The Bookish Ashley

If you’re looking for a summer thriller with layers of emotion, family drama, and a slow-burn mystery, Girl Unframed by Deb Caletti will draw you in from the first page. With its lush descriptions of a hot San Francisco summer and complex characters, this novel takes you on an intense, suspenseful ride where beauty, danger, and identity intertwine.

Plot Overview:

Sydney Reilly, the protagonist, already has a bad feeling about her summer before she even arrives at her mother’s home. Her mother, Lila Shore, a glamorous film star, is as self-absorbed as ever, valuing male attention above all else—often at the expense of her daughter. This sets the stage for the tension and unease that permeates the story.

Lila’s new relationship with Jake, a wealthy and dangerous art dealer with a penchant for collecting beautiful objects, only adds to Sydney’s growing sense of dread. Jake’s gaze lingers on Sydney, and it’s clear that his obsession with beauty doesn’t stop at art. As the summer unfolds, Sydney finds herself attracting unwanted attention—from the men who orbit her mother, from the construction worker next door, and even from her first love, Nicco. What begins as mere discomfort soon spirals into something far more menacing.

Caletti excels at building an atmosphere thick with tension, where every glance, every interaction seems loaded with hidden meanings and possible threats. The oppressive summer heat amplifies the sense of danger, and as the days drag on, you can feel Sydney’s unease growing. She is caught between her mother’s world, where beauty is everything, and her own coming-of-age experience, where she’s grappling with her own value and power.

Themes and Writing Style:

What makes Girl Unframed stand out is how it explores the dark side of beauty and objectification. Caletti doesn’t shy away from showing the consequences of a world that prizes women for their looks, often at the expense of their safety and agency. Sydney’s journey is one of self-discovery and realization, as she begins to understand the ways in which she is both powerful and vulnerable in a world that constantly objectifies her.

The writing is rich and vivid, with Caletti skillfully crafting a mood that’s equal parts glamorous and gritty. The contrast between Lila’s glamorous life and the undercurrent of danger around Jake creates a fascinating dynamic. Sydney’s voice is authentic and relatable, capturing the uncertainty and fear of a young woman thrust into situations far beyond her control.

Final Thoughts:

Girl Unframed is a slow-burn thriller that digs deep into its characters while keeping readers on edge with its unsettling atmosphere. The tension builds slowly, leading to a shocking climax that will leave you reeling. It’s a story about beauty, control, and the ways in which women’s lives are shaped by the male gaze. Deb Caletti has crafted a haunting, powerful novel that is both a suspenseful mystery and a profound exploration of identity and self-worth.

If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers with depth and emotional complexity, this is a must-read. Just be prepared to feel a little unsettled—Caletti’s exploration of the dangers lurking beneath the surface will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

Rating: 4/5 stars