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ReviewsA FORBES , BUZZFEED , BOOK RIOT AND KIRKUS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR A NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY AND CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR A BUSTLE , REFINERY29 , COSMOPOLITAN , BUZZFEED AND MARIE CLAIRE MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF 2021 A BEST BOOK OF JANUARY 2021 ON POPSUGAR , E! ONLINE , BOOK RIOT , BITCH MEDIA , LGBTQREADS , AND CULTURESS A NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR A COSMOPOLITAN 100 BEST YA BOOKS EVERYONE SHOULD READ, REGARDLESS OF THEIR AGE "A captivating, explosive, and satisfyingly queer thriller." -- Kirkus, starred review "An arrestingly incisive narrative . . . fiercely captivating and impressively characterized, this tightly plotted thriller is engrossing from start to finish." -- Booklist , starred review "Not since Veronica Mars have hardscrabble swagger, enormous grief and teenage noir been combined into such a satisfying piece of storytelling. The Girls I've Been is a heart-wrenching, perfectly paced, cinematic thriller . . . a romance, a tragedy and a story about reclaiming agency and power. It is a triumph." --Bookpage , starred review "This action-packed story sizzles with suspense . . . In this thriller, characters prove that they can rely on their strength, friendship, and desire to be the confident and caring people they know themselves to be." --School Library Journal "Sharpe ( Barbed Wire Heart ) focuses as much on [Nora's] trauma--and the systems of power that enable and excuse abuse--as on mystery and heart-pounding action . . . the small, complex cast of characters and emotional core make this a poignant thriller." -- Publishers Weekly "The tension is absolutely nailbiting." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "A non-stop thrill ride... This book is so INTENSE. It jumps back and forth from the robbery in progress to Nora's earlier life with her mother, a con woman married to a dangerous man. It's so well done, extremely cinematic." --Book Riot "If you're looking for a queer YA contemporary book with complex characters, loads of action to keep you reading WAY past your bedtime -- and a story so well written I might have shed a tear over it -- you need to read The Girls I've Been by Tess Sharpe. It will keep you captivated until the last page." --Culturess, A FORBES , BUZZFEED , BOOK RIOT AND KIRKUS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR A NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY AND CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR A BUSTLE, REFINERY29, COSMOPOLITAN, BUZZFEED AND MARIE CLAIRE MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF 2021 A BEST BOOK OF JANUARY 2021 ON POPSUGAR, E! ONLINE, BOOK RIOT, BITCH MEDIA, LGBTQREADS, AND CULTURESS A NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR "A captivating, explosive, and satisfyingly queer thriller." -- Kirkus, starred review "An arrestingly incisive narrative . . . fiercely captivating and impressively characterized, this tightly plotted thriller is engrossing from start to finish." -- Booklist , starred review "Not since Veronica Mars have hardscrabble swagger, enormous grief and teenage noir been combined into such a satisfying piece of storytelling. The Girls I've Been is a heart-wrenching, perfectly paced, cinematic thriller . . . a romance, a tragedy and a story about reclaiming agency and power. It is a triumph." --Bookpage , starred review "This action-packed story sizzles with suspense . . . In this thriller, characters prove that they can rely on their strength, friendship, and desire to be the confident and caring people they know themselves to be." --School Library Journal "Sharpe ( Barbed Wire Heart ) focuses as much on [Nora's] trauma--and the systems of power that enable and excuse abuse--as on mystery and heart-pounding action . . . the small, complex cast of characters and emotional core make this a poignant thriller." -- Publishers Weekly "The tension is absolutely nailbiting." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "A non-stop thrill ride... This book is so INTENSE. It jumps back and forth from the robbery in progress to Nora's earlier life with her mother, a con woman married to a dangerous man. It's so well done, extremely cinematic." --Book Riot "If you're looking for a queer YA contemporary book with complex characters, loads of action to keep you reading WAY past your bedtime -- and a story so well written I might have shed a tear over it -- you need to read The Girls I've Been by Tess Sharpe. It will keep you captivated until the last page." --Culturess, A BUSTLE, REFINERY29, COSMOPOLITAN, BUZZFEED AND MARIE CLAIRE MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF 2021 A BEST BOOK OF JANUARY 2021 ON POPSUGAR, E! ONLINE, BOOK RIOT, BITCH MEDIA, LGBTQREADS, AND CULTURESS "A captivating, explosive, and satisfyingly queer thriller." -- Kirkus, starred review "An arrestingly incisive narrative . . . fiercely captivating and impressively characterized, this tightly plotted thriller is engrossing from start to finish." -- Booklist , starred review "Not since Veronica Mars have hardscrabble swagger, enormous grief and teenage noir been combined into such a satisfying piece of storytelling. The Girls I've Been is a heart-wrenching, perfectly paced, cinematic thriller . . . a romance, a tragedy and a story about reclaiming agency and power. It is a triumph." --Bookpage , starred review "This action-packed story sizzles with suspense . . . In this thriller, characters prove that they can rely on their strength, friendship, and desire to be the confident and caring people they know themselves to be." --School Library Journal "Sharpe ( Barbed Wire Heart ) focuses as much on [Nora's] trauma--and the systems of power that enable and excuse abuse--as on mystery and heart-pounding action . . . the small, complex cast of characters and emotional core make this a poignant thriller." -- Publishers Weekly "The tension is absolutely nailbiting." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "A non-stop thrill ride... This book is so INTENSE. It jumps back and forth from the robbery in progress to Nora's earlier life with her mother, a con woman married to a dangerous man. It's so well done, extremely cinematic." --Book Riot "If you're looking for a queer YA contemporary book with complex characters, loads of action to keep you reading WAY past your bedtime -- and a story so well written I might have shed a tear over it -- you need to read The Girls I've Been by Tess Sharpe. It will keep you captivated until the last page." --Culturess, A FORBES , BUZZFEED , BOOK RIOT AND KIRKUS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR A NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY AND CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR A BUSTLE , REFINERY29 , COSMOPOLITAN , BUZZFEED AND MARIE CLAIRE MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF 2021 A BEST BOOK OF JANUARY 2021 ON POPSUGAR , E! ONLINE , BOOK RIOT , BITCH MEDIA , LGBTQREADS , AND CULTURESS A NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR A COSMOPOLITAN 100 BEST YA BOOKS EVERYONE SHOULD READ, REGARDLESS OF THEIR AGE AN ALA RISE: FEMINIST BOOK PROJECT AND ALA RAINBOW BOOK LIST SELECTION "A captivating, explosive, and satisfyingly queer thriller." -- Kirkus, starred review "An arrestingly incisive narrative . . . fiercely captivating and impressively characterized, this tightly plotted thriller is engrossing from start to finish." -- Booklist , starred review "Not since Veronica Mars have hardscrabble swagger, enormous grief and teenage noir been combined into such a satisfying piece of storytelling. The Girls I've Been is a heart-wrenching, perfectly paced, cinematic thriller . . . a romance, a tragedy and a story about reclaiming agency and power. It is a triumph." --Bookpage , starred review "This action-packed story sizzles with suspense . . . In this thriller, characters prove that they can rely on their strength, friendship, and desire to be the confident and caring people they know themselves to be." --School Library Journal "Sharpe ( Barbed Wire Heart ) focuses as much on [Nora's] trauma--and the systems of power that enable and excuse abuse--as on mystery and heart-pounding action . . . the small, complex cast of characters and emotional core make this a poignant thriller." -- Publishers Weekly "The tension is absolutely nailbiting." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "A non-stop thrill ride... This book is so INTENSE. It jumps back and forth from the robbery in progress to Nora's earlier life with her mother, a con woman married to a dangerous man. It's so well done, extremely cinematic." --Book Riot "If you're looking for a queer YA contemporary book with complex characters, loads of action to keep you reading WAY past your bedtime -- and a story so well written I might have shed a tear over it -- you need to read The Girls I've Been by Tess Sharpe. It will keep you captivated until the last page." --Culturess "Quick, full of plot twists and reveals that will have the reader on the edge of their seat . . . Strong female leads and well-written characters." --Screen Rant, A FORBES , BUZZFEED , BOOK RIOT AND KIRKUS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR A NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY AND CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR A BUSTLE , REFINERY29 , COSMOPOLITAN , BUZZFEED AND MARIE CLAIRE MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF 2021 A BEST BOOK OF JANUARY 2021 ON POPSUGAR , E! ONLINE , BOOK RIOT , BITCH MEDIA , LGBTQREADS , AND CULTURESS A NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR A COSMOPOLITAN 100 BEST YA BOOKS EVERYONE SHOULD READ, REGARDLESS OF THEIR AGE AN ALA RISE: FEMINIST BOOK PROJECT SELECTION "A captivating, explosive, and satisfyingly queer thriller." -- Kirkus, starred review "An arrestingly incisive narrative . . . fiercely captivating and impressively characterized, this tightly plotted thriller is engrossing from start to finish." -- Booklist , starred review "Not since Veronica Mars have hardscrabble swagger, enormous grief and teenage noir been combined into such a satisfying piece of storytelling. The Girls I've Been is a heart-wrenching, perfectly paced, cinematic thriller . . . a romance, a tragedy and a story about reclaiming agency and power. It is a triumph." --Bookpage , starred review "This action-packed story sizzles with suspense . . . In this thriller, characters prove that they can rely on their strength, friendship, and desire to be the confident and caring people they know themselves to be." --School Library Journal "Sharpe ( Barbed Wire Heart ) focuses as much on [Nora's] trauma--and the systems of power that enable and excuse abuse--as on mystery and heart-pounding action . . . the small, complex cast of characters and emotional core make this a poignant thriller." -- Publishers Weekly "The tension is absolutely nailbiting." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "A non-stop thrill ride... This book is so INTENSE. It jumps back and forth from the robbery in progress to Nora's earlier life with her mother, a con woman married to a dangerous man. It's so well done, extremely cinematic." --Book Riot "If you're looking for a queer YA contemporary book with complex characters, loads of action to keep you reading WAY past your bedtime -- and a story so well written I might have shed a tear over it -- you need to read The Girls I've Been by Tess Sharpe. It will keep you captivated until the last page." --Culturess, COSMOPOLITAN'S #1 MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF 2021 A BUZZFEED MOST ANTICIPATED YA OF 2021 "An arrestingly incisive narrative . . . fiercely captivating and impressively characterized, this tightly plotted thriller is engrossing from start to finish." -- Booklist , starred review "Sharpe (Barbed Wire Heart) focuses as much on her trauma--and the systems of power that enable and excuse abuse--as on mystery and heart-pounding action . . . the small, complex cast of characters and emotional core make this a poignant thriller." -- Publishers Weekly "The tension is absolutely nailbiting." -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, A FORBES , BUZZFEED , BOOK RIOT AND KIRKUS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR A NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY AND CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR A BUSTLE , REFINERY29 , COSMOPOLITAN , BUZZFEED AND MARIE CLAIRE MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF 2021 A BEST BOOK OF JANUARY 2021 ON POPSUGAR , E! ONLINE , BOOK RIOT , BITCH MEDIA , LGBTQREADS , AND CULTURESS A NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR A COSMOPOLITAN 100 BEST YA BOOKS EVERYONE SHOULD READ, REGARDLESS OF THEIR AGE AN ALA RISE: FEMINIST BOOK PROJECT AND ALA RAINBOW BOOK LIST SELECTION "A captivating, explosive, and satisfyingly queer thriller." -- Kirkus, starred review "An arrestingly incisive narrative . . . fiercely captivating and impressively characterized, this tightly plotted thriller is engrossing from start to finish." -- Booklist , starred review "Not since Veronica Mars have hardscrabble swagger, enormous grief and teenage noir been combined into such a satisfying piece of storytelling. The Girls I've Been is a heart-wrenching, perfectly paced, cinematic thriller . . . a romance, a tragedy and a story about reclaiming agency and power. It is a triumph." --Bookpage , starred review "YA thriller fans, The Girls I've Been is the perfect read for you." --BuzzFeed "This action-packed story sizzles with suspense . . . In this thriller, characters prove that they can rely on their strength, friendship, and desire to be the confident and caring people they know themselves to be." --School Library Journal "Sharpe ( Barbed Wire Heart ) focuses as much on [Nora's] trauma--and the systems of power that enable and excuse abuse--as on mystery and heart-pounding action . . . the small, complex cast of characters and emotional core make this a poignant thriller." -- Publishers Weekly "The tension is absolutely nailbiting." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "A non-stop thrill ride... This book is so INTENSE. It jumps back and forth from the robbery in progress to Nora's earlier life with her mother, a con woman married to a dangerous man. It's so well done, extremely cinematic." --Book Riot "If you're looking for a queer YA contemporary book with complex characters, loads of action to keep you reading WAY past your bedtime -- and a story so well written I might have shed a tear over it -- you need to read The Girls I've Been by Tess Sharpe. It will keep you captivated until the last page." --Culturess "Quick, full of plot twists and reveals that will have the reader on the edge of their seat . . . Strong female leads and well-written characters." --Screen Rant, A FORBES , BUZZFEED , BOOK RIOT AND KIRKUS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR A NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY AND CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR A COSMOPOLITAN 100 BEST YA BOOKS EVERYONE SHOULD READ, REGARDLESS OF THEIR AGE AN ALA RISE: FEMINIST BOOK PROJECT AND ALA RAINBOW BOOK LIST SELECTION "A captivating, explosive, and satisfyingly queer thriller." -- Kirkus, starred review "An arrestingly incisive narrative . . . fiercely captivating and impressively characterized, this tightly plotted thriller is engrossing from start to finish." -- Booklist , starred review "Not since Veronica Mars have hardscrabble swagger, enormous grief and teenage noir been combined into such a satisfying piece of storytelling. The Girls I've Been is a heart-wrenching, perfectly paced, cinematic thriller . . . a romance, a tragedy and a story about reclaiming agency and power. It is a triumph." --Bookpage , starred review "YA thriller fans, The Girls I've Been is the perfect read for you." --BuzzFeed "This action-packed story sizzles with suspense . . . In this thriller, characters prove that they can rely on their strength, friendship, and desire to be the confident and caring people they know themselves to be." --School Library Journal "Sharpe ( Barbed Wire Heart ) focuses as much on [Nora's] trauma--and the systems of power that enable and excuse abuse--as on mystery and heart-pounding action . . . the small, complex cast of characters and emotional core make this a poignant thriller." -- Publishers Weekly "The tension is absolutely nailbiting." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "A non-stop thrill ride... This book is so INTENSE. It jumps back and forth from the robbery in progress to Nora's earlier life with her mother, a con woman married to a dangerous man. It's so well done, extremely cinematic." --Book Riot "If you're looking for a queer YA contemporary book with complex characters, loads of action to keep you reading WAY past your bedtime -- and a story so well written I might have shed a tear over it -- you need to read The Girls I've Been by Tess Sharpe. It will keep you captivated until the last page." --Culturess "Quick, full of plot twists and reveals that will have the reader on the edge of their seat . . . Strong female leads and well-written characters." --Screen Rant