A quick and mostly enjoyable read, although it didn't always work for me. I liked the Berlin and NY setting, there were some astute observations, it was readable and engaging (if a little rambling)... but I did not like the ending! One ~revelation~ was just very odd to me, and in general I felt like the book was drawing conclusions that I did not think were actually backed up in the text. A very English lit way to put it but I just was not convinced!

I get what this was going for...in a way. It seems to be a tongue in cheek look at 'sad girl lit' which is cheekily meta and winks at the reader in a somewhat charming way.
There were flashes of gorgeous writing but overall the plot was so weird and disjointed - the strong female friendship devolved into a weird catfishing commentary, and the romance went nowhere. The things we know about the main character - she is Australian, she lives in Germany and is trying to write a book. That's about it.
I might read more from this author in the future, but this debut effort was just OK.
3.25 stars

Oh honestly I've had to DNF this book at the 20% mark! It was just too bleak for me I'm so sorry. I really don't click with the FMC and it just didn't give me any escapism or joy. Maybe I'm not in the right head space for this book!

Sad Girl Novel is a wonderful insight into various elements of what it is to be a woman in a specific time of life, which I think many readers will relate to. It's a little slow in places but ultimately very entertaining.

Main character Kimberly is an Australian woman living in Berlin, trying to write her novel.
Her best friend, Bel, has recently had a baby and Kim has been neglecting their friendship as she selfishly indulges in hedonistic and often risky behaviour.
Kim is pining after a man she met on a business trip in New York, Matthew, who she has been keeping in contact with via email.
Kim has no sense of direction is lonely and half existing really and is desperate to be loved!
It was nice to read a book not set in America or London, Berlin is a city I’m not familiar with personally.
I found Kim a frustrating character she was extremely selfish and hard to like.
There’s some twists and turns and a betrayal which liven things up.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I don’t know why I’m so drawn to covers that feature women who look like they’re in some kind of emotional distress (there are a lot of them out there -have a quick Google!). Maybe I feel a kind of kinship with them and feel like they’re calling me home! With a title like Sad Girl Novel, I had a good idea of what I’d find inside and I was really excited to see how many of my own feelings and opinions would be validated in this book.

Kim is an Australian living in Berlin but she is drifting through life while trying to finish her own sad girl novel. When she meets a hot, successful, American literary agent named Matthew, she finally feels that he may be able to help her finish and publish her novel and get her life together. Perhaps there might even be a chance of romance too.

Kim becomes obsessed with Matthew and overreacts to every interaction she has with him. I didn’t predict the twist regarding this but I’m also not sure it was needed. I didn’t really understand the reasons for it and would have liked that to have been explored a bit more. I did enjoy the easy, overdramatic humour that came along with Kim’s romantic hopes because sadly, for some of us, that’s a real coping strategy for dealing with something as emotionally intense as unrequited love.

The humour is dry and definitely isn’t for everyone. I did see this book compared to Monica Heisey’s Really Good Actually and while I can see the similarities (a millenial woman realises that life isn’t what she’d thought it would be hides behind comedy in order to deal with it), I’d say that Heisey’s novel is much funnier. However, comedy isn’t something that you can please everyone with, so some readers will undoubtedly enjoy it more than I did.

Naturally, there is a lot of discussion about the regular things that come with being biologically female. Like most women, I could definitely relate to Kim in this. It also talked about the unpredictability of a menstrual cycle and the havoc it can wreak on hormones and emotions. I’m not sure if it talked about it in a way that I haven’t read before but of course, it would have been strange to not touch on women’s issues in a book like this.

Again, naturally, the book talks about issues that writers face. For Kim, this means keeping her focus and I know that this is something that most, if not all, writers deal with. Kim is also an overachiever and perfectionist with the reality being that she is spread too thin and that nothing is done well. This is really typical of many writers’ mindsets, so no doubt several readers who also write will identify with this.

Kim has some really interesting opinions on fertility and getting pregnant and to be honest, they are quite thought-provoking. I hadn’t considered that since sperm banks and artificial insemination has become more mainstream that women perhaps have more power over whether they have children or not. I just thought of it as great scientific advancement but it’s true. Women no longer need men to have children and that’s actually a great triumph for female autonomy and independence.

I really loved the friendship between Kim and her best friend Bel. Their conversations paralleled those that I’ve had with my girlfriends and their connection felt really authentic. That’s perhaps why the ‘twist’ upset me so much. However, for the most part, Sad Girl Novel does a good job of depicting a loving, genuine female friendship and I have to give it credit for that.

Sad Girl Novel is a cynical, wry take on life as a young, aspiring but unpublished, female writer. There was also some reflection on how a foreigner experiences Berlin, which was another aspect to the book that many readers will find interesting. In general, I feel like the book was perhaps trying too hard to be hilarious and that didn’t land for me. There was plenty to relate to as a millennial woman though, so I enjoyed it well enough.

I’ve reached that stage in my life where I’m very sceptical about the sad girl lit thing but what I loved about this was that the main character is a wannabe author trying to write a sad girl novel ! It’s a much more satirical look at the whole genre and it works so well ! I loved the German setting, the writing was on point and I loved our character Kim.
This is one for those who thing sad girl lit has peaked !

As the name suggests, this is a novel that's self-aware, both of the "sad girl" trope in literature, and the places and truths it stems from. It's funny, beautifully written and a clever commentary. We follow Kim as she navigates living as a foreigner in Berlin, wanting to write a novel but feeling like it's a cringe thing to admit, and her various attempts at love, both romantic and platonic. She's a compelling narrator, who makes you believe in her "sadness" even while she knows as well as the reader does that her problems aren't that big in the grand scheme of things. A great read for anyone who has loved Sylvia Plath through to Sally Rooney.

"Sad Girl Novel" by Pip Finkemeyer is a raw and emotionally charged work of fiction that takes readers on a turbulent journey through the inner world of its protagonist. Finkemeyer's writing is unapologetically honest, portraying the complexities of human emotions with a stark, unfiltered lens. The story follows a young woman navigating the highs and lows of life, love, and loss. With its poignant prose and unflinching portrayal of the human condition, "Sad Girl Novel" is a compelling exploration of the vulnerability and resilience that define us all. A gripping and unvarnished narrative that leaves a lasting impression.

Kimberly is an Australian living in Berlin, trying to write her novel. Her best friend, Bel, has recently had a baby and the man she met on a business trip to New York, Matthew, has only been writing her e-mails. She's stuck, in a way, lost in life and in a city she doesn't speak the language in, between her duties as Bel's life partner and her longing for love and an artistic purpose.
I enjoyed this book! I always find it very interesting how non-Germans see Berlin and Germany and even more interesting when they choose to make it the spot their novel takes place. I enjoyed Kim as a character and could empathise with her and her struggles well, but also was able to be frustrated with her (as Bel maybe was?). I felt a bit unsatisfied with the reveal near the end and its consequences, although I can't quite say if it's because I had hoped for more (emotion, conflict, room to discuss this thing) or if the reveal itself wasn't as fitting as I had hoped. All in all I did like reading this and probably would pick up another novel by the author.

This book offers a unique twist on the ubiquitous genre of "sad girl" narratives. While it treads familiar territory with its young female protagonist, Kim, grappling with existential questions and the pursuit of a writing career, it manages to elevate itself above the standard tropes.

Finkemeyer's writing skillfully hovers just beyond the reader's grasp, inviting us to participate in the very tropes it deconstructs. It's as if we are both observers and participants in Kim's journey, with a subtle undercurrent of self-awareness that adds depth to the narrative. The novel appears to poke fun at itself while maintaining a serious undertone, creating an intriguing and intellectually engaging experience.

The relationship between Kim and her steadfast friend Bel provides a compelling dynamic. Bel's unwavering support, even as she navigates single motherhood, contrasts sharply with Kim's persistent self-doubt. This interplay between the characters adds an emotional depth to the story that is both relatable and at times frustrating, as we witness Kim's ongoing introspection.

One of the highlights of Sad Girl Novel is its exploration of themes. The glimpse into the life of an Australian expat in Berlin is captivating, and Kim's therapy sessions provide a voyeuristic perspective that draws readers in. The portrayal of Kim and Bel's enduring female friendship is another notable aspect, capturing the essence of such relationships.

While the novel does have a slow start, marked by a substantial amount of intellectualizing and a somewhat confusing chronological structure, it gradually gains momentum in the second part. The build-up to the climactic reveal in the third part is undeniably compelling.

Sad Girl Novel may require patience to get through its initial stages, but those who persevere will be rewarded with a refreshing take on a well-trodden genre. Pip Finkemeyer's debut novel dares to be different, offering an intellectual exploration of sadness and self-discovery amidst the backdrop of an intriguing Australian expat's life in Germany.

I really wanted to love this one but I just couldn’t get on with it.

I did like the central friendship between Kim and Bel but apart from that it wasn’t really for me - I just found it a bit too slow.

I went into Sad Girl Novel really wanting to like it. I had a relatable main character (as an expat myself) and usually enjoy mid 20s millennial crises, but this didn't hit the mark for me.
I enjoyed the satirical, meta commentary on the genre as a whole, but I think the non-linear way the story was told held it back for me.

I really wanted to love this book - the premise sounded appealing and any book with an unreliable, messy woman as the main character is usually right up my street. Unfortunately this fell slightly flat for me.
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It took until almost halfway through the book before I got into it and even then it was a bit hit and miss. Some parts I really enjoyed and there were many quotable and relatable lines that I highlighted and loved, but there was something about the characters in this that I just didn't personally like. I felt the dialogue between Kim and some of the other characters felt unrealistic and made it hard to read— the only dialogue heavy scene I really liked was between Kim and Jan on Christmas day.
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I enjoyed the ending and the events leading up to that; if the rest of the book had been as enjoyable as those last few scenes I'd definitely be giving it a higher rating. I think it was easy enough to predict the twist with Bel but this didn't disappoint me, I thought it was quite well done and those were some of the aforementioned scenes I did like reading. I can say I enjoyed the humour throughout; the dry wit is something I'm really into for these types of books and that was done well.
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Overall, it was a mostly well written book but there was just something that didn't hit the mark for me, although I'd still recommend for any contemporary lovers and the sad girls. I wish I could have liked this more than I did but I'd still be interested in reading future books from Pip.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the start of this book and I thought it had great potential.
It fell flat in the middle and the ending didn’t do it for me.
I was very upset because I wanted to love this book!!!!
I would read another book by this author as I like to give them more than one chance.
2.5 stars from me, sorry.

Meet Kim: an Aussie pretty far from home in Berlin, she spends her days trying to kickstart the novel she’s taking a year off working to write (but can’t seem to get a word written down for) and supporting her friend Bel through her foray into motherhood (although Kim hasn’t actually seen her properly in a while). All this, while trying to get over the heartbreak cause by her soul mate, Matthew, dropping off the face of the earth.

Ooof. Sad Girl Novel is not called this without reason; there are so many moments in this book where my heart just broke for Kim and Bel as they navigate their way through life. Kim’s relationship with Matthew (Danish or not) felt all too real after my own experiences of ghosting and the often harsh realities of modern dating, and her feelings of failure as a friend were also ones that resonated with me.

Having said that, there are also SO many moments where I could not contain my laughter. Kim is both incredibly self-aware and almost mind-numbingly not, depending on the flaw in question, which prompts some superb scenarios. Her relationship with Bel and their completely frank exchanges with each other were both fabulously done.

It’s obvious Finkemeyer is herself a deep reader of the sad girl genre, and there are some wonderfully meta moments to this novel. It also touches on class in a way that I haven’t seen explored in the genre before - to be a sad girl removed from the world you have to have the money to do that removal in the first place, and I appreciated Finkemeyer’s engagement on that topic.

The final thing I’ll say is that even though I guessed at the twist that was coming… it still SHOCKED me when it actually happened. As in I audibly gasped. What else could you want?!

If you’re still on the look out for a hot girl summer book, go to Sad Girl Novel. You won’t regret it.

I have to start, of course, by saying a huge thank you for approving my request for this e-ARC!

TW; substance misuse, mental illness / depression, mention of panic attacks
Sad Girl Novel puts a remarkably novel (see what I did there?!) twist on the ‘sad girl’ trope, with our protagonist giving a fresh and sometimes alarmingly sharp sense of self-awareness to the narrative, and a heart-in-mouth plot twist that caught me off guard (I am famously bad at guessing twists but STILL, this one really was unexpected for me!)

Kim is an Australian expat in Berlin, and all she really wants to do is to write a novel. She is coasting, unsatisfied, confiding almost exclusively in her awful therapist (whom we only see snippets of interactions with but who seems remarkably ill advised), and her one close friend named Bel who has just begun her journey into motherhood. This story is split into chapters, not only of the book but of Kim’s life, and particularly her relationship with her as-of-yet-non-existent novel, and one man, Matthew. Matthew is a literary agent who encourages her to throw caution to the wind, quit her job and work on her novel full time - and in the process, Kim falls head over heels with him. Until, after following him to a literary fair in Frankfurt, and failing to find him there, he disappears. With whispers of ‘My Year of Rest and Relaxation’ (though the emanating stench of self-destruction is, for the most part, significantly toned down!), Kim’s struggle to stay afloat both financially, emotionally, and cognitively in the ongoing struggle with her book writing escapades leads her to slide down the slippery slope of nihilism and embrace a life of reckless abandon. She embodies what it is to be the ‘sad bitch’ in all of ‘those’ types of novel that she and Bel used to comment on and gently ridicule.

Whilst there were so many moments in which Kim had me rolling my eyes so hard I thought they might get stuck at the back of my head, there were some really interesting, and fairly meta dialogues around class and entitlement within the ‘sad girl’ lifestyle umbrella. Whilst we’re all familiar with narratives (both in the real world, and characters often amidst the ‘unlikeable / unhinged’ woman genre) that romanticise either the freedom to totally self direct all aspects of your life - or to allow yourself to wallow in sadness and self pity when things go wrong, but this demands that you have the means to be able to sit around being sad and know that you can afford to do so without risking financial ruin. This itself is a luxury, even within the throes of misery. **

I’ll be totally honest and say that by the time I got to the end, there had been so much bouncing around in timelines that I found myself having to flip back more frequently to check where I was, and the pacing had slipped slightly which meant that I wasn’t as gripped as I had been to begin with… But if you’ve ever been in the market for a book that will drag you into an existential crisis, along with a generous sprinkle of post-breakup empathetic anguish, this could be exactly the read for you.

** I think it’s also important to note that beyond this specific novel, and outside this one review, the ‘sad girl lit’ genre is dominated by white individuals - both characters and authors, but these struggles are by no means unique to white women, and if anything marginalized communities have been navigating far more complex societal pressures and struggles for hundreds of years. I'd love to see this genre widened and further diversified.

book review: sad girl novel by pip finkemeyer

thank you so much @hodderbooks and @netgalley for an advanced copy of this book - it publishes on August 10!

sad girl novel follows Kim, an Australian expat living in Berlin as she tries to write her first novel but keeps putting it off. She is having somewhat of an existential crisis as she figures out where home is, who she is and how exactly is best to navigate your twenties. When she went to New York, she met a literary agent named Matthew Danish, and she obsesses over their digital relationship when she goes home, even going to Frankfurt book fair to try to find him.

If you love a book with a messy, unlikeable protagonist, this one is for you. I love a book where you can’t quite like the protagonist, but you love them anyway and this narrative did exactly that. My favourite part of this book was watching the changing relationships between Kim and her best friend Bel as Bel has her first child.

The writing was character-driven and clear, and I loved the way it was structured into parts with Kim’s differing journeys from Berlin to New York and Berlin to Frankfurt. It made it very clear and easy to follow.

The only thing which I didn’t like so much was that it felt quite slow towards the end and felt like it was dragging a little bit.

Thanks so much to @hodderbooks and @thingsthativeread for having me on this blog tour for such an amazing debut novel by @pipfink that’s releasing in the next week!

Sad Girl Novel focusses on Australian expat Kim who is living in Berlin who is going through the motions of having an existential crisis while attempting to write her first novel. She is also obsessing over her digital relationship with a literary agent she met while visiting New York and attempting to support her friend Bel who is a new mother.

I found that this book was surprisingly well written for a debut author. The narration of Kim was messy and she was portrayed as such a hot mess that I could really understand the emotions and thoughts going through her confused brain. I feel like the relationship between her and Bel really outshone her “relationship” with Matthew and gave an underlying message of the power of female friendship.

I really connected with the focus on feeling lost in your 20’s and being your own worst enemy with self sabotaging your life. There was very little plot in this novel but rather a lot of inner monologue and narration of the past which has lead her to present day.

This one wasn’t for me unfortunately.

I just wasn’t as enthralled with this story and characters as I thought I would be. I’m usually a sucker for a sad girl book but sadly this one didn’t hit for me.