📖 Overview
Tess Sharpe is a contemporary American author known for her young adult and thriller novels that often feature complex female protagonists and LGBTQ+ themes. She made her debut in 2014 with the young adult novel "Far From You," which received recognition for its portrayal of bisexual representation and mystery elements.
Her adult thriller "The Girls I've Been" gained significant attention and was optioned for a Netflix film adaptation starring Millie Bobby Brown. The novel follows a former con artist's daughter who must use her skills during a bank heist, incorporating themes of survival and trauma recovery.
Sharpe's other notable works include "Barbed Wire Heart," a gritty adult thriller set in rural Northern California, and "6 Times We Almost Kissed (And One Time We Did)," a young adult romance that explores family dynamics and queer relationships. Her writing frequently incorporates elements of crime, complex family relationships, and rural settings drawn from her background growing up in Northern California.
Her work has been recognized through various nominations and has been translated into multiple languages. Sharpe continues to write across both young adult and adult genres, maintaining consistent themes of strong female characters, crime elements, and LGBTQ+ representation.
👀 Reviews
Readers praise Sharpe's authentic portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters, complex female relationships, and rural settings. Many reviewers highlight her ability to blend thriller elements with emotional depth.
What readers liked:
- Natural integration of queer representation
- Strong character development and relationships
- Taut pacing in thriller plots
- Realistic portrayal of trauma and recovery
- Rich descriptions of rural settings
What readers disliked:
- Some find the violence level intense for YA
- Pacing issues in story openings
- Multiple timeline structures can be confusing
Ratings across platforms:
- "The Girls I've Been": 4.2/5 on Goodreads (50,000+ ratings)
- "Far From You": 3.9/5 on Goodreads (8,000+ ratings)
- "6 Times We Almost Kissed": 4.3/5 on Goodreads (7,000+ ratings)
- Amazon ratings average 4.5/5 across titles
One reader noted: "Sharpe writes queer characters whose identity isn't their whole story - it's just part of who they are." Another mentioned: "The rural California settings feel lived-in and real, not stereotypical."
📚 Books by Tess Sharpe
Far From You (2014)
A mystery following seventeen-year-old Sophie as she investigates her best friend's murder while battling her own addiction recovery and chronic pain.
Barbed Wire Heart (2018) A crime novel about a young woman who must confront her father's criminal empire in rural Northern California while protecting her community from rival organizations.
The Girls I've Been (2021) A thriller about a teenage former con artist who must use her past identities and skills during a bank heist where she's taken hostage.
6 Times We Almost Kissed (And One Time We Did) (2023) A contemporary story of two girls whose mothers' illness and complicated friendship forces them to live together, exploring their growing feelings for each other.
Such a Good Mother (2023) A suspense novel centered on a widow who moves her son to an elite private school, where she uncovers dark secrets among the wealthy parents.
Barbed Wire Heart (2018) A crime novel about a young woman who must confront her father's criminal empire in rural Northern California while protecting her community from rival organizations.
The Girls I've Been (2021) A thriller about a teenage former con artist who must use her past identities and skills during a bank heist where she's taken hostage.
6 Times We Almost Kissed (And One Time We Did) (2023) A contemporary story of two girls whose mothers' illness and complicated friendship forces them to live together, exploring their growing feelings for each other.
Such a Good Mother (2023) A suspense novel centered on a widow who moves her son to an elite private school, where she uncovers dark secrets among the wealthy parents.
👥 Similar authors
April Henry writes YA thrillers focused on female protagonists in dangerous situations who must rely on their own strength to survive. Her books feature elements of mystery, murder, and characters who develop self-reliance through crisis.
Courtney Summers creates dark contemporary YA fiction examining trauma, violence, and complex female relationships. Her narratives deal with similar themes to Sharpe's work, including survivor stories and characters confronting harsh realities.
Mindy McGinnis writes across multiple YA genres with protagonists who face moral choices in brutal circumstances. Her books explore themes of survival, revenge, and justice through characters who operate in morally gray areas.
Kara Thomas specializes in YA mystery thrillers with murder investigations and small-town secrets at their core. Her work features female leads uncovering dark truths while navigating personal relationships and trauma.
Nova Ren Suma writes YA stories that blend psychological suspense with elements of magical realism and horror. Her books focus on complicated relationships between young women and explore themes of guilt, memory, and truth.
Courtney Summers creates dark contemporary YA fiction examining trauma, violence, and complex female relationships. Her narratives deal with similar themes to Sharpe's work, including survivor stories and characters confronting harsh realities.
Mindy McGinnis writes across multiple YA genres with protagonists who face moral choices in brutal circumstances. Her books explore themes of survival, revenge, and justice through characters who operate in morally gray areas.
Kara Thomas specializes in YA mystery thrillers with murder investigations and small-town secrets at their core. Her work features female leads uncovering dark truths while navigating personal relationships and trauma.
Nova Ren Suma writes YA stories that blend psychological suspense with elements of magical realism and horror. Her books focus on complicated relationships between young women and explore themes of guilt, memory, and truth.