Trouble Girls is a powerful and dark read. Filled with visceral and gritty details, it tells the story of two girls who attempt to go on the run and flee West after a night of violence. With the cops closing in and the heat increasing, sparks fly between the girls as they drive. Trouble Girls examines violence against women, the patriarchy, and the power of women everywhere uniting to protect each other against predators.

There is no doubt in my mind that this is a very important book that many will find reflects aspects of their lives back to them. The romance between Trixie and Lux was heartbreaking and bittersweet. I enjoyed the stolen romantic moments between the girls as they explore what it means to be in love while the ticking clock of their pursuers relentlessly pushes them to drive. The descriptions of violence were sometimes graphic, yet they reflect the reality of what it means to exist as a woman. The prose is unflinching and honest. Trouble Girls pulls no punches, makes no apologies, and holds a mirror up to the world we live in. This was a heartbreaking and wildly burning tale that I will be thinking about for some time. I would recommend reading the trigger warnings for this book, especially regarding sexual assault, abuse, sexism, and violence. Thank you to Julia Lynn Rubin, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.