Three friends enter paid sex for money and companionship, believing their own rules will keep them safe. The story follows the risks and complications that follow, alongside the girls’ different circumstances.
More about this book
A controversial novel that explodes myths and exposes risks as it takes a frank and honest approach to a taboo subject.Alix, Courtney and Fern aren't 'bad' girls. They're respectable sixth form students who've hit on a great way to pull in good money. They can buy designer gear, holiday abroad, and aren't even out of place at a millionaire's party. As long as they follow their own 'rules', and keep themselves safe, who cares how they earn the extra cash? No one's going to get hurt. Or are they .. ? A gripping story of teenage girls who use sex to make money - and then find that money is not after all going to resolve all ills.
The girls expect their rules to keep them safe while earning money through sex; their plan becomes dangerous and money does not resolve all their difficulties.CriticalCritical: the book challenges or disapproves of this theme.Critical: the book challenges or disapproves of this theme.
How the book presents it: The story presents their confidence in the arrangement as mistaken, rather than as a reliable route to safety or an easy solution to their problems.
Talk about: What changes the girls’ understanding of risk, and do they respond to it in the same way?
Three viewpoints
The narrative moves among the three girls’ viewpoints, giving readers a view of their different situations and their ties to one another.Exploratory / explanatoryExploratory / explanatory: the book explains or explores the subject without an established evaluative position.Exploratory / explanatory: the book explains or explores the subject without an established evaluative position.
How the book presents it: The shifting perspectives build emotional closeness and make room to understand the girls’ choices without requiring readers to find them likeable.
Talk about: Does hearing from each girl change how you understand her choices or her friendships?
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Why It May Be Worth Reading
Moving between the girls’ viewpoints brings readers close to their distinct pressures and choices. This can open conversation about friendship, money and how personal circumstances shape decisions.
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What Deserves Attention
Paid sex is central, and the story also includes abuse, rape, bullying, sexuality and a sick parent. These subjects may feel difficult; consider checking in as you read together.
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A Conversation Worth Having
What makes the girls believe their rules will keep them safe, and how might friendship or financial pressure affect the choices they make?
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Reading Approach
Consider reading alongside your child, pausing when the girls’ choices or circumstances raise questions. You could agree beforehand that either of you can stop or take a break.
Confidence & Basis
Theme indicators describe how the book presents a topic; they are not a verdict on the whole book or your family's values. Confidence reflects how much book-specific material was checked. Only part of the book information was available, so some details remain unconfirmed.
What remains unconfirmed
Risk and paid sex: The specific events and consequences are not fully established here.
Three viewpoints: The precise balance of viewpoint and how it changes across the whole novel are unclear.
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