Girls in Love

by Jacqueline Wilson
Girls in Love cover
Good Books rating 3.75
Young Adult (YA)
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Paperback • £8.99
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Format • £8.54
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Technical
  • ID: 1715
  • Added: 2025-10-08
  • Updated: 2025-10-08
  • ISBN: 9781407043005
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2008-09-04
  • Formats: 16
  • Reviews: 4

Ellie, Nadine, and Magda are three best friends who couldn't be more different. As they enter Year Nine, their lives start to change, especially when Nadine and Magda both get boyfriends, leaving Ellie feeling left out. Determined to keep up, Ellie spins a web of lies that quickly spirals out of control. Girls in Love is a funny and frank exploration of friendship, problems, and heartaches, perfect for readers aged 12 and up. This is the first book in the beloved Girls series by bestselling author Jacqueline Wilson, offering a relatable and engaging look at the complexities of teenage life. From the author of beloved classics like The Story of Tracy Beaker, Girls in Love captures the essence of growing up with humor and heart. Follow Ellie, Nadine, and Magda through their adventures in this series that has resonated with readers for generations. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to Jacqueline Wilson's work, this book is a must-read for anyone who has ever navigated the tumultuous waters of friendship and first love.

Reviews
hpalrc.weebly.com · Unknown · 2025-12-23
heartwarming 4.50

Girls In Love is a heartwarming and relatable novel that captures the essence of teenage friendships. The characters are well-developed, and the story explores themes of love, self-discovery, and the complexities of growing up.

Girls In Love by Jacqueline Wilson is a delightful read that resonates with anyone who has experienced the ups and downs of teenage friendships. The novel's strength lies in its authentic portrayal of the characters and their emotional journeys. The story delves into the intricacies of love, self-identity, and the challenges of navigating young adulthood. The narrative is engaging and heartfelt, making it a compelling read for young adults. The themes explored are universal and timeless, ensuring that the book remains relevant and impactful. The characters' growth and development throughout the story are particularly noteworthy, as they grapple with real-life issues and learn valuable lessons about friendship and love.

Quick quotes

    The characters are well-developed and relatable.

    The story explores themes of love, self-discovery, and the complexities of growing up.

    The narrative is engaging and heartfelt, making it a compelling read for young adults.

beta.thestorygraph.com · Unknown · 2025-12-21
mixed 3.25

The book revisits teenage life with humor and nostalgia, focusing on the timeless challenges of friendship, self-esteem, and relationships. While some found it relatable and enjoyable, others criticized its handling of body image and outdated language.

The book revisits teenage life with humor and nostalgia, focusing on the timeless challenges of friendship, self-esteem, and relationships. While some found it relatable and enjoyable, others criticized its handling of body image and outdated language. The characters are well-developed and loveable, but the book's focus on body shaming and the use of outdated and offensive terms were noted as significant drawbacks. Despite these issues, the book provides a nostalgic trip down memory lane for many readers, especially those who enjoyed it as teenagers.

Quick quotes

    This was so cute to revisit this book, I’d read this when I was a teenager and am now passing it on to my pre-teen daughter. It’s funny how time moves on but the problems teenage girls face seem to remain the same; worrying about boys, weight, fitting in, and friendships.

    I think the Dan plotline was quite cute!! Obviously he’s a bit of a weirdo but it was nice to read about a guy that wasn’t a pedo.

    I also hated the way the book immediately opens with an in depth focus on Ellie’s body and everything specific she hates about it. The way she described herself is awful, and I think it was written in quite a triggering way, especially for her to still feel the exact same way about herself by the end of the book.

bookclubhub.co.uk · Unknown · 2025-12-21
charming 4.00

The reviewer found 'Girls in Love' by Jacqueline Wilson charming and nostalgic, capturing the essence of teenage life. They appreciated the realistic portrayal of characters and the flow of the story, though they felt it was too short.

The reviewer enjoyed 'Girls in Love' by Jacqueline Wilson, finding it charming and nostalgic. The main character, Ellie, is portrayed as relatable and realistic, capturing the essence of teenage life. The story flows well and touches on serious subjects, making it an enjoyable read. However, the reviewer felt the book was too short and could have benefited from more content. Despite this, they highly recommend it, especially to younger readers, as it draws the reader in and captivates them until the end.

Quick quotes

    They appreciated the realistic portrayal of characters and the flow of the story.

    The main character, Ellie, is completely charming and probably represents what most women felt like when they were 13.

    It’s too short, I felt it could have easily gone on for longer.

beta.thestorygraph.com · Unknown · 2025-12-14
nostalgic 3.25

The book is seen as a nostalgic and enjoyable read, particularly for those who read it as teenagers. It deals with themes of teen girlhood and trauma, with strong character development and loveable characters. However, some reviewers found it problematic due to outdated language and content.

Many reviewers found 'Girls in Love' to be a nostalgic and enjoyable read, especially those who had read it during their teenage years. The book is praised for its strong character development and loveable characters, making it a relatable and engaging read for young adults. The themes of teen girlhood and the trauma that comes with it are well-explored, adding depth to the story. However, some reviewers noted that the book contains outdated language and content that may not resonate well with modern readers. Despite this, the book is generally seen as a lighthearted and fast-paced read that captures the essence of teenage life. Some reviewers also mentioned that they would have enjoyed it more if they had read it during their teenage years, as it might have helped them with their own teen problems. Overall, the book is seen as a good read, but with some caveats.

Quick quotes

    I feel I'd of enjoyed it a lot more if I read it when I was a teenager, as it might of helped with my own teen problems.

    I only read the odd Jacqueline Wilson book as a kid and wanted to read some more of them, a good book about teen girlhood and the trauma that comes along with it.

    Lovely T-slur slap bang in the middle. Despite that, it's not too bad of a book and makes me happy I'm not a teenager anymore!

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