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Free Girls
A heartfelt coming-of-age debut about a girl starting over while keeping secret she's spent the last year in juvenile detention. Perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon and Leah Johnson.
Sixteen-year-old Jasmine Cooper is back after twelve months at Guiding Hearts Home for Troubled Girls, and nothing is the way it was. Her mom has remarried and now there’s a big new house, a shiny new family, and a fancy new school. Jas feels completely out of place, and things only get more complicated when her mom insists that her “fresh start” include hiding the truth of where she’s been and cutting off people from her past.
As Jas settles into her new life bonding with her seemingly perfect stepsister, making a close-knit group of besties, and maybe even falling for the cute girl in class, it starts to feel like her second chance might actually be real.
But when a friend from the detention center reaches out to reconnect, Jas worries that everything she’s built could fall apart. How long can she keep her past a secret? And how many times can she spin the truth before she forgets who she really is?
Sixteen-year-old Jasmine Cooper is back after twelve months at Guiding Hearts Home for Troubled Girls, and nothing is the way it was. Her mom has remarried and now there’s a big new house, a shiny new family, and a fancy new school. Jas feels completely out of place, and things only get more complicated when her mom insists that her “fresh start” include hiding the truth of where she’s been and cutting off people from her past.
As Jas settles into her new life bonding with her seemingly perfect stepsister, making a close-knit group of besties, and maybe even falling for the cute girl in class, it starts to feel like her second chance might actually be real.
But when a friend from the detention center reaches out to reconnect, Jas worries that everything she’s built could fall apart. How long can she keep her past a secret? And how many times can she spin the truth before she forgets who she really is?
288 pages, Hardcover
First published July 7, 2026
About the author
Kristen McCallum
1 book15 followersKristen McCallum received her MA in English from The University at Albany-SUNY. A writer and creative strategist from Mount Vernon, NY, she credits growing up with the adventures of her Jamaican family as the beginning of her fascination with stories and the ways they could be shared. The founder of SafeWordSociety, an initiative that highlighted the depth and beauty of lived experiences in historically-marginalized communities, Kristen has consulted for The Obama Foundation and Peoplmovr, among others. Free Girls is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
June 27, 2026
I wish I had this book when I was a angsty baby gay dealing with parental drama. I loved the then and now style of the book. It was walked a fine line of not glorifying outright disrespected your parents and also finding out who you are as a teenager. The relationships, friendships, and family dynamics were all well written.
Thanks for Macmillan Audio for the alc
Thanks for Macmillan Audio for the alc
July 6, 2026
{4.0 Stars}
ARC Review
This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own discretion.
I picked up this book because of its beautiful cover and the promise of lesbians. What I found instead was an authentic and emotional story about a Black girl whose single choice changes the course of her life.
One scene involving the police was especially difficult to read. I genuinely cannot fathom why officers are so quick to pull out their guns. My heart broke for Jasmine and her friends, and I was incredibly angry while reading that scene. Black youth deserve so much better.
At its core, this is a story about family, identity, and self-discovery, and I found it genuinely beautiful. The novel alternates between two timelines, and as someone who often struggles with dual-timeline stories, I thought it handled the structure very well. My only issue was that I wasn't particularly invested in the "then" timeline. I wish the mystery had been seeded more clearly from the beginning, perhaps with hints that someone might have been a mole. That would have made those earlier chapters much more suspenseful and engaging.
The "now" timeline was absolutely heartbreaking as it explored the aftermath of Jasmine's choices and her mother's complicated emotions surrounding them. Looking back at the events that led to everything falling apart, it's clear that both Jasmine and her mother were doing the best they could with the limited support they had. Jasmine's mother doesn't seem to have much of a support system, her own parents are barely mentioned, and Jasmine herself feels emotionally neglected. Both of them were carrying an immense amount of stress with no one to rely on, which ultimately led Jasmine's mother to put her at the center of the conflict and unintentionally escalate the situation.
When it comes to Jasmine's sexuality, I wish it had been acknowledged a little more directly. Whether Jasmine identifies as a lesbian, bisexual, or something else, I would have appreciated at least one conversation with her mother or stepfather about it. Similarly, the school's response felt unrealistic. Jasmine is openly mocked by being called a "lesbo" in class, yet the teacher does nothing. Since so much of the novel is grounded in real-world issues, the lack of acknowledgment surrounding her sexuality felt like a missed opportunity and made that aspect of the story feel less realistic.
The mystery itself was enjoyable, but I do wish it had been woven more tightly into the overall narrative from the start.
Finally, I really appreciated how the author portrayed friendships naturally drifting apart over time. That felt honest and relatable. However, I do wish there had been some form of closure between Désiré and Jasmine. Their friendship was important enough that its ending deserved a more definitive resolution.
ARC Review
This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own discretion.
I picked up this book because of its beautiful cover and the promise of lesbians. What I found instead was an authentic and emotional story about a Black girl whose single choice changes the course of her life.
One scene involving the police was especially difficult to read. I genuinely cannot fathom why officers are so quick to pull out their guns. My heart broke for Jasmine and her friends, and I was incredibly angry while reading that scene. Black youth deserve so much better.
At its core, this is a story about family, identity, and self-discovery, and I found it genuinely beautiful. The novel alternates between two timelines, and as someone who often struggles with dual-timeline stories, I thought it handled the structure very well. My only issue was that I wasn't particularly invested in the "then" timeline. I wish the mystery had been seeded more clearly from the beginning, perhaps with hints that someone might have been a mole. That would have made those earlier chapters much more suspenseful and engaging.
The "now" timeline was absolutely heartbreaking as it explored the aftermath of Jasmine's choices and her mother's complicated emotions surrounding them. Looking back at the events that led to everything falling apart, it's clear that both Jasmine and her mother were doing the best they could with the limited support they had. Jasmine's mother doesn't seem to have much of a support system, her own parents are barely mentioned, and Jasmine herself feels emotionally neglected. Both of them were carrying an immense amount of stress with no one to rely on, which ultimately led Jasmine's mother to put her at the center of the conflict and unintentionally escalate the situation.
When it comes to Jasmine's sexuality, I wish it had been acknowledged a little more directly. Whether Jasmine identifies as a lesbian, bisexual, or something else, I would have appreciated at least one conversation with her mother or stepfather about it. Similarly, the school's response felt unrealistic. Jasmine is openly mocked by being called a "lesbo" in class, yet the teacher does nothing. Since so much of the novel is grounded in real-world issues, the lack of acknowledgment surrounding her sexuality felt like a missed opportunity and made that aspect of the story feel less realistic.
The mystery itself was enjoyable, but I do wish it had been woven more tightly into the overall narrative from the start.
Finally, I really appreciated how the author portrayed friendships naturally drifting apart over time. That felt honest and relatable. However, I do wish there had been some form of closure between Désiré and Jasmine. Their friendship was important enough that its ending deserved a more definitive resolution.
July 7, 2026
Thank you so much to the Macmillan Audio Early Listeners Program for the ALC!
I decided to start this book because it feels like a book that would be perfect for some of my students to read during book clubs. The book follows Jasmine’s coming of age after her release from a juvenile detention center while also diving into what happened there. The dual timelines element of this book kept the story engaging throughout.
This book confronts the idea of who is labeled a “bad kid” and the impacts of that label on our youth. That concept is by far one of the most powerful elements of this story.
Throughout, you see Jasmine return to a life that she feels left her behind. Her relationship with her family has changed and she needs to adjust to life surrounded by new people. She feels pressure to use this fresh start to the fullest potential and that ends up causing conflict throughout the story.
I think this book is a great book for young adults to read and understand the experiences of those in juvenile detention centers. The audiobook has an excellent narrator and would be the perfect support for many of my students with different learning needs.
I’m looking forward to keeping my eye out for more titles by Kristen McCallum.
I decided to start this book because it feels like a book that would be perfect for some of my students to read during book clubs. The book follows Jasmine’s coming of age after her release from a juvenile detention center while also diving into what happened there. The dual timelines element of this book kept the story engaging throughout.
This book confronts the idea of who is labeled a “bad kid” and the impacts of that label on our youth. That concept is by far one of the most powerful elements of this story.
Throughout, you see Jasmine return to a life that she feels left her behind. Her relationship with her family has changed and she needs to adjust to life surrounded by new people. She feels pressure to use this fresh start to the fullest potential and that ends up causing conflict throughout the story.
I think this book is a great book for young adults to read and understand the experiences of those in juvenile detention centers. The audiobook has an excellent narrator and would be the perfect support for many of my students with different learning needs.
I’m looking forward to keeping my eye out for more titles by Kristen McCallum.
July 13, 2026
⛓️💥💜 free girls • book review
jasmine is a 16 year old girl adjusting to life after a year-long stay at a detention facility. as she makes new friends, bonds with a new step father and sister, and repairs her relationship with her mother, she is forced to come to terms with her past and strive for a better future.
💭 It’s been a while since a story completely gripped me from beginning to end. jasmine was the kind of main character that you just wanted to hug throughout the entirety of the story. while she absolutely made some decisions that she regretted, she had such a heart of gold. she cares deeply about others, wants to be loved, and is so much more forgiving than most would be in her situation, especially as her past begins to catch up with her.
as much as I loved this story as an adult, this would be an incredible book club pick for teenagers!!
thanks to @macmillan.audio for the early audio copy 🫶🏼
rating: ★★★★.5
jasmine is a 16 year old girl adjusting to life after a year-long stay at a detention facility. as she makes new friends, bonds with a new step father and sister, and repairs her relationship with her mother, she is forced to come to terms with her past and strive for a better future.
💭 It’s been a while since a story completely gripped me from beginning to end. jasmine was the kind of main character that you just wanted to hug throughout the entirety of the story. while she absolutely made some decisions that she regretted, she had such a heart of gold. she cares deeply about others, wants to be loved, and is so much more forgiving than most would be in her situation, especially as her past begins to catch up with her.
as much as I loved this story as an adult, this would be an incredible book club pick for teenagers!!
thanks to @macmillan.audio for the early audio copy 🫶🏼
rating: ★★★★.5
May 28, 2026
I really enjoyed this YA coming-of-age story. Free Girls follows Jasmine as she tries to rebuild her life after her time away at a troubled girls school, and I loved the way the story moved between past and present. The dual timeline worked so well, giving us a deeper look into Jasmine’s experiences while showing the very real struggles that continue to follow her as she fights to create a new future for herself.
One of the strongest aspects of this story was its commentary on institutions like these and the reality that “schools” meant to rehabilitate troubled youth often fail the very kids they claim to help. That element felt powerful, important, and handled with care.
I also really appreciated the authenticity of the relationships in this book. Jasmine’s bond with her mom felt raw, complicated, and believable, and I loved seeing the developing relationship between Jasmine and her new sister, Kayla, unfold.
The narrator did a fantastic job bringing these emotions and dynamics to life, making this an engaging and impactful listen from start to finish.
If you enjoy YA coming-of-age stories featuring family dynamics, healing, second chances, and honest conversations about systems that fail young people, definitely add this one to your TBR.
One of the strongest aspects of this story was its commentary on institutions like these and the reality that “schools” meant to rehabilitate troubled youth often fail the very kids they claim to help. That element felt powerful, important, and handled with care.
I also really appreciated the authenticity of the relationships in this book. Jasmine’s bond with her mom felt raw, complicated, and believable, and I loved seeing the developing relationship between Jasmine and her new sister, Kayla, unfold.
The narrator did a fantastic job bringing these emotions and dynamics to life, making this an engaging and impactful listen from start to finish.
If you enjoy YA coming-of-age stories featuring family dynamics, healing, second chances, and honest conversations about systems that fail young people, definitely add this one to your TBR.
Read
April 3, 2026There were so many things I appreciated about this book: the seamlessness of the past and present threads, the theme of "good" and "bad kids," and how a lot of the trouble that comes to us can be a direct result of the company we keep. Jasmine experienced so much injustice and demonization, but such is the state of our criminal justice system, especially for Black and brown folks. But the most heartbreaking truth is that trouble comes for so many latchkey and neglected kids, by no fault of their own. Jasmine needed protection and attention, not punishment.
Free Girls is a beautiful depiction of the trauma that befalls unprotected kids.
Free Girls is a beautiful depiction of the trauma that befalls unprotected kids.
June 4, 2026
After being in the wrong place wrong time Jasmine is sent to a detention center where she realizes she was not only innocent but lost the trust of her mom. When she gets out things are a lot different and she has to adjust to her new life, trying for a fresh start.
This book was so good! I loved the amount of character development that happened in this and how the story was told, going from past to present really well. Jasmine really stood up for herself as the story went on and did her best given her situation. I was super annoyed with how the mom assumed the worse every time when Jasmine was a good kid who very clearly had a toxic friend, but the mom eventually got better and the step-dad really helped her see that.
(Note: I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity.)
POV: First Person
Sad Level: 💧💧
Would I Recommend? Yes
Favorite Character(s): Jasmine
Emojis Based on Vibes: 🚔📱✍️
⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship
Minor: Police brutality
This book was so good! I loved the amount of character development that happened in this and how the story was told, going from past to present really well. Jasmine really stood up for herself as the story went on and did her best given her situation. I was super annoyed with how the mom assumed the worse every time when Jasmine was a good kid who very clearly had a toxic friend, but the mom eventually got better and the step-dad really helped her see that.
(Note: I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity.)
POV: First Person
Sad Level: 💧💧
Would I Recommend? Yes
Favorite Character(s): Jasmine
Emojis Based on Vibes: 🚔📱✍️
⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship
Minor: Police brutality
Read
July 10, 2026It was both wonderful and heartbreaking to follow Jasmine as she is navigating the world post juvenile detention. At times it was downright infuriating because the expectations placed on her were much higher than the expectations placed on others. It really highlights how once someone gets caught messing up, they are under so much scrutiny and held to a standard of perfection that is not expected of others.
Jasmine also has to deal with the social pressures of her family wanting a new start without the judgement or comments that might come if people really know where Jasmine spent the last year. While Jasmine is happy to start over, she feels stifled by hiding a part of herself. Both Jasmine’s mom and Jasmine have very reasonable, though conflicting responses. Jasmine’s mom wants a fresh start and wants Jasmine to escape the expectations of being deemed a “bad” kid, but at the same time Jasmine’s mom is not allowing Jasmine to be herself and is expecting Jasmine to be perfect. Jasmine is fighting to have a new start but can’t escape her past. It was heartbreaking to go on this internal struggle with the characters.
Jasmine also has to deal with the social pressures of her family wanting a new start without the judgement or comments that might come if people really know where Jasmine spent the last year. While Jasmine is happy to start over, she feels stifled by hiding a part of herself. Both Jasmine’s mom and Jasmine have very reasonable, though conflicting responses. Jasmine’s mom wants a fresh start and wants Jasmine to escape the expectations of being deemed a “bad” kid, but at the same time Jasmine’s mom is not allowing Jasmine to be herself and is expecting Jasmine to be perfect. Jasmine is fighting to have a new start but can’t escape her past. It was heartbreaking to go on this internal struggle with the characters.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Macmillan Audio | Macmillan Young Listeners and author Kristen McCallum, for providing me with the ALC of “Free Girls”.
💭My Thoughts💭
I would recommend this to every high school student. This is something a lot of other teens could go through or have gone through. Getting in trouble is a way of life, but when decisions lead to harsh consequences this book makes you think twice about just simple acts.
I enjoyed the audio, it's a quick listen and Tyla has perfect pitch for each scene in this book.
❣️Tropes❣️
YA
Sapphic / Bi
Self Discovery
New Start
Life after Juvenile Detention
🩵RATING🩵
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Level: None
🎧 Single Narration 7h 7m at 2x
🎙️ Tyla Collier
Narration Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publisher: Macmillan Audio | Macmillan Young Listeners
💭My Thoughts💭
I would recommend this to every high school student. This is something a lot of other teens could go through or have gone through. Getting in trouble is a way of life, but when decisions lead to harsh consequences this book makes you think twice about just simple acts.
I enjoyed the audio, it's a quick listen and Tyla has perfect pitch for each scene in this book.
❣️Tropes❣️
YA
Sapphic / Bi
Self Discovery
New Start
Life after Juvenile Detention
🩵RATING🩵
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Level: None
🎧 Single Narration 7h 7m at 2x
🎙️ Tyla Collier
Narration Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publisher: Macmillan Audio | Macmillan Young Listeners
July 20, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
This was such a cute coming of age story! Free Girls takes us on an emotional journey with our main character, Jasmine, after she lands herself in a juvenile detention center. The book beautifully explores what it looks like to confront your past, shake back, and start over.
A major highlight of the book is watching Jasmine navigate her complex and evolving relationships. The story does a wonderful job balancing:
•Family Dynamics: Dealing with the tension of a strained relationship with her mom, while simultaneously learning to adjust to a new blended family with her stepdad and stepsister.
•Fresh Starts: The vulnerability it takes to make new friends, open up to new romantic relationships, and build a support system from the ground up.
This was such a cute coming of age story! Free Girls takes us on an emotional journey with our main character, Jasmine, after she lands herself in a juvenile detention center. The book beautifully explores what it looks like to confront your past, shake back, and start over.
A major highlight of the book is watching Jasmine navigate her complex and evolving relationships. The story does a wonderful job balancing:
•Family Dynamics: Dealing with the tension of a strained relationship with her mom, while simultaneously learning to adjust to a new blended family with her stepdad and stepsister.
•Fresh Starts: The vulnerability it takes to make new friends, open up to new romantic relationships, and build a support system from the ground up.
April 25, 2026
I would like to start off my review with thanks first. Thank you to Flatiron and Kristen McCallum for the physical Advance Reader Copy! This will be a fully honest and truthful review of Free Girls. (SPOILERS BELOW)
This book reminded me of why I love the Young Adult genre so much. I could not put it down!! I finished it in two sittings between two days. Any moment I had free time, my head was in the pages of this, eating up every word McCallum wrote. I love Jasmine and watching her journey. She truly was in a wrong place, wrong time for her to get into the situation she found herself in despite trying her hardest to be able to follow the guidelines set by her mother. She did make the final decision to get into the car with her friend and the others, causing her to go to the girls' home, but she was also lied to. She had no idea that the car was stolen. And that truly broke my heart. I could see how hard she was fighting to not go on the joyride, but the pressure eventually became too much for her and she caved.
I loved the clearly stated time jumps that McCallum used to tell the story as well. She deliberately held some information back until we met certain characters or discovered more information as it was necessary to the present-day plot. I loved it!
That being said, my reasoning for it not having 5 stars is because the ending felt very quick and tied up too easily. Such a big bombshell was dropped on Jasmine's new friends, and they just forgave her like it was nothing. I was hoping to see more conflict there rather than her stepsister swooping in and clearing the air for her. I feel the same situation happened with Jasmine's mom. She was obviously in the wrong for wanting her daughter to keep her past a secret, but I expected more conflict when it came to the small rule breaking as well as the others finding out about the boarding school lie that was presented to them.
This book reminded me of why I love the Young Adult genre so much. I could not put it down!! I finished it in two sittings between two days. Any moment I had free time, my head was in the pages of this, eating up every word McCallum wrote. I love Jasmine and watching her journey. She truly was in a wrong place, wrong time for her to get into the situation she found herself in despite trying her hardest to be able to follow the guidelines set by her mother. She did make the final decision to get into the car with her friend and the others, causing her to go to the girls' home, but she was also lied to. She had no idea that the car was stolen. And that truly broke my heart. I could see how hard she was fighting to not go on the joyride, but the pressure eventually became too much for her and she caved.
I loved the clearly stated time jumps that McCallum used to tell the story as well. She deliberately held some information back until we met certain characters or discovered more information as it was necessary to the present-day plot. I loved it!
That being said, my reasoning for it not having 5 stars is because the ending felt very quick and tied up too easily. Such a big bombshell was dropped on Jasmine's new friends, and they just forgave her like it was nothing. I was hoping to see more conflict there rather than her stepsister swooping in and clearing the air for her. I feel the same situation happened with Jasmine's mom. She was obviously in the wrong for wanting her daughter to keep her past a secret, but I expected more conflict when it came to the small rule breaking as well as the others finding out about the boarding school lie that was presented to them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Free Girls reminded me why I love YA so much.
This was such an engaging, emotional coming-of-age story, and I could not put it down. I finished it in one sitting because I couldn't leave Jasmine’s world, watching her fight for a future that felt like her own.
The story follows sixteen-year-old Jasmine Cooper after she returns home from twelve months at Guiding Hearts Home for Troubled Girls. But the life she comes back to barely resembles the one she left. Her mom has remarried, she has a new house, a new stepsister, a new school, and a new version of herself she is expected to become. On top of all of that, her mom wants her to keep the truth about where she has been hidden, forcing Jasmine to carry shame that never should have belonged to her.
I loved Jasmine so much. Her story broke my heart because you see how hard she was trying before everything changed. She was in a wrong-place, wrong-time situation, and while she did make the final choice to get in the car, she was also lied to. She had no idea the car was stolen. Watching the pressure build until she caved made her feel painfully real, especially as the story showed how one decision can alter the course of a young person’s life.
One of my favorite parts of the book was the way McCallum moved between past and present. The time jumps were clear and effective, and the dual timeline gave the story so much emotional depth. I loved how pieces of Jasmine’s past were revealed slowly as they became relevant to the present-day plot. It made the story feel layered, intentional, and hard to stop reading.
The book also offers strong commentary on institutions like Guiding Hearts and the way places marketed as “schools” or rehabilitation centers for troubled youth often fail the young people they claim to help. That part of the story felt important and handled with care. It never lost sight of Jasmine’s humanity or the reality that kids in these systems are often carrying more pain than anyone has taken the time to understand.
I also appreciated the relationships in this book. Jasmine’s relationship with her mom was raw, complicated, and believable. Their dynamic carried so much tension, love, hurt, and misunderstanding. I also loved watching Jasmine’s bond with her new stepsister, Kayla, develop. That relationship added tenderness and hope to a story centered on rebuilding, truth, and identity.
The audiobook narrator did a fantastic job bringing Jasmine’s emotions and relationships to life. The narration made the story feel even more immediate and impactful, and it pulled me in from start to finish.
Free Girls is a beautiful YA story about family, shame, healing, second chances, friendship, and the systems that fail young people. If you love coming-of-age stories with emotional depth, complicated family dynamics, and a main character you will want to protect with your whole heart, add this one to your TBR.
This was such an engaging, emotional coming-of-age story, and I could not put it down. I finished it in one sitting because I couldn't leave Jasmine’s world, watching her fight for a future that felt like her own.
The story follows sixteen-year-old Jasmine Cooper after she returns home from twelve months at Guiding Hearts Home for Troubled Girls. But the life she comes back to barely resembles the one she left. Her mom has remarried, she has a new house, a new stepsister, a new school, and a new version of herself she is expected to become. On top of all of that, her mom wants her to keep the truth about where she has been hidden, forcing Jasmine to carry shame that never should have belonged to her.
I loved Jasmine so much. Her story broke my heart because you see how hard she was trying before everything changed. She was in a wrong-place, wrong-time situation, and while she did make the final choice to get in the car, she was also lied to. She had no idea the car was stolen. Watching the pressure build until she caved made her feel painfully real, especially as the story showed how one decision can alter the course of a young person’s life.
One of my favorite parts of the book was the way McCallum moved between past and present. The time jumps were clear and effective, and the dual timeline gave the story so much emotional depth. I loved how pieces of Jasmine’s past were revealed slowly as they became relevant to the present-day plot. It made the story feel layered, intentional, and hard to stop reading.
The book also offers strong commentary on institutions like Guiding Hearts and the way places marketed as “schools” or rehabilitation centers for troubled youth often fail the young people they claim to help. That part of the story felt important and handled with care. It never lost sight of Jasmine’s humanity or the reality that kids in these systems are often carrying more pain than anyone has taken the time to understand.
I also appreciated the relationships in this book. Jasmine’s relationship with her mom was raw, complicated, and believable. Their dynamic carried so much tension, love, hurt, and misunderstanding. I also loved watching Jasmine’s bond with her new stepsister, Kayla, develop. That relationship added tenderness and hope to a story centered on rebuilding, truth, and identity.
The audiobook narrator did a fantastic job bringing Jasmine’s emotions and relationships to life. The narration made the story feel even more immediate and impactful, and it pulled me in from start to finish.
Free Girls is a beautiful YA story about family, shame, healing, second chances, friendship, and the systems that fail young people. If you love coming-of-age stories with emotional depth, complicated family dynamics, and a main character you will want to protect with your whole heart, add this one to your TBR.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an early copy of this ALC from the publisher. Thank you Macmillan Audio!
I loved this book and I want every person to read it - young and old. For adults, it provides an honest look into how teenagers think, opening your mind to better understand where a young person might be coming from and how it differs from your own perspective. For youth, it’s a precautionary tale of the company you keep, consequences to actions you saw no wrong in, and the difficult but rewarding path of choosing to do the right thing.
The story is organized with a dual timeline, so the reader understands what led to Jasmine’s time in juvie, what happened while she was in juvie, and everything taking place in the present. This setup worked out well as I was never left guessing about what events influenced others, and it was easy to track Jasmine’s character development.
I enjoyed listening to the audiobook. The narrator was truly captivating. I felt like I was tagging along with Bri on her pre-juvie adventures, following her around in juvie and after her release. My emotions were bouncing all over this place as the story weaved through different parts of Jasmine’s life. I felt sympathy for her, apprehension, disappointment, pride and more.
My thoughts towards Jasmine changed as she grew. At the beginning, I was not on her side as she reasoned with the poor choices she had been making. With that being said, I never thought of her as a bad kid. Instead, I saw her as a kid, who made mistakes that added up and led to serious consequences. I applaud Kristen’s ability to communicate how an adult’s thinking is different from how a teenager may think through a situation. Where Jasmine made decisions with the present and immediate future in mind, someone older may have considered long-term implications or other nuances. I think that’s what makes this such a great book for adults to read as well, so they can get a better feel of how a teen might think. I was Jasmine’s cheerleader as she went from navigating the juvenile justice system to navigating her new life, school, and family.
I can’t remember whether Jasmine saw a therapist when she was released, but I hope she did. She was faced with so many changes all at once, and it would have been overwhelming for anyone to adjust to.
I read this story as a former consultant with experience working with states to review and/or improve their juvenile justice and other residential youth programs. The processes they described aligned with what I encountered. I am also glad this book can act as a conversation starter about the juvenile justice system, and I hope youth who have been in the system will read this book and see themselves and know that they too are good kids with bright futures ahead.
I loved this book and I want every person to read it - young and old. For adults, it provides an honest look into how teenagers think, opening your mind to better understand where a young person might be coming from and how it differs from your own perspective. For youth, it’s a precautionary tale of the company you keep, consequences to actions you saw no wrong in, and the difficult but rewarding path of choosing to do the right thing.
The story is organized with a dual timeline, so the reader understands what led to Jasmine’s time in juvie, what happened while she was in juvie, and everything taking place in the present. This setup worked out well as I was never left guessing about what events influenced others, and it was easy to track Jasmine’s character development.
I enjoyed listening to the audiobook. The narrator was truly captivating. I felt like I was tagging along with Bri on her pre-juvie adventures, following her around in juvie and after her release. My emotions were bouncing all over this place as the story weaved through different parts of Jasmine’s life. I felt sympathy for her, apprehension, disappointment, pride and more.
My thoughts towards Jasmine changed as she grew. At the beginning, I was not on her side as she reasoned with the poor choices she had been making. With that being said, I never thought of her as a bad kid. Instead, I saw her as a kid, who made mistakes that added up and led to serious consequences. I applaud Kristen’s ability to communicate how an adult’s thinking is different from how a teenager may think through a situation. Where Jasmine made decisions with the present and immediate future in mind, someone older may have considered long-term implications or other nuances. I think that’s what makes this such a great book for adults to read as well, so they can get a better feel of how a teen might think. I was Jasmine’s cheerleader as she went from navigating the juvenile justice system to navigating her new life, school, and family.
I can’t remember whether Jasmine saw a therapist when she was released, but I hope she did. She was faced with so many changes all at once, and it would have been overwhelming for anyone to adjust to.
I read this story as a former consultant with experience working with states to review and/or improve their juvenile justice and other residential youth programs. The processes they described aligned with what I encountered. I am also glad this book can act as a conversation starter about the juvenile justice system, and I hope youth who have been in the system will read this book and see themselves and know that they too are good kids with bright futures ahead.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
An advance copy of this audiobook was provided to me for free by the publisher.
Touching and reflective, Free Girls by Kristen McCallum is a must read! After spending a year in a juvenile detention center, Jasmine is trying to do everything right amidst the stress of navigating a new family unit, a new home, a new school, and her mother's lack of trust in her ability to make the right choices. To make the most of her "fresh start," she doesn't tell any of her new friends about her past, but her ability to keep where she's been a secret is put in jeopardy when an old friend tries to reconnect.
McCallum tenderly crafts Jasmine into a multidimensional embodiment of the angst young Black girls experience as they navigate growing up, and I felt so much of my own story reflected. Alternating between Jasmine's life before the detention center and the present, you feel the tension in her decisions and her need to feel loved, rooted in her past mistakes. You feel all of Jasmine's complicated emotions and are rooting for her to finally feel free to grow past what she's been through.
Woven throughout Jasmine's story is thoughtful and intentional queer representation that explores her questioning her sexuality and developing feelings for a girl in her class. Their connection is so sweet and provides moments of needed joy through the novel.
I loved how McCallum weaves in the impact of youth incarceration and how much it can alter family relationships and a person's sense of belonging. Black girls are not given the same luxury to make mistakes and are often criminalized in ways that lead to lasting harm. While Jasmine is fictional, her experiences mirror those of so many Black girls who want the freedom to make their own choices and not be held back by their past mistakes.
🎧 Audiobook Commentary:
Narrated by Tyla Collier, you are immediately pulled into Jasmine's story and feel connected to her struggles to be understood. Collier embodies Jasmine effortlessly, and her narration choices kept me enthralled with this novel from beginning to end.
Free Girls is so special and thoughtfully created that it should be required reading for anyone who wants to explore the challenges Black girls face as they come into their own.
✨ If you are looking for a thoughtful and heart-tugging coming-of-age story, Free Girls should be at the top of your reading list!
Star Rating: 4.5 (Rounded up due to limitations on this platform)
Touching and reflective, Free Girls by Kristen McCallum is a must read! After spending a year in a juvenile detention center, Jasmine is trying to do everything right amidst the stress of navigating a new family unit, a new home, a new school, and her mother's lack of trust in her ability to make the right choices. To make the most of her "fresh start," she doesn't tell any of her new friends about her past, but her ability to keep where she's been a secret is put in jeopardy when an old friend tries to reconnect.
McCallum tenderly crafts Jasmine into a multidimensional embodiment of the angst young Black girls experience as they navigate growing up, and I felt so much of my own story reflected. Alternating between Jasmine's life before the detention center and the present, you feel the tension in her decisions and her need to feel loved, rooted in her past mistakes. You feel all of Jasmine's complicated emotions and are rooting for her to finally feel free to grow past what she's been through.
Woven throughout Jasmine's story is thoughtful and intentional queer representation that explores her questioning her sexuality and developing feelings for a girl in her class. Their connection is so sweet and provides moments of needed joy through the novel.
I loved how McCallum weaves in the impact of youth incarceration and how much it can alter family relationships and a person's sense of belonging. Black girls are not given the same luxury to make mistakes and are often criminalized in ways that lead to lasting harm. While Jasmine is fictional, her experiences mirror those of so many Black girls who want the freedom to make their own choices and not be held back by their past mistakes.
🎧 Audiobook Commentary:
Narrated by Tyla Collier, you are immediately pulled into Jasmine's story and feel connected to her struggles to be understood. Collier embodies Jasmine effortlessly, and her narration choices kept me enthralled with this novel from beginning to end.
Free Girls is so special and thoughtfully created that it should be required reading for anyone who wants to explore the challenges Black girls face as they come into their own.
✨ If you are looking for a thoughtful and heart-tugging coming-of-age story, Free Girls should be at the top of your reading list!
Star Rating: 4.5 (Rounded up due to limitations on this platform)
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Thank you Flatiron Books Goodreads for the giveaway! #GoodreadsGiveaways
And thank you @Macmillan.Audio for #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review! #MacAudio2026
Jasmine Cooper spent twelve months at Guiding Hearts Home for Troubled Girls, and it seems like everything has changed in her absence. For one, her mom is remarried, and in a new house, and with a new stepsister, and a new school. But that also means, Jas herself has a potential new girlfriend… and she’s treating this like a total fresh start and just telling people she was away at boarding school, not even the cute girl in class. But when a friend from the detention center reaches out to reconnect, her secret starts to unravel. Can she keep the past a secret?
I can’t get over the fact that this is Kristen McCallum's debut novel! Jas is such a perfect protagonist for a story like this. Forgive the analogy, but this is like a tenderYA version of Orange Is the New Black: detention center in New York, sapphic plot twists, and of course the wrong place/wrong time theme that runs throughout so many of the main characters’ lives. Through Jas, McCallum candidly explores “good kids” versus “bad kids,” highlighting all the gray in between. There’s no shying away from the inequities experienced by Black and Brown people, particularly in the criminal justice system. It’s as much a coming-of-age sapphic love story as it is social commentary on coming-of-age as a Black girl in the U.S. I loved Tyla Collier’s narration, perfectly encapsulating the angst and anxiety of being labeled a problem kid, wanting a fresh start, and the skittishness of falling for a classmate. I can’t wait to share this story!
Reviewed as part of #GoodreadsGiveaways from #Goodreads, audio review courtesy of #NetGalley.
Read this book if you:
🌙 actively screamed at the #EnvelopeGate from the 2018 Oscars when Moonlight was temporarily robbed of Best Picture
🟠 would love a (less Euro-centric) PG-13 version of Orange is the New Black
📀 stand by Janelle Monáe’s The Dirty Computer as one of the best albums ever
Follow me on Instagram
for more book reviews!
Thank you Flatiron Books Goodreads for the giveaway! #GoodreadsGiveaways
And thank you @Macmillan.Audio for #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review! #MacAudio2026
Jasmine Cooper spent twelve months at Guiding Hearts Home for Troubled Girls, and it seems like everything has changed in her absence. For one, her mom is remarried, and in a new house, and with a new stepsister, and a new school. But that also means, Jas herself has a potential new girlfriend… and she’s treating this like a total fresh start and just telling people she was away at boarding school, not even the cute girl in class. But when a friend from the detention center reaches out to reconnect, her secret starts to unravel. Can she keep the past a secret?
I can’t get over the fact that this is Kristen McCallum's debut novel! Jas is such a perfect protagonist for a story like this. Forgive the analogy, but this is like a tenderYA version of Orange Is the New Black: detention center in New York, sapphic plot twists, and of course the wrong place/wrong time theme that runs throughout so many of the main characters’ lives. Through Jas, McCallum candidly explores “good kids” versus “bad kids,” highlighting all the gray in between. There’s no shying away from the inequities experienced by Black and Brown people, particularly in the criminal justice system. It’s as much a coming-of-age sapphic love story as it is social commentary on coming-of-age as a Black girl in the U.S. I loved Tyla Collier’s narration, perfectly encapsulating the angst and anxiety of being labeled a problem kid, wanting a fresh start, and the skittishness of falling for a classmate. I can’t wait to share this story!
Reviewed as part of #GoodreadsGiveaways from #Goodreads, audio review courtesy of #NetGalley.
Read this book if you:
🌙 actively screamed at the #EnvelopeGate from the 2018 Oscars when Moonlight was temporarily robbed of Best Picture
🟠 would love a (less Euro-centric) PG-13 version of Orange is the New Black
📀 stand by Janelle Monáe’s The Dirty Computer as one of the best albums ever
Follow me on Instagram
for more book reviews!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Free Girls by Kristen McCallum is a powerful and deeply moving YA contemporary that explores identity, shame, friendship, and the courage it takes to be honest about your past.
After spending a year at a detention center, Jasmine returns home expecting things to be different. What she does not expect is how completely her life has changed. Her mother has remarried, they have a new house, a new school, and a new image to maintain. As Jas tries to fit into her carefully curated fresh start, she is constantly forced to choose between the person everyone wants her to be and the person she actually is.
What stood out most to me was Jasmine's voice. She felt authentic, vulnerable, and frustrating in the best way. Her struggle with secrecy and self-acceptance was handled with so much care, and I found myself rooting for her even when she made mistakes. The friendships were a highlight, especially seeing Jas slowly build trust and find people who accepted her without conditions. The romance was sweet and added another layer to her journey without overshadowing the main story.
Kristen McCallum does an excellent job exploring how society often defines young women by their worst moments while denying them the space to grow. The story asks important questions about forgiveness, second chances, and whether we can ever truly move forward if we are hiding pieces of ourselves.
Tyla Collier's narration elevated the audiobook experience. She captured Jasmine's emotional highs and lows beautifully, making the story feel intimate and immediate. Her performance added depth to every relationship and made it easy to connect with the characters.
Free Girls is an emotional, hopeful, and thought-provoking read about finding your place in the world and learning that your past does not have to define your future. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy character-driven YA contemporary fiction with strong themes of friendship, family, and self-discovery.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
After spending a year at a detention center, Jasmine returns home expecting things to be different. What she does not expect is how completely her life has changed. Her mother has remarried, they have a new house, a new school, and a new image to maintain. As Jas tries to fit into her carefully curated fresh start, she is constantly forced to choose between the person everyone wants her to be and the person she actually is.
What stood out most to me was Jasmine's voice. She felt authentic, vulnerable, and frustrating in the best way. Her struggle with secrecy and self-acceptance was handled with so much care, and I found myself rooting for her even when she made mistakes. The friendships were a highlight, especially seeing Jas slowly build trust and find people who accepted her without conditions. The romance was sweet and added another layer to her journey without overshadowing the main story.
Kristen McCallum does an excellent job exploring how society often defines young women by their worst moments while denying them the space to grow. The story asks important questions about forgiveness, second chances, and whether we can ever truly move forward if we are hiding pieces of ourselves.
Tyla Collier's narration elevated the audiobook experience. She captured Jasmine's emotional highs and lows beautifully, making the story feel intimate and immediate. Her performance added depth to every relationship and made it easy to connect with the characters.
Free Girls is an emotional, hopeful, and thought-provoking read about finding your place in the world and learning that your past does not have to define your future. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy character-driven YA contemporary fiction with strong themes of friendship, family, and self-discovery.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 stars
We all know teens make bad decisions. Sometimes, their parents' decisions are worse. Poor Jasmine lives exactly that scenario in this great YA contemporary by McCallum.
Jasmine's single mother is worried for her daughter. Like all teens, Jasmine makes some less than excellent choices. Her mom makes a bad choice, too, and that is to tie Jasmine to a formal disciplinary program for teens. This expedites Jasmine's connection to the system, resulting in her one-year living situation at Guiding Hearts Home for Troubled Girls, a place that sounds like it's from the '50s but is actually supposed to "serve" young women now. Ick!
The plot moves between past and present, which helps readers empathize with Jasmine. We understand her choices and experiences in the home, and we get to know her now, as she moves in with her mother, new stepdad, and new stepsister. It's clear that this reintegration plan is challenging for the whole family, but the secrecy around Jasmine's REAL last year only adds to the challenges.
I liked so much about this book, including but not limited to the character development, relationship evolutions, representation, and focus on adults behaving weirdly. It's one I'll definitely recommend to students, and it made me an instant fan of this author.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this alc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
We all know teens make bad decisions. Sometimes, their parents' decisions are worse. Poor Jasmine lives exactly that scenario in this great YA contemporary by McCallum.
Jasmine's single mother is worried for her daughter. Like all teens, Jasmine makes some less than excellent choices. Her mom makes a bad choice, too, and that is to tie Jasmine to a formal disciplinary program for teens. This expedites Jasmine's connection to the system, resulting in her one-year living situation at Guiding Hearts Home for Troubled Girls, a place that sounds like it's from the '50s but is actually supposed to "serve" young women now. Ick!
The plot moves between past and present, which helps readers empathize with Jasmine. We understand her choices and experiences in the home, and we get to know her now, as she moves in with her mother, new stepdad, and new stepsister. It's clear that this reintegration plan is challenging for the whole family, but the secrecy around Jasmine's REAL last year only adds to the challenges.
I liked so much about this book, including but not limited to the character development, relationship evolutions, representation, and focus on adults behaving weirdly. It's one I'll definitely recommend to students, and it made me an instant fan of this author.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this alc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Netgalley and MacMillan Audio for the opportunity to review this ALC. This is my honest opinion.
"Nothing's broken, just a little bent."
Reading this story as an adult and a parent, it was a reminder, a lesson, a cautionary tale maybe of the consequences of catastrophizing kids' mistakes. Especially teenagers. For a young adult reader, I think it would offer them a voice to their internal struggles. Moreover, an example of how to navigate mistakes and how to recover from them.
Jasmine was a "good kid" that found herself in a detention center for a year after being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Once she returns home she has to figure out who she is after that experience and adapt to new family dynamics. Her mother wants her to keep it a secret, which created tension within her new relationships. Jasmine had lots of social challenges to navigate with family, friends and her girlfriend. And not much in the way of a supportive adult or friend through most of it.
Overall, it is a easy read, with straightforward and predictable conflict and resolution. It is told from a single POV with timeline jumps between her time at the detention center and the present. I think it's a good story with several takeaways that weren't buried too deep to miss. The narration was perfect for this story. The narrator was able to convey the characters' emotions effectively.
3.5 stars
"Nothing's broken, just a little bent."
Reading this story as an adult and a parent, it was a reminder, a lesson, a cautionary tale maybe of the consequences of catastrophizing kids' mistakes. Especially teenagers. For a young adult reader, I think it would offer them a voice to their internal struggles. Moreover, an example of how to navigate mistakes and how to recover from them.
Jasmine was a "good kid" that found herself in a detention center for a year after being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Once she returns home she has to figure out who she is after that experience and adapt to new family dynamics. Her mother wants her to keep it a secret, which created tension within her new relationships. Jasmine had lots of social challenges to navigate with family, friends and her girlfriend. And not much in the way of a supportive adult or friend through most of it.
Overall, it is a easy read, with straightforward and predictable conflict and resolution. It is told from a single POV with timeline jumps between her time at the detention center and the present. I think it's a good story with several takeaways that weren't buried too deep to miss. The narration was perfect for this story. The narrator was able to convey the characters' emotions effectively.
3.5 stars
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Free Girls completely surprised me. I went in wanting answers, but I stayed because I became so invested in Jasmine’s journey. Watching her try to rebuild her life after detention while constantly feeling like everyone had already decided who she was broke my heart. More than anything, this story is about second chances, healing, and finding people who see you for who you are instead of your mistakes.
Jasmine deserved so much more grace than she was given. Her mom frustrated me for most of the book because she seemed more worried about appearances than actually listening to her daughter. Thankfully, characters like Travis, Kayla, and Deanna reminded Jasmine that she wasn’t defined by her past, and I loved watching those relationships grow. Amari, on the other hand… whew. Every time I thought she’d do the right thing, she proved me wrong.
The biggest strength of this book is how it slowly peels back the layers of Jasmine’s story while exploring friendship, family, identity, and forgiveness. I was rooting for her from beginning to end, and by the time I reached the final page, I just wanted to see her happy. If you’re looking for a coming-of-age story with emotional depth, complicated relationships, and a main character you’ll genuinely root for, I’d definitely recommend Free Girls.
Jasmine deserved so much more grace than she was given. Her mom frustrated me for most of the book because she seemed more worried about appearances than actually listening to her daughter. Thankfully, characters like Travis, Kayla, and Deanna reminded Jasmine that she wasn’t defined by her past, and I loved watching those relationships grow. Amari, on the other hand… whew. Every time I thought she’d do the right thing, she proved me wrong.
The biggest strength of this book is how it slowly peels back the layers of Jasmine’s story while exploring friendship, family, identity, and forgiveness. I was rooting for her from beginning to end, and by the time I reached the final page, I just wanted to see her happy. If you’re looking for a coming-of-age story with emotional depth, complicated relationships, and a main character you’ll genuinely root for, I’d definitely recommend Free Girls.
July 19, 2026
A wrenching look at a teen who acts pretty 'typical' for teens, but gets whomped by her own mother and by the 'justice' system. Jasmine did little things, like ditching class, but doesn't feel she deserved to end up in juvenile correction. I didn't think so either. The lack of support from her mother was appalling to me. And then her mother goes and gets remarried while Jasmine is inside? Sheesh.
So, I had an intense dislike for Jasmine's mother, and thought the 'justice' system was too harsh as well, to put a girl who hadn't actually broken any laws into corrections. Locked up like an actual criminal for a year. I never did as much as Jasmine did in my teens, but I still think it was wrong. That colored my view of the adults throughout the novel.
We get a strong picture of life behind bars, and of life after getting out. It's really hard, and again, Jasmine's mother makes things worse through her actions. Can I just put the mom behind bars for a while and see how she likes it?
Jasmine is no angel, but she's a pretty normal teen, testing the world in pretty tame ways. She deserved a better world than this. I'm glad things turned out pretty decently by the end of the book, but I wouldn't be nearly as forgiving as she was.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book for review.
So, I had an intense dislike for Jasmine's mother, and thought the 'justice' system was too harsh as well, to put a girl who hadn't actually broken any laws into corrections. Locked up like an actual criminal for a year. I never did as much as Jasmine did in my teens, but I still think it was wrong. That colored my view of the adults throughout the novel.
We get a strong picture of life behind bars, and of life after getting out. It's really hard, and again, Jasmine's mother makes things worse through her actions. Can I just put the mom behind bars for a while and see how she likes it?
Jasmine is no angel, but she's a pretty normal teen, testing the world in pretty tame ways. She deserved a better world than this. I'm glad things turned out pretty decently by the end of the book, but I wouldn't be nearly as forgiving as she was.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book for review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Free Girls by Kristen McCallum is a powerful debut honoring Black girlhood and the relationship between mothers and daughters.
Jasmine comes home after a year in detention and nothing fits the way it used to. Her mother has rebuilt her life including a new husband, new house, new school district, new expectations. And Jasmine is expected to slide quietly into this “fresh start” as if the last year never happened. As if secrecy is the same thing as healing.
This novel names something we don’t talk about enough: how quickly Black girls are treated like grown women when they make teenage mistakes. How punishment often replaces protection. How shame lingers long after the sentence is over. Jasmine isn’t just navigating a new school or a possible crush, she’s negotiating truth. Who gets to know her story? What does she owe her past? What does she owe herself?
Free Girls is about repair. About facing the people you didn’t realize you needed closure from. About forgiving a mother who made choices out of survival. About forgiving yourself. It reminds us that freedom isn’t just about being released from responsibility it’s about reclaiming your name, your voice, and your right to start again without disappearing who you’ve been. I loved the queer rep/romance as well!
Jasmine comes home after a year in detention and nothing fits the way it used to. Her mother has rebuilt her life including a new husband, new house, new school district, new expectations. And Jasmine is expected to slide quietly into this “fresh start” as if the last year never happened. As if secrecy is the same thing as healing.
This novel names something we don’t talk about enough: how quickly Black girls are treated like grown women when they make teenage mistakes. How punishment often replaces protection. How shame lingers long after the sentence is over. Jasmine isn’t just navigating a new school or a possible crush, she’s negotiating truth. Who gets to know her story? What does she owe her past? What does she owe herself?
Free Girls is about repair. About facing the people you didn’t realize you needed closure from. About forgiving a mother who made choices out of survival. About forgiving yourself. It reminds us that freedom isn’t just about being released from responsibility it’s about reclaiming your name, your voice, and your right to start again without disappearing who you’ve been. I loved the queer rep/romance as well!
July 21, 2026
I love a book that jumps from past and present povs to really give a full picture of a character and this book does it so exceptionally well.
Jasmine was a bit of a troublemaker and after being in the wrong place at the wrong time she gets sentenced to 12 months and a juvenile detention center. So part of the story is told from her time there and then the rest of the story is told after she gets out. When she gets out her mom has remarried and she has a new sister and they've moved to a new fancier town and they've all decided to keep her criminal history a secret.
Jasmine navigates not only having new family members but also finding new friends and a new school and dealing with a mom who is in some ways the exact same as before and in some ways a completely different person.
This book is an exceptional job at showing the age experience of being mad at your parents and your parents being overreactive and I was upset with her mom for most of the book but I've seen at the end really turned it around for me.
Jasmine it's also super fucking queer and I love that that was just a part of the book.
Overall a really exceptional debut and I cannot wait to read more from this author.
Jasmine was a bit of a troublemaker and after being in the wrong place at the wrong time she gets sentenced to 12 months and a juvenile detention center. So part of the story is told from her time there and then the rest of the story is told after she gets out. When she gets out her mom has remarried and she has a new sister and they've moved to a new fancier town and they've all decided to keep her criminal history a secret.
Jasmine navigates not only having new family members but also finding new friends and a new school and dealing with a mom who is in some ways the exact same as before and in some ways a completely different person.
This book is an exceptional job at showing the age experience of being mad at your parents and your parents being overreactive and I was upset with her mom for most of the book but I've seen at the end really turned it around for me.
Jasmine it's also super fucking queer and I love that that was just a part of the book.
Overall a really exceptional debut and I cannot wait to read more from this author.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed this! Coming from someone who previously worked with teens in residential programs, I found this both poignant and entertaining. So many aspects of the experience felt spot on, and I think this could be such a valuable resource for young readers to both learn from and enjoy.
I read the audiobook in one sitting because narrator Tyla Collier completely swept me away with her performance. Macmillan Audio always does a fantastic job with their productions, and I especially loved the opening and closing music, which perfectly set the tone for the story.
I think this is a must-have for high school and classroom libraries because it offers such an important perspective for readers to learn from. It also gives many teens a chance to identify with being labeled “bad” and better understand the realities behind those labels.
I also think this is an important read for adults, particularly parents, to better understand the potential consequences of filing a PINS, CHINS, CRA, or whatever equivalent exists in their area. Those filings can absolutely be vital in helping a family structure function safely, but in places where they are not decriminalized, the impact can be devastating for teens engaging in what is often common adolescent behavior.
I read the audiobook in one sitting because narrator Tyla Collier completely swept me away with her performance. Macmillan Audio always does a fantastic job with their productions, and I especially loved the opening and closing music, which perfectly set the tone for the story.
I think this is a must-have for high school and classroom libraries because it offers such an important perspective for readers to learn from. It also gives many teens a chance to identify with being labeled “bad” and better understand the realities behind those labels.
I also think this is an important read for adults, particularly parents, to better understand the potential consequences of filing a PINS, CHINS, CRA, or whatever equivalent exists in their area. Those filings can absolutely be vital in helping a family structure function safely, but in places where they are not decriminalized, the impact can be devastating for teens engaging in what is often common adolescent behavior.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan for the ALC and the opportunity to provide my honest review.
Jasmine Cooper is a good girl who ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time a few times, and wound up at a detention center.
Coming out of the center, Jasmine is dealing with a lot of big changes - her mom has gotten married, her family has moved, and she's gained a new sibling. On top of this, she has to navigate her complicated, changed relationship with her mother, who is determined to have her make a fresh start.
In the story you alternate between present day and Jasmine's past experiences at the center. Jasmine has to deal with all of the “typical” teenage stress of starting at a new school, making friends, and adjusting to a new family, while also trying to deal with (and hide) her past experiences without anyone to really speak to about it.
I am familiar with Tyla Collier's work and she is always a joy to listen to. She does a wonderful job of narrating and delivering the emotions of the story.
All in all, a fantastic debut from Kristen McCallum, and one of my favorite reads of the year so far.
Jasmine Cooper is a good girl who ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time a few times, and wound up at a detention center.
Coming out of the center, Jasmine is dealing with a lot of big changes - her mom has gotten married, her family has moved, and she's gained a new sibling. On top of this, she has to navigate her complicated, changed relationship with her mother, who is determined to have her make a fresh start.
In the story you alternate between present day and Jasmine's past experiences at the center. Jasmine has to deal with all of the “typical” teenage stress of starting at a new school, making friends, and adjusting to a new family, while also trying to deal with (and hide) her past experiences without anyone to really speak to about it.
I am familiar with Tyla Collier's work and she is always a joy to listen to. She does a wonderful job of narrating and delivering the emotions of the story.
All in all, a fantastic debut from Kristen McCallum, and one of my favorite reads of the year so far.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book is so endearing. A coming of age story from a more complex character than you normally see. The main character, Jasmine, is, if you’ll excuse the pun, a gem. I adore her grit and her determination to grow and change without losing herself in the process.
Seeing the “troubled teen” written in a way that makes you empathize with both her and her mother. It’s handled respectfully without having all the edges smoothed away. It’s also nice to see a step family that isn’t “evil”. Jasmine needed all the support she could get and having a wonderful step dad and sister was so nice to see.
Queerness was treated as pretty normal, no glaring homophobia which is always nice. It can be easy to throw homophobia in to add the the trauma but it wasn’t needed for this story and I’m glad it wasn’t shoe horned in.
I’m not a parent but this book felt like something teens and parents could read and have some productive conversations.
The audiobook was very well done. I was able to listen at normal speed and 2X comfortably.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this audio arc.
Seeing the “troubled teen” written in a way that makes you empathize with both her and her mother. It’s handled respectfully without having all the edges smoothed away. It’s also nice to see a step family that isn’t “evil”. Jasmine needed all the support she could get and having a wonderful step dad and sister was so nice to see.
Queerness was treated as pretty normal, no glaring homophobia which is always nice. It can be easy to throw homophobia in to add the the trauma but it wasn’t needed for this story and I’m glad it wasn’t shoe horned in.
I’m not a parent but this book felt like something teens and parents could read and have some productive conversations.
The audiobook was very well done. I was able to listen at normal speed and 2X comfortably.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this audio arc.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
It's hard to "start fresh" when it's starting with a lie when Jasmine returns home after being in a detention center-- in the time she's been there her mother has remarried and the man has a daughter about Jasmine's age and she'll be entering a new school where it's explained that she was away at a boarding school. That lie affects how she operates from the people she befriends to the decisions she's currently making after her mother thought Jasmine needed to be reigned in and had a PINS on her before sending her away. So the relationship has been altered but now is again different with the shifts income, housing, and partnership that provides a stability that wasn't there before.
These changes make it a useful book about second chances and moving on, particularly when Jasmine decides to confront an old friend from the detention center. What I liked (but it's a double-edged sword) is the romance because I don't always love that the growth or maturing comes from finding a significant other, but I understand through her she's helping learn how to navigate a new normal.
These changes make it a useful book about second chances and moving on, particularly when Jasmine decides to confront an old friend from the detention center. What I liked (but it's a double-edged sword) is the romance because I don't always love that the growth or maturing comes from finding a significant other, but I understand through her she's helping learn how to navigate a new normal.
July 8, 2026
oh how this book is such a good read for angsty teenagers who feel lost in their life and their familial relationships. I wish i had this book when i felt lost and invisible in my family.
The character development in this book was beautifully done. Watching our FMC truly grow and grow with those around her was such a lovely story. It really broke my heart that no matter what happened throughout this story her mom truly thought the worst of her. She never took her word and always thought the absolute worst of her.
The audio on this was very well done. I loved the emotion that the narrator gave Jasmine through this audiobook. I would 100% recommend listening to this one and/or immersive reading it!
The decision to do dual POV really elevated the story in my opinion. I loved watching how much she really did mature over the course of her time before, during and after Guiding Hearts Home for Troubled Girls.
Def would recommend this one!
The Vibes:
-Family Dynamics
-Healing
-Second Chances
-Shedding Light on a System that Fails Troubled Teens
The character development in this book was beautifully done. Watching our FMC truly grow and grow with those around her was such a lovely story. It really broke my heart that no matter what happened throughout this story her mom truly thought the worst of her. She never took her word and always thought the absolute worst of her.
The audio on this was very well done. I loved the emotion that the narrator gave Jasmine through this audiobook. I would 100% recommend listening to this one and/or immersive reading it!
The decision to do dual POV really elevated the story in my opinion. I loved watching how much she really did mature over the course of her time before, during and after Guiding Hearts Home for Troubled Girls.
Def would recommend this one!
The Vibes:
-Family Dynamics
-Healing
-Second Chances
-Shedding Light on a System that Fails Troubled Teens
June 21, 2026
4.5/5. The synopsis of this one intrigued me. Jasmine was a complex and compelling character. Her struggles to over come the hand she was dealt were heartbreaking. I ached for her as she tried to move on, repair her relationship with her mom, and navigate the new family dynamics with Travis and Kayla. I loved watching her and Kayla bond and become friends. While I knew the secrets and lies would come to a head, the plot kept me invested. I enjoyed how the story flipped between the present and the past. At times, the past timeline felt one dimensional and glossed over. I felt for Jasmine when everything imploded. The messiness and then the resolution of it all felt honest and real. The ending was fitting and wrapped up the story well. I just wanted a few more details about how Jasmine’s life worked out. Thanks to Flatiron Books for an ARC copy of this one!
July 24, 2026
This YA work focuses on a girl after she comes home from a juvenile detention center. The author did an excellent job writing the character's complex emotions, both of guilt and anger. Watching Jasmine try to fit into her mom's new life was interesting, and the complex emotions of all parties were portrayed well.
I also really liked the plot and though this work was more character-focused, it never felt slow or lost momentum. The author also included a past and present timeline, which flowed together well and complimented each other. The friendships and romance were also well written.
The narrator did an excellent job with this one, so I do recommend checking out that version. My thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I also really liked the plot and though this work was more character-focused, it never felt slow or lost momentum. The author also included a past and present timeline, which flowed together well and complimented each other. The friendships and romance were also well written.
The narrator did an excellent job with this one, so I do recommend checking out that version. My thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an advance listening copy from the publisher via Netgalley for review purposes; this in no way influences my review.
As soon as I saw Free Girls, I knew I wanted to read it, and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read it early. This was a fantastic story of Jasmine trying to be good, but also what does good mean, and the struggles of being in the wrong place at the wrong time and the consequences of choices. This was a really emotional story, and I liked the way it alternated between present day and then, to get the full picture of Jasmine’s experiences. Sometimes I wished better choices were made, but it also felt realistic for a teenager to make those kinds of choices, and not always be able to see all the way to consequences and final results.
As soon as I saw Free Girls, I knew I wanted to read it, and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read it early. This was a fantastic story of Jasmine trying to be good, but also what does good mean, and the struggles of being in the wrong place at the wrong time and the consequences of choices. This was a really emotional story, and I liked the way it alternated between present day and then, to get the full picture of Jasmine’s experiences. Sometimes I wished better choices were made, but it also felt realistic for a teenager to make those kinds of choices, and not always be able to see all the way to consequences and final results.
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