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They All Had A Reason #3
They All Had A Fear: A past. A debt. A reckoning. A murder.
The strange deaths and dead bodies surfacing in this previously quiet and quaint little beach town are terrorizing the local residents and tourists alike. Everyone is asking if it's safe to go swimming in the ocean, but eighteen-year-old Winter Covington wonders if there is even more danger lurking on land. She will soon discover the answers to these questions, if she can avoid becoming the next victim, but that won't be easy, because Winter's new roommate may be a killer.
199 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 16, 2021
418 people are currently reading
5603 people want to read
About the author
Michele Leathers
10 books361 followersMichele Leathers's books have climbed to the top of Amazon bestseller lists. Her novels are fast-paced and full of jaw-dropping twists that will keep readers guessing till the end. Michele Leathers received a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from North Carolina State University and is a full time writer. She's not ashamed to admit that she's addicted to Diet Pepsi, chocolate, and writing. She's a shrewd observer of people, always looking for ideas and inspiration for her books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
January 4, 2022
In Book #1 we saw Bellamy fake her murder and disappear along with Quentin, in Book #2 Bellamy had changed her name to Charity and then killed Quentin and now in Book #3, Bellamy has changed her name again, this time to Tamara. Our book starts with Winter and her mother heading to a small town where they have inherited Winter's aunt Emma's house as she has now passed away in an accident. Upon their arrival, they discover a dead body on the beach. Winter is told it was a shark attack but something isn't adding up for her and even more so when more females wash up dead. Has the small town got a serial killer? Along with Winter's story, we read the story of Milton Thorne, a guy who acts blind and when the woman disappoints him, he goes for the kill. I have to admit, I did not see the killer coming - I thought I did but wow, this one blew me out of the water. At the end of this book, Bellamy aka Tamara is on the move again as she must stay one step ahead of those trying to track her down. I have to admit, I did hope to see more of Bellamy's hometown side in this book - but we may get that in later books. If you love YA thrillers, new identities, secrets, and lies - then you will love this series by Michele Leathers. Even better it is free on Kindle Unlimited. I am now looking forward to reading Book #4 They All Had a Chance.
July 24, 2024
With each one of these books so far it has been interesting to read where Bellany has ended up and who she has conned this time. However, i do hope in the future Bellany's story does come to a satisfying end. Each story feels very repetitive, she cons someone, someone realises it, she almost gets caught then she flees... It was entertaining at first don't get me wrong, but it does feel like she is included in this one without needing to be if that makes sense.
There is something about these books that makes me keep reading them, though I'm not entirely sure what it is. The writing is definitely more juvenile than I'd typically read, in terms of some of the characters personalities and sayings. However. Michele does have an ability to write a good mystery where the answer is constantly pulled in every direction. This book I actually couldn't predict who the killer was, which was a nice surprise.
I like that these books are short but still pack a punch. I also appreciate the fast pace. I will most likely continue to read the books after this as I do want to know how Bellany’s story wraps up. Also, they are a good filler for when you're struggling with what to read. Despite my complaints about these books you can't fault them for the plot being entertaining.
There is something about these books that makes me keep reading them, though I'm not entirely sure what it is. The writing is definitely more juvenile than I'd typically read, in terms of some of the characters personalities and sayings. However. Michele does have an ability to write a good mystery where the answer is constantly pulled in every direction. This book I actually couldn't predict who the killer was, which was a nice surprise.
I like that these books are short but still pack a punch. I also appreciate the fast pace. I will most likely continue to read the books after this as I do want to know how Bellany’s story wraps up. Also, they are a good filler for when you're struggling with what to read. Despite my complaints about these books you can't fault them for the plot being entertaining.
December 25, 2023
Thoughts
I love this book series! When I started the first book I was not able to stop reading. I would recommend more people into mystery should read these books! I love a good book with drama, and this book was definitely drama filled with mystery. I was able to read these first few books in 2-3 days! It would have been sooner but I had to hold myself back! I think if people would give the first book a try they would be hooked and ready to read the next ! I hope this helps out, because I am hooked on these books.
I love this book series! When I started the first book I was not able to stop reading. I would recommend more people into mystery should read these books! I love a good book with drama, and this book was definitely drama filled with mystery. I was able to read these first few books in 2-3 days! It would have been sooner but I had to hold myself back! I think if people would give the first book a try they would be hooked and ready to read the next ! I hope this helps out, because I am hooked on these books.
April 21, 2025
This might be my favorite one for now but it was still painfully average.
August 7, 2025
Al final no tenía razón en nada 🤡
October 29, 2021
Despite the typos, a use of "I" when it should be "me," and a use of "affect" rather than "effect," I did enjoy this book. The 2nd is still my favorite.
April 17, 2021
Seriously!!!! The action and suspense is on target in this nail biting installment of the series. Once again I was kept guessing to the end. There were some real heart pumping moments that kept me turning pages and holding my breath!
May 31, 2021
Wow, this story had me questioning everything and everyone. Can't trust anyone or at least that's how this story had me thinking. I loved it.
August 21, 2023
This book takes places on a beautiful beach town. We are introduced to Winter and here mom as they move into a beautiful beach side mansion that was left to them by Winter’s late aunt who has just passed. Winter is dealing with getting settled into her new home, dealing with a mom who can sometimes be selfish and self centered, and trying to figure out what really happened to her aunt. On top of that there has been some murders on the beach and the locals are blaming it on deadly sharks but Winter is not too convinced that that is true. Her new roommates Tim and Tamara is at the top of her suspect list and she won’t stop at nothing to find out what’s really going on in this sunny picturesque beach town.
October 25, 2022
Um, what the heck did I just read? I don’t even think that book was part of this series. I didn’t like that the whole thing was centered around a character who isn’t even fully part of this series. Felt like I was reading something totally different. When I got to the end I understood why, but I still didn’t like it. I did like how much it threw me off the trail of the killer though. Next one better be better.
August 10, 2021
I do not get all the praise for this book. It’s awful compared to the others. It was too much on Winter. I wished it focused more on Bellany or even Milton. I preferred Bellany’s snarky attitude to Winter’s “pick me girl” attitude. The plot was all over the place. I would have put it down and not finished it but it’s so short I powered through. Do not recommend.
April 25, 2024
Still poorly and still chugging through these.
How did a high school mean girl become a criminal mastermind with no real visible character development? I know this is YA (and I’m 28 and still clinging on to youth) but still.
Very much light form of surface-level entertainment but god if I get to Book 7 and she still isn’t caught I don’t know what I’ll do 😂
How did a high school mean girl become a criminal mastermind with no real visible character development? I know this is YA (and I’m 28 and still clinging on to youth) but still.
Very much light form of surface-level entertainment but god if I get to Book 7 and she still isn’t caught I don’t know what I’ll do 😂
August 1, 2022
Same story
Honestly the villain gets on my last nerve with each book, and this main girl was annoying to the point you wanted her demise. There is nothing new to the story except the names of characters.
Honestly the villain gets on my last nerve with each book, and this main girl was annoying to the point you wanted her demise. There is nothing new to the story except the names of characters.
December 19, 2023
Again really good read. I wish the books were longer. Sometimes the endings are predictable. This one did have a little twist in it, which made it worth the 4 stars
December 7, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“They All Had a Fear” marks the third entry in Michele Leathers’ interconnected YA thriller series, and as the story continues with a new plot and a reoccurring character, this book is like the others as it’s fast, twisty, and hard to stop reading once you start.
This installment shifts the story away from series regular Bellany who is now operating under yet another alias and centers instead on Winter, a teen whose life takes a dark turn after a series of mysterious deaths strike her coastal town. While you can pick this book up without reading the earlier installments, the experience is stronger if you’re familiar with Bellany’s backstory, and returning readers will catch more connections and character echoes. If you disliked Bellany’s character in the previous books, you may like this one more as she is more of a side character as a new villain’s perspective is given.
Winter is more emotionally layered and a bit more likable than previous protagonists, though she still isn’t the sharpest decision-maker. Much of the book follows her everyday life, which can feel slower than earlier entries, especially for those expecting constant high-stakes suspense. There really isn’t much of a plot from Winter’s POV. However, things pick up once Winter begins investigating the suspicious death of her aunt and the supposed “shark attacks” killing girls along the beach.
Told in alternating perspectives, including ominous entries from a character named Milton, the structure keeps you guessing: Who is Milton? How is he connected to Winter? And is the killer someone she already knows? The mystery escalates into a full serial-killer storyline, and while the number of characters made the story hard to track, the final reveal is one of the story’s biggest strengths.
Thematically, the story touches on childhood trauma, violence against women, and cycles of abuse; it’s handled in a way appropriate for older YA readers but potentially disturbing for some. The tone remains somewhat juvenile at times, especially in dialogue and character choices, which may frustrate older readers but fits the intended audience.
While Bellany/Tamara’s inclusion feels a bit forced this time, like her POV is more of a requirement to keep the series thread alive than a necessary part of the plot, I did enjoy seeing how she continues to manipulate and evade consequences. The book ends with the same open-ended style as previous installments, leaving space for another sequel and continuing Bellany’s cat-and-mouse story arc.
Overall, “They All Had a Fear” still delivers all the requirements for an engaging mystery/thriller: short chapters, quick pacing, a solid mystery with misleading clues, and plot twists that land. Whether it’s your favorite of the series or a slower entry, it remains a compulsively readable thriller. It’s perfect for fans of YA mysteries looking for something dramatic, messy, and addictive.
“They All Had a Fear” marks the third entry in Michele Leathers’ interconnected YA thriller series, and as the story continues with a new plot and a reoccurring character, this book is like the others as it’s fast, twisty, and hard to stop reading once you start.
This installment shifts the story away from series regular Bellany who is now operating under yet another alias and centers instead on Winter, a teen whose life takes a dark turn after a series of mysterious deaths strike her coastal town. While you can pick this book up without reading the earlier installments, the experience is stronger if you’re familiar with Bellany’s backstory, and returning readers will catch more connections and character echoes. If you disliked Bellany’s character in the previous books, you may like this one more as she is more of a side character as a new villain’s perspective is given.
Winter is more emotionally layered and a bit more likable than previous protagonists, though she still isn’t the sharpest decision-maker. Much of the book follows her everyday life, which can feel slower than earlier entries, especially for those expecting constant high-stakes suspense. There really isn’t much of a plot from Winter’s POV. However, things pick up once Winter begins investigating the suspicious death of her aunt and the supposed “shark attacks” killing girls along the beach.
Told in alternating perspectives, including ominous entries from a character named Milton, the structure keeps you guessing: Who is Milton? How is he connected to Winter? And is the killer someone she already knows? The mystery escalates into a full serial-killer storyline, and while the number of characters made the story hard to track, the final reveal is one of the story’s biggest strengths.
Thematically, the story touches on childhood trauma, violence against women, and cycles of abuse; it’s handled in a way appropriate for older YA readers but potentially disturbing for some. The tone remains somewhat juvenile at times, especially in dialogue and character choices, which may frustrate older readers but fits the intended audience.
While Bellany/Tamara’s inclusion feels a bit forced this time, like her POV is more of a requirement to keep the series thread alive than a necessary part of the plot, I did enjoy seeing how she continues to manipulate and evade consequences. The book ends with the same open-ended style as previous installments, leaving space for another sequel and continuing Bellany’s cat-and-mouse story arc.
Overall, “They All Had a Fear” still delivers all the requirements for an engaging mystery/thriller: short chapters, quick pacing, a solid mystery with misleading clues, and plot twists that land. Whether it’s your favorite of the series or a slower entry, it remains a compulsively readable thriller. It’s perfect for fans of YA mysteries looking for something dramatic, messy, and addictive.
May 15, 2025
Okay.. what the heck was that
This book really got my hopes up in the beginning, this was not worth the read. It definitely does not belong in the 7 part series, it could have been so much better as a stand alone.
To recap so far, it looks like the series follows a character named Bellany who essentially murders people, runs away, changes her idenitfy, and repeats. (at least the first 2 books were like that).
First book, she was Bellany, then second, she changed her name to Charity, and in this book, she went by the name of Tamara.
The reason why i HATE this book is because it barely followed Tamara. The pov was mostly set to a girl named Winter who was trying to find who the serial killer was.
Spoiler alert, it was not Tamera, it was Jaxon, which i was totally caught off gaurd by. I was so convinced it was Hunter or Nelvin.
Another thing that drove me insane was the fact that I was so confused on who the "Milton" dude was, i thought he was Hunter up until the end, but it turned out to be Jaxson.
There were way to many characters in this book and they were all somehow connected to each other which made it really hard to follow.
The ending felt so rushed!! The part where Winter and her mom were putting the pieces tg about Tamara went by way to quickly, their def couldve been more details. The end felt like a feaver dream, it was not worth it.
If Tamara wasn't in this book, it would've been so good. I feel like the whole thing with Tamara was forced and was specifically included so it could count as a book in this series.
i am going to give the rest of the books in this series a shot tho
This book really got my hopes up in the beginning, this was not worth the read. It definitely does not belong in the 7 part series, it could have been so much better as a stand alone.
To recap so far, it looks like the series follows a character named Bellany who essentially murders people, runs away, changes her idenitfy, and repeats. (at least the first 2 books were like that).
First book, she was Bellany, then second, she changed her name to Charity, and in this book, she went by the name of Tamara.
The reason why i HATE this book is because it barely followed Tamara. The pov was mostly set to a girl named Winter who was trying to find who the serial killer was.
Spoiler alert, it was not Tamera, it was Jaxon, which i was totally caught off gaurd by. I was so convinced it was Hunter or Nelvin.
Another thing that drove me insane was the fact that I was so confused on who the "Milton" dude was, i thought he was Hunter up until the end, but it turned out to be Jaxson.
There were way to many characters in this book and they were all somehow connected to each other which made it really hard to follow.
The ending felt so rushed!! The part where Winter and her mom were putting the pieces tg about Tamara went by way to quickly, their def couldve been more details. The end felt like a feaver dream, it was not worth it.
If Tamara wasn't in this book, it would've been so good. I feel like the whole thing with Tamara was forced and was specifically included so it could count as a book in this series.
i am going to give the rest of the books in this series a shot tho
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2024
Leathers approaches her third book in a vastly different way than her previous ones, which I wasn’t a fan of.
Since Bellany is the main thread tying this series together, it didn’t make sense for her not to be at the forefront of the story.
It was hard to clearly identify the main plot and character motivations until the very last chapter when the book was done and everything became a rapid fire summary for the sake of the reader.
The red herrings with the male pseudonym and pov chapter coupled with the element of brothers and blindness got confusing at times and could have been executed better.
One thing I’ve particularly noticed throughout this series is the description of body types, and I really don’t like how the author goes about it. Not only is there generalized fatphobia, but there is so much unnecessary emphasis on whether a hand is placed on a bony hip, or if a character has love handles that hang over an article of clothing and jiggle as they walk, with clear-cut implications that the thin character is the attractive one, and the other is repulsive.
Since these observations are not always isolated to one character’s thoughts, I have to assume that it’s a natural reflection of the author.
Since Bellany is the main thread tying this series together, it didn’t make sense for her not to be at the forefront of the story.
It was hard to clearly identify the main plot and character motivations until the very last chapter when the book was done and everything became a rapid fire summary for the sake of the reader.
The red herrings with the male pseudonym and pov chapter coupled with the element of brothers and blindness got confusing at times and could have been executed better.
One thing I’ve particularly noticed throughout this series is the description of body types, and I really don’t like how the author goes about it. Not only is there generalized fatphobia, but there is so much unnecessary emphasis on whether a hand is placed on a bony hip, or if a character has love handles that hang over an article of clothing and jiggle as they walk, with clear-cut implications that the thin character is the attractive one, and the other is repulsive.
Since these observations are not always isolated to one character’s thoughts, I have to assume that it’s a natural reflection of the author.
April 7, 2023
This book is the third book in the series, and so far is my least favorite. It wasn't bad by any means but I didn't like how it wasn't as fast-paced as the others. I would constantly look ahead to see whose perspective the next chapter would be, and it would almost always be in character Winter's perspective. One of the main reasons I like this series so much is due to the fact that the chapters are short and there's always a new perspective. The chapters weren't very short in this book and the ones that were short were all the chapters that weren't from Winter's perspective. I did like though how we never knew who the real killer was until the end, unlike in the other 2 we knew the killer was Bellany and we knew her whole plan. Overall I liked this book and I'm excited to read the next one. I would recommend this book to whoever likes fast-paced short mysteries, even though this isn't as fast-paced as the other books in the series, it is still fast-paced compared to other mystery novels.
June 23, 2025
I got into this pretty quickly as well. If you read the last book then you know who Tamara is and even though it’s mainly Winters story, I did like Tamara’s part in it.
Now, I really wanted to like the characters better in this book but unfortunately I didn’t really. Tamara is bitchy and very full of herself. I don’t even know how to describe Milton… crazy? Weird? Unhinged? Just that kind of vibe. Winter is funny at times but she’s also a very judgy person, and sometimes she’s right, but still, she can’t stop herself. So I guess if I had to choose a favourite, it would be Winter.
I liked the plot of this book and it was executed really well. I liked the writing style and the pacing was really good. Wasn’t too fast and it didn’t drag either.
I honestly thought I had guessed the plot twist early on but I couldn’t have been more wrong. That was such a surprising and unexpected twist! I love how unpredictable it was and it made me like the book even more.
Overall, this is my favourite of the series so far. It was gripping and so unpredictable. Can’t wait to start the next book!
Now, I really wanted to like the characters better in this book but unfortunately I didn’t really. Tamara is bitchy and very full of herself. I don’t even know how to describe Milton… crazy? Weird? Unhinged? Just that kind of vibe. Winter is funny at times but she’s also a very judgy person, and sometimes she’s right, but still, she can’t stop herself. So I guess if I had to choose a favourite, it would be Winter.
I liked the plot of this book and it was executed really well. I liked the writing style and the pacing was really good. Wasn’t too fast and it didn’t drag either.
I honestly thought I had guessed the plot twist early on but I couldn’t have been more wrong. That was such a surprising and unexpected twist! I love how unpredictable it was and it made me like the book even more.
Overall, this is my favourite of the series so far. It was gripping and so unpredictable. Can’t wait to start the next book!
December 5, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐
THEY ALL HAD A FEAR by Michele Leathers (March 10, 2026)
Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the earc
When Winter and her mother inherit her aunt's beach house, they arrive just as a b*dy washes on shore. Then another. The residents think it's a shark, but Winter wonders if it's something more sinister...someone more sinister.
THEY ALL HAD A FEAR is a YA mystery that picks up a bit after the events of THEY ALL HAD A SECRET. This is a short, fast-paced read that was much better than the previous book. This was action-packed, intriguing, and full of all the thrills. It's multi-pov, but I feel it was necessary in this case (unlike book 2), since there was actually something happening.
The whodunit in this one actually left me shocked. I thought it was someone entirely different---who I thought was the most obvious choice. I love that about this.
This book has made me look forward to more in this series. I recommend this for those wanting easy-to-read thrills that are short and simple.
THEY ALL HAD A FEAR by Michele Leathers (March 10, 2026)
Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the earc
When Winter and her mother inherit her aunt's beach house, they arrive just as a b*dy washes on shore. Then another. The residents think it's a shark, but Winter wonders if it's something more sinister...someone more sinister.
THEY ALL HAD A FEAR is a YA mystery that picks up a bit after the events of THEY ALL HAD A SECRET. This is a short, fast-paced read that was much better than the previous book. This was action-packed, intriguing, and full of all the thrills. It's multi-pov, but I feel it was necessary in this case (unlike book 2), since there was actually something happening.
The whodunit in this one actually left me shocked. I thought it was someone entirely different---who I thought was the most obvious choice. I love that about this.
This book has made me look forward to more in this series. I recommend this for those wanting easy-to-read thrills that are short and simple.
June 20, 2022
Well, I think I'm done with this series. I did like the first two. I did. There were typos and misused words in the first two, like "shutter" instead of "shudder," but hey, she used shudder in this one and she got it right! I just didn't like this book. It wasn't all horrible, but it went nowhere and it was not true to itself. It wasn't true to the reader as a result of that. The leads just weren't right, and the wrap-up was pretty sloppy. I hate even saying that about someone's creation, but those are my feelings upon reading it. My husband rolled down the window twice when I was reading in the car and he could tell I was not liking the book. Oh, my goodness, no way! Plus, it's a library book. There were still some spelling errors and typos in this book and I hope I don't get fined or something but I did go ahead and lightly pencil them in to make it read better for the next person. Anyway...yep. Moving on.
February 15, 2024
The book was good but I believe the other two before were better. I like how each book has us introduced to new characters and then we watch as they try to figure out that Bellamy is a killer and on the run. This book, I feel was lacking it that scenario. This book seemed like it focused less on Bellamy (who in my opinion, is the main character of this series) and focused more on Jaxon who I felt was unimportant in the story. Finding out that he was the one killing the girls was not as satisfying as I thought it would be. If Jaxon had been taken out of the story and it focused on Winter believing that Bellamy killed the aunt but she couldn’t prove it, the book would have been five stars for me.
I will say that the mystery of who Milton was very interesting. I spent the whole time going back and forth whether it was Hunter or not. Although the mystery was super interesting, as a whole I felt that it was unimportant to the storyline.
I will say that the mystery of who Milton was very interesting. I spent the whole time going back and forth whether it was Hunter or not. Although the mystery was super interesting, as a whole I felt that it was unimportant to the storyline.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2025
Bellany settles in New York, she found her mark, Winter’s aunt.
Winter is aunt wasn’t as easy to mess with. And because of this Bellany had to get rid of her. After she dies everything is left to Winter and her financially irresponsible mother.
Her mom pretty much blows through most of the money and they rent some of the rooms of the house to keep a steady income. Bellany is one of the people they rent to.
So far all main character females do not trust Bellany upon meeting her with good reason lmao. Winter knows she is up to something especially since she learns that Bellany knew her aunt, was going through her purse for something, rummaging through her aunts room, and stole the letter that proves someone murdered her aunt.
A series of murders was happening on the beach, we find out that Jackson was the one doing it. And Bellany knew. She blacked mailed him to help her escape onto her next mark. But she snitched on him and escaped him and came into some money.
Winter is aunt wasn’t as easy to mess with. And because of this Bellany had to get rid of her. After she dies everything is left to Winter and her financially irresponsible mother.
Her mom pretty much blows through most of the money and they rent some of the rooms of the house to keep a steady income. Bellany is one of the people they rent to.
So far all main character females do not trust Bellany upon meeting her with good reason lmao. Winter knows she is up to something especially since she learns that Bellany knew her aunt, was going through her purse for something, rummaging through her aunts room, and stole the letter that proves someone murdered her aunt.
A series of murders was happening on the beach, we find out that Jackson was the one doing it. And Bellany knew. She blacked mailed him to help her escape onto her next mark. But she snitched on him and escaped him and came into some money.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2024
The strange deaths and dead bodies surfacing in this previously quiet and quaint little beach town are terrorizing the local residents and tourists alike. Everyone is asking, if it's safe to go swimming in the ocean, but eighteen year old Winter Covington wonders if there is even more danger lurking on land. No one knows, but at the end she found out who is the murder is.
Honestly, I liked this book cause I am interested in reading, watching, listening about all sorts of investigations, and murders, than fantasy. That's why I took another book from the library, from this author my book brought. And I like when they explain all the details, but sometimes there were too many details that it became boring for some time, but when it came to interesting moments like corpses or investigation, then my interest in this book grew.
Honestly, I liked this book cause I am interested in reading, watching, listening about all sorts of investigations, and murders, than fantasy. That's why I took another book from the library, from this author my book brought. And I like when they explain all the details, but sometimes there were too many details that it became boring for some time, but when it came to interesting moments like corpses or investigation, then my interest in this book grew.
December 8, 2025
Goodbye, Charity.
Goodbye, Bellany.
Hello, my name is Tamara. It's nice to meet you.
----
In book 3, we follow the story of Winter and her mom Sasha who have inherited Emma Covington's (Sasha's sister) beach house in North Carolina.
To afford living in such a big house, they have rented out two rooms to Tim Woods and Tamara Gold.
It was supposed to be a good start for Winter after leaving behind all the deaths and trauma from her past. But it seems that death has a habit of following her wherever she goes.
Would she be able to run away from her own death or would she end up like her aunt, who may have been killed and didn't die accidentally as the police report says?
And Tamara... what role does she play in this third installment in the series?
Would she finally be able to fulfill her dreams of living the luxurious life or would she fail and be on the run again?
---
Michele Leathers delivered again with this one. The twists kept twisting, and the turns kept turning. IYKYK.
Just when you thought you had it all figured out, Michele surprises you with another twist.
I had fun reading this book and joining Winter in her quest to find out the truth about her aunt's death and the "shark attacks" going on at the beach.
But where is CJ/Cam now? Would he be able to locate our gorgeous villain in the 4th book?
And what new identity would Bellany/Charity/Tamara come up with next?
Can't wait to read book 4!
Goodbye, Bellany.
Hello, my name is Tamara. It's nice to meet you.
----
In book 3, we follow the story of Winter and her mom Sasha who have inherited Emma Covington's (Sasha's sister) beach house in North Carolina.
To afford living in such a big house, they have rented out two rooms to Tim Woods and Tamara Gold.
It was supposed to be a good start for Winter after leaving behind all the deaths and trauma from her past. But it seems that death has a habit of following her wherever she goes.
Would she be able to run away from her own death or would she end up like her aunt, who may have been killed and didn't die accidentally as the police report says?
And Tamara... what role does she play in this third installment in the series?
Would she finally be able to fulfill her dreams of living the luxurious life or would she fail and be on the run again?
---
Michele Leathers delivered again with this one. The twists kept twisting, and the turns kept turning. IYKYK.
Just when you thought you had it all figured out, Michele surprises you with another twist.
I had fun reading this book and joining Winter in her quest to find out the truth about her aunt's death and the "shark attacks" going on at the beach.
But where is CJ/Cam now? Would he be able to locate our gorgeous villain in the 4th book?
And what new identity would Bellany/Charity/Tamara come up with next?
Can't wait to read book 4!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
**ARC REVIEW**
They All Had a Fear is book three in the They All Had a Reason series, and wow—the plot twists kept me guessing until the very end! Fast-paced, suspenseful, and full of secrets, this book hooked me from start to finish.
Bellamy, now going by Tamara, adds a whole new layer to the mystery as she and Winter navigate danger, betrayal, and shocking revelations. The pacing and clever foreshadowing made each twist feel completely unpredictable—just when I thought I had it figured out, the story surprised me again.
I’m loving this series and can’t wait to dive into the other books. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys thrilling mysteries with plenty of unexpected turns!
Thanks to Michele Leathers, NetGalley, and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC.
They All Had a Fear is book three in the They All Had a Reason series, and wow—the plot twists kept me guessing until the very end! Fast-paced, suspenseful, and full of secrets, this book hooked me from start to finish.
Bellamy, now going by Tamara, adds a whole new layer to the mystery as she and Winter navigate danger, betrayal, and shocking revelations. The pacing and clever foreshadowing made each twist feel completely unpredictable—just when I thought I had it figured out, the story surprised me again.
I’m loving this series and can’t wait to dive into the other books. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys thrilling mysteries with plenty of unexpected turns!
Thanks to Michele Leathers, NetGalley, and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC.
May 27, 2022
These books are consistently fast paced, a fact which keeps me coming back to this series despite the gripes I have with the characters/storylines. In every single book so far, I'm both entertained and annoyed. And yet... I'll still read the next one.
My issues:
1) Winter. She gives off a very strong stench of "not like other girls." She, in my opinion, was also way too quick about being suspicious of Tamara. It seemed like she instantly disliked Tamara at first glance simply because she's one of those fake boobied girls. Tamara was really the only interesting character, again.
2) Just a lot of unbelievable-ness the first two books suffer from.
My issues:
1) Winter. She gives off a very strong stench of "not like other girls." She, in my opinion, was also way too quick about being suspicious of Tamara. It seemed like she instantly disliked Tamara at first glance simply because she's one of those fake boobied girls. Tamara was really the only interesting character, again.
2) Just a lot of unbelievable-ness the first two books suffer from.
February 6, 2025
Ugh, I was expecting so much more.
I love our villain; Bellany is mean, cold and unapologetic, which makes for a lot of drama and twists that have you at the edge of your seat (in a what's she gonna do now? kind of way), but this time around? She was barely in the book! I missed her like crazy and everything else in her absence was boring and tedious and dull and any other adjective that shows what an uninteresting story this was.
Winter was whiny, her mother was unbearable and every other character was lustreless at best. I could've done without this installment for sure.
Hopefully the next one brings something new to the table, 'cause we need it for sure.
I love our villain; Bellany is mean, cold and unapologetic, which makes for a lot of drama and twists that have you at the edge of your seat (in a what's she gonna do now? kind of way), but this time around? She was barely in the book! I missed her like crazy and everything else in her absence was boring and tedious and dull and any other adjective that shows what an uninteresting story this was.
Winter was whiny, her mother was unbearable and every other character was lustreless at best. I could've done without this installment for sure.
Hopefully the next one brings something new to the table, 'cause we need it for sure.
January 1, 2026
I went in figuring this would follow the same plot structure as book #2 because Bellany returns...but I was surprised, this book kept me engaged with the mystery of the murders on the beach. There were paragraphs here and there that felt slow but overall, pacing-wise, this was a quick read. You definitely see less of Bellany in this one, which is why I prefer the previous book over this one but I'm curious to see where the author goes with this as like last time, we are left wondering where Bellany will go next - 3 stars!
Thank you to Michele Leathers, SOURCEBOOKS Fire | Sourcebooks Fire, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book!
Thank you to Michele Leathers, SOURCEBOOKS Fire | Sourcebooks Fire, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book!
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