What do you think?
Rate this book
Our Secrets Were Safe
Someone knows what really happened the night Sofia Eliades died. The guilty have escaped unscathed for a decade. Can you untangle this web of lies and discover the terrible truth?
“A sharp, propulsive thriller that sucks you in from page one. Packed with unforgettable characters and chilling twists.”—Amy Tintera, New York Times bestselling author of Listen for the Lie
“Dark, intricate . . . perfect for fans of Ashley Winstead and Megan Miranda.”—Andrea Bartz, New York Times bestselling author of The Spare Room and We Were Never Here
Ten years after Sofia was killed in a tragic accident, her college ex Caroline and her former roommate Brooke almost have what they’ve always wanted. Caroline is on the precipice of scoring funding for her feminist tech startup. Brooke is newly engaged and starting her dream job at a prestigious prep school. But unless the two best friends can cheat fate a second time, one night’s secrets could unravel everything.
When Caroline gets threatening comments on her company’s Instagram and Brooke receives a sinister email with ominous photos attached, all from “Sofia,” their carefully constructed facade begins to crumble. And when one of their last connections to “Sofia” turns up dead, they must decide how far they’re willing to go in order to survive.
The devil’s in the details, and the tiniest mistake could prove fatal. Just one thing is certain: nothing is as it seems in this sinister series of events, and readers will never guess where this rabbit hole of revenge will lead. Prepare to have your allegiances shift along with every twist and turn. What was set in motion long ago is hurtling toward a jaw-dropping conclusion that will shock even the most hardcore thriller fans.
“A sharp, propulsive thriller that sucks you in from page one. Packed with unforgettable characters and chilling twists.”—Amy Tintera, New York Times bestselling author of Listen for the Lie
“Dark, intricate . . . perfect for fans of Ashley Winstead and Megan Miranda.”—Andrea Bartz, New York Times bestselling author of The Spare Room and We Were Never Here
Ten years after Sofia was killed in a tragic accident, her college ex Caroline and her former roommate Brooke almost have what they’ve always wanted. Caroline is on the precipice of scoring funding for her feminist tech startup. Brooke is newly engaged and starting her dream job at a prestigious prep school. But unless the two best friends can cheat fate a second time, one night’s secrets could unravel everything.
When Caroline gets threatening comments on her company’s Instagram and Brooke receives a sinister email with ominous photos attached, all from “Sofia,” their carefully constructed facade begins to crumble. And when one of their last connections to “Sofia” turns up dead, they must decide how far they’re willing to go in order to survive.
The devil’s in the details, and the tiniest mistake could prove fatal. Just one thing is certain: nothing is as it seems in this sinister series of events, and readers will never guess where this rabbit hole of revenge will lead. Prepare to have your allegiances shift along with every twist and turn. What was set in motion long ago is hurtling toward a jaw-dropping conclusion that will shock even the most hardcore thriller fans.
352 pages, Hardcover
Published July 15, 2025
68 people are currently reading
9213 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
September 3, 2025
Wowzers! A powerful debut filled with long-buried secrets and untrustworthy characters, Our Secrets Were Safe had every bit of the thrills and chills that you’d expect from an I Know What You Did Last Summer-esque premise. From the dread-soaked game of cat-and-mouse to the complex, well-plotted storyline, the cliffhanger chapters had me glued to the pages more and more with each additional twist. You see, it was both cunning and deceptive in the best possible way as the devious schemes, self-serving lies, and underhanded motivations unfurled with clear-cut precision. Bravo, Ms. Trench, on crafting an out-and-out winner that took me out at the knees more than once in the best possible way.
The biggest win in this dynamite novel, however, was easily the cast of characters. Packed full of mostly unlikeable, morally gray individuals, they were the definition of rich people behaving badly every step of the way. Not only that, but there was a timely spotlight aimed at toxic men and their exploits. Do they get away with their games or get called to account? I’ll leave it to you to find out, but just know that Trench had me in the palm of her hand as they came under fire. It was, however, the plotting of this propulsive albeit sometimes slow-boiling storyline that won me over completely. Told via dual timelines and multiple POVs, the ground-shifting twists kept me guessing throughout.
The only issue I could even foresee wasn’t exactly a flaw. You see, with a rather large cast of characters and an intricate plot that took all of my concentration at times, I had to really focus to follow along. The benefit of this, of course, was that I was absolutely blind to what was coming around every turn. At the same time, I had to really pay attention, which somewhat took me out of the daydream-like world I had created in my head. Still, the layers of secrets and unbridled foreboding kept me 100% spellbound from beginning to end.
All said and done, I’m ready and waiting for whatever this author comes up with next. Clearly demonstrating she’s a master of psychological suspense, the shifting sands of who was the victim and who was the villain kept this plot unguessable in the extreme. After all, it wasn’t until it was all spelled out for me in the mildly unhinged climax and perfectly wrapped-up conclusion that I realized the biggest twist of them all. Add in the well-honed social commentary and multidimensional main characters, and it was clear that every part of this novel was a complete and utter win. Clever, thought-provoking, and undeniably taut, this is one book you need to add to your must-read list now. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Ten years after Sofia was killed in a tragic accident, her college ex Caroline and her former roommate Brooke almost have what they’ve always wanted. Caroline is on the precipice of scoring funding for her feminist tech startup. Brooke is newly engaged and starting her dream job at a prestigious prep school. But unless the two best friends can cheat fate a second time, one night’s secrets could unravel everything.
When Caroline gets threatening comments on her company’s Instagram and Brooke receives a sinister email with ominous photos attached, all from “Sofia,” their carefully constructed facade begins to crumble. And when one of their last connections to “Sofia” turns up dead, they must decide how far they’re willing to go in order to survive.
The devil’s in the details, and the tiniest mistake could prove fatal. Just one thing is certain: nothing is as it seems in this sinister series of events, and readers will never guess where this rabbit hole of revenge will lead. Prepare to have your allegiances shift along with every twist and turn. What was set in motion long ago is hurtling toward a jaw-dropping conclusion that will shock even the most hardcore thriller fans.
Thank you to Virginia Trench and Crown Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: July 15, 2025
Content warning: drug and alcohol abuse, addiction, infidelity, stalking, cardiac arrest, violence, gun violence, mention of: fatal car accident
The biggest win in this dynamite novel, however, was easily the cast of characters. Packed full of mostly unlikeable, morally gray individuals, they were the definition of rich people behaving badly every step of the way. Not only that, but there was a timely spotlight aimed at toxic men and their exploits. Do they get away with their games or get called to account? I’ll leave it to you to find out, but just know that Trench had me in the palm of her hand as they came under fire. It was, however, the plotting of this propulsive albeit sometimes slow-boiling storyline that won me over completely. Told via dual timelines and multiple POVs, the ground-shifting twists kept me guessing throughout.
The only issue I could even foresee wasn’t exactly a flaw. You see, with a rather large cast of characters and an intricate plot that took all of my concentration at times, I had to really focus to follow along. The benefit of this, of course, was that I was absolutely blind to what was coming around every turn. At the same time, I had to really pay attention, which somewhat took me out of the daydream-like world I had created in my head. Still, the layers of secrets and unbridled foreboding kept me 100% spellbound from beginning to end.
All said and done, I’m ready and waiting for whatever this author comes up with next. Clearly demonstrating she’s a master of psychological suspense, the shifting sands of who was the victim and who was the villain kept this plot unguessable in the extreme. After all, it wasn’t until it was all spelled out for me in the mildly unhinged climax and perfectly wrapped-up conclusion that I realized the biggest twist of them all. Add in the well-honed social commentary and multidimensional main characters, and it was clear that every part of this novel was a complete and utter win. Clever, thought-provoking, and undeniably taut, this is one book you need to add to your must-read list now. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Ten years after Sofia was killed in a tragic accident, her college ex Caroline and her former roommate Brooke almost have what they’ve always wanted. Caroline is on the precipice of scoring funding for her feminist tech startup. Brooke is newly engaged and starting her dream job at a prestigious prep school. But unless the two best friends can cheat fate a second time, one night’s secrets could unravel everything.
When Caroline gets threatening comments on her company’s Instagram and Brooke receives a sinister email with ominous photos attached, all from “Sofia,” their carefully constructed facade begins to crumble. And when one of their last connections to “Sofia” turns up dead, they must decide how far they’re willing to go in order to survive.
The devil’s in the details, and the tiniest mistake could prove fatal. Just one thing is certain: nothing is as it seems in this sinister series of events, and readers will never guess where this rabbit hole of revenge will lead. Prepare to have your allegiances shift along with every twist and turn. What was set in motion long ago is hurtling toward a jaw-dropping conclusion that will shock even the most hardcore thriller fans.
Thank you to Virginia Trench and Crown Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: July 15, 2025
Content warning: drug and alcohol abuse, addiction, infidelity, stalking, cardiac arrest, violence, gun violence, mention of: fatal car accident
December 6, 2024
Take a Dramamine before you read this book as you will have motion sickness from not only all of the POV changes, but also all the back and forth going from “Then” to “Now”! However, I did like all the characters (as well as the ones I was not supposed to like). 3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️!
July 20, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
Friends like this, you will want to remain an introvert.
Publisher Excerpt: Ten years after Sofia was killed in a tragic accident, her college ex Caroline and her former roommate Brooke almost have what they’ve always wanted. Caroline is on the precipice of scoring funding for her feminist tech startup. Brooke is newly engaged and starting her dream job at a prestigious prep school. But unless the two best friends can cheat fate a second time, one night’s secrets could unravel everything.
I had to wait 24 hours before I could review this title properly. It left me feeling all kinds of icky. Neither the deceased, Sofia nor terrorized friends Caroline or Brooke elicited a lot of sympathy from this particular reader. I enjoyed how each gets their comeuppance. As the chapters flip from the different perspectives and the different timelines, I kept flipping the pages to find out what would happen, but it took a little long to get there.
Overall, I am going to give a 3-star because I did read it in one sitting.
Expected Publication Date 15/07/25
Goodreads Review Date 14/07/25
#OurSecretsWereSafe #NetGalley
Friends like this, you will want to remain an introvert.
Publisher Excerpt: Ten years after Sofia was killed in a tragic accident, her college ex Caroline and her former roommate Brooke almost have what they’ve always wanted. Caroline is on the precipice of scoring funding for her feminist tech startup. Brooke is newly engaged and starting her dream job at a prestigious prep school. But unless the two best friends can cheat fate a second time, one night’s secrets could unravel everything.
I had to wait 24 hours before I could review this title properly. It left me feeling all kinds of icky. Neither the deceased, Sofia nor terrorized friends Caroline or Brooke elicited a lot of sympathy from this particular reader. I enjoyed how each gets their comeuppance. As the chapters flip from the different perspectives and the different timelines, I kept flipping the pages to find out what would happen, but it took a little long to get there.
Overall, I am going to give a 3-star because I did read it in one sitting.
Expected Publication Date 15/07/25
Goodreads Review Date 14/07/25
#OurSecretsWereSafe #NetGalley
June 12, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of
Our Secrets Were Safe.
The premise sounded decent enough though not original.
** Minor trope-y spoilers ahead **
A blast from the past has returned from the dead to wreak revenge on her two frenemies, but who will get the last laugh?
The narrative happens in the past and present timelines to provide exposition as to why the main characters are in peril.
First, it's hard to like anyone.
Okay, I didn't like anyone, and not just because most of them were rich, entitled, privileged brats.
With friends like these, who needs enemies? would have been the better title.
I don't mind flawed people; we all are. We're human. We make mistakes.
But Caroline and Brooke are not interesting or compelling; they're forgettable so why should we care about them?
Nearly all the men in the story are scum; Leo, the stepfather, Josh, Antony, all men are sleazebags so to hell with them.
Second, the writing is good, but wordy, long. It takes too long to get anywhere, to learn anything, to get any information, to get to the frickin' point.
Third, all the popular tropes are here; wealthy families with too much to lose, characters that have information but prolong the moment by saying "let's talk later' or get distracted by other people in the scene.
There are a lot of characters so readers may have trouble keeping up.
Even though the chapters are clearly marked with whose perspective we're reading I forgot who Brooke and Caroline was and their relationships to Sofia and their families.
I guessed whodunit easily and when the rest of the puzzle pieces were explained in an info dump I thought 'who cares?'
The premise sounded decent enough though not original.
** Minor trope-y spoilers ahead **
A blast from the past has returned from the dead to wreak revenge on her two frenemies, but who will get the last laugh?
The narrative happens in the past and present timelines to provide exposition as to why the main characters are in peril.
First, it's hard to like anyone.
Okay, I didn't like anyone, and not just because most of them were rich, entitled, privileged brats.
With friends like these, who needs enemies? would have been the better title.
I don't mind flawed people; we all are. We're human. We make mistakes.
But Caroline and Brooke are not interesting or compelling; they're forgettable so why should we care about them?
Nearly all the men in the story are scum; Leo, the stepfather, Josh, Antony, all men are sleazebags so to hell with them.
Second, the writing is good, but wordy, long. It takes too long to get anywhere, to learn anything, to get any information, to get to the frickin' point.
Third, all the popular tropes are here; wealthy families with too much to lose, characters that have information but prolong the moment by saying "let's talk later' or get distracted by other people in the scene.
There are a lot of characters so readers may have trouble keeping up.
Even though the chapters are clearly marked with whose perspective we're reading I forgot who Brooke and Caroline was and their relationships to Sofia and their families.
I guessed whodunit easily and when the rest of the puzzle pieces were explained in an info dump I thought 'who cares?'
July 30, 2025
Thank you Crown for my free ARC of Our Secrets Were Safe by Virginia Trench — available now!
» READ IF YOU « 📱 ever had your past slide into your DMs 🎓 love dual timelines, multi POVs, toxic friendships 🕵️ prefer slow-burn thrillers to fast-paced jump scares
» SYNOPSIS « A decade after college, Caroline and Brooke seem to have perfect lives, though very different from one another. Until creepy, cryptic messages from someone claiming to be their dead roommate start popping up left and right. As old events creep back and another person from their past turns up dead, secrets they’ve buried threaten to ruin everything.
» REVIEW « This story hits a lovely sweet spot of messy, morally grey women and “I’m being watched” paranoia. It’s a slow build at first, but once the threats start, it had me gripped with all the tension! Caroline and Brooke feel distinct, damaged, and real, and the unraveling of what really happened “that night” is truly satisfying. Sharp, unsettling, and a bit mean, which is exactly my vibe these days.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
» READ IF YOU « 📱 ever had your past slide into your DMs 🎓 love dual timelines, multi POVs, toxic friendships 🕵️ prefer slow-burn thrillers to fast-paced jump scares
» SYNOPSIS « A decade after college, Caroline and Brooke seem to have perfect lives, though very different from one another. Until creepy, cryptic messages from someone claiming to be their dead roommate start popping up left and right. As old events creep back and another person from their past turns up dead, secrets they’ve buried threaten to ruin everything.
» REVIEW « This story hits a lovely sweet spot of messy, morally grey women and “I’m being watched” paranoia. It’s a slow build at first, but once the threats start, it had me gripped with all the tension! Caroline and Brooke feel distinct, damaged, and real, and the unraveling of what really happened “that night” is truly satisfying. Sharp, unsettling, and a bit mean, which is exactly my vibe these days.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 15, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Crown Publishing, and Virginia Trench for allowing me to read this eARC!
For starters, what a great debut! This really checked a lot of boxes in regard to what I like in a thriller. There was at least one likeable protagonist (Brooke apologist for life), there was lots of moral ambiguity and questionable decision-making, and there were twists that genuinely caught me off guard. This novel follows college roommates Brooke and Caroline as they are made to face the untimely death of their other roommates, Sofia in the past and Jenna in the present, along with other scandals that keep putting a dent in their plans to move on with their lives. I really do not think there was any moment where I knew for sure what was happening or what had happened, I would get inklings but continuously was thrown off by a detail or two, which I love! The chapters were quick and succinct and Trench was not an apologist for the shitty male characters in this novel, let them rot.
I think what was missing for me was a bit more fleshing out and backstory for some of the characters who played major roles in the plot but were just a bit too secondary in regard to character building. For me this was Jenna and Drea, but I think Sofia could have even had a bit more of her backstory revealed to make her a tad more sympathetic (although was she meant to be?!).
Overall, I really enjoyed this read and would pick up more from Virginia Trench in the future!
For starters, what a great debut! This really checked a lot of boxes in regard to what I like in a thriller. There was at least one likeable protagonist (Brooke apologist for life), there was lots of moral ambiguity and questionable decision-making, and there were twists that genuinely caught me off guard. This novel follows college roommates Brooke and Caroline as they are made to face the untimely death of their other roommates, Sofia in the past and Jenna in the present, along with other scandals that keep putting a dent in their plans to move on with their lives. I really do not think there was any moment where I knew for sure what was happening or what had happened, I would get inklings but continuously was thrown off by a detail or two, which I love! The chapters were quick and succinct and Trench was not an apologist for the shitty male characters in this novel, let them rot.
I think what was missing for me was a bit more fleshing out and backstory for some of the characters who played major roles in the plot but were just a bit too secondary in regard to character building. For me this was Jenna and Drea, but I think Sofia could have even had a bit more of her backstory revealed to make her a tad more sympathetic (although was she meant to be?!).
Overall, I really enjoyed this read and would pick up more from Virginia Trench in the future!
November 26, 2024
This was fantastic!!
The story follows a group of friends as they are forced to revisit a dark time in their lives. Sofia's been gone for ten years, but someone wants to dig up the truth and spill all their deepest, darkest, secrets.
This gave me Pretty Little Liar feels and kept me on my toes the whole time! The twists were great, the writing was smooth; it was all-around enjoyable. Well done! Virginia Trench will be on my radar for any future publications from here on out.
The story follows a group of friends as they are forced to revisit a dark time in their lives. Sofia's been gone for ten years, but someone wants to dig up the truth and spill all their deepest, darkest, secrets.
This gave me Pretty Little Liar feels and kept me on my toes the whole time! The twists were great, the writing was smooth; it was all-around enjoyable. Well done! Virginia Trench will be on my radar for any future publications from here on out.
November 17, 2025
Our Secrets Were Safe is an incredible impressive debut. I loved the multi POV storytelling coupled with dual timelines. We slowly watch the past unravel as secrets and lies are revealed. There are some great characters, and the character development was well done.
The ending came together perfectly.
I definitely can't wait to read more by this new author.
The ending came together perfectly.
I definitely can't wait to read more by this new author.
December 7, 2025
The truth rarely stays buried forever. The long-term consequences of lies, the corrosive nature of guilt, and the complex dynamics of toxic relationships, particularly regarding power and entitlement.
September 29, 2025
#ad look at us over here at @thrillerbookloversthepulse #partner reading all the fabulous thrillers 😍
🅾🆄🆁 🆂🅴🅲🆁🅴🆃🆂 🆆🅴🆁🅴 🆂🅰🅵🅴
< @virginiatrenchbooks >
ᴡᴏᴍᴇɴ ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅꜱʜɪᴘꜱ | ᴘꜱʏᴄʜᴏʟᴏɢɪᴄᴀʟ ᴛʜʀɪʟʟᴇʀ | ꜱᴜꜱᴘᴇɴꜱᴇ
𝟥𝟥𝟦 ᴘᴀɢᴇꜱ
𝓟𝓻𝓮𝓽𝓽𝔂 𝓛𝓲𝓽𝓽𝓵𝓮 𝓛𝓲𝓪𝓻𝓼 𝓶𝓮𝓮𝓽𝓼 𝓟𝓪𝓲𝓷𝓴𝓲𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓻
“Everything gets easier with time, especially living with the lies you tell to protect the ones you love,” (p. 37).
“A monster is most dangerous when it's out of sight,” (p. 103).
“Losing our mothers is something we have in common…Both died of cancer: Eric lost his mother to lung cancer; I lost mine to a stage three lump that appeared out of nowhere. We know you're never really whole again,” (p. 105).
^ oof that hit me hard.. same, same 🥹
Sofia and Caroline were the best of friends. Maybe a little more than that. Until Brooke Winters showed up and became their new roommate. Now nothing is what it was before. The events that took place then will haunt them all into the future.
The story is told in alternating timelines. Sofia, whose POV is in the past, then Caroline and Brooke whose POV is in the now. We get to see how Brooke and Caroline are doing now - their lives, their jobs. And this is where the mystery lies. What happened in the past and where is Sofia in the current time? (If you don’t read the blurb, like I didn’t, you don’t realize the reason for a few chapters.)
Caroline and Eric, her business partner, play to win, but now they’ll have to play to survive. Caroline runs a company forging to make the workforce more equal between men and women. Brook is now an English teacher, happily engaged to Josh. But their past is coming back for them. Their lives are about to blow up in front of them.
🎧: Also listened while following along and loved the audio. Having three separate narrators for each POV is always a fabulous listen and each narrator did a fantastic job bringing their character to life. Def recommend.
I loved the feminist narrative that is sprinkled throughout the book. Caroline and Brooke being stalked and harassed by an unknown person keeps us intrigued as more and more things happen. Suspicious texts, dead bodies, threatening emails and more; their tormentor always there reminding them of the lies they told. The things they did.
A solid read rooted in both the past and current time, this was a book I couldn’t put down; and when I had to, it’s all I thought about. This book easily earned every single one of its stars - from its whirlwind beginning to its final exploding ending (cue the fireworks)…
CANNOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK. OOF! What a debut this is!!
Triggers can be found below:
———— TRIGGERS BELOW —————-
Some of the triggers:
Mentions of:
DV
Eating disorder
Addiction
Death of child
Car accident
Death of dog
Death of parent (cancer)
🅾🆄🆁 🆂🅴🅲🆁🅴🆃🆂 🆆🅴🆁🅴 🆂🅰🅵🅴
< @virginiatrenchbooks >
ᴡᴏᴍᴇɴ ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅꜱʜɪᴘꜱ | ᴘꜱʏᴄʜᴏʟᴏɢɪᴄᴀʟ ᴛʜʀɪʟʟᴇʀ | ꜱᴜꜱᴘᴇɴꜱᴇ
𝟥𝟥𝟦 ᴘᴀɢᴇꜱ
𝓟𝓻𝓮𝓽𝓽𝔂 𝓛𝓲𝓽𝓽𝓵𝓮 𝓛𝓲𝓪𝓻𝓼 𝓶𝓮𝓮𝓽𝓼 𝓟𝓪𝓲𝓷𝓴𝓲𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓻
“Everything gets easier with time, especially living with the lies you tell to protect the ones you love,” (p. 37).
“A monster is most dangerous when it's out of sight,” (p. 103).
“Losing our mothers is something we have in common…Both died of cancer: Eric lost his mother to lung cancer; I lost mine to a stage three lump that appeared out of nowhere. We know you're never really whole again,” (p. 105).
^ oof that hit me hard.. same, same 🥹
Sofia and Caroline were the best of friends. Maybe a little more than that. Until Brooke Winters showed up and became their new roommate. Now nothing is what it was before. The events that took place then will haunt them all into the future.
The story is told in alternating timelines. Sofia, whose POV is in the past, then Caroline and Brooke whose POV is in the now. We get to see how Brooke and Caroline are doing now - their lives, their jobs. And this is where the mystery lies. What happened in the past and where is Sofia in the current time? (If you don’t read the blurb, like I didn’t, you don’t realize the reason for a few chapters.)
Caroline and Eric, her business partner, play to win, but now they’ll have to play to survive. Caroline runs a company forging to make the workforce more equal between men and women. Brook is now an English teacher, happily engaged to Josh. But their past is coming back for them. Their lives are about to blow up in front of them.
🎧: Also listened while following along and loved the audio. Having three separate narrators for each POV is always a fabulous listen and each narrator did a fantastic job bringing their character to life. Def recommend.
I loved the feminist narrative that is sprinkled throughout the book. Caroline and Brooke being stalked and harassed by an unknown person keeps us intrigued as more and more things happen. Suspicious texts, dead bodies, threatening emails and more; their tormentor always there reminding them of the lies they told. The things they did.
A solid read rooted in both the past and current time, this was a book I couldn’t put down; and when I had to, it’s all I thought about. This book easily earned every single one of its stars - from its whirlwind beginning to its final exploding ending (cue the fireworks)…
CANNOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK. OOF! What a debut this is!!
Triggers can be found below:
———— TRIGGERS BELOW —————-
Some of the triggers:
Mentions of:
DV
Eating disorder
Addiction
Death of child
Car accident
Death of dog
Death of parent (cancer)
August 5, 2025
Absolutely loved this book! It’s the perfect holiday read—fast-paced, addictive, and packed with all the juicy drama, secrets, and scheming you’d expect from a tight-knit group of girlfriends hiding a dark past. Years ago, they were bound together by a murder in college, and now those buried secrets are threatening to surface.
The characters are wonderfully complex, each with flaws, fears, and relatable real-life struggles that make them feel authentic. The tangled web of friendships, betrayals, and shifting loyalties kept me turning the pages late into the night.
Every chapter ends with just the right amount of suspense to keep you hooked, and the twists come at exactly the right moments. It’s one of those books you’ll race through in a single sitting—then immediately want to discuss with a friend.
If you love a gripping story full of drama, mystery, and emotional depth, this one’s an absolute must-read!
The characters are wonderfully complex, each with flaws, fears, and relatable real-life struggles that make them feel authentic. The tangled web of friendships, betrayals, and shifting loyalties kept me turning the pages late into the night.
Every chapter ends with just the right amount of suspense to keep you hooked, and the twists come at exactly the right moments. It’s one of those books you’ll race through in a single sitting—then immediately want to discuss with a friend.
If you love a gripping story full of drama, mystery, and emotional depth, this one’s an absolute must-read!
March 3, 2025
In Our Secrets Are Safe, debut author Virginia Trench invites readers on a compelling journey through the tangled pasts and present lives of her characters, gradually unraveling their hidden truths along the way.
This book delivers all the thrills of a fun, light-hearted read. At times, the characters seem almost like self-aware parodies, as if in on the joke with the reader. I couldn’t help but imagine Kristen Bell’s voice from Gossip Girl narrating the text messages from “Sofia,” while Daphne Winters would be a natural fit for the cast of The Real Housewives of New York. As a college student in the 2010s, I also enjoyed the nostalgic references — who can forget the struggle of peeling off those skin-tight skinny jeans?
Beneath the sugary layer of pop culture references and breezy thriller tropes, however, Trench subtly weaves a sharp and timely social commentary. She expertly critiques the "sweep-it-under-the-rug" mentality that still pervades the upper echelons of northeastern WASP culture, creating the perfect backdrop for a vault of buried secrets. At the center of this is Caroline, a female founder who must relentlessly fight for investors in a male-dominated world, where figures like Elizabeth Holmes are viewed as the rule, not the exception. The male characters, meanwhile, are afforded protection for their deeply troubling behavior.
What truly stood out to me, however, were the multifaceted female characters. None of them emerge unscathed or “squeaky clean.” Trench explores how women, just like men, can simultaneously be victims and perpetrators, capable of both tearing each other down and rebuilding from the rubble. They make mistakes — some forgivable, others with deadly consequences.
I look forward to seeing what Trench does next. If Our Secrets Are Safe is any indication, we’re in for a refreshing and insightful take on the thriller genre
This book delivers all the thrills of a fun, light-hearted read. At times, the characters seem almost like self-aware parodies, as if in on the joke with the reader. I couldn’t help but imagine Kristen Bell’s voice from Gossip Girl narrating the text messages from “Sofia,” while Daphne Winters would be a natural fit for the cast of The Real Housewives of New York. As a college student in the 2010s, I also enjoyed the nostalgic references — who can forget the struggle of peeling off those skin-tight skinny jeans?
Beneath the sugary layer of pop culture references and breezy thriller tropes, however, Trench subtly weaves a sharp and timely social commentary. She expertly critiques the "sweep-it-under-the-rug" mentality that still pervades the upper echelons of northeastern WASP culture, creating the perfect backdrop for a vault of buried secrets. At the center of this is Caroline, a female founder who must relentlessly fight for investors in a male-dominated world, where figures like Elizabeth Holmes are viewed as the rule, not the exception. The male characters, meanwhile, are afforded protection for their deeply troubling behavior.
What truly stood out to me, however, were the multifaceted female characters. None of them emerge unscathed or “squeaky clean.” Trench explores how women, just like men, can simultaneously be victims and perpetrators, capable of both tearing each other down and rebuilding from the rubble. They make mistakes — some forgivable, others with deadly consequences.
I look forward to seeing what Trench does next. If Our Secrets Are Safe is any indication, we’re in for a refreshing and insightful take on the thriller genre
July 6, 2025
Thank you to PRH Audio for my #gifted copy.
I found this to be a world wind of a story. Through present and past timelines and different POV's, we are introduced to a cast of characters. During college, something terrible happened to Sofia. Now, many years later, Caroline and Brooke's past has come back to haunt them. I liked the fast pace and twists and turns throughout. The narrators were perfect. It was easy to follow and hard to put down. I didn't even realize that OUR SECRETS ARE SAFE is a debut! Bravo to the author, I really enjoyed this one!
I found this to be a world wind of a story. Through present and past timelines and different POV's, we are introduced to a cast of characters. During college, something terrible happened to Sofia. Now, many years later, Caroline and Brooke's past has come back to haunt them. I liked the fast pace and twists and turns throughout. The narrators were perfect. It was easy to follow and hard to put down. I didn't even realize that OUR SECRETS ARE SAFE is a debut! Bravo to the author, I really enjoyed this one!
August 12, 2025
A brilliant, thrilling page-turner (the fastest I’ve read a book in a long time). I thoroughly enjoyed Virginia Trench’s first novel. It’s filled with intriguing characters, a great plot, and an unexpected twist at the end. I couldn’t recommend it highly enough!
November 13, 2025
Rounded up to 3.5 ⭐️
This was a wildly addicting debut thriller! Secrets, lies, affairs, drama, the past coming back with a vengeance - all the makings of a great thriller! I did have a bit of difficulty keeping up with who was who but that didn’t take away from the twists and turns and reveals! All in all, a great read!
This was a wildly addicting debut thriller! Secrets, lies, affairs, drama, the past coming back with a vengeance - all the makings of a great thriller! I did have a bit of difficulty keeping up with who was who but that didn’t take away from the twists and turns and reveals! All in all, a great read!
Read
August 29, 2025A fun read! Definitely lots of twists and captivates you from the start, would recommend for a fun thriller read
October 28, 2025
This multi-POV revenge thriller will have you second-guessing to the very end. I really liked the dichotomy between the Haves and Have Nots, and the perceptions of success that are played with.
July 17, 2025
Our Secrets Were Safe by Virginia Trench is a super dark and unpredictable read. A group of college friends did something together and vowed never to discuss it with anybody. This vow engenders paranoia, guilt, and tension, as most promises do. The characters are unlikable, but unfortunately, they may represent society as it is. The writer deals with the themes of power, loyalty, and immorality, which makes for a fascinating read. And as secrets tend to do, this secret is a doozy, and when it is uncovered, it reveals just how toxic friendships can be. Our Secrets Were Safe by Virginia Trench is a mystery centered on four friends and what they did or did not do to have them be in the situation that they are in. Please do yourself a favor and join them for a great ride full of tension, paranoia, and worry, but most of all fun.
December 30, 2024
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book from NetGalley. I'm so glad I did. I flew through this book. I can see why it's releasing in the summer because the only thing missing from my read of this novel was being on a beach to binge it all in one sitting.
I'm a picky thriller reader. I hate when I can guess a plot twist of a book, and when they are predictable.
I felt like Our Secrets Were Safe was everything I was looking for in a thriller. I loved the POV switches, and for the first time I wasn't favoring one characters' POV over another. I thought both Caroline, Brooke and Sofia were complex characters and I never quite knew where their choices were going.
I think this book is going to be a hit when it comes out.. I would recommend it to fans of twisty novels, complex friendships, and if you loved a good WB/ CW show back in the day.
I'm a picky thriller reader. I hate when I can guess a plot twist of a book, and when they are predictable.
I felt like Our Secrets Were Safe was everything I was looking for in a thriller. I loved the POV switches, and for the first time I wasn't favoring one characters' POV over another. I thought both Caroline, Brooke and Sofia were complex characters and I never quite knew where their choices were going.
I think this book is going to be a hit when it comes out.. I would recommend it to fans of twisty novels, complex friendships, and if you loved a good WB/ CW show back in the day.
May 28, 2025
I received a copy for review. All opinions are my own. I
Jumping between past and present, but this book explores how a tragic accident comes back to haunt those affected most by it. Complete with scandal, mystery, and plenty of drama, I was kept on the edge of my seat reading this. I could feel the tension in the characters as they try to navigate their current lives while dealing with a secret popping back up. There were so many twists and turns that kept me guessing what would happen next!
Jumping between past and present, but this book explores how a tragic accident comes back to haunt those affected most by it. Complete with scandal, mystery, and plenty of drama, I was kept on the edge of my seat reading this. I could feel the tension in the characters as they try to navigate their current lives while dealing with a secret popping back up. There were so many twists and turns that kept me guessing what would happen next!
July 9, 2025
SUMMARY: people are the worst.
Our Secrets Were Safe by Virginia Trench is a story about mistakes made and secrets kept. It's been ten years since the car accident that killed Sofia. Her two former roommates are on the path to getting everything they ever wanted. Caroline is on the verge of funding her feminist tech startup and Brooke is engaged and starting a new job at a private prep school.
That is....until Sofia comes back. From threatening comments on Caroline's company Instagram to strange emails with photos to Brooke, someone is out for revenge. Everything is now on the line unless the women confess what really happened that night.
---
Every single person in the book is a terrible person. Money-hungry brats and mentally ill, obsessed young women. Sex assault, drug use, and inappropriate student-teacher relationships are all just a drop in the bucket.
I think Trench had a great idea behind the plot—being threatened by the truth. That said, it was wordy, and the time-hops from the past to the present dragged the story out a bit long. Sophia's chapters all show that she was... an asshole, but she was also hyper-fixated on Caroline and her brother. But everyone in this book is an asshole.
I could have enjoyed this if everyone had been either nicer/more likable or worse/even more unlikeable. They were just generically evil people who got what they deserved.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.
Our Secrets Were Safe by Virginia Trench is a story about mistakes made and secrets kept. It's been ten years since the car accident that killed Sofia. Her two former roommates are on the path to getting everything they ever wanted. Caroline is on the verge of funding her feminist tech startup and Brooke is engaged and starting a new job at a private prep school.
That is....until Sofia comes back. From threatening comments on Caroline's company Instagram to strange emails with photos to Brooke, someone is out for revenge. Everything is now on the line unless the women confess what really happened that night.
---
Every single person in the book is a terrible person. Money-hungry brats and mentally ill, obsessed young women. Sex assault, drug use, and inappropriate student-teacher relationships are all just a drop in the bucket.
I think Trench had a great idea behind the plot—being threatened by the truth. That said, it was wordy, and the time-hops from the past to the present dragged the story out a bit long. Sophia's chapters all show that she was... an asshole, but she was also hyper-fixated on Caroline and her brother. But everyone in this book is an asshole.
I could have enjoyed this if everyone had been either nicer/more likable or worse/even more unlikeable. They were just generically evil people who got what they deserved.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.
November 18, 2025
A decade after Sofia’s supposed accidental death, Caroline and Brooke start receiving chilling messages from someone claiming to be her, threatening to expose the secrets they’ve kept buried since that night. As the warnings escalate and another person linked to their past turns up dead, they realize someone is out for revenge, and their lives may be the next to unravel.
I honestly couldn’t believe this was a debut! It grabs you from page one and immediately drops you into that uneasy, “something isn’t right” feeling I love in a thriller. The dual timelines and multiple narrators weave together so much tension that I found myself second-guessing every theory. I had no clue who “Sofia” could be in the present timeline, and when the reveal finally hit, I was genuinely stunned.
The twists were sharp, the secrets ran deep, and even though the pacing lagged a bit toward the end, the overall ride was absolutely worth it. I’ve seen some mixed reviews on Goodreads, but I found this one to be a gripping, clever thriller that kept me turning the pages.
I adored this audiobook. The full-cast narration brought so much dimension to the story, and each voice fit their character perfectly. Taylor Meskimen’s performance as Sofia hooked me instantly. She added such intensity and vulnerability that I couldn’t stop listening. Karissa Vacker as Brooke and Jess Nahikian as Caroline were equally strong, but Meskimen truly stole the show. This is one of those audiobooks that elevates the entire reading experience, and I’d absolutely recommend listening to it.
Thank you Crown Publishing, PRH Audio, and Thriller Book Lovers: the Pulse for advanced copies in exchange for my honest review.
I honestly couldn’t believe this was a debut! It grabs you from page one and immediately drops you into that uneasy, “something isn’t right” feeling I love in a thriller. The dual timelines and multiple narrators weave together so much tension that I found myself second-guessing every theory. I had no clue who “Sofia” could be in the present timeline, and when the reveal finally hit, I was genuinely stunned.
The twists were sharp, the secrets ran deep, and even though the pacing lagged a bit toward the end, the overall ride was absolutely worth it. I’ve seen some mixed reviews on Goodreads, but I found this one to be a gripping, clever thriller that kept me turning the pages.
I adored this audiobook. The full-cast narration brought so much dimension to the story, and each voice fit their character perfectly. Taylor Meskimen’s performance as Sofia hooked me instantly. She added such intensity and vulnerability that I couldn’t stop listening. Karissa Vacker as Brooke and Jess Nahikian as Caroline were equally strong, but Meskimen truly stole the show. This is one of those audiobooks that elevates the entire reading experience, and I’d absolutely recommend listening to it.
Thank you Crown Publishing, PRH Audio, and Thriller Book Lovers: the Pulse for advanced copies in exchange for my honest review.
November 14, 2025
I tore through this one in just over 24 hours — it’s a complex web of secrets, privilege, and betrayal that’s impossible to put down. Told through multiple POVs and a dual timeline, the story follows Caroline and Brooke as they begin receiving cryptic messages from someone claiming to be Sophia… their friend who died a decade ago.
The setup gave me total stalker vibes, and had me constantly second-guessing who “Sophia” really was. It’s one of those slow-boiling, tension-filled stories that creeps up on you.
Many of the characters are rich people behaving badly — entitled, manipulative, and convinced they’re untouchable. The drama unravels like juicy gossip gone dangerously wrong, building into dark conspiracies and shocking reveals. I had plenty of theories along the way (a few even hit!), and while I loved Sophia’s backstory, I found myself wishing for just a bit more of it.
🎧Narration Note: Karissa Vacker, Jess Nahikian, Taylor Meskimen was stellar. Each brought distinct voices to the large cast, making it easy to follow the shifting perspectives. Their performances elevated the tension and emotion — especially as we edged closer to the night Sophia died.
Final Verdict: 👍 Whirlwind mystery. Intricate plot. Salacious drama.
Don’t be deterred by the Goodreads reviews — I really liked this one!
The setup gave me total stalker vibes, and had me constantly second-guessing who “Sophia” really was. It’s one of those slow-boiling, tension-filled stories that creeps up on you.
Many of the characters are rich people behaving badly — entitled, manipulative, and convinced they’re untouchable. The drama unravels like juicy gossip gone dangerously wrong, building into dark conspiracies and shocking reveals. I had plenty of theories along the way (a few even hit!), and while I loved Sophia’s backstory, I found myself wishing for just a bit more of it.
🎧Narration Note: Karissa Vacker, Jess Nahikian, Taylor Meskimen was stellar. Each brought distinct voices to the large cast, making it easy to follow the shifting perspectives. Their performances elevated the tension and emotion — especially as we edged closer to the night Sophia died.
Final Verdict: 👍 Whirlwind mystery. Intricate plot. Salacious drama.
Don’t be deterred by the Goodreads reviews — I really liked this one!
October 21, 2025
Our Secrets Were Safe by Virginia Trench
A chilling decade-old secret is about to shatter two perfect lives. 🤫
Ten years ago, Sofia Eliades died. Her college ex, Caroline, and her best friend, Brooke, have built successful lives, Caroline with a promising tech startup, and Brooke with a dream job and an engagement. They thought their shared secret about that night was buried forever. 💔
But when threatening messages and ominous photos start arriving, all signed by “Sofia” their carefully constructed reality crumbles. As an old connection to Sofia turns up dead, Caroline and Brooke realize someone knows the terrible truth. They must decide how far they’re willing to go to keep their secrets safe... or if it's already too late.
Prepare for a propulsive thriller where allegiances shift and every twist leads deeper into a web of lies and revenge.
The devil's in the details, and the truth will shock you.
Nothing is as it seems. 🔪
Keywords:
Virginia Trench
Our Secrets Were Safe
thriller novel
mystery book
psychological thriller
college secrets
revenge plot
friendship betrayal
deadly secrets
#OurSecretsWereSafe #VirginiaTrench #PsychologicalThriller #MysteryBook #BookLovers #ThrillerReads #SuspenseNovel #NewRelease #DarkSecrets #RevengePlot #ThrillerCommunity #MustRead
Thanks to @thrillerbookloversthepulse for providing this for your enjoyment! 📚
A chilling decade-old secret is about to shatter two perfect lives. 🤫
Ten years ago, Sofia Eliades died. Her college ex, Caroline, and her best friend, Brooke, have built successful lives, Caroline with a promising tech startup, and Brooke with a dream job and an engagement. They thought their shared secret about that night was buried forever. 💔
But when threatening messages and ominous photos start arriving, all signed by “Sofia” their carefully constructed reality crumbles. As an old connection to Sofia turns up dead, Caroline and Brooke realize someone knows the terrible truth. They must decide how far they’re willing to go to keep their secrets safe... or if it's already too late.
Prepare for a propulsive thriller where allegiances shift and every twist leads deeper into a web of lies and revenge.
The devil's in the details, and the truth will shock you.
Nothing is as it seems. 🔪
Keywords:
Virginia Trench
Our Secrets Were Safe
thriller novel
mystery book
psychological thriller
college secrets
revenge plot
friendship betrayal
deadly secrets
#OurSecretsWereSafe #VirginiaTrench #PsychologicalThriller #MysteryBook #BookLovers #ThrillerReads #SuspenseNovel #NewRelease #DarkSecrets #RevengePlot #ThrillerCommunity #MustRead
Thanks to @thrillerbookloversthepulse for providing this for your enjoyment! 📚
November 19, 2025
Ten years after Sofia’s death, her old college friends Caroline and Brooke are haunted by messages from someone claiming to be her, and their lives start to crack. The story weaves together the past and present, with dual timelines. The characters are complicated and messy and the suspense ramps up just when you think you know what’s coming. There’s real emotional here…betrayal, guilt, and power. If you love dark, character driven thrillers with juicy secrets and a slow burn, this one’s totally worth adding to your shelf!
October 22, 2025
This is a debut and it is filled with buried secrets, unthinkable happenings, lies, multiple point of views and dual timeline. This is a perfect example of the fact that there is so much hidden and buried beneath the surface. With full cast of characters, one must keep their focus on the inbuilt mystery. It was interesting how the dots got connected and it took the characters closer to the truth. It was rather shocking and unsettling but what’s more unsettling was the revelation at the end. This is is a dark and unsettling thriller. Expect secrets, lies, deception, twists, and shocking revelations.
August 15, 2025
3 stars. There are kernels of a gripping psychological suspense in here but it never manifests and the ending is messy and unsatisfying. You want to feel good watching bad people get terrorized but it’s so jerky with the time flips that you’re never quite sure if you’re rooting for the right person or not. There are a lot of threads going on and not enough pages or skill to really bring them all to life
November 14, 2025
“If you play a part long enough, it eventually starts to feel natural.”
Another debut novel that’s sure to be a hit! Some secrets aren’t meant to stayed buried forever! Hold on tight friends because this was a wild ride! Holy cow did I enjoy this one! Between the frustrating characters to the backstabbing this one kept me on my toes. Told by multiple POV and a past/present timeline. I can’t wait for more from Virginia.
Another debut novel that’s sure to be a hit! Some secrets aren’t meant to stayed buried forever! Hold on tight friends because this was a wild ride! Holy cow did I enjoy this one! Between the frustrating characters to the backstabbing this one kept me on my toes. Told by multiple POV and a past/present timeline. I can’t wait for more from Virginia.
November 27, 2025
Ugh. This book was bad. I was intrigued when I read the jacket…Two women start receiving texts from their dead friend. But, then the story just sunk into a pit of garbage. Way too many characters, WAY too many, and too similar to tell them apart. What began as a mystery of “what really happened the night of the accident” changed into embezzlement, hacking, creepy siblings, and I don’t even know what else. When I closed the book, I could not even tell you the point of the texts from the dead friend and how they connected with the end result.
December 16, 2025
Not bad, but nothing particularly stands out as “Wow! I can’t believe it!” Mostly awful people who have awful things happen to them….
Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews