SHE STARTED IT, was a book full of revenge. This book sheds light on problems that aren’t nearly discussed as much as they should be. I really enjoyed the suspense but off the back figured out the twist right away. There was no way that this shy/reserved girl turned into outgoing/conversable person within 10 years. Also, the main character doesn’t die off that quickly. Overall, really enjoyed the book.

Thank you Net gallery, and William Morrow for allowing me the opportunity to review this book!

Four women are invited on a free, fun, get away by an old childhood schoolmate, Poppy Greer. While they didn’t always get along in school, it’s been ten years, and Poppy seems to be doing well for herself. But they all have secrets, Poppy included.

The characters in this one were so utterly unlikeable it was fun to watch them struggle. Bullying as an adolescent is nasty but there is an understanding that the bully is still growing as well. To bully as an adult and not to show regret, these women were terrible. Yet that made the story even better. I did grow tired of their constant fighting toward the end but the conclusion was so rewarding I got sucked back in.

“Those bitches might have started it, but I sure as hell finished it.”

She Started It comes out 6/13.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with this ARC, in exchange for my honest review.

She Started It is a fast paced thriller that is told from 5 different perspectives. At first, I was thrown off by this and unsure if I was going to stay reading it because I don’t usually love multi perspective books, however, I am glad that I continued on. This story is fast paced and keeps you turning the pages wanting to know more. There is just enough mystery that you stay intrigued. I found the twists to be a little predictable, but overall the book was well written.

I received this book from William Morrow and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This statement is always true. I’m not given compensation to discuss a book and I’m not told how to rate a book. I am given a book in exchange for my opinions on it, and I am truthful in all my reviews whether I loved them or not.

This book is an absolute thriller, suspense, who-done-it book. This book is filled with so many twists and turns and plot changes. Just when I thought I knew who did it, even with the subtle hints, this book is just phenomenal.

Four best friends from high school are invited on a luxury private island for a hen party as bridesmaids for someone they have not seen in 10 years, since graduating high school, the girl they tormented. Despite some resistance, they decide to go. Annabelle, the housewife to a rich husband, Chloe, the influencer, Tanya, the event coordinator for celebrities, and Esther, the bank investor. Poppy was the center of their teenage torture and bullying.

Each woman starts disappearing one by one as they are being murdered. As each one is found murdered, accusations begin. first 5, then 4, then 3. then the last 2. And honestly, Sian Gilbert keeps you guessing till the very end. Just when you think you have it figured out, you don't. Secrets are revealed, alliances are made, but how deadly are these alliances.

The author does a great job with the narratives from each character's point of view, switching each chapter to another character. What I really liked about the switching narratives is that Gilbert did not miss a beat. She kept the conversations flowing without any repetitiveness. As one narrative ends and another begins, the story just continues without missing a beat.

This book flowed well, the characters were developed and well thought out. The theme carried through and it definitely was an engaging story and plot. I would re-read this again just to see if I missed any clues

⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

𝘼 𝙝𝙤𝙩, 𝙩𝙬𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙮 𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙚𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙖 𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙥 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙣 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙮 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙖 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣.

📍 Read if you like:
• Bachelorette Parties
• The Bahamas
• Secrets
• Lord Of The Flies
• And Then There Were None

This is the perfect summer thriller story filled with secrets and twists!

I enjoyed the idea of a bachelorette party in the Caribbean. We get multiple POVs from Annabel, Esther, Tanya, and Chloe - each with their own secrets. We’re also introduced to Poppy (the bride who invited the women).

Let me just say the four women who were invited are absolutely unlikable. They were each mean in their own way… so don’t expect to like them. Just enjoy the fun secrets they all spill.

I think the secluded Bahamas setting was so interesting. I wish I read this in the summer, it’s the perfect season. Also, I think the setting worked so well because it was isolated and left our characters trapped.

It’s hard to explain this one without getting into spoilers, but I’ll just say it was so enjoyable with the multiple POVs. We also get a glimpse of the past and the mean things they did to Poppy.

That ending was why I knocked down the rating. I think it worked so well with the story, but I predicted part of it. Also, it left me a bit confused and wanted a bit of a clear answer. I had some unanswered questions at the very end.

Overall, this is the perfect summer thriller filled with mysterious characters. There are so many twists that make the story worth it. Also, the secluded island was so fascinating and I found this to be such an enjoyable read!

She certainly did start it. Started me as a fan of her writing. This was a great thriller and Gilbert has a new fan in me.

This book was such a slow burn for me and I thought about DNFing it a few times but I was curious to see how it turned out in the end. Another disappointment. I would not recommend this book

This book explores what it would be like to spend time with worst queen bees from high school if they then grew up to lack any self-awareness, empathy, or common sense. The biggest "twist" of the story feels obvious early on, but I kept reading because there are layers and layers of secrets for every terrible character, creating a kind of perverse glee as each woman is punished. This is one of those books that will be complicated to recommend to readers because it's a revenge story and not much else. So if that's what you're in the mood for, you'll have revenge a-plenty.

If you are looking for a fast-paced thriller, look no further than She Started It by Sian Gilbert. Childhood friends reunite for the bachelorette party of Poppy, the least-likely of the group to have made it big as an adult. Poppy's bachelorette party seems to be a dream come true, but as secrets are revealed, their dream quickly becomes a nightmare. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced e-copy for review.

I loved this one! I devoured it and honestly couldn't get enough! This is the PERFECT summer thriller and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a beach themed murder mystery!

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3 stars

Four women, Annabel, Ester, Tanya, and Chloe are still close friends 10 years after graduating high school. Out of the blue a girl they bullied in school invites them for a free hen party on a private island. Fun times do not ensue but lots of secrets are uncovered.

I could not connect with the characters.

The perfect book for when your sitting on your porch on a hot night with a cool drink. Just make sure your settled in because you won't want to put it down! Such fun writing, really well written and full of twist and turns with a "what-the-heck-did-I-just-read" ending!!

She Started It is a mystery/thriller in which revenge against high school mean girls is front and center.

Four girls viciously tormented Poppy in high school. The four girls have deep secrets that they keep even as they mature into women and drift away from each other.

Then comes the invitation for Poppy's wedding on a remote tropical island. All expense paid. They hop on the chance to go - despite the fact that their relationship with Poppy was once of cruelty. Each woman has a reason for going.

When they arrive they are stunned to see the changes in Poppy - the girl has matured into a physician with a great deal of money. What looks like a happy reunion becomes a game of revenge. The secrets become revealed and Poppy's revenge plan is revealed.

This is a real page turner. If that is what you are looking for, you won't go wrong with this book

This was my first from this author and the description really sold me! It did not disappoint. While I kind of figured out the ending by the middle of the story, I still wanted to keep going to find out all the details. Will definitely seek out more from this author! (Also this would make a really great tv show)

I loved this book! This one reminded me of a few others where its a group of people that used to know each other and then are thrown together for an event like a wedding (Ex. In a dark dark wood.) It goes to show you who your friends really are when it comes to their lives at stake.

Chloe, Esther, Tanya, and Annabel had been friends since they were kids in school. One day they all receive an invitation to attend a bachelorette party from classmate, Poppy Greer. None of these girls were nice to Poppy in school and they were not really friends at all. However, they all decide to attend because it is a free trip to a beautiful island for three days. What can go wrong, right?

SHE STARTED IT, was a revenge book at it's finest. These girls were so mean to Poppy, it's shameful. I loved the past and present time lines and a look into Poppy's diary. This was a well written book and I really enjoyed the twist at the end. I can see this book being a big hit.

Many thanks to Netgalley and William Morrow for my ARC, in exchange for my honest review.

This review will be posted to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐨𝐞𝐬. 𝐘𝐞𝐬, 𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞...𝐈'𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐲 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐚 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐧𝐞, 𝐚𝐬 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐮𝐬 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞. 𝐊𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐫.

Honestly, the premise is misleading. When Annabel, Esther, Tanya, and Chloe receive an invitation from "old friend" Poppy Greer to her bachelorette party, the invite comes with a first-class plane ticket to three days of white sand, cocktails, and relaxation on a luxury private island in the Bahamas. But Poppy is not an old friend; she is someone these women made absolutely miserable in their teen years for no other reason than because they could. "Hurt people hurt people" is NOT the premise of this book; these were vapid, shallow mean girls who grew up to become the same type of adult. It's briefly mentioned that they accepted to perhaps make peace with Poppy, but it's clearly evident they accepted to get a free vacation.

Poppy has plans for the crew, and it starts by having them relinquish their cell phones. Cell service is spotty anyway, so what's the harm? Then a series of mean-spirited Truth or Dare questions, disturbing vignettes, and a general sense of malice starts to permeate the pages.

Then the bodies start to drop.

I loved both the multiple points of view from each woman, none of whom have grown up to live the lives they envisioned, and the diary entries from Poppy. Those simultaneously broke my heart and fed into her desire for revenge. The twist was alluded to on the boat ride to the island, but I chalked up the innocent comment to a misunderstanding on a character's part. Ain't no misunderstandings here. Everything means something.

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for this early copy that publishes June 13, 2023. Guaranteed to be a sizzling summer blockbuster!

What a ride! I was pulled in from the very beginning and could not put this down. The concept of an all-expenses-paid, five-star bachelorette party…celebrating someone you bullied? I would have so many questions, but can’t say I wouldn’t get on that jet too.

The alternating POV’s and parallel timelines worked well. The twist at the end wasn’t completely unexpected, but it worked! And it was brilliant, and completely satisfying.

Picked this out for the cover only as a serious cover judger and within pages I was in deep and had to finish this in one sitting. This has the same thriller vibes as Big Little Lies so I understand the LM comparison. Unpredictable at every twist and turn. This is going to be a new favorite

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC

How do I feel about what I just read?

Satisfaction

She Started It, hits on so many relevant topics that kids struggle with these days . Bullying, is no joke and awareness is needed.

Was this book incredibly well written? Yes. However, this book was just so much more than anyone will ever know and deserves a different type of recognition.

Accountability.

Although I believe revenge isn’t always the best plan and we should really leave it up to Karma, I have to say if I was was in a similar situation as our MC, I would most likely do the same.

Does this make me a bad person? Maybe. I’ll let my karma speak for itself.

My biggest question is… how is this a debut?

The talent shines within the pages. The fact that Sian Gilbert took such big risks with a first novel is admirable. The amount of respect I have for this author right now is something I can put into words.

I don’t have to say “I can’t wait to see what this author comes out with next” . I know without one doubt in my mind that I will be purchasing it .

Sian Gilbert, you have just turned my world upside down and I just became your biggest fan ♥️

Teaser :

The party of a lifetime is nothing like what they expected...

Annabel, Esther, Tanya, and Chloe are best friends—or were, as children. Despite drifting apart in adulthood, shared secrets have kept them bonded for better or worse, even as their childhood dreams haven’t quite turned out as they’d hoped. Then one day they receive a wholly unexpected—but not entirely unwelcome—invitation from another old friend. Poppy Greer has invited them all to her extravagant bachelorette party: a first-class plane ticket to three days of white sand, cocktails, and relaxation on a luxe private island in the Bahamas.

None of them has spoken to Poppy in years. But Poppy’s Instagram pics shows that the girl they used to consider the weakest link in their group has definitely made good—and made money. Curiosity gets the better of them. Besides, who can turn down a posh all-expenses-paid vacation on a Caribbean island?

The first-class flight and the island’s accommodations are just as opulent as expected...even if the scenic island proves more remote than they’d anticipated. Quite remote, in fact, with no cell service, and no other guests. The women quickly discover they’ve underestimated Poppy, and each other. As their darkest secrets are revealed, the tropical adventure morphs into a terrifying nightmare.