Im nearly 50 so Im aware this book isnt really aimed at me- but Im glad I read it and think its a powerful story for all women, especially younger ones to read, and to notice what's happening all around, with objectifying women, sexual harassment and worse, as well as feminism, and activism. It is a strong well told story, and it will stay with me for a while to come.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. A good story and well told, though difficult material. This was an engrossing read and I’d recommend it.

This fictional novel covers a critical topic of sexual harassment, sexual abuse, and how women's bodies are sexualised during every aspect of their lives, including waiting for the train at a metro station.

Emily, the main character, is a lawyer working for a non-profit organisation helping abused women. One day, she meets Tamsin, a Canadian actress, after they both get arrested for participating in a global warming protest. The two women quickly become friends while the rest of the world tries to suppress their outrage over a famous movie director being accused of sexually harassing women throughout his career. The story hits even closer to home when it turns out that some people in Emily's life are also victims of sexual abuse.

While the novel is written very well, and all the characters are very likeable, I found Emily to be a little too foolish, too shallow and too carefree, for someone who supposedly is not only a lawyer but also works with abused women on an everyday basis. There are a few situations in which no respectable lawyer would put themselves in, whereas Emily just walks right into it out of her own free will. However, despite these few flaws, I found this novel an excellent read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Bonnier Books Publishing House for providing me with a free electronic version of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Young Women tells the story of Emily, a young woman who's fallen into a lull of Tinder swipes and her 9-5 job at a women's advocacy centre, and Tamsin, a mysterious and charismatic actress with a troubled past. Emily is quickly enchanted by Tamsin's independent and socially rich life, especially when she's trying to forget her own past experiences, but when allegations of rape and sexual assault come to light about a film director, Tamsin's secrets start to unravel and with them, Emily and Tamsin's friendship.

The main characters are fleshed out well, especially to the point of Emily's denial, performative feminism, and complete lack of self-awareness or foresight. I liked the exploration of power dynamics and what it's like to be a woman who dates men in a patriarchic society, and the discussion on rape and sexual abuse is at the forefront of this story so it definitely isn't a lighthearted read. The narrative paints neither Emily or Tamsin as 'right' or 'wrong' in the thematic discussions, which I especially appreciated in a topic that is incredibly traumatic and messy; there's never a correct way to process. With this in mind, I wanted to share this particular snippet:

"Actually, I think I'd better head off. Give you some time to process..." I waved my hand towards the door. "Whatever all that was about."
"I don't need time to process it."
I looked over to the hand that was holding her whisky and saw a row of four red curves carved into her flesh.
"I find that hard to believe."

While I liked this book as a whole, I kept thinking the story would go down a particular route to develop the two main characters' relationship with each other, but it never did. It felt like a book that exists to start a conversation or debate, but I found its narrative lacking.

This book didn’t deliver what it’s blurb suggested it would. Yes it’s about the #metoo issue and female friendships but it was very superficial and bland. The best character in the book was Tamsin who had chosen to deal with her past in her own way but sanctimonious Emily, a sad individual who works as a paralegal in a womens charity and can’t even do her job properly has decided that her pov is more important than supporting her new friend. I don’t know whether Jessica Moor intended the reader to empathise with Emily, but I certainly didn’t and found her vacuous and annoying.

An exploration of the #MeToo movement, Young Women introduces us to Emily, a would-be activist and lawyer who works to protect victims of sexual harassment and assault. When Emily meets the glamorous and enigmatic Tamsin, her world gets flipped on its head. Cocktail bars, an expensive Soho lifestyle , and spontaneous adventure ensues, with Emily completely dazzled by Tamsin, to the detriment of her work and other friendships.

When a bombshell news item about an old sexual assault case breaks, Emily realises Tamsin has been hiding a huge secret, which threatens to unravel everything.
 
I’ve heard so much buzz regarding this novel, and as the topic will sadly always be relevant to current times, I thought it would be an interesting read.
 
It was gripping in parts and such an interesting topic. I liked how Tamsin’s secret was quite slowly drawn out, and that we find out along with Emily. I also love the juxtaposition between the fun, carefree lifestyle Tamsin is living and her dark, traumatic past.
 
I quite enjoyed Tamsin’s character, being bright, bold and bolshy. She enjoys her lifestyle and is happy to share with Emily.

I found Emily more than a little irritating. She is self-richeous, believing that she knows the best way to deal with things. She is extremely judgemental, judging Tamsin for how she chooses to deal with her past. Emily also tries to be a force for change, attending protests and such, but neglects her work supporting actual victims to play sidekick to Tamsin. She could be supporting real women to get justice and instead lets work slide, with disasterous results.

This could be a way of highlighting how victims who speak out face judgement, even from those they trust. However, I found this frustrating, and would’ve loved Tamsin to have more support elsewhere to counter her treatment by Emily.

An interesting take on the topic of historical sexual assault, particularly one in the film and media industry. However, for me it falls slightly short and isn’t overly memorable.

I was really looking forward to reading this book, based on the back cover info, as it was not my normal thriller go-to.

However, it seemed a bit preachy, and I kind of felt like as a female I was being pushed in to saying I liked it, as it was 'arty' and a take on the #metoo movement and therefore I should connect with it. I am not sorry to say, I did not connect on any level and found it boring, tedious and obvious. This I'm afraid is joining my dnf pile.

This book got me in the feels, it got me incensed as a young woman who used to be in the entertainment industry at the height of #metoo I remember when it broke and there was a sigh of relief yet we all knew so much more had to be done. That is why I wanted to read this book and I am glad I did.

I found the relationship between Tamsin and Emily charming, everyone surely has a friend that pulls you out of your comfort zone. Yet underneath the zing is such a heartbreaking fragility that I think comes across really well. When more of the backstory is revealed I think it humanises Tamsin in a way. Moor has created two females that are understandable but I didn’t always like them and I think that is so powerful. I think she has captured the thoughts of young women so fiercely, that even though sexual violence and assault is on the news not as regularly, I still think about it everyday. Shall I wear this, can I run in these shoes, what is the safest route… I could go on and on yet although this read brought up serious issues I thought it was a well written read. It is a searing, sharp novel yet filled with well rounded human characters. I would wholeheartedly recommend.

A book for the #metoo movement. Sounds trite? I did worry but it’s not. It’s powerful and tells a story we all feel we know but some sadly really do.
Absolutely brilliant.

This wasn’t the kind of thing I would normally go for, but I loved it. It was written with so much compassion and kindness, I felt I knew the characters – flaws and all – like my own family.

An incredibly realistic piece of fiction, dealing with issues that are prevalent in today's society - particularly to women. The author creates well developed characters, who you would believe actually existed.

This book is fantastic discussion piece, but because of this it isn't an easy read. Many of the themes could be distressing, so proceed with caution.

However, it is a bit of a showstopper for me. An absolutely phenomenal read.

This is one of those extraordinary and incendiary novels which is a reflective surface for the times we live in.

It is so difficult to shake off the book hangover, as the protagonist, Emily says, 'Everyone has a story...' and it is so true. As you read, as a woman, all the acts which you have experienced through your life mingle with what Emily and Tamsin have been through, seen through the prism of modern day media witch-hunts.

Emily is a lawyer who has fallen into advocacy work after leaving her last position under a cloud. She works for a company which supports women who have been subject to abuse of power, usually perpetuated by white men with power (money, social class standing and influence).

She meets Tamsin at a protest against climate change, their random clasping of hands in unity against the force of the police is symbolic of not only the fragile nature of female friendship, trauma bonded yet unaware that they are.

Tamsin is a jobbing actress, living in a flat in London, a bohemian lifestyle so far removed from Emily's day to day of meal deals, random hook-ups on dating apps and a sense that she should be something more.

She has been 6 years out of full time education and her closest friend from that time, Lucy, is settling down as a responsible adult with a partner and a flat and plans to try for a baby.

Tamsin eats when she wants, cheese and wine on baguettes in parks after dark, never looking at the card reader before paying for expensive, luxury items and swimming in a women's only pond, finding companionship and camaraderie in women who are old enough and confident enough to stand their ground against men.

But each of three women-Lucy is involved very deeply in this despite being 'off screen' quite a bit-has been a victim of circumstances occurring because they are women.

There is Emily, ousted from her previous position due to the machinations of her boyfriend, Harry, who has also done something to her which she refers to obliquely, but we never quite know what he has done. And in a reflection, Emily is wiling away work hours looking at the latest huge sex scandal and looking for blood, injury, bruises as proof positive of harm done whilst not revealing the specifics of what happened to her.

Lucy had an affair with a married teacher at their school when she was 16 years old, an uncomfortable truth which sits, not talked about, in the subtext of every conversation Emily and she have.

Tamsin is the one with the most to hide and the most to lose, as rumours swirl around a Hollywood director abusing his position, sexually harassing, assaulting and buying off young actresses. Her involvement in this case could prove to be a breaking point as the bone of contention is 'where is the proof?'

Burt as can be seen by the latest high profile Hollywood cases, specifically Amber Heard where her proof was ridiculed, negated and dismissed as she did not portray herself as the archetypal victim, proof does not always equate with justice.

There is so much to pull apart in this novel, it packs a weight punch to the conscience as you recognise experiences and attitudes which are present in everyday life-the casual grabbing of body parts on the Tube, the casual entitlement of Tinder hook-ups who want you to leave when the job is done, the 'keep quiet, no one will listen to you' rhetoric of those with power against those without. And then the social media clamouring for blood which leaves you endlessly queasy as the world weighs in on your most vulnerable moments.

Is it an uncomfortable book? Yes, yes it is, it's also a necessary one as it takes the lives of these three women and exposes them as raw, open and bleeding in the face of public betrayal, dismissal and disregard. The value which we place on these women is not relative to their worth and that to me is the ultimate tragedy.

This book is a show stopper - one I would give to my friends. I would buy multiple copies of this book for people!

An interesting but not especially compelling study of twenty-something friendships in an urban setting. With a strong #metoo theme, focusing on two back histories of sexual abuse - one involving the narrator’s new mysterious but glamorous actress friend and the other involving an old school friend’s relationship with a young and charismatic teacher - there is a lot to discuss and think about in the different narratives. Not a light read, it offers a lot to think about and discuss. A good book club read as there are a lot of reactions and behaviours to talk about and think about.

With thanks to the publisher, author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.

I’d describe this book as realistic fiction. The author has done an amazing job at creating imaginary characters and situations that depict the world and society. The characters focus on themes of growing, self-discovery and confronting personal and social problems. This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

3.5/5.

An incredibly written debut by Jessica Moor. It tackles really important issues and I read it pretty much in one sitting. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me an advance copy, I will definitely be recommending.

the dynamic here is one that i have encountered many a-times and i am a bit tired of it...the writing was decent enough but #metoo could have been explored with a bit more nuance.

Jessica Moor's debut is one of the most hotly tipped books of the summer.

Emily is trudging through her twenties in London, having left the world of corporate law for advocacy in a Women's Refuge, and recovering from a break up with a city-boy ex. When the dazzling and enigmatic Tamsin enters her life her world is shaken. Over a summer Emily discovers a different way to be and move through life, exposed to the high-class elegance and moneyed existence of Tamsin. Her friendship is seductive, and feels as though it teeters on the brink of something toxic and dangerous.

As a Me Too style news story breaks, Emily's bliss is shattered and she is angry with the world, wanting to demand justice for women everywhere. Young Women tells the story of Emily navigating this world and how to understand the women around her who have been through their own traumas, not to mention Emily's own experiences. We see how patriarchy impacts every aspect of these women's lives, from their relationships with each other to dating, to work and beyond.

Emily is a flawed character who makes terrible decisions. She is at times frustrating but also easy to sympathise with - who of us haven't been taken in by a glamourous friend, or made mistakes that we came to regret? Young Women shows us that there is more than one way to be in the world as a young woman, and that people all deal with their trauma and experiences differently.

The way Moor portrays Tamsin, and the way in which Emily sees her, embedded in stereotypes of natural innocence and youthful femininity, with a sense of mystery also highlights the patriarchal lens through which even women view other women. Tamsin borders on the manic pixie dream girl archetype, helping Emily to learn a valuable life lesson, though we are sharply reminded that despite Emily's idealised view of her friend, she is a person too, with a her own story and life which Emily has barely glimpsed.

Moor's novel is as seductive as it's main character, a slow burn which navigates and interrogates our understanding of what it means to be a young woman in the modern world.

Thank you to NetGalley, Manilla Press and Jessica Moor for this advanced copy!

Hands down, this is an absolutely phenomenonal book! Not an easy read at times but it is a hugely important one!

Yes, the subject matter is dark and intense but once I started this I found it really hard to put back down, it took a hold of me right away. Young Women touches on the MeToo movement, constant, generally, in friendships and relationships, feminism, and activism, as well as other topics. Moor explores all these in a very insightful way through a cast of characters that illustrate them. I'm still not sure if I actually took to any of the main characters. To me, I actually found Lucy, a sideline character to be the most important. Tamsin and Emily are front and centre, but it is Lucy's story that stuck with me the most.

This is definitely a book that all should read. It'll have you thinking, starting  discussions and speaking out when the time comes, looking at things in a different way, which is so important in the current climate. I recommend Young Women to everyone out there, one you'll be hearing about for a long time to come.

*Please research any trigger warnings before reading *

#adprproduct Book Review ✨⠀
Young Women by Jessica Moor 📖⠀
⠀
🌟Timely, thought-provoking & terrific.⠀
🌟It raises very interestinh moral questions & would make a perfect book club read.⠀
🌟There's a heady, intoxicating friendship at the centre with a constant pull of darkness that's so absorbing you won't want to move until you have the answers to all your questions.⠀
🌟Compelling writing! I can't wait to see what Moor does next.⠀
⠀
☆I wanted more from the ending. But very much like life you don't get everything you want and maybe that's the point. ⠀