How Girls Are Made

De: Mindy McGinnis

Narrado por: Brittany Pressley, Emily Ellet, Emma Marion Love

Sex Education meets Euphoria in this dark contemporary novel that tackles perfectionism, emotional abuse, and the dark side of social media.

Fallon is a fixer. From planning prom to organizing her college applications, she’s got it all figured out…except for when her younger sister comes to her with very basic questions about sex. Shocked that she knows so little—and her fellow classmates even less—Fallon decides some practical education is in order. And Fallon isn’t above practicing a little civil disobedience by creating a secret underground off-campus group.

Shelby is a fighter. Having her nose broken is nothing new in her semiprofessional career…but this time it’s her boyfriend who threw the punch. Now her phone is blowing up with texts from a new guy who tells her she’s perfect, she’s special, she’s everything he’s ever wanted…except for a few small details. Shelby’s happy to adjust for him, because isn’t that what a healthy relationship is about?

Jobie is a failure. She doesn’t have enough followers and her posts never go viral, no matter how hard she crushes challenges and applies exactly the right filter. But a friendly DM from a good girl just like her points her in the direction of a whole new audience of admirers. Guys who just want to talk. Guys who give her the attention she’s always wanted.

The lives of all three girls intersect in Fallon’s secret class, rumors of which have parents up in arms. Fallon needs to keep herself anonymous, Shelby needs to keep her new boyfriend happy, and Jobie needs to keep her followers…who keep asking for more. Each girl finds herself trapped in an inescapable situation—that will leave one of them dead.

When it comes to relationships, we all have the same needs

Mindy McGinnis understands how to build tension, how to deal out drama, and does not shy away from the most important topics, the most pressing questions related to human relationships. Super important read/listen. Highly recommended.

Thoughtful through 75% of the book

3.5 STARS

Perfectionist and overachiever Fallon realizes the need for more realistic sex ed when she realizes how inaccurate her eighth grade sister’s knowledge of reproductive healthy and safety is. Fallon’s unlikely best friend Jobie wants only to be a social media success. Jobie sees herself as a failure who can be fixed with plastic surgery. Then she can find the girl of her dreams. Semi-professional boxer Shelby is angry. Her now ex boyfriend just broke her nose and she’s never going to let herself be abused again.

Fallon convinces Jobie and Shelby to form an underground sex education class under the guise of a self defense class. At eighteen, she fears the consequences of talking to minors about sex in their conservative small town. Then things get dangerous.

HOW GIRLS ARE MADE hit the ground running with three very different protagonists. Mindy McGinnis certainly has her pulse on the vulnerability of teen girls. If she had stayed with the misinformation teens believe and the different struggles of each protagonist, I would have rated higher. McGinnis lost me in the last 25% with car chases, stalkers, catfishing and gang rape. The thriller component of HOW GIRLS ARE MADE muted the message of the need for accurate sex education for both boys and girls, which needn’t be shamed. How the restrictions from a conservative community can be harmful, cause unwanted disease and pregnancy etc.