Tell Me What Really Happened by Chelsea Sedoti My rating: 4 of 5 stars The Gist Every now and then, a murder mystery reminds you just how inventive the genre can be. Chelsea Sedoti’s Tell Me What Really Happened doesn’t follow a straight line. Instead, it builds suspense through fractured memories, clashing perspectives, and unreliable narrators—all teenagers, all under pressure. The Details The novel is structured as a series of police interviews after a camping trip goes horribly wrong. Five teens went into the woods. Only four returned. Now, each one is giving their side of the story—and none of them quite agree. There’s paranoia, miscommunication, drama, and plenty of…
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Two Sides to Every Murder
Two Sides to Every Murder by Danielle Valentine My rating: 2 of 5 stars The Gist Let’s talk about disappointment. Not the kind where you drop your ice cream. The kind where you crack open a book with a genuinely eerie, grabby premise and find… teens. So many teens. With so many feelings. And zero critical thinking skills. The Details Two Sides to Every Murder kicks off with a fantastic setup: a summer camp steeped in tragedy, a decades-old murder, and two girls with deeply entangled family histories. I was ready for suspense. I was ready for secrets. But I was not ready for whatever this turned into. Instead of…
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Don’t Believe It
Don’t Believe It by Cindy R. Wilson My rating: 5 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Don’t Believe It in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Don’t Believe It by Charlie Donlea is a gripping and enthralling mystery that captivates readers from the first page to the last. Donlea masterfully crafts a suspenseful narrative filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the very end. The Details The story follows a true-crime documentary filmmaker who delves into a decade-old murder case. As she unravels the layers of the investigation, secrets…
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Just Get Home
Just Get Home by Bridget Foley My rating: 3 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Just Get Home in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Just Get Home by Bridget Foley is a gripping novel that combines elements of thriller and drama, focusing on the harrowing journey of two women trying to survive in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake in Los Angeles. The narrative explores themes of survival, resilience, and the unexpected bonds formed in times of crisis. The Details The story follows Beegie, a teenage runaway, and Dessa, a single mother,…
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It’s One of Us
It’s One of Us by J. T. Ellison My rating: 1 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of It’s One of Us in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Trigger warning: infertility and miscarriage. The Gist It’s One of Us by J.T. Ellison is a disappointing thriller that fails to deliver on its promises of suspense and intrigue. The Details One of the main issues I have with this story is that it is not going anywhere. I can’t even say that the plot is predictable, because there barely is a plot. Furthermore, most of the…
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Just the Nicest Couple
Just the Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica My rating: 3 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Just the Nicest Couple in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Just the Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica is a disappointing thriller that fails to live up to the expectations set by the author’s previous works. The Details One of the things that disappointed me was the lackluster plot. From the outset, the story feels predictable and derivative. Instead of keeping readers on the edge of their seats, the narrative unfolds in a formulaic manner. There was…
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Everything She Feared
Everything She Feared by Rick Mofina My rating: 2 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Everything She Feared in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Everything She Feared by Rick Mofina is a disappointing thriller that fails to deliver on its promises of suspense and excitement. The Details One of the main issues with the novel is its lackluster plot. From the outset, the story feels contrived and predictable. Instead of keeping readers on the edge of their seats, the narrative unfolds in a formulaic manner. There is no real tension or surprise.…
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The Revenge List
The Revenge List by Hannah Mary McKinnon My rating: 1 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Revenge List in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist The Revenge List by Hannah Mary McKinnon falls short of its potential, offering a shallow and predictable tale of betrayal and vengeance that fails to resonate with readers. The Details One of the main issues I have with the novel is its lackluster characters. The protagonist, Abigail, comes across as unlikable and unsympathetic. It makes it difficult for readers to connect with her struggles or root for…
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Secrets Never Die
Secrets Never Die by Vincent Ralph My rating: 2 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Secrets Never Die in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Secrets Never Die by Vincent Ralph is a lackluster thriller that fails to deliver on its promise of suspense and intrigue. The Details One of the main issues with the novel is its predictable plot. From the outset, the twists and turns of the story feel telegraphed, robbing the narrative of any real tension or surprise. Instead of keeping readers guessing, Secrets Never Die follows a formulaic path,…
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The Sorority Murder
The Sorority Murder by Allison Brennan My rating: 3 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Sorority Murder in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist The Sorority Murder by Allison Brennan is a moderately engaging mystery that introduces readers to the secrets and scandals within the sorority world. While the novel has its moments of suspense, it falls short of delivering a truly gripping experience. The Details The central murder mystery within the sorority sets the stage for intrigue, and Brennan successfully captures the essence of the collegiate setting. The characters, though somewhat…
