A Girl Like Us: A Whirlwind of Wealth and Intrigue
I was intrigued by A Girl Like Us from the moment I read the premise. The notion of a former reality TV star, Maya "Miss Mayhem" Miller, suddenly thrust into the tumultuous world of the Sterling family after the mysterious murder of an heiress fired up my curiosity. With themes echoing Succession and the kind of upper-crust drama reminiscent of Saltburn, I dove in, hopeful for a riveting read. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. So here we are, celebrating the publishing day on February 11, 2025!
The central threads of wealth, power, and familial scorn are woven through Maya’s journey as she attempts to unravel the fortune and its dark secrets. Yet despite the promising backdrop, I often found myself grappling with pacing issues. The story felt like a rinse-and-repeat cycle—Maya searches for answers, faces disdain from her in-laws, and then sets off to dig deeper, only to repeat the sequence ad nauseam. I appreciated the choppy writing to a degree, recognizing it as a debut author’s growing pains, yet it sometimes diluted the urgency I yearned for while reading.
However, towards the last third, the tension picked up—perhaps some late-arriving adrenaline was just what I needed. Twists emerged, and I was at the edge of my seat, albeit more due to the discomforting nature of the characters than sheer plot suspense. As I immersed myself, I found it hard to connect with anyone—everyone, even Maya herself, had shades of unlikability. The Sterlings were particularly unsettling, with their bizarre customs, making me cringe, which, to be fair, was likely the point.
One quote that resonated with me captured this beautifully:
"You’re the kind of beautiful where people don’t take you seriously. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t take yourself seriously."
Maya’s struggle with perception versus reality is profound, yet my empathy wavered as I learned more of her past. I longed for character development, particularly for her husband, Colin, who felt more like a backdrop than a significant presence, which left me wanting richer dynamics to explore.
The abrupt ending struck me as unsatisfying, wrapping up the intricate threads too hastily. With the epilogue spanning weeks into the future, I was left yearning for a more thorough resolution. I loved the glimpses into Arianna’s perspective, her poignant diary entries revealing a haunting narrative of gaslighting and entrapment. Those chapters breathed life into the story, highlighting a deep psychological turmoil that was addictive to read.
So, who might enjoy A Girl Like Us? If you’re a fan of family dramas tangled with wealth and secrets, this book may pique your interest, especially if you’re less familiar with thriller tropes—perhaps it will surprise you more than it did me. For seasoned readers of the genre, some twists may feel repetitive, yet the opulent setting and familial tension could hold your attention.
In closing, while the book didn’t entirely meet my expectations, the experience reminded me of the complexity of human nature, especially in the face of wealth and ambition. As I marked my thoughts in the margins and felt the weight of Maya’s reality, I closed the book reflecting on the intricacies of societal perception and the struggles of self-worth. Ultimately, perhaps, that’s the true verdict of a compelling read.
