A teen girl with long dark hair in pigtails wears a colorful striped knit tank top and denim shorts, smiling with one hand on her hip. The cover features magazine headlines about summer, beauty tips, and crush advice.
SUBSCRIBE

RENEW
GIVE A GIFT

A teen girl with long dark hair in pigtails wears a colorful striped knit tank top and denim shorts, smiling with one hand on her hip. The cover features magazine headlines about summer, beauty tips, and crush advice.
CLOSE

SUBSCRIBE
NOW

AND GET OUR
LATEST ISSUE
FREE!

CLICK HERE

“Dear Carol, I like this boy who doesn’t know I exist”

School-crush-teen-advice

Dear Carol,

I like a boy who doesn’t know I exist. I’m afraid to go up and talk to him because I
don’t want it to be awkward, and I don’t want him to get weirded out that a random
girl is talking to him. 

– Hey

Dear Hey,

If you want this boy to know you exist, you’ll have to be brave and put yourself out there. Give him a little smile. You don’t have to talk to him yet. But take that one baby step. That way you can begin to get to know him and gauge his interest before your crush gets bigger. Worth the risk, no? He may even smile back. Rest assured, there’s never anything weird about being friendly.

Carol Weston is the author of 16 books including Speed of Life, her novel (and audiobook) about a 14-year-old girl who writes to an advice columnist. Learn more at carolweston.com, and follow her on Instagram @carolwestonnyc.

In need of extra advice? Read more Dear Carol here:
💞 “Dear Carol, I Just Can’t Get Over My Crush”
💞 “Dear Carol, My Siblings Get All The Attention”
💞 “Dear Carol, I Like This Boy Who Doesn’t Know I Exist”

We want to hear from you! Go here to submit questions to Carol about every sticky sitch life throws at you.

by | Apr 11, 2025

You may also like

Everything You Need to Know For Summer Camp

Everything You Need to Know For Summer Camp

The Fourth of July means fireworks, friends, food and, for many girls, the start of summer camp season. From endless crafts and activities to that outdoorsy feeling to making lifelong bonds, there's so much to love about camp. While excitement and anticipation are no...

Love This

QUIZ! What belongs on your summer vision board?

Two smiling young women pose together, dressed in vibrant suits perfect for a summer vision board. One wears a sparkly green suit with shorts; the other hugs her from behind in a purple blazer. A light blue backdrop with a gold glitter border completes the scene.

Did we just uncover the headliner on your sunny szn bucket list? Yes, yes we did. Now leave it to Barbizon’s awesome classes to help you *actually* check it off.

TAKE THE QUIZ

WIN! Add these beach reads to your Summer TBR

A vintage camera rests on an open book placed on sandy ground, next to a blue and white patterned blanket and a woven bag. The scene suggests a relaxing day at the beach with photography, reading, and catching up on your summer TBR.

Say hello to sunny szn and dive into these hot new novels. PLUS, enter to win your faves!

ENTER HERE

Get ready for the Descendants/Zombies: Worlds Collide Tour. Plus, win free tickets!

Logo for the Disney Descendants Zombies Worlds Collide Tour, featuring a bitten apple and a stylized Z above bold, shiny gold and rainbow Worlds Collide Tour text on a black background.

Fan faves from Descendants: The Rise of Red  and Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires are teaming up on tour—and you could win FREE tickets.
Get the deets here!

QUIZ! When the worlds of Descendants and Zombies collide, who will be your ultimate bestie?

Seven energetic performers in vibrant costumes pose before a large red apple and colorful Z logo, promoting the Descendants & Zombies Worlds Collide Tour. Tour info, website, and details on free tickets are displayed at the bottom.

This summer, two of your Disney faves will join forces at Descendants/Zombies: Worlds Collide Tour. We’ve got just one question: Which one of this bunch will be your bestie?
TAKE THE QUIZ

Make (and keep) a bestie who actually gets you

A colorful comic book cover titled Acception #Losers by Coco Ouwerkerk is centered, surrounded by playful star doodles and three photos of diverse, smiling kids and teens outdoors—perfect for sharing friendship tips or learning how to make a bestie.

There’s nothing better than finding your people—you know, the ones who’ll obsess over your fave fandoms and send you memes that brighten any bad day. That’s why we’re pulling inspo from Acception, a new YA graphic novel by Coco Ouwerkerk. Ready to find the crew for you? Try these tips…

WIN! Autographed Escapade Beauty Hair & Body Mist Trio

A pastel-colored Escapade Beauty trio gift set with three fragrance mists is displayed on a floral, gradient background. The packaging has a flower illustration and the text ESCAPADE BEAUTY TRIO GIFT SET.

Find the perf summer scent with this fragrance trio from Escapade Beauty (autographed by creator and founder Elliana Walmsley herself!). Includes scents So Alive (nectar and pink lotus), Cozy Up (vanilla and jasmine) and Soak It In (coconut and gardenia). ENTER TO WIN!

Hometown to Hollywood…meet our 2024 Barbizon Model Contest winner!

A smiling young woman poses against a vibrant pink and gold background. She wears a patterned brown sweater, light pink pants, and black shoes. The words “GIRLS’ LIFE” appear in the bottom left corner, celebrating the 2024 Barbizon Model Search contest winner.

If you’re an avid Girls’ Life reader, you’ve probably seen our fabulous contest with Barbizon (aka the national modeling and acting school that's helped millions of girls make their dreams come true). But what it’s like to actually win?

Let us introduce you to Abbie W., our 2024 winner.

Beach tote alert: We're ordering these 10 summer reads rn

A colorful display of 10 diverse YA book covers set against a summer beach-themed blue background with seashell, flamingo, leaf, and sandcastle illustrations—featuring hot books and perfect summer reads like Mistery Royale and Touch of Blood.

It's about to be endless summer fun with these fab new novels, check out then enter to win your next TBR additions HERE!

WIN! TBH Kids Body Refresh Kit

Three TBH Kids skincare products on a beach-themed background: a blue deodorant stick, green spot wipes, and blue face wipes. “WIN!” appears above the Body Refresh Kit with playful white doodle accents surrounding the scene.

Keep it clean with this three-piece TBH Kids Refresh Kit, featuring deodorant, spot wipes and face wipes.

ENTER TO WIN IT HERE!

QUIZ! Answer these Q’s and we’ll give you your Descendants/Zombies summer anthem

We’re here to help you build your ultimate sunny szn soundtrack with one of these wickedly cool songs *plus* give you a chance to score free tix to Disney's Descendants/Zombies: Worlds Collide Tour.

TAKE THE QUIZ!

How To Know If You’re Being Ghosted By A Friend, Inspired By Our Latest Bestie Book Club Read, Karen’s Ghost

A graphic novel titled Karens Ghost is centered between two photos of girls reading the book, with orange and peach ghost illustrations in the background—perfect for your next bestie book club or anyone whos ever been ghosted by a friend.

We sat down with our Book Besties to get the scoop on Karen’s Ghost—and snag their advice on a seriously spooky sitch: Getting ghosted IRL.

CHECK IT OUT HERE!

We Found 6 Books To Add To Your Tropical TBR

A sunlit picnic scene with a net bag, daisies, sunglasses, an open book from your TBR, apricots, and a striped blanket arranged neatly on the ground.

Calling all beach babes! Summer is finally here—and it’s time to start building your beachy must-read list.

CHECK IT OUT HERE!

QUIZ! Which Zombies 4 Character Would Be Your IRL Bestie?

Zombies-4-quiz

Ready to find your ultimate monster BFF? Take this quiz and we’ll tell you which Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires character would totally be your number one *plus* the chance to score free tix to Disney's Descendants/Zombies: Worlds Collide Tour.

TAKE THE QUIZ!

5 ways to relax and refresh this summer 

A person practices a standing yoga pose indoors on a mat, silhouetted against open double doors that reveal a lush, green garden outside—an inviting scene to refresh and relax, reminiscent of the tranquility at Cal-a-Vie Health Spa.

Summer is the perfect season to reset, refresh and recenter—and Cal-a-Vie Health Spa’s Mom & Teen Week gave us all the inspo to do just that. From sunrise sweat sessions to creative rituals and nourishing meals, read on to bring those dreamy self-care vibes into your every day…

CHECK IT OUT HERE!

Book Babes: Love Our Bestie Book Club? Apply To Join Our Street Team!

A collage of six girls smiling and holding books, each framed as if in a Girls Life social media post. The backgrounds feature flowers, outdoor scenery, and cozy indoor settings, creating a cheerful and colorful atmosphere.

Ready to take your book game to the next level?
⭐ Receive PR books and boxes to share and review
⭐ Snag exclusive prints and goodies
⭐ Be the first in the know with author updates

Click here to apply to join our Street Team!

QUIZ! Which of these fields will make you famous?

A woman in a white sweater and black skirt sits on a tennis court by the net, shading her eyes from the sun. She has a large bag beside her and artistic white doodles accent the image.

It’s summer, the sun is shining bright—and so are you. Take this quiz to discover your ultimate creative career path, then head to barbizonmodeling.com to turn your dream into your destiny.

TAKE THE QUIZ

FREE STUFF

WIN! Speed of Life

Book cover of Speed of Life by Carol Weston, featuring a girl with long dark hair lying on her side against a pastel background with palm tree silhouettes—perfect for your Summer TBR and fans of heartfelt beach reads. Tagline: Sometimes the end is where it begins.

It was hard enough for Sofia to cope with losing her mom—and now her dad has already started dating again. Feeling completely stuck, she confesses her feels in an email to an advice columnist and is amazed when Dear Kate answers. Only prob? Dear Kate is Dad’s new GF.
ENTER TO WIN HERE

WIN! Stuck Up and Stupid

A colorful book cover for Stuck Up and Stupid by Angourie Rice and Kate Rice features a woman in sunglasses and a man sitting on a pier by the ocean, with palm trees and a beach ball—perfect for your summer TBR of beach reads.

Actress Angourie Rice (aka Cady from the Mean Girls movie musical) teamed up with her playwright mom to pen this story of cute—and chaotic—courtship. When Lily crosses paths with an A-list star on vacay, she’s the only person not impressed by his Hollywood charm. Yet the tension between them is only getting stronger…
ENTER TO WIN HERE

WIN! True Beauty

The cover of the True Beauty webtoon, a great pick for your summer TBR, shows a stylish young man and woman with fair skin and brown hair in navy outfits, standing before an ornate background with palm trees and a blue sky.

After her own glow-up, Jugyeong persuades her bae Seojun to take up modeling (and make their swoon-worthy ‘ship official). Everything seems dreamy…until he reconnects with old friends and suddenly starts keeping major secrets.
ENTER TO WIN HERE

WIN! Why Is This So Easy For You?

Book cover titled Why Is This So Easy For You? by Susan and Lizzy Senowitz. Perfect for summer TBR lists, it shows a woman sitting and gazing at a city skyline with a glowing sun or moon behind tall buildings and palm trees.

It’s tough being the “poor” student at an elite private school—just ask Stella. After her smarts and ballet skills earn her a scholarship, she’s suddenly navigating new friends, a budding crush and a world of entitled girls. And on top of all that, her family tree project may reveal the long-hidden truth about her past.
ENTER TO WIN HERE

WIN! A Risky Game

Book cover of The Liars Society: A Risky Game by Alyson Gerber featuring a girl and boy standing in a library with golden light. They appear alert and cautious—a standout for your summer TBR under blue skies and silhouettes of palm trees.

Joining the prestigious Last Heir society was just the beginning of Weatherby and Jack’s adrenaline-packed adventure. Now, in book two of The Liars Society series, they’re forced to compete in a slew of cut-throat challenges that threaten to tear apart their family.
ENTER TO WIN HERE

WIN! We’re giving away FREE TICKETS to the Descendants/Zombies: Worlds Collide Tour

Seven energetic performers in vibrant costumes pose before a large red apple and colorful Z logo, promoting the Descendants & Zombies Worlds Collide Tour. Tour info, website, and details on free tickets are displayed at the bottom.

ENTER TO WIN HERE

WIN! The Otherwhere Post

The book cover of The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor features ornate silver designs, crossed elegant canes with feathered tips, and a gold award sticker—an eye-catching choice for your summer TBR—set against a blue background with palm tree silhouettes.

Seven years ago, Maeve lost it all: her home, her father and even her name. Desperate to unravel the mystery of what happened, she trains in the art of scriptomancy—the dangerous practice of writing enchanting letters and delivering them to other worlds.
ENTER TO WIN HERE

WIN! The Secrets We Carry: Journal of a Girl In Trouble

Book cover for The Secrets We Carry: Journal of a Girl In Trouble shows a thoughtful young person holding a journal, with a blue sky and palm trees—capturing the vibe of perfect beach reads for your summer TBR—faintly visible in the background.

Collin is nobody’s idea of a hero. But when an anonymous journal falls from his backpack, he’s forced to step up and become one. Because someone at his school is caught in a twisted web of blackmail and lies…and they’re too terrified to speak up.
ENTER TO WIN HERE

WIN! Toxic Summer

Colorful comic book cover titled Toxic Summer by Derek Charm, perfect for your summer reading or beach reads TBR, featuring two smiling teens in summer clothes dancing amid neon green ooze and bizarre cartoonish creatures, with palm trees in the background.

BFFs (and co-lifeguards) Ben and Leo are ready to live out their perfect coastal summer. But a mysterious spill has closed the beach, tentacled monsters are wreaking havoc and—weirdest of all—the locals seem completely brainwashed. Can they find the source of the “accident” before the entire town goes under?
ENTER TO WIN HERE

WIN! The Ground That Devours Us

Book cover of The Ground That Devours Us by Kalla Harris, perfect for summer TBR lists, featuring lush green tropical plants, mushrooms, and hidden animals against a black background with bold, white, handwritten-style title text.

When a league of vampires tries to make humanity into their own personal buffet, one teen learns to slay (literally). But when her twin sis gets turned after a terrifying attack, she has to break every rule and strike a deal with the monster who ruined her world.
ENTER TO WIN HERE

WIN! Autographed Escapade Beauty Hair & Body Mist Trio

A pastel-colored Escapade Beauty trio gift set with three fragrance mists is displayed on a floral, gradient background. The packaging has a flower illustration and the text ESCAPADE BEAUTY TRIO GIFT SET.

Find the perf summer scent with this fragrance trio from Escapade Beauty (autographed by creator and founder Elliana Walmsley herself!). Includes scents So Alive (nectar and pink lotus), Cozy Up (vanilla and jasmine) and Soak It In (coconut and gardenia).
ENTER TO WIN HERE

WIN! Finding Famous

A giveaway graphic with WIN! at the top and the book cover of Finding Famous: A Mashad Family Novel by Candice Jalili, featuring four illustrated women on a pink background.

One day Josie’s invisible, the next she’s iconic.
ENTER TO WIN HERE

WIN! Everything I Thought I Knew

Book giveaway graphic with the word WIN! above the cover of Everything I Thought I Knew by Shannon Takaoka, which features a heart with a cosmic scene and silhouettes of two people. Blue, wavy checkerboard background.

Did Chloe inherit more than a heart from her donor?
ENTER TO WIN HERE

WIN! Mystery Royale

A book titled Mystery Royale by Kaitlyn Calavancia is centered on a blue and white checkered background with WIN! in bold letters above it. The book cover features red and white illustrations and decorative elements.

The Inheritance Games fans, prepare to be obsessed.
ENTER TO WIN HERE

WIN! Top Heavy

A colorful giveaway graphic with the word WIN! above the book Top Heavy by Rhonda DeChambeau, featuring an illustrated woman on the vibrant book cover. Wavy lines and a plaid background frame the image.

A ballet dancer’s journey from pain to power.
ENTER TO WIN HERE

WIN! Better Left Buried

A giveaway graphic featuring the word WIN! above the cover of the book Better Left Buried by Mary E. Roach, which shows two people with a motorcycle in front of a dark, neon-lit carnival at night.

Lucy’s chill vacay hits a dead end—literally.
ENTER TO WIN HERE

WIN! The Mermaid, The Witch, And The Sea

Book cover for The Mermaid, The Witch, and The Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hall on a blue oval background with the word WIN! above it, all set against a light plaid pattern.

A scrappy pirate, an imperial daughter and a sea of trouble.
ENTER TO WIN HERE

WIN! Shampoo Unicorn

A book giveaway announcement featuring Shampoo Unicorn by Sawyer Lovett. The book cover shows a stylized illustration of a persons profile with colorful hair and a microphone, set against a patterned background with the word WIN! above.

Three queer teens, one podcast and a million feels.
ENTER TO WIN HERE

WIN! Breathing Underwater

Book giveaway graphic featuring Breathing Underwater by Abbey Lee Nash, with an illustrated cover of a girl underwater. The word WIN! appears above the book against a blue and white patterned background.

Swimmer Tess faces a tough opponent: her epilepsy.
ENTER TO WIN HERE

WIN! Wish Upon A K-Star

A promotional image featuring the book Wish Upon a K-Star with illustrated characters on the cover, set against a blue and white patterned background with the word “WIN!” at the top.

Will two celebs’ fake ’ship lead to real romance?
ENTER TO WIN HERE

WIN! A Starlet’s Secret to a Sensational Afterlife

Book giveaway graphic with the word WIN! above the cover of A Starlet’s Secret to a Sensational Afterlife by Kendall Kulper. The cover shows a glamorous woman in front of a theater at night.

An epic enemies-to-lovers saga set in 1930s Hollywood.
ENTER TO WIN HERE

WIN! Gradchanted

A giveaway graphic featuring the word WIN! above the book Gradchanted by Morgan Matson, which shows a girl and a boy standing in front of a theme park background.

Cass’ last night of high school becomes a twisty time loop.
ENTER TO WIN HERE

WIN! Skipshock

An illustrated book cover for Skipsock by Caroline ODonoghue is centered under the word WIN! on a blue checkered background with wavy white lines.

Margo and Moon’s lives are linked—and in grave danger.
ENTER TO WIN HERE

WIN! Maya In Multicolor

Book cover of Maya in Multicolor by Swati Teerdhala, featuring two kids playfully painting each other with colorful powder, surrounded by bright swirls. Above, bold text reads WIN! on a patterned blue background.

Maya is done with drama…until Nishant walks into her life.
ENTER TO WIN HERE

WIN! Your Throne, Volume 2

A contest graphic with the word WIN! above the cover of Your Throne volume 2, featuring an illustrated blonde woman in a blue dress, on a patterned blue and white background.

Two rival noblewomen swap souls.
ENTER TO WIN HERE

WIN! A Touch Of Blood

A giveaway graphic with the word WIN! above the book A Touch of Blood by Sajni Patel. The book cover features a purple-haired woman with a red flower and snake on a red background.

Retellings of epic Greek myths meet Indian lore.
ENTER TO WIN HERE

WIN! The Heartbreak Bakery

A graphic with WIN! at the top shows the book The Heartbreak Bakery by A.R. Capetta with baking-themed illustrations on the cover, set against a blue and white checkered background.

Yikes! Anyone who eats Syd’s magical brownies breaks up.
ENTER TO WIN HERE

WIN! The Coven Tendency

The cover of The Coven Tendency by Zoe Hana Mikuta shows a woman in a red dress sitting at a mirror, gazing at her reflection. Above the book, the word WIN! is written in large letters on a blue circular background.

A young witch faces her deadly destiny.
ENTER TO WIN HERE

WIN! Paint & Peel Jelly Stickers Glitter Goals

A colorful “WIN!” graphic features a Klutz Paint & Peel Jelly Stickers Glitter Goals craft kit, which includes paint bottles and sticker designs of rainbows, unicorns, and treats on a light blue checkered background.

Saturday to-do: DIY custom sparkly jelly stickers!
ENTER TO WIN HERE

WIN! A Raging Heart

A giveaway graphic featuring the text WIN! above the book cover of A Raging Heart by Kaylie Smith, which shows a serious young woman with flowing hair and fiery tones. Wavy lines border the image on each side.

The thrilling finale of the A Ruinous Fate series.
ENTER TO WIN HERE

WIN! Nat A Chance

Contest graphic with the word WIN! above the cover of the book Nat Enough: Nat a Chance by Maria Scrivan, featuring a cartoon girl on a bike over a blue checkered background.

Nat’s triathlon training plan? Panic.
ENTER TO WIN HERE

WIN! Never Trust A Gemini

Illustration of a giveaway with “WIN!” at the top and the book “Never Trust a Gemini” by Freja Nicole Wolf pictured in the center, featuring a cartoon character surrounded by zodiac-themed illustrations.

Because falling for a Gemini girl is never, ever boring.
ENTER TO WIN HERE

GRAND PRIZE! June Beach Reads Bundle

Six middle grade books are displayed above a tote bag with a cat and the text Yes, this bag contains books. Stop asking. The words GRAND PRIZE! appear at the top of the image.

Ready for a tote-al TBR makeover? One book bestie will score this collectible bag packed with page-turners of every genre from Penguin (Swoony romance! Fantasy thrillers! Graphic novels!). Talk about a storybook summer…
ENTER TO WIN HERE

WIN! TBH Kids Body Refresh Kit

Three tbh. skincare products—deodorant, spot wipes, and face wipes—are displayed on a bright, blurred beach background with the word WIN! in bold white text above them.

Keep it clean with this three-piece TBH Kids Refresh Kit, featuring deodorant, spot wipes and face wipes.
ENTER TO WIN HERE

WIN! The Cal-a-Vie Health Spa Wellness Bundle

Two gift bags on tables contain assorted self-care and snack items to help you relax and refresh, including sunscreen, skincare products, snacks, a tumbler cup, book, and sleep mask—each with colorful packaging and Cal-a-Vie Health Spa treats.

Score some of the same self-care faves we got to try at Cal-a-Vie Health Spa's Mom & Teen Week. Think skincare, haircare, wellness goodies and more from your favorite brands.
ENTER TO WIN HERE

Quizzes

Subscribe to the magazine and get our latest issue free!

Subscribe
A teen girl with long dark hair in pigtails wears a colorful striped knit tank top and denim shorts, smiling with one hand on her hip. The cover features magazine headlines about summer, beauty tips, and crush advice.
A smiling young woman with manicured nails poses playfully on the colorful cover of Girls’ Life magazine’s Beauty Issue. Text highlights beauty tips, style ideas, relationship advice, and spring trends.
A smiling young woman with long blonde hair and a red dress is on the cover of Girls’ Life magazine, surrounded by headlines about beauty, spring fashion, self-care, and teen advice.

Crushes

7 unexpected places to find a summer crush
7 unexpected places to find a summer crush

Summer is basically the Super Bowl of crush season. You’re outside more, vibing in your cutest fits and living in the moment— which just so happens to be the perfect recipe for a spontaneous spark. But forget the cliché beach meet-cute or movie theater flirt: This...

read more

Style

We’re taking weekend style inspo from Freya Skye
We’re taking weekend style inspo from Freya Skye

Looking through your closet and bored with the same fits? Singer and actor Freya Skye has casual cute mastered—and we're taking notes. Effortless everyday @thehaileylynneCross necklace, $7, EVRY Jewels. Mesh top, $25, Dynamite. Jeans, $50, Hollister. Bracelet, $7,...

read more

Beauty

Inspo Incoming: *This* is summer’s best beauty trend
Inspo Incoming: *This* is summer’s best beauty trend

Newsflash: You're fun! And this summer, your makeup should be, too. There’s nothing I love more than minimalist makeup during the summer—a bronzy, beachy look that’s basically effortless. But right now, my beauty bag is begging for a shake-up. While I might not...

read more

Wellness

Don’t forget to recharge this summer
Don’t forget to recharge this summer

Anyone else freaking out that summer is already basically half over? When you pack your days with endless activities (the beach! the pool! bbqs! bonfires!). time can fly…and you can forget to pause for the self-care you need so you can fully recharge before the sun...

read more
Glow up your sleep routine
Glow up your sleep routine

Good sleep is srsly underrated. Consistent, quality rest has a big impact on your mood, health and, well, pretty much every aspect of your life.

read more