Smart Girl (The Girls, 3)

Wow. Just wow. And not in a good way. I usually am so impressed that an author took the time and had the talent to write a book that I try to give at least 3 stars. But if it weren’t for the great description of how to know your relationship is toxic in the first 98% of the book, she would get only 1 star.

Although the book was a bit of a downer, as I was reading I was a bit proud of Rachel for going down this road to show young romance lovers that not all relationships are capable of becoming something wonderful (or even healthy) and sometimes you just have to have the self-respect to admit you made a mistake and move on. So although the ending was looking bittersweet, I was satisfied with where this book was going...

but then...

Rachel rewarded the heroine for her unhealthy and self-neglectful dedication to this abusive relationship! The entire book was dedicated to showing how Miko gave up who she was, (which we all loved) everything and everyone she cared about, and her self-respect to be undervalued, disrespected, and unappreciated by someone who was so emotionally unavailable that he couldn’t even be bothered to be in public with her. We could all see it- this relationship was just not going to happen. Liam... sucked. So his
Mom was mentally ill. His reluctant dedication to her was his only slightly redeeming quality. Other than that... he’s a self-involved jerk who sucks the life out of one of our favorite characters.

The biggest problem I have with this book is this: As we read a favorite author, we come to think of her as a close friend. Oh Rachel! My love life sucks! What should I DO!?! Unfortunately Rachel, you let me down. Not just as an author, but as a person! You gave me bad advice!! This is not okay! This is not forgivable! Don’t try to tell us this is appropriate! Don’t try to make it okay!! Do not condone this destructive behavior!! Men don’t suddenly turn around and become totally different people just because someone pushed back a tiny little bit. A year of doucheyness is not forgiven by one romantic gesture. Someone who disrespects and devalues you and treats you like garbage will not suddenly worship you just because of a couple weeks of absence. The reason we like novels is because we like to put ourselves in the heroines shoes. And while Miko may be able to forgive Liam, I am NOT. He’s a jerk. And he’s given too little, too late.

In the words of Mr. Knightly, Badly done Rachel. Badly done.

Rachel Hollis does it again with the third installment of her "Girls" trilogy. She knocks it out of the park with her novel centering on Miko, the smart girl in a trio of California friends. The trilogy also includes "Party Girl," in which all the characters are introduced and Landon, a Texas transplant, finds her true love in Brody. Brody's sister Max is at the center of the second book, "Sweet Girl." In that novel, Max meets and falls in love with Taylor. Max's other brother, Liam, plays a bit role in the other two books but takes center stage in the final installment when Miko admits she is in love with him. She even devises an intricate plot involving the most romantic scenes from all the books she has loved in her life. But Liam sees her as nothing more than a good time when he wants her. The whole relationship is on his terms. The novel, while thoroughly entertaining and quite humorous in places, is at heart a story about how one woman takes control of her life, her emotions and her reactions to others. A tad darker than Hollis's other books, "Smart Girl" takes the reader on a journey of strength and fortitude. It is an uplifting tale of strong women, binding friendships and family. Do NOT miss this novel. And read everything by Hollis. She is going to be up there with the likes of Galbadon, Green and Kinsella.

Rachel managed to take a book and put ALL book lovers things into it. I mean who doesn't want to try to catch a man using things fictional women did to unknowingly catch the attention of their fictional man? Heck, I try them on my husband daily haha. But seriously, I had my doubts about Liam from the get go. Yes he's handsome and all things fictional men should be, but he was also very self-centered. Miko was so blinded by her desire to be with him that she missed it all. I loved Miko though, her and I relate on so many levels. Lists, books, lists book. I just can't design a thing to save my life, but hey... Lists and books! In the end Liam comes out to be the perfect man and all becomes well in the world again! Keep writing Rachel 😊

I liked the first two books, but this one was very disappointing. Miko, who’s fun and spunky and brilliant in the first two books, is reduced to a sad, delusional, disrespected booty call. What a gross way to depict a “romantic” relationship, and what a loss to reduce Miko’s story to that of her manic pursuit of someone who’s obviously just using her for sex. Liam is unrepentantly selfish and cruel, and his treatment of Miko is disgusting. And no, his ridiculous and out-of-nowhere and completely unbelievable gesture of true love at the end of the story doesn’t validate her decision to stay with him. Get some self-respect, Miko! Nobody should allow themselves to be treated the way Liam treats her, and I’m sad the series ended on this extremely low note!

I liked this story but it wasn’t my favorite of the three.

Loved this!! The third book in the series and wrapped up the trilogy wonderfully!!

Great read!

Loved these books! Wish there were more!!!

I enjoyed reading this 3 book series,wish their were more books in the series.

3 1/2 stars
I have to admit I was disappointed with this book. I loved the first two in this series and was really looking forward to Miko’s story. I loved her geeky, adorable romantic, weirdness and I felt like I lost that Miko I fell in love with during the first two stories. I also missed the close relationship that Landon, MAC and Milo shared had throughout the first two books. While I am still a sucker for a HEA I wish this one played out differently.