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The Thrashers
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Young Adult Fiction (2025)
Either you're in or you're out.
Welcome to the Thrashers, the elite friend group at New Helvetia High.
They’re everything everyone wants to be.
Jodi Dillon was never meant to be one of them. Julian, Lucy, Paige, and the infamous Zack Thrasher are rich, sophisticated, and love attention. Jodi feels out of place, but Zack’s her childhood best friend, so she’s in.
Then Emily Mills, who desperately wanted to be a Thrasher, dies—and the whispers about the Thrashers begin. As Emily’s journal surfaces, detectives close in, and Jodi faces an impossible choice: betray her friends or protect herself.
But as eerie messages and strange occurrences escalate, it becomes clear—Emily isn’t done with them yet.
A twisty thrill-ride of unforgettable drama and suspense that "encapsulates the vulnerability of adolescents playing adult games" (Ali Hazelwood) from USA Today bestselling author Julie Soto, The Thrashers will keep you up at night desperate to read just one more page.
"A tour-de-force YA debut from Julie Soto." - Alexa Donne
"For fans of Karen McManus and Kara Thomas, The Thrashers had me holding my breath, sweaty-palming my e-reader, and dying to flip each page to see what would happen next." - Susan Lee
"Expertly plotted and full of flawed, morally gray characters you still can't help rooting for, The Thrashers is one of the best books I've read this year." - Evelyn Skye
Welcome to the Thrashers, the elite friend group at New Helvetia High.
They’re everything everyone wants to be.
Jodi Dillon was never meant to be one of them. Julian, Lucy, Paige, and the infamous Zack Thrasher are rich, sophisticated, and love attention. Jodi feels out of place, but Zack’s her childhood best friend, so she’s in.
Then Emily Mills, who desperately wanted to be a Thrasher, dies—and the whispers about the Thrashers begin. As Emily’s journal surfaces, detectives close in, and Jodi faces an impossible choice: betray her friends or protect herself.
But as eerie messages and strange occurrences escalate, it becomes clear—Emily isn’t done with them yet.
A twisty thrill-ride of unforgettable drama and suspense that "encapsulates the vulnerability of adolescents playing adult games" (Ali Hazelwood) from USA Today bestselling author Julie Soto, The Thrashers will keep you up at night desperate to read just one more page.
"A tour-de-force YA debut from Julie Soto." - Alexa Donne
"For fans of Karen McManus and Kara Thomas, The Thrashers had me holding my breath, sweaty-palming my e-reader, and dying to flip each page to see what would happen next." - Susan Lee
"Expertly plotted and full of flawed, morally gray characters you still can't help rooting for, The Thrashers is one of the best books I've read this year." - Evelyn Skye
352 pages, Hardcover
First published May 6, 2025
802 people are currently reading
60526 people want to read
About the author
Julie Soto
6 books6,911 followersJULIE SOTO is a USA Today bestselling author, playwright, and actress originally from Sacramento, CA. Her musical Generation Me won the 2017 New York Musical Festival’s Best Musical award, as well as Best Book for her script. She is a musical theater geek, fandom nerd, and the author of many spicy fan fictions. Julie now lives in Fort Bragg, CA, with her dog, Charlie. She is probably drinking coffee as you read this.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,196 reviews
May 6, 2025
i’m glad my high school experience was considered normal compared to this
me reading that epilogue: 😟🔫
me reading that epilogue: 😟🔫
October 14, 2025
3.75 🌟 excuse me……… I need another book because what in the fuck. I still have so many questions. I ate this UPPPP
the EPILOGUE ARE U KIDDING???????
I need julian x jodi immediately thank u!
the EPILOGUE ARE U KIDDING???????
I need julian x jodi immediately thank u!
May 23, 2025
4.25!
This was my first book by Julie Soto and it did not disappoint. I have been having a hard time when it comes to finding a good arc, but this one really hit. It was very easy to follow and I liked how smoothly everything went. The writing created this sense of suspense that was just so intriguing that it had me hooked. I read this on my phone, and usually it's harder for me to read on my phone and it takes me a longer time to finish the book, but that was not the case with this book!! It was so well-paced and the way every chapter ended made me want to read it more—like I kept on neglecting sleep by saying “one more chapter” until there were no more chapters left. The high school vibe with a dead girl haunting and dark secrets transported me back to the 2016 days. Also, that epilogue had me spiraling because what was that?!? It was literally so insane that it made me question what I was reading. For an author who just dipped her toes in this genre, this book was excellent.
The characters—not all of them were interesting—but the two that I wanted to be interested in were very interesting, thankfully. Jodi, our main character, felt so pragmatic. She was flawed, and at one point even I was shocked at the things she did. I loved how not everyone was portrayed to be good and how everyone did something so flawed. Jodi was an interesting character. Her POV really had me intrigued, and the way I would be so fascinated being in her head with the way she was spiraling—and with her relationship with her father—was also what gave her character the much-needed depth. Zach was eww, like I can't believe I thought he could have been the love interest—blah. Lucy and Paige were fun and bitchy but also hypocrites, and frankly, I did not really care for them. Julian, ISTG mmc’s named Julian >>>>> because why was he so silent, broody, yet so intensely captivating? His scenes with Jodi were my favorite. I really liked how his character was written.
Also, Jodi and Julian together were so much better. Like at first, even the idea of them together felt so foreign, but as the book moved on and the characters developed and talked and opened up to each other, I really liked how they formed a bond and the chemistry between them got soo good!! I loved them together.
The plot, the concept, and the idea were good. It made me feel a bit nostalgic and everything was written very well, but I do admit that it was predictable. However, I did not mind that because despite its predictable nature, I found myself enjoying how the things were unravelling and waiting to see if my theories would be right—and obviously how things would go on from there. The plot twists were also a tad bit predictable, but the ending was shocking and twisted.
Overall, it was nothing new but very enjoyable nonetheless!
__
I requested this because the cover gave me 'Regina Georges burn book' vibes and this whole book is giving mean girls but make it dark vibes and I'm so excited to start this!!
Thank you to netgalley and St. Martins press for giving me an E-Arc*
This was my first book by Julie Soto and it did not disappoint. I have been having a hard time when it comes to finding a good arc, but this one really hit. It was very easy to follow and I liked how smoothly everything went. The writing created this sense of suspense that was just so intriguing that it had me hooked. I read this on my phone, and usually it's harder for me to read on my phone and it takes me a longer time to finish the book, but that was not the case with this book!! It was so well-paced and the way every chapter ended made me want to read it more—like I kept on neglecting sleep by saying “one more chapter” until there were no more chapters left. The high school vibe with a dead girl haunting and dark secrets transported me back to the 2016 days. Also, that epilogue had me spiraling because what was that?!? It was literally so insane that it made me question what I was reading. For an author who just dipped her toes in this genre, this book was excellent.
The characters—not all of them were interesting—but the two that I wanted to be interested in were very interesting, thankfully. Jodi, our main character, felt so pragmatic. She was flawed, and at one point even I was shocked at the things she did. I loved how not everyone was portrayed to be good and how everyone did something so flawed. Jodi was an interesting character. Her POV really had me intrigued, and the way I would be so fascinated being in her head with the way she was spiraling—and with her relationship with her father—was also what gave her character the much-needed depth. Zach was eww, like I can't believe I thought he could have been the love interest—blah. Lucy and Paige were fun and bitchy but also hypocrites, and frankly, I did not really care for them. Julian, ISTG mmc’s named Julian >>>>> because why was he so silent, broody, yet so intensely captivating? His scenes with Jodi were my favorite. I really liked how his character was written.
Also, Jodi and Julian together were so much better. Like at first, even the idea of them together felt so foreign, but as the book moved on and the characters developed and talked and opened up to each other, I really liked how they formed a bond and the chemistry between them got soo good!! I loved them together.
The plot, the concept, and the idea were good. It made me feel a bit nostalgic and everything was written very well, but I do admit that it was predictable. However, I did not mind that because despite its predictable nature, I found myself enjoying how the things were unravelling and waiting to see if my theories would be right—and obviously how things would go on from there. The plot twists were also a tad bit predictable, but the ending was shocking and twisted.
Overall, it was nothing new but very enjoyable nonetheless!
__
I requested this because the cover gave me 'Regina Georges burn book' vibes and this whole book is giving mean girls but make it dark vibes and I'm so excited to start this!!
Thank you to netgalley and St. Martins press for giving me an E-Arc*
May 15, 2025
why are YA thrillers so much more exciting than adult thrillers??🤭
if you pick up any thriller this summer, make it this one.
╔════what to expect════╗
➺ YA thriller w/ high school setting revolving around a popular group of kids known as “The Thrashers” and the dramatic death of their… acquaintance/friend/classmate that they didn’t necessarily like very much 👀
➺ cliques and drama (reminded me of why i do not miss high school lol)
➺ a bit of a paranormal aspect
➺ slight romance subplot
➺ fast-paced, short-ish chapters
╔════what i loved════╗
➺ reminded me of Holly Jackson’s writing
➺ each character has a distinctive personality
➺ actually thrilling
➺ i was eating up the crumbs of romance like i was starving
➺ the epilogue!!!?!?
➺ never knew who to trust
➺ not too many pages
➺ actually unputdownable
╔════what i didn’t love════╗
➺ actually… nothing? as someone who isn’t typically a thriller girlie, this impressed me a lot. i read it quickly, i was absorbed, and it was simply exciting.
this is one of my favorite thrillers ever.
╔════sensitive topics════╗
➺ alcoholism
➺ parental negligence/abuse
➺ suicide
➺ death of a parent
➺ bullying
➺ drugs/alcohol
➺ statutory rape
╔════notes════╗
available on kindle unlimited!
congratulations, julie soto – you have made me a fan of your work. this was so good.
(also please write more YA thrillers!)
◤──•~❉᯽❉~•──◥
book club read!
read with us here ♡
◣──•~❉᯽❉~•──◢
if you pick up any thriller this summer, make it this one.
╔════what to expect════╗
➺ YA thriller w/ high school setting revolving around a popular group of kids known as “The Thrashers” and the dramatic death of their… acquaintance/friend/classmate that they didn’t necessarily like very much 👀
➺ cliques and drama (reminded me of why i do not miss high school lol)
➺ a bit of a paranormal aspect
➺ slight romance subplot
➺ fast-paced, short-ish chapters
╔════what i loved════╗
➺ reminded me of Holly Jackson’s writing
➺ each character has a distinctive personality
➺ actually thrilling
➺ i was eating up the crumbs of romance like i was starving
➺ the epilogue!!!?!?
➺ never knew who to trust
➺ not too many pages
➺ actually unputdownable
╔════what i didn’t love════╗
➺ actually… nothing? as someone who isn’t typically a thriller girlie, this impressed me a lot. i read it quickly, i was absorbed, and it was simply exciting.
this is one of my favorite thrillers ever.
╔════sensitive topics════╗
➺ alcoholism
➺ parental negligence/abuse
➺ suicide
➺ death of a parent
➺ bullying
➺ drugs/alcohol
➺ statutory rape
╔════notes════╗
available on kindle unlimited!
congratulations, julie soto – you have made me a fan of your work. this was so good.
(also please write more YA thrillers!)
◤──•~❉᯽❉~•──◥
book club read!
read with us here ♡
◣──•~❉᯽❉~•──◢
September 5, 2025
This book was truly captivating, each chapter left me wanting more, but it did fall short on various aspects, especially with the plot holes. But given how much this book helped me with my slump, I'm going easy with the ratings and this review.
To start off with the brighter side, the plotline was very addictive. For the author's debut YA thriller, she truly nailed it. This book includes murder mystery, suspense, fake friendships that will only increase your trust issues and out of all what surprised me the most was the supernatural element in this novel. There was so much drama and mystery unfolding, and I was riveted from beginning to end.
But what bothered me was our fmc, Jodi dillon. Yes, her entire personality. Even after she was continually neglected by her so called friends, excluded on various occasions, wasn't made aware about so many things that she as a part of friend group should know, she literally went out of her way to make sure her so called friends don't get legally charged for anything, not even for the crimes they committed. Like WHY? where is your SELF RESPECT girl?? She feels bad throughout the book for this and yet at the same time, she also goes behind them.
Secondly there were so many injustices in this book and the ending wasn't morally right, since not everyone is punished for their crimes and that kinda made me mad. Like the fmc literally saved the person who never gave a damn about her by not testifying against him while putting the one who really did care about her behind bars?? I'm sorry no. I would rather have the former end up in the prison too.
Regardless of the inconsistencies, this book truly helped me with my slump. So that's a win, I suppose? Would recommend this if you're looking for a mysterious fast paced YA thriller. Just don't go in expecting anything groundbreaking and you won't be disappointed.
To start off with the brighter side, the plotline was very addictive. For the author's debut YA thriller, she truly nailed it. This book includes murder mystery, suspense, fake friendships that will only increase your trust issues and out of all what surprised me the most was the supernatural element in this novel. There was so much drama and mystery unfolding, and I was riveted from beginning to end.
But what bothered me was our fmc, Jodi dillon. Yes, her entire personality. Even after she was continually neglected by her so called friends, excluded on various occasions, wasn't made aware about so many things that she as a part of friend group should know, she literally went out of her way to make sure her so called friends don't get legally charged for anything, not even for the crimes they committed. Like WHY? where is your SELF RESPECT girl?? She feels bad throughout the book for this and yet at the same time, she also goes behind them.
Secondly there were so many injustices in this book and the ending wasn't morally right, since not everyone is punished for their crimes and that kinda made me mad. Like the fmc literally saved the person who never gave a damn about her by not testifying against him while putting the one who really did care about her behind bars?? I'm sorry no. I would rather have the former end up in the prison too.
Regardless of the inconsistencies, this book truly helped me with my slump. So that's a win, I suppose? Would recommend this if you're looking for a mysterious fast paced YA thriller. Just don't go in expecting anything groundbreaking and you won't be disappointed.
Want to read
August 29, 2025₊˚⊹⋆ 📓 pre-read
⤿ started august 14 • stopped august 25
very soft dnf at 32%. im bored but i have some faith in this plot another day
••••••••••••
reading slump we meet again 💔 trying to switch up the genre to see if it helps (i just bought 7 books on a whim so it better)
⤿ started august 14 • stopped august 25
very soft dnf at 32%. im bored but i have some faith in this plot another day
••••••••••••
reading slump we meet again 💔 trying to switch up the genre to see if it helps (i just bought 7 books on a whim so it better)
March 30, 2025
this is my official request to julie soto for a 400 page romance book with jodi dillon and julian hollister 💕
anyways this book was so good?! i’ve been in a reading slump for a month now and the thrashers has pulled me out of it!! i seriously couldn’t put this book down and read it in two sittings. the suspense? amazing! the story? loved! the characters? so well written!!! THE EPILOGUE? jaw dropped and mad asf bc i need more hello?!
my favorite thing about this book was JULIAN MF HOLLISTER AND MY GIRL JODI DILLON!!!!! i immediately sensed something was going to happen between them at the start and their CHEMISTRY? their BANTER? WHEWWWWWW!!!!! gosh it was too good!!! THE WAY HE SHOWED UP FOR HER TIME AFTER TIME!!!!!! the entire scene with the paint/kisses OHHHH I WAS SCREAMINGGGG!!!!! they had me giggling squealing and kicking my feet. I NEED more.
(julie soto pls give us more jodie and julian im actually begging)
moving on…
this was my first julie soto book and i definitely recommend!!! will for sure be reading her other books now because i was obsessed with this one :) 4.5 stars!
thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the advanced readers copy!
anyways this book was so good?! i’ve been in a reading slump for a month now and the thrashers has pulled me out of it!! i seriously couldn’t put this book down and read it in two sittings. the suspense? amazing! the story? loved! the characters? so well written!!! THE EPILOGUE? jaw dropped and mad asf bc i need more hello?!
my favorite thing about this book was JULIAN MF HOLLISTER AND MY GIRL JODI DILLON!!!!! i immediately sensed something was going to happen between them at the start and their CHEMISTRY? their BANTER? WHEWWWWWW!!!!! gosh it was too good!!! THE WAY HE SHOWED UP FOR HER TIME AFTER TIME!!!!!! the entire scene with the paint/kisses OHHHH I WAS SCREAMINGGGG!!!!! they had me giggling squealing and kicking my feet. I NEED more.
(julie soto pls give us more jodie and julian im actually begging)
moving on…
this was my first julie soto book and i definitely recommend!!! will for sure be reading her other books now because i was obsessed with this one :) 4.5 stars!
thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the advanced readers copy!
September 12, 2025
OMG!!! You were right about everything, bestieee Krisha, especially that I’d enjoy it 🤭🩷 I really did, and you know what?? It was even more fun chatting with you about it 🤭🥹
I’m kinda unwell after reading the ending 😭😭 I was expecting a reunion, but wow… the epilogue totally threw me off guard 😭 those surprise endings that hit hard but make you wanna scream “WHAT?!?” are the best kind of torture!
You really can’t trust anyone here 😭 Thank God bestie was there to remind me 🫂🫶 BUT I have to say, Julian 👀🤭 umm omggg… I wasn’t expecting enemies-to-lovers in this book but AHHHHH, I got blessed with this trope 🤭🤭 And I absolutely ship Jodi and Julian together 🙂↕️🫂
The book has a supernatural element, but I’d still recommend it if you’re a mystery thriller reader 🙂↕️ You should definitely give it a try because it’s soooo good. You’ll feel sad and enraged, but there are a few scenes where you’ll giggle 🤭 Also, there are lots of characters you’ll like at first but end up not liking 😭
To be very honest, the plot twist wasn’t jaw-dropping. You might even figure out the mystery, but the story and plot are still super enjoyable 🤭🩷
Yayyy, thank you so much, bestie, for hyping me up!!! ILYSM, MWAH 💋
That’s it. Love y’all 🫶🩷
———————————————
₊˚⊹ ᰔ pre-read ₊˚⊹ ᰔ
I’M SOOO READY 😼🩷 heard so many good things about this one so it better delivers 🙂↕️🤭
Krisha bestieee get ready for the spams (soon) hehehe. All thanks to bestie for hyping me up 🤭🫶
I’m kinda unwell after reading the ending 😭😭 I was expecting a reunion, but wow… the epilogue totally threw me off guard 😭 those surprise endings that hit hard but make you wanna scream “WHAT?!?” are the best kind of torture!
You really can’t trust anyone here 😭 Thank God bestie was there to remind me 🫂🫶 BUT I have to say, Julian 👀🤭 umm omggg… I wasn’t expecting enemies-to-lovers in this book but AHHHHH, I got blessed with this trope 🤭🤭 And I absolutely ship Jodi and Julian together 🙂↕️🫂
The book has a supernatural element, but I’d still recommend it if you’re a mystery thriller reader 🙂↕️ You should definitely give it a try because it’s soooo good. You’ll feel sad and enraged, but there are a few scenes where you’ll giggle 🤭 Also, there are lots of characters you’ll like at first but end up not liking 😭
To be very honest, the plot twist wasn’t jaw-dropping. You might even figure out the mystery, but the story and plot are still super enjoyable 🤭🩷
Yayyy, thank you so much, bestie, for hyping me up!!! ILYSM, MWAH 💋
That’s it. Love y’all 🫶🩷
———————————————
₊˚⊹ ᰔ pre-read ₊˚⊹ ᰔ
I’M SOOO READY 😼🩷 heard so many good things about this one so it better delivers 🙂↕️🤭
Krisha bestieee get ready for the spams (soon) hehehe. All thanks to bestie for hyping me up 🤭🫶
October 14, 2025
➸ 3.75/5 stars
for once, I’m keeping this review short and simple. to be completely honest, I didn’t expect to enjoy this as much as I did, but it turned out to be such a fun ride especially as my first Jolie Soto book. I’ve heard a lot about her popular romance books, so I went into this one 100% blind, expecting something similar… only to realize it was actually a thriller. and let me tell you, that was a surprise in the best way possible.
this is her first YA thriller, and She nailed it. the writing was so addictive that I physically couldn’t put the book down. the just one more chapter, and suddenly it’s 2 am 😭 as for the plot, was it the most mind blowing thriller I’ve ever read? no. but was it fun, gripping, and worth the ride? absolutely. If you’re looking for something that keeps you entertained from start to finish, this one delivers. and lastly I am team Julian all the way. Screw Zach!
I’m hungry and famished for more julianjodi ✨
***ARC provided by the publisher St. Martin Press and an ALC by MacMillan Audio.***
for once, I’m keeping this review short and simple. to be completely honest, I didn’t expect to enjoy this as much as I did, but it turned out to be such a fun ride especially as my first Jolie Soto book. I’ve heard a lot about her popular romance books, so I went into this one 100% blind, expecting something similar… only to realize it was actually a thriller. and let me tell you, that was a surprise in the best way possible.
this is her first YA thriller, and She nailed it. the writing was so addictive that I physically couldn’t put the book down. the just one more chapter, and suddenly it’s 2 am 😭 as for the plot, was it the most mind blowing thriller I’ve ever read? no. but was it fun, gripping, and worth the ride? absolutely. If you’re looking for something that keeps you entertained from start to finish, this one delivers. and lastly I am team Julian all the way. Screw Zach!
I’m hungry and famished for more julianjodi ✨
***ARC provided by the publisher St. Martin Press and an ALC by MacMillan Audio.***
May 16, 2025
I really wanted to love this book, but ultimately, it made no sense.
This book left me utterly perplexed and frustrated. I had high hopes for it, thinking I would be entertained throughout, especially after a promising start. Initially, I enjoyed the unfolding story, but as I delved deeper into the lives of Emily and the group, it all began to unravel in a disheartening manner.
One of the most bewildering aspects was Jodi's character. She possesses information about Emily but never chooses to share that critical information with the police. This raised an obvious question: why would she withhold such crucial details? Given that she was not even close friends with Emily, her reasons for protecting her seemed dubious and unconvincing. It made me wonder what motivated Jodi to shield someone she barely knew.
Moreover, the book's supernatural elements were equally convoluted. It felt as though the author struggled to maintain a consistent direction, resulting in a narrative filled with glaring inconsistencies. I mentally noted several plot holes, but honestly, I was too drained by the overall experience to dwell on them any longer.
The portrayal of law enforcement was laughable, turning potentially serious moments into absurd scenarios. This book attempted to center its narrative around a group of friends, but the constant reminders that Jodi felt like an outsider weakened the story’s foundation. We follow Jodi’s perspective exclusively, and her repeated assertions of feeling excluded raised further questions. If her supposed friends continuously neglected her, why did she choose to stick around? It simply did not add up. The gang acknowledged their exclusion of her, yet Jodi seemed to shrug it off without a second thought. This constant cycle of their poor treatment made her eagerness to help them seem irrational.
Jodi's character became unbearable. Halfway through the book, I grew increasingly disillusioned with her. Unlike the other characters who were upfront about their flaws, Jodi put on a façade of goodness that felt disingenuous and irritating.
As for the overarching Emily storyline, it baffled me from the very beginning. It was hard to fathom how the police missed the discrepancies in the narrative, indicating a lack of thorough investigation. I hate to be repetitive, but this book left me feeling profoundly exasperated and unfulfilled.
The conclusion was especially ludicrous. While I suspected that the resolution would fail to satisfy, I was blindsided by how absurdly poorly executed it was.
The character of Julian was the sole bright spot in an otherwise disappointing cast. He managed to avoid being overly antagonistic, yet even his fate in the story felt unjust, particularly in comparison to Zack, who seemingly escaped unscathed. The romantic aspects of the book were hardly worth considering.
In summary, I did not enjoy this book at all. Perhaps I set my expectations too high after my delightful experience with "Julie Chan is Dead," but this read fell immensely short of that mark.
This book left me utterly perplexed and frustrated. I had high hopes for it, thinking I would be entertained throughout, especially after a promising start. Initially, I enjoyed the unfolding story, but as I delved deeper into the lives of Emily and the group, it all began to unravel in a disheartening manner.
One of the most bewildering aspects was Jodi's character. She possesses information about Emily but never chooses to share that critical information with the police. This raised an obvious question: why would she withhold such crucial details? Given that she was not even close friends with Emily, her reasons for protecting her seemed dubious and unconvincing. It made me wonder what motivated Jodi to shield someone she barely knew.
Moreover, the book's supernatural elements were equally convoluted. It felt as though the author struggled to maintain a consistent direction, resulting in a narrative filled with glaring inconsistencies. I mentally noted several plot holes, but honestly, I was too drained by the overall experience to dwell on them any longer.
The portrayal of law enforcement was laughable, turning potentially serious moments into absurd scenarios. This book attempted to center its narrative around a group of friends, but the constant reminders that Jodi felt like an outsider weakened the story’s foundation. We follow Jodi’s perspective exclusively, and her repeated assertions of feeling excluded raised further questions. If her supposed friends continuously neglected her, why did she choose to stick around? It simply did not add up. The gang acknowledged their exclusion of her, yet Jodi seemed to shrug it off without a second thought. This constant cycle of their poor treatment made her eagerness to help them seem irrational.
Jodi's character became unbearable. Halfway through the book, I grew increasingly disillusioned with her. Unlike the other characters who were upfront about their flaws, Jodi put on a façade of goodness that felt disingenuous and irritating.
As for the overarching Emily storyline, it baffled me from the very beginning. It was hard to fathom how the police missed the discrepancies in the narrative, indicating a lack of thorough investigation. I hate to be repetitive, but this book left me feeling profoundly exasperated and unfulfilled.
The conclusion was especially ludicrous. While I suspected that the resolution would fail to satisfy, I was blindsided by how absurdly poorly executed it was.
The character of Julian was the sole bright spot in an otherwise disappointing cast. He managed to avoid being overly antagonistic, yet even his fate in the story felt unjust, particularly in comparison to Zack, who seemingly escaped unscathed. The romantic aspects of the book were hardly worth considering.
In summary, I did not enjoy this book at all. Perhaps I set my expectations too high after my delightful experience with "Julie Chan is Dead," but this read fell immensely short of that mark.
May 4, 2025
this is one of the best young adult books i’ve read in a long, long time. i think (and this is a bold claim) that it’s renewed my love for the genre. the thrashers is fast paced and gripping, features realistic, three dimensional characters, and explores (with much needed grace) important, pervasive themes like bullying, suicide, and social hierarchy.
we follow a tight knit friend group of five, known by most as the thrashers, after the death of their fellow classmate, emily mills. they are considered suspects in the case, their behavior and treatment of emily both as a group and individually believed to have been the instigating factor of her suicide. they deny any involvement, but is anyone really innocent?
i do want to say that if you’re expecting some mind blowing plot twist at the end, you’re likely not going to get it. it’s not predictable (at least in my opinion), but it isn’t entirely unpredictable either. and i think that’s what i enjoyed so much about it. this story, beneath its paranormal touch, feels so real. it’s about teenagers making questionable decisions and having to deal with the fallout—legal, social, and personal. it’s about the prevalence of elitism even in a supposedly tame setting like high school and how damaging it can be (for both the worshippers and the worshipped) to place people on a pedestal. it’s about the changing nature of friendship and learning to find each other, and yourself, all over again.
i loved jodi as our protagonist. i thought her perspective as part of this clique, but as someone who feels her position in it is precarious, was so interesting. she’s in, but for how long? her chemistry with julian was everything, and her relationship with lucy and paige was just so precious 🥹 julian is probably my favorite character, though. he’s so layered and complex; his motivations aren’t exactly what they seem, and his actions throughout the book reveal parts of him he’s meticulously kept hidden. the last chapter and the epilogue in particular show just how much emily’s death affected him, and how much he cares for his friends.
i hope desperately that julie soto will let us revisit these characters and their stories, but even if she decides this is it, i am so so grateful to have read this. i will absolutely be rereading it <3
[thank you to netgalley and st martin’s press/wednesday books for the advanced copy!]
we follow a tight knit friend group of five, known by most as the thrashers, after the death of their fellow classmate, emily mills. they are considered suspects in the case, their behavior and treatment of emily both as a group and individually believed to have been the instigating factor of her suicide. they deny any involvement, but is anyone really innocent?
i do want to say that if you’re expecting some mind blowing plot twist at the end, you’re likely not going to get it. it’s not predictable (at least in my opinion), but it isn’t entirely unpredictable either. and i think that’s what i enjoyed so much about it. this story, beneath its paranormal touch, feels so real. it’s about teenagers making questionable decisions and having to deal with the fallout—legal, social, and personal. it’s about the prevalence of elitism even in a supposedly tame setting like high school and how damaging it can be (for both the worshippers and the worshipped) to place people on a pedestal. it’s about the changing nature of friendship and learning to find each other, and yourself, all over again.
i loved jodi as our protagonist. i thought her perspective as part of this clique, but as someone who feels her position in it is precarious, was so interesting. she’s in, but for how long? her chemistry with julian was everything, and her relationship with lucy and paige was just so precious 🥹 julian is probably my favorite character, though. he’s so layered and complex; his motivations aren’t exactly what they seem, and his actions throughout the book reveal parts of him he’s meticulously kept hidden. the last chapter and the epilogue in particular show just how much emily’s death affected him, and how much he cares for his friends.
i hope desperately that julie soto will let us revisit these characters and their stories, but even if she decides this is it, i am so so grateful to have read this. i will absolutely be rereading it <3
[thank you to netgalley and st martin’s press/wednesday books for the advanced copy!]
May 6, 2025
જ⁀➴ 4.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley, Julie Soto, and Wednesday Books for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Update: Happy publishing day to The Thrashers!
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
I don’t use these words a lot, but this was worth the hype. I’ve seen so many 4 and 5-star reviews for it and for my first Julie Soto book and Julie Soto’s YA debut—and a YA thriller no less—this was so much fun to read. I've been looking for another thriller that's made me lose track of time and made me feel fully immersed in the plot and characters, and this was the one. Like, I'm talking "I went to bed at 2 AM even though I was fully aware that I had to wake up early to get ready and go to work the next morning" good. I'm calling it right now- BookTok, Bookstagram, etc. is going to hype this book up like crazy, and while I try not to follow bookish social media trends all the time (considering my poor track record with liking most of the books recommended online), I think this is one of the very few books that deserves all the praise.
The story takes place over a year at New Helvetia High, following a group of five friends--Jodi, Paige, Lucy, Julian, and their "ringleader," Zack,--AKA The Thrashers. They're the "it" group at school. Everyone wants to be in their friend group, and some people do, for a time...until they get "Thrashed," AKA kicked out in a humiliating way, or flat out dropped from the friend group once their purpose has been served. They're rich and pretty, but most importantly, they're best friends with Zack Thrasher, and being friends with Zack Thrasher can get you far in the social hierarchy at New Helvetia. When a girl named Emily Mills commits suicide the night of prom, the Thrashers are the prime suspects in the investigation; officials say that their bullying led to Emily's suicide, since Emily wanted to become a Thrasher herself but never made it into the inner circle. They claim they did nothing wrong and never bullied Emily, but how much truth is behind those claims?
I think Julie Soto did a great job creating a complex and morally gray cast of characters. I usually hesitate on reading anything that's even remotely related to the YA contemporary space because I feel like, as an (almost) twenty-five-year-old, I've grown out of the genre, and I haven't been a teenager for quite some time now. I always get worried that the writing will feel too juvenile and the characters too immature, even though the characters in The Thrashers are high school seniors (17/18). I had none of these concerns while reading. The book goes into a lot of heavy topics such as suicide, bullying, and mean high school cliques (all trigger/content warnings will be listed at the bottom of my review), and I think Julie Soto perfectly encaptured all of the feelings that I feel most, if not all, high schoolers have felt at least once or twice throughout their high school experience. The story is told from Jodi's perspective, and the way that Jodi is the "odd one out," considering she doesn't come from a ton of money like her friends do, tries not to drink or do drugs, and tries to be kind to everyone she can, provides a fresh and interesting perspective on the story since she always feels like she's the next person to get "Thrashed." I loved The Thrashers' friendship with each other; it was super wholesome and they felt like a true friend group, especially Jodi's friendship with Paige.
It's been a long, long time since a book has kept me engaged like this. It was giving me Pretty Little Liars vibes the entire way through. Like, the mysterious text messages from an anonymous person? The freak accidents? The way the mystery and entire story runs so much deeper than you think, and you never know who's telling the truth at any time? The way you could never trust anyone who was saying anything? I loved it all. I would've finished it in one sitting if I didn't have to go to bed. I also thought the paranormal aspect of the story was pretty cool to read about as well; it almost turned a thriller into a horror story a few times, if I'm being quite honest! With that being said, do I think the plot twist was mind-blowing? No, and I predicted the ending pretty early on. However, I still think this was enjoyable to read and the writing and plot sucked me into the story from the very first chapter.
The only two things I took half a star off for were the ending and the romance. I might be on Unpopular/Hot Take Island here, but I didn't feel the chemistry between Jodi and person-who-shall-not-be-named-for-the-sake-of-not-spoiling-anything. There was one really cute scene that made a thriller feel like a wholesome, cutesy YA rom-com for a few pages, but other than that, I didn't feel the chemistry between the two. As for the ending, it kind of felt...incomplete? I'm not sure how else to describe it, but I felt like there wasn't a whole ton of closure at the end of the story and I feel like more justice needed to be served, all things considered. Maybe this means there's an avenue open for Julie Soto in the future to write more from this New Helvetia High universe later on down the line? I'm sure this is supposed to be a standalone, but who knows? (I REALLY hope there's more down the line in this universe.)
There was also one specific element/part from the story that was brought up twice during the plot and provided what I thought was good, important information about Emily, but was never brought up again after those instances, or contributed to the entire plot. I honestly don't think that it contributed anything overall to the plot and how everything ultimately unraveled. If it were removed, I don't think it would've impacted the story greatly. I think it provided some good context and characterization of Emily before she passed, but that was about it.
If you're looking for a thriller to get you turning the pages, lose track of time, and become enthralled in the plot, this is the book for you! I'm so glad this was my first Julie Soto book, and I've already put her on my auto-buy list of authors after reading The Thrashers. I look forward to reading more from her in the near future--I preordered Rose in Chains a few months ago--and I'll be reading some of her romance novels at some point to pass the time between finishing this and waiting for my copy of Rose in Chains to come in the mail. Julie Soto, you just gained a new fan.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
Trigger/content warnings: bullying (including cyberbullying), suicide, alcohol and drug use and consumption, physical assault, car accident, loss of a loved one, hospitalization, graphic depictions of bodily injuries, vomiting/emesis
⋆˙⟡ 𝑅𝑒𝒶𝒹𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓊𝓅𝒹𝒶𝓉𝑒 (5/3/2025, 1:31 PM): I need to write this down somewhere it won’t get lost in a status update—I also never do this so this is how you know this is a big deal—because holy crap…you guys are in for a TREAT with this book! I’m not done just yet but I’m not disappointed so far with the way this is going!💜✨I’m going to call it now and say bookish social media will be SALIVATING over this book the entire summer!
⋆˙⟡ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹: This will be ARC 2/8 I need to finish this month, and ARC 2/3 I need to finish by Tuesday! I'm currently doing a readathon and I already finished 2 books (yay!). I'm briefly taking a break to write this because this is the ARC I'm the most excited to read for my next deadline: The Thrashers! I've heard SO many good things about it, and this will be my first Julie Soto book, so I'm super excited to see what's coming!🩷💙Wish me luck, I'm hoping this delivers because I'm in need of a good thriller right now!🤞🏼🍀✨
Thank you to NetGalley, Julie Soto, and Wednesday Books for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Update: Happy publishing day to The Thrashers!
"They drew attention to themselves no matter what. The Thrashers."
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
I don’t use these words a lot, but this was worth the hype. I’ve seen so many 4 and 5-star reviews for it and for my first Julie Soto book and Julie Soto’s YA debut—and a YA thriller no less—this was so much fun to read. I've been looking for another thriller that's made me lose track of time and made me feel fully immersed in the plot and characters, and this was the one. Like, I'm talking "I went to bed at 2 AM even though I was fully aware that I had to wake up early to get ready and go to work the next morning" good. I'm calling it right now- BookTok, Bookstagram, etc. is going to hype this book up like crazy, and while I try not to follow bookish social media trends all the time (considering my poor track record with liking most of the books recommended online), I think this is one of the very few books that deserves all the praise.
The story takes place over a year at New Helvetia High, following a group of five friends--Jodi, Paige, Lucy, Julian, and their "ringleader," Zack,--AKA The Thrashers. They're the "it" group at school. Everyone wants to be in their friend group, and some people do, for a time...until they get "Thrashed," AKA kicked out in a humiliating way, or flat out dropped from the friend group once their purpose has been served. They're rich and pretty, but most importantly, they're best friends with Zack Thrasher, and being friends with Zack Thrasher can get you far in the social hierarchy at New Helvetia. When a girl named Emily Mills commits suicide the night of prom, the Thrashers are the prime suspects in the investigation; officials say that their bullying led to Emily's suicide, since Emily wanted to become a Thrasher herself but never made it into the inner circle. They claim they did nothing wrong and never bullied Emily, but how much truth is behind those claims?
I think Julie Soto did a great job creating a complex and morally gray cast of characters. I usually hesitate on reading anything that's even remotely related to the YA contemporary space because I feel like, as an (almost) twenty-five-year-old, I've grown out of the genre, and I haven't been a teenager for quite some time now. I always get worried that the writing will feel too juvenile and the characters too immature, even though the characters in The Thrashers are high school seniors (17/18). I had none of these concerns while reading. The book goes into a lot of heavy topics such as suicide, bullying, and mean high school cliques (all trigger/content warnings will be listed at the bottom of my review), and I think Julie Soto perfectly encaptured all of the feelings that I feel most, if not all, high schoolers have felt at least once or twice throughout their high school experience. The story is told from Jodi's perspective, and the way that Jodi is the "odd one out," considering she doesn't come from a ton of money like her friends do, tries not to drink or do drugs, and tries to be kind to everyone she can, provides a fresh and interesting perspective on the story since she always feels like she's the next person to get "Thrashed." I loved The Thrashers' friendship with each other; it was super wholesome and they felt like a true friend group, especially Jodi's friendship with Paige.
It's been a long, long time since a book has kept me engaged like this. It was giving me Pretty Little Liars vibes the entire way through. Like, the mysterious text messages from an anonymous person? The freak accidents? The way the mystery and entire story runs so much deeper than you think, and you never know who's telling the truth at any time? The way you could never trust anyone who was saying anything? I loved it all. I would've finished it in one sitting if I didn't have to go to bed. I also thought the paranormal aspect of the story was pretty cool to read about as well; it almost turned a thriller into a horror story a few times, if I'm being quite honest! With that being said, do I think the plot twist was mind-blowing? No, and I predicted the ending pretty early on. However, I still think this was enjoyable to read and the writing and plot sucked me into the story from the very first chapter.
The only two things I took half a star off for were the ending and the romance. I might be on Unpopular/Hot Take Island here, but I didn't feel the chemistry between Jodi and person-who-shall-not-be-named-for-the-sake-of-not-spoiling-anything. There was one really cute scene that made a thriller feel like a wholesome, cutesy YA rom-com for a few pages, but other than that, I didn't feel the chemistry between the two. As for the ending, it kind of felt...incomplete? I'm not sure how else to describe it, but I felt like there wasn't a whole ton of closure at the end of the story and I feel like more justice needed to be served, all things considered. Maybe this means there's an avenue open for Julie Soto in the future to write more from this New Helvetia High universe later on down the line? I'm sure this is supposed to be a standalone, but who knows? (I REALLY hope there's more down the line in this universe.)
There was also one specific element/part from the story that was brought up twice during the plot and provided what I thought was good, important information about Emily, but was never brought up again after those instances, or contributed to the entire plot. I honestly don't think that it contributed anything overall to the plot and how everything ultimately unraveled. If it were removed, I don't think it would've impacted the story greatly. I think it provided some good context and characterization of Emily before she passed, but that was about it.
If you're looking for a thriller to get you turning the pages, lose track of time, and become enthralled in the plot, this is the book for you! I'm so glad this was my first Julie Soto book, and I've already put her on my auto-buy list of authors after reading The Thrashers. I look forward to reading more from her in the near future--I preordered Rose in Chains a few months ago--and I'll be reading some of her romance novels at some point to pass the time between finishing this and waiting for my copy of Rose in Chains to come in the mail. Julie Soto, you just gained a new fan.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
Trigger/content warnings: bullying (including cyberbullying), suicide, alcohol and drug use and consumption, physical assault, car accident, loss of a loved one, hospitalization, graphic depictions of bodily injuries, vomiting/emesis
⋆˙⟡ 𝑅𝑒𝒶𝒹𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓊𝓅𝒹𝒶𝓉𝑒 (5/3/2025, 1:31 PM): I need to write this down somewhere it won’t get lost in a status update—I also never do this so this is how you know this is a big deal—because holy crap…you guys are in for a TREAT with this book! I’m not done just yet but I’m not disappointed so far with the way this is going!💜✨I’m going to call it now and say bookish social media will be SALIVATING over this book the entire summer!
⋆˙⟡ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹: This will be ARC 2/8 I need to finish this month, and ARC 2/3 I need to finish by Tuesday! I'm currently doing a readathon and I already finished 2 books (yay!). I'm briefly taking a break to write this because this is the ARC I'm the most excited to read for my next deadline: The Thrashers! I've heard SO many good things about it, and this will be my first Julie Soto book, so I'm super excited to see what's coming!🩷💙Wish me luck, I'm hoping this delivers because I'm in need of a good thriller right now!🤞🏼🍀✨
May 2, 2025
3.75 stars! ⭐️ Huge thanks to St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books & NetGalley for the ARC 💌
Okay WHAT just happened—
I was eating this up, pages flying like I was on a mission… and then BAM, the ending smacked me in the face. Like, excuse me, Julie?? That epilogue?? Straight-up WTF-core. I sat there blinking at the last page like, “Nah, that’s not it... right?”
But let’s rewind real quick…
I actually liked this. A lot more than I thought I would. I’m a big romance girlie, so when I saw reviews hyping up the thriller AND some lowkey romance, I ran. And it was giving what it needed to give—for most of it. The vibes? Elite high school drama + secret diaries + shady rich kids + dead girl haunting them from the grave?? Yes pls!!!
The writing was super fast-paced—I didn’t even notice how far in I got, which is saying a lot because I’m usually checking page count every five minutes like it’s a sport. Jodi was such a well-written lead too. Not the usual pretty, rich, confident YA main character. She’s insecure, messy, relatable, and trying so hard to hang onto a toxic group she doesn’t even like.
And then there’s Julian. JULIAN MF HOLLISTER.
The minute he walked in all dark and broody, teasing Jodi, I KNEW. He had that annoying bad-boy-who-sees-through-everyone energy and I was here for it. Their chemistry??? Paint scene??? I squealed. Like full-on grinning at my phone. I need 300 pages of them just being chaotic and in love.
The mystery part though? Slightly predictable. Like yeah, I saw the twist coming halfway in. But somehow that didn’t ruin it for me because the tension still stayed high, and the paranormal elements?? Did NOT expect that. It added this creepy vibe I wasn’t prepared for but actually kinda loved.
Now let’s talk ending.
Or… not talk about it because I have no clue what that epilogue was. It gave open-ending-meets-plot-hole-galore-meets-possible-sequel-bait??? I NEED a sequel. There are questions. Many. And I need more Julian and Jodi moments.
Final thoughts? I had a good time. Not flawless, but addictive AF, and it kinda pulled me out of my reading slump too. Julie Soto, ma’am, I need answers. And a romance spin-off. Immediately.
Tropes:
🎭 Rich clique drama
🕯️ Girl stuck between truth and loyalty
🎭 Morally grey love interest (Julian ily)
🕯️ Paranormal twist you didn’t see coming
🎭 Paint-flirting enemies-ish-to-maybe-lovers thing
🕯️ Dead girl haunting from the grave
🎭 Unreliable social circle
🕯️ Open ending / Sequel bait
CW:
- Suicide
- Bullying
- Stalking
- Alcoholism
- Toxic relationships
Okay that’s all, go read it if you want drama, chaos, and a dead girl making everyone suffer from the grave. The vibes are immaculate.
Okay WHAT just happened—
I was eating this up, pages flying like I was on a mission… and then BAM, the ending smacked me in the face. Like, excuse me, Julie?? That epilogue?? Straight-up WTF-core. I sat there blinking at the last page like, “Nah, that’s not it... right?”
But let’s rewind real quick…
I actually liked this. A lot more than I thought I would. I’m a big romance girlie, so when I saw reviews hyping up the thriller AND some lowkey romance, I ran. And it was giving what it needed to give—for most of it. The vibes? Elite high school drama + secret diaries + shady rich kids + dead girl haunting them from the grave?? Yes pls!!!
The writing was super fast-paced—I didn’t even notice how far in I got, which is saying a lot because I’m usually checking page count every five minutes like it’s a sport. Jodi was such a well-written lead too. Not the usual pretty, rich, confident YA main character. She’s insecure, messy, relatable, and trying so hard to hang onto a toxic group she doesn’t even like.
And then there’s Julian. JULIAN MF HOLLISTER.
The minute he walked in all dark and broody, teasing Jodi, I KNEW. He had that annoying bad-boy-who-sees-through-everyone energy and I was here for it. Their chemistry??? Paint scene??? I squealed. Like full-on grinning at my phone. I need 300 pages of them just being chaotic and in love.
The mystery part though? Slightly predictable. Like yeah, I saw the twist coming halfway in. But somehow that didn’t ruin it for me because the tension still stayed high, and the paranormal elements?? Did NOT expect that. It added this creepy vibe I wasn’t prepared for but actually kinda loved.
Now let’s talk ending.
Or… not talk about it because I have no clue what that epilogue was. It gave open-ending-meets-plot-hole-galore-meets-possible-sequel-bait??? I NEED a sequel. There are questions. Many. And I need more Julian and Jodi moments.
Final thoughts? I had a good time. Not flawless, but addictive AF, and it kinda pulled me out of my reading slump too. Julie Soto, ma’am, I need answers. And a romance spin-off. Immediately.
Tropes:
🎭 Rich clique drama
🕯️ Girl stuck between truth and loyalty
🎭 Morally grey love interest (Julian ily)
🕯️ Paranormal twist you didn’t see coming
🎭 Paint-flirting enemies-ish-to-maybe-lovers thing
🕯️ Dead girl haunting from the grave
🎭 Unreliable social circle
🕯️ Open ending / Sequel bait
CW:
- Suicide
- Bullying
- Stalking
- Alcoholism
- Toxic relationships
Okay that’s all, go read it if you want drama, chaos, and a dead girl making everyone suffer from the grave. The vibes are immaculate.
December 14, 2025
Thrashers is a deeply intriguing, provocative, and thought-provoking YA novel that delves into the complexities of high school hierarchies, the costs of belonging to a friendship group, and the weight of triggering subjects like suicide, stalking, obsession, self-destruction, and body shaming.
The story opens with the tragic suicide of Emily Mills, a 17-year-old girl, on her prom night. She is found drowned in a bathtub, wearing her gown, with her final words etched into the scene. This haunting beginning sets the tone for the rest of the novel.
We are then introduced to the Thrashers, a group of privileged, highly popular students who dominate their school’s social scene. Led by Zack Thrasher, whose last name defines the group, they draw others into their orbit like bees to honey—or, more accurately, like moths to a flame. Zack has a habit of discarding people once he grows bored or finds them no longer useful, often ghosting or humiliating them to the point of erasure.
Jodi Dillon, the protagonist, stands apart from the rest of the Thrashers. Unlike her wealthy, stunning friends Lucy and Paige, Jodi doesn’t come from money, isn’t conventionally beautiful, and lacks the talents that define her peers—be it acting, sports, or academic excellence. She lives with her alcoholic father, who can be cruel when drunk, and has essentially raised herself. Despite her insecurities, Jodi is certain of two things: she has been in love with Zack Thrasher since childhood, and she is terrified of being “trashed” and cast out of the group like so many others before her.
Jodi had a complicated relationship with Emily. While not exactly friends, she tolerated her and even visited Emily’s home to study, enduring her intrusive questions about her personal life. Meanwhile, the rest of the Thrashers relentlessly teased Emily, who was desperate to join their group and obsessed with Zack. Emily’s hopes of sharing a limo with the Thrashers on prom night were shattered when she took her own life.
When Emily’s diary is discovered, it reveals that she was raped by one of the Thrashers and that her suicide was the result of relentless psychological bullying by the group. This revelation sparks a criminal investigation, and the Thrashers—Paige, Lucy, Julian (the group’s bad boy who often targets Jodi), and Zack—find themselves facing the possibility of jail time based on the evidence in Emily’s diary and witness testimonies. Jodi is thrust into the spotlight, forced to testify against her friends.
As the investigation unfolds, Jodi begins to question everything she thought she knew about her friends and their dynamics. Did they go too far in tormenting Emily? Were they hiding secrets from her all along? Was she, too, expendable, destined to be “trashed” like Zack’s other victims? And perhaps most unsettling of all: what if the boy she loves isn’t the person she believed him to be?
Overall, Thrashers is a slow burn, and at times the mystery feels drawn out, with the pacing lagging in the middle. The big twist, while impactful, is somewhat predictable, which initially made me consider rating the book three stars. However, the way the story wraps up—coupled with an award-worthy, chilling, and utterly jaw-dropping epilogue—completely changed my mind. I rounded my rating up to 4 stars (the ending alone is worth five stars and gave me goosebumps). The novel is thought-provoking, realistic, and mysterious, leaving a lasting impression.
I highly recommend Thrashers for its gripping narrative and perfect conclusion.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books for sharing this intriguing YA mystery’s digital review copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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The story opens with the tragic suicide of Emily Mills, a 17-year-old girl, on her prom night. She is found drowned in a bathtub, wearing her gown, with her final words etched into the scene. This haunting beginning sets the tone for the rest of the novel.
We are then introduced to the Thrashers, a group of privileged, highly popular students who dominate their school’s social scene. Led by Zack Thrasher, whose last name defines the group, they draw others into their orbit like bees to honey—or, more accurately, like moths to a flame. Zack has a habit of discarding people once he grows bored or finds them no longer useful, often ghosting or humiliating them to the point of erasure.
Jodi Dillon, the protagonist, stands apart from the rest of the Thrashers. Unlike her wealthy, stunning friends Lucy and Paige, Jodi doesn’t come from money, isn’t conventionally beautiful, and lacks the talents that define her peers—be it acting, sports, or academic excellence. She lives with her alcoholic father, who can be cruel when drunk, and has essentially raised herself. Despite her insecurities, Jodi is certain of two things: she has been in love with Zack Thrasher since childhood, and she is terrified of being “trashed” and cast out of the group like so many others before her.
Jodi had a complicated relationship with Emily. While not exactly friends, she tolerated her and even visited Emily’s home to study, enduring her intrusive questions about her personal life. Meanwhile, the rest of the Thrashers relentlessly teased Emily, who was desperate to join their group and obsessed with Zack. Emily’s hopes of sharing a limo with the Thrashers on prom night were shattered when she took her own life.
When Emily’s diary is discovered, it reveals that she was raped by one of the Thrashers and that her suicide was the result of relentless psychological bullying by the group. This revelation sparks a criminal investigation, and the Thrashers—Paige, Lucy, Julian (the group’s bad boy who often targets Jodi), and Zack—find themselves facing the possibility of jail time based on the evidence in Emily’s diary and witness testimonies. Jodi is thrust into the spotlight, forced to testify against her friends.
As the investigation unfolds, Jodi begins to question everything she thought she knew about her friends and their dynamics. Did they go too far in tormenting Emily? Were they hiding secrets from her all along? Was she, too, expendable, destined to be “trashed” like Zack’s other victims? And perhaps most unsettling of all: what if the boy she loves isn’t the person she believed him to be?
Overall, Thrashers is a slow burn, and at times the mystery feels drawn out, with the pacing lagging in the middle. The big twist, while impactful, is somewhat predictable, which initially made me consider rating the book three stars. However, the way the story wraps up—coupled with an award-worthy, chilling, and utterly jaw-dropping epilogue—completely changed my mind. I rounded my rating up to 4 stars (the ending alone is worth five stars and gave me goosebumps). The novel is thought-provoking, realistic, and mysterious, leaving a lasting impression.
I highly recommend Thrashers for its gripping narrative and perfect conclusion.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books for sharing this intriguing YA mystery’s digital review copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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October 26, 2025
2.75 stars
this was a fun, easy, and spooky read, perfect for fall. my only problem was it felt like the author added in some things that weren’t wrapped up in the end.
— the characters 💮
they were all soo unlikable. their whole friend group felt like such a typical highschool cliche experience that it was almost uncomfortable. one of the plot holes that i was really upset by was the inconclusive ending of how their friendship would be fixed.
— the plot💮
it was okay. again, very creepy and fast-paced, but super unsatisfying.
overall, it was alright! would recommend for a fast and gripping read.
☆ thank you to my loveliest ellie for reading this book with me. i had the best time theorizing with you! 🩷
⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹
☆ ── preread ⊹
next mystery book for the season 🙂↕️ i've been hearing nothing but good things, so hopefully it's at least fun. buddy reading with my beautiful angel ellie <3 finally time for our first br this year 🤭💞
⌗ fall book #4.
this was a fun, easy, and spooky read, perfect for fall. my only problem was it felt like the author added in some things that weren’t wrapped up in the end.
— the characters 💮
they were all soo unlikable. their whole friend group felt like such a typical highschool cliche experience that it was almost uncomfortable. one of the plot holes that i was really upset by was the inconclusive ending of how their friendship would be fixed.
— the plot💮
it was okay. again, very creepy and fast-paced, but super unsatisfying.
overall, it was alright! would recommend for a fast and gripping read.
☆ thank you to my loveliest ellie for reading this book with me. i had the best time theorizing with you! 🩷
⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹
☆ ── preread ⊹
next mystery book for the season 🙂↕️ i've been hearing nothing but good things, so hopefully it's at least fun. buddy reading with my beautiful angel ellie <3 finally time for our first br this year 🤭💞
⌗ fall book #4.
June 22, 2025
—— 𝟒.𝟓 ☆ 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬. 🛁
📖┆𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐭𝐨
🏷️┆𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: 𝕐𝔸 𝕋𝕙𝕣𝕚𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕣
📆┆𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝: 𝟝/𝟙𝟡/𝟚𝟝 - 𝟝/𝟚𝟙/𝟚𝟝
📋┆𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬
「 ”Welcome to the Thrashers, the elite friend group at New Helvetia High. They're everything everyone wants to be. Jodi Dillon was never meant to be one of them. She feels out of place, but Zack's her childhood best friend, so she's in. Then Emily Mills, who desperately wanted to be a Thrasher, dies and the whispers about the Thrashers begin. As Emily's journal surfaces, detectives close in, and Jodi faces an impossible choice: betray her friends or protect herself. But as eerie messages and strange occurrences escalate, it becomes clear-Emily isn't done with them yet.”」
.·:*¨༺༻¨*:·. .·:*¨༺༻¨*:·. .·:*¨༺༻¨*:·.
ᴍʏ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ★★★★ ½
ɢᴏᴏᴅʀᴇᴀᴅꜱ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: 𝟺.𝟸𝟻 ☆ ꜱᴛᴀʀꜱ
ᴘᴀɪʀ ᴡɪᴛʜ: ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏᴋᴇ ʙᴏᴛᴛʟᴇꜱ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴍᴇxɪᴄᴏ ᴏɴʟʏ
ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ʀᴇᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴅ?: ʏᴇꜱ!
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: [ʙᴜʀʏ ᴀ ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ ♪ ʙɪʟʟɪᴇ ᴇɪʟɪꜱʜ]
1:08 ———♡——— 3:13
‧₊˚♪𝄞࿐₊˚⊹ 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑑𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑚𝑒? 𝑤ℎ𝑦 𝑑𝑜𝑛'𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑟𝑢𝑛 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑚𝑒? 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔? 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑑𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤? 𝑤ℎ𝑦 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛'𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑒? 𝑤ℎ𝑦 𝑑𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑒? 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑤𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑓𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑎𝑠𝑙𝑒𝑒𝑝, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑑𝑜 𝑤𝑒 𝑔𝑜?
ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ:
🛁 13 ʀᴇᴀꜱᴏɴꜱ ᴡʜʏ
🛁 ʀɪᴄʜ ᴋɪᴅꜱ ᴅʀᴀᴍᴀ
🛁 ᴘʀᴇᴛᴛʏ ʟɪᴛᴛʟᴇ ʟɪᴀʀꜱ
🛁 ʜɪɢʜ ꜱᴄʜᴏᴏʟ ꜱᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ
🛁 ᴘᴀʀᴀɴᴏʀᴍᴀʟ ᴇʟᴇᴍᴇɴᴛꜱ
🛁 ᴜɴʀᴇʟɪᴀʙʟᴇ ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ ɢʀᴏᴜᴘ
⚠️TW: suicide, bullying, parental neglect/abuse, alcoholism
.·:*¨༺༻¨*:·. .·:*¨༺༻¨*:·. .·:*¨༺༻¨*:·.
💬┆𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
• I had so much fun with The Thrashers. I wanted to speed through this because I was hooked, but at the same time, I wanted to take my time reading it, I didn’t want it to end! I’m not the biggest fan of YA thrillers. I haven’t had the best of luck with them throughout the years. All of the others should take notes; this is what YA thrillers should be.
• I would describe the vibes of this book as if 13 Reasons Why & Pretty Little Liars had a baby & Netflix adopted it. That’s all I’m going to say, I don’t want to give away anything. 🤐
• If Zack Thrasher has no haters, then I am dead 🫢 Listen, I had a weird feeling about him from the beginning. And despite how clueless he may act, at the end of the day, I really think that’s what it all is; an act. I think this little fuck knows exactly what he’s doing. Give me Julian over him any day. I love me some brood & angst.
• I was eating up the crumbs of the romance that we got, but I was glad it didn’t distract from the main plot.
• THE EPILOGUE. My flabber was gasted. I really hope we get a sequel. No, I demand we get a sequel.
• This was my first book of Julie Soto’s, which is surprising of me because I always knew she would be an author I would like. Well, she officially has a new fan 👈🏼 & I’m looking forward to reading more of her books!
.·:*¨༺༻¨*:·. .·:*¨༺༻¨*:·. .·:*¨༺༻¨*:·. .·:*¨༺༻¨*:·. .·:*¨༺
❝𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚙𝚑𝚛𝚊𝚜𝚎 𝚜𝚕𝚒𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚍 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚞𝚕𝚝𝚒𝚙𝚕𝚎 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠𝚜. 𝚃𝚠𝚘 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚍𝚜 𝙸 𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚜𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚐𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚜𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚛 𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚜, 𝚞𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚜 𝚚𝚞𝚒𝚌𝚔 𝚘𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚛 𝚝𝚘𝚗𝚐𝚞𝚎𝚜 𝚊𝚜 𝚏𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚜, 𝚏𝚒𝚕𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚕𝚜. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒉𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒔.❞
📖┆𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐭𝐨
🏷️┆𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: 𝕐𝔸 𝕋𝕙𝕣𝕚𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕣
📆┆𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝: 𝟝/𝟙𝟡/𝟚𝟝 - 𝟝/𝟚𝟙/𝟚𝟝
📋┆𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬
「 ”Welcome to the Thrashers, the elite friend group at New Helvetia High. They're everything everyone wants to be. Jodi Dillon was never meant to be one of them. She feels out of place, but Zack's her childhood best friend, so she's in. Then Emily Mills, who desperately wanted to be a Thrasher, dies and the whispers about the Thrashers begin. As Emily's journal surfaces, detectives close in, and Jodi faces an impossible choice: betray her friends or protect herself. But as eerie messages and strange occurrences escalate, it becomes clear-Emily isn't done with them yet.”」
.·:*¨༺༻¨*:·. .·:*¨༺༻¨*:·. .·:*¨༺༻¨*:·.
ᴍʏ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ★★★★ ½
ɢᴏᴏᴅʀᴇᴀᴅꜱ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: 𝟺.𝟸𝟻 ☆ ꜱᴛᴀʀꜱ
ᴘᴀɪʀ ᴡɪᴛʜ: ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏᴋᴇ ʙᴏᴛᴛʟᴇꜱ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴍᴇxɪᴄᴏ ᴏɴʟʏ
ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ʀᴇᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴅ?: ʏᴇꜱ!
lıllılı.ıllı.ılılıılıı.lllııılı.
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: [ʙᴜʀʏ ᴀ ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ ♪ ʙɪʟʟɪᴇ ᴇɪʟɪꜱʜ]
1:08 ———♡——— 3:13
◁◁ ▐ ▌ ▷▷
‧₊˚♪𝄞࿐₊˚⊹ 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑑𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑚𝑒? 𝑤ℎ𝑦 𝑑𝑜𝑛'𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑟𝑢𝑛 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑚𝑒? 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔? 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑑𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤? 𝑤ℎ𝑦 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛'𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑒? 𝑤ℎ𝑦 𝑑𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑒? 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑤𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑓𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑎𝑠𝑙𝑒𝑒𝑝, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑑𝑜 𝑤𝑒 𝑔𝑜?
ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ:
🛁 13 ʀᴇᴀꜱᴏɴꜱ ᴡʜʏ
🛁 ʀɪᴄʜ ᴋɪᴅꜱ ᴅʀᴀᴍᴀ
🛁 ᴘʀᴇᴛᴛʏ ʟɪᴛᴛʟᴇ ʟɪᴀʀꜱ
🛁 ʜɪɢʜ ꜱᴄʜᴏᴏʟ ꜱᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ
🛁 ᴘᴀʀᴀɴᴏʀᴍᴀʟ ᴇʟᴇᴍᴇɴᴛꜱ
🛁 ᴜɴʀᴇʟɪᴀʙʟᴇ ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ ɢʀᴏᴜᴘ
⚠️TW: suicide, bullying, parental neglect/abuse, alcoholism
❝𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚘𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚍𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚏 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚠𝚒𝚜𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚕𝚎𝚝 𝚑𝚒𝚖 𝚌𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚘𝚙𝚎𝚗 𝚊 𝚜𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎, 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚎𝚎 𝚒𝚏 𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚒𝚝 𝚒𝚗𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎.❞
.·:*¨༺༻¨*:·. .·:*¨༺༻¨*:·. .·:*¨༺༻¨*:·.
💬┆𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
• I had so much fun with The Thrashers. I wanted to speed through this because I was hooked, but at the same time, I wanted to take my time reading it, I didn’t want it to end! I’m not the biggest fan of YA thrillers. I haven’t had the best of luck with them throughout the years. All of the others should take notes; this is what YA thrillers should be.
• I would describe the vibes of this book as if 13 Reasons Why & Pretty Little Liars had a baby & Netflix adopted it. That’s all I’m going to say, I don’t want to give away anything. 🤐
• If Zack Thrasher has no haters, then I am dead 🫢 Listen, I had a weird feeling about him from the beginning. And despite how clueless he may act, at the end of the day, I really think that’s what it all is; an act. I think this little fuck knows exactly what he’s doing. Give me Julian over him any day. I love me some brood & angst.
• I was eating up the crumbs of the romance that we got, but I was glad it didn’t distract from the main plot.
• THE EPILOGUE. My flabber was gasted. I really hope we get a sequel. No, I demand we get a sequel.
• This was my first book of Julie Soto’s, which is surprising of me because I always knew she would be an author I would like. Well, she officially has a new fan 👈🏼 & I’m looking forward to reading more of her books!
.·:*¨༺༻¨*:·. .·:*¨༺༻¨*:·. .·:*¨༺༻¨*:·. .·:*¨༺༻¨*:·. .·:*¨༺
❝𝙶𝚎𝚝 𝚝𝚘𝚘 𝚌𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚎, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞’𝚕𝚕 𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝑻𝒉𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒅.❞
May 22, 2025
This was such a ride, I'm honestly not sure what to think. My feelings are so conflicted, which means this book really did its job, and did it extremely well..
It centers around a group of five people, they call them "The Thrashers". Zach, Julian, Paige and Lucy and then there is Jodi, who never felt like she belonged. They were popular and loved until they weren't. Because of Emily. Emily, who wanted to be one of them. Emily, who was always there and asked too many questions. Emily, who took her own life on prom night. And now all eyes are on "The Thrashers", wondering if it was their fault she ended her life. But Emily isn't done with them either.
I loved the pacing and Julie Soto might be becoming an auto-buy author for me. She did an amazing job.
My feelings about this characters are honestly all over the place, because I can't say I loved any of them fully, while I did hate a certain someone..
There were so many things happening, so many things I had to question and that epilogue... I wasn't expecting that at all. I'm still reeling from it.. I just.. I need more answers, because now I'm seeing everything in a new light.
The book did have a romantic subplot, one I would like to see more of. I loved them!
*Thank you to Netgalley and to HarperCollins Children's UK for providing me with an ARC.*
It centers around a group of five people, they call them "The Thrashers". Zach, Julian, Paige and Lucy and then there is Jodi, who never felt like she belonged. They were popular and loved until they weren't. Because of Emily. Emily, who wanted to be one of them. Emily, who was always there and asked too many questions. Emily, who took her own life on prom night. And now all eyes are on "The Thrashers", wondering if it was their fault she ended her life. But Emily isn't done with them either.
I loved the pacing and Julie Soto might be becoming an auto-buy author for me. She did an amazing job.
My feelings about this characters are honestly all over the place, because I can't say I loved any of them fully, while I did hate a certain someone..
There were so many things happening, so many things I had to question and that epilogue... I wasn't expecting that at all. I'm still reeling from it.. I just.. I need more answers, because now I'm seeing everything in a new light.
The book did have a romantic subplot, one I would like to see more of. I loved them!
*Thank you to Netgalley and to HarperCollins Children's UK for providing me with an ARC.*
September 4, 2025
➳ 3.5 ☆
this was such a fun thriller, mystery read. YA thrillers are super underrated, especially the ones that follow a friend group. i've seen a lot of people mention that this is one of the few reasons they don't miss high school, and they would correct. overall, i had a lot of fun and this was a facile and and entertaining book.
★ ── the plot
i think i enjoyed the premise of the story, rather than the actual story. the writing and the pacing were good enough to keep my interest for the book. however—seeing as thrillers and crime/mystery is my favorite genre—i found this book to delve a little too much into superfluous aspects. i would have loved this more had we gotten more of the crime solving. a lot of the plot did feel like high school drama and cliques with too-faced characters.
★ ── the characters
i liked most of the characters for the most part. there were several relationships that were on the forefront of this book. there are sibling dynamics, parental dynamics, romantic dynamics, friendship dynamics, and characters who flat out hate each other. i did enjoy this portion of the book, however, seeing as this is thriller, i felt like there was too much surface level exploration for there to be any real payoff. this is more of a personal contention, as i like my thrillers to focus on the crime, mystery, and suspense.
★ ── a potential sequel
i would like to be back in this world, one day. the epilogue was interesting enough for the potential of more to come. if we do get one, i would personally like to see more fleshed out stories of our main characters. the way this has been plotted reminds me of a good girl's guide to murder & one of us is lying.
fuck zach and his dumbass. julian & jodi are my favorites. <3
this was such a fun thriller, mystery read. YA thrillers are super underrated, especially the ones that follow a friend group. i've seen a lot of people mention that this is one of the few reasons they don't miss high school, and they would correct. overall, i had a lot of fun and this was a facile and and entertaining book.
★ ── the plot
i think i enjoyed the premise of the story, rather than the actual story. the writing and the pacing were good enough to keep my interest for the book. however—seeing as thrillers and crime/mystery is my favorite genre—i found this book to delve a little too much into superfluous aspects. i would have loved this more had we gotten more of the crime solving. a lot of the plot did feel like high school drama and cliques with too-faced characters.
★ ── the characters
i liked most of the characters for the most part. there were several relationships that were on the forefront of this book. there are sibling dynamics, parental dynamics, romantic dynamics, friendship dynamics, and characters who flat out hate each other. i did enjoy this portion of the book, however, seeing as this is thriller, i felt like there was too much surface level exploration for there to be any real payoff. this is more of a personal contention, as i like my thrillers to focus on the crime, mystery, and suspense.
★ ── a potential sequel
i would like to be back in this world, one day. the epilogue was interesting enough for the potential of more to come. if we do get one, i would personally like to see more fleshed out stories of our main characters. the way this has been plotted reminds me of a good girl's guide to murder & one of us is lying.
fuck zach and his dumbass. julian & jodi are my favorites. <3
June 9, 2025
If what you're looking for is a YA mystery that touches the paranormal, filled with doubts and lies, with a ship where the angst is chef kiss and a heartbreaking, what-could-have-been-if-only type of ending… look no further because Julie Soto will have you on your knees, begging for more.
The drug this woman puts in her books comes directly from Ali Hazelwood’s stash.
And OMG. There's so much to unpack here, and I have no one to talk about it because you just have to experience it for yourself, I don't wanna spoil you anything and I don't wanna you to have a preconceived idea of the people you're going to meet.
There’s one little detail about the ending that still bothers me, especially thinking how could it change one of the characters’s ending, but that's only because I'm a hopeful romantic.
So, again, OMG.
↠ 4.5 stars
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
The drug this woman puts in her books comes directly from Ali Hazelwood’s stash.
And OMG. There's so much to unpack here, and I have no one to talk about it because you just have to experience it for yourself, I don't wanna spoil you anything and I don't wanna you to have a preconceived idea of the people you're going to meet.
There’s one little detail about the ending that still bothers me, especially thinking how could it change one of the characters’s ending, but that's only because I'm a hopeful romantic.
So, again, OMG.
↠ 4.5 stars
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
March 18, 2025
Once you step into The Thrashers, you’re either in or you’re out, and trust me, you’ll want to be in for this rollercoaster of secrets, lies, and high-stakes drama.
Set months after Emily Mills' suicide, the novel unravels a tangled web of friendships, betrayals, and buried truths. The Thrashers, New Helvetia High’s elite friend group, are at the center of it all, labeled as Emily’s bullies and key suspects when her journal resurfaces. But as Jodi Dillon, the group’s unlikely member, begins to untangle the mystery, she realizes that no one is as innocent, or as guilty, as they seem. The deeper she digs, the more disturbing the truth becomes. And just when you think you have it figured out, the story flips the script, leaving you gasping for more.
Soto masterfully crafts a cast of flawed, complex characters, each struggling with their own secrets and pain. Jodi is an especially compelling protagonist, caught between loyalty and self-preservation as eerie messages and chilling occurrences make it clear: Emily isn’t done with them yet.
This book is fast-paced, addictive, and dripping with tension. The plot twists hit hard, the drama is unrelenting, and the morally gray characters keep you second guessing every motive. With sharp writing and an atmosphere so thick you could cut it with a knife, The Thrashers is a high school thriller at its finest.
If you love dark academia vibes, toxic friendships, and twisty mysteries that keep you up way past bedtime, this is your next obsession. Julie Soto thrashes expectations and delivers a knockout debut that fans of Karen McManus and Kara Thomas will devour.
🤫🤫🤫🤫🤫-five out of five secret keepings.
An honor to read before it hits the shelves,
this one is unforgettable. 🖤
Set months after Emily Mills' suicide, the novel unravels a tangled web of friendships, betrayals, and buried truths. The Thrashers, New Helvetia High’s elite friend group, are at the center of it all, labeled as Emily’s bullies and key suspects when her journal resurfaces. But as Jodi Dillon, the group’s unlikely member, begins to untangle the mystery, she realizes that no one is as innocent, or as guilty, as they seem. The deeper she digs, the more disturbing the truth becomes. And just when you think you have it figured out, the story flips the script, leaving you gasping for more.
Soto masterfully crafts a cast of flawed, complex characters, each struggling with their own secrets and pain. Jodi is an especially compelling protagonist, caught between loyalty and self-preservation as eerie messages and chilling occurrences make it clear: Emily isn’t done with them yet.
This book is fast-paced, addictive, and dripping with tension. The plot twists hit hard, the drama is unrelenting, and the morally gray characters keep you second guessing every motive. With sharp writing and an atmosphere so thick you could cut it with a knife, The Thrashers is a high school thriller at its finest.
If you love dark academia vibes, toxic friendships, and twisty mysteries that keep you up way past bedtime, this is your next obsession. Julie Soto thrashes expectations and delivers a knockout debut that fans of Karen McManus and Kara Thomas will devour.
🤫🤫🤫🤫🤫-five out of five secret keepings.
An honor to read before it hits the shelves,
this one is unforgettable. 🖤
May 28, 2025
4 stars! ☆
⤿ major spoilers ﹒⟢
i barely ever read thrillers—i always want to, but i never get around to them. i watch them constantly, so it’s not that i don’t like the genre. i just never pick them up when it comes to books. but this time i was actually in the mood and this one ended up being such a good choice. it’s the kind of thriller that made me want to read more.
the premise is pretty basic—mean rich friend group, dead girl, secrets—but it worked. i liked the setup right away. it opens with emily’s pov on prom night and then jumps to jodi trying to survive high school while being part of this group she doesn’t totally fit into. the whole “outsider in the popular friend group” thing can feel tired, but here it didn’t. i actually liked jodi. she’s a bit of a mess but she felt real. and getting everything through her pov made the group feel off enough that you knew something was up.
i was also interested from the start. the pacing worked for me and it did a good job of slowly ramping things up. there were moments where it actually creeped me out—i was reading it late at night and definitely had a couple moments where i had to stop and go “wait what was that.” the séance scene in the garden especially was such a standout. and even though i forgot there was paranormal stuff going in, it didn’t feel like a random twist when it showed up. it added to the story in a way that made sense.
what didn’t work for me was the way the book kept trying to be too modern. like yes, it’s contemporary. yes, they’re teens. but the pop culture references were unbearable. i mean the taylor swift and gigi hadid line? why. it pulled me out so hard. and it wasn’t even just one moment—it kept happening. probably a personal issue but i hated it.
the mystery itself was… not bad? i liked that i couldn’t tell where it was going, but at the same time i expected more from the big reveals. i thought the group was going to be way more involved in emily’s death. instead it turned into this weird spiraling mess where zack’s the actual problem but somehow julian ends up taking the fall. and everyone else just walks. the fact that julian is the only one who gets in trouble while zack gets away clean? nope. still mad. and the epilogue tries to soften it but it wasn’t satisfying at all.
as for the characters, i actually liked most of them. jodi, like i said, was a good narrator. she was relatable and i enjoyed seeing things from her perspective. julian was a dick for most of the book, but once he started softening up a little i was into their dynamic. i liked that shift from hostile acquaintances to something more complicated. and yeah, i kinda called it early but it still worked. zack, on the other hand… not even gonna waste time on him. hated that guy. hated the ending even more because he got away with everything. paige and lucy were fine—i liked paige more, but both of them were way more tolerable than i expected. detective harding, though? actual menace. like why are you coming for teenagers. relax.
and emily… honestly, i’m still confused. her death wasn’t meant to be a suicide—she thought jodi would stop her. it was part of this unhinged plan to scare her into cutting off the group and picking emily instead. and while she was seeing the guidance counselor, that clearly wasn’t enough. the adults knew something was off, and they still didn’t step in. this girl had to switch schools because someone almost got a restraining order on her. how does that not raise more alarms?
even with a few things that didn’t totally land for me, i stayed invested the whole way through. the mystery kept me guessing, the vibes were great, and i liked getting pulled deeper into the mess of it all. definitely excited to pick up more thrillers after this.
━━━━ ⊱⋆⊰ ━━━━
☆ 🖇️ pre-read 𖥻 ＜꒱
book 4 in my no series streak. i’ve been wanting a thriller lately, and this one seemed like a good place to start
⤿ major spoilers ﹒⟢
i barely ever read thrillers—i always want to, but i never get around to them. i watch them constantly, so it’s not that i don’t like the genre. i just never pick them up when it comes to books. but this time i was actually in the mood and this one ended up being such a good choice. it’s the kind of thriller that made me want to read more.
the premise is pretty basic—mean rich friend group, dead girl, secrets—but it worked. i liked the setup right away. it opens with emily’s pov on prom night and then jumps to jodi trying to survive high school while being part of this group she doesn’t totally fit into. the whole “outsider in the popular friend group” thing can feel tired, but here it didn’t. i actually liked jodi. she’s a bit of a mess but she felt real. and getting everything through her pov made the group feel off enough that you knew something was up.
i was also interested from the start. the pacing worked for me and it did a good job of slowly ramping things up. there were moments where it actually creeped me out—i was reading it late at night and definitely had a couple moments where i had to stop and go “wait what was that.” the séance scene in the garden especially was such a standout. and even though i forgot there was paranormal stuff going in, it didn’t feel like a random twist when it showed up. it added to the story in a way that made sense.
what didn’t work for me was the way the book kept trying to be too modern. like yes, it’s contemporary. yes, they’re teens. but the pop culture references were unbearable. i mean the taylor swift and gigi hadid line? why. it pulled me out so hard. and it wasn’t even just one moment—it kept happening. probably a personal issue but i hated it.
the mystery itself was… not bad? i liked that i couldn’t tell where it was going, but at the same time i expected more from the big reveals. i thought the group was going to be way more involved in emily’s death. instead it turned into this weird spiraling mess where zack’s the actual problem but somehow julian ends up taking the fall. and everyone else just walks. the fact that julian is the only one who gets in trouble while zack gets away clean? nope. still mad. and the epilogue tries to soften it but it wasn’t satisfying at all.
as for the characters, i actually liked most of them. jodi, like i said, was a good narrator. she was relatable and i enjoyed seeing things from her perspective. julian was a dick for most of the book, but once he started softening up a little i was into their dynamic. i liked that shift from hostile acquaintances to something more complicated. and yeah, i kinda called it early but it still worked. zack, on the other hand… not even gonna waste time on him. hated that guy. hated the ending even more because he got away with everything. paige and lucy were fine—i liked paige more, but both of them were way more tolerable than i expected. detective harding, though? actual menace. like why are you coming for teenagers. relax.
and emily… honestly, i’m still confused. her death wasn’t meant to be a suicide—she thought jodi would stop her. it was part of this unhinged plan to scare her into cutting off the group and picking emily instead. and while she was seeing the guidance counselor, that clearly wasn’t enough. the adults knew something was off, and they still didn’t step in. this girl had to switch schools because someone almost got a restraining order on her. how does that not raise more alarms?
even with a few things that didn’t totally land for me, i stayed invested the whole way through. the mystery kept me guessing, the vibes were great, and i liked getting pulled deeper into the mess of it all. definitely excited to pick up more thrillers after this.
━━━━ ⊱⋆⊰ ━━━━
☆ 🖇️ pre-read 𖥻 ＜꒱
book 4 in my no series streak. i’ve been wanting a thriller lately, and this one seemed like a good place to start
July 16, 2025
— 3 ★
while it wasn't the best ya thriller I've ever read, it was entertaining & the mystery was so fun to follow. it was kind of predictable, and there was no mind-blowing plot twists, but I think that some people could still be caught off guard. the hints were there, but they were subtle—not super obvious. besides, I absolutely loved jodi & julian!! the romance subplot in thrillers always hits different—here, it gave vulnerability, slow burn & quiet emotional moments. I liked jodi as the protagonist—it was so nice to read from the perspective of the friend who was always there but never really seen. it made her feel so real and I think a lot of people could relate to her in that aspect. the epilogue was wild though. I refuse to believe it ended like this. I NEED MORE. like a sequel or something would be lovely. one more thing, FUCK ZACK. he didn't get what he deserved if you ask me.
⭑𓂃 ⌗ quotes
"she'd gotten happy new year! texts in the group chat, but nothing else. maybe that's the kind of friends they were now. holidays and birthdays, but once they graduated in june, there wouldn't be anything but the reunions to bring them together."
"she felt so foolish. what would she even say if anyone asked why she was crying? my friends' lives don't revolve around me? I got sad, and getting sad got me sadder?"
⊹ "jodi had the sensation of being underwater again, trying to fight for the surface. no one wanted a picture with her. it wasn't that they didn't want one, it's that they didn't think of it. she was an afterthought. she wondered how long she'd been an afterthought." ៹࣪⭑𓂃 ⌗ my thoughts
while it wasn't the best ya thriller I've ever read, it was entertaining & the mystery was so fun to follow. it was kind of predictable, and there was no mind-blowing plot twists, but I think that some people could still be caught off guard. the hints were there, but they were subtle—not super obvious. besides, I absolutely loved jodi & julian!! the romance subplot in thrillers always hits different—here, it gave vulnerability, slow burn & quiet emotional moments. I liked jodi as the protagonist—it was so nice to read from the perspective of the friend who was always there but never really seen. it made her feel so real and I think a lot of people could relate to her in that aspect. the epilogue was wild though. I refuse to believe it ended like this. I NEED MORE. like a sequel or something would be lovely. one more thing, FUCK ZACK. he didn't get what he deserved if you ask me.
⭑𓂃 ⌗ quotes
"she'd gotten happy new year! texts in the group chat, but nothing else. maybe that's the kind of friends they were now. holidays and birthdays, but once they graduated in june, there wouldn't be anything but the reunions to bring them together."
"she felt so foolish. what would she even say if anyone asked why she was crying? my friends' lives don't revolve around me? I got sad, and getting sad got me sadder?"
March 17, 2025
no bc this was so bingeable and kept me so invested and honestly is there anything more you could want in a thriller? like, genuinely, do i really need to say anything else here?
thank you to st martins press & netgalley for the arc! all opinions are my own <3
pre-read:
haven’t read a thriller in agessss but got the arc for this one so ... let’s hope i’m in a thriller mood soon 🤞🏼
thank you to st martins press & netgalley for the arc! all opinions are my own <3
pre-read:
haven’t read a thriller in agessss but got the arc for this one so ... let’s hope i’m in a thriller mood soon 🤞🏼
December 21, 2025
a favorite read of 2025🩵
firstly, thank you so so much to the publisher for an arc and an alc! 💗
if you know me, you know that julie soto is an autobuy author because i have absolutely adored her fanfic on ao3 since 2019/2020 — her fanfic helped me get through the dark times that were covid.
while i enjoyed her adult romances, her ya debut has absolutely blown me away in every possible way — the characters, the plot, the writing, and the psychological mind-fuck were all absolutely phenomenal. i had a fantastic time piecing together the timeline alongside our fmc jodi dillion.
the thrashers takes place a few months after emily mills commits suicide, and “the thrashers” — a popular friend group of five — are the key suspects and labelled emily’s former bullies, but as evidence is unravelled and discovered for the court case, jodi learns that both her friends and emily’s journal are not as truthful as she was lead to believe…
i tore through this and stared at my kindle like “where’s the rest?!” i have a feeling we may return with the way the epilogue shared some new information…
as for the audiobook — while i did enjoy the narrator and think they did a great job, i think that this would have been such a fun book to have a full cast and sound effects!!
firstly, thank you so so much to the publisher for an arc and an alc! 💗
if you know me, you know that julie soto is an autobuy author because i have absolutely adored her fanfic on ao3 since 2019/2020 — her fanfic helped me get through the dark times that were covid.
while i enjoyed her adult romances, her ya debut has absolutely blown me away in every possible way — the characters, the plot, the writing, and the psychological mind-fuck were all absolutely phenomenal. i had a fantastic time piecing together the timeline alongside our fmc jodi dillion.
the thrashers takes place a few months after emily mills commits suicide, and “the thrashers” — a popular friend group of five — are the key suspects and labelled emily’s former bullies, but as evidence is unravelled and discovered for the court case, jodi learns that both her friends and emily’s journal are not as truthful as she was lead to believe…
i tore through this and stared at my kindle like “where’s the rest?!” i have a feeling we may return with the way the epilogue shared some new information…
as for the audiobook — while i did enjoy the narrator and think they did a great job, i think that this would have been such a fun book to have a full cast and sound effects!!
May 24, 2025
˗ˏˋ 4 stars ⟡ ݁₊ .
omg this was one hell of a ride. if you love AGGGTM or 13 reasons why, you'll LOVE this book. the beginning was kinda giving off pretty little liars american high school tv show vibes.
this is my first julie soto book and definitely not the last. i really recommend this book and i'll probably be reading all of her other books soon.
it's been a week since i finished that book and i'm still thinking about that epilogue. looking how the book ended, i feel like there's gonna be a sequel coming right after. *fingers crossed*
hot take: but i loved the paranormal moments, it was so freaky and scary. and i ate it up.
also, thank you to my girl kim for the rec! i trust your recs with my life.
︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶˗ˋ୨♡୧ˊ˗︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶
₊˚⊹♡ pre-read ♡⊹˚₊ ↴
desperately need a good thriller after rock paper scissors, hoping this one will deliver
omg this was one hell of a ride. if you love AGGGTM or 13 reasons why, you'll LOVE this book. the beginning was kinda giving off pretty little liars american high school tv show vibes.
this is my first julie soto book and definitely not the last. i really recommend this book and i'll probably be reading all of her other books soon.
it's been a week since i finished that book and i'm still thinking about that epilogue. looking how the book ended, i feel like there's gonna be a sequel coming right after. *fingers crossed*
hot take: but i loved the paranormal moments, it was so freaky and scary. and i ate it up.
also, thank you to my girl kim for the rec! i trust your recs with my life.
︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶˗ˋ୨♡୧ˊ˗︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶
₊˚⊹♡ pre-read ♡⊹˚₊ ↴
desperately need a good thriller after rock paper scissors, hoping this one will deliver
September 19, 2025
4.25 stars
An addictive story with a questionable ending.
I had some small issues here and there with this book, but this was still real hard to put down. And this ended up being a little more supernatural than I was thinking it would be. I was thinking more of a something along the lines of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. Is still had that feel but with a little extra added in.
There's a little bit of romance thrown in, and I was devouring that, though I feel like there were some holes there and some explanations I would have liked to have. Still a really intriguing plot line that I was eating up.
But I was a little underwhelmed with the conclusion of everything. I was waiting for a fairly big event or reveal but it wasn't anything that I wasn't already thinking or something I wasn't surprised by.
Now the epilogue is COMPLETEY DIFFERENT. And I'm unsure if Julie is giving us the potential for a sequel or if it's just a crazy ending to mess with your head. Either way, was definitely a wtf moment.
Thank you NetGalley and St Martins Press for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
An addictive story with a questionable ending.
I had some small issues here and there with this book, but this was still real hard to put down. And this ended up being a little more supernatural than I was thinking it would be. I was thinking more of a something along the lines of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. Is still had that feel but with a little extra added in.
There's a little bit of romance thrown in, and I was devouring that, though I feel like there were some holes there and some explanations I would have liked to have. Still a really intriguing plot line that I was eating up.
But I was a little underwhelmed with the conclusion of everything. I was waiting for a fairly big event or reveal but it wasn't anything that I wasn't already thinking or something I wasn't surprised by.
Now the epilogue is COMPLETEY DIFFERENT. And I'm unsure if Julie is giving us the potential for a sequel or if it's just a crazy ending to mess with your head. Either way, was definitely a wtf moment.
Thank you NetGalley and St Martins Press for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
May 12, 2025
5⭐️ this was my first five star read of the year, everyone needs to read this book. LIKE GO READ PLEASE
these characters were so layered and multi dimensional. the mystery was intriguing and page turning. and the romance. good GOD, one of the best YA build-ups i have EVER read, it gave me ann liang vibes
(so if u love her, PLEASE READ THIS)
i only have ONE gripe and it was the epilogue, i could have gone without that, like no no no. it messes with my mind so no.
but i literally finished this book in one sitting and i fear it will never leave my head, goodbye i can’t sleep. ✋
these characters were so layered and multi dimensional. the mystery was intriguing and page turning. and the romance. good GOD, one of the best YA build-ups i have EVER read, it gave me ann liang vibes
(so if u love her, PLEASE READ THIS)
i only have ONE gripe and it was the epilogue, i could have gone without that, like no no no. it messes with my mind so no.
but i literally finished this book in one sitting and i fear it will never leave my head, goodbye i can’t sleep. ✋
October 27, 2025
3,5 ✨
"𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘰.
𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥."
I was really enjoying this book and was so excited to see how it would all end, but that epilogue… it was not what I expected or wanted 😭 I honestly didn’t understand it much — I read it five times, and it still left me completely shocked and rethinking everything about Julian.
I definitely didn’t expect this story to have any supernatural elements. At first, I thought Paige had just lost her mind, and I actually enjoyed that part. But for it to follow me all the way to the end? No, I was waiting for something totally different.
To be honest, I didn’t really feel like there was bullying or assault. Emily seemed manipulative and obsessed, and she basically brought everything upon herself. She tore apart a group of friends who, despite keeping secrets from each other, were always there when someone needed help.
At first, I thought I hated Zack and that his kindness was fake, but he stayed that way until the very end.
I felt so bad for Julian at the beginning. Being in a group where three girls are all in love with your best friend while you’re not — that’s gotta hurt 😭 But he didn’t seem to care much… Still, I loved him with Jodi! That whole bad boy → friends to lovers dynamic was everything. But oh my God, WHY 😩
Overall, I really enjoyed the book. It was a fast, addictive read that kept me hooked the whole time — but I’m not satisfied with that ending at all. I need a sequel, and please let it be a romance about Julian and Jodi 😭 I’d read it in a heartbeat.
⚠️ Spoilers ahead:
I don’t think Julian is dead. He’s not, right? Because if he was, he wouldn’t have seen Emily — she would’ve only been in his mind. I think he’s just losing it from guilt.
⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡ |𝑃𝑟𝑒-𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑.
I read the description, and it sounds interesting! 💜✨
"𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘰.
𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥."
I was really enjoying this book and was so excited to see how it would all end, but that epilogue… it was not what I expected or wanted 😭 I honestly didn’t understand it much — I read it five times, and it still left me completely shocked and rethinking everything about Julian.
I definitely didn’t expect this story to have any supernatural elements. At first, I thought Paige had just lost her mind, and I actually enjoyed that part. But for it to follow me all the way to the end? No, I was waiting for something totally different.
To be honest, I didn’t really feel like there was bullying or assault. Emily seemed manipulative and obsessed, and she basically brought everything upon herself. She tore apart a group of friends who, despite keeping secrets from each other, were always there when someone needed help.
At first, I thought I hated Zack and that his kindness was fake, but he stayed that way until the very end.
I felt so bad for Julian at the beginning. Being in a group where three girls are all in love with your best friend while you’re not — that’s gotta hurt 😭 But he didn’t seem to care much… Still, I loved him with Jodi! That whole bad boy → friends to lovers dynamic was everything. But oh my God, WHY 😩
Overall, I really enjoyed the book. It was a fast, addictive read that kept me hooked the whole time — but I’m not satisfied with that ending at all. I need a sequel, and please let it be a romance about Julian and Jodi 😭 I’d read it in a heartbeat.
⚠️ Spoilers ahead:
I don’t think Julian is dead. He’s not, right? Because if he was, he wouldn’t have seen Emily — she would’ve only been in his mind. I think he’s just losing it from guilt.
⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡ |𝑃𝑟𝑒-𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑.
I read the description, and it sounds interesting! 💜✨
May 21, 2025
I absolutely loved this book!!!
I have to admit, at first, I planned to skip this book (I love watching teen dramas but rarely read them), but when I saw it on NetGalley, I just couldn't resist 😅 And I have no regrets! At first, I thought the book would be in the style of Elite, but it actually reminded me more of Pretty Little Liars and Thirteen Reasons Why. It's got that Before I Fall book/movie vibe.
It's the perfect pick for buddy reads or a book club—I can personally attest to that! (I read it with my friends who also got the ARC.) While it's aimed at a teen audience, I'm sure older readers will find it just as engaging.
The plot blends teenage drama, the intensity of a thrilling mystery, and a touch of the supernatural. I absolutely loved how the story unfolded, with its morally gray characters, unexpected twists, and a reference to Forget Me Not(was it really, or am I imagining things?).
I'm sure this book will stay on my mind for a while, and I can't wait for the next novel from Julie Soto!
Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have to admit, at first, I planned to skip this book (I love watching teen dramas but rarely read them), but when I saw it on NetGalley, I just couldn't resist 😅 And I have no regrets! At first, I thought the book would be in the style of Elite, but it actually reminded me more of Pretty Little Liars and Thirteen Reasons Why. It's got that Before I Fall book/movie vibe.
It's the perfect pick for buddy reads or a book club—I can personally attest to that! (I read it with my friends who also got the ARC.) While it's aimed at a teen audience, I'm sure older readers will find it just as engaging.
The plot blends teenage drama, the intensity of a thrilling mystery, and a touch of the supernatural. I absolutely loved how the story unfolded, with its morally gray characters, unexpected twists, and a reference to Forget Me Not(was it really, or am I imagining things?).
I'm sure this book will stay on my mind for a while, and I can't wait for the next novel from Julie Soto!
Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
Read
August 25, 2025soft dnf @ 54%
the plot isn’t pulling me in at all 😔 maybe i’ll come back to it one day 😭
₊˚ ‿︵‿︵‿︵୨୧ · · ♡ · · ୨୧‿︵‿︵‿︵ ˚₊
𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ pre-read ♡⋆°｡⋆𐙚
⤷ this has been on my tbr since it first came out, so i’m really excited to finally pick it up 🙂↕️
the plot isn’t pulling me in at all 😔 maybe i’ll come back to it one day 😭
₊˚ ‿︵‿︵‿︵୨୧ · · ♡ · · ୨୧‿︵‿︵‿︵ ˚₊
𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ pre-read ♡⋆°｡⋆𐙚
⤷ this has been on my tbr since it first came out, so i’m really excited to finally pick it up 🙂↕️
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