Tonya's Reviews > The New Girl

Release date May 19, 2020!!!!
I have started this review several times and keep stopping, mostly because it is hard to explain how strongly this book had me reacting and cringing before turning pages.. The New Girl by Harriet Walker, has depth and is layered... around our insecurities, the baggage we carry from our past, and about the complex relationships between women. Margot is ready to start her maternity leave and she hires her temporary replacement with someone she thinks is not a threat in any way. Furthermore, she likes her replacement, Maggie...quite a bit.

Maggie, on the other hand, suddenly finds herself living her dream life while working at Margot's job. She suddenly realizes she does not want to give up this job ever and she transforms herself into what she needs to be to be successful and popular.

Margot's relationship with her best friend from childhood becomes strained and then abruptly ends when her friend's newborn son dies. The guilt that Margot feels because she is pregnant and her baby is doing fine is severe...but so is the fear that something could happen to her own child. The way that Margot worries over her relationship with her previous bestie reminded me of myself...or rather my old self.

Honestly, I was on pins and needles regarding the safety of Margot and her baby especially when she started being harassed and experiencing bullying online. Pretty heady stuff and kept me reading long past my bedtime! Definitely a good read...but not a light, fluffly beach read or rom com! Highly recommend for when you are in the mood to dive deep!!!

Thank you to NetGalley, author Harriet Walker and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for a digital advanced reader copy for me to read and devour! I really loved the book, even when I hated it for a second here or there for keeping me in too much suspense....and my opinions are my own!!