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The Perfect Girl
The New York Times bestselling author returns with her second international bestseller - an electrifying new novel about how the past will always find us, for fans of He Said/She Said and I See You.
To everyone who knows her now, Zoe Maisey - child genius, musical sensation - is perfect. Yet several years ago Zoe caused the death of three teenagers. She served her time, and now she's free.
Her story begins with her giving the performance of her life.
By midnight, her mother is dead.
The Perfect Girl is an intricate exploration into the mind of a teenager burdened by brilliance, and a past that she cannot leave behind.
362 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 3, 2016
2072 people are currently reading
37913 people want to read
About the author
Gilly Macmillan
20 books5,506 followersGilly Macmillan is the New York Times & Sunday Times bestselling author of TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH, THE NANNY, WHAT SHE KNEW (previously published as BURNT PAPER SKY in some territories), THE PERFECT GIRL, ODD CHILD OUT & I KNOW YOU KNOW.
Gilly is Edgar Award nominated and an ITW award finalist. Her books have been translated into over 20 languages.
She grew up in Swindon, Wiltshire and also lived in Northern California. She studied History of Art at Bristol University and the Courtauld Institute of Art in London.
Gilly lives in Bristol, UK with her family and writes full time. She’s currently working on her seventh novel.
Gilly is Edgar Award nominated and an ITW award finalist. Her books have been translated into over 20 languages.
She grew up in Swindon, Wiltshire and also lived in Northern California. She studied History of Art at Bristol University and the Courtauld Institute of Art in London.
Gilly lives in Bristol, UK with her family and writes full time. She’s currently working on her seventh novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,695 reviews
May 19, 2016
But the problem is, a high IQ doesn't necessarily mean that you're clever enough to avoid being a massive teenage cliché. Which is what I was, or what I became. Before my descent into 'teen tragedy,' that is.
Meet Zoe, she was bullied back at her expensive private school. She was the poor kid who got the scholarship to the school because she was a child genius piano player.
Zoe ends up making a mistake and it ends up with three of her classmates dead. She was fourteen at the time of the accident and I'm not really sure about all the legal stuff with a minor being completely true in this book but at this point the book was reading well so I hung with it.
After the 'scandal' Zoe's parents split up because dad just couldn't live in the same area with his friends judging him for having such a horrible daughter. (Dad needs a ball-punch) so mom (Maria) and Zoe have to start over.
Maria marries Chris and they have another child together. But how they meet is they both have piano prodigies. Zoe of course and Lucas (Chris's son.)
They are now the perfect family.
Until the night of Zoe and Lucas's piano recital. A parent of one of the teenagers that was killed shows up and goes off the deep end about the unfairness of Zoe being allowed to have a life when his child lost theirs.
The thing is? Maria didn't tell new husband ANYTHING about Zoe's past.
This is THE SECOND CHANCE FAMILY. They don't talk about that stuff.
The crap hits the fan. Chris the new husband turns out to not be so super awesome after all and that night Maria ends up dead.
The biggest part of the story is the lead up to "who killed Maria"..told from way too many viewpoints. You have Zoe's voice, Aunt Tessa (who is cheating on her alcoholic husband with Zoe's former lawyer), that cheating lawyer, the alcoholic husband, Lucas..heck if I can remember if that's all.
The whole build-up to the story wasn't bad. Once the who-done-it was solved though I thought "that's it?" Thrillers seem to be getting pretty cookie-cutter and they are one of my favorite genres so stop messing them up people!
It's an okay book but not something I'll remember later when I get trolled on it.
Booksource: Edelweiss in exchange for review.
Since I was a crappy reviewer and completely read this sucker wrong I'll pick a random one that liked it. You can find it here (None of my friends have braved this one yet)
Meet Zoe, she was bullied back at her expensive private school. She was the poor kid who got the scholarship to the school because she was a child genius piano player.
Zoe ends up making a mistake and it ends up with three of her classmates dead. She was fourteen at the time of the accident and I'm not really sure about all the legal stuff with a minor being completely true in this book but at this point the book was reading well so I hung with it.
After the 'scandal' Zoe's parents split up because dad just couldn't live in the same area with his friends judging him for having such a horrible daughter. (Dad needs a ball-punch) so mom (Maria) and Zoe have to start over.
Maria marries Chris and they have another child together. But how they meet is they both have piano prodigies. Zoe of course and Lucas (Chris's son.)
They are now the perfect family.
Until the night of Zoe and Lucas's piano recital. A parent of one of the teenagers that was killed shows up and goes off the deep end about the unfairness of Zoe being allowed to have a life when his child lost theirs.
The thing is? Maria didn't tell new husband ANYTHING about Zoe's past.
This is THE SECOND CHANCE FAMILY. They don't talk about that stuff.
The crap hits the fan. Chris the new husband turns out to not be so super awesome after all and that night Maria ends up dead.
The biggest part of the story is the lead up to "who killed Maria"..told from way too many viewpoints. You have Zoe's voice, Aunt Tessa (who is cheating on her alcoholic husband with Zoe's former lawyer), that cheating lawyer, the alcoholic husband, Lucas..heck if I can remember if that's all.
The whole build-up to the story wasn't bad. Once the who-done-it was solved though I thought "that's it?" Thrillers seem to be getting pretty cookie-cutter and they are one of my favorite genres so stop messing them up people!
It's an okay book but not something I'll remember later when I get trolled on it.
Booksource: Edelweiss in exchange for review.
Since I was a crappy reviewer and completely read this sucker wrong I'll pick a random one that liked it. You can find it here (None of my friends have braved this one yet)
January 7, 2018
Young teenage Zoe makes one extremely bad decision and the repercussions haunt her family for years. Now she and her mom have ventured to a new town in hopes of a fresh start.
Everyone deserves a second chance, right?
When still another tragedy strikes, Zoe understandably believes her world is crashing around her yet again.
This book started off fairly slow for me. It’s also told from several POV and timelines that occasionally I needed a program to follow. But once I fell into the rhythm, I breezed through the pages. Gilly Macmillan has a knack for drawing you in where you feel like a fly on the wall, watching the family drama play out before your eyes. Very well done! I ended this one heavy-hearted but with a smile on my face. I would highly recommend!
A Traveling Sister read with Brenda, Susanne, Berit , Jennifer, Marialyce and Nikki!
Everyone deserves a second chance, right?
When still another tragedy strikes, Zoe understandably believes her world is crashing around her yet again.
This book started off fairly slow for me. It’s also told from several POV and timelines that occasionally I needed a program to follow. But once I fell into the rhythm, I breezed through the pages. Gilly Macmillan has a knack for drawing you in where you feel like a fly on the wall, watching the family drama play out before your eyes. Very well done! I ended this one heavy-hearted but with a smile on my face. I would highly recommend!
A Traveling Sister read with Brenda, Susanne, Berit , Jennifer, Marialyce and Nikki!
January 4, 2018
4 Second chance stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
The perfect daughter... The perfect mother... The perfect second chance family... but what is it that we say?
This book sucked me in from the very beginning.... it was a very fast-paced, page turning read, because I just needed to know what was going to happen with this family....
The structure of this book was brilliant... told from alternating points of view... alternating between events before and after the murder.... this book was like an onion, with those layers slowly being peeled off(But I don’t like onions and I liked this book quite a bit)....
Zoe the main female protagonist in this book evoked so much sympathy from me.... Zoe made a mistake, a pretty big mistake.... her dad can’t handle it, so he leaves mom to pick up the pieces.... mom’s way of coping with it is to pretend it never happened, and turn Zoe into the perfect girl.... so now Zoe and Maria have the perfect second chance family, filled with all kinds of secrets....
Can’t give you much more than that, because I’d give it all away....
As you can tell this book started with a definite BANG, but unfortunately it ended with a bit of a poof.... not to say I was not completely satisfied with the ending, it just was a little lackluster.... there was also a plotline in this book, that I’m not entirely sure of the purpose of, but I did enjoy that part of the book, so it wasn’t for nothing....
I absolutely recommend this to all psychological thriller lovers.... it is a quick read, with an interesting structure, and unquestionably keeps you guessing....
This was a Traveling Sister read.... always so fun reading books like this with the girls, all of us trying to figure out what is really going on, it can be amusing at times....
You can find all the Traveling Sisters reviews at Norma and Brenda’s fabulous blog...
https://twogirlslostinacouleereading....
You can also find all my partner in crime and my reviews including reviews of the audio narration at...
https://audiokilledthebookmark.com/
The perfect daughter... The perfect mother... The perfect second chance family... but what is it that we say?
if something seems too good to be true, it probably is...
This book sucked me in from the very beginning.... it was a very fast-paced, page turning read, because I just needed to know what was going to happen with this family....
The structure of this book was brilliant... told from alternating points of view... alternating between events before and after the murder.... this book was like an onion, with those layers slowly being peeled off(But I don’t like onions and I liked this book quite a bit)....
Zoe the main female protagonist in this book evoked so much sympathy from me.... Zoe made a mistake, a pretty big mistake.... her dad can’t handle it, so he leaves mom to pick up the pieces.... mom’s way of coping with it is to pretend it never happened, and turn Zoe into the perfect girl.... so now Zoe and Maria have the perfect second chance family, filled with all kinds of secrets....
Can’t give you much more than that, because I’d give it all away....
As you can tell this book started with a definite BANG, but unfortunately it ended with a bit of a poof.... not to say I was not completely satisfied with the ending, it just was a little lackluster.... there was also a plotline in this book, that I’m not entirely sure of the purpose of, but I did enjoy that part of the book, so it wasn’t for nothing....
I absolutely recommend this to all psychological thriller lovers.... it is a quick read, with an interesting structure, and unquestionably keeps you guessing....
This was a Traveling Sister read.... always so fun reading books like this with the girls, all of us trying to figure out what is really going on, it can be amusing at times....
You can find all the Traveling Sisters reviews at Norma and Brenda’s fabulous blog...
https://twogirlslostinacouleereading....
You can also find all my partner in crime and my reviews including reviews of the audio narration at...
https://audiokilledthebookmark.com/
September 28, 2017
The Perfect Girl was a perfect psychological thriller and it was perfect for this time of year. I think it started off a little slowly but gradually built up speed and it kept me turning the pages all the way through. This novel definitely had more of a somber and a macabre tone throughout but I think it fit the book to a "T."
This book alternated between Sunday night after the concert and Monday morning. Personally, I found that a little confusing, but I stuck with it and I am glad I did. That is the reason I gave this book a 3.5 rating rounded up to 4.
This book is also told from the perspectives of each individual throughout the book. When a book is written in this way, I always find myself enjoying one perspective over another. In this book, I enjoyed Zoe's perspective the most.
I would highly recommend this book to fans of Gillian Flynn or Alex Marwood. As aforementioned above, the pacing was a little slow at first, but it really picked up around the halfway mark. This was my first introduction to this author and I would absolutely read another book by her!
This book alternated between Sunday night after the concert and Monday morning. Personally, I found that a little confusing, but I stuck with it and I am glad I did. That is the reason I gave this book a 3.5 rating rounded up to 4.
This book is also told from the perspectives of each individual throughout the book. When a book is written in this way, I always find myself enjoying one perspective over another. In this book, I enjoyed Zoe's perspective the most.
I would highly recommend this book to fans of Gillian Flynn or Alex Marwood. As aforementioned above, the pacing was a little slow at first, but it really picked up around the halfway mark. This was my first introduction to this author and I would absolutely read another book by her!
January 18, 2018
4 close, but not quite so perfect stars to The Perfect Girl ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
It only took me a couple pages to get hooked on The Perfect Girl. The structure of the book added to the swift pacing where different points of view were told at two different times - both before and after a murder. The short chapters added to the quick tempo. Lots of surprises, interesting characters, and a bird’s eye view into this family, all added up to a great book on the whole.
But you know there’s “but” in here somewhere, don’t you? 😊 There were a couple loose ends with characters that left me questioning whether some parts of the book were edited out (it is a longer read at over 400 pages), and it felt a little unsettling. For example, a side character discovered a medical condition that was discussed quite a bit, but I’m not sure what it added to the story? Also, the ending. The book could have gone out with fireworks 💥, just like it started; but instead, it just fizzled out. If it had ended better, it would have easily been five stars.
Overall, this was a quick read with excellent pacing, and I would definitely be interested in reading other books by Gilly Macmillan.
This was a Traveling Sister read, and I always have a blast with those! Great discussion, as always! 💗 Please visit Brenda and Norma’s blog: https://twogirlslostinacouleereading....
It only took me a couple pages to get hooked on The Perfect Girl. The structure of the book added to the swift pacing where different points of view were told at two different times - both before and after a murder. The short chapters added to the quick tempo. Lots of surprises, interesting characters, and a bird’s eye view into this family, all added up to a great book on the whole.
But you know there’s “but” in here somewhere, don’t you? 😊 There were a couple loose ends with characters that left me questioning whether some parts of the book were edited out (it is a longer read at over 400 pages), and it felt a little unsettling. For example, a side character discovered a medical condition that was discussed quite a bit, but I’m not sure what it added to the story? Also, the ending. The book could have gone out with fireworks 💥, just like it started; but instead, it just fizzled out. If it had ended better, it would have easily been five stars.
Overall, this was a quick read with excellent pacing, and I would definitely be interested in reading other books by Gilly Macmillan.
This was a Traveling Sister read, and I always have a blast with those! Great discussion, as always! 💗 Please visit Brenda and Norma’s blog: https://twogirlslostinacouleereading....
October 31, 2016
A Tale of Two Cities.......
Perhaps it's me. I am torn by this dichotomy that has been presented. I read What She Knew by this talented author. It was filled with pure compassion, deeply carved characters, and the beautiful lilt of language. I just finished The Perfect Girl and felt like I was reading a newspaper rendition. No evidence of this masterful writer.
The Perfect Girl begins with a seventeen year old genius of a musical prodigy, Zoe Maisey. A few years back, she was involved in an automobile accident in which three other teens were killed. Zoe was at the wheel. Alcohol was flowing rapidly in the bloodstream. Zoe's parents, Maria and Richard, divorced because of the strain on their marriage. Maria, the controller, remarries a mega controller, Chris, but keeps "the secret" in check. (How in the world do you keep that one under your hat?)
Each chapter is presented in the voice of the many characters involved. Heavy baggage is carried into each scene like a laundry list of imperfections. Macmillan seems to cover everything from crime, to adultery, to abuse, to medical conditions, to teenage angst and more. The weight of it all bogs down the storyline and causes reader fatigue. Her research is probably impeccable, but it is exactly that. No character elicited warmth of any kind save for Baby Grace.
Yes, I get it. The tautness of suspense and a psychological thriller were suppose to be at the core of this apple. Even with bite after bite, I tasted neither one. Most assuredly, there are others out there that rated this one highly. And just as there are a multitude of apple variations, there are as many different seekers of literature and what constitutes satisfaction.
And so, Ms. Macmillan, I look forward to your next offering. I crave more from the tree of What She Knew and the fruit of what made that one so special and bite-worthy.
Perhaps it's me. I am torn by this dichotomy that has been presented. I read What She Knew by this talented author. It was filled with pure compassion, deeply carved characters, and the beautiful lilt of language. I just finished The Perfect Girl and felt like I was reading a newspaper rendition. No evidence of this masterful writer.
The Perfect Girl begins with a seventeen year old genius of a musical prodigy, Zoe Maisey. A few years back, she was involved in an automobile accident in which three other teens were killed. Zoe was at the wheel. Alcohol was flowing rapidly in the bloodstream. Zoe's parents, Maria and Richard, divorced because of the strain on their marriage. Maria, the controller, remarries a mega controller, Chris, but keeps "the secret" in check. (How in the world do you keep that one under your hat?)
Each chapter is presented in the voice of the many characters involved. Heavy baggage is carried into each scene like a laundry list of imperfections. Macmillan seems to cover everything from crime, to adultery, to abuse, to medical conditions, to teenage angst and more. The weight of it all bogs down the storyline and causes reader fatigue. Her research is probably impeccable, but it is exactly that. No character elicited warmth of any kind save for Baby Grace.
Yes, I get it. The tautness of suspense and a psychological thriller were suppose to be at the core of this apple. Even with bite after bite, I tasted neither one. Most assuredly, there are others out there that rated this one highly. And just as there are a multitude of apple variations, there are as many different seekers of literature and what constitutes satisfaction.
And so, Ms. Macmillan, I look forward to your next offering. I crave more from the tree of What She Knew and the fruit of what made that one so special and bite-worthy.
September 11, 2016
Zoe Guerin is a musical prodigy with a genius IQ. Her dreams of success were shattered the night she was involved in a tragic accident that resulted in the death of three classmates. Zoe was convicted in their deaths and spent eighteen months in jail. At seventeen she has served her time and her mother Maria plans the perfect comeback--a piano recital. They live in a new community now and no one knows about Zoe's past. The plans for redemption come to a halt when the father of one of Zoe's victims storms in and confronts her in front of the entire crowd. Zoe and her mother flee the scene and wait for Zoe's stepfather Chris to return home. Chris was never told of Zoe's past run-in with the law and the unexpected reveal threatens to destroy their second chance at life. Chris is angry about all the lies and Maria sees her life slipping away again. The family never has a chance to heal, because Maria is found dead six hours later. Who killed Zoe's mother and why? Was Zoe actually guilty of killing her three classmates or was she betrayed by an imperfect legal system?
I really liked What She Knew, so I was thrilled when I won this one! The Perfect Girl didn't even feel like the same author to me, so I don't think a reader's opinion of Macmillan's previous novel is any indicator of whether they will like this one or not. On a very basic level, it reminded me of my experience reading Jodi Picoult's My Sister's Keeper and my issues with perspectives and the character's voices.
The Characters (Bolded characters have their own chapters):
Zoe: The perfect girl. :)
Maria: Zoe's mother
Chris: Stepfather
Lucas: Stepbrother
Philip: Zoe's father
Tessa: Zoe's aunt
Sam: Zoe's former solicitor. In a relationship with Tessa.
Richard: Tessa's alcoholic husband.
The events in the book occur over twenty-four hours, with occasional flashbacks to Zoe's past legal trouble. Zoe is stubborn, driven, and emotionally cold. She has a dark sense of humor that makes it difficult for her to connect with people. We don't get to know Zoe's mother very well, but she expends a ton of energy trying to meet her new husband's impossible standards. The Guerin women lost everything after the accident and they don't want to lose their second chance at life. Zoe's aunt Tessa has her own issues with perfection. Tessa and Sam's affair exists in a perfect bubble. The rarely talk about any real issues. While Tessa looks forward to her time with Sam, she is reluctant to leave her husband. She still remembers when her marriage was "perfect" and still hopes that their relationship will improve someday.
My dislikes:
• The characters were flat and I could only tell them apart by context. The men's voices didn't sound authentic to me. Even the grief over the mother's death didn't even feel authentic. I didn't care what happened to most of the characters.
• It was too long and Part One dragged. Part One: Sunday and Monday is 225 pages, which is half the book. Most of the Monday chapters actually reflect back on Zoe's past. During Sam and Tessa's chapters, it felt like I was on the phone with someone analyzing their family members and telling me about their family drama. I didn't feel like I was actually experiencing anything and I think that's why Part One felt slow. Even Zoe's reflections felt that way and she was the one with direct experience. Part Two: Monday was more interesting because it focuses on the events of Monday and what happened to Zoe's mother, but it was already too late for me.
• There were too many perspectives, especially from those who are essentially spectators of the central story. I think I would have liked the story more if it stuck with the "Second Chance Family." I could have done without the Tessa/Richard/Sam storyline, but that was actually the part that affected me the most. Sam's last chapter was haunting.
• The family's movements through the house during a very short period of time seemed unnatural. The concert is at 7pm and Zoe's mom dies six hours later. On that dramatic Sunday night, they kept casually separating and reuniting in different areas of the home. The odd calmness of the characters mixed with a frantic energy of their movements drove me crazy!
• After the incident at the church, Lucas sends Zoe and her mom a script he wrote. He won't tell them what it's about, but he insists that it's urgent that they read it. It ends up being about his life before his father met Zoe's mother. I wasn't a big fan of PDF problems and wi-fi connectivity issues to drag out the suspense. Zoe casually mentioned the tech issues over multiple chapters (she is definitely not in a hurry to read it), which just highlighted the calculated stalling. After Act I, we don't get another glimpse of the script for 217 pages.
• Tessa's husband Richard is an alcoholic who sleeps all the time. Richard goes through a sudden and unrealistic change in the middle of the book.
My Likes:
• The gradual glimpse into Maria's marriage and all the subtle hints that something wasn't right.
• The parts about injustice in the justice system, though I think it could have gone much further with that angle.
• I thought it was interesting to read about a couple struggling with fertility issues, where the man is the one desperate for a child.
• I liked where Zoe ended up at the end, even though I'm not sure how I feel about how she got there!
Everyone has problems and perfect is an impossible standard to live up to. I disagree with the blurb that states readers of The Girl on a Train will love this book. This book felt much more like a young adult novel, though it is not categorized that way. While this novel did not resonate with me, I think it will be entertaining for many. If you are interested in teens in the juvenile detention system, you might be interested in The Walls Around Us.
I received this book for free from the LibraryThing Early Reviewer program in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. This title will be released on September 6, 2016.
The best lies are those that are the closest to the truth.
I really liked What She Knew, so I was thrilled when I won this one! The Perfect Girl didn't even feel like the same author to me, so I don't think a reader's opinion of Macmillan's previous novel is any indicator of whether they will like this one or not. On a very basic level, it reminded me of my experience reading Jodi Picoult's My Sister's Keeper and my issues with perspectives and the character's voices.
Guilt is a good way to leverage people. ... I learned it because my guilt about what I've done makes me bend the shape of myself to fit what other people want every day of my life.
The Characters (Bolded characters have their own chapters):
Zoe: The perfect girl. :)
Maria: Zoe's mother
Chris: Stepfather
Lucas: Stepbrother
Philip: Zoe's father
Tessa: Zoe's aunt
Sam: Zoe's former solicitor. In a relationship with Tessa.
Richard: Tessa's alcoholic husband.
The events in the book occur over twenty-four hours, with occasional flashbacks to Zoe's past legal trouble. Zoe is stubborn, driven, and emotionally cold. She has a dark sense of humor that makes it difficult for her to connect with people. We don't get to know Zoe's mother very well, but she expends a ton of energy trying to meet her new husband's impossible standards. The Guerin women lost everything after the accident and they don't want to lose their second chance at life. Zoe's aunt Tessa has her own issues with perfection. Tessa and Sam's affair exists in a perfect bubble. The rarely talk about any real issues. While Tessa looks forward to her time with Sam, she is reluctant to leave her husband. She still remembers when her marriage was "perfect" and still hopes that their relationship will improve someday.
My dislikes:
• The characters were flat and I could only tell them apart by context. The men's voices didn't sound authentic to me. Even the grief over the mother's death didn't even feel authentic. I didn't care what happened to most of the characters.
• It was too long and Part One dragged. Part One: Sunday and Monday is 225 pages, which is half the book. Most of the Monday chapters actually reflect back on Zoe's past. During Sam and Tessa's chapters, it felt like I was on the phone with someone analyzing their family members and telling me about their family drama. I didn't feel like I was actually experiencing anything and I think that's why Part One felt slow. Even Zoe's reflections felt that way and she was the one with direct experience. Part Two: Monday was more interesting because it focuses on the events of Monday and what happened to Zoe's mother, but it was already too late for me.
• There were too many perspectives, especially from those who are essentially spectators of the central story. I think I would have liked the story more if it stuck with the "Second Chance Family." I could have done without the Tessa/Richard/Sam storyline, but that was actually the part that affected me the most. Sam's last chapter was haunting.
• The family's movements through the house during a very short period of time seemed unnatural. The concert is at 7pm and Zoe's mom dies six hours later. On that dramatic Sunday night, they kept casually separating and reuniting in different areas of the home. The odd calmness of the characters mixed with a frantic energy of their movements drove me crazy!
• After the incident at the church, Lucas sends Zoe and her mom a script he wrote. He won't tell them what it's about, but he insists that it's urgent that they read it. It ends up being about his life before his father met Zoe's mother. I wasn't a big fan of PDF problems and wi-fi connectivity issues to drag out the suspense. Zoe casually mentioned the tech issues over multiple chapters (she is definitely not in a hurry to read it), which just highlighted the calculated stalling. After Act I, we don't get another glimpse of the script for 217 pages.
• Tessa's husband Richard is an alcoholic who sleeps all the time. Richard goes through a sudden and unrealistic change in the middle of the book.
I already knew that life was unfair, and that structures society puts in place to protect you don't always work ...What happened to me marked me permanently, turned me into somebody who could be pushed and pulled around, like a toy for other people to play with, somebody without a voice, and without the right to a normal life.
Unless.
Unless I'm brave enough to take control.
My Likes:
• The gradual glimpse into Maria's marriage and all the subtle hints that something wasn't right.
• The parts about injustice in the justice system, though I think it could have gone much further with that angle.
• I thought it was interesting to read about a couple struggling with fertility issues, where the man is the one desperate for a child.
• I liked where Zoe ended up at the end, even though I'm not sure how I feel about how she got there!
"It's not wrong if it ends up being right."
Everyone has problems and perfect is an impossible standard to live up to. I disagree with the blurb that states readers of The Girl on a Train will love this book. This book felt much more like a young adult novel, though it is not categorized that way. While this novel did not resonate with me, I think it will be entertaining for many. If you are interested in teens in the juvenile detention system, you might be interested in The Walls Around Us.
I don't think I have nine lives, but I hope I have three.
I received this book for free from the LibraryThing Early Reviewer program in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. This title will be released on September 6, 2016.
August 11, 2020
The Perfect Girl was an interesting read (3.5*). The story in itself was sad, more than I expected. Unfortunately, I didn't feel close to the characters, but the author still managed to make me feel strong emotions, particularly about the tragic accident involving Zoe. I can't bare to imagine what it could be like to live something that horrible...
I consider this book a drama/mystery. I enjoyed reading it: the writing was nice and I liked the different narrators and short chapters. It was my first book by Gilly Macmillan and I intend to read The Nanny very soon!
I consider this book a drama/mystery. I enjoyed reading it: the writing was nice and I liked the different narrators and short chapters. It was my first book by Gilly Macmillan and I intend to read The Nanny very soon!
August 25, 2016
2.5 stars
A good thriller is tough to find.
This one centres around Zoe, a teenage piano prodigy, a victim of bullying at her expensive private school - and also a convicted killer. We are told early on that her mother Maria, is killed on the evening after a piano recital gone wrong.
There's a lot of crap going on in the background. Blended families, affairs, secrets and lies.
For me, this book had a distinct YA feel. Not only because the main character is a teenager, but also the simplicity of it all. I felt the author's hand, I foresaw much of what was going to happen.
I also didn't believe some of it. And, I didn't understand other bits.
After a slow beginning it did pick up, but mainly, this didn't do much for me.
Thank you to Edelweiss and William Morrow Paperbacks for the ARC.
A good thriller is tough to find.
This one centres around Zoe, a teenage piano prodigy, a victim of bullying at her expensive private school - and also a convicted killer. We are told early on that her mother Maria, is killed on the evening after a piano recital gone wrong.
There's a lot of crap going on in the background. Blended families, affairs, secrets and lies.
For me, this book had a distinct YA feel. Not only because the main character is a teenager, but also the simplicity of it all. I felt the author's hand, I foresaw much of what was going to happen.
I also didn't believe some of it. And, I didn't understand other bits.
After a slow beginning it did pick up, but mainly, this didn't do much for me.
Thank you to Edelweiss and William Morrow Paperbacks for the ARC.
January 2, 2018
3.5 stars
“When all the details fit in perfectly, something is probably wrong with the story.”
Meet Zoe Maisey, a genius, a child piano prodigy, seventeen years old, and convicted of drinking and driving which resulted in the deaths of three classmates. Her life was going to be perfect, all planned out for her, but then fate stepped in and all that changed in the blink of an eye.
Meet Maria, Zoe's mom determined to carve out a life for Zoe, after Zoe's dad leaves them bereft. Maria moves them, after Zoe spends some time in a jail like facility, to a new town trying to escape the past and give Zoe that chance once again to be perfect. Maria has remarried a man named Chris who also has a seventeen year old son who plays piano. They also have a new baby and life seems to be back on its road to perfection. Then on the night of a concert all that was once hidden rears its ugly head and by evenings end, Maria is dead.
This was a well done psychological thriller that had me guessing who was the one who murdered Maria. Could history have repeated itself and could Zoe have been the perpetrator? Or maybe, it was Chris who only learned of Zoe's past on the night of the concert. Perhaps it was Zoe's stepbrother who seems to have developed feelings for Zoe. Suffice to say, that this perfect family was surely not perfect at all. "Have no fear of perfection" says Salvatore Dali, "for you"ll never reach it." This family didn't even come close.
Thank you to my dear Traveling Sisters who read this book with me. It is always such a pleasure to share our thoughts and ideas with one another.
“When all the details fit in perfectly, something is probably wrong with the story.”
Meet Zoe Maisey, a genius, a child piano prodigy, seventeen years old, and convicted of drinking and driving which resulted in the deaths of three classmates. Her life was going to be perfect, all planned out for her, but then fate stepped in and all that changed in the blink of an eye.
Meet Maria, Zoe's mom determined to carve out a life for Zoe, after Zoe's dad leaves them bereft. Maria moves them, after Zoe spends some time in a jail like facility, to a new town trying to escape the past and give Zoe that chance once again to be perfect. Maria has remarried a man named Chris who also has a seventeen year old son who plays piano. They also have a new baby and life seems to be back on its road to perfection. Then on the night of a concert all that was once hidden rears its ugly head and by evenings end, Maria is dead.
This was a well done psychological thriller that had me guessing who was the one who murdered Maria. Could history have repeated itself and could Zoe have been the perpetrator? Or maybe, it was Chris who only learned of Zoe's past on the night of the concert. Perhaps it was Zoe's stepbrother who seems to have developed feelings for Zoe. Suffice to say, that this perfect family was surely not perfect at all. "Have no fear of perfection" says Salvatore Dali, "for you"ll never reach it." This family didn't even come close.
Thank you to my dear Traveling Sisters who read this book with me. It is always such a pleasure to share our thoughts and ideas with one another.
January 7, 2018
4 Stars..
Zoe Maisey and her mother have built a new life for themselves. Even Zoe’s name is different. Everything changed within the blink of an eye. Zoe was involved in something horrific, something she paid a big price for and now, Zoe and her mother Maria have a second chance at life and a new family. The only thing that has remained a constant is Zoe’s piano playing. She and her new step brother Lucas have a concert tonight. At the end of it, tragedy strikes yet again and Zoe’s mother Maria ends up dead. Was it an accident or was it murder?
In her second chance life, Zoe has had to put the past away and pretend it never happened. How long can Zoe pretend, hide and keep secrets before she begins to shut down and loses herself? Maria expects her daughter to be perfect and Maria herself acts as the perfect wife to her new husband Chris and that facade is bound to burst - in a big way.
This novel alternates between the past and the present and is told from alternating viewpoints - in this way, we find out the truth - the story of what happened to Zoe and wha happens to her mother as well. I found this novel to be more of a slow burning character study of Zoe, her aunt Tessa and Tessa’s husband Richard v. a mystery novel. The author, Gilly MacMillan did a great job in development the characters and drawing us into their lives. As a whole however, the ending was a bit of a letdown and some parts of this novel seemed a bit far-fetched. “The Perfect Girl” was an enjoyable read though I liked Ms. MacMillan’s “What She Knew” a bit more.
This was a Traveling Sister Read. It included Brenda, Kaceey, Jennifer, Berit, Marialyce and Nikki. Glad we read this one together sisters!
Published on Goodreads, Amazon and Twitter on 1.7.18.
Zoe Maisey and her mother have built a new life for themselves. Even Zoe’s name is different. Everything changed within the blink of an eye. Zoe was involved in something horrific, something she paid a big price for and now, Zoe and her mother Maria have a second chance at life and a new family. The only thing that has remained a constant is Zoe’s piano playing. She and her new step brother Lucas have a concert tonight. At the end of it, tragedy strikes yet again and Zoe’s mother Maria ends up dead. Was it an accident or was it murder?
In her second chance life, Zoe has had to put the past away and pretend it never happened. How long can Zoe pretend, hide and keep secrets before she begins to shut down and loses herself? Maria expects her daughter to be perfect and Maria herself acts as the perfect wife to her new husband Chris and that facade is bound to burst - in a big way.
This novel alternates between the past and the present and is told from alternating viewpoints - in this way, we find out the truth - the story of what happened to Zoe and wha happens to her mother as well. I found this novel to be more of a slow burning character study of Zoe, her aunt Tessa and Tessa’s husband Richard v. a mystery novel. The author, Gilly MacMillan did a great job in development the characters and drawing us into their lives. As a whole however, the ending was a bit of a letdown and some parts of this novel seemed a bit far-fetched. “The Perfect Girl” was an enjoyable read though I liked Ms. MacMillan’s “What She Knew” a bit more.
This was a Traveling Sister Read. It included Brenda, Kaceey, Jennifer, Berit, Marialyce and Nikki. Glad we read this one together sisters!
Published on Goodreads, Amazon and Twitter on 1.7.18.
September 3, 2019
I really really wanted to love this book more than I did.
Top marks for the writing, the intense feelings, the plot. For me I just couldn’t get excited enough to want to keep reading it, I did of course, and it was an ok book I just wanted more.
I loved her debut.
Top marks for the writing, the intense feelings, the plot. For me I just couldn’t get excited enough to want to keep reading it, I did of course, and it was an ok book I just wanted more.
I loved her debut.
June 8, 2023
Three years ago, Zoe Maisy (or Guerin as she was known then) got into a horrendous accident that left three classmates, including her best friend, dead. Charged with careless driving under the influence of alcohol, she was imprisoned in a juvenile detention center to serve her time. Now finally out, she has returned to her one true love: music. A gifted pianist, she and her mother, Maria, see it as her road to redemption.
On top of her music, Zoe has found a new path forward within her Second Chance Life after her mother met and married Chris Kennedy. An affluent businessman, he and his son, Lucas, who happens to be a talented pianist in his own right, have formed a new family together. The only problem is that Maria has forbidden Zoe from ever telling either of them about her past. Fearful that it could ruin the image she has crafted for her new husband, Maria is set on remaining picture perfect in all respects.
But, at Zoe’s first piano concert following her release, the perfection is thoroughly demolished when an unexpected visitor shows up mid performance. Only six hours later, Maria will be dead and her family will be left reeling. Zoe, however, has been down this road before and knows all too well that the truth is never clear cut and blame can easily be mislaid. Will the past repeat itself with Zoe firmly in the crosshairs of suspicion? Or will she, for once, see justice done?
Absolutely stunning. That’s the most fitting phrase to describe The Perfect Girl. An addictive and suspenseful tale that took me on one heck of an emotional rollercoaster, I was blown away by the depth of the characters. With short, well-honed chapters that provided a framework to expose mesmerizing three-dimensional characters, I was simply spellbound by the intense, profound story that was laid out piece by piece by the ever talented Gilly Macmillan. Just be aware that some of the topics that this book centers around are not to be trifled with. Particularly alcohol abuse (be sure to check out my trigger list).
Stocked full of characteristics that portrayed an incredibly true-to-life family hiding a wealth of secrets, I had absolutely no idea where this story was headed. Built around multiple POVs that heightened the depth of the plot, I was delighted to experience not only Zoe’s past, but the tragic reality of the present. On top of that, I was intrigued to find a film script thrown into the mix that shined a light on Lucas. You might think that the combination of all of these would deliver a confusing and convoluted plot, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. No, well-written and masterfully structured, I found myself on a runaway train of perfect suspense. Bravo, Ms. Macmillan!
All said and done, in a story ripe with emotional baggage that infused each character with a sense of shame and guilt, I found myself rooting for each of them in their own way. And as the novel neared the last page, I was thrilled to see a conclusion that gave most of them a satisfying end that rang with a realistic edge, veering away from the standard fictional happily ever after. This is most certainly a book I will be left thinking about for quite some time and would make an excellent book club pick, in my opinion. So please, grab a copy of this one ASAP. Your brain will most certainly thank you. Rating of 5 stars.
Trigger warning: infidelity, alcoholism, attempted suicide, online bullying, drunk driving, depression, spousal abuse, cancer
On top of her music, Zoe has found a new path forward within her Second Chance Life after her mother met and married Chris Kennedy. An affluent businessman, he and his son, Lucas, who happens to be a talented pianist in his own right, have formed a new family together. The only problem is that Maria has forbidden Zoe from ever telling either of them about her past. Fearful that it could ruin the image she has crafted for her new husband, Maria is set on remaining picture perfect in all respects.
But, at Zoe’s first piano concert following her release, the perfection is thoroughly demolished when an unexpected visitor shows up mid performance. Only six hours later, Maria will be dead and her family will be left reeling. Zoe, however, has been down this road before and knows all too well that the truth is never clear cut and blame can easily be mislaid. Will the past repeat itself with Zoe firmly in the crosshairs of suspicion? Or will she, for once, see justice done?
Absolutely stunning. That’s the most fitting phrase to describe The Perfect Girl. An addictive and suspenseful tale that took me on one heck of an emotional rollercoaster, I was blown away by the depth of the characters. With short, well-honed chapters that provided a framework to expose mesmerizing three-dimensional characters, I was simply spellbound by the intense, profound story that was laid out piece by piece by the ever talented Gilly Macmillan. Just be aware that some of the topics that this book centers around are not to be trifled with. Particularly alcohol abuse (be sure to check out my trigger list).
Stocked full of characteristics that portrayed an incredibly true-to-life family hiding a wealth of secrets, I had absolutely no idea where this story was headed. Built around multiple POVs that heightened the depth of the plot, I was delighted to experience not only Zoe’s past, but the tragic reality of the present. On top of that, I was intrigued to find a film script thrown into the mix that shined a light on Lucas. You might think that the combination of all of these would deliver a confusing and convoluted plot, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. No, well-written and masterfully structured, I found myself on a runaway train of perfect suspense. Bravo, Ms. Macmillan!
All said and done, in a story ripe with emotional baggage that infused each character with a sense of shame and guilt, I found myself rooting for each of them in their own way. And as the novel neared the last page, I was thrilled to see a conclusion that gave most of them a satisfying end that rang with a realistic edge, veering away from the standard fictional happily ever after. This is most certainly a book I will be left thinking about for quite some time and would make an excellent book club pick, in my opinion. So please, grab a copy of this one ASAP. Your brain will most certainly thank you. Rating of 5 stars.
Trigger warning: infidelity, alcoholism, attempted suicide, online bullying, drunk driving, depression, spousal abuse, cancer
October 20, 2016
The Perfect Girl by Gilly Macmillan is a 2016 Little, Brown Book Group publication.
After having read ‘What she Knew”, I have been on the lookout for more books by Gilly Macmillan. This one popped up on my digital library service a few weeks ago and without hesitation,I placed a hold on it.
While this is a dark and twisted little tale, it is not on the same caliber as “What She Knew’. When something like that happens, disappointment can leave me feeling let down, however, after giving it some thought, I think this novel stands on its own merits and is perhaps chillier than I initially gave it credit for.
Zoe, a musical prodigy with a promising future ahead of her, commits a huge crime, makes an irrevocable mistake that leads to unspeakable tragedy. If you were on the receiving end of this situation, you might find yourself incapable of warming up to Zoe, unable to trust her, or her motives. On the other hand, she has paid for her crimes and so perhaps she should make the most of her life from here on out, if she can.
So, when Zoe’s mother meets a widower with a son, the second chance at a happy family presents itself. But, when Zoe’s past comes calling the family quickly disintegrates and once more Zoe’s chances for a normal, happy family evaporates.
But, the situation is much darker than it appears on the surface, and in the wake of a second tragedy, Zoe sees her chance to create a new opportunity for herself….
The story is told from the first person perspectives of Tessa, Zoe’s aunt and her husband, Richard, whose marriage is teetering on the edge, as well as Zoe, her stepbrother, Lucas, and Sam, Zoe’s attorney.
The story has a sinister feel to it all throughout, and presents a number of moral dilemmas for the reader to wade through.
Every single character, except the baby, was hard to like on some level, as each of them were dishonest, manipulative, and secretive. However, there were a few characters who shook off the cobwebs and pulled themselves up, determined to face the future in a more positive way, while others will have to cope with choices that are morally ambiguous, leaving it up to the reader to ruminate on the way everything turned out, and decide if things will really work the way we hope it does for all concerned.
The characterizations, as well as the switch from past to present and the actions and rationalizations the characters provide to excuse what they did, could put some readers off, but then again, I will lay you odds this book, like all other current psychological thrillers, has been marketed as ‘for fans of ‘Gone Girl’ and ‘The Girl on a Train.’ So, if you know going in that each character is flawed, some more so than others, and are not always easy to like or cheer for, you’ll be fine.
This book could also be called, ‘The Secret Life of Teenagers’, since, despite what we want to think, they are indeed quite capable of devising cunning plots and telling smooth, nearly undetectable lies, hiding secrets, and covering up their crimes and misdemeanors. But, will they be found out in the end?
At the end of the day, what it all boils down to is whether or not you can wrap your head around the events that transpire over a relatively short period of time and if you agree with the actions and choices the characters made, and the motives behind them.
I thought his story was constructed very well, the suspense was solid, although not tense enough to prompt nail biting, but the twists were terrific and made me wonder if maybe a little poetic justice was worth it in the end. You tell me.
So, overall, I enjoyed this book for the most part, although it is not the strongest outing for this author.
3.5 stars
After having read ‘What she Knew”, I have been on the lookout for more books by Gilly Macmillan. This one popped up on my digital library service a few weeks ago and without hesitation,I placed a hold on it.
While this is a dark and twisted little tale, it is not on the same caliber as “What She Knew’. When something like that happens, disappointment can leave me feeling let down, however, after giving it some thought, I think this novel stands on its own merits and is perhaps chillier than I initially gave it credit for.
Zoe, a musical prodigy with a promising future ahead of her, commits a huge crime, makes an irrevocable mistake that leads to unspeakable tragedy. If you were on the receiving end of this situation, you might find yourself incapable of warming up to Zoe, unable to trust her, or her motives. On the other hand, she has paid for her crimes and so perhaps she should make the most of her life from here on out, if she can.
So, when Zoe’s mother meets a widower with a son, the second chance at a happy family presents itself. But, when Zoe’s past comes calling the family quickly disintegrates and once more Zoe’s chances for a normal, happy family evaporates.
But, the situation is much darker than it appears on the surface, and in the wake of a second tragedy, Zoe sees her chance to create a new opportunity for herself….
The story is told from the first person perspectives of Tessa, Zoe’s aunt and her husband, Richard, whose marriage is teetering on the edge, as well as Zoe, her stepbrother, Lucas, and Sam, Zoe’s attorney.
The story has a sinister feel to it all throughout, and presents a number of moral dilemmas for the reader to wade through.
Every single character, except the baby, was hard to like on some level, as each of them were dishonest, manipulative, and secretive. However, there were a few characters who shook off the cobwebs and pulled themselves up, determined to face the future in a more positive way, while others will have to cope with choices that are morally ambiguous, leaving it up to the reader to ruminate on the way everything turned out, and decide if things will really work the way we hope it does for all concerned.
The characterizations, as well as the switch from past to present and the actions and rationalizations the characters provide to excuse what they did, could put some readers off, but then again, I will lay you odds this book, like all other current psychological thrillers, has been marketed as ‘for fans of ‘Gone Girl’ and ‘The Girl on a Train.’ So, if you know going in that each character is flawed, some more so than others, and are not always easy to like or cheer for, you’ll be fine.
This book could also be called, ‘The Secret Life of Teenagers’, since, despite what we want to think, they are indeed quite capable of devising cunning plots and telling smooth, nearly undetectable lies, hiding secrets, and covering up their crimes and misdemeanors. But, will they be found out in the end?
At the end of the day, what it all boils down to is whether or not you can wrap your head around the events that transpire over a relatively short period of time and if you agree with the actions and choices the characters made, and the motives behind them.
I thought his story was constructed very well, the suspense was solid, although not tense enough to prompt nail biting, but the twists were terrific and made me wonder if maybe a little poetic justice was worth it in the end. You tell me.
So, overall, I enjoyed this book for the most part, although it is not the strongest outing for this author.
3.5 stars
October 9, 2016
I found this book compelling. I needed to know what Zoe, a 14 year old musical prodigy, had done. What mistake had she made that completely changed her life and who she was. How did she get a "Second Chance Family," but then have that go awry as well?
There is a limited number of characters, and the book is a study of these characters and their behavior. How does a teenager (we all know they are prone to poor judgment at times) recover from a disaster? How do sisters relate as adults? How does a wife tolerate an alcoholic or abusive husband? This is Zoe's world: her mum, her dad, her stepfather, stepbrother, baby sister, aunt and uncle, her solicitor, her counselor.
It is an interesting book. I wouldn't classify it as a thriller or a mystery. It's not filled with tension. But I couldn't put it down. I came to care about the characters, even if I didn't actually like some of them much. There is some moral ambiguity in the ending.
There is a limited number of characters, and the book is a study of these characters and their behavior. How does a teenager (we all know they are prone to poor judgment at times) recover from a disaster? How do sisters relate as adults? How does a wife tolerate an alcoholic or abusive husband? This is Zoe's world: her mum, her dad, her stepfather, stepbrother, baby sister, aunt and uncle, her solicitor, her counselor.
It is an interesting book. I wouldn't classify it as a thriller or a mystery. It's not filled with tension. But I couldn't put it down. I came to care about the characters, even if I didn't actually like some of them much. There is some moral ambiguity in the ending.
July 22, 2017
Just fantastic!! The book moves quickly from the first page throughout the entire journey. Lots of surprises. I enjoyed the changing narrators, it added a great layer to the story. Highly recommend!
May 6, 2016
Zoe and Lucas were almost ready – the first performance for Zoe since the accident – and her first performance with her step-brother by her side. The nerves were vibrating in them both, both in different ways. But Zoe knew once her fingers touched the keys and Lucas was playing beside her, she would be fine; they would be fine. Zoe’s mother Maria had been the instigator of this concert and also Zoe’s biggest supporter. But the monumental disturbance in the middle of their recital was the beginning of a terrible ending for them all…
When Maria had met and married Chris, Zoe felt they were given a Second Chance at life. Chris was a self-made millionaire and his son Lucas was a gifted pianist as well. So the family fitted together like they were meant to be. And the recent birth of baby Grace brought Zoe’s happiness level high – she loved her baby sister and her Mum doted on her. But the events at the concert brought the first cracks to their lives – Maria and Zoe’s past life; Zoe’s accident – hadn’t been told to Chris and Lucas…
Narrated mainly by Zoe, but also by the intricate and intriguing cast of characters making up The Perfect Girl, the chapters are short and sharp; the time frame and perspective is easy to follow. The author, Gilly Macmillan has once again hit on a winner with The Perfect Girl (though I love the previous title – Butterfly in the Dark - and the reference to Zoe’s nickname by Aunt Tess of Butterfly as well as the butterfly in the house) in my opinion. I loved Burnt Paper Sky when it was released and The Perfect Girl is a gripping and intense psychological thriller which I highly recommend.
When Maria had met and married Chris, Zoe felt they were given a Second Chance at life. Chris was a self-made millionaire and his son Lucas was a gifted pianist as well. So the family fitted together like they were meant to be. And the recent birth of baby Grace brought Zoe’s happiness level high – she loved her baby sister and her Mum doted on her. But the events at the concert brought the first cracks to their lives – Maria and Zoe’s past life; Zoe’s accident – hadn’t been told to Chris and Lucas…
Narrated mainly by Zoe, but also by the intricate and intriguing cast of characters making up The Perfect Girl, the chapters are short and sharp; the time frame and perspective is easy to follow. The author, Gilly Macmillan has once again hit on a winner with The Perfect Girl (though I love the previous title – Butterfly in the Dark - and the reference to Zoe’s nickname by Aunt Tess of Butterfly as well as the butterfly in the house) in my opinion. I loved Burnt Paper Sky when it was released and The Perfect Girl is a gripping and intense psychological thriller which I highly recommend.
Read
August 29, 2016This book, kindly sent to me by the publisher, is heavily marketed to those readers who enjoyed THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN and GONE GIRL. Full disclosure: I didn't much like either of those, and so it's not all that surprising that this one didn't grip me either. I wish it had: the basic premise is pretty good, and if you did enjoy GONE GIRL and the little flotilla of similarly-marketed novels that followed in its wake, you'll probably like this one, too. The reasons I didn't are probably more to do with my own tastes and bugbears than anything else, so if you don't care about those, by all means go forth and read it. It's a perfectly decent thriller of its type. But -
One: the title. I've developed a strong allergy to books with GIRL in the title, as well as the kind of marketing that links such books with GONE GIRL. Not the author's fault, I know, but there you are. I'm over them. Two: the wave of cliché that carries the plot and infuses the characterization. I'm aware that this is not a problem for many people, but for me, it really is. I like to be surprised, and I wasn't. Every development, every character was a trope (I believe I actually read the phrase "the ice queen and her swarthy companion" at one stage, and it finished me.) Three: the self-conscious nature of the writing, constantly reminding the reader that this is a book (at one point, the author actually announces that she's going to use an overwritten metaphor, AND THEN PROCEEDS TO DO SO). It's almost as if the whole book (written from many POVs, all seemingly identical) is a rough draft for a screenplay as-yet to be written - some chapters actually take the form of a proto-screenplay, as if trying to drop a broad hint to prospective film producers. Not that this wouldn't make a good film - perhaps a better film than a book. I look forward to watching it. Perhaps I'll like it better that way...
One: the title. I've developed a strong allergy to books with GIRL in the title, as well as the kind of marketing that links such books with GONE GIRL. Not the author's fault, I know, but there you are. I'm over them. Two: the wave of cliché that carries the plot and infuses the characterization. I'm aware that this is not a problem for many people, but for me, it really is. I like to be surprised, and I wasn't. Every development, every character was a trope (I believe I actually read the phrase "the ice queen and her swarthy companion" at one stage, and it finished me.) Three: the self-conscious nature of the writing, constantly reminding the reader that this is a book (at one point, the author actually announces that she's going to use an overwritten metaphor, AND THEN PROCEEDS TO DO SO). It's almost as if the whole book (written from many POVs, all seemingly identical) is a rough draft for a screenplay as-yet to be written - some chapters actually take the form of a proto-screenplay, as if trying to drop a broad hint to prospective film producers. Not that this wouldn't make a good film - perhaps a better film than a book. I look forward to watching it. Perhaps I'll like it better that way...
June 12, 2019
RATING: 3 STARS
2016; William Morrow Paperbacks/HarperCollins
Here we go again with another "Girl" book. The girl in this case is Zoe Maisey, a music prodigy, and she was perfect, once. One day Zoe is a good girl and the next she is serving time for causing the death of three fellow teens. She is now out and trying to get her life back. Her mother, in a new marriage with a stepson and a child with her new husband, puts Zoe back into music and tries to rebuild their life. At the end of a concert, her mother will be found dead, and Zoe's new life will unravel.
I gave this novel three stars but I am not sure if that is fair. The suspense in this novel is okay, but it tries to drag out secrets even when the reader probably has put it together. I am not sure if the characters are meant to be reserved or unlikable, but I just didn't connect with them. I didn't dislike them, but rather felt nothing invested in them. Usually, when a character is deplorable you can at least hope they get what is coming to them. The ending has been done before and it just left me feeling unsatisfied. I think I gave it a three because the author has potential, I finished the book and I do want to read her earlier book that everyone raves about.
***I received an eARC from EDELWEISS***
My Novelesque Blog
2016; William Morrow Paperbacks/HarperCollins
Here we go again with another "Girl" book. The girl in this case is Zoe Maisey, a music prodigy, and she was perfect, once. One day Zoe is a good girl and the next she is serving time for causing the death of three fellow teens. She is now out and trying to get her life back. Her mother, in a new marriage with a stepson and a child with her new husband, puts Zoe back into music and tries to rebuild their life. At the end of a concert, her mother will be found dead, and Zoe's new life will unravel.
I gave this novel three stars but I am not sure if that is fair. The suspense in this novel is okay, but it tries to drag out secrets even when the reader probably has put it together. I am not sure if the characters are meant to be reserved or unlikable, but I just didn't connect with them. I didn't dislike them, but rather felt nothing invested in them. Usually, when a character is deplorable you can at least hope they get what is coming to them. The ending has been done before and it just left me feeling unsatisfied. I think I gave it a three because the author has potential, I finished the book and I do want to read her earlier book that everyone raves about.
***I received an eARC from EDELWEISS***
My Novelesque Blog
January 30, 2016
Four a half stars.
After reading her earlier book Burnt Paper Sky, I was thrilled to bits to win an ARC from The Reading Room and the publisher. Originally titled Butterfly in the Dark it has undergone a change of name and is now The Perfect Girl. Perfect the book is not, but it is an absolutely compelling read about Zoe, a teenage musical prodigy and her family. In her other life, Zoe was convicted of having caused the death of their teenagers. Now she is back trying to resurrect the career that stalled and appeared over with her conviction and time spent in The Unit. With concert with Lucas, her stepbrother this is the first performance of her Second Chance Life. But plans have a way of being thwarted.
The story is told from several points of view of those involved in events that lead to the death of Zoe’s mother. Rather than feeling like it is chopping the story up as can happen when not handled well, this technique makes for interesting reading. Been told in different voices and in short chapters makes it easy to read and I felt like I was getting a fuller perspective of the situation rather than just sticking with the one character’s thoughts and viewpoint. There are a few people who have secrets they don’t want revealed. Who is responsible for the death of Zoe’s mother?
This novel certainly presents some heavy issues to think about. There are a couple of things that concerned me a little but to divulge would give away too much of the story. This is a book people will read, recommend and want to talk about. I found it and engrossing and a quick read that I kept wanting to get back to. Thanks to The Reading Room and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
After reading her earlier book Burnt Paper Sky, I was thrilled to bits to win an ARC from The Reading Room and the publisher. Originally titled Butterfly in the Dark it has undergone a change of name and is now The Perfect Girl. Perfect the book is not, but it is an absolutely compelling read about Zoe, a teenage musical prodigy and her family. In her other life, Zoe was convicted of having caused the death of their teenagers. Now she is back trying to resurrect the career that stalled and appeared over with her conviction and time spent in The Unit. With concert with Lucas, her stepbrother this is the first performance of her Second Chance Life. But plans have a way of being thwarted.
The story is told from several points of view of those involved in events that lead to the death of Zoe’s mother. Rather than feeling like it is chopping the story up as can happen when not handled well, this technique makes for interesting reading. Been told in different voices and in short chapters makes it easy to read and I felt like I was getting a fuller perspective of the situation rather than just sticking with the one character’s thoughts and viewpoint. There are a few people who have secrets they don’t want revealed. Who is responsible for the death of Zoe’s mother?
This novel certainly presents some heavy issues to think about. There are a couple of things that concerned me a little but to divulge would give away too much of the story. This is a book people will read, recommend and want to talk about. I found it and engrossing and a quick read that I kept wanting to get back to. Thanks to The Reading Room and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
April 16, 2019
This was my first book by Gilly Macmillan and I was not disappointed! The alternating POV was done really well and the book kept me on the hook all day. When I had a chance, I was reading. I finished this 400 + page book in a day.
I will definitely be reading more of her books in the future!
I will definitely be reading more of her books in the future!
January 4, 2018
This was my first Gilly Macmillan read. I struggled with an exact rating on this one, so I’m landing somewhere around a 3.75 to 4 stars. And here’s why:
Wow. The beginning of this book was great. It sucked me in quickly, and I could not put it down. The chapters are very short, and they alternate between different characters’ perspectives. The Perfect Girl is a psychological thriller that tells the story of Zoe Maisey and her Second Chance Family. The events of the book take place within a 24+ hour period, intermingled with flashbacks and references to the past. We learn about Zoe’s life and her previous involvement in a tragic accident, while reading and learning about another tragic accident that has taken place during this 24 hour window. Hats off to the author for creating this interesting scenario and packing so much into such a short timeframe. I was very impressed with her ability to do this!
That being said, here is where my rating started to falter. While I felt the beginning started off strong and intense, I felt the book started to lose momentum towards the later half/end. There are several important characters (Zoe, Maria, Tessa, Lucas, etc.) in this book, and their stories and perspectives on the events are crucial. However, there are secondary characters that I felt received more mention or focus than deemed necessary. And, to me, it took away from the storyline a bit. Also, while I praise the author for creating an intriguing story within such a small timeframe, it also seemed to hinder the story a bit. I felt maybe it drug on a little too long, when it could have been wrapped up earlier. Nevertheless, it kept my attention, and it kept me reading and reading and reading and WANTING to know how it was going to end. So for that, it’s almost a four star rating.
When I finished the book, what I kept thinking about most was the title: The Perfect Girl. I do not want to say too much and will let everyone form their own thoughts and opinions, but the title fascinated me. Who is The Perfect Girl in this story? Who wants to be The Perfect Girl? Is there such a thing? What an interesting title that can be left open to interpretation. I will leave you to ponder on that and draw your own conclusions! :) Enjoy!
This was another fun Traveling Sisters read with Brenda, Kaceey, Berit, Jennifer, Marialyce, and Susanne. Thanks for great comments and conversations, Sisters!
Wow. The beginning of this book was great. It sucked me in quickly, and I could not put it down. The chapters are very short, and they alternate between different characters’ perspectives. The Perfect Girl is a psychological thriller that tells the story of Zoe Maisey and her Second Chance Family. The events of the book take place within a 24+ hour period, intermingled with flashbacks and references to the past. We learn about Zoe’s life and her previous involvement in a tragic accident, while reading and learning about another tragic accident that has taken place during this 24 hour window. Hats off to the author for creating this interesting scenario and packing so much into such a short timeframe. I was very impressed with her ability to do this!
That being said, here is where my rating started to falter. While I felt the beginning started off strong and intense, I felt the book started to lose momentum towards the later half/end. There are several important characters (Zoe, Maria, Tessa, Lucas, etc.) in this book, and their stories and perspectives on the events are crucial. However, there are secondary characters that I felt received more mention or focus than deemed necessary. And, to me, it took away from the storyline a bit. Also, while I praise the author for creating an intriguing story within such a small timeframe, it also seemed to hinder the story a bit. I felt maybe it drug on a little too long, when it could have been wrapped up earlier. Nevertheless, it kept my attention, and it kept me reading and reading and reading and WANTING to know how it was going to end. So for that, it’s almost a four star rating.
When I finished the book, what I kept thinking about most was the title: The Perfect Girl. I do not want to say too much and will let everyone form their own thoughts and opinions, but the title fascinated me. Who is The Perfect Girl in this story? Who wants to be The Perfect Girl? Is there such a thing? What an interesting title that can be left open to interpretation. I will leave you to ponder on that and draw your own conclusions! :) Enjoy!
This was another fun Traveling Sisters read with Brenda, Kaceey, Berit, Jennifer, Marialyce, and Susanne. Thanks for great comments and conversations, Sisters!
July 20, 2016
As a huge fan of “Burnt Paper Sky” I had that little worry that the second novel could not possibly be as good but noooooooo worries there – The Perfect Girl is a bang on target read, addictive, emotional, very intense at times with some really fascinating characters and a story with a few little twists in the tale…
So Zoe then, she was a pretty typical teenager except for her outstanding musical talent, but the typical teenager part threatened to destroy all that when one night at a party ended in tragedy. When we come into the picture, Zoe is about to give the first performance of her new life but by the end of this night tragedy will strike once again. Zoe it seems may be less on the perfect side and more on the dangerous…
Gilly Macmillan uses the multiple viewpoint plot device to perfection in “The Perfect Girl” – we hear from Zoe, from her Aunt, from her lawyer, all building a picture, not only of the present events but the past that lead them here. There is plenty of intricate character study running through the narrative, still waters run deep in this one, it is endlessly intriguing, often very melancholy and absolutely authentic.
I read it fast, this is one you won’t want to put down until you find out what the finale will bring – it had one of those classic thought provoking endings that stay with you. In a way it is a story about “what if” those little decisions made that change so much of the bigger picture and at the heart of it sits Zoe, prodigy, musical genius but very much still just a girl growing up.
Really very excellent. Very excellent indeed.
Highly Recommended.
So Zoe then, she was a pretty typical teenager except for her outstanding musical talent, but the typical teenager part threatened to destroy all that when one night at a party ended in tragedy. When we come into the picture, Zoe is about to give the first performance of her new life but by the end of this night tragedy will strike once again. Zoe it seems may be less on the perfect side and more on the dangerous…
Gilly Macmillan uses the multiple viewpoint plot device to perfection in “The Perfect Girl” – we hear from Zoe, from her Aunt, from her lawyer, all building a picture, not only of the present events but the past that lead them here. There is plenty of intricate character study running through the narrative, still waters run deep in this one, it is endlessly intriguing, often very melancholy and absolutely authentic.
I read it fast, this is one you won’t want to put down until you find out what the finale will bring – it had one of those classic thought provoking endings that stay with you. In a way it is a story about “what if” those little decisions made that change so much of the bigger picture and at the heart of it sits Zoe, prodigy, musical genius but very much still just a girl growing up.
Really very excellent. Very excellent indeed.
Highly Recommended.
August 11, 2016
Zoe Guerin is a musical prodigy child genius. The story begins on a Sunday night, as Zoe, after causing the death of three teenagers and serving time for it, is about to make her musical comeback with her step-brother Lucas. She didn’t know that her mother would be dead by midnight.
This story is a gripping psychological thriller with a very intricate timeline, with only a few pages to each chapter. The writing was snappy and concise and flowed very well. At first, when I read ‘For anyone that loved The Girl on the Train’ I inwardly cringed. It seems to me that every mystery and thriller novel at the moment must be compared to Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train when it really is not necessary. This novel stands well and truly elevated all by itself, without having to rely on other successful pieces to keep it up.
I really enjoyed this one, I found myself not wanting to stop reading to get to the bottom of Zoe’s dark and twisted past. If I were to critique in any way, and this really is only nit-picking, is that I really didn’t feel the character’s voices changed at all throughout. The only other small, minor detail would be that in Zoe’s narrative she kept stating “Go figure”, which quite frankly got on my nerves a little because that isn’t what a young girl from Bristol would say at all.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This story is a gripping psychological thriller with a very intricate timeline, with only a few pages to each chapter. The writing was snappy and concise and flowed very well. At first, when I read ‘For anyone that loved The Girl on the Train’ I inwardly cringed. It seems to me that every mystery and thriller novel at the moment must be compared to Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train when it really is not necessary. This novel stands well and truly elevated all by itself, without having to rely on other successful pieces to keep it up.
I really enjoyed this one, I found myself not wanting to stop reading to get to the bottom of Zoe’s dark and twisted past. If I were to critique in any way, and this really is only nit-picking, is that I really didn’t feel the character’s voices changed at all throughout. The only other small, minor detail would be that in Zoe’s narrative she kept stating “Go figure”, which quite frankly got on my nerves a little because that isn’t what a young girl from Bristol would say at all.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 6, 2019
17 year old Zoe and her mum, Maria, are just beginning a brand new life ninety miles away from where they lived before, secure in the knowledge that they've successfully left the past behind for good. It's as if it never existed.
Maria has married Chris and now Zoe has a step brother, Lucas, and a new baby sister, Grace. Chris and Lucas have no idea what Zoe and her mum are hiding and neither one talks about her life "before." Zoe thinks that only she and her mum know about her past.
They were wrong.
Audiobook The Perfect Girl by Gilly Macmillan is an exhilarating, high paced, psychological suspence thriller that pulls you in from the start and keeps you guessing all the way to the unforeseen conclusion. As the story unfolds we are given small peeks into the past, behind the secrets that Zoe and her mum are hiding from in this new life. I felt an unmistakable sensation of nail biting anticipation that kept me from pausing the story for very long, wanting to return to it every chance I got!
I have really enjoyed all the books I've read by Gilly Macmillan and this one was no exception!
Narrator's Penelope Rawlinsand Dugald Bruce-Lockhartgave a tremendous performance and they each earns all 5★'s from me.
I highly recommend this audiobook
*Audiobook Narrator Ratings*
*For me, the narrator(s) can make or break an audiobook so I've added a seperate rating.
Here's what I want from audiobook narrators.
No ratings <4★'s ~ I didn't even like the sample!
4★ ~ Narration is non-distracting, nice quality, pleasent to listen to. Natural cadence, smooth, free flowing. Effortlessly evokes genuine, tangible emotion(s).
5★'s Includes everything in a 4★ PLUS
Narration adds an extra POP!
I enjoyed it more than I would have if I had read the book.
Maria has married Chris and now Zoe has a step brother, Lucas, and a new baby sister, Grace. Chris and Lucas have no idea what Zoe and her mum are hiding and neither one talks about her life "before." Zoe thinks that only she and her mum know about her past.
They were wrong.
Audiobook The Perfect Girl by Gilly Macmillan is an exhilarating, high paced, psychological suspence thriller that pulls you in from the start and keeps you guessing all the way to the unforeseen conclusion. As the story unfolds we are given small peeks into the past, behind the secrets that Zoe and her mum are hiding from in this new life. I felt an unmistakable sensation of nail biting anticipation that kept me from pausing the story for very long, wanting to return to it every chance I got!
I have really enjoyed all the books I've read by Gilly Macmillan and this one was no exception!
Narrator's Penelope Rawlinsand Dugald Bruce-Lockhartgave a tremendous performance and they each earns all 5★'s from me.
I highly recommend this audiobook
*Audiobook Narrator Ratings*
*For me, the narrator(s) can make or break an audiobook so I've added a seperate rating.
Here's what I want from audiobook narrators.
No ratings <4★'s ~ I didn't even like the sample!
4★ ~ Narration is non-distracting, nice quality, pleasent to listen to. Natural cadence, smooth, free flowing. Effortlessly evokes genuine, tangible emotion(s).
5★'s Includes everything in a 4★ PLUS
Narration adds an extra POP!
I enjoyed it more than I would have if I had read the book.
October 2, 2016
The Perfect Girl is a touchingly profound story of a parent fulfilling their dreams through their child and simultaneously a heartbreaking insight into just how a parents misplaced nurturing can focus undo emphasis on one aspect of a child's character, honing it to the point of obsession and thereby coming to define a child by their ability. This is a tragic story which should be compulsory reading for all parents nowadays and it is both a poignant and deeply thought provoking read. In an increasingly competitive world where gaining the edge is at the forefront of every parents mind as they launch their offspring into the 'survival of the fittest culture' of the modern world, The Perfect Girl is more relevant than ever.
Precociously talented pianist Zoe Guerin is the epitome of a gifted child at the age of fourteen, but one mistake leads to a very spectacular fall from grace and has seismic repercussions. As a music scholar at a prestigious school she is made well aware of her status as 'official pond life' and the Popular Girls that rule the roost are very keen to make sure that she knows her place. Bullied and with her self-esteem cripplingly low, she is attracted to the fringes of the hangers-on that ache to be cool and fit in amongst the Popular Girls. Until one mistake changes all of that, and Zoe's life becomes a question of "what if's" and shows just how fickle fate can be. Taking what she thinks is the most sensible decision in the circumstances and driving her drunken best friend home one moment of lapsed concentration leaves Zoe facing responsibility for the deaths of three teens whilst driving under the influence of drink. A damning charge for anyone, even more so for a fourteen-year-old who should never have been behind the wheel in the first place and swears blind she never knowingly consumed excessive alcohol. Sentenced to eighteen-months in a Secure Unit, mother Maria's life descends into free fall as her determination to save Zoe's promise and obvious potential drives a wedge between her and husband, Philip. Until that is Maria, Zoe's Key Worker at the Unit, Jason and her sister, Tessa come to the agreement that her talent could also be her route to redemption.
As Zoe performs her first recital post life in the Secure Unit, now living anonymously under the name Zoe Maisey in a suburb of Bristol, complicit in keeping her past a closely guarded secret from step-father, Chris and his son, Lucas, she understands the strained tension which reigns inside the confines of her new home. Perceptively coined as her Second Chance Life, step-brother, Lucas and Zoe take to the stage and begin a duet, only for an furious outburst from a grieving parent of one of the children left dead in the car accident to throw her new life up into the air. Just hours later that Sunday evening Zoe's mother, Maria, is dead. The synopsis tells readers of Maria's fate prior to the outset of the novel, and builds on the heightened anxiety in the aftermath of the outburst and Gilly Macmillan makes her readers wait for the horrific event. The timeframe of Sunday night through to Monday morning is placed under a microscopic spotlight as Macmillan delivers a blow by blow account of the drama that unfolds, allowing glimpses into Zoe's past to drip feed through to form a clearer picture of just what has brought her and the ever supportive Maria to this point. Emotions are clearly worn on sleeves and in the heady aftermath of the downfall of the Second Chance Family in the Second Chance Life granted to her, Zoe's on-point narrative also reveals her estrangement from her natural father, Philip. Zoe is hugely thankful for her post Secure Unit shot at a new life and although she is sensible enough to acknowledge the instability of her mother, Zoe's willingness to go along with the charade and keep her past secret from Chris shows just how firmly devoted to her mother she is.
Zoe is an easy person to vie for but the reality is that she has seen and heard enough during her time in the Secure Unit to understand that her history cannot be erased and she is "damaged property", with the knowledge that her reputation that will often go before her. To all intents and purposes, Zoe was sober when she took the wheel of the car and someone's else's testimony was her downfall. In Zoe's eyes her honesty was never rewarded in the ensuing trial, reflecting just how flawed the justice system can be. Inevitably it is this knowledge which is at the forefront of Zoe's mind in the closing stages of the novel and the most lasting reflection of her time inside has shown her that there is a often a stark difference between the truth and the hand that the justice system deals out. Sometimes the system is flawed and it was a source of real pity for me that at the age of seventeen Zoe is sceptical of how unjust this can be. That Zoe is cynical in the wake of her mothers death and to some extent plays the system is understandable as she factors in the implications of the nightmare that she finds herself amidst.
Written using multiple points of view offered by Zoe, her aunt Tessa and her solicitor, Sam Locke, this is a heartbreakingly sad novel. Sam, like many of the professionals who came into contact with Zoe during the course of her prior life is profoundly sympathetic, and his impartial observer commentary reveals his sadness at just how Zoe's future has been compromised, neither deserved or in the least bit reflective of her behaviour in general. Sam is emotionally drawn into the plight of her situation by his burgeoning relationship with Zoe's aunt Tessa. Not hearing from step-father Chris but merely observing his brooding menace as he struts around his perfect home emphasises the threat that he poses over the fragile calm that holds court in Zoe and Maria's Second Life. Zoe's fiercely ironic humour and sharp wit is wonderfully incisive, often cutting through the futility of a life spent papering over the cracks. Zoe does not expect to eschew her responsibilities for her behaviour, but the unfairness of her honesty resulting in a guilty outcome at her trial does stick in her throat and undoubtedly plays a part in her knowledge that she has to take control of her destiny in the wake of Maria's death. Admittedly both Tessa and Sam sympathise with the situation that Zoe finds herself in, and perhaps a voice from her past, either natural dad, Philip, or a parent of one of the teens whose lives were taken would have added a contrasting opinion and perhaps made for a more balanced feel towards the attitudes of a young girl who made one fatal mistake.
In hindsight, perhaps the ending is tied up a little neatly, but The Perfect Girl is an engrossing read that poses so many important questions about nurturing our children that I reflected long and hard. Gilly Macmillan delivers a brilliant portrayal of a girl who deserved better, not simply shoehorned into a home life bound by strict adherences to social conventions. Insightful step-brother, Lucas is Zoe's only ally within the home and they both see what their parents trying to hold up the proverbial house of cards. The suspense element of The Perfect Girl is limited as readers know Maria's outcome and despite racing through this book, I did have a very strong inclination of what the future would hold for Zoe, Lucas and baby Grace. The Perfect Girl is less a thriller, more a touching insight into a bright future comprised by one mistake. To Zoe, piano playing is never considered as a gift, but rather something that she works hard at, practising for hours. Whether Zoe pursues her piano playing as avidly as she does knowing that it is her mother Maria's wish seems likely, although this is never addressed by Macmillan. The Perfect Girl is a sharp insight into how damaging the bond between a parent and child simply trying to do their best for each other can be.
The Perfect Girl is at times an uncomfortable read as the spotlight is turned onto Zoe's future but it left me with plenty of food for thought and has also introduced me to Gilly Macmillan, whose highly rated debut, Burnt Paper Sky (now re-titled What She Knew) is firmly in my sights! The sub-plot of Tessa, married to alcoholic husband, Richard and drawn to sensitive solicitor, Sam adds a frisson of tension to proceedings and I was pleased that Gilly Macmillan also provided a resolution to both this and Zoe's future into the close.
Precociously talented pianist Zoe Guerin is the epitome of a gifted child at the age of fourteen, but one mistake leads to a very spectacular fall from grace and has seismic repercussions. As a music scholar at a prestigious school she is made well aware of her status as 'official pond life' and the Popular Girls that rule the roost are very keen to make sure that she knows her place. Bullied and with her self-esteem cripplingly low, she is attracted to the fringes of the hangers-on that ache to be cool and fit in amongst the Popular Girls. Until one mistake changes all of that, and Zoe's life becomes a question of "what if's" and shows just how fickle fate can be. Taking what she thinks is the most sensible decision in the circumstances and driving her drunken best friend home one moment of lapsed concentration leaves Zoe facing responsibility for the deaths of three teens whilst driving under the influence of drink. A damning charge for anyone, even more so for a fourteen-year-old who should never have been behind the wheel in the first place and swears blind she never knowingly consumed excessive alcohol. Sentenced to eighteen-months in a Secure Unit, mother Maria's life descends into free fall as her determination to save Zoe's promise and obvious potential drives a wedge between her and husband, Philip. Until that is Maria, Zoe's Key Worker at the Unit, Jason and her sister, Tessa come to the agreement that her talent could also be her route to redemption.
As Zoe performs her first recital post life in the Secure Unit, now living anonymously under the name Zoe Maisey in a suburb of Bristol, complicit in keeping her past a closely guarded secret from step-father, Chris and his son, Lucas, she understands the strained tension which reigns inside the confines of her new home. Perceptively coined as her Second Chance Life, step-brother, Lucas and Zoe take to the stage and begin a duet, only for an furious outburst from a grieving parent of one of the children left dead in the car accident to throw her new life up into the air. Just hours later that Sunday evening Zoe's mother, Maria, is dead. The synopsis tells readers of Maria's fate prior to the outset of the novel, and builds on the heightened anxiety in the aftermath of the outburst and Gilly Macmillan makes her readers wait for the horrific event. The timeframe of Sunday night through to Monday morning is placed under a microscopic spotlight as Macmillan delivers a blow by blow account of the drama that unfolds, allowing glimpses into Zoe's past to drip feed through to form a clearer picture of just what has brought her and the ever supportive Maria to this point. Emotions are clearly worn on sleeves and in the heady aftermath of the downfall of the Second Chance Family in the Second Chance Life granted to her, Zoe's on-point narrative also reveals her estrangement from her natural father, Philip. Zoe is hugely thankful for her post Secure Unit shot at a new life and although she is sensible enough to acknowledge the instability of her mother, Zoe's willingness to go along with the charade and keep her past secret from Chris shows just how firmly devoted to her mother she is.
Zoe is an easy person to vie for but the reality is that she has seen and heard enough during her time in the Secure Unit to understand that her history cannot be erased and she is "damaged property", with the knowledge that her reputation that will often go before her. To all intents and purposes, Zoe was sober when she took the wheel of the car and someone's else's testimony was her downfall. In Zoe's eyes her honesty was never rewarded in the ensuing trial, reflecting just how flawed the justice system can be. Inevitably it is this knowledge which is at the forefront of Zoe's mind in the closing stages of the novel and the most lasting reflection of her time inside has shown her that there is a often a stark difference between the truth and the hand that the justice system deals out. Sometimes the system is flawed and it was a source of real pity for me that at the age of seventeen Zoe is sceptical of how unjust this can be. That Zoe is cynical in the wake of her mothers death and to some extent plays the system is understandable as she factors in the implications of the nightmare that she finds herself amidst.
Written using multiple points of view offered by Zoe, her aunt Tessa and her solicitor, Sam Locke, this is a heartbreakingly sad novel. Sam, like many of the professionals who came into contact with Zoe during the course of her prior life is profoundly sympathetic, and his impartial observer commentary reveals his sadness at just how Zoe's future has been compromised, neither deserved or in the least bit reflective of her behaviour in general. Sam is emotionally drawn into the plight of her situation by his burgeoning relationship with Zoe's aunt Tessa. Not hearing from step-father Chris but merely observing his brooding menace as he struts around his perfect home emphasises the threat that he poses over the fragile calm that holds court in Zoe and Maria's Second Life. Zoe's fiercely ironic humour and sharp wit is wonderfully incisive, often cutting through the futility of a life spent papering over the cracks. Zoe does not expect to eschew her responsibilities for her behaviour, but the unfairness of her honesty resulting in a guilty outcome at her trial does stick in her throat and undoubtedly plays a part in her knowledge that she has to take control of her destiny in the wake of Maria's death. Admittedly both Tessa and Sam sympathise with the situation that Zoe finds herself in, and perhaps a voice from her past, either natural dad, Philip, or a parent of one of the teens whose lives were taken would have added a contrasting opinion and perhaps made for a more balanced feel towards the attitudes of a young girl who made one fatal mistake.
In hindsight, perhaps the ending is tied up a little neatly, but The Perfect Girl is an engrossing read that poses so many important questions about nurturing our children that I reflected long and hard. Gilly Macmillan delivers a brilliant portrayal of a girl who deserved better, not simply shoehorned into a home life bound by strict adherences to social conventions. Insightful step-brother, Lucas is Zoe's only ally within the home and they both see what their parents trying to hold up the proverbial house of cards. The suspense element of The Perfect Girl is limited as readers know Maria's outcome and despite racing through this book, I did have a very strong inclination of what the future would hold for Zoe, Lucas and baby Grace. The Perfect Girl is less a thriller, more a touching insight into a bright future comprised by one mistake. To Zoe, piano playing is never considered as a gift, but rather something that she works hard at, practising for hours. Whether Zoe pursues her piano playing as avidly as she does knowing that it is her mother Maria's wish seems likely, although this is never addressed by Macmillan. The Perfect Girl is a sharp insight into how damaging the bond between a parent and child simply trying to do their best for each other can be.
The Perfect Girl is at times an uncomfortable read as the spotlight is turned onto Zoe's future but it left me with plenty of food for thought and has also introduced me to Gilly Macmillan, whose highly rated debut, Burnt Paper Sky (now re-titled What She Knew) is firmly in my sights! The sub-plot of Tessa, married to alcoholic husband, Richard and drawn to sensitive solicitor, Sam adds a frisson of tension to proceedings and I was pleased that Gilly Macmillan also provided a resolution to both this and Zoe's future into the close.
March 30, 2017
To say that The Perfect Girl was a real page turner would be an understatement for me. Once I read the first page I didn't stop reading until I completely finished the book! That rarely happens...
The storyline appears simple enough: child prodigy, once in trouble with the law, now making a comeback but suddenly her mother is murdered. However, there is SO much more to this story and so much history with the characters within the story that nothing at all is simple. Nothing. Not even the ending.
There is some back and forth timeline in the book and nearly every chapter switches back and forth between different character's points of view. Often this can get confusing, I know, but Macmillan handles it very well and her character development is incredibly thorough so that you want to know what each one is thinking and doing. There are a lot of issues dealt with in the story: teenage drinking, drunk driving, infidelity, and murder and the questions raised will give you pause to think. It's more than a suspense novel and I highly recommend it.
The storyline appears simple enough: child prodigy, once in trouble with the law, now making a comeback but suddenly her mother is murdered. However, there is SO much more to this story and so much history with the characters within the story that nothing at all is simple. Nothing. Not even the ending.
There is some back and forth timeline in the book and nearly every chapter switches back and forth between different character's points of view. Often this can get confusing, I know, but Macmillan handles it very well and her character development is incredibly thorough so that you want to know what each one is thinking and doing. There are a lot of issues dealt with in the story: teenage drinking, drunk driving, infidelity, and murder and the questions raised will give you pause to think. It's more than a suspense novel and I highly recommend it.
September 25, 2016
3.5 stars
The writing in this one was spot on: it gave the book a dark, hopeless feel that underlined the plot. Even the attitudes and personalities of the characters fit into this unhappy pathology- whiny, paranoid, damaged. There's no real happiness here, it had the equivalent effect of a film scene opening with darkened skies, pouring rain, shadows, and a creaking old timber house with broken windows. You know bad s*** is going to happen.
The writing in this one was spot on: it gave the book a dark, hopeless feel that underlined the plot. Even the attitudes and personalities of the characters fit into this unhappy pathology- whiny, paranoid, damaged. There's no real happiness here, it had the equivalent effect of a film scene opening with darkened skies, pouring rain, shadows, and a creaking old timber house with broken windows. You know bad s*** is going to happen.
April 6, 2016
Meh. The Perfect Girl is one of those books that sounds interesting, but ultimately lacks, well, anything. I just don't understand what the book was supposed to be about. It wasn't Zoe's rehabilitation after the "incident", it wasn't Zoe's mothers death, which we hear of within the first few pages, but doesn't actually occur in real time until the book is halfway done, and while there's a hint of something about Chris, there's not a lot to back that story up, although I didn't like him one bit.
It just didn't click with me, and I was quite thankful for the short chapters which made it easy to skim-read the vast majority of the book. It just felt like the book didn't go anywhere, plots were left hanging up in the air - Tessa and Richard's story deserved way more page-time, because it all just seemed too easily tied up, when there should have been vast repercussions?
Not for me. Not very thrilling, either, to be fair. And certainly NOT like The Girl On The Train or Gone Girl. Publishers, PLEASE STOP COMPARING EVERY THRILLER TO GONE GIRL OR GIRL ON THE TRAIN. IT'S A DEAD HORSE. STOP BEATING IT, THANK YOU.
It just didn't click with me, and I was quite thankful for the short chapters which made it easy to skim-read the vast majority of the book. It just felt like the book didn't go anywhere, plots were left hanging up in the air - Tessa and Richard's story deserved way more page-time, because it all just seemed too easily tied up, when there should have been vast repercussions?
Not for me. Not very thrilling, either, to be fair. And certainly NOT like The Girl On The Train or Gone Girl. Publishers, PLEASE STOP COMPARING EVERY THRILLER TO GONE GIRL OR GIRL ON THE TRAIN. IT'S A DEAD HORSE. STOP BEATING IT, THANK YOU.
August 12, 2016
Well it's certainly a high three stars. 3.684? Maybe? There were certainly a few 1/10 deductions. I have to think on it a bit. But for right now I feel pretty comfortable saying that I liked parts of The Perfect Girl, certainly more than Macmillan's previous novel What She Knew. It's a pretty solid read, though not without balance issues, and it fails to stick the landing.
Yes I've been watching Olympic gymnastics nonstop. No I will not stop and be productive.
Zoe's a convicted killer. There are no two ways around that.
The Perfect Girl has a pretty interesting who-done-it mystery going on once the story gets under way. Piano prodigy Zoe and her mom Maria (or her mum I suppose since this is British) have a new life with their "second chance family." Zoe was convicted of death by careless driving whilst under the influence. There's a WHOLE lot more to that story, but that's all in the past. And the past could never come to interfere with their second chance life, especially when the new family weren't exactly let in the loop. Right?
The multiperspective was a little much at times. I think there were simply too many character POVs. Shave off one or two and I think the story would be a little tighter. I did like the aunt Tessa. It's nice to see childless adults in fiction who aren't bitter old hags. I also like that she doesn't try to deny Zoe's past, but fuck it, that's her niece and she will stand up for her.
I didn't care for Lucas. At all. I know you can't cut him from the story, he's too much an integral part of the mystery. But I don't have to like it. *grumbles*
The ending didn't thrill me. It was fine, I guess. But I want my books to aim higher. Fly high little books. Fly high and stick the landing.
It wasn't so much the who in the who-done-it. But the way it was resolved irked me.
Overall, I enjoyed The Perfect Girl more than What She Knew. I thought the mystery and the characters were just a little stronger. If you're looking to read a Gilly Macmillan novel, I'd say start here. Despite my frustrations with the ending, and too many POVs, I had a pretty good time reading it.
*Thanks to Edelweiss & William Morrow Paperbacks for the digital arc!*
Yes I've been watching Olympic gymnastics nonstop. No I will not stop and be productive.
Zoe's a convicted killer. There are no two ways around that.
The Perfect Girl has a pretty interesting who-done-it mystery going on once the story gets under way. Piano prodigy Zoe and her mom Maria (or her mum I suppose since this is British) have a new life with their "second chance family." Zoe was convicted of death by careless driving whilst under the influence. There's a WHOLE lot more to that story, but that's all in the past. And the past could never come to interfere with their second chance life, especially when the new family weren't exactly let in the loop. Right?
The multiperspective was a little much at times. I think there were simply too many character POVs. Shave off one or two and I think the story would be a little tighter. I did like the aunt Tessa. It's nice to see childless adults in fiction who aren't bitter old hags. I also like that she doesn't try to deny Zoe's past, but fuck it, that's her niece and she will stand up for her.
I didn't care for Lucas. At all. I know you can't cut him from the story, he's too much an integral part of the mystery. But I don't have to like it. *grumbles*
The ending didn't thrill me. It was fine, I guess. But I want my books to aim higher. Fly high little books. Fly high and stick the landing.
It wasn't so much the who in the who-done-it. But the way it was resolved irked me.
Overall, I enjoyed The Perfect Girl more than What She Knew. I thought the mystery and the characters were just a little stronger. If you're looking to read a Gilly Macmillan novel, I'd say start here. Despite my frustrations with the ending, and too many POVs, I had a pretty good time reading it.
*Thanks to Edelweiss & William Morrow Paperbacks for the digital arc!*
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