Book Review | Sad Girls

Title: Sad Girls
Author: Lang Leav

The Blurb

“Your first love isn’t the first person you give your heart to—it’s the first one who breaks it.”

Sad Girls is the much anticipated debut novel from international best-selling author Lang Leav. A beautifully written and emotionally charged coming of age story, where young love, dark secrets, and tragedy collide.

School is almost out for Audrey, but the panic attacks are just beginning. Because Audrey told a lie and now her classmate, Ana, is dead. Just as her world begins to spin out of control, Audrey meets the enigmatic Rad—the boy who could turn it all around. But will their ill-timed romance drive her closer to the edge?

First off, I just want to say that I have all Lang Leav books because I love her works. It’s simple but something you can really relate on to. I love her style and she gives me inspirations to write my own feelings in verses. I’ve been writing crappy pieces since 6th grade and it’s nice that in this modern era, there are people trying to revive the existence of poetry and prose. Of course, I was so excited how she will do for Sad Girls. It didn’t matter to me then what the blurb was, I was just ecstatic to read it.

The Style

I’m glad she kept her poetry between the pages.

“We were still deep in conversation when the sun announced its arrival with an astonishing flourish of orange and pink.” Lang Leav was just talking about the sunrise but I guess it is really a poet thing to make it sound more like with a dreamy effect. So that’s that. I love it.

“It felt like at that moment, every snowflake in that field was a teardrop and the whole world was crying for her.” I am a sucker for this kind of words.

The Story

A girl who cried wolf
A boy in sheep’s clothing
A killer romance
A deadly secret

These are the lines written at the back of the book. You will realize how each line works in the story. I don’t think the plot was great. It was predictable.

Basically, Audrey told a lie that led to Ana’s death. It was focused on that lie just so there could be a plot twist in the end. It was bad. First half of the book, I didn’t even know why I’m still reading but I’m glad I did finish it because later on, I have realized why it is called Sad Girls. It’s just disappointing to take you that long to get that feeling. That should have been established at the very beginning, as the title implies.

Panic attacks haven’t given much justice here. No. There are a lot of books out there who tackled it more deeply than this. There’s no depth here. It is just more of guilt. That’s just that. It has never to do with anxiety. And I don’t think rubber bands work.

Characterization

Everyone was underdeveloped.

I don’t get it why Audrey told the lie. She just did—claiming that we all have things that we do and regret it afterwards. Sure. Guilt ate her up hence, panic attacks. She met a guy and thought they somehow click more than she connects with her boyfriend, Duck. Yes, she has a boyfriend for like, forever, but they “don’t have anything in common”. He just saved her and that she felt indebted to him so they ended up in a relationship. How fucked up?

I don’t like Audrey, to be honest. She forgets her panic attacks when she’s with this guy she met, Rad. Apparently, they have “so much things in common”. Then everything gets fucked up that leads Audrey to go far away then she met another guy named Gabe and she liked him. LOL PLEASE DO NOT.

Audrey is a brat who likes to get out of their house because her mother is strict and always gets into her skin and because of the mistake her mother did long ago. I know where she’s coming from but to be really that unforgiving when you are not holy yourself? It’s frustrating.

Then there are Lucy and Candela, Audrey’s friends. I like them more. It wasn’t clear what’s with Candela and Ana, though. It’s up to you what you’ll think. The book was ‘trying to be mysterious.’

It was melodramatic but I wasn’t really that moved.

Quote to Ponder

“‪We all need to follow our intuition, even if it takes us down the wrong path. Otherwise, you’ll always be second-guessing yourself.”

My Rating

It wasn’t that much well written in terms of the flow of the story but if by words, Lang Leav did okay. If you have read it or you’re curious why it’s called “Sad Girls”, don’t hesitate to message me.

I know some of my friends don’t like the book but I’m just trying to reason to myself that Lang used to write in stanzas and not in long paragraphs. I’m giving her credit for finishing a novel. Though it wasn’t that great, there is always a room for improvement, right? I can’t even finish half of my manuscript. 😂 There is always a long way to go for all of us.

I hope you won’t be disheartened by any review of any book. Reviews are personal opinions. What book you might like may not be someone else’s cup of tea. Just read whatever the hell you want to read.

#LangLeavInPH tomorrow! If you’re going, let’s catch up! 🙂

Check my other book reviews here >>

---

Thank you for reading!
If my words reach you somehow,
I hope you can support me
by donating either
through Ko-Fi or Paypal.
I appreciate you lots.