Not Like Other Girls

Cheats. Liars. Fakes. Friends? A breathtaking contemporary YA thriller - serious questions and hot romance in an irresistible twisty mystery. Perfect for fans of One of Us is Lying, We Were Liars and A Good Girl's Guide to Murder.

Jo used to be the perfect high-school girl - class president, popular, bright and successful. But when nude photos of her were leaked to the entire school, her grades plummeted, her friends fell away and now she's a reckless, difficult social outcast. The girl who 'deserved' it.

Then her former best friend Maddie disappears. Everyone else assumes Maddie has just run away but that doesn't add up to Jo. To discover the truth, Jo needs to get back in with the group of classmates who have shut her out: the boys who betrayed her and the clique of girls who whisper behind her back. And she has to make it look as if she wants to be there.

The only way back in is through Hudson. An old fling with his own reasons for finding Maddie, he persuades Jo to fake date him. And it works. But as the truth about Maddie's disappearance comes to light, so do long-hidden secrets from Jo's past. Who is Jo really trying to find-Maddie, or the girl she herself used to be?

Review

Twisty, contemporary thriller ― Bookseller

Edgy and authentic, this stunning gut-punch of a novel unravels the complexities of teen girlhood, toxic friendships, and trauma ... This is both a timely, suspense-building thriller and a powerful story of healing. ― Publishers Weekly

A brilliant book - witty and gripping, it's both a twisty mystery and a compelling, heartbreaking exploration of what it's like to be a teen girl. I absolutely loved this. -- Ravena Guron

The gradual reveal of Jo's heartbreaking social history involving betrayal, bullying, and multiple instances of sexual harassment and assault, provide a strong emotional grounding. . . Jo is an authentic, multidimensional character. . . A thoughtful and thought-provoking feminist tale woven into an expansive mystery ― Kirkus

A complex personal narrative lies its heart, bringing surprising depth ... the layered mystery will likely keep readers guessing through a well-paced series of reveals. Beyond the core mystery, there's nuanced portrayals of female friendships, a love interest as supportive as he is gorgeous, a suitably villainous "nice guy," and plenty of sex positivity and discussions about consent. ― Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Outstanding takes on themes of consent, power and the devastating end to friendships. It hits all the right notes to make a gripping and impactful book ... Effective and compulsively readable, this is a must-read for lovers of YA mysteries ― Booklist

All the elements of a good thriller: characters you can't necessarily trust; nail-biting suspense; and a twisty, surprising conclusion ... Adamo writes with compassion for "girls like me" (an author's note acknowledges firsthand experience) who deserve to be listened to, believed, and loved-and nothing less. ― Horn Book

About the Author

Meredith Adamo is a YA author based in hot, humid North Carolina, but she's originally from Rochester, New York, which is her favorite place on the planet. She likes to write about girls who can make you laugh and break your heart-ideally on the same page. Her non-writing interests include collecting vintage bakeware, crocheting the ugliest blankets you've ever seen, and grocery shopping. Not Like Other Girls is her debut novel.