I like dark academia, but this book just wasn't for me. There wasn't anything wrong with the story or the writing - but I just had a difficult time getting into this book. There are plenty of customers I would recommend this to based on their interests so it wasn't a complete wash for me.

"St. Ambrose School for Girls" is a captivating coming-of-age novel that delves into the complexities of friendship, identity, and self-discovery. Set within the prestigious walls of an all-girls school, the story follows the lives of several students as they navigate the challenges of adolescence and strive to find their place in the world. With rich character development and a compelling storyline, this book offers an insightful glimpse into the highs and lows of teenage life, making it a must-read for fans of contemporary fiction.

This book was a great combination of mystery and the drama that goes along with boarding school life. I loved the unreliable narrator! Includes mental health and LGBT representation.

I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I feel a little silly that when I requested to read this book it did not dawn on me that Jessica Ward was J. R. Ward. I only know her for writing paranormal romance and this is more dark thriller and I would say young adult since it takes place at boarding school. This book shows a lot of Sarah's struggles from her father leaving because he could not deal with her mental illness, strained relationship with her mother, bi-polar diagnoses, not having friends and being bullied at school. Then add when she runs out of her meds. Then a death of a student which appears to be a passionate crime. Sarah tries to put the pieces together. There is a lot going on in this book. Very intense.

Sarah is eager to escape her hometown and her mother when she applies to the exclusive St. Ambrose School, an elite boarding school. When she arrives, she finds that she does not fit in -- she has trouble making friends and is targeted by Greta, one of her hallmates and one of the most popular students on campus who, for some reason, seems to have it out for Sarah. Sarah is committed to making it through the year but finds it increasingly challenging in the face of Greta's pranks and her growing unease that something is amiss just beneath the surface.

This book was an interesting take on a boarding school novel. The author creates a sharply observed world and within that unspools a thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Highly recommended!

I usually love everything J.R. Ward but this one I couldn't get into. I tried 4 times to get past chapter 6 and just couldn't. So it's a DNF for me.

THE SAINT AMBROSE SCHOOL FOR GIRLS by @jesswardauthor is the topic of this post and I gotta say, this one surprised me! Like all humans, I am built of bias and when I heard that JR Ward was this author's other pen name and romance was her game, I got a little worried that this one was not going to be for me. When there were descriptions of the "Hot RA" in the first 25 pages I was even more worried that this was going to be a romance/jealousy centric book which are not my thing, but YET, I persisted.

And you know what? I am glad I did. Part mystery, part coming of age, part discussion of navigating mental illness while navigating high school, I found this story to be quite intriguing and enjoyed the twists and turns. The MC/narrator has bipolar disorder which can make you as the reader, as well as the narrator themselves, feel like they are not reliable. The stress of the second-guessing and not always being certain what is real and what you made up in your head were pretty palpable and had this anxious overthinker feeling all of it.

This is a pretty slow burn without a lot of action for a while but then things speed up quickly and tumble along. I was drawn in by the complex characters, the moody boarding school atmosphere, and the secrets that lay therein. I love a good dark academia book and this one was no exception. Just goes to show that if you don't check your bias at the door sometimes you might miss something really great!

If you like shows/books like PRETTY LITTLE LIARS, HEATHERS, MEAN GIRLS, etc, this could be right up your alley too! Thank you to the author, @netgalley, and the publisher @gallerybooks for the e-ARC.

This isn’t a bad book, but based on the description I was expecting a thriller and I did not consider this one a thriller. It’s a slow burn coming of age drama where someone happens to be killed. I also feel like it should be said that this book is incredibly sad. The main character doesn’t have a lot of luck as an “outsider weirdo” person with bipolar who doesn’t fit in with anyone at the private all girls school in the 90’s. The writing was good, but I had to push myself to finish the story. The last 25% moved more quickly, but it took a lot to get to me 75% done. Sarah is starting school at a private all girls school after her mother submits an essay she wrote and she is granted a scholarship. Unfortunately for her she doesn’t fit in with her all black non-designer clothing and one pretty and popular girl Greta seems to take an instant disliking to her and picks on her consistently. But as the semester goes on the drama amps up ending in someone dying.

Immersive and entertaining. A recommended purchase for collections where crime and thrillers are popular.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was not really a fan of this book. First thing that annoyed me was the amount of time the word panties was used. I always hate that word anyway, and just the excessive use of it was annoying. I thought the plot moved along at a good enough speed, but I thought the book could have been a lot shorter because the author seemed to dwell on describing some things in way too much detail. I understand that the main character was bipolar and had hallucinations, but it made the book very hard to follow.

I liked that it was set in the 90s because that is when I was in HS, but it doesn't seem to be a reason that it is. Like it flashes back or something. So, I didn't really get the time setting choice.

I think a teen audience would enjoy this more than an adult audience.

I very much wanted to love The St. Ambrose School for Girls, but the story felt very drawn out and it almost felt like nothing happened. I was left pretty let down with this one. I expected more thrill.

This book was nothing I was expecting. I was very drawn out and had a lot of information in it that did not need to be put in there to fit the story.

This book was not for me. I found the story line very drawn out and frankly just didn't care what happened in the book.

Okay so I was thinking it was going to be spooky, it was not. It felt more YA and it was a lot of high school drama. I wanted a little something more

Going into it, I was expecting a spooky - perfect for Halloween read. It’s not spooky at all. It’s a typical teenage girls away at school story, just not one that would happen often in real-life. While it wasn’t what I was expecting, I did enjoy the book!

Unfortunately, this was such a slow read and didn't read at all like The Secret History meets Heathers. It was slow and kind of boring, to be honest. This was my first time reading this author, not sure if I will check out another from her.

Sarah Taylor arrived at St. Ambrose at her mother's insistence. She thinks the school will be good for Sarah. But Sarah is the excited. She does ok as long as she stays on her lithium, but she's mentally ill and also not a big people person. She does form a sort of allyship with her roommate but catches the ire of mean girl Greta.

That's really as far as I got. Unfortunately, I had to DNF this one at 121 pages, when the thrillery parts hadn't started yet. The sentences are well written and passages are well put together, but it was taking way too long to get to any of the action for me, and this is from someone who is a sucker for boarding school books.

I hope this one finds its audience. It's just not me. I won't post anywhere about it, because I don't wanna speak negatively of it.

Jessica Ward's writing has a lot of strengths, and while her take on the "mean girls" school narrative had its unique spin, it didn't quite resonate with me. Set in the nostalgic backdrop of the early 1990s, the story unfolds through Sarah Taylor's eyes. Sarah, a scholarship student, joins a prestigious New England boarding school and soon finds herself navigating the challenges posed by the influential Greta and her clique. While Sarah's character has depth, her journey with bipolar disorder sometimes felt a bit intense to me. Additionally, some of the supporting roles felt familiar, like the sporty student grappling with her identity. The novel began with a thoughtful, introspective tone, dotted with literary nuances and clever remarks, but it later transitioned to a more suspenseful storyline which took me by surprise. The pacing felt a tad unhurried, with an emphasis on Sarah's emotional state, and I wished for a bit more depth in Greta's character. The juxtaposition of Greta's position and her own vulnerabilities was intriguing but felt a touch disjointed. That said, I see the potential and ambition in the story; it just wasn't quite my cup of tea.

"The St. Ambrose School for Girls" by Jessica Ward, writing under the pseudonym J.R. Ward, is a thrilling and darkly captivating coming-of-age novel that masterfully blends the world of a prestigious boarding school with secrets, rivalry, and deadly consequences. This book is a gripping exploration of the complexities of teenage life, mental health, and the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of even the most exclusive institutions.

The story follows Sarah Taylor, a newcomer to the elite St. Ambrose School, who arrives carrying not only her physical baggage but also the weight of a recent bipolar diagnosis. Sarah is immediately targeted by Greta Stanhope, the school's queen bee, and the tension between them sets the stage for a power struggle that escalates throughout the narrative. Ward skillfully portrays the dynamics of female friendships and rivalries, making the interactions between the characters feel authentic and relatable.

One of the strengths of this novel lies in its well-crafted characters. Sarah is a compelling and sympathetic protagonist who must navigate not only the challenges of her bipolar disorder but also the relentless bullying from Greta. Sarah's resilience and determination make her a character readers can root for, and her friendship with Ellen "Strots" Strotsberry provides a refreshing contrast to the toxic relationships at the school.

The setting of St. Ambrose School is vividly depicted, with its opulent halls, secret societies, and the air of privilege that permeates the atmosphere. The author creates a sense of claustrophobia and suspense within the confines of the school, adding to the overall tension of the story.

As the narrative unfolds, the book takes unexpected and dark twists that keep the reader guessing. The sense of foreboding and unease builds steadily, and when scandal and tragedy strike, the story takes on an even darker tone. Ward's writing keeps you on the edge of your seat, making it difficult to put the book down.

"The St. Ambrose School for Girls" is a thought-provoking exploration of mental health, identity, and the consequences of cruelty and manipulation. It's a story that delves into the depths of teenage angst and the lengths to which individuals will go to protect their secrets. The pacing is excellent, with a gripping plot that steadily intensifies, leading to a shocking and unforgettable conclusion.

In conclusion, Jessica Ward's "The St. Ambrose School for Girls" is a must-read for fans of dark and suspenseful coming-of-age novels. With its well-drawn characters, immersive setting, and unexpected twists, this book is a compelling and haunting tale that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page. It's a thrilling and thought-provoking exploration of the darkness that can exist within the world of privilege and prestige.

The St. Ambrose School for Girls is a unique mystery and thriller set in the picturesque land of a prestigious boarding school. From page one, readers can tell they are going to like going on this ride with Sarah Taylor, a misfit, who refuses to fit in with the crowd as she begins her school year at St. Ambrose's.

Jessica Ward does a commendable job bringing the character of Sarah to life and fairly describing the challenges teens face while dealing with mental health issues.