The It Girl by Ruth Ware
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Book Overview:
The It Girl by Ruth Ware tells the unsettling story of how mysterious secrets from the past have a major impact on the future.
April Clarke-Clivedon has it all. Money, beauty, and that je nai se quois that draws everyone under her spell. Including Hannah Jones. Upon discovering she’ll be roommates with April during her first year at Oxford Hanna quickly finds herself drawn to April’s charisma and outgoing personality. After meeting Will, Hugh, Emily, and Ryan they all form a tight-knit friendship that carries them through their first year of university. That is until the night that Hannah finds April dead in their suite of rooms.
Flash forward to ten years later and Hannah has settled down with Will and they are expecting their first child together. Upon learning the news that John Neville, the man convicted of murdering April, has died in prison Hannah believes she can finally put the past behind her and move on.
That is until a journalist reaches out sharing his discovery of new evidence that may prove John Neville’s innocence. Flooded with guilt and uncertainty at the possibility of convicting an innocent man, Hannah launches into action reaching out to old friends and taking a closer look at what really happened the night of April’s murder. In her quest to find the truth, Hannah will discover that she doesn’t know her friends as well as she thinks she does. Because they all have secrets to hide. Secrets that are beginning to look like a potential motive for murder.
My Review:
This story is told in dual timelines. In one timeline we get flashbacks to the events that transpired leading up to April’s murder. The second timeline covers present events ten years after April’s murder. And I love a good dual timeline so I found myself quickly becoming intrigued by this story.
Ware’s writing style is enjoyable and chapter length was ideal for maintaining interest and building suspense. However, the pacing for this story was slow and there wasn’t a lot of action. So, at some points, the story did feel sluggish and struggled to get to the point.
On the other hand, I enjoyed how Ware cast suspicion on pretty much all the characters. This kept me guessing, compelling me to turn the page to find out how it all would come together.
The characters were interesting and well-developed. However, I didn’t buy the close friendship between April and Hannah. I would classify them as frenemies, not best friends. It almost seemed as though Hannah viewed her friendship with April through rose-colored glasses because many of their interactions had a catty, competitive undertone.
The buildup to the ending was action-packed and I didn’t guess the actual killer until the last minute. It took a sinister turn that I didn’t see coming and surprised me. But I was pleased with how everything concluded and wrapped up.
While I enjoyed this book and it was a well-written mystery thriller it didn’t wow me. I never emotionally connected with the story and I struggled to feel anything. So, I was left feeling very bleh about it all.
To learn more about the books I read this past month read my September 2024 Reading Wrap Up
