meets Marlowe, an aging American writer dripping with faded charm and even more faded literary fame. Together, they form a pairing as questionable as mixing tequila with milk. Nila sees Marlowe as her ticket to the elusive "freedom" she craves, but—surprise, surprise—it turns out “freedom” is just another word for “bad decisions dressed up in leather jackets.”

Aber’s Berlin isn’t the postcard-perfect “find yourself” Euro-trip destination. This city has teeth, and it gnashes. From clubs that pulse like a second heartbeat to the cold graffiti-splattered walls bearing witness to Nila’s personal unraveling, Berlin is as much a character in this book as Nila or Marlowe. Aber’s writing captures it all with raw, poetic intensity. Her prose flows like a dark, pulsing beat that draws you in even when you’re not sure you want to go where it’s leading.

But let’s be honest: if you need a feel-good read, run away now. Good Girl won’t hold your hand. This is a story about seeking belonging and self-worth in a world that offers neither. It’s about the mistakes that define you, the identity crises that haunt you, and the intoxicating pull of making bad choices just to feel alive.

For fans of raw, introspective coming-of-age novels with a side of grungy Berlin nightlife, Good Girl delivers. Just be prepared to question all of your life choices, maybe book a flight to Berlin, and probably want to shower after reading. Aber doesn’t shy away from the uglier side of self-discovery, and she makes no apologies—just like her protagonist.

Thank you to Random House and Netgalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy.

Available January 2025.

Compulsively readable, Aria Aber's debut novel is like a retelling of Bluebeard set in contemporary Germany and imbued with a heap of drugs and indie cinema aesthetics. While I generally enjoyed the writing style, I found myself getting annoyed with some of the vapid comments of the narrator and her own self sabatoge. As a Muslim immigrant myself, it felt like the narrator despised her own skin and cultural heritage and upheld values of white supremacy. I had trouble with this aspect of the book and it soured the reading experience some.

If Berlin had a spirit animal, it would be this book.

"Good Girl" by Aria Aber is raw, electric, and unapologetically bold. This debut novel throws you straight into the gritty, throbbing heart of Berlin’s underground, where warehouses shake with techno, where art, drugs, and deep personal questions float in the haze. And smack in the middle of it all is Nila, a young woman raised by Afghan refugees, on a journey to understand her place in the world, her identity, and her art.

The Story
Nila is nineteen, Afghan-German, and at odds with her roots, her family, and, honestly, herself. She’s a sharp, observant narrator with a keen eye for the absurdities and struggles of both Berlin and her own life. Her world collides with Marlowe, an American writer whose faded literary fame wraps him in an aura of allure that, predictably, turns toxic. Through her relationship with him, Nila catches a glimpse of the “freedom” she’s craved—but it comes at a cost. Meanwhile, the city around them churns with its own struggles, as political tensions rise and Nila’s heritage pulls her back into the reality she’s been running from.

The Vibe
Aber’s Berlin is vivid and unsparing: techno beats pound in smoky clubs, war-torn buildings stand as ghostly reminders, and art, philosophy, and existential angst are just part of the scenery. This isn’t the romanticized “find yourself in Europe” novel—it’s a portrait of the artist as a young woman in a city with its own chaotic past.

Final Take
Aber writes with confidence and edge, delivering a story that’s as much about self-discovery as it is about the messy layers of identity, belonging, and freedom. Nila’s voice is strong and smart, even when she’s lost. And if you’ve ever questioned where you fit in the world—or in your own skin—Nila’s journey will hit home.

Perfect for fans of intense coming-of-age stories and anyone who doesn’t mind a deep dive into the complexities of art, race, and belonging.

“Good Girl” doesn’t hold your hand, but it’s worth the ride.

Lovely prose, and a page turner, but the book grew somewhat repetitive over time. A story about an Afghan party girl in Berlin who rejects her identity during a time of violence and crisis.

This book was heavy and had beautiful prose . It didn't necessarily work for me but I can see this being a life changing read for so many people. No notes, it was just not for me specifically..

I really liked this. The writing style was really good and I think Aber made an amazing story. I love the settings and how the characters move throughout the novel. I found that each character was unique and interesting to follow

Beautiful way of writing, although sometimes it went over my head. I empathize with the character and understood her youth led her to make the choices she made, but also her environment as well. Still sitting with and thinking about this one.

Very interesting debut. Can tell author is a poet and it shows in the actual prose. Great book, and will read again upon release.

4.5 rounded up to 5, this novel is devastating, beautiful, and a journey you should not miss out on. I am blown away by the experiences of lead character Nila. I was brought into her life and wrapped into each experience completely. I found something small and hard to describe missing in the first third that made it a bit tougher to connect with Nila, but as I went on, I was swept away.

Aber has prose that haunts you, essence echoing days later as you move through your life. I think this is a must read for everyone. It teaches about a life much different than mine, while showing key connection points that make us human.


Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It was a captivating and seemingly realistic portrayal of the daughter of Afghani immigrants making her way through the trials and tribulations of being a young adult in Berlin. The author did a great job of describing how the protagonist navigates a lot of difficult situations.

What a fascinating story about a world that is so different from mine until I read this and found that even with our differences we have some similarities as well. I was pulled into this book from page 1 and I just couldn’t put it down.

Thank you to Net Galley and Random House for the ARC. The concept sounded cool but its not my type. I think readers who enjoy more serious fiction compared to what I read will like it.

This is a tough book to read with some pretty dark themes, but it is a very engaging story. The perspective of this book is from Nila, a young woman whose parents emigrated from Afghanistan to Germany. It is such an important and underrepresented perspective, especially with the current far right political climate. It is further complicated by German history and 9/11, both of which are components of the story.

Nila struggles with her identification as she grows up and tries to fit in with her classmates. The dynamics of her family, and extended family, play a big part of her life, driving old (and religious) expectations vs current reality. The story of her parents background compared to their current lives is tragic. It feels like a lot of that tragedy trickles down to the next generation. Nila tries to deal with it with drugs, alcohol, and bad men. This is the story of her growing up and learning who she is through all of it.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This ended up being a did not finish (DNF) for me. The concept was quite intriguing with a narrator who is "hiding in plain sight" as a child of Afghan refugees. However I found the character increasingly frustrating to read about with her repeated poor decision-making despite her obvious intelligence (probably the writer's own voice coming out too strongly). I also despised Marlowe; he is not meant to be likeable but his obvious predatory behavior really bothered me from the start.

This is not to say this is a bad book--it is well-written and I think if you enjoy grittier coming-of-age stories you may like this.

Nila is one of the most complex characters I have read about in a long time! She was raised in Berlin, which is still covered in swastikas. Her parents are Afghan. She is interested in photography and sex. She meets an American, who shows her a completely different way of life. Such a wonderful and compelling read!

"Good Girl" is a crushing and gritty debut by Aria Aber (an author who has previously published award-winning poetry). This is definitely a coming-of-age story but, even more importantly, it is a "coming of" identity journey for the young protagonist, Nilab. Nila is an only child, born in Berlin, Germany to Afghan parents, and is repeatedly "bringing shame" to her parents/family who have been offering her all the opportunities possible to "succeed" and live a better collective life than they have had. Her mother and father were both educated and professionally employed in their home country of Afghanistan when they relocated to Berlin (where both were underemployed and struggled financially). I will not go into the intricacies of the plot but will say it's extremely well written and executed--Nila loses her mother at a young age and is left with a father and a few extended family members who are at a loss for what to "do" with young Nila. She has already been given an opportunity to study at an expensive boarding school but does seem to be using these advantages to better herself.

Nila finds life in the "Bunker" - a techno club that is riddled with drugs and raves and a crowd she falls into effortlessly. There she takes up a relationship with an older, flighty (and a bit washed-up) American writer - Marlowe - who is full of his own issues and frailties. But Nila becomes a person on whom he can both rely (for devotion and admiration) and mold/control. I can't say enough about the gorgeous writing here -- the well-imagined events and situations, the emotional undertones -- Aber is a wonderful writer and I was present in the situations Nila involved herself in as a result. This book feels real and fully lived.

I was rooting for Nila throughout the book, knowing that she is a very talented and savvy young woman who is filled with shame (about her cultural identity, her gender, the expectations thrust upon her, and her low sense of self-worth). She has an eye and passion for photography and we see that it is very much a way for her to "control" her life and make sense of the things around her. I think this book is coming out (mid-Jan 2024) at a fraught and unsettled time in our world -- in every way -- and the racism and ugliness depicted in this story are reflective of the world at large: in America and Europe and around the planet. I hope EVERYONE preorders and reads this gorgeous and heartbreaking novel and I felt lifted at the conclusion. I love this writer and cannot wait to read more from her. THANK YOU to #NetGalley and #Hogarth for the opportunity to read and review Good Girl. I'm looking forward to quoting some lines and passages on social media after the pub date on 1/14/2025.

Incredibly propulsive. The city of Berlin is truly a character, and a terrific one. The descriptions of Berghain, the afters. the mornings, were so vivid and encapsulating. Perhaps 50ish pages too long, but overall I really enjoyed it.

I loved this book! Good Girl follows Nila, a nineteen year old at the cusp of adulthood, through her artistic and sexual coming of age. Nila winds her way through Berlin's nightlife, reckoning with her life as an almost twenty-something with the expectations placed upon her by her family as a first generation German with Afghani heritage. The writing on a sentence level in this book is immaculate; Aber started out as a poet, and her mastery of language is clear in every line of prose. The novel was very close to a five star read for me, but the beginning of the novel is overladen with backstory often told in summary. While this seemed important for the author to include to show how Nila's past and family history burdens her as she grows up, it did affect the novel's pace. I would definitely recommend Good Girl, and I plan to pick up whatever Aber publishes next.