I am actually writing this review after finishing the whole trilogy... but I'm just gonna act naïve and pretend that I haven't read the final book. Although there won't be any spoilers for As Good As Dead in this review, there will definitely be big spoilers for Good Girl, Bad Blood in here!!
*This age recommendation is only my opinion. Some younger people might feel comfortable reading this book, and some older people might not. That's fine, either way. Warning for murder, death, discussions of sexual assault, blackmail, mentions of pet death, swearing, drug use, drink spiking, medium-level violence, low-level gore, mentions of domestic abuse, catfishing, sexual references, references to a fictional serial killer, mentions of the murder of children, and potentially upsetting themes.
First of all, WOW I did not see the ending coming. Maybe I thought there was something sus about Charlie, but not something that sus... and Stanley. Oh my goodness, I definitely didn't see that coming! The fact that he was CB was the best plot twist in the book. I think that the books in this series so far have been really good because I never saw the plot twists coming. I didn't suspect a thing about Stanley but it turned out that all the events of the book occurred, in some way, because of him.
I found the Layla plot pretty intriguing too. I think the catfish thing was really relevant to today, just because the online world is such a huge presence in our everyday lives. One of my favourite parts about these books is that they just have a real modern vibe. It makes the books seem a lot more relatable, realistic and engaging, in my opinion.
Pip was so clever in this book, as she was in the first. The way that she gained information and how she used it was so cool. I may or may not have tried to copy her by suggesting I interrogate someone online... I am still embarrassed about that... my friends were saying "block and delete" and I was saying "INTERROGATE".
Ok, it is now time to talk about the elephant in the room. Max Hastings. WTF?? HOW COULD ANYONE FIND HIM NOT GUILTY??? I am OUTRAGED. The moment where Pip ran back to Nat to tell her/comfort her about the verdict was one of my favourite parts of the book, though. It was so emotionally charged for both the reader and characters. Nat is one of my favourite characters now :)
It is obvious that Pip was in a lot more direct danger in GGBB than in AGGGTM -- both physical and emotional/mental. She is so so traumatised now. And the saddest part is that she didn't even want to take on the case. But I think it was important that Holly Jackson wrote a realistic reaction to all the trauma Pip faced. This series is pretty mainstream and I think that including a character with PTSD in it definitely helps to spread awareness, and to make readers feel seen.
So far in this review I haven't mentioned Jamie at all... which is probably not the best thing. Maybe Jamie ended up being a little irrelevant to the whole plot. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad he was ok, but I felt that he was a tiny bit irrelevant at times...? I feel that the focus shifted from Jamie to a bigger picture, but Jamie got a bit lost within it. That's just my opinion though; it was still a great book!
Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson, 14+* ★★★★
*This age recommendation is only my opinion. Some younger people might feel comfortable reading this book, and some older people might not. That's fine, either way. Warning for murder, death, discussions of sexual assault, blackmail, mentions of pet death, swearing, drug use, drink spiking, medium-level violence, low-level gore, mentions of domestic abuse, catfishing, sexual references, references to a fictional serial killer, mentions of the murder of children, and potentially upsetting themes.
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