See more of my reviews on The YA Kitten! My copy was an eARC I got as a staff reviewer for YA Books Central.
Everyone loves a good con artist story. It’s why we’ve got series about Anna Delvey and the Tinder Swindler. It’s why We got so many Ocean’s movies (which are dearly beloved in my family), When the con artist’s targets are terrible people, we love it all the more.
Well, Nora grew up the daughter of a con artist, but it’s all behind her now thanks to a rescue by her sister Lee and a few things she doesn’t talk about for a while. Then Nora, her best friend Wes, and her girlfriend Iris walk into the wrong bank at the wrong time and become hostages in an armed robbery—and since these robbers aren’t covering their faces, it’s clear they don’t intend to leave witnesses behind. Nora’s got a plan, though. She has several. It’s time to run a little con of her own.
I knew I was going to adore The Girls I’ve Been before I ever started it. How could I not love a robbery-thwarting thriller starring a bisexual con artist? It’s just good gay science! Even so, it still blew me out of the water. I’ve barely read anything the past few weeks because things at my job have ramped up, but this is a book I made time for.
Nora is whip-smart, able to come up with new plans on the fly based on what turns the situation takes and the few things she has at her disposal, like Iris’s petticoat, a lighter, and a few bottles of alcohol. The robbers’ plan is already off to a bad start since the bank employee they need isn’t there and Nora works hard to make sure they can’t get back on their feet. When she realizes the perfect hostage is in the building, her first order of business is to get them out to safety.
Between each turn in the rapidly devolving situation, readers get insights into Nora’s past as the daughter of sweetheart scam-running Abby Devereaux, being used as an accomplice and tool in her mother’s cons. Learn a new name while her mother brushed her long blonde hair, develop her character based on three key words, and do whatever she was asked to. This was her life for girl after girl.
But then Abby fell for her mark and Nora gained a vicious criminal for a stepdad. The things Nora did as Ashley Keane are so incredible that Ashley has become something of a myth in criminal circles. So much so that revealing that she’s Ashley to one of the robbers changes their plans entirely because she’s a much better payday than what the robbers were looking for.
Is this a believable book? Goodness no, but it’s enough fun that most people aren’t going to care. You’re in for a good time, not a logical one. If the latter is what you want, maybe try another book. Come for the fast-paced thrills and get just what you were looking for.
Now quit wasting time here. Go read The Girls I’ve Been if you haven’t already. Also feel free to inform her publisher that you really, really want the sequel Tess has been working on. Also follow her on social media if you aren’t ready. If you’re a writer, she’s got a ton of informative posts and Twitter threads about the many facets of the publishing industry she’s experienced as an author with many more books to her name than just the ones with “Tess Sharpe” on them.
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Reviews with images
Daughter of a con-artist finds herself in the middle of a bank heist !
Looking for a thriller novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat? The Girls Ive Been is an exciting novel and will have you at the edge of your seat, desperate trying to uncover the truth bout the girls "NORA" has been.Although, I did have a hard time trying to connect to this book, I still believe it was a great book. It kept me on edge a bit and had me wanting to know what's gonna happen next as every chiller/mystery should.I felt like could relate to NORA in away, with just different personalities and just how crazy and traumatizing her life was/has been. It was nice to see and hear side of every story from each person she was named to be by her mother.
Top reviews from other countries
Emma Smith
such a fast-paced read, loved it!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 28, 2024
Juliette Gerron
But this SLAPPED!!! I can’t wait for the adaptation with Millie Bobby Brown.
Reviewed in France on April 19, 2023