QUICK TAKE: I really liked the concept, and the idea that revenge is enacted thru social media takedowns, but the book was a bit too by-the-numbers for me, and I was able to figure out the twist very early on.

Thank you very much for the opportunity to read this book early! I really enjoyed it. I thought the writing was very well done, and the story kept me interested. I believe my students/patrons would also love this book and will be acquiring it for the library!

I LOVED this book! Twisted, authentic and harrowing. The story of a mistreated girl now getting her due as an adult is a fascinating topic for me. Gilbert's writing is fresh, accessible and very entertaining! This is exactly the kind of thriller I love recommending to my patrons and my friends. More from this author please!

This book delves into dark themes, containing instances of graphic violence, but primarily focusing on disturbing content related to past and present bullying. The narrative toggles between the present, where Poppy Greer reunites with her four former “friends” as bridesmaids for her wedding, inviting them to a hen party on a private Caribbean island after a decade of silence, and the past, providing insights into the evolution of these five women’s relationships during their school years. It’s a heart-wrenching and infuriating tale in many aspects, and what stands out is the author’s refusal to redeem these self-centred bullies. Instead, she presents them unapologetically, allowing readers to form the disdain that’s warranted. This departure from the usual attempt to humanize villains in thrillers was refreshing.

While the mystery itself unfolds in a fairly straightforward manner, there are unexpected twists that keep you guessing. The dynamics among the five women and their collective journeys create an immersive experience. If you seek a gripping page-turner that will keep you awake at night, this one fits the bill perfectly.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is by far the best debut thriller I have ever read in my life and in my 30 years of reading that is ALOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mean Girls all over the world should read this book and maybe they will think twice before picking on someone. Mean Girls meets Revenge!!!!!!!!!!

She Started It is the story of five women who went through school together. Poppy was an outcast in high school but always yearned to be part of the group. Now Poppy is getting married. She has asked the other three to be in her wedding and to attend a hen party on a private island. All expenses are paid, including first class plane tickets. As the story evolves, we discover each person had secrets they were keeping. I did figure out the ending before the book got there. I found the first third of the book to be slow. The rest of the book did pick up. Each chapter was told from a different person’s perspective. I found it hard to follow and had to continuously check to see whose chapter it was. I’m not sorry I finished the book, but I did consider stopping.

Such an incredible thriller about women at a bachelor party on a deserted island. The story was a little dark and sinister, which might be a little too much for some readers, but it kept me on my toes and I enjoyed every page of it. Five lifelong friends who have a secret on each other. A slow burn as you don't know who knows what about whom and as the secrets are revealed.

Highly recommend as a beach read!

Annabell, Esther, Tanya, and Chloe have all been invited to a getaway on a private Caribbean island celebrating the upcoming nuptials of an old classmate, Poppy Greer. The free first class tickets and luxury accommodations seem to be just enough to assuage their doubts about why Poppy would include them. While the four of them have always been a close-knit friend group, their childhood relationship with Poppy was more complicated. Through social media the women can see that Poppy is thriving post-high school and her glow up is majorly apparent with their arrival on the island. Gilbert does a deft job of slowly revealing the true intentions behind this reunion. She does not depend on expository explanations, but instead allows the characters and their actions reveal their true natures. She Started It is a well-paced, exciting domestic thriller that touches on themes of friendship, loyalty, and personal responsibility.

Wow! This was a fun read!

4 women receive an invitation to a hen/bachelorette party on an isolated island in the bahamas. A former classmate, who they may have given a hard time during school is getting married and has asked them to be bridesmaids. Each woman is surprised by the invitation but a free vacation in the Bahamas? They all jump into first class and head to "paradise"

There are 5 main characters and every chapter alternates with their perspective. Every one of these women are flawed and full of secrets and Sian Gilbert drops little clues throughout the book that make it impossible to put down.

Lots of fun twists and turns and every loose end was tied up at the end. I absolutely loved this book and can't wait to read her next. Sian Gilbert has a new fan!

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for a complimentary copy for an honest review.

I loved this book! I will definitely recommend it. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

A book about bullies and the fallout after the fact. It's set on an island which adds to the intrigue. I didn't like any of these characters but loved the book.

Well written. Great descriptions. The concept was spot on. It's a book you will love to hate. Hate the bullies that is.
I enjoy a book that keeps me guessing and this one did for a while. It's pretty easy to figure out but that did not take away from this perfect ending. Very good book.

Thank you #NetGalley #SianGilbert #WilliamMorrow for this ARC.

Four big stars.

SHE STARTED IT definitely falls into the camp of guilty pleasure thrillers. And the cover?! To die for. I was actually so surprised by how much I resonated with some of the themes of this book. While the drama and suspense gets a little catty, I defiinitely resonated with the themes surrounding bullying in this book. I would recommend this to anyone who has enjoyed any of May Cobb's work or BIG LITTLE LIES.

She Started It by Siân Gilbert was a ride. I loved the mystery and intrigue. The friend group was so fun to read about. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop and when it inevitably did, I was delighted!

I went into this with an open mind, ready to see what was in store. The cover was beautiful & inviting & definitely something I would’ve picked up had I seen it in a book store. The story for me was easy to follow as each chapter was a characters point of view & they were all dated. However, this one fell short for me. The first 60% of the book was very boring in my opinion. The last part of the book was interesting but not thrilling. I predicted it was the sister very early on. In the end-I didn’t hate the book, I just didn’t love it.

The unreliable narrator is one of my favorite tropes in Mysteries/Psychological Thrillers and this one didn't disappoint. Every single character in this book is detestable, but that made for a great story where they literally backstab each other. With friends like these, who needs enemies is the prevailing theme. I read this in one day, needing to know what happens next. I was satisfied with the revenge ending. Because I'm a pattern identifier, I could tell early on the plot motive but it didn't stop me from enjoying this tale. Props to the author for delivering a great thriller.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this book. It is a very interesting concept. I hope that no one ever goes through some of the things the main character does. I did find myself reading ahead a little at different places in the story, but overall, it was a good read.

An interesting psychological drama that pits four mean girls against one another and their bullying past. It goes totally off the rails at the end; I couldn't believe that these self-absorbed characters would care about another person enough to do what they do. But, the plot and those mean girls are written so over the top that it works. It's almost not quite enough.

The big twist is easy to see and you can figure it out very early in the book- no earth shaking new thoughts here. But it doesn't detract from the fun of the read.

For fans of Lucy Foley and Ruth Ware, and those looking for a wild summer read.

Hooked me right away and had me wondering almost immediately why/how these women were/are ‘friends’! Mostly predictable; but a twist at the end that I didn’t see coming. Easy, fast thriller. Add this to your TBR. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy of this book.

She Started It by Sian Gilbert

Rating 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A group of gal friends (since school age) are invited to a private island all expenses included for a hen party by their childhood bullying victim. The friends obviously accept the free trip and have a wild trip that turns into a who done it adventure.

This read kept me constantly guessing who was the culprit. Every time I thought I knew my guess changed again. I never guessed the ending though. I found the characters to be very relatable with strong development.

Trigger warning - lots of bullying

Mood - adventurous, mysterious, emotional, dark, tense, reflective

Pace - fast


I highly recommend this one!

Thank you to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this ARC! This was an ok read for me. I saw the twist coming and thought some of the storyline could’ve been fleshed out better but it was good overall.