This analysis was generated by AI from publicly available reader reviews, literary criticism, and book discussions. It has not been verified by a BookLens community reviewer and may contain errors. Be the first to verify →
Content snapshot
Flag an inaccuracy →What's in this book, at a glance — five things readers want to know before they start.
Violence
Some
Bank robbery violence and some threat throughout; child abuse in the backstory
Language
Some
Some strong language
Sexual Content
Barely any
Age-appropriate romantic content including a queer relationship
Substance Use
None
No substance use
Emotional Intensity
A lot
The psychological weight of a childhood spent learning to be other people — and what it costs when you try to be yourself — drives the novel's emotional core
What this book is about
Tess Sharpe's YA thriller follows Nora O'Malley, who grew up being trained as a grifter by her con artist mother and is now trying to live a normal life. When she and her ex-girlfriend and current boyfriend are held hostage in a bank robbery, she must use everything she learned. The novel alternates between the bank and Nora's past. Sharp, smart, and queer-affirming. Some dark backstory involving abuse is handled with care.
Notes for sensitive readers
Reader-flagged moments and themes that may affect your experience.
Child abuse in backstory
Hostage situation violence
Reader Verification
Be the first to verify
this rating
Have you read The Girls I've Been? Submit a community rating to confirm or correct the AI estimate. Your review helps other readers make an informed choice.
Rate this book →Free · ~5 minutes · No account required
Similar reads
More Young Adult books from the catalog.
Think this AI estimate is off?
Flag an inaccuracy →Where to Buy
Affiliate links — BookLens earns a small commission at no extra cost to you.