REVIEW – WHAT’S A GIRL GOTTA DO? by Holly Bourne

Posted August 7, 2016 by Emma in Blog / 22 Comments

What’s A Girl Gotta Do? (The Spinster Club Series #3)
by Holly Bourne
Publisher – Usborne
Release Date – August 1st 2016
Buy – Amazon | Book Depository

HOW TO START A FEMINIST REVOLUTION:

1. Call out anything that is unfair on one gender

2. Don’t call out the same thing twice (so you can sleep and breathe)

3. Always try to keep it funny

4. Don’t let anything slide. Even when you start to break…

Lottie’s determined to change the world with her #Vagilante vlog. Shame the trolls have other ideas…

My Review
And so the third book of the most inspiring, kick ass, and quite simply unforgettable trilogy has ended. But this is what we’ve all been waiting for, this book right here, as Lottie would say is at the tip of the pyramid because Am I Normal Yet? and How Hard Can Love Be? is the layers that have propped up this novel to the very top also with some cheesy snacks. 
What’s A Girl Gotta Do? is Lottie’s story – One moment changed her life, just a flick of a switch which started her own revolution. Her feminist revolution. When Lottie finds herself trapped between two guys on her way to college, sexually harassed on the street she knew she needed to fight back, not just for herself but to those who feel victimised on a daily basis. So she decided to call out every single sexist thing for a whole month. How you may ask… with a clown horn. You can’t get more louder than that. Starring in her own video channel revolutionising gender equality and actually believing in yourself. 
Lottie is a girl who quite simply wants to change the world… oh and be prime minster! But what she really want is to speak up and to be brave and to be strong for others, but not necessarily herself. This book in a way is her ego gone waaayy out of control, as she isn’t always afraid or aware of what she says which can land her in a bit of trouble. I think this is what makes me laugh and cry, her character is quite simply bonkers but that in itself is brilliant because she makes us realise that we are only human. I mean take cameraman Will for example, the romantic interest, he is totally an Anti-Feminist, absolutely the WRONG type of guy by feminist standards yet she can’t stop her ‘loins’ for getting closer. She is totally a hypocrite especially in her ideals but then its her hypocrisy that makes her realise that not everything is all black and white either. 
What I felt was so poignant and uplifting is how much these ladies have grown, Evie and how she is controlling her OCD and how just a little nudge here and there can really put her the right direction especially with Oli. Oh Oli and Evie, they are just adorable… Then there’s Amber how she is accepting herself and her insecurities as well as dealing with a very long distance relationship with Kyle. It was Lottie’s ranting, vocals and that she is never not quiet that made me love her in the previous books. These ladies are like the feminist versions of Charlie’s Angels…. They are Holly’s Angels. – fighting for their own rights. 
Throughout these books the evolution of feminism has sparked through the Spinster Club, a private club of Evie, Amber and Lottie but then it ignited into FemSoc, an extra curricular team that sparked over 20 memebers all extensively filled with cheesy snacks. Their own private meetings became another way to explore feminism in a way that a new campaign could be created for everyone, by as Lottie said: 

“highlighting things from their experience, and together we can all sew a beautiful duvet made out of our different voices and drape it over the world…”  

Feminism will mean different things to different people and my experience as a woman won’t be the same but these books have made me believe in more myself and also makes me realise that every day there is some elements of feminism that needs to be fought for. Holly’s books are a phenomenal reality of the life of teenage girls but also the awareness of feminism and standing up for your own rights. At the beginning I was like ‘what is feminism?’ and it’s such a vast topic and there is so much to explore with it. Feminism in YA has become a movement just like Lottie’s because that is what Holly Bourne has achieved. She is revealing the strength and the bravery this is already there but we never gave us the chance to fully accept and relish in it. 
This is a ‘turn of the century series’, it has sparked such passion, honesty and strength. At the end of this book I felt strong and I felt proud to be who I am. I believe that I am a feminist – will you honk your horn of feminism with me?! – Then read Holly Bourne’s Spinster Club series. We have a voice and Holly Bourne’s books are reason of that! Spinster Club forever!
Rating – 5 CLOWN HORNS!
‘
The cat ladies are out of the bag’ Holly’s final special novella …And a Happy New Year  is out in November to reunite and see where these ever loving feminists will go. 
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22 responses to “REVIEW – WHAT’S A GIRL GOTTA DO? by Holly Bourne”

  1. Keertana

    I love when a series has a lot of believable growth in it and focuses on female friendships, which is so important. I especially adore that this series meant so much to you, so thanks for sharing that impact with us! I'll have to check this out and binge-read them all at once! 😉

    • admin

      Yes you should binge read them all. I think it would so well one book after another especially when I've had to wait. So many important messages and really did a lot to me.

  2. Bookaholic 007

    This is such an incredible review! I agree, they're such brilliant books and I love how the trilogy is inspiring people and giving people the courage to speak their minds and be heard.

  4. Maja (The Nocturnal Library)

    How have I not even heard about this series?! I just love that it inspired you so much and allowed you to see yourself (and feminism, I suppose) in a completely different light. Your enthusiasm is definitely contagious! I'll be checking these out.

    • admin

      I love when enthusiasm is so catching, thank you Maja! You so need to read this series, they really are inspiring in so many ways.

  7. Nick

    I haven't heard of this series before, but it sounds amazing! It reminds me a little of Summer Skin by Kirsty Eagar because of the feminist themes.
    I especially love this from your review : "Feminism will mean different things to different people and my experience as a woman won't be the same but these books have made me believe in more myself and also makes me realise that every day there is some elements of feminism that needs to be fought for." That's so true! There isn't one set definition for feminism and I'm loving that there are books out there exploring this. You should totally check out Summer Skin if you haven't! It's going to solidify some of those thoughts you have about feminism.
    I'll be adding these books to my TBR!

    • admin

      Thank you for the recommendation I will definitely check that out. I'm So glad you took so much from my review, Thank you Nick!

  8. Alise

    I want to read the Holly Bourne books so bad but I can't find them anywhere here in the states! The character development and female friendships sounds so great, ahhhh! Need. Nice review 🙂

    • admin

      We should start a petition to get them in the states, you shouldn't be deprived of them. Try Amazon! They really are worth a read. Thank you, Alise.

  10. A Canadian Girl

    I've never heard of this series but I love it when you can find a book or series that inspires you. I like that this one explores feminism as it seems to be a topic that's gaining increasing importance and exposure in the media.