This one has great pacing and is full of twists and turns: my disappointment being that I saw a lot of them coming and that left me a little let down.

4/5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers, and Vincent Ralph for allowing me to read and review this book.

They release their secrets into the dark, but now their secrets are coming back to haunt them. Our main character is a former child star, with secrets that even his best friend doesn't know. Several friends go into a shack in the woods every year on Halloween night to tell their secrets to the dark. However, someone knows their secrets, and now they are blackmailing all of them. Who can you trust? Who is watching?

I really enjoyed this book. There were twists and turns everywhere. You never know who to trust. Everyone has a secret and you learn them as the main character does. The book is well written, and the characters are all interesting. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes figuring out everything as the main character does.

Secrets Never Die by Vincent Ralph dives into the psychological thriller genre with a gripping premise centered around buried secrets and past traumas. The story follows Sam Hall, a former child star, and his friends who hold an annual ritual in an abandoned hut called the Dark Place, where they metaphorically bury their secrets. This year, however, the stakes are higher as someone from their past threatens to expose their darkest truths.

Ralph crafts an intriguing narrative with a dark and atmospheric setting that enhances the suspense. The idea of secrets taking on a life of their own adds a chilling layer to the plot. The characters, particularly Sam, are complex and their backstories add depth to the unfolding mystery. While the plot is engaging and the tension builds effectively, the resolution feels somewhat predictable. The pacing, at times, slows down as the narrative delves into character backstories, which might detract from the overall suspense. Nevertheless, Secrets Never Die is a compelling read with a strong sense of mystery and psychological depth, making it a solid thriller for fans of the genre.

2.5 stars

I just didn't jive with this. For most of it I didn't care for or about the main characters, however I did like the reveals at the end but it was almost a case of too little too late. It was ok but I wanted more thriller aspect.

I will provide my full review of Secrets Never Die by Vincent Ralph to my socials once the St. Martins Press boycott has been resolved. In place, I will provide a full 5 stars in respect to the author.

this book was the perfect fall read! It was super fast-paced and had short chapters that made it seem to go by even faster. I really enjoyed the eerie setting and how it took place on Halloween. The twists and turns were the best touch and kept me guessing the whole time. The only thing I didn't enjoy was how I wasn't able to connect with the characters. They seemed a little surface-level. This aside I still really enjoyed this one.

This is a nice twisty young adult thriller that hits all the points. It was a good read with very good pacing.

Every October, a party is held by friends, attended by many, parent approved activities, and the perfect mask for a ritual in the deep woods behind the house. While everyone is enjoying the party, Sam and his friends gather in a secret spot, a spot to bury their secrets, secrets that once left, will be dead forever. Or will they be? Leaving their secrets behind comes with the belief that no one else will know and no one will ever know what's left behind. When their secrets start coming back to them, it's clear that someone else or something else didn't let their secrets lie. Friends start suspecting each other, and at the same time, the blackmail messages start arriving. This story is chock full of family secrets, surprising backstories, and learning what friendships mean and what they become.

In a quaint town called Hayschurch, former child star Sam and his tight-knit group of friends engage in an annual Halloween tradition: sharing their deepest secrets in an old hut nestled within the woods. This year, however, their cathartic ritual takes a terrifying turn when an unknown figure begins to exploit their confessions, unleashing a series of sinister acts upon each member. From blood-filled eggs pelting the hut to menacing texts and eerie surveillance, the friends find themselves plunged into a harrowing game orchestrated by their enigmatic tormentor. As they race to uncover the identity behind the mask and the motive driving their torment, they unearth chilling connections to a dark past that stretches far beyond their own lifetimes. Set against a backdrop rich with British ambiance, this riveting thriller delves into the complexities of friendship, betrayal, and the perilous consequences of buried truths. Amidst the adrenaline-fueled chase, questions linger: are the secrets of these teens truly worth the lengths they go to protect them?

The tension escalates with each twist and turn, propelling readers through a gripping tale of suspense and intrigue. Short, pulse-pounding chapters and an unforeseen conclusion ensure a captivating and brisk reading experience. For readers of spine-tingling thrillers and the allure of uncovering small-town secrets, this book promises to keep them enthralled long into the night.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of <i>Secrets Never Die</i> in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

<h4 style="margin-top: 84px;">The Gist</h4>

<i>Secrets Never Die</i> by Vincent Ralph is a lackluster thriller that fails to deliver on its promise of suspense and intrigue.

<h4>The Details</h4>

One of the main issues with the novel is its predictable plot. From the outset, the twists and turns of the story feel telegraphed, robbing the narrative of any real tension or surprise. Instead of keeping readers guessing, <i>Secrets Never Die</i> follows a formulaic path, with the resolution feeling inevitable from early on. To use a clichéd term, the author kept circling back to the secrets and the guilt one of the characters feels, yet we never get any closer to finding out what this secret is. Keeping the truth just outside of the reader’s reach for so long and keep egging them on became very old very quickly.

Furthermore, the characters in the novel are thinly drawn and lack depth. The protagonist comes across as a generic archetype rather than a fully realized individual. This makes it difficult for readers to empathize with their struggles or root for their success. Supporting characters fare no better, with motivations that feel contrived and unconvincing.

The writing style in <i>Secrets Never Die</i> also leaves much to be desired. While the prose is serviceable, it lacks the elegance and finesse needed to truly elevate the story. Dialogue often feels forced and unnatural, hindering the development of meaningful connections between characters.

Additionally, the pacing of the novel is inconsistent, with long stretches of exposition and backstory bogging down the narrative. Scenes that should be filled with tension and excitement are instead mired in unnecessary detail, making it difficult for readers to stay engaged with the story.

<h4>The Verdict</h4>

Overall, <i>Secrets Never Die</i> is a disappointing thriller that fails to live up to its potential. With its predictable plot, underdeveloped characters, and uneven pacing, the novel struggles to hold the reader's interest. While it may appeal to fans of the genre looking for a quick read, those seeking a more gripping and immersive thriller would be better off looking elsewhere.

I can't wait for each new book that Vincent Ralph writes. Secrets Never Die was very twisted. It was a thrill ride from beginning to end. Fast paced, quick chapters.

Every Halloween Sam and his group of friends gather in the forest to whisper their sins to "The Dark Place", an abandoned hut in the woods. This year, they are interrupted when someone throws eggshells filled with blood at their meet up spot. The next day, each of them receive a text message from Sasha Craven, blackmailing them with the knowledge of their darkest secrets.

I found this to be an extremely average thriller. I usually read thrillers pretty quickly, but this one took me a bit of time. I liked the fast-pace and short chapters, but overall I didn't think that the twists were that exciting. At times I found it a bit hard to keep track of who was who. The majority of the characters were very one-dimensional, and unremarkable. I wish that we had gotten more POVs from other characters other then Sam, as I think that would have given us more insight and details into the other character's lives. I wasn't able to guess who the culprit was, but I found it to be a bit anti-climatic in the end, hence the 3 star rating.

Free ebook, review is my own.

This was an interesting YA thriller. Entertaining enough but I think I was not the right audience for this story. Action packed but a story line I have read too many times before. Good for YA readers/intro to thriller. The secrets were good and life changing to the individuals but they didnt hold water for it to be so ritualistic for the kids to feel compelled to do it yearly.

A quick paced, dark YA Psychological Thriller sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. This one kept me thinking the whole time, and I had no clue who the culprit was. I loved the questionable reliability of the narrators, and how the plot unfolds. The Dark Place is an incredibly unique concept too.

Oh, I got really into this one. It wasn't super scary or anything like that. But it was really intriguing and it did keep me guessing the whole time. Usually, I try to guess who it is and whats happening. But things twisted and turned so much that I eventually gave up and just enjoyed the ride.

A good book filled with shocking revelations, deceit, lies, and many twists and turns. I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. I recommend this one.

I've read a book by Vincent Ralph before which I enjoyed, so this one disappointed me a little bit. It was a quick read, but I felt underwhelmed by the resolution and the reveals. The characters felt very one-dimensional and I wasn't rooting for any of them. I did want to find out what everyone was hiding, but always felt let down when I did. Maybe this is more for teens and less for young adults. I think I would've enjoyed this so much more had I been a few years younger.

Absolutely captivating read! This book kept me hooked from start to finish. The characters were well-developed, the plot was engaging, and the writing style was simply superb. A definite must-read for anyone looking for a thrilling adventure!

This was a fast paced read with short chapters (win). I think it was a good thriller for YA, with lots of twists. I think it was a little too YA for me personally but I think it would make a great read for teens!

Thank you Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the arc!

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's/Wednesday Books for providing me with an early copy of this book. Below is my honest review.

Secrets Never Die by Vincent Ralph was a YA mystery / horror book that didn't disappoint. This fast pace book kept my attention from start to finished. I was constantly thinking and guessing about what would happen next. The writing style was wonderful and I loved how I was able to visualize the story so well. I also loved how short the chapters were. Being short allowed me to justify reading "just one more" chapter that always led me to more than one.

This was my first book by Vincent Ralph and it definitely won't be my last. I highly recommend this book. I rated this 5 stars!