Ruth Ware's The It Girl has garnered mixed reviews. Praised for its compelling plot and Ware's knack for creating atmospheric tension, the novel keeps readers engaged. However, some critics found the pacing uneven and the characters less developed. Overall, it remains a gripping psychological thriller with a few narrative hiccups.

Fans of suspenseful thrillers, particularly those who enjoyed Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl and Paula Hawkins's The Girl on the Train, will relish Ruth Ware's The It Girl. This novel is perfect for readers who appreciate intricate plots, unreliable narrators, and a blend of psychological intrigue with classic whodunits.

In "The It Girl" by Ruth Ware, protagonist Hannah Jones grapples with the traumatic memory of discovering her best friend April Cloutts-Cliveden murdered at Oxford University. A decade later, motivated by guilt and a reporter's questions, Hannah seeks to uncover the truth behind April's death, exploring themes of identity and guilt against a backdrop of dark academia. The narrative alternates between Hannah's present life in Edinburgh and her past at Oxford, slowly revealing clues and suspects until a final twist unveils the real killer. Descriptions of assault and murder are present.

Mysterious / Suspenseful / Dark / Unnerving

**Hannah Jones/de Chastaigne**  
The protagonist who navigates her first year at Oxford University and later life in Edinburgh, as she grapples with the aftermath of a tragic event involving her suitemate.

**April Coutts-Cliveden**  
Hannah's wealthy and glamorous suitemate at Oxford, known for her confident demeanor and complex friendship with Hannah, which is central to the novel's events.

**Will de Chastaigne**  
Hannah's college crush and later husband, who shares a complicated history with both Hannah and April, influencing much of the story's personal dynamics.

**Hugh Bland**  
A member of the friend group at Oxford who maintains a low profile and whose family has high expectations for him academically and professionally.

**Ryan Coates**  
Part of Hannah's friend group, sharing a similar socioeconomic background to her, and dealing with complex feelings about class differences at Oxford.

**Emily Lippman**  
A witty and confident mathematician who is supportive of Hannah, playing a critical role in their friend group dynamics.

**Dr. Horatio Myers**  
Hannah's academic advisor at Oxford who has a significant impact on her academic journey and personal growth.

**Geraint Williams**  
A reporter with a distinct perspective on the high-profile case who believes in uncovering the truth, offering new insights into the story's central mystery.

**John Neville**  
A porter at Pelham College whose interactions with Hannah are pivotal to the unfolding events at Oxford.

**November Rain**  
April's sister and a social media influencer who becomes involved in revisiting past events and analyzing new evidence with Hannah.

Ruth Ware

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The It Girl reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The It Girl | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The It Girl and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The It Girl Summary and Study Guide

Background

The It Girl Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-9

The It Girl Chapters 1-9 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 10-23

The It Girl Chapters 10-23 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 24-35

The It Girl Chapters 24-35 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 36-47

The It Girl Chapters 36-47 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 48-56

The It Girl Chapters 48-56 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

The It Girl Character Analysis

theme

Themes

The It Girl Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The It Girl Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

The It Girl Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The It Girl Essay Topics

The It Girl

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The It Girl?

Reading Age

Book Details