#BookReview: One of the Good Guys by Araminta Hall & The Favourite by Rosemary Hennigan

One of the Good Guys by Araminta Hall and The Favourite by Rosemary Hennigan are two new releases with a very similar theme so I have decided to put them both into one post with my thoughts, and details, on both below.

One of the Good Guys by Araminta Hall published January 4th with Macmillan and is described by Lisa Taddeo as ‘an absolutely thrilling tale, full of breathless cliffside terror and fresh feminist theory masked in tight, propulsive mystery.’ Inspired by the swell of anger amongst women spreading across society today Araminta Hall decided to write the book that she felt would illustrate ‘what happens when women have had enough of being scared.’

The Favourite by Rosemary Hennigan publishes with Orion Books January 18th and is described by Disha Bose as ‘dark academia at its best. A page-turning, gripping novel‘. Rosemary Hennigan was inspired to write it after returning home from Philadelphia following the 2016 elections there which saw Donald Trump beat Hillary Clinton in the Presidential race that shocked women to the core. The voices of those women left their mark on Rosemary Hennigan and, as a law graduate and solicitor, she felt the need to write a book centred on a character who was angry with the justice system and it’s patriarchal influences.

One of the Good Guys by Araminta Hall

[ About One of the Good Guys ]

If most men say they’re one of the good guys, then why are so many women afraid to walk alone at night?

Cole is the perfect husband: a romantic, supportive of his wife, Mel’s career, keen to be a hands-on dad, not a big drinker. A good guy.

So when Mel leaves him, he’s floored. She was lucky to be with a man like him.

Craving solitude, he accepts a job on the coast and quickly settles into his new life where he meets reclusive artist Lennie.

Lennie has made the same move for similar reasons. She is living in a crumbling cottage on the edge of a nearby cliff. It’s an undeniably scary location, but sometimes you have to face your fears to get past them.

As their relationship develops, two young women go missing while on a walk protesting gendered violence, right by where Cole and Lennie live. Finding themselves at the heart of a police investigation and media frenzy, it soon becomes clear that they don’t know each other very well at all.

This is what happens when women have had enough . . .

[ My Review ]

When Melanie met Cole she knew, within a short time, that he was the man of her dreams. He gave her the space to develop her business, stepping in to carry the burden of the household chores without a complaint. He was the type of man women wish for but find it difficult to meet. Melanie was the lucky one. But why then did she suddenly run from her marriage, leaving Cole flummoxed. He had been the perfect catch hadn’t he? He had been the perfect husband.

Cole needs a change so moves house and home to the coast as a wildlife ranger. The remoteness of this location suits Cole giving him the much-needed space to breathe again and to try and make sense of what happened to his marriage.

Cole befriends a woman, a reclusive artist also living alone, who is looking to escape the humdrum and chaos of city living. Over the weeks their relationship develops, and Cole realises he may just have another shot at the happiness he craves. But when two young women suddenly disappear from near his home, questions are asked, and Cole finds his world in asunder again. Why is he suddenly under investigation, when he is convinced he really has done nothing wrong?

One of the Good Guys is a novel that just fell a bit flat for me. The message is very strong about the fear women have in today’s society but the plot felt weak and very skewed. Of course I, like every woman, have had bad experiences with men, but at no point would I tar all men with the same brush. I don’t often get too uncomfortable reading a book but I did feel that this book went a little too far in how it handled itself. Not one of the characters were likeable, which is never an issue for me, but I actually found myself getting angry at some of their behaviour and actions. Overall the story felt very contrived and lacking in weight. Highlighting injustice toward women is vital and gender equality is something we must all strive for but is gender-bashing like this the answer?

The final section of the book is very well done and is quite a visual experience, highlighting the real terror that many women encounter. Ultimately a story of revenge and control One of the Good Guys does raise very important societal issues about violence against women and the impact of coercive behaviour, but the presentation and style just didn’t completely work for me.

The Favourite by Rosemary Hennigan

[ About The Favourite ]

Her teacher’s pet, or his worst nightmare?

Jessica Mooney seems like any other student at her university. She’s talented, driven, and looks set to be this year’s ‘favourite’ in charismatic Professor Crane’s Law and Literature class. But unlike the other students competing for his good opinion, Jessica isn’t what she seems. She’s carrying a dark secret.

Her sister is dead. Crane’s to blame. And she’s the only one who can bring him to justice.

Will Jessica be able to get the answers and justice she seeks, or will her search for revenge destroy her first?

[ My Review ]

Jessica Mooney is a young student continuing her law education in Franklin University, Philadelphia after graduating from Trinity College in Dublin. Jessica’s older sister, Audrey, had also studied law at Trinity but something happened and Audrey packed in her course, leaving college and Dublin behind her. Audrey came home in a body bag and the mark her death left on Jessica was huge. Audrey had been a student of Professor Jay Crane, an American lecturer, during his time teaching at Trinity and, from what Jessica has since learned, he had been a huge part of Audrey’s life during his time there.

Jessica is in search of justice and is willing to do anything to salvage the memory of her sister. Jessica studies hard and gains a much sought after place in the Law and Literature class that Crane teaches back at Franklin. There he teaches full time and has the life one would expect for a man in his position. Only Jessica knows the truth and is prepared to make some very unconventional and risky moves in order to bring justice to Audrey and to all women who have suffered a similar fate.

Jessica knows that Crane has a reputation for picking favourites and she is willing to do anything to achieve this position. But will she make a move too far? Can this young student achieve justice against a man and the institution he represents?

Rosemary Hennigan worked in corporate law, in advocacy and in the NGO sector so her knowledge of the legal system brings an interesting angle to this tale. Stimulating classroom debates are many, adding a fascinating element to the story, making the reader think outside the box about how they would respond to the questions posed. As Jessica weaves her way into Crane’s life, she crosses paths with other students from different strata of society. This mix provides great insights into the different perspectives and expectations that lie on young people, depending on their background.

Jessica is determined in her quest, of that there is no doubt. Her need for justice for her sister is rightfully strong. She is young and impetuous, determined to see justice done but I would question the reality of what she does and the many coincidences that are all neatly aligned.

Maybe it was the academic setting, but I did feel that The Favourite is aimed at a much younger audience than myself. When I read My Dark Vanessa by Elizabeth Russell in 2021 (which is also in an academic setting) I said that it was a very relevant book for the society we live in today, handling themes of control, obsession and manipulation. I also said that the transfer of guilt needed to be lifted off the shoulders of those carrying deep hurts within. I felt disturbed reading My Dark Vanessa. I felt disconcerted and disgusted but also compelled to turn the pages. With The Favourite I just didn’t have the same reaction. The subject matter is obviously very relevant but I wasn’t as convinced. It’s a good read but unfortunately this one just did not have the impact on me that I was hoping for.

So there you have it, two books that I had high hopes for but neither really worked for me. As ever these are my subjective reviews as there are many who consider both very powerful reads. Do let me know your thoughts if you decide to pick up a copy of both or either. I would love to hear what you think. Thank you to both publishers for my review copies.