Review: New Girl

New Girl

by Paige Harbison

Why did you choose this book? I saw the cover and thought it might be a mermaid story

When did you read this book? April 2012

Who should read this book? previous readers of this auhor

Here is a synopsis of ‘Final Words From The Cross' from Goodreads, where it rates 3.50 stars.

Source: ebook borrowed from library

A contemporary young-adult retelling inspired by the classic 1938 romantic suspense bestseller Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. 

They call me 'New Girl'... 

Ever since I arrived at exclusive, prestigious Manderly Academy, that’s who I am. New girl. Unknown. But not unnoticed—because of her. 

Becca Normandy—that’s the name on everyone’s lips. The girl whose picture I see everywhere. The girl I can’t compare to. I mean, her going missing is the only reason a spot opened up for me at the academy. And everyone stares at me like it’s my fault. 

Except for Max Holloway—the boy whose name shouldn’t be spoken. At least, not by me. Everyone thinks of him as Becca’s boyfriend…but she’s gone, and here I am, replacing her. I wish it were that easy. Sometimes, when I think of Max, I can imagine how Becca’s life was so much better than mine could ever be. 

And maybe she’s still out there, waiting to take it back

My Review 

If you have read my reviews for awhile, and know how much I like fairy tales and especially The Little Mermaid, you know why I wanted to read this one when I saw the cover. Turns out, the book had nothing to do with The Little Mermaid. It is a retelling of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. I have to admit, I’ve never read that one, and perhaps if I had, my feelings about this book might be different. 

The story is about a New Girl who comes to a boarding school for her senior year due to a spot opening up when a student goes missing. She was not enthusiastic about going, but went to avoid disappointing her parents, who thought they were doing her a favor by getting her admitted. When she gets there, she is treated like a pariah by the other students and her roommate outright hates her, all because she is seen as trying to step into the missing girls shoes. The missing girl, Becca (for Rebecca), was popular for all the wrong reasons. She liked to party and manipulated the guys with sex. There are many theories to where she, ranging from disappearing with a plan to reappear when convenient, true to her manipulative nature, to off having a baby, to dead/murdered and the speculation over whodunnit!

I have not read Rebecca, so have no idea if this book is true to the story. The story line was interesting but a little slow moving, and the mystery not that suspenseful. However, at least 75% of the story took place while the kids snuck out of the dorms to party with drugs and alcohol, and hook up. I might have given this 3 stars except for all the sex. If this were a movie, it would have to be given an R rating. I definitely would not want young teens reading this. I’d say it is not appropriate for student younger than junior or senior year of high school. Since it is supposed to be a young adult book, and I don’t think the content is appropriate for many young adults, I am giving this only 2 stars.

My Rating:  ★★   2 Stars

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