What do you think?
Rate this book
The Glass Brigade: A Cozy Dark Academia Mystery
For fans of The Inheritance Games, Truly Devious, and the sharp humor of Gilmore Girls, The Glass Brigade is a twisty, puzzle-filled dark academia mystery with secret societies, high-stakes suspense, and a sweet, closed-door friends-to-lovers romance.
Eleanor and Caroline DeLourey inherited more than a luxurious trust fund—their grandfather’s ruthless law firm built a legacy of wealth, power, and deadly secrets. But when Caroline disappears, leaving only a cryptic message that Eleanor can’t decipher, the sisters’ glittering world turns upside down.
Caroline’s Porsche is discovered at the bottom of a creek, but instead of her body, she’s left a cryptic message that Eleanor can’t decode. Eleanor’s only lead is The Glass Brigade, an infamous secret society at her prestigious college—and the last thing Caroline ever warned her about.
Thrown into a world of death-defying initiations, buried corruption, and glittering danger, Eleanor soon realizes she can’t survive on her own. Regan O’Malley—haunted by his father’s mysterious death and the scandal that left his family in ruins—may hold the missing pieces she needs. But trusting him could cost Eleanor everything. Their alliance begins to spark into something deeper, and falling for him might be as dangerous as the secrets they’re chasing.
Regan knows joining The Glass Brigade is his only chance at uncovering the truth about his father—and protecting his mother before it’s too late. But as the initiations grow more perilous, and the society tightens its grip, his greatest fear isn’t surviving the trials. It’s that Eleanor will pay the price for the secrets he’s sworn to expose.
From cliffside escapes and eerie forest carnivals to haunted snowy mansions where not every initiate makes it out alive, Eleanor and Regan must navigate the society’s deadly games, unravel what really happened to Caroline, and decide if the truth—and their growing bond—are worth the risk.
Fans of witty banter, slow-burn sweet romance, and atmospheric dark academia will love this comedy mystery brimming
Friends-to-lovers, sweet, closed-door romanceHidden codes & dangerous puzzlesTwisty secrets & high-stakes suspenseLaugh-out-loud humor woven into perilous adventures What Readers Are
“I was completely hooked from page one! Dark academia, secret societies, and twisted mysteries—I felt like I was solving the puzzle alongside Eleanor. And the slow-burn friends-to-lovers romance with Regan? Absolutely swoon-worthy.”
“Sharp, funny, and completely atmospheric—this book makes you feel like you’re walking the ivy-covered halls of a secret society. The romance is sweet and earned, the mystery is twisty, and the humor keeps it all feeling fresh.”
Perfect for readers who crave the suspense of The Inheritance Games, the puzzles of Truly Devious, and the humor of Gilmore Girls, The Glass Brigade promises a darkly atmospheric yet laugh-out-loud romantic mystery you won’t be able to put down.
“I loved the mix of clever mysteries and laugh-out-loud moments. The friends-to-lovers romance is slow burn perfection, and I kept guessing who could be trusted until the very last page.
Eleanor and Caroline DeLourey inherited more than a luxurious trust fund—their grandfather’s ruthless law firm built a legacy of wealth, power, and deadly secrets. But when Caroline disappears, leaving only a cryptic message that Eleanor can’t decipher, the sisters’ glittering world turns upside down.
Caroline’s Porsche is discovered at the bottom of a creek, but instead of her body, she’s left a cryptic message that Eleanor can’t decode. Eleanor’s only lead is The Glass Brigade, an infamous secret society at her prestigious college—and the last thing Caroline ever warned her about.
Thrown into a world of death-defying initiations, buried corruption, and glittering danger, Eleanor soon realizes she can’t survive on her own. Regan O’Malley—haunted by his father’s mysterious death and the scandal that left his family in ruins—may hold the missing pieces she needs. But trusting him could cost Eleanor everything. Their alliance begins to spark into something deeper, and falling for him might be as dangerous as the secrets they’re chasing.
Regan knows joining The Glass Brigade is his only chance at uncovering the truth about his father—and protecting his mother before it’s too late. But as the initiations grow more perilous, and the society tightens its grip, his greatest fear isn’t surviving the trials. It’s that Eleanor will pay the price for the secrets he’s sworn to expose.
From cliffside escapes and eerie forest carnivals to haunted snowy mansions where not every initiate makes it out alive, Eleanor and Regan must navigate the society’s deadly games, unravel what really happened to Caroline, and decide if the truth—and their growing bond—are worth the risk.
Fans of witty banter, slow-burn sweet romance, and atmospheric dark academia will love this comedy mystery brimming
Friends-to-lovers, sweet, closed-door romanceHidden codes & dangerous puzzlesTwisty secrets & high-stakes suspenseLaugh-out-loud humor woven into perilous adventures What Readers Are
“I was completely hooked from page one! Dark academia, secret societies, and twisted mysteries—I felt like I was solving the puzzle alongside Eleanor. And the slow-burn friends-to-lovers romance with Regan? Absolutely swoon-worthy.”
“Sharp, funny, and completely atmospheric—this book makes you feel like you’re walking the ivy-covered halls of a secret society. The romance is sweet and earned, the mystery is twisty, and the humor keeps it all feeling fresh.”
Perfect for readers who crave the suspense of The Inheritance Games, the puzzles of Truly Devious, and the humor of Gilmore Girls, The Glass Brigade promises a darkly atmospheric yet laugh-out-loud romantic mystery you won’t be able to put down.
“I loved the mix of clever mysteries and laugh-out-loud moments. The friends-to-lovers romance is slow burn perfection, and I kept guessing who could be trusted until the very last page.
485 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 21, 2025
26 people are currently reading
124 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 34 reviews
November 3, 2025
•𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰•
{𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑮𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒔 𝑩𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒂𝒅𝒆}
“𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚕𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚟𝚎 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚍 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚋𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚎𝚟𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚎.”
🔍 Release Date: November 21, 2025 🔎
.
.
.
I had incredibly high expectations going into this book…and it lived up to EVERY ONE of them! I was wildly impressed with the twists and turns this story took—I never knew quite what to expect next! The puzzles were all incredibly well thought out and highly intriguing. Overall, Celine Rachelle just did an amazing job at creating a phenomenal storyline that will keep any and all readers hooked until the last page of the book! (They’ll most likely be left wanting more—it’s just that good 😆)
“𝙸𝚗 𝚊 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚕𝚍 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚜 𝚖𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚢… 𝚜𝚎𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚜 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚗𝚟𝚊𝚕𝚞𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚎.”
First off, the vibes in this book were immaculate 🤌🏻 I’m the type of reader who loves a story with an amazing atmosphere, and this one was perfection! Advertised as perfect for fans of The Inheritance Games, Knives Out, Truly Devious, and Nancy Drew, The Glass Brigade truly captured all of those nuances. It made the reading experience all the more enjoyable! I love a good dark academia story rife with mystery and intrigue, and this book delivered EXACTLY that 😁
“𝙾𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞’𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚗, 𝚒𝚝’𝚜 𝚒𝚖𝚙𝚘𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚋𝚕𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚘𝚞𝚝."
I loved the strong friendship dynamics in this story! From lifelong childhood friends to newer, more recently acquired friends, the tight bonds of friendship never wavered. Everyone was accepted into the fold of camaraderie with lots of hugs and laughter. I really appreciated the way they were all there for each other—through thick and thin, good and bad, joys and sorrows 🤎
“𝙴𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍𝚗’𝚝 𝚑𝚎𝚜𝚒𝚝𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚢 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙶𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚜 𝙱𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚊𝚍𝚎 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚘𝚏𝚏𝚎𝚛.”
The romance was SO SO GOOD Y’ALL!! I’m not normally a fan of the friends-to-lovers trope, but when they haven’t been lifelong friends and there’s not all the miscommunication that goes along with that, I actually love this trope! And let me tell you, Regan & Eleanor were 🤌🏻✨🔥 PURE PERFECTION!! He was the literal biggest sweetheart EVER, and I absolutely adored the way he took care of her!! El could not have asked for a better man in her life 🥹 All of their little adventures together were the best—I had so much fun watching their relationship progress throughout this story 😍
“𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚏𝚎𝚌𝚝. 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚛𝚢 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚎.”
The women (and some of the men 🤭) in this book were absolute fighters, and I loved them so much for it! They found strength in their journeys to overcome their pasts and everything they’d had to endure, which made me respect them so much more 🥹 The way everything came together at the end of this amazing story was immensely satisfying, and it brought me so much joy!
“𝙸 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚊 𝚠𝚊𝚢, 𝚘𝚛 𝙸 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚎.”
Read it for:
♟️Deadly initiations
♟️Forced proximity
♟️Extravagant balls
♟️Dangerous mansions
♟️Secret passageways
♟️Ivy League College
♟️Friends-to-lovers
Content notes:
•brief innuendo
•mild language
.
.
.
Thank you, Celine, for allowing me to read an arc of your new book 🤎
{𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑮𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒔 𝑩𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒂𝒅𝒆}
“𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚕𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚟𝚎 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚍 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚋𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚎𝚟𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚎.”
🔍 Release Date: November 21, 2025 🔎
.
.
.
I had incredibly high expectations going into this book…and it lived up to EVERY ONE of them! I was wildly impressed with the twists and turns this story took—I never knew quite what to expect next! The puzzles were all incredibly well thought out and highly intriguing. Overall, Celine Rachelle just did an amazing job at creating a phenomenal storyline that will keep any and all readers hooked until the last page of the book! (They’ll most likely be left wanting more—it’s just that good 😆)
“𝙸𝚗 𝚊 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚕𝚍 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚜 𝚖𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚢… 𝚜𝚎𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚜 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚗𝚟𝚊𝚕𝚞𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚎.”
First off, the vibes in this book were immaculate 🤌🏻 I’m the type of reader who loves a story with an amazing atmosphere, and this one was perfection! Advertised as perfect for fans of The Inheritance Games, Knives Out, Truly Devious, and Nancy Drew, The Glass Brigade truly captured all of those nuances. It made the reading experience all the more enjoyable! I love a good dark academia story rife with mystery and intrigue, and this book delivered EXACTLY that 😁
“𝙾𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞’𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚗, 𝚒𝚝’𝚜 𝚒𝚖𝚙𝚘𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚋𝚕𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚘𝚞𝚝."
I loved the strong friendship dynamics in this story! From lifelong childhood friends to newer, more recently acquired friends, the tight bonds of friendship never wavered. Everyone was accepted into the fold of camaraderie with lots of hugs and laughter. I really appreciated the way they were all there for each other—through thick and thin, good and bad, joys and sorrows 🤎
“𝙴𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍𝚗’𝚝 𝚑𝚎𝚜𝚒𝚝𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚢 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙶𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚜 𝙱𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚊𝚍𝚎 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚘𝚏𝚏𝚎𝚛.”
The romance was SO SO GOOD Y’ALL!! I’m not normally a fan of the friends-to-lovers trope, but when they haven’t been lifelong friends and there’s not all the miscommunication that goes along with that, I actually love this trope! And let me tell you, Regan & Eleanor were 🤌🏻✨🔥 PURE PERFECTION!! He was the literal biggest sweetheart EVER, and I absolutely adored the way he took care of her!! El could not have asked for a better man in her life 🥹 All of their little adventures together were the best—I had so much fun watching their relationship progress throughout this story 😍
“𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚏𝚎𝚌𝚝. 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚛𝚢 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚎.”
The women (and some of the men 🤭) in this book were absolute fighters, and I loved them so much for it! They found strength in their journeys to overcome their pasts and everything they’d had to endure, which made me respect them so much more 🥹 The way everything came together at the end of this amazing story was immensely satisfying, and it brought me so much joy!
“𝙸 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚊 𝚠𝚊𝚢, 𝚘𝚛 𝙸 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚎.”
Read it for:
♟️Deadly initiations
♟️Forced proximity
♟️Extravagant balls
♟️Dangerous mansions
♟️Secret passageways
♟️Ivy League College
♟️Friends-to-lovers
Content notes:
•brief innuendo
•mild language
.
.
.
Thank you, Celine, for allowing me to read an arc of your new book 🤎
November 2, 2025
ARC COPY - OUT NOV 21, 2025!
This book is everything I hoped it would be, which is saying a lot. First, I need to share a bit about Celine, and then I’ll get into The Glass Brigade.
I’ve followed the author’s journey through this writing process, so I had read early copies of a chapter here and there through her sharing on social media. I remember back in 2021 when Celine asked for book recommendations for something that felt like Rory Gilmore in the Life and Death Brigade, an Ivy-League-secret-society-mystery with some love and puzzles and twists and fancy dresses and found friends. Unable to find the story she was imagining… SHE WROTE IT! This is that book! I’m just so impressed with Rachelle’s commitment to these characters and this story to see this journey all the way through and to truly give so much to her story, and to her readers.
Throughout the writing and publishing journey, Rachelle posted chapters or snippets of her writing for fans to see. From the start, I was gripped by these characters and this world. I’ve been wanting more of this story for years, and now that I’ve read The Glass Brigade, I can say that I’m very satisfied (although of course still wanting more). There has been a lot of build up and anticipation, and I can truly say it was all worth it.
This story is marketed as having similar feeling to lots of beloved stories: Gilmore girls, Knives Out, Nancy Drew, Clue, Inheritance Games, Truly Devious. It really does live up to those stories with the overall plot. It’s so full of intrigue and tension that I stayed up wayyyy too late multiple times because I just couldn’t put it down. The puzzles and mysteries and twists are really fun and creative. There are multiple times where the puzzle is laid out in the book itself, so you as a reader also have a chance to solve it alongside Eleanor.
But what really sets this read apart from those other stories is the relationships in The Glass Brigade. The familial relationships of each character, the depth of love between sisters, the easy friendships the characters fall into, the wrestling with shame and insecurities that’s been taught to you as you now fall in love. Rachelle has captured so many feelings in her scenes between characters that I know these friends will stay with me for a long time.
My ONLY note is that I wish I had more of Regan’s point of view, but only because I love him so much. I really loved the duel perspectives because it felt like that was a big reason we didn’t have to endure the classic miscommunication tropes that I hate! We knew Regan’s thoughts just like Eleanor’s and knew they truly cared for one another. I loved all of his POV chapters so much. I would read 10 more books with these characters. Give me more Caroline! Give me more EVERETT my sweet boy. Gina and her family!
The ending wrapped things up in a satisfying way and felt like these characters were sent off into the world with love and care. And of course with some remaining intrigue and mystery.
Thank you, Celine, for sharing this world and these characters with the world. This story deserves to be told and I’m so proud to see it out in the world after all your hard work. Well done.
This book is everything I hoped it would be, which is saying a lot. First, I need to share a bit about Celine, and then I’ll get into The Glass Brigade.
I’ve followed the author’s journey through this writing process, so I had read early copies of a chapter here and there through her sharing on social media. I remember back in 2021 when Celine asked for book recommendations for something that felt like Rory Gilmore in the Life and Death Brigade, an Ivy-League-secret-society-mystery with some love and puzzles and twists and fancy dresses and found friends. Unable to find the story she was imagining… SHE WROTE IT! This is that book! I’m just so impressed with Rachelle’s commitment to these characters and this story to see this journey all the way through and to truly give so much to her story, and to her readers.
Throughout the writing and publishing journey, Rachelle posted chapters or snippets of her writing for fans to see. From the start, I was gripped by these characters and this world. I’ve been wanting more of this story for years, and now that I’ve read The Glass Brigade, I can say that I’m very satisfied (although of course still wanting more). There has been a lot of build up and anticipation, and I can truly say it was all worth it.
This story is marketed as having similar feeling to lots of beloved stories: Gilmore girls, Knives Out, Nancy Drew, Clue, Inheritance Games, Truly Devious. It really does live up to those stories with the overall plot. It’s so full of intrigue and tension that I stayed up wayyyy too late multiple times because I just couldn’t put it down. The puzzles and mysteries and twists are really fun and creative. There are multiple times where the puzzle is laid out in the book itself, so you as a reader also have a chance to solve it alongside Eleanor.
But what really sets this read apart from those other stories is the relationships in The Glass Brigade. The familial relationships of each character, the depth of love between sisters, the easy friendships the characters fall into, the wrestling with shame and insecurities that’s been taught to you as you now fall in love. Rachelle has captured so many feelings in her scenes between characters that I know these friends will stay with me for a long time.
My ONLY note is that I wish I had more of Regan’s point of view, but only because I love him so much. I really loved the duel perspectives because it felt like that was a big reason we didn’t have to endure the classic miscommunication tropes that I hate! We knew Regan’s thoughts just like Eleanor’s and knew they truly cared for one another. I loved all of his POV chapters so much. I would read 10 more books with these characters. Give me more Caroline! Give me more EVERETT my sweet boy. Gina and her family!
The ending wrapped things up in a satisfying way and felt like these characters were sent off into the world with love and care. And of course with some remaining intrigue and mystery.
Thank you, Celine, for sharing this world and these characters with the world. This story deserves to be told and I’m so proud to see it out in the world after all your hard work. Well done.
November 16, 2025
4 Stars.
🔍 The vibes:
- Secret society
- Dark academia
- Sprinkle of romance
- Murder mystery
- Closed door
🔍 My thoughts:
When Caroline mysteriously disappears, leaving only a cryptic message behind for her sister, Eleanor, all clues point to the prestigious secret society- The Glass Brigade. “Thrown into a world of death-defying initiations, buried corruption, and glittering danger, Eleanor soon realizes she can't survive on her own. Regan O'Malley-haunted by his father's mysterious death and the scandal that left his family in ruins-may hold the missing pieces she needs.
But trusting him could cost Eleanor everything. Their alliance begins to spark into something deeper, and falling for him might be as dangerous as the secrets they're chasing.”
🔍This was such a fun adventure that had me down a deep Google search of secret societies (big yikes 🙈). Celine delivers the perfect atmospheric settings through this book. The vibes are 100% everytime. The thrill and mystery kept me on my toes the entire time, and the romance that was woven throughout was so endearing.
🔍While the romance wasn’t the primary focus in this book, Regan and Eleanor’s dynamic was my favorite. Their banter was top notch, and their chemistry was tangible. Regan must be protected at all costs. That’s all.
🔍I would have liked more of the side characters. I really liked what we got of them and the themes of found family are there, but I would have felt more connected to them if I had more time getting to know them throughout the book. I had a hard time sometimes connecting who was who. The end wrapped up so fast, and I got a little bit confused there.
🔍Overall, this was a gripping book. With mystery, thrill, and romance - there’s something here for everyone. If Celine writes it, I will read it 🫡.
Note- minor language; closed door. Editing was still in progress at the time of my ARC, so my review can only speak to the story, characters, and plot.
Release date: November 21, 2025.
Thank you so much to Celine Rachelle for the gifted copy.
🔍 The vibes:
- Secret society
- Dark academia
- Sprinkle of romance
- Murder mystery
- Closed door
🔍 My thoughts:
When Caroline mysteriously disappears, leaving only a cryptic message behind for her sister, Eleanor, all clues point to the prestigious secret society- The Glass Brigade. “Thrown into a world of death-defying initiations, buried corruption, and glittering danger, Eleanor soon realizes she can't survive on her own. Regan O'Malley-haunted by his father's mysterious death and the scandal that left his family in ruins-may hold the missing pieces she needs.
But trusting him could cost Eleanor everything. Their alliance begins to spark into something deeper, and falling for him might be as dangerous as the secrets they're chasing.”
🔍This was such a fun adventure that had me down a deep Google search of secret societies (big yikes 🙈). Celine delivers the perfect atmospheric settings through this book. The vibes are 100% everytime. The thrill and mystery kept me on my toes the entire time, and the romance that was woven throughout was so endearing.
🔍While the romance wasn’t the primary focus in this book, Regan and Eleanor’s dynamic was my favorite. Their banter was top notch, and their chemistry was tangible. Regan must be protected at all costs. That’s all.
🔍I would have liked more of the side characters. I really liked what we got of them and the themes of found family are there, but I would have felt more connected to them if I had more time getting to know them throughout the book. I had a hard time sometimes connecting who was who. The end wrapped up so fast, and I got a little bit confused there.
🔍Overall, this was a gripping book. With mystery, thrill, and romance - there’s something here for everyone. If Celine writes it, I will read it 🫡.
Note- minor language; closed door. Editing was still in progress at the time of my ARC, so my review can only speak to the story, characters, and plot.
Release date: November 21, 2025.
Thank you so much to Celine Rachelle for the gifted copy.
November 24, 2025
This book was such a fun read!! I absolutely loved the setting and atmosphere and all the characters!! Celine’s writing really pulls you into the story and makes you feel like you’re on this journey with them.
I was immediately drawn in by a missing sister and a secret society that our MC had to join to find answers. I loved all the deadly initiations (esp the carnival one, iykyk 🤭)
I also loved the romance so much! Eleanor and Regan was the cutest and I loved the strangers, to friends to lovers trope which I don’t read enough of!
This book is packed with witty banter, strong friendships, deception, betrayal and the perfect amount of humor!
Perfect for fans of The Inheritance Games and Nancy Drew!
This is out now and on KU! 👏🏻
Also check out my giveaway ending tomorrow to win a signed copy of this book!! 🙌🏻
If you love:
🔍Cozy Mystery Romance
🔍Strangers to Friends to Lovers
🔍Secret Society
🔍Forced Proximity
🔍Deadly Initiations
🔍Duel POV
🔍1st person POV
🔍No Spice Romance (just kisses)
I was immediately drawn in by a missing sister and a secret society that our MC had to join to find answers. I loved all the deadly initiations (esp the carnival one, iykyk 🤭)
I also loved the romance so much! Eleanor and Regan was the cutest and I loved the strangers, to friends to lovers trope which I don’t read enough of!
This book is packed with witty banter, strong friendships, deception, betrayal and the perfect amount of humor!
Perfect for fans of The Inheritance Games and Nancy Drew!
This is out now and on KU! 👏🏻
Also check out my giveaway ending tomorrow to win a signed copy of this book!! 🙌🏻
If you love:
🔍Cozy Mystery Romance
🔍Strangers to Friends to Lovers
🔍Secret Society
🔍Forced Proximity
🔍Deadly Initiations
🔍Duel POV
🔍1st person POV
🔍No Spice Romance (just kisses)
November 16, 2025
•• ARC Review •••
Release Date- November 21, 2025
4.5/5 stars
“The best lies you’ve ever heard are the ones you still believe are true.”
I had such high hopes and expectations going into this read, and I was NOT disappointed. I loved all the twists, puzzles and secrets. Celine did an amazing job pulling everything together that instantly hooked me and kept me wanting more.
This book gave such cozy mystery vibes which I loved. The detail in each scene helped me visualize the story so much better. I was intrigued by all of the dynamics of the characters and constantly wanting more of the banter between them
The deep friendships presented- the old and the new friendship dynamics meshed so perfectly together and they were all bonded together from the start.
I love a good friend-to-lovers trope in a romance and THE BANTER between the two main character was my favorite and loved reading their flirty vibes. Regan is the definition of pure golden retriever vibes, and I’m a sucker for those book boyfriends 😍 Elenor and Regan’s quick bond and closeness was amazing to read and experience from start to finish.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is drawn to any of these interests while reading:
* prep school vibes
* high society
* secret society
* dark academia
* found friendship
* secret affairs
* cut throat initiations
* cozy murder mystery
Thank you, Celine, for giving me the opportunity to dive into the arc of your new book 🖤
November 22, 2025
Dark Academia Mystery to Love
The Glass Brigade offers a delightful mix of genres, capturing imagination from beginning to end. It combines Ivy League murder mystery, sisterly bonds, and sacrifice into an intriguing dark academia whodunit. If you enjoy deadly initiations, grand balls, friends-to-lovers stories, and a vibe that combines Nancy Drew mixed with Gilmore Girls, this book is ideal for you! It provides an immersive experience—richly detailed and haunting in a way that’s more charming than scary. It’s a world is filled with secrets and danger, keeping you captivated and eager to keep reading. The story’s twists, puzzles, and secrets kept me engaged, and I loved how emotional depth and details were portrayed. Initiations, dares, friendships, and heartbreak add layers of complexity and thrill. As the saying goes, "The best lies you've ever heard are the ones you still believe are true," and this book explores that idea. Clever twists and carefully crafted mysteries immediately drew me in and kept me craving more. What I loved most was the cozy mystery vibe, with vivid scenes that made everything come alive. The characters’ dynamics, especially their banter, kept me hooked—particularly the adorable friendship between Regan and Eleanor. Regan’s pure, golden retriever personality had me smile, and their quick bond was simply wonderful from start to finish.
I can’t wait for my hardcover copy to arrive. 💕
The Glass Brigade offers a delightful mix of genres, capturing imagination from beginning to end. It combines Ivy League murder mystery, sisterly bonds, and sacrifice into an intriguing dark academia whodunit. If you enjoy deadly initiations, grand balls, friends-to-lovers stories, and a vibe that combines Nancy Drew mixed with Gilmore Girls, this book is ideal for you! It provides an immersive experience—richly detailed and haunting in a way that’s more charming than scary. It’s a world is filled with secrets and danger, keeping you captivated and eager to keep reading. The story’s twists, puzzles, and secrets kept me engaged, and I loved how emotional depth and details were portrayed. Initiations, dares, friendships, and heartbreak add layers of complexity and thrill. As the saying goes, "The best lies you've ever heard are the ones you still believe are true," and this book explores that idea. Clever twists and carefully crafted mysteries immediately drew me in and kept me craving more. What I loved most was the cozy mystery vibe, with vivid scenes that made everything come alive. The characters’ dynamics, especially their banter, kept me hooked—particularly the adorable friendship between Regan and Eleanor. Regan’s pure, golden retriever personality had me smile, and their quick bond was simply wonderful from start to finish.
I can’t wait for my hardcover copy to arrive. 💕
December 4, 2025
🔎Favorite Quotes🔍
🔎And a few times over, I catch myself looking at Regan, who is busy laughing with Mark. He sings the lyrics of the songs off-key with the boys, toasting his water to everyone’s beer, clearly the designated driver. I try hard to ignore it when I think back to the jet ski rush and his body’s firmness as he pushes us forward. But I also remember the way that he is steady. The soft jokes he cracked to keep me distracted from the way my chest tightened. The way he carried me through the waves when I was frozen. Regan feels safe.
🔎I place my hands on him, feeling the smooth, salt-stained planes on his chest.
Regan’s eyes widen. He watches me, eyes igniting with realization—the need darkening them. It’s undeniable. He wants this as much as I do.
🔎Regan tips my jaw upward with his fingers, bringing my forehead to his. My body tightens as his other hand brings me closer.
Then he kisses me on the forehead.
The forehead.
My lips quiver in shock—and then he holds me tight, binding me to his body in an embrace that encompasses me. We are darkness and shadow and one—but his lips don’t leave my forehead. They don’t explore the places along my neck. His hands don’t search my body, but instead wrap around my shoulders.
🔎Regan is good. Everything he does is based on this strange, selfless need to do the right thing. I want to show him how I feel, have him understand that this fire I feel—it’s not going anywhere. It’s been there, burning, building—and all I want is him.
🔎“They’ve convinced you that your worth is only in how bright you reflect back on them.”
I freeze. Every bit of me aches with the truth.
“But that’s not what love is. Not real love. You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to carry everyone. You don’t have to earn me, Eleanor.” He takes my hand, squeezes it. “You already have me. Messy, furious, drowning—you. That’s enough.”
🔎I allow myself one last look at her.
A feeling stirs within me as I stare at her sleeping face. It isn’t the attraction I feel when she locks eyes with me across the room, or when her hand shifts against my jawline. It isn’t the lightness that keeps me buoyant when she volleys another joke my way. It’s something warm, calming.
Like fogged mornings in forests. An empty chapel. Thick sheets and no alarm to set. It’s peace. It’s hope. It’s her.
🔎The entire crowd rushes us, clapping our backs, shaking our hands. Everyone removes their masks. But they don’t just looked excited for us, they look hungry. They aren’t just celebrating us. They’re evaluating us.
🔎My Thoughts🔍
🔎This is the first book I have read by Celine Rachelle and I have to say I love her writing so much! It’s so poetic and lyrical and just beautiful! It’s my favorite kind of writing to read!
🔎This is a cozy dark academia mystery book so this one is not about the romance but let me tell you the side plot of romance is just beautiful! It’s so sweet the way young love is but there is also a depth that’s added to it by something they go through together! I just really loved Regan and Eleanor!
🔎The mystery and dark academia part of the book had my pulse pounding, my heart racing at some points. It had me trying to figure out the clues especially when it came to some of the trials they go through to try and get into this elusive secret society.
🔎Overall this was such a fast paced read and I found myself flying through the pages. I think you will enjoy this if you love dark academia with a deadly secret society and little bit of murder and a lot of mystery with some twists that will shock you. I can’t wait to see what Celine writes next!
🔎Thank you to Celine Rachelle for sending me a e-arc to read. I did read it on KU though, because I was not able to read it before it released. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
🔎And a few times over, I catch myself looking at Regan, who is busy laughing with Mark. He sings the lyrics of the songs off-key with the boys, toasting his water to everyone’s beer, clearly the designated driver. I try hard to ignore it when I think back to the jet ski rush and his body’s firmness as he pushes us forward. But I also remember the way that he is steady. The soft jokes he cracked to keep me distracted from the way my chest tightened. The way he carried me through the waves when I was frozen. Regan feels safe.
🔎I place my hands on him, feeling the smooth, salt-stained planes on his chest.
Regan’s eyes widen. He watches me, eyes igniting with realization—the need darkening them. It’s undeniable. He wants this as much as I do.
🔎Regan tips my jaw upward with his fingers, bringing my forehead to his. My body tightens as his other hand brings me closer.
Then he kisses me on the forehead.
The forehead.
My lips quiver in shock—and then he holds me tight, binding me to his body in an embrace that encompasses me. We are darkness and shadow and one—but his lips don’t leave my forehead. They don’t explore the places along my neck. His hands don’t search my body, but instead wrap around my shoulders.
🔎Regan is good. Everything he does is based on this strange, selfless need to do the right thing. I want to show him how I feel, have him understand that this fire I feel—it’s not going anywhere. It’s been there, burning, building—and all I want is him.
🔎“They’ve convinced you that your worth is only in how bright you reflect back on them.”
I freeze. Every bit of me aches with the truth.
“But that’s not what love is. Not real love. You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to carry everyone. You don’t have to earn me, Eleanor.” He takes my hand, squeezes it. “You already have me. Messy, furious, drowning—you. That’s enough.”
🔎I allow myself one last look at her.
A feeling stirs within me as I stare at her sleeping face. It isn’t the attraction I feel when she locks eyes with me across the room, or when her hand shifts against my jawline. It isn’t the lightness that keeps me buoyant when she volleys another joke my way. It’s something warm, calming.
Like fogged mornings in forests. An empty chapel. Thick sheets and no alarm to set. It’s peace. It’s hope. It’s her.
🔎The entire crowd rushes us, clapping our backs, shaking our hands. Everyone removes their masks. But they don’t just looked excited for us, they look hungry. They aren’t just celebrating us. They’re evaluating us.
🔎My Thoughts🔍
🔎This is the first book I have read by Celine Rachelle and I have to say I love her writing so much! It’s so poetic and lyrical and just beautiful! It’s my favorite kind of writing to read!
🔎This is a cozy dark academia mystery book so this one is not about the romance but let me tell you the side plot of romance is just beautiful! It’s so sweet the way young love is but there is also a depth that’s added to it by something they go through together! I just really loved Regan and Eleanor!
🔎The mystery and dark academia part of the book had my pulse pounding, my heart racing at some points. It had me trying to figure out the clues especially when it came to some of the trials they go through to try and get into this elusive secret society.
🔎Overall this was such a fast paced read and I found myself flying through the pages. I think you will enjoy this if you love dark academia with a deadly secret society and little bit of murder and a lot of mystery with some twists that will shock you. I can’t wait to see what Celine writes next!
🔎Thank you to Celine Rachelle for sending me a e-arc to read. I did read it on KU though, because I was not able to read it before it released. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 20, 2025
If The Inheritance Games and Gilmore Girls had a dark-academia baby raised by a puzzle-obsessed secret society… it would absolutely be The Glass Brigade. This book grabbed me by the wrist, handed me a cryptic clue written on a page and kept me locked in the minute I received this ARC.
We follow the story of Caroline and Eleanor DeLourey who inherited more than just the luxury lifestyles but also their grandfather’s legacy. Something happened to Caroline, and it is up to Eleanor to decipher what happened to her sister. There she stumbles—quite literally—into The Glass Brigade, a secret club of brilliant, chaos-leaning misfits who bond over riddles, late-night stakeouts, and conspiracies.
And then she meets Regan O’Malley, the one who is always there orbiting like a star, she never dared to study too closely and trusting him can put everything in jeopardy. Their connection grows the more they get closer. The Glass Brigade is a secret society at her the last clue her sister had left behind.
The Glass Brigade is a delicious, twisty, coffee-fueled thrill ride that feels like solving a puzzle with your favorite people while danger lurks in the walls. Perfect for fans of inheritance-style mind games, cozy-chaotic small-town humor, academic intrigue, and romances that sneak up on you like a plot twist.
Thank you for making me a part of this! I truly enjoyed Celine Rachelle’s writing style, and I am looking forward to reading more of her books! If you are into Nancy Drew, the inheritance games and Gilmore Girls- This book is right up your alley!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 — A new obsession unlocked.
We follow the story of Caroline and Eleanor DeLourey who inherited more than just the luxury lifestyles but also their grandfather’s legacy. Something happened to Caroline, and it is up to Eleanor to decipher what happened to her sister. There she stumbles—quite literally—into The Glass Brigade, a secret club of brilliant, chaos-leaning misfits who bond over riddles, late-night stakeouts, and conspiracies.
And then she meets Regan O’Malley, the one who is always there orbiting like a star, she never dared to study too closely and trusting him can put everything in jeopardy. Their connection grows the more they get closer. The Glass Brigade is a secret society at her the last clue her sister had left behind.
The Glass Brigade is a delicious, twisty, coffee-fueled thrill ride that feels like solving a puzzle with your favorite people while danger lurks in the walls. Perfect for fans of inheritance-style mind games, cozy-chaotic small-town humor, academic intrigue, and romances that sneak up on you like a plot twist.
Thank you for making me a part of this! I truly enjoyed Celine Rachelle’s writing style, and I am looking forward to reading more of her books! If you are into Nancy Drew, the inheritance games and Gilmore Girls- This book is right up your alley!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 — A new obsession unlocked.
December 17, 2025
The Glass Brigade had me in a chokehold from start to finish! Everything about this plot provided such a refreshing reader experience!
🔍Secret Society
🔍Dark Academia
🔍Mystery
🔍CLEAN AND IMPACTFUL ROMANCE
🔍High stakes/ Life and death type of initiations
🔍Twists
🔍BANTER ON BANTER ON BANTER
I absolutely adored the relationship dynamic between Eleanor and Regan. I did wish there was a little more development for us to really be there for the progression of their feelings and moments that made them recognize their connection. Maybe just a tad bit more yearning but when I tell you they were a top notch kind of couple?? I MEAN IT. I could not get over how much fun their banter was. I loved who they were for each other and I think a few more paragraphs about them “falling”/ being vulnerable with one another - sprinkled everywhere would have made all the difference!
I loved that we got dual perspective! The initiations were absolutely INTOXICATING. Every scene felt so alive in my mind!
The first half of the book really screamed at my soul, and while the second half is great, it felt a bit more rushed. I also wish the clues for the plot twist had been more disguised leading up to the reveal. I think that would have helped make the intended impact translate more for me!
I will absolutely read everything Celine writes. With a few changes, this would have been an easy 5 star read. I am SO picky with what I give 5 stars to and many books I adore are still only 3 stars for me because they get forgotten in the mix. I will NOT forget this read. This was so so close to being a 5 for me. I cannot wait to read what she writes next!
🔍Secret Society
🔍Dark Academia
🔍Mystery
🔍CLEAN AND IMPACTFUL ROMANCE
🔍High stakes/ Life and death type of initiations
🔍Twists
🔍BANTER ON BANTER ON BANTER
I absolutely adored the relationship dynamic between Eleanor and Regan. I did wish there was a little more development for us to really be there for the progression of their feelings and moments that made them recognize their connection. Maybe just a tad bit more yearning but when I tell you they were a top notch kind of couple?? I MEAN IT. I could not get over how much fun their banter was. I loved who they were for each other and I think a few more paragraphs about them “falling”/ being vulnerable with one another - sprinkled everywhere would have made all the difference!
I loved that we got dual perspective! The initiations were absolutely INTOXICATING. Every scene felt so alive in my mind!
The first half of the book really screamed at my soul, and while the second half is great, it felt a bit more rushed. I also wish the clues for the plot twist had been more disguised leading up to the reveal. I think that would have helped make the intended impact translate more for me!
I will absolutely read everything Celine writes. With a few changes, this would have been an easy 5 star read. I am SO picky with what I give 5 stars to and many books I adore are still only 3 stars for me because they get forgotten in the mix. I will NOT forget this read. This was so so close to being a 5 for me. I cannot wait to read what she writes next!
November 21, 2025
huge thank you to celine rachelle for the ARC - the glass brigade comes out on 11.21.2025!
the glass brigade is several things at once: an ivy league murder mystery, a wrestle with institutional elitism, a celebration of sisterly ties and sacrifice – and above all, such an obvious labor of love. every detail in this book felt meticulously crafted, all the way down to the finer details like, for example, character names. everything felt so deliberate & intentional, all tied together with a velvet ribbon to create this intriguing dark academia whodunit.
likes:
• ivy league secret society mystery in the fall = impeccable vibes
• fantastic job writing tension! celine does such a great job writing suspenseful + intense scenes
• love having chapter titles, i can’t remember the last time i read a book with titles instead of numbers
• the illustrations!! so excited for my physical copy to see these little extra touches irl
• obligatory fry sauce shoutout lol
• light spoilers:
"the voicemail ends. i play it again. over and over until it has no meaning. until i’ve come up with a thousand theories … that’s all my world is now. the before, and the shattered after."
the glass brigade is several things at once: an ivy league murder mystery, a wrestle with institutional elitism, a celebration of sisterly ties and sacrifice – and above all, such an obvious labor of love. every detail in this book felt meticulously crafted, all the way down to the finer details like, for example, character names. everything felt so deliberate & intentional, all tied together with a velvet ribbon to create this intriguing dark academia whodunit.
likes:
• ivy league secret society mystery in the fall = impeccable vibes
• fantastic job writing tension! celine does such a great job writing suspenseful + intense scenes
• love having chapter titles, i can’t remember the last time i read a book with titles instead of numbers
• the illustrations!! so excited for my physical copy to see these little extra touches irl
• obligatory fry sauce shoutout lol
• light spoilers:
November 24, 2025
“The best lies you’ve ever heard are the ones you still believe”
Eleanor and Caroline DeLourey inherited more than a luxurious trust fund— their grandfather's ruthless law firm built a legacy of wealth, power, and deadly secrets. But when Caroline disappears, leaving only a cryptic message that Eleanor can't decipher, the sisters' glittering world turns upside down.
Corruption, lies, and deadly challenges… the stakes are high, and the so is cost of failure. Because with all the money in the world, the Glass Brigade uses other forms of currency. Secrets and blood.
WOW! Did I finish the book or did the book finish me?
The Glass Brigade is a mystery that is somehow both deliciously cozy and chillingly dark at the same time. It is so raw and real and the emotions run DEEP. This book reads like POETRY. I highlighted so many lines that truly spoke to my soul as Celine brought the characters, the setting, and the plot to life. You never know who to trust. What is the truth? What is a lie? And just when you think you might have it all figured out… do you really? The only way to know is devour every page of this book and that’s exactly what I did. Every character is so relatable, I found bits of myself in each one. As a long time lover of Nancy Drew PC games, slow burn, fancy dresses, escape rooms, and found family, this book was made for me. The Glass Brigade will live rent free in my head forever and ever!
Eleanor and Caroline DeLourey inherited more than a luxurious trust fund— their grandfather's ruthless law firm built a legacy of wealth, power, and deadly secrets. But when Caroline disappears, leaving only a cryptic message that Eleanor can't decipher, the sisters' glittering world turns upside down.
Corruption, lies, and deadly challenges… the stakes are high, and the so is cost of failure. Because with all the money in the world, the Glass Brigade uses other forms of currency. Secrets and blood.
WOW! Did I finish the book or did the book finish me?
The Glass Brigade is a mystery that is somehow both deliciously cozy and chillingly dark at the same time. It is so raw and real and the emotions run DEEP. This book reads like POETRY. I highlighted so many lines that truly spoke to my soul as Celine brought the characters, the setting, and the plot to life. You never know who to trust. What is the truth? What is a lie? And just when you think you might have it all figured out… do you really? The only way to know is devour every page of this book and that’s exactly what I did. Every character is so relatable, I found bits of myself in each one. As a long time lover of Nancy Drew PC games, slow burn, fancy dresses, escape rooms, and found family, this book was made for me. The Glass Brigade will live rent free in my head forever and ever!
November 19, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ARC Review — The Glass Brigade by Celine Rachelle
The Glass Brigade is everything I LOVEEE in a dark academia mystery—twisty puzzles, secret societies, eerie settings—but with the cozy, witty heart I didn’t realize the genre was missing!
From the opening chapter, I was completely pulled into Eleanor and Caroline’s world of legacy, secrets, and real danger.
When Caroline disappears and leaves behind a cryptic message, the story launches into a fast-paced blend of mystery and emotional depth. Eleanor’s journey into the infamous Glass Brigade society is packed with high-stakes initiations, hidden codes, and that delicious “what in the world is actually going on???!” tension. I loved unraveling the clues right alongside her.
Eleanor and Regan’s friends-to-lovers arc is sweet, slow burn, and sooooo earned. Their banter and growing trust added warmth and hope to all the atmospheric suspense.
If you love The Inheritance Games, Truly Devious, or the clever humor of Gilmore Girls, this book is going to be your new obsession. It’s twisty but cozy, suspenseful but warm, and filled with clever mysteries that kept me guessing until the very end.
I absolutely devoured it and highly highly recommend it!!! Pick it up for a cozy but fast-paced and eerie read this fall/winter!
The Glass Brigade is everything I LOVEEE in a dark academia mystery—twisty puzzles, secret societies, eerie settings—but with the cozy, witty heart I didn’t realize the genre was missing!
From the opening chapter, I was completely pulled into Eleanor and Caroline’s world of legacy, secrets, and real danger.
When Caroline disappears and leaves behind a cryptic message, the story launches into a fast-paced blend of mystery and emotional depth. Eleanor’s journey into the infamous Glass Brigade society is packed with high-stakes initiations, hidden codes, and that delicious “what in the world is actually going on???!” tension. I loved unraveling the clues right alongside her.
Eleanor and Regan’s friends-to-lovers arc is sweet, slow burn, and sooooo earned. Their banter and growing trust added warmth and hope to all the atmospheric suspense.
If you love The Inheritance Games, Truly Devious, or the clever humor of Gilmore Girls, this book is going to be your new obsession. It’s twisty but cozy, suspenseful but warm, and filled with clever mysteries that kept me guessing until the very end.
I absolutely devoured it and highly highly recommend it!!! Pick it up for a cozy but fast-paced and eerie read this fall/winter!
November 16, 2025
◇ARC Review◇
The Glass Brigade is absolutely incredible from start to finish. There were moments I genuinely forgot Eleanor and Regan were just characters on a page — that’s how real they felt.
Celine weaves together secret societies, buried lies, messy affairs, and a perfectly paced friends-to-lovers trope in a way that feels effortless and addictive.
And honestly? Celine is SO AMAZING. She has this gift for slipping humor into even the tensest moments — just enough to make you breathe for a second without ever taking away from the seriousness of the story. Her scene-setting is cinematic; every room, shadow, glance, and reveal feels alive.
I caught myself smiling at the lighter bits, had my jaw drop more than once, and even found myself holding my breath with my hand over the bottom half of the page so I wouldn’t read ahead. I came up with at least twenty theories while reading, and still ended up shocked by the ending.
If you like:
•Hot Lacrosse boys
•Secret societies
•Friends-to-Lovers
•Solving puzzles
•Characters that are so real and genuine
•Banter that will make you blush
Than the Glass Brigade is a must-read.
The Glass Brigade is absolutely incredible from start to finish. There were moments I genuinely forgot Eleanor and Regan were just characters on a page — that’s how real they felt.
Celine weaves together secret societies, buried lies, messy affairs, and a perfectly paced friends-to-lovers trope in a way that feels effortless and addictive.
And honestly? Celine is SO AMAZING. She has this gift for slipping humor into even the tensest moments — just enough to make you breathe for a second without ever taking away from the seriousness of the story. Her scene-setting is cinematic; every room, shadow, glance, and reveal feels alive.
I caught myself smiling at the lighter bits, had my jaw drop more than once, and even found myself holding my breath with my hand over the bottom half of the page so I wouldn’t read ahead. I came up with at least twenty theories while reading, and still ended up shocked by the ending.
If you like:
•Hot Lacrosse boys
•Secret societies
•Friends-to-Lovers
•Solving puzzles
•Characters that are so real and genuine
•Banter that will make you blush
Than the Glass Brigade is a must-read.
November 21, 2025
It’s official: I am in love with this book!! Celine trusted me with an arc copy and I am forever grateful for that. I can’t wait for it to be officially out so that I can read it over and over again and talk about it to anybody that will listen without giving away any spoilers.
The mystery + the romance + the character development = *chef’s kiss*
I totally thought I had guessed the ending and boy was I wrong! Twist after twist kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. And the banter of the characters had me physically kicking my feet.
I would love to live in this world and I hope Celine continues to write more! I NEED MORE!
If that hasn’t already convinced you enough to read it, take my advice and GO READ IT RIGHT NOW!!
@celinerachellewrites thank you for creating a masterpiece
The mystery + the romance + the character development = *chef’s kiss*
I totally thought I had guessed the ending and boy was I wrong! Twist after twist kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. And the banter of the characters had me physically kicking my feet.
I would love to live in this world and I hope Celine continues to write more! I NEED MORE!
If that hasn’t already convinced you enough to read it, take my advice and GO READ IT RIGHT NOW!!
@celinerachellewrites thank you for creating a masterpiece
November 21, 2025
Talk about an adventure. This story is gripping. It’s exciting. It’s nail-biting intense. It’s addictive. Once I started I didn’t want to stop until I discovered the truth.
“In a world where everyone has money… secrets are invaluable.”
This is an immersive experience. Beautifully descriptive and haunting (but not in a scary way). This world full of secrets and danger.
I didn’t know who to trust. Edge of my seat, didn’t want to stop, holding back emotional outbursts 😂
The initiations, the dares, the friendships, the heartbreak. Amazingly impressed at the thought, the emotions, and the details in this story.
This is a book hangover type of book. I cannot wait for more from Celine Rachelle!
Thank you to Celine Rachelle for the copy. All opinions are my own.
“In a world where everyone has money… secrets are invaluable.”
This is an immersive experience. Beautifully descriptive and haunting (but not in a scary way). This world full of secrets and danger.
I didn’t know who to trust. Edge of my seat, didn’t want to stop, holding back emotional outbursts 😂
The initiations, the dares, the friendships, the heartbreak. Amazingly impressed at the thought, the emotions, and the details in this story.
This is a book hangover type of book. I cannot wait for more from Celine Rachelle!
Thank you to Celine Rachelle for the copy. All opinions are my own.
November 11, 2025
✨ARC Review✨
The Glass Brigade by @celinerachellewrites 🔎🍂🩵
5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love Celine’s writing so much! She truly draws you in and captivates you from the very beginning. The Glass Brigade is about Eleanor, a girl entering a secret society called The Glass Brigade to uncover the truth behind the disappearance of her sister, Caroline. My favorite chapters were the ones on the initiations…SO fun and creative!
If you love:
Old academia (think Harvard or Yale aka Gilmore girls vibes)
Secret Societies
Suspenseful mysteries
Slow burn romance (closed door)
Dual POV
Clever puzzles
you will LOVE this book! Thank you, Celine, for trusting me with an early copy.
The Glass Brigade by @celinerachellewrites 🔎🍂🩵
5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love Celine’s writing so much! She truly draws you in and captivates you from the very beginning. The Glass Brigade is about Eleanor, a girl entering a secret society called The Glass Brigade to uncover the truth behind the disappearance of her sister, Caroline. My favorite chapters were the ones on the initiations…SO fun and creative!
If you love:
Old academia (think Harvard or Yale aka Gilmore girls vibes)
Secret Societies
Suspenseful mysteries
Slow burn romance (closed door)
Dual POV
Clever puzzles
you will LOVE this book! Thank you, Celine, for trusting me with an early copy.
November 21, 2025
*ARC Reader*
Do you like mystery? Knives Out your kind of movie? Then you will like this book! Even the first few pages are marked with such intense intrigue that will keep you sucked in. once I picked up the book, I couldn't put it down till I was finished.
Mind you, the copy I read was still in progress of editing so there were a few minor language issues, but I still enjoyed it profusely. The twists and turns, the family dynamics, the mystery, all of it. I would read it again! I would highly recommend it, it was one of the best books I've read in a long time. Thank you, Celine, for allowing me to be an ARC reader for you.
Do you like mystery? Knives Out your kind of movie? Then you will like this book! Even the first few pages are marked with such intense intrigue that will keep you sucked in. once I picked up the book, I couldn't put it down till I was finished.
Mind you, the copy I read was still in progress of editing so there were a few minor language issues, but I still enjoyed it profusely. The twists and turns, the family dynamics, the mystery, all of it. I would read it again! I would highly recommend it, it was one of the best books I've read in a long time. Thank you, Celine, for allowing me to be an ARC reader for you.
November 21, 2025
5 stars is not enough!!
The Glass Brigade follows Eleanor after her sister Caroline suddenly goes missing. She is left to figure out clues as to what really happened.
The riddles and puzzles are so well done, and it is so fun to try to figure them out with the characters as you read!!
Celine really put in her whole heart and soul into this book and you can just feel it!!
If you love mystery and riddles, this is for you!! It’s giving a mix of The Inheritance Games, Nancy Drew, and Gilmore Girls all in one!!
The Glass Brigade follows Eleanor after her sister Caroline suddenly goes missing. She is left to figure out clues as to what really happened.
The riddles and puzzles are so well done, and it is so fun to try to figure them out with the characters as you read!!
Celine really put in her whole heart and soul into this book and you can just feel it!!
If you love mystery and riddles, this is for you!! It’s giving a mix of The Inheritance Games, Nancy Drew, and Gilmore Girls all in one!!
November 3, 2025
Oh how I love this book! The twist the turns! The beautiful imperfection characters that grew so much during this story and here I am crying right now at Celine’s acknowledgement at the end. She truly pored her heart and soul into this book and you can feel that! All these characters feel like friends and I’m sad the book is over but oh how I loved this story so so much! I will have more of a review to come!
December 3, 2025
Celine, I am so proud of you and cannot wait to hold this in my hands!! This story was everything I hoped for, delivered beautifully.
This story drew influences from so many nostalgic and beloved themes without feeling derivative. These characters came to life and felt so real. Every time I felt like I’d hit THE plot twist, there was more!
Truthfully, I will read anything you write, Celine, but this was an honor to read and I can’t recommend it enough!
This story drew influences from so many nostalgic and beloved themes without feeling derivative. These characters came to life and felt so real. Every time I felt like I’d hit THE plot twist, there was more!
Truthfully, I will read anything you write, Celine, but this was an honor to read and I can’t recommend it enough!
November 19, 2025
This book is packed with initiation games, deceit, deception, old money, and fake smiles. Celine’s writing pulls you so deeply into the story that it feels like you’re right there in the pages. While reading, I was so engulfed that anytime I looked away, it felt like snapping back from an alternate reality.
I loved the attention to detail, the witty, sarcastic banter, and the strong friend bonds. I don’t want to give anything away, but if you enjoy The Inheritance Games, Nancy Drew, Truly Devious, or The Secret History, this one is for you!
⚠️ Death off page
🤬 few minor
💋 Kisses Only; several various innuendos
I loved the attention to detail, the witty, sarcastic banter, and the strong friend bonds. I don’t want to give anything away, but if you enjoy The Inheritance Games, Nancy Drew, Truly Devious, or The Secret History, this one is for you!
⚠️ Death off page
🤬 few minor
💋 Kisses Only; several various innuendos
November 18, 2025
ARC review - thank you so much for letting me read your novel before it was published! Here is my honest review for reviewing your ARC:
4-5/5 — I was so looking forward to reading this book since you first started talking about writing it!!
I was immediately sucked in and I love how descriptive you are! All the twists and turns were amazing and I loved!!!
Slow Burn and banter A++
4-5/5 — I was so looking forward to reading this book since you first started talking about writing it!!
I was immediately sucked in and I love how descriptive you are! All the twists and turns were amazing and I loved!!!
Slow Burn and banter A++
November 20, 2025
I was honored to be an ARC reader for this book and it DID NOT disappoint! It takes you on a wild ride and it’s absolutely fantastic! I immediately want to read this again to look for all the details I misssed.
This book comes out 11/21-go buy it and enjoy the secrets that unfold in The Glass Brigade! Bravo Celine bravo👏👏
This book comes out 11/21-go buy it and enjoy the secrets that unfold in The Glass Brigade! Bravo Celine bravo👏👏
December 5, 2025
✨ARC REVIEW✨
The Glass Brigade by Celine Rachelle
🔍🧭📖💌🗝️💀
I don't know if I have the right words to express how much I LOVED this book. It truly is a Nancy Drew mystery meets the banter of the Gilmore Girls, with the comrade of The Goonies and puzzles a la National Treasure. There is action from beginning to end and just enough romance to keep you hooked. And the mystery was so expertly written! I had my little notepad and a pen out the entire time like I was going to solve the whole thing before the end (fyi: I did not😅).
Eleanor and Reagan were such wonderful characters. Reading their individual thoughts and feelings as they struggled through their experiences really brought the events on the page to life. And I was not ready for that twist reveal at the end!!!
I found this book by accident, stumbling onto the author's page just a couple months ago. I didn't know the full story of what it took for her to write this book until I applied for the ARC. And I can honestly say I am so honored to have been able to be part of this ARC team and read the story Celine has put her heart and soul into. Her passion really shows thoughout the entire thing.
Thank you, Celine for writing such a fantastic, thrilling book and for letting me be a small part of your journey with this! It has been so much fun!!
The Glass Brigade by Celine Rachelle
🔍🧭📖💌🗝️💀
I don't know if I have the right words to express how much I LOVED this book. It truly is a Nancy Drew mystery meets the banter of the Gilmore Girls, with the comrade of The Goonies and puzzles a la National Treasure. There is action from beginning to end and just enough romance to keep you hooked. And the mystery was so expertly written! I had my little notepad and a pen out the entire time like I was going to solve the whole thing before the end (fyi: I did not😅).
Eleanor and Reagan were such wonderful characters. Reading their individual thoughts and feelings as they struggled through their experiences really brought the events on the page to life. And I was not ready for that twist reveal at the end!!!
I found this book by accident, stumbling onto the author's page just a couple months ago. I didn't know the full story of what it took for her to write this book until I applied for the ARC. And I can honestly say I am so honored to have been able to be part of this ARC team and read the story Celine has put her heart and soul into. Her passion really shows thoughout the entire thing.
Thank you, Celine for writing such a fantastic, thrilling book and for letting me be a small part of your journey with this! It has been so much fun!!
November 8, 2025
4.5/5
Such a good read! The story draws you in immediately and kept me guessing the entire time. I usually can predict the ending of most mystery books, but not this one. I was completely blindsided in the best way. I will definitely reread this one to catch what I missed the first time.
Such a good read! The story draws you in immediately and kept me guessing the entire time. I usually can predict the ending of most mystery books, but not this one. I was completely blindsided in the best way. I will definitely reread this one to catch what I missed the first time.
November 24, 2025
I loved this book so much! I loved the mystery and loved the characters. I was hooked from the beginning and tried to find time to constantly read because it took over my mind and I was constantly thinking about it. Really loved this one.
November 29, 2025
Absolutely amazing. An thrilling roller coaster of a story!! Celine truly brought this world to life and every five seconds I wondered who I could trust and the twists at the end 🤯 phew. What an incredible story with an incredible wrap up!!!
December 18, 2025
I did not want to put this down - I found myself carrying it with me and trying to read while putting on mascara (no easy task!). So well written, clever, great cast of characters, and plenty of twists and turns - I was thoroughly entertained.
December 25, 2025
3.75 ⭐️ rounded up! Thoroughly enjoyed this!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews