The only thing Rufus wants to worry about on 4th of July is having a good time at his best friend's party. When his ex-boyfriend, Sebastian, shows up, Rufus doesn't think the night could get any worse, but little does he know, it's the turning point of the whole evening. After Rufus get a mysterious and strange call from his half-sister, April, pleading for his help, Rufus is so taken aback by the whole thing (due to the fact that he and his half-siblings don't have the best relationships, putting is mildly) he immediately leaves the party. Needing a ride, Rufus has to rely on the person who broke his heart mere weeks ago, the person that he's almost-but-not-quite over yet: Sebastian.

When they arrive at the party the scene is straight out of a horror movie with April unconscious next to her very dead and murdered boyfriend and looking like the guilty party. Rufus doesn't want to get involved any more than he already has, but April has something that Rufus desperately needs and in exchange, he agrees to get April off the hook. The problem: there were four other people at the party all who don't care a thing for Rufus and all who seem to have motives of their own. As Rufus makes himself a direct target of the killer, the only person he can trust is the same person who broke his trust: Sebastian.

White Rabbit is an extremely readable, smartly paced, YA mystery / thriller. This is the first book I've read by Caleb Roehrig but I found the writing style to be fantastic. The story starts off so abruptly that, at first, I was a little dissatisfied. I wanted a little more build up, but the author did a wonderful job of incorporating backstory via flashbacks into the narrative in the best possible way. These scenes are peppered throughout the more nail-biting and thrilling scenes giving the story a good balance and the readers room to breathe in between moments of high-anticipation. I loved the way the mystery builds upon itself with Rufus, simply enough, questioning the other people at the party. But it soon becomes apparent that secrets are being kept and watching how each unravels and seeing the impact is has (or not) on solving the murder mystery is interesting.

The only thing that got me was the way Rufus kept getting roped into investigating. I mean he's sixteen years old. He is by no means a licensed detective and every time the plot would twist and turn I kept thinking how much more trouble Rufus could get in. So I kinda had to suspend my disbelief and oftentimes remind myself that it's an entertaining story. I think if the characters were maybe just a little bit older this might have helped too, but I think that would have then contended with the relationship aspect of the story which is just as important as the murder mystery.

Rufus had been rudely outed a few years ago and was subjected to teasing and mocking and outright bullying by people who he thought were his friends. He survived and came out of it knowing who he was and not making excuses for other people's insecurities. He's got some good friends that stick by him. Sebastian, on the other hand, runs with the popular crowd (the very crowd that berated Rufus), he's an all-star in sports and has had an on again / off again relationship with one of the popular girls for years. He's attracted to Rufus but he's not "out" and after months of dating things end disastrously between Rufus and Sebastian. I liked that Caleb Roehrig incorporates the mending of the relationship all while Rufus and Sebastian are searching out a killer. I mean there's not better situation to bring things into perspective than a life-and-death situation. I really loved that throughout the whole story, Sebastian doesn't define himself as gay or straight or bi-sexual, etc. Whether he's not ready to define himself, or he just doesn't want to. It's a simple matter of one person liking / being attracted to another person. For me, it made the way things played out between them really sweet. With sixteen being such an age group of firsts: first love, first kiss, maybe even first sexual experience, I do think it was important that they weren't too much older despite thinking they were definitely too young to be the de facto investigators.

Overall, I was pretty impressed with White Rabbit. Taking place over the course of one evening really amps up the tension as the various twists and turns lead us to the explosive ending.

Rufus Holt’s fourth of July celebration has gone from boom to bust when his ex-boyfriend, Sabastian, turns up at the party wanting to talk. But Rufus just put his life back together after Sebastian stomped on his heart “like a spent cigarette.” But Rufus’ half-sister from the same mister calls him frantically begging him for help. Since he and April are the opposite of close, he finds the request odd but decides he can’t ignore her plea for help. Rufus and Sabastian find April passed out, holding a knife and covered in her boyfriend’s blood. April swears she didn’t kill her boyfriend and begs Rufus to help her find out what happened. He agrees after she offers him $2,000, money he desperately needs, to help clear her name before the night is over.
Roehrig’s mystery While the premise is exciting, I found the story tripping up on some important points. The first being that a lot of the beginning is being told to me, not shown. Rufus delivers a bunch of backstory that tired me out and put distance between me and the characters. I ended up putting the book down for two months before deciding to give it a second chance, and I’m glad I did. After all the backstory was told, the story stayed in the present action and then took off.
As the mystery unfolded, Roehrig offered clues, red herrings, and tried to eliminate characters as the killer as the story unfolded, but he missed the mark on making it a fair-play mystery. The means in which the characters were eliminated seemed unrealistic and were muddied by credulity, and left me questioning if I should really rule out the characters. It wasn’t until after the killer was exposed that I realized that yes, I was supposed to eliminate the characters based on what transpired on the page.
I enjoyed the push and pull of Rufus and Sebastian’s relationship and the insight into the complexity of a gay person’s self-identity, both before and after ‘coming out.’ While this mystery fell short of being a fair-play mystery and had a little too much telling at the beginning, I would still recommend this novel to young adults. It’s an intriguing adventure and serves to normalize gay relationships that should already be normalized in our society.

This book was so fun! If you can call a book about teens getting murdered fun. So maybe fun isn’t the right word? Either way, it is engrossing and pulls you in right from the start. It reminds me of Pretty Little Liars (you know, in the beginning when it was still good, sorry!) or Riverdale. A teen drama centered around a mysterious murder with the teenagers trying to solve everything.

It was so suspenseful and kept me guessing the entire book. Every time our main character, Rufus, would bring up a new theory I was all on board until it was proven wrong again. This is not one of those books where you guess who did it right away and then spend the rest of the time waiting for the characters to catch up. The answer to the mystery evades you until the big reveal when everything finally falls into place.

Aside from the mystery, this book has an adorable romance. I just fell in love with the characters and would love another book dedicated entirely to them navigating life after the murder ordeal. Overall this is a fantastic, un-put-downable mystery that you should definitely add to your TBR!

Thank you so much to Feiwel Friends and NetGalley for sending me a copy for review!

Characters are too thinly drawn and without enough distinguishing characteristics to make them wholly interesting. I appreciated the representation and the diversity, but just having a black protagonist or a gay protagonist or what have you doesn't make up for giving them personalities and stories.

I'm always looking for good mysteries for my library, and I'm always looking for stories that feature LGBTQ+ characters...so I was excited when this one had both.

Like Roehrig's [book:Last Seen Leaving|25036310], [book:White Rabbit|34499210] is more than just a mystery. Unfortunately, the pieces of this story just didn't feel like they fit together. It felt like the author had a really good idea for a mystery and a really good idea for an LGBTQ+ romance and decided to just smush them together. There's a lot of relationship flashbacks and enormous 180's in the romantic story line (though I did enjoy some of the drama there), and the mystery story line isn't particularity exciting--characters keep dying and there are few twists and turns...Rufus and Sebastian just keep driving around and talking to the same people over and over, who reveal tiny bits of information each time. I enjoyed the dynamic between the two boys, and I wish there was more Lucy--she is definitely a character who didn't get near enough page time. Just kind of underwhelming overall.

***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of WHITE RABBIT in exchange for my honest review.***

4.5 STARS

When Rufus’s half-sister April calls for his help, he doesn’t expect his ex Sebastian to offer a ride. Rufus REALLY doesn’t expect to find April passed out with a knife in her hand, next to her dead boyfriend. She swears she’s innocent and needs Rufus’s help to find the real killer. What could possibly go wrong?

WHITE RABBIT by Caleb Roehrig delightfully grabbed me from page one with Rufus’s sardonic voice, a plot that left me guessing and imperfect main characters I couldn’t help but embrace. Diversity fit seamlessly into the characters without being part of the storyline including race and mental illness. My only criticism is the minor characters, especially the bad guys, were a bit one-dimensional, so much so I couldn’t empathize with the killer(s)’ motives. April and Rufus’s dastardly father was particularly loathsome and cruel.

Roehrig’s writing never quit and the fast pace didn’t allow me to breathe. I highly recommend WHITE RABBIT to mystery and thriller lovers.

I've enjoyed both of Caleb Roehrig's books, and I'll purchase this one for my classroom library when it's released. I love that he features diverse characters and LGBTQIA+ characters without the plotline being centered on coming out - his characters are who they are, and it's not the sole defining factor of who they are (which is a request many of my LGBTQIA+ students are looking for in the books they read). The mystery in this one was strong, and although it was a little rushed (it had to be, with the entire book taking place in the span of 12 hours) but well-plotted out.

4.5 stars

TW: sexual assault, rape, homophobia, descriptions of violence, murder, drug use. 

White Rabbit is going to be the YA thriller of 2018. I'm calling it now. This murder mystery kept me on the very edge of my seat the entire time I read the book, and even up until the very end, I still had no idea who the killer was or how the book would conclude. A thriller in every sense of the word.

I'm not exaggerating when I say you won't see any part of White Rabbit coming. Just when you think you've figured out who the killer is, your theory is ripped apart and you have to sit there trying to figure out a new one all over again. 

White Rabbit is just so clever: the plot takes place over the course of one night, but nothing ever feels rushed. The protagonist, Rufus, is dragged from one dangerous situation to another as he investigates the murder of rich kid, and the prime suspect being his half-sister. Meanwhile, he's struggling with the fact that he and his mother may lose their home, while also spending the entire night with his ex-boyfriend who dumped him in a cruel way. We also get little flashbacks to the beginning of Rufus and Sebastian's relationship, which was one of the highlights of the books for me. There's a lot of going on plot-wise, but each issue is given enough page time, and nothing ever feels like too much.

I absolutely adored the characters, particularly the MC, Rufus. Rufus has so much on his plate, from worrying about his mother, to his horrible father intent on ruining them, to the bullying he deals with because he's gay, to his violent episodes.  He takes so much on his plate, and you can't help but feel for him, especially as the night progresses. His ex-boyfriend, Sebastian, was another character I loved, and trust me when I say you will ship these two like crazy. Sebastian is deeply closeted, and still struggles with what to label himself. The rest of the characters - all of whom are suspects -  are both loveable and hateful and (probably) guilty, but you can't help but like them. Well, at least I did. But my favourite character was Lucy, Rufus best friend, because she's supportive, loving, fun and incredibly positive.          

As the novel focuses on a murder mystery, the book still discusses some really important topics, including coming to terms with one's sexuality, understanding that it's ok if you don't have a label for yourself yet, thinking that bullying is just fun and games until you find yourself the victim, and what it's like being poor surrounded by rich teenagers. Roehrig talks about these issues in a frank, in-your-face manner - it's uncomfortable, but that's the point. Despite the fact that the book is about a murder, it also teaches some valuable lessons about bullying and privileged rich white kids.   

White Rabbit is such a compelling, unputdownable mystery novel. Everything about this novel, from the characters, to the story, to the writing, was remarkable. I highly recommend this intriguing book. You really won't know what hits you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go buy Caleb Roehrig's other mystery, Last Seen Leaving.

This was a did not finish for me. I had trouble getting into the story and it just didn't hold my interest like other books that share similar story lines. I'm sure this book has an audience, and I will gladly recommend it to students who are interested in murder mysteries.

I wasn't a fan of the dense prose and I had a hard time warming up to the characters, but the strength of the mystery kept me reading to the end. It's remarkable to see a teen murder-mystery-thriller with a gay couple at the center and I think having more genres that incorporate LGBT characters is important. Any fan of Pretty Little Liars and stories of that kind will eat this up.

3 1/2 stars

White Rabbit begins with our protagonist, Rufus, in the middle of an awkward conversation with his ex-boyfriend, Sebastian. After he gets a call from his estranged father's daughter (technically, his half sister), he is embroiled in a whodunnit, running around town, trying to figure out who set up his half sister for murder.

This book fits the YA thriller: a little bit of romance, suspense, creepy characters.. It all felt a bit rushed (it takes place in one night), and parts were also a little contrived. The repetitive "ex-boyfriend" and "sister" stuff was a little annoying, but overall, I would recommend this to my students. I was very excited to keep on reading to find out who the killer was. I didn't care so much about the Sebastian-Rufus stuff, but I enjoyed the mystery.

I knew I wasn't going to like this one from the very first page. Something about the author's writing just seems forced and inauthentic.

3.5 Stars
This is definitely a page-turner, one that will not only have you guessing until the very end, but also constantly pointing fingers thinking, “You did it! No you did it! Ahhh!! Who did it?!?!” Caleb Roehrig definitely has a talent for the mystery/thriller and while it may be hard to believe that all of this happens over the course of one night, I think that’s what ultimately makes it all the more thrilling (seriously, everything happens so fast). Throw in the complexities of teenage relationships, both romantic and familial, and you have a winner.

The book was okay. It wasn't the most well written but it also wasn't bad. But I thought the characters were just unlikable with maybe the exception of Rufus best friend Lucy. She was fine. Also the whole plot was a little all over the place? But it was an okay read. I saw it through to the end.

I received a free copy from NetGalley. A coming out, coming of age story, mixed with extreme family drama, and a lot of murder. Are parents really this absent in so many families?! It was a fast-paced page turner that I'm sure will be interesting to some teens but was filled with a lot of stereotypes and typical reactions.

Fun novel! I liked how it took place all in one night, even though that sort of hindered real development for the main character, Rufus. But Roehrig made WHITE RABBIT a suspenseful, engaging whodunnit book and it had a GREAT, authentic voice at its heart!

Rufus just wants one day of semi-fun, something he hasn’t had since his ex-boyfriend, Sebastian, wrecked his heart. But then, Rufus gets a call from his sister, April, saying she needs help, right at the time Sebastian finds him and asks to talk. Sebastian and Rufus rush to find April, but when they do, they get a shock: April is covered in blood with a knife in her hand and the body of her boyfriend, Fox, dead beside her. April promises them she didn’t do it and doesn’t know what happened. They strike a bargain to clear her name, and suddenly, Rufus is back in the company of his ex with a murder to solve…and all he wanted was a nice party on the Fourth of July.

WHITE RABBIT is already one of my top 2018 reads. The pace enters a break neck speed from the first page and doesn’t stop until the end. The whole story takes place in only a number of hours or a couple of days, and each second is used masterfully. The mystery plot has a fantastic build, and though I eventually suspected the right person, there were still plenty of twists and turns that left me gasping in surprise.

As well done as the mystery is, the personal relationships might even top that as my favorite part of the novel. Rufus and Sebastian’s relationship is filled with great romantic tension, and Rufus is immediately relatable in the beginning of the novel as a character who is struggling to get over a break up and just wants some peace and quiet. I also love the dynamic between Rufus and his family. He and his mom are close, which partially motivates him to help April out, as she offers much needed money for him in exchange. Moreover, April is a strong secondary character, equally frustrating and surprisingly kind at different moments.

Caleb Roehrig’s latest continues to support his status as a must-read author. WHITE RABBIT is a thrilling mystery with breathless pacing, swoony romance, and an incredible adventure.

White Rabbit was a heart-pounding mystery adventure. Throughout the book you are constantly questioning who committed the crime and what everyone was hiding. The last section of the book was especially intense and I couldn't read fast enough to find out what happens. The mystery aspect of the book was very engaging and satisfying. I loved that even though Rufus and Sebastian were working to figure out the case, they were still very sensible and considered the safety of the situations they were walking into. I really liked Rufus. I liked reading his commentary on what was going on and I felt for him when we learn more about his life and past experiences. I wish we got to see more of Rufus's friend Lucy. She was spectacular in all the scenes she was in and I liked the dynamic between her and Rufus. Overall, this was a really great mystery thriller and I'm looking forward to reading more of the author's work.

After spending a week figuring out what I really thought about this book, I've come to the conclusion that my feelings are going to remain mixed. White Rabbit is marketed as a young-adult thriller and I read a lot of young-adult novels AND a lot of thrillers but rarely come across a book combining the two. For me, the thriller aspect wasn't the best I've ever read but then I understand this book is still young-adult so the author can't get too dark. However, the young-adult aspect including two of our main characters being gay and bisexual was very well written.
We follow Rufus, a teenage boy going through your typical things - a rough breakup, a difficult home life and now added to the mix is a late night call from his sister telling him that she's done something bad and he needs to come quick. If that wasn't bad enough, he is joined by his ex, Sebastian - the same guy who dumped him a while before without so much as a text. What follows is a night filled with murder mystery as Rufus tries to find out what really happened. Despite all of the plot happening within one night (the night did seem awfully long), it didn't drag and there were constant twists and turns and a wide-range of characters. Between solving a murder, Rufus and Sebastian talk through their differences and their relationship which I did enjoy rather than it just being about the mystery. Rufus is a very believable character - being hard to trust and quick to anger.
Even getting towards the end, I wasn't sure who the killer was. The book kept you on the edge of your seat and despite the thriller not being mind-blowing, the characters more than made up for it. I'd definitely recommend this book if you are new to the thriller genre and interested in a character-driven story.

2.5 stars.

This was my second most anticipated release of next year (first being THE APOCALYPSE OF ELENA MENDOZA, which I've already read), but unfortunately, it just didn't work for me.

One word I have for this book is rushed . This whole book takes place in the span of less than 12 hours, so I found a hard time connecting with the story, or any of the characters for that matter, so therefore, I just didn't care about any of the deaths or the ending.

But what I did like was the diversity. This book features a gay male in a thriller who is also dating a black man, who is potentially, bisexual.

All in all, I wouldn't not recommend this one, I just think that my hopes for it were too high.