Plot:
“Men see women in two separate categories. There are the women they sleep with, and the women they fall in love with. And they will treat you differently based on that.”
From the day they first meet as teenagers Fern and Jessica are best friends. Despite their differences, they are there for each other throughout everything, navigating the difficulties of growing up and fitting in. That is until Jessica crosses a line that Fern can’t forgive.
But now, more than ten years later, Jessica has unexpectedly reappeared in Fern’s life.
A lot has changed for them both – but can their relationship be different now they are older? Is it possible for either of them to rewrite the role that they have been cast in? Or will their shared history ultimately be doomed to repeat itself again?
Set between the present day and the past, GIRL FRIENDS is a blisteringly funny and devastating novel: both a joyful celebration of female friendship and a razor-sharp look at the damage we can all cause to those we claim to love the most.
Review:
I really enjoyed this.
But the main character was so insecure, paranoid, annoying, a bit of a hypocrite, and I wanted to scream at her.
Side characters and friendships throughout though. I think this is my first novel by this author. And even though I mostly read it last year it falls into the category of the first 2024 book I have read.
I loved the writing style. The vibes from 2002 teenagers to the present as older adults. As it does hold a particular vibe that was briefly there when I was about 14-16 but not that I experienced it as it was the older generation it still held a lot of fun times and adventures is how it came across in this novel. Yet of course men, boys it was so twisted especially back then which you wouldn’t think about as a teenager in the 10’s.
There was a lot of discussions of friendships and feminism later on in the novel. However it is about two friends. One is Fern (jealous and insecure and is so paranoid) and Jessica who appears to be ‘slutty’ as Fern calls her. If you are so jealous and insecure why be friends with someone you think is out to get you. It was so annoying throughout. Why be friends with someone again if they ‘took’ all the guys you liked????
Somehow I really enjoyed this novel and the writing style despite the main character everyone else was delightful especially Heather and Jade. I wish Jade was mentioned more she seemed fun.
4/5 Stars
C’s La Vie 