Rules for Being a Girl

Written by Candace Bushnell and Katie Cotugno

Narrated by Julia Whelan

Candace Bushnell, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Sex and the City, and Katie Cotugno, New York Times bestselling author of 99 Days, team up to write a fierce, propulsive novel about a girl who is preyed upon by a manipulative teacher and finds the power to fight back. Perfect for fans of Courtney Summers and Laurie Halse Anderson.

It starts before you can even remember: You learn the rules for being a girl. . . .

Marin has always been good at navigating these unspoken guidelines. A star student and editor of the school paper, she dreams of getting into Brown University. Marin’s future seems bright—and her young, charismatic English teacher, Mr. Beckett, is always quick to admire her writing and talk books with her.

But when “Bex” takes things too far and comes on to Marin, she’s shocked and horrified. Had she somehow led him on? Was it her fault?

When Marin works up the courage to tell the administration what happened, no one believes her. She’s forced to face Bex in class every day. Except now, he has an ax to grind.

But Marin isn’t about to back down. She uses the school newspaper to fight back and she starts a feminist book club at school. She finds allies—and even romance—in the most unexpected people, like Gray Kendall, who she’d always dismissed as just another lacrosse bro.

As things heat up at school and in her personal life, Marin must figure out how to take back the power and write her own rules.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Apr 7, 2020
• ISBN: 9780062977731

Candace Bushnell

Candace Bushnell is the critically acclaimed New York Times bestselling author of The Carrie Diaries, Sex and the City, Is There Still Sex in the City?, Lipstick Jungle, One Fifth Avenue, 4 Blondes, Trading Up, and Summer and the City, which have sold millions of copies. Sex and the City was the basis for the HBO hit shows and films, and its prequel, The Carrie Diaries, was the basis for the CW television show of the same name. Lipstick Jungle became a popular television show on NBC. Is There Still Sex in the City? is in development with Paramount Television. Candace lives in New York City and Sag Harbor. Visit her at www.candacebushnell.com.

Reviews for Rules for Being a Girl

[Susan Terendy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I could not have enjoyed this book more! It was 100% relatable and 100% realistic. I laughed, I got a little teary and a lot angry. Being a girl is unfair and sadly it doesn't get better as an adult. I hope that the prevalence of misogyny, sexism, and sexual harassment will change in the future but until then this story will let young women know that they aren't alone. I listened to the audiobook and the narration was perfect. Julia Whelan is always a joy and she did an excellent job with this book. I was so caught up in the story that I listened to the first four hours in one sitting and finished it up the next day. I rarely go through an audiobook this quickly but this one was so easy to listen to and the story spoke to me and my own experiences. I absolutely loved it!

[Adriana Pena · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

4.5 such a quick read and honestly. So well done! It wasn't too fast or too slow. The audio performance was very nice!

[griffin_reads · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

(TW: SA) The book follows Marin through her senior year of high school in the aftermath of being sexually assaulted by one of her teachers. The assault has affected her school work, her friendships, and her relationships, and she is now trying to process and work through the situation, in part by starting a feminist book club.Reading through the story, I cried several times, as this situation and ones like it are the reality for many victims of sexual assault. The descriptions of Marin and her responses are very realistic, as it clearly shows that the aftermath is not a clean, linear process that can be shoved into a box and forgotten about. It is very much worth a read.

[narshkite · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A nice YA book with a great message. It felt mostly but not entirely true to the teenage voice. It also felt like a lot of other books and shows already out there. So nothing new or earthshattering but I enjoyed the listen, Julia Whelan was in top form. I am having a back problem and have not been able to hold up a book or Kindle, and this kept me good company while I suffered :).

[carol420 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It's been described as "a light read for a heavy topic"...but I believe it contains an ongoing topic and is a necessary read for every parent with a daughter, and every teacher that is currently involved with girls of any age from kindergarten to high school. It's happening more and more...and it's being pushed into a dark corner that some that we have entrusted with our children, hope will never raise it's ugly head into the light. It starts with an often times innocent awareness of a cute/handsome older member of the opposite sex or just someone that pays them a little extra attention... and it escalates before the younger person becomes aware of just what is happening. After all they are NOT ADULTS and overall inexperienced. They are excited and made to feel the extra attention is "normal" or that they are 'special". They haven't lived long enough to sort the difference between trusted friend and sexual predator. This is the story of Marin and Chloe who think Bex... their teacher... is cute, but are a little obsessed with his sex life. Bex offers Marin a ride home from school and then it begins...he kisses her without her consent, Marin wonders what she did to give him the wrong signals. Be aware that she never questions that it could be his fault and not hers. When neither her best friend Chloe...nor the school board believes her...Marin starts fighting back against the unwritten rules for girls. The book shines a light on the pressures of being a girl and the double standards that readers will immediately recognize and appreciate and hopefully learn from. This book could easily be discussed...and probably should be discussed by all grades 7-12...but because of the language and subject matter, younger students would more than likely not be able to handle it...but I assure you every parent and every teacher and school administrator will be enlightened by it. An inventive teacher could certainly find a way to broach the subject.

[jrlibrary · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Due to the language and content, I would definitely not recommend this for my middle school Gr. 8 students even though I think the message is an important one for girls to hear quite early.I really appreciated the parents when they said, “He’s the adult. He should have known better.” I loved that they didn’t try to blame their daughter. Great story. Important story. I’d save it for high school students however. And I hate that she didn’t get into Brown!