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That Girl

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After serving half of a three-year prison sentence, James is out and ready to try and get his life back on track, which means forgetting about the girl who sent him to prison in the first place - despite the fact he’s still in love with her! Katie knows that she can’t see James, but that doesn’t make it any easier. If she does it could send him straight back to prison, but, she still loves him and is desperate to make things right and tell him how sorry she is for ruining his life. After accidently bumping into each other, James and Katie can’t stay away from one another and so begin to see each other in secret. After a slight wobble on James’s part, when he decides he can’t take the risk of going back to prison, Katie decides enough is enough and it really is time to move on and put James behind her. Heartbroken, James decides to try and get his life in order. But due to his conviction it’s not as straightforward as he would like, leaving him miserable and despairing at what his life has become. When a job opportunity comes up hundreds of miles away he doesn’t hesitate to head south and put his troubles behind him. Can James and Katie forget each other and move on with their lives without one another?

278 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 9, 2016

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Rachel Strong

3 books4 followers

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Profile Image for Grass monster.
539 reviews17 followers
June 14, 2016
So you know when you want to write a review but dont know where to start? This is that time. When a book effects you that much you feel no words can do it justice. It's not often a book plays on my mind after but i cant seem to get That Girl out of my head. Usually i would write about the story now but i feel to do that would be giving away too many spoilers. So i am including the blurb.

After serving half of a three-year prison sentence, James is out and ready to try and get his life back on track, which means forgetting about the girl who sent him to prison in the first place - despite the fact he’s still in love with her!
Katie knows that she can’t see James, but that doesn’t make it any easier. If she does it could send him straight back to prison, but, she still loves him and is desperate to make things right and tell him how sorry she is for ruining his life. After accidently bumping into each other, James and Katie can’t stay away from one another and so begin to see each other in secret. After a slight wobble on James’s part, when he decides he can’t take the risk of going back to prison, Katie decides enough is enough and it really is time to move on and put James behind her.
Heartbroken, James decides to try and get his life in order. But due to his conviction it’s not as straightforward as he would like, leaving him miserable and despairing at what his life has become.
When a job opportunity comes up hundreds of miles away he doesn’t hesitate to head south and put his troubles behind him.
Can James and Katie forget each other and move on with their lives without one another?.

I really got swept away with this story, told from both Katie and James point of view, this allowed us to really get to know the characters and delve into their way of thinking. As the story runs between past and present day we learn how Katie and James couldnt resist the longing for each other. Rachel Strong put this together with feeling, emotion and empathy. I fell in love with their daughter Hollie, i was captivated at how Rachel decribed the prison scenes and led us on the journey with James. I almost felt i had jumped into the story with him. Half way through i did feel a bit like things were repeating themselves but this kind of prepares you for the explosive ending. Never before have i been so on edge with the last few chapters of a story, infact i had to finish it despite it being 3am. Although to put too much would spoil the ending but i totally believe there could of been no other outcome or ending. I went to bed gutted for all involved. Rachel Strong has a gift right here and i can not wait to read more from her. Thank you Rachel for such a raw, intense, emotional ride.
Profile Image for Kaisha (The Writing Garnet).
655 reviews183 followers
June 14, 2016
Big thank you to Aimee & Rachel for giving me a copy of the book in return for my thoughts!
To begin with, I found ‘That Girl’ quite a difficult book to get into because the majority of the story was written through Katie’s eyes, a younger girl. Nothing against younger girls, but trying to make my mind think like a youngster was quite tricky. However, the more of the story I read and events started to unfold, I began to enjoy it and realised that the book wasn’t going to be leaving my hands anytime soon!
The amount of descriptive content Rachel has managed to incorporate into the storyline is rather impressive. I found that it made it far more realistic going into the finer details as opposed to skimming over the subject. ‘That Girl’ isn’t an easy book to read. I don’t mean that in terms of language use or the way that it’s written, but because of the storyline itself. Unfortunately, many people may find it far too realistic if they have come across it themselves in their own lives. In my opinion, Rachel has approached the subject delicately yet strongly. Just goes to show that choices can turn into mistakes which then can come and bite you on the booty!
I am in awe of Rachel because of the strength it may have taken her to write such a harrowing and poignant story. You can feel the emotion throughout alongside the realisation that those you love can be fiercely protective when required. The loyalty captured in the words moved me. Very powerful.
I did enjoy reading ‘That Girl’ but there were a few times that I questioned a few of the characters and the reality of their decisions. I couldn’t understand why because I wouldn’t have been so forgiving. But that’s just me!
If you’re wanting to read a poignant and raw novel filled with mixed emotions and soul moving words then ‘That Girl’ is the perfect read. Just make sure you read it with no distractions as you wouldn’t want to miss a thing!
Profile Image for Liz Ellyn.
Author 1 book27 followers
February 4, 2022
First off, I got hooked into this story immediately. I was simply dying to know what had happened to land him in jail. Things aren’t always as they seem and I couldn’t stop reading until I knew.

What an emotional ride! It was amazing how my feelings about the James changed throughout the book. The surrounding characters add their own perspectives that are quite compelling. There were times I felt so bad for James and other times where I hated him. The love-hate relationship continues throughout the entire novel.

There is no doubt in my head that this is a five star book. The range and strength of feelings the author was able to provoke makes this an amazing impassioned roller coaster. I wouldn’t dare go on a real roller coaster, but I couldn’t put down this book.
Profile Image for Alison.
878 reviews68 followers
June 16, 2016
I was curious about this book based solely on the blurb and the cover looks fairly poignant. Place yourself in a youngsters mind and read this through the eyes of Katie and James because it’s written from their points of view.

You will soon become engrossed in this tear-jerker as the story unfolds over time. What price love and loyalty?

I enjoyed this, well written, not always a perfect subject but dealt with sensitively and keeps the reader hooked through some harrowing times. I don’t want to reveal spoilers but suffice to say it makes you question some of the choices made in life and the consequences involved.

This is a book which will make you think and you will probably keep going back to it in your subconscious. Be prepared for some tears!

Thanks to Rachel and Aimee (HCL) for the opportunity to read in exchange for my honest opinion
Profile Image for Kelly Florentia.
Author 11 books45 followers
July 16, 2016
I was really looking forward to the release of this novel, and it was all I expected it to be and more. A gripping, emotional tale told with warmth and depth. The story flits from the past to the present and is told from the viewpoints of young mum Katie and her ex-partner James. I felt that the author tackled the subject of underage sex and its consequences with skill and sensitivity. I liked all the characters in the book and found myself caring about what happened to them, curious to know how their lives would pan out under such difficult circumstances.

There are several twists in the novel and plenty of tension to keep you turning the pages, and, I won’t spoil it for you, but I didn’t see the ending coming. That Girl is a story about love, complicated relationships, and forgiveness. A real winner that I’d definitely recommend.
Profile Image for UnrulyReader.
642 reviews20 followers
June 15, 2016
First off I want to thank the author and the HCL Book Tour for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Ok that part was easy to write, now the hard part the review. Oh no don't get me wrong it is a good but, a very emotional, gut wrenching, book hangover type of book. There was so much feeling in ever page that there was times I had to walk away.
Just note if you are going to read this , make sure you don't have any triggers, and you are OK with crying, screaming, and sobbing your heart out.

Reviewed by JustaBooklovinJunkie
Profile Image for Nicola.
4 reviews
June 23, 2016
Rachel deals extremely well with the subject of underage sex and relationships and I easily identified with both of the main characters viewpoints. At one point I was halfway through and wondered where else the story would take us and with a massive twist I was hooked again.

The majority of the story flits between the past and the present which did take me a short time to get used to but it is so well written that I doubt anyone would have any problems with it.

I really really enjoyed this book and look forward to seeing what else Rachel publishes!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews

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