A Girl Like Us: A Glimpse into Wealth and Mystery
As an avid reader, I often find myself drawn to books that promise a blend of glamour and intrigue—especially when they hint at dark secrets lurking beneath a polished surface. When I stumbled across A Girl Like Us by Kristen L. P. Luce, I felt an undeniable pull. The premise of a high-stakes murder mystery intertwined with the luxurious pitfalls of a wealthy family had me intrigued. I received this ARC from NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark in exchange for an honest review, and now, especially on this publishing day (Happy 2/11/2025!), it’s time to share my thoughts.
At the heart of the story is Maya "Miss Mayhem" Miller, a former reality TV star who unexpectedly becomes an heiress to the Sterling fortune after the murder of a young heir named Arianna—a girl she never knew. Herein lies the first issue for me; while the storyline had potential, it felt like a rollercoaster that parked at the wrong station. Much of the narrative revolves around Maya digging for clues—her encounters with sophisticated yet unsettling in-laws, and her internal battle against the shame hurled at her for not fitting into their opulent world.
The rhythm of the story felt oddly disjointed. For a significant portion of the book, it seemed like I was watching Maya walk in circles, engaging in repetitive tasks that often led to the same result. This isn’t to say the last third of the novel didn’t pick up; indeed, the action intensified, and the twists began stacking up. However, having read my fair share of thrillers, many of those surprises felt predictable.
I often found myself cringing at the dynamics within the Sterling family. The discomfort was palpable, crafted expertly by Luce. As one character insightfully states, ”You’re the kind of beautiful where people don’t take you seriously. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t take yourself seriously.” This dichotomy of external beauty and internal struggle reflects Maya’s journey, and it made me ponder how societal perceptions shape our identities.
However, character development was a challenge. With a multitude of characters vying for attention—Marcus, Gigi, and even Colin (Maya’s husband)—I felt some were overshadowed, leaving them flat and one-dimensional. I wished for a family tree to navigate this opulent but tangled web. The abrupt ending felt like a cliffhanger for a follow-up, leaving me hungry for closure, which left me slightly unsatisfied.
Yet there were moments of brilliance. I adored the chapters written from Arianna’s perspective, which offered insight into the oppressive wealth dynamics and family gaslighting. Her voice added depth that many characters lacked, and I found myself yearning for more of her story.
In closing, A Girl Like Us will likely charm readers who are less familiar with thrillers; they may find the pace more engaging and the plot twists more surprising. For those seasoned in the genre, much of it might offer little novelty. That said, Luce has crafted a promising debut that speaks vividly about the destructive nature of wealth and family ties. Despite my mixed feelings, I appreciate the book’s exploration of these themes and the exhilarating peek behind the velvet curtain of elite society. If you enjoy a complex landscape filled with uncomfortable truths, this could still be a compelling read for you!