The Girls I've Been

Tess Sharpe's 'The Girls I've Been' is a thrilling young adult novel about Nora O'Malley, a resourceful teenager with a secret past as a con artist. After escaping her mother's dangerous life, Nora tries to live a 'normal' existence, but her past skills become vital when she and her friends are taken hostage during a bank robbery. The book explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the choices we make, all wrapped in a high-stakes, fast-paced narrative. It features complex relationships, including a queer romance, and delves into the morality of Nora's past actions versus her desire for a different future. Parents should be aware of the prominent peril and violence inherent in a hostage situation, making it suitable for mature young adult readers.

A deliciously commercial YA page-turner about the daughter of a con artist who is taken hostage in a bank heist. Nora O'Malley is a lot of things. A sister. An ex. A secret girlfriend. Kind of crooked, but reformed... somewhat. Nora O'Malley's been a lot of girls. As the daughter of a con-artist who targets criminal men, she grew up her mother's protege. But when mom fell for the mark instead of conning him, Nora pulled the ultimate con: escape. For five years she's been playing at normal. But she needs to dust off the skills she ditched because she has three problems: #1: her ex walked in on her with her girlfriend. Even though they've all been inseparable for months, Wes didn't know about her and Iris. #2: The morning after, they all have to meet to deposit the fundraiser money they raised together. It's a nightmare that goes from awkward to deadly. Because #3: right after they get in the bank, two guys start robbing it. But they have no idea who they're really holding hostage. The robbers are trouble. Nora's something else entirely.