Not like other girls by Meredith Adamo

Unlike most school stories, the main protagonist in this novel is the bad girl, the one who has no girlfriends and just hangs out with the boys. And she has a certain reputation. She is failing at school and she doesn’t care. Things are going really wrong for Jo but nobody seems to care or even notice.

When Jo’s former friend Maddie comes to her, upset and seeking help, Jo feels that at last she is liked and needed. But then Maddie disappears. This sets the scene for a ‘missing person’ mystery, similar to Where sleeping girls lie by Faridah Abike-Iyimide (2024). However while we may eagerly follow the clues to Maddie’s disappearance, this plot line is actually less engaging than the mystery of what happened to Jo to lead her to the situation she is in.

Adamo has written a thoroughly absorbing story about issues of consent and sexual assault. What if the girl doesn’t say No, does that mean she consented? If a girl continues in a relationship she has no control over, does that mean she is a willing participant? If she doesn’t recognise and name a situation as assault, does that mean it’s ok? Adamo provides a realistic portrayal of a victim who is struggling with understanding what has happened to her and doesn’t know how to get help. Added to that are issues of cyberbullying and harassment, in an environment rife with cheating, rivalry and deceit. Overall, it’s a moving story that many young people may identify with, and offers scope for thoughtful discussion of issues of consent and healthy sexual relationships.

Some fans of detective mystery stories may enjoy the twists and turns of this novel, but I felt that the missing girl plotline became more convoluted than needed, and stretched credibility. For me, the saving grace of this novel is the very realistic and honest account of friendship breakups and sexual assault. In her Author’s Note, Adamo acknowledges that the book changed track as she wrote it and gradually became an exploration of issues that she hadn’t resolved. It is this aspect that has made the book a really worthwhile read for mature young adults.

Themes: Missing person, Cyberbullying, Consent, Sexual assault, Deceit.

Helen Eddy