Book Review!!
Book name: Good Girl, Bad Blood
Author: Holly Jackson
Genre: Crime Mystery
Intro: Someone Pip knows goes missing and she basically goes full on detective again to try to find them. She has a podcast now and has the help everyone that listens, but of course that comes to a cost of people threatening her and assuming that she is faking with her friends to be more famous.
My rating: 5/5 ⭐️
My review: I honestly loved this just as much, if not more, that the first book in the AGGGTM series. Like it has just enough twisted plot at the end (where it get JUICY). I cried twice while reading: first at the memorial and then at the end (iykyk 💀).
⚠️SPOILERS AHEAD⚠️
(DO NOT read UNLESS you want to get spoiled): I honestly thought it was Nat’s boyfriend that killed Jamie. Like I thought Nat was cheating on her boyfriend with Jamie because she was 1) concerned a lot about Jamie being missing 2) she acted weird when her boyfriend said he had been there the whole night and 3) Nat’s boyfriend is hella protective of her. I hella thought that somehow Nat’s boyfriend found out that she took his money for Jamie, got upset, killed Jamie, and then tried lying. Obviously I’m wrong but that was my guess about halfway through because he was hella sus. But also her boyfriend knew Layla so again, thought Layla was Nat somehow and idk.
⚠️⚠️⚠️ also like Stanley is a murder?? Like I figured something was up in the first book because Howie was talking to him. And then Howie out him while Howie is in jail. But apparently, going back to the Stanley thing, his dad MADE HIM KILL KIDS?? WHAT?? And then Charlie killed him, also he’s Layla (again WHAT??). I should’ve known there’s no such thing as a coincidence in Fairview. That whole situation is jaw dropping to me. The second time I was crying was at his funeral when he died. Like the first book, don’t get me wrong, I hated him so much. This book, I actually liked him and now he’s dead and other people are saying mean things about him when Pip is saying her speech. Idk it’s just heartbreaking to me because he was FORCED to do it by his dad when he was a literal child himself.
Okay, so if you're like me, after finishing 'Good Girl, Bad Blood,' you're probably still reeling from all the character developments and twists! I mean, Holly Jackson really knows how to craft characters that stick with you, right? Let's dive a bit deeper into some of the key players who made this 'mystery genre' sequel so utterly gripping, especially since so many of you are curious about the 'good girl bad blood characters'! For me, Pip Fitz-Amobi's journey in GGBB was even more intense than in AGGGTM. She's not just a student detective anymore; she's grappling with fame, threats, and the heavy burden of uncovering dark truths. Her dedication to finding Jamie, even when it put her in danger and led to threats, truly showed how much she'd grown, and sometimes, how much she was willing to sacrifice. Her podcast, 'A Good Girl's Guide to Murder,' adds a whole new layer to her character dynamics, showcasing her public struggle and the weight of her past actions. The mystery kicks off with Jamie Reynolds going missing, and honestly, he's a character you quickly want to root for. His disappearance is the catalyst for the entire 'missing person plot,' and what Pip uncovers about him, and his secret life, is a monumental part of the 'crazy plot twist' that unfolds. It's fascinating how his absence drives so much of the narrative and reveals the hidden connections within Fairview. Nat Da Silva was such a fascinating character for me. The original review even touched on my own suspicions about her! Her initial demeanor and how fiercely protective she was of Jamie made me, like Pip, question everything. It's a testament to Jackson's writing that even secondary characters have such depth and can throw you off the scent, making you constantly second-guess their motives and involvement in the 'missing person plot'. And then there's Stanley Forbes. Wow. If you've read the book, you know this is where things get incredibly dark and complex. I remember hating him in the first book, but in GGBB, my feelings completely flipped. The revelation about his father, and how Stanley himself was forced into horrific acts as a literal child, was heartbreaking. It makes you question how much of a 'bad guy' someone truly is when they are a victim themselves. The way his story intertwines with Howie and Charlie is just... mind-blowing. These character dynamics are incredibly powerful, showing the ripple effects of trauma and manipulation. And let's not forget Charlie Barnes, who turns out to be Layla. This twist! My jaw literally dropped. It shows how deeply interconnected everyone in Fairview is, and how past events continue to haunt the present. The character dynamics are so intricate, making you rethink every interaction once you know the full picture, truly delivering on that 'crazy plot twist' promise. Ravi Singh, Pip's steadfast friend and now podcast co-host, is another character I adore. He's her anchor, providing emotional support and a touch of much-needed humor amidst all the darkness. Their evolving friendship is a highlight and adds a layer of warmth to the tense 'missing person plot.' He’s a crucial part of the team, helping Pip navigate the dangerous waters of her investigation. Each character, no matter how small their role seems initially, plays a crucial part in weaving this intricate 'mystery genre' tapestry. Holly Jackson masterfully uses these character dynamics to deliver a truly unforgettable and 'crazy plot twist' experience. It's why I gave it a '5/5 rating' – the characters are just that good and make the story so much more than just a simple missing persons case.
