Mercy is missing and Greta seems to be the only person who cares. Greta is trying to put her past behind her, make new friends and have a fun summer at Hyper Kid Magic Land, but Mercy's disappearance becomes a distraction from her plan. Is Mercy's disappearance related to the unsolved murder from the park's grand opening? Can Greta solve the mysteries without everyone finding out about her past?

I absolutely loved this book. It keeps your attention throughout the whole book and really reminds me of GGGTM, but at a theme park.

Everything was laid out perfectly and went at the perfect pace. There was never too much information or too little. I did kinda guess the twist, but I read so many of things books that it’s too easy now. I also enjoyed the little romance we got to experience. It tied the book together.

I also enjoyed all the characters and there wasn’t really anyone extra or just didn’t make sense. I think Ivy will be my favorite of them all.

🎡✨BOOK REVIEW✨🎡
Difficult Girls by Veronica Bane
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🩸 Dark secrets
🎭 Theater kids with teeth
🔪 Murderous summer jobs
🌀 Unreliable narrators and twisty turns

Hyper Kid Magic Land is supposed to be Greta Riley Green’s chance to start over. New job. New friends. New identity. But when the park’s star performer, Mercy, confides in her—and then disappears—Greta can’t ignore the cracks forming in her fresh start… or in herself.

Was Greta the last person to see Mercy alive?
Can she trust her own memories?
And just how many girls have gone missing in this theme park?

This thriller is: 💫 Razor-sharp and unhinged in the best way
🎢 Fast-paced with just enough dread and dark humor
🎭 A perfect mix of showbiz sparkle and spine-chilling suspense
🧠 Ideal for fans of unreliable narrators and morally gray girls

Veronica Bane’s debut delivers mystery, memory, and mania in a pastel-colored nightmare. It’s funny, sinister, and absolutely gripping. Think Sadie meets White Smoke with an amusement park twist. I could not put it down.

📌 Read if you love:
🎠 Theme park horror
📓 Mean girls & misfits
🧨 Girls who bite back
⏳ Past trauma coming to light
🩸 Twisty mysteries that keep you guessing

Greta Riley Green is NOT your average Final Girl. She might just be the scariest thing at Hyper Kid Magic Land… 🎪

#DifficultGirls #VeronicaBane #YAThriller #DarkYA #MysteryReads #SummerThriller #BooksWithBite #MorallyGrayGirls #ThemeParkThriller #BookstagramRecs #PsychologicalThriller #BloodySummer #DelacortePress

This was FUN! It feels very true to teenage experience, and the awkward and earnest narration was delightfully relatable. Excited to see what Bane writes next!

There are a few things about this book that make it unique in my eyes.
1. the setting: It’s set in Hyper Kid. Hyper Kid is a theme park but it’s primarily centered around performances. I’m not sure I’ve ever read a mystery set in a theme park even though it seems like the prime place for drama.
2. the narrator: Greta is a complicated character and it makes her a complicated narrator. She has a fair amount going on as the book opens so she views everything with a lens that is not entirely relatable or trustworthy. Honestly she is not a great detective. (But if she was there would be no book, right?)
One of my gripes though is that it’s not super clear with a lot of their ages. This makes one relationship in particular seem really uncomfortable to me. It also just kept nagging in my brain because I was having trouble imagining these characters.
Thank you to Delacorte Press for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

the chars were effective. the theme park feel was effective and the general themes were pretty good. twist was good. 5 stars. tysm forthe arc.

I received the novel, Difficult Girls, from netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

Victoria Bane’s new YA novel, Difficult Girls is set in a theme park, an unusual setting for any novel. The setting immediately makes you take notice, even before you’re introduced to the main character, Greta Green.

Greta has something in her past that has caused her to want to reinvent herself socially and unlike most teenagers, she is not glued to her social apps.

Ms. Bane draws you into the story from the very beginning, offering just enough tidbits to keep you interested and reading. Both mysteries are woven together well, keeping you interested. I spent a lot of the time I was reading trying to add up the clues and solve the problems.

The book is engaging from the first sentence, keeping the reader engaged. The first person narrator style allows you inside Greta’s head, making it more urgent as she races towards the answer. The setting gives a touch of whimsy and makes the reader wonder what is going on behind the scenes at other amusement parks.

Overall, I absolutely recommend this book and look forward to reading more from Ms. Bane.

➵ 3.75 ⭐️

I expected this to be something similar to The Thrashers but this was... not that. I've heard people compare Difficult Girls to AGGGTM and maybe it's similar to it but since I haven't read it I really can't tell, all I know is it wasn't what I hoped it'd be.

The FMC Greta annoyed me more often than not. I know she's young (16-17yo) but her naivete and idiocy made her feel like she was even younger. There were a few scenes where the cringe-ness and awkwardness made me question if she was actually 12 yo because the way she thought and acted often read younger than her supposed age. For example for a big chunk of the book she wanted to stay away from Liam convincing herself he is a red flag because some of his coworkers jokingly call him "Dealer". She has no context nor does she ask what it means she just assumes he deals drugs and clings to that religiously convincing herself he is "dangerous" even when all of his actions point to the opposite. But the guy who is the actual red flag and she doesn't know him at all nor does she spend any time with him, she just assume he is good because she is attracted to him. There's like no critical thinking from this girl who is supposed to be smart and is convinced that it's her destiny to solve the disappearance of her coworker.

Speaking of that coworker, the way that Greta is put on this path is a little ridiculous. She doesn't know Mercy (said coworker), Mercy isn't her friend, she has met her once during orientation at work and yet when she runs into Mercy at a party after work on her very first day mind you, during their one and only interaction it takes Mercy 10 seconds to start acting weird and to beg Greta to meet her the next day "so she can show her something" like they became besties out of nowhere and Mercy has any reason to confide in or trust Greta. I thought maybe by the end of the book we'll find out that there was a reason for that interaction or something to make it make more sense but that wasn't the case. It'd have been better of either Greta and Mercy were actual friends before she disappeared (but considering the whole plot takes place in the span of 5 days I guess there was no time for that) or if they didn't have that interaction at all and Greta just starts poking because she notices that Mercy isn't showing to work and given that she is already more or less fascinated with her that would've been enough.

The mystery itself was interesting enough, even if in the beginning I was actually more interested with what Greta was hiding than with Mercy's disappearance. Once secrets started to come out, I like the way the past murder tied up with what was happening in the present.

The romance was probably my fav part even if it wasn't the main focus simply because Liam was my fav character. He was an absolute cinnamon roll that must be protected at all cost and there were a few times where I asked myself what he even saw in Greta. She wasn't a bad character, hell I even agree with Liam that what she did to the boys locker room was badass even if she didn't do it exactly on purpose lmao but my gods, I wanted to shake her so many times. She had a lot of trauma and she was betrayed by the majority of her closest people so her judgement was definitely messed up which in turn was messing her up and that's why I tried to give her a lot of grace but for the majority of the book she was very frustrating.


All in all, this was a decent debut (even though this isn't technically the author's first book, she's ghostwriter who's written over 10 books) and if you don't read thrillers or murder mysteries often this may surprise and even shock you. It's a good summer "who dunnit" read with a splash of messy relationships and past secrets.

eternal gratitude to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC

3.50 stars

This book reminded me of a good girls guide to murder series. I love how she makes a friend who becomes her sidekick, as they investigate the murder and disappearance.

The main female character is labeled at neurodivergent but I didnt really get that vibe. At times the pacing was off, and twists predictable. I did enjoy the book, and would read the author again.

I had such a fun time reading this!!! It was giving me major AGGGTM vibes. The author did such an amazing job setting up the characters. I was truly so invested in the characters' lives and cared about Greta––which made the action-packed ending even more tense and suspenseful (I was seriously holding my breath!) If you're looking for your next fav YA Thriller, I would 1000% pick this one up!!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

DIFFICULT GIRLS by Veronica Bane

Thank you Netgalley, RHC, Delacorte, and Veronica for the earc (July 8)

Greta is reeling from an incident in her past, so she takes a job at Hyper Kid Magic Land to reinvent herself. What she doesn't expect is to be dragged into the world of Mercy, promised a secret that Mercy's been keeping. When Mercy doesn't show, Greta knows something happened. Something is wrong. So...Greta investigates, unearthing more than she ever thought possible.
DIFFICULT GIRLS is a thrilling tale where past and present mysteries intwine into one large mystery that's full of twists that I didn't see coming. Especially that last one. Like, I called half of it, but the actual whodunit left me baffled and all out shocked. It didn't cross my mind, and honestly I don't know why.
Not only is DIFFICULT GIRLS action-packed and full of mystery, it's full of new friendships, new relationships. What I loved most about DIFFICULT GIRLS was Greta opening herself back up and learning not to revel in the past no matter how difficult. The characters were likeable, even ones who shouldn't have been (of course only in the beginning, once the book picked up pace, the likeability of those ones dwindled until...BOOM, we see their true colors.)
DIFFICULT GIRLS is a must read for mystery/thriller lovers. This book has everything that makes a thriller thrilling. There's past and present drama, a mystery begging to be solved, and of course a little bit of a slow burn romance.

Thank you Delacorte Press and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. Very Intriguing! Greta has a difficult past and she’s hoping to start over with her new job at Hyper Kid Magic Land. When the star of Hyper Kid’s entertainment show asks to meet up with her, Greta is really excited but then Mercy doesn’t show and she doesn’t show up for work either. Greta, along with some friends, will try to find out what happened to her. But doing so may just threaten all that she’s worked for. Can she escape from her past? Can she find Mercy? A thrilling mystery that picks up speed as it goes! I enjoyed Greta and her friends! A captivating story with a little bit of romance mixed in! Full of angst, tension, and twists!

🎡 Thank You Veronica Bane for letting me be a part of the street team and for providing the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

4 ★

I’m happy that this book kept me invested from the very beginning! Not only was I interested in the mystery, but also the subplot about what happened with Greta in the past. As far as the main mystery goes, nothing really happens in the first half of the book. Instead, the first half was used to set up the mystery and theme park setting. Despite it starting off slow, Greta’s past slowly unraveling kept me turning the page.

I liked how the story was set in a theme park. However, the story did lose me a bit at the theatre aspect with the jargon (I didn’t know what a gondola was until this book) and technical stuff. Definitely a me problem though, because I’ve never worked at a theme park before, so I had a hard time picturing some of the things that were being described. I was able to look past it in favor of keeping up with the mystery.

I loved how the mystery wasn’t too convoluted and was easy to follow. The events leading to the twists were believable and actually made sense to me. The mystery didn’t feel forced either, and I didn’t feel like the twists were there only for the shock value. I actually did end up guessing the killer correctly based on gut feeling. Something about the way [redacted] was introduced and their behaviour after just didn’t sit well with me. I did suspect other characters, but when that one character showed up, all bets were off.

I really loved the characters as well! My favourites have to be our main trio, Greta, Liam, and Ivy. While I feel like I know and understand Greta, the opposite could be said for Ivy and Liam. I wish I had gotten to know Ivy, Liam, and the other side characters’ backstories more, because although we got a few tidbits about Ivy and Liam, it wasn’t quite enough to satisfy me.

Lastly, I thought there was the perfect amount of romance. It didn’t overshadow the plot, and I loved the implications regarding Liam’s feelings towards Greta more than anything.

If you like mysteries/thrillers with a dash of romance or are fans of Holly Jackson’s A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, you definitely have to check out Difficult Girls when it releases on July 8 of this year!

I love a twisty teen tragedy story. This one had its ups and downs and was a fun story to watch unfold. Would like to read more from this author.

I really wanted to love this! I really liked the concept of this book, and that a supposed disappearance or possible murder took place in a theme park. However, I felt like the pacing was off and the twists and reveals were somewhat disjointed and not as exciting or as suprising as I had hoped.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Children’s for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Veronica Bane’s “Difficult Girls” is a compelling YA thriller that seamlessly blends mystery and personal growth against the backdrop of a quirky amusement park. The book follows Greta Riley Green, a girl with a troubled past who hopes to reinvent herself with a fresh start. But when a co-worker disappears, Greta is pulled into an unsettling mystery that threatens both her plans and her safety.

At its core, “Difficult Girls” is an exploration of identity and self-acceptance. Greta is an awkward, self-conscious, and often frustratingly naïve protagonist, but she is also relatable—especially for younger YA readers navigating their own insecurities. I thought it was possible that Greta is neurodivergent, though the book never explicitly confirms this. Her tendency to idolize people she finds attractive, her trusting nature, and her struggles with self-esteem make her feel realistic, even if she occasionally makes exasperating choices, just like any other teenager. Fortunately, she has a strong support system, including her co-worker Ivy, a true friend who isn’t afraid to call out her problematic behaviors, and Liam, a kind and patient love interest who helps her grow in confidence. Their romance is sweet and genuine, and the found-family aspect among the amusement park employees adds warmth to the story.

While the book starts off slowly, taking time to introduce its cast of characters and establish the atmosphere of the amusement park, the second half accelerates into a thrilling ride. I found the first half to be a bit slow and confusing as a lot of different characters were introduced, including the characters of the fictional amusement park. However, I really enjoyed the mystery in the second half. As Greta pieces together the mystery, the book transforms into a suspenseful page-turner, delivering unexpected twists and a satisfying conclusion that ties up all loose ends. Bane’s writing balances teenage angst and tension, making “Difficult Girls” an engaging read that captures both the innocence and anxieties of young adulthood. There were some aspects of the mystery that were genuinely surprising and unexpected to me.

Fans of YA thrillers, especially those who appreciate character-driven mysteries with a touch of summer nostalgia, will find much to love in “Difficult Girls.” I can’t wait to read more from Bane in the future.

Difficult Girls is a fantastically well written book! The twists and turns were wonderfully unpredictable and the characters are easy to invest in! The book was hard to put down!

This book had me laughing before I finished the first chapter. It quickly brought me back to those awkward teen years, when you have a crush and can't quite keep it together, inevitably making a fool of yourself instead of being suave.

The focus of the story seamlessly shifts to the main character, Greta, as she becomes entangled in a murder mystery while making new friends along the way. Greta is able to confront and escape the demons of her past - a struggle many of us can relate to during the tumultuous high school years.

At her new theme park job, Greta meets people who accept her for who she truly is, flaws and all, and love her because of them, not in spite of them. Bane offers a diverse cast of characters that many readers will relate to. The first half of the book provides insights into each character, allowing readers to truly get to know and care about them. In the second half, the pace picks up, taking readers on a thrilling ride (pun intended) as Greta pieces everything together. The ending is surprising, even for seasoned mystery readers.

Overall, this is a fantastic book for middle school and high school readers, as well as adults who enjoy YA thrillers.

I want to start by saying that I really did like the concept of this book. The idea of a main character who seems to be neurodivergent,although that’s never fully or clearly established, and has had some difficulty with things in the past and is now trying to get a fresh start working at a amusement park. The amusement park itself has kind of a dark backstory and when one of the main cast members goes missing, she gets pulled into investigating the situation.My main problem with it was that nothing really happened in the first 50% of the book. It took a really long time to get the book going, and there was some repetitiveness in the writing. That was a little frustrating. She describes the character’s “fluffy hair” way too many times and it just took a really long time for the story to get going.

Also, some of the ways that the author described the girls affection for boys was cringey and I wasn’t sure if that was supposed to represent the fact that she was neurodivergent so she looked at the world a little bit differently or whether this was supposed to be how the author perceived teenage brains to work. I know that the author is a teacher and so I’m assuming spends as much time as teenagers as I do as a teacher and I’m not Convinced that that was the most accurate depiction of the way that they see the opposite sex. I did love their connection and their love story and the sense that he really understood her and accepted her despite her past and her awkwardness, it just seemed a little strange and its delivery.

A fun YA thriller with lots of twists and a compelling theme park setting! Kept me guesstimated right up until the end. Great addition to a MS or HS library.