summer (re)read no. 6: Sad Girls by Lang Leav

Justinne Horteza
May 15, 2020
5 min read

Updated: Nov 2, 2020

started: May 1, 2020

finished: May 4, 2020

hello and welcome (or welcome back?) to my humble abode! it's been while :)

I just finished reading Sad Girls a few weeks ago so grab your popcorn because we’re about to get real around here!

actually, jk. I’m lowkey scared because this book is very popular and a lot of people love it, so what I actually want to ask from you is not popcorn for you to nibble on while I rant BUT an open mind for what you’re about to encounter won’t be all unicorns and rainbows because to be frank, I don’t really like this book.

but before anything else, I do wanna say that there will be some spoilers. I also want to put out some trigger warnings for suicide, anxiety, and drug abuse, if you really intend to read it [the book].

this is actually my second time reading Sad Girls. when I first read it a few months ago, I had mixed feelings going into it but eventually, after finishing, I realized that I didn’t like it. I never had intentions of reading this book again, but a very close friend of mine (who let me borrow her copy back then) wanted to know what I thought about it, hence me rereading and reviewing.

the book follows our main character Audrey. Audrey was with her two best friends, Lucy and Candela, one night. they were just casually hanging out when, without revealing too much, let’s just say, Audrey started acting stupid and made up a horrible lie about a girl they went to school with—for no absolute reason. Lucy and Candela blindly believed Audrey because she was “known to be an honest person”. ironic.

! mild spoilers ahead !

the three of them did swear to never tell anyone but of course, someone had to hear it and told someone else and so on and the lie became a rumor and was spreading like wildfire. because of that, everything went downhill. in simple words, the following happened: death, panic attacks, drug abuse, friendship(s) broken, and a family (or I guess I could say, families) entirely shattered.

the plot of this book somehow revolves around that lie but it was never really justified as to why she did it and “what are the consequences” because she did it, and it’s really questionable to me (ps. everything that actually went down in the book doesn’t even equate to how much I just said so don’t worry).

now let’s talk about the writing. I've read a review from Goodreads and it mentioned that a story should possess "show, don't tell" elements to it (i totally recommend you read that review BUT ONLY IF YOU’VE READ THE BOOK! STRICTLY! because she made some really good points).

a novel is supposed to have "show, don't tell" elements to keep things simple because you have to make the person understand the story.

i do agree with that statement. her writing can be a little too much at times and even if i do admit that it's beautiful, it's just not for everyone. although, it is her own style, it's just not my cup of tea. besides, an author’s writing style is subjective.

just like the writing, the main character was also too much [to handle] for me. I just never liked Audrey. not then, not now. maybe she doesn’t like me too, but oh well. I never really got to know her. she also didn’t show that much personality to me. idk if it’s just me but yeah. our main love interest (who I don’t wanna talk about but I do have a separate *short* rant for him at the end) was just… just, idk!

the side characters? eeeh. Candela was okay, Duck deserved better, the girl Audrey told a lie about was never really introduced properly (questionable); the only hope I had for the characters of this book were Lucy and, her boyrfriend, Freddy. I really liked them plus I think they were cute. and also Gabe! I think he was super sweet but there wasn’t much in store for him. (ps. I know I haven’t mentioned Duck, Freddy, and Gabe before this because if I did, it’ll give off too much info hehe)

now, you must think it’s over, huh? well, no. because now we have come to the aspects of this book that I just could not. uno, the pacing. I remember how confused I was when I first read this book and I’m still confused up to this day. what was with all those time jumps? sure, it was to build the story but personally, it was too much (guess the writing and Audrey aren't the only ones receiving the title of being *too much* today. maybe I am too bwehehe).

one chapter they were preparing for their final exams and a few chapters next Audrey lands a job without even finishing the aforementioned exam. again, I understand it was to “build” the story or “progress” the story. but flipping to a chapter which is a fast forward to however months and flipping to another chapter which is a fast forward to another however months is just asdfghjkl???

because of that, I feel like the characters weren’t developed that much. also because of that terrible pacing, the events that occurred, for me, were just too forced and unrealistic, which leads us to my next point.

dos. everything after the first 20 pages or so of this book just seemed too forced for me. everything was like handed easily to Audrey and that guy even with all the plot turns and fast forwards. I know it’s fiction—Romance Fiction, but if it were a tad bit more realistic, then it would’ve been believable to me.

there were so many “huh” moments for me when I reread Sad Girls (more than the first time lol) but I don’t wanna reveal more about it so this is where I’m leaving you. this is a 1.5 out of 5 stars for me.

the .5 is for Freddy and the jar of green olives he kept under his bed.

now, would I recommend it? I’d say, you do you BUT! read it with an open mind and don’t look up to Audrey because it won’t do you good. until next time!

oh and one last thing, here’s the separate rant I mentioned:

it’s protected with a password so that only those who’ve read the book can see because it contains major spoilers. if you adore this book, you might hate me for what’s in that file (or hate me more) but I’ve always wanted to put it out there.

for you to open the file, you must know where Audrey worked. all caps, no spaces. if the document doesn’t open or work on your device, you can email me or message me the password on Facebook and I’ll send you what’s in it :)

tell me your thoughts about it also by emailing me or messaging me and we’ll have a fun little argume—I mean, discussion. okay, bye!