Glow Girl

by M. Weidenbenner

Multi-Award-Winning and Best-Selling Author, Speaker and Writing Coach.

Willow is just your average sixteen-year-old girl. Okay, maybe not so average. She can heal animals. For her own safety, her veterinarian parents have made her promise not to use her powers. But sometimes her compassion just takes over, and she can't help ... well ... helping.

Willow is a Droit, but hides her Droitism because people like her are feared and hated by those without special abilities. Two of Willow's schoolmates, rumored to be Droits, have simultaneously disappeared.

When Willow's non-Droit friend, Rain, is targeted, Willow wonders whether she should get involved--even if that means putting herself in the line of fire.

A mysterious new friend, Trae, just might be the key to unlock her courage.

In the end, she has a choice: she can deny who she is or declare her ability to heal, but either way, her life will never be the same again.

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2019

About the author

Michelle Weidenbenner is the founder of Moms Letting Go Without Giving Up and the All-Mighty Mom Tribe – private support groups for moms of addicted loved ones. There are more than 2000 moms in the groups.

She’s a passionate podcaster who wants to stop the stigma of substance use disorder and help moms of addicted loved ones find hope, courage, and support so they can identify their superpower and help change the addiction landscape.

She has been a guest on the following podcasts: Magnificent Midlife, The Addiction Podcast – Point of No Return, Unapologetically BOLD: I’m not sorry for …, Everyday Leaders and Write the Book Inside You. Recently, she appeared on the blog, Forward From 50, by Greg Gerber.

She’s an Amazon #1 Best-Selling and Award-Winning author and speaker. Her new book, Unhackable Moms of Addicted Loved Ones, Closing the Gap between Havoc and Hope released in June 2022.

It’s a 30-day program for moms who want to heal.

This book is cobranded with Kary Oberbrunner’s NYT’s and Wall Street Journal bestselling book, Unhackable.

As the mother of a recovering addict, Michelle spends most of her time advocating for and coaching moms of addicted loved ones. Find her free guidebook at MomsLettingGo.com

When she’s not helping moms, she’s playing pickleball.

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Update! Here’s my full review: https://bookishrealmreviews.blogspot....


So I finished this book in a day and was readily surprised by how much I really enjoyed it. It gave me X-Men vibes! The ending definitely illustrates a sequel because there’s no way it could just end like that. I need answers!! I’ll have a full review posted this week for a blog tour!

[Kelly Lyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

page turner but the writing is very juvenile. it reads like a teenager wrote it. the ending was not that great. it should have ended on a cliffhanger. would have liked to know more about the tridents.

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. Thanks! All options are my own.

Author: M. Weidenbenner

Book Series: Droit Series Book 1

Rating: 5/5

Publication Date: October 22, 2019

Recommended Age: 16+ (animal abuse tw, bullying, death, violence)

Genre: YA Fantasy

Publisher: indie published

Synopsis: Willow is just your average sixteen-year-old girl. Okay, maybe not so average. She can heal animals. For her own safety, her veterinarian parents have made her promise not to use her powers. But sometimes her compassion just takes over, and she can't help ... well ... helping.

Willow is a Droit, but hides her Droitism because people like her are feared and hated by those without special abilities. Two of Willow's schoolmates, rumored to be Droits, have simultaneously disappeared.

When Willow's non-Droit friend, Rain, is targeted, Willow wonders whether she should get involved--even if that means putting herself in the line of fire.

A mysterious new friend, Trae, just might be the key to unlock her courage.

In the end, she has a choice: she can deny who she is or declare her ability to heal, but either way, her life will never be the same again.

Review: This book gave me all the superhero wants and desires I've had since my last superhero book. The writing was superb, the voice was so authentic, and the world building was really good too.

My only issue is that the pacing was too fast for me in some areas and I felt really sick seeing the animal abuse. Like I love animals and it really hurt. I don't fault the book for it because it needed to drive a point home, but damn it hurt.

Verdict: The superhero we all need when we have sick animals.

[Guylou (Two Dogs and a Book) · Rating 4 out of 5]

When she was a child, Willow discovered that she can heal animals. Her adoptive parents make her promise never to use these abilities. Now as a teenager, Willow is faced with the decision to openly be a Droit or continue to hide even if she could lose someone she loves. Trae is new at her school and she is instantly attracted to him. He is also a Droit. Will Willow find the courage to be who she is intended to be, or will she choose to hide?

This book gave me the same vibes as Twilight by Stephenie Meyer or Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. Although there are elements already explored in other series, Glow Girl offers also a newness in this genre. It was a great read.


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[Yna from Books and Boybands · Rating 4 out of 5]

"If we follow our passion it can lead to destruction, but if we deny who we are and what we believe in, isn’t that worse?"

Buy This Book 📖
📚 Series:  No.
📚 Genre: YA.
📚 POV:  Alternating first person
📚 Cliffhanger: Nope.

⚠ Content Warnings:  Animal abuse. Bullying. Dealing with death.

☁ THE CRITERIA ☁

🌼 Blurb:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌼 Main Character:⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Significant Other: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
🌼 Support Characters:⭐⭐⭐☆☆
🌼 Writing Style:⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Character Development:⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Thrill Factor: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Romance: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
🌼 Pacing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Ending: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Unputdownability: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
🌼 Book Cover:⭐⭐☆☆☆

☁FINAL VERDICT: 3.58/5 ☁


Much thanks to Rockstar Book Tour and Entangled Publishing

for this complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and opinions are fully my own. Also, all quotes are taken from the ARC and may be different in the final published copy.

📚 Blog ♡ Bookstagram ♡ Facebook ♡ Twitter 📚

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glow Girl is an important message wrapped in a captivating read. Willow's life is turned upside down when the powers she's kept hidden for so long are suddenly exposed to those around her. As if being a teenager wasn't hard enough, this presents a whole new set of unexpected obstacles, ones that will change her life forever. Everyone has struggled with embracing who they are at some point - and this book emphasizes the importance of accepting who you are, even if not everyone around you can. After all, those who are truly your allies, won't be afraid of you. Willow is a brilliant, strong heroine and a great role model for anyone struggling to accept themselves.

[Sara ✨ Next Book Review Blog ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this book with my 10 year old but as we progressed I felt some of it was a bit too difficult on her to read. I'm still uncertain after reading the entirety by myself if it's a book appropriate for a preteen. It might fit 13ish a bit better or maybe I'm being too sensitive. Sadly she understands the bullying Glow Girl highlights and what girl wouldn't love to heal animals? It's more the animal abuse that's a fine line for me. Heck, I was sensitive to it... I'm not sure what my daughter would feel. So while I might not be ready for her to read it today, I'm definitely keeping it on hand because I know she'll love it eventually! There was also some words that she struggled with understanding and even pronouncing. However, I have no problem with her sounding words out and learning new things. Again, it's a fine line and will depend on the individual child.

Besides all of that, I found this story to really warm my heart and make it feel sad at the same time. I've never read this author before... I really only dabble in young adult when it's something my daughter and I might enjoy together. I feel like I found another author to follow that would work for a great bonding experience with my preteen child. The reading doesn't feel juvenile but it isn't quite adult either. Really, I'm impressed with M. Weidenbenner. The story itself has an important message. One that I'm really not sure children understand. At the center of the story I felt a subtle message: Be kind. I feel like this is one of those books that offer up multiple lessons and people are going to come out with various lessons learned depending on their thought process.

I received an ARC of this book with the hope that I would leave an Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that... my opinions.

Check out my Blog: Next Book Review
Check out my Facebook Page: Next Book Review Facebook

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty fun read! Willow has secretly hidden the fact that she is a Droit for years. A Droit is a person that has special abilities and everyone who is not a Droit is very hateful towards the Droits. Willows power is helping animals and luckily for her her parents are veterinarians. But they are afraid of what might happen to her if people find out she's a Droit so they ask her to keep it hidden. And she does. Until one of her friends service dog starts to die right in front of her eyes at school and she just knows she can't do nothing. She thinks she uses her powers secretly but it only takes one witness for word to get out. And change Willows life as she knows it.
Glow Girl had a great premise and I enjoyed pretty much all of it. Set in a not too distant future, the world building was really neat and dynamic. I have always been a fan of super powers and what not and loved reading about this worlds powers. The pacing was fast but almost too fast at times which made this for a quick read. I was not really a fan of the romance bit of this and felt it could've just been tossed out and not taken away from the story. I loved Willows transformation as she goes from being terrified of being a Droit to accepting what she is and what she can do. And I was especially a fan of the fact that her power was helping animals as I am also a huge animal fan.
Recommended for fans of science fiction, X-Men, books that deal with discrimination, and quick, easy reads. I give this 3.75 stars out of 5.


*I relieved a copy of this in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you Rockstar Book Tours for including me on the tour and Michelle for the copy!

[Fee (Ebook Addicts) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read, so much so I read in a day! This is book one in a new series from Michelle Weidenbenner and already I am patiently waiting the next book, whilst this one doesn't end on a cliffhanger it does leave a lot of questions that I hope will be answered in book two.

Willow discovers she is a Droit - a person who has special abilities - when she heals her sick cat Random. She promises her parents never to do it again but when her friends guide dog falls ill at school she uses her ability to bring the dog back, only she thought no one has seen her but it turns out the biggest loudmouth in school saw her and from here her life takes a turn. In the space of a few weeks her life changes for ever, she loses a close friend and potentially discovers family she never knew she had! All whilst dealing with being a Droit and falling for a fellow Droit Trae who was sent to her town to locate missing Droits. 

Dorits are people who have special abilities, like Willow can heal for example, and we discover that non-Droits are scared and prejudiced toward what they do no understand and fear what they think are abominations of creation.

There is a strong message in this tale that is relevant to cases today and throughout history on how we treat those who are different from us.

Willow must come to terms with who and what she is and decided to attend a school for Droits - the Reese Academy, to receive training to better protect herself and those like her from Tridents. 

Michelle Weidenbenner has weaved a great tale and I cant wait to see where she takes this series and I really hope we get more back story on Droits when Willow starts to attend the Reese Academy.

5 stars

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I consider this story a kind of Parable which is defined at Wikipedia as "A parable is a succinct, didactic story, in prose or verse, that illustrates one or more instructive lessons or principles. It differs from a fable in that fables employ animals, plants, inanimate objects, or forces of nature as characters, whereas parables have human characters.[1] A parable is a type of metaphorical analogy.[2]"

Acceptance of the difference in others is core to this novel about Droits and non-Droits. Droits are feared beause of their special abilities. They are sometimes even hunted down and murdered as happened to two of Willow's classmates. It is also about acceptance of who you are. Willow tries to hide the fact that she is a Droit so that she will "fit in" in school.

Her special ability is to save animals from pain and suffering. Even though her parents have forbidden her to use her healing powers--Willow can't seem to stop.

Her parents go on a vacation and she stayed with her Aunt Fifi who is a character to say the least! She meets a guy in school and there is an immediate attraction. Someone is out to hurt Willow and this guy tries to shield her as best he can. He is also a Droit--

Lots of things happen which you will have to read or I will be giving the whole story line away.

Just know there is a happy ending and possible next book in the future-I hope!

This book should be read by all teenagers and adults in my opinion!!

[Carly Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given a copy of ‘Glow Girl’ by M. Weidenbenner in exchange for an honest review. As I have a penchant for any supernatural/fantasy books, this was definitely my kind of read.

The book is about a teenage girl named Willow, who discovers from a young age that she has a magical ability. However, in a world where being different is shunned, her parents beg her to keep her talent hidden.

Willow struggles with hiding her true self, always craving to let her talent be known, as why wouldn’t you heal sick and an ailing pets if you could?

In Willow’s society anyone with any magical ability is branded a ‘Droit’, and instead of society fearing them, they are mocked and taunted, all on the idea of getting them to use their powers and be punished.

Willow has to make the tough decision to remain a mystery to those around her, or to show what she can really do without fear.

This book was easy to read, and you relate to Willow’s gut instincts. You hate the world she lives in on her behalf, and I found myself often screaming at her parents for wanting to suppress her talent out of their own fears.

It is well-written and thought out and a story that enables your imagination to come out and play. If you love the likes of X-Men or even Twilight then this book will be for you.

A page-turner with lots of intrigue to keep you hooked.

[Leila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read Michelle’s books before – both adult and children books – and thoroughly enjoyed them so when I heard she had a young adult book; I jumped at the opportunity to read it. I thought it would be a great book for myself to read, but also one that my 14 year old and 11 year old could read as well.

I finished the book in roughly three days. It was one that once I started reading; I didn’t want to put down.

The storyline had a paranormal aspect (Droits who have special abilities) as well as suspense and an element of romance – three genres that, in my opinion, make for an amazing read.

This easily could be an ‘adult’ read versus ‘young adult’ read. I think this would be a great book for kids starting in the 5th or 6th grade level through adulthood. Not only is it a great read, but the underlying lesson of standing up for who you are and what is right is definitely a lesson for everyone.

I truly enjoyed this book and have passed it on to my kids to read. I am not typically one to re-read a book after I have read it once, but I can definitely see myself reading this one again and will definitely be keeping an eye out for continued books in the series.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read for me, not one I would normally pick to read yet one I enjoyed all the same. The story is set in the future and people are not accepting the Droids because of their special abilities, even when used for good. The main character, Willow is adjusting to her ability and she is trying to make good choices, yet second guessing herself as most teenagers do. She is pulled toward the new guy in school, who is there for a reason. Kids are missing and people are scared. The story is easy to keep up with, yet full of surprises and I enjoyed it and the characters and look forward to a sequel to see what happens next. I received a copy through a book tour -- all opinions are my own.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sixteen-year-old Willow is your average high school student. Except, Willow has a secret that she keeps hidden from other people. Willow can heal animals but, her parents forbid her from using her powers because they fear for her safety. Unfortunately, Willow can't seem to keep her promise and ends up using her powers to help the sick animals.

Willow has to hide her abilities because a group known as Trident, targets people like her. People with special abilities are feared and hated by people without special abilities. Willow is content with keeping her abilities a secret but, when her friend's life becomes endangered, Willow must decide if she is willing to get involved or sit in the sidelines.

The novel had a similar feel to other superhero storylines where the young hero must decide if they are willing to use their gift for the greater good. I thought the novel is a refreshing read but, I found some of the language to be "off". For example, a high school student calling their mother "a feisty little thing". Personally, that just seems weird referring to a parent that way. Overall, it was an entertaining read and I am interested in reading the next novel in the series.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading Glow Girl. Yes, it is a written as a young adult read, but this older adult reader enjoyed the read, too. The book was easy to read, but kept me not wanting to put it down. I wanted more and still do. Open ended, I will be looking for more about Willow.