I forgot to leave a review for this, but I really enjoyed it! It's been out for ages, so I won't say much more than I need to for my star rating. <3

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I'm disappointed it took me so long to get around to reading this book because I thoroughly enjoyed it and devoured it in a matter of about two days (as I had been going through a significant reading slump not too long ago, I will count that as a huge win). This was a solid, well plotted mystery that had excellent dialogue and three-dimensional, realistically flawed characters. There were certain twists to this mystery that I didn't necessarily see coming, which I always love, as I pride myself on my skills at predicting whodunnit and seeing twists coming, so when I'm surprised, it always delights me. I also liked the way this book tackled complex social issues like racism, blackfishing, blackface, and biphobia in a nuanced, sensitive way without coming off as overly "after-school special". Overall, a very fun read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

Honestly, I didn’t vibe with this book. I didn’t like the characters at all. At times I was getting so annoyed with them. and I wanted to stop reading, but I had to keep reading because I already started it.

I couldn’t get enough of Everyone’s Thinking It. The title alone screams mean girl and definitely gave me flashbacks to childhood. I have been loving YA Thrillers and I’m happy to come across another BIPOC author in this genre. She covered so many social issues from bullying, racism & colorism and who doesn’t like a mystery?! Plus the writing is chefs kiss. Look forward to reading more from Aleema.

Okay, this had me at "the space created by queer women of color writing their passions and experiences." Like my fellow reviewers, I loved the author's voice and also appreciate how she frames the story. I look forward to more from Omotoni!

LOVE the voice in this one. Definitely recommending to friends and colleagues. Omotoni is definitely a fresh new voice in the suspense space!

Sadly due to some unfortunate events that took place I was unable to read this before the archive date. However I do look forward to purchasing the book because of course I still want to dive in to the story.

I really wanted to love this book however I thought the plot was ill-developed. There wasnt a real mystery or investigation element, and it didn't hold my attention. I wish there was more of a relationship between the two cousin's on the cover, and I liked the Nigerian elements.

- thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc to review!

- a thrilling story with twists galore, a cast to root for, and commentary well executed. Omotoni is a brilliant author with beautiful prose and storytelling, and i cannot wait to read her other works in the future, as this book was a delight to devour.

Just by looking at the cover I thought this was going to be a historical fiction novel. But turns out it’s a YA novel filled with rumors, secrets that will puncture your reputation, blatant racism, fake friends, a little romance, and a dash of mystery. It was the perfect combination for a world-wind of drama and choas while also posing the question “How much are you willing to give at the cost of fitting in?”

It all starts when photos taken by Iyanu are stolen and sent out to everyone around school with juicy messages on the back. Some secrets revealed were true and the others were lies. Either way the whole school thinks Iyanu is behind it making her even more of an outcast than she was before. To make matters worse her cousin Kitan isn’t on her side and believes she did it too. While everyone is so desperate to uncover the truth behind the stolen photos they don’t realize exposing the truth might change their friendships forever.

This book will definitely give off a Mean Girls vibe cause Kitan’s bestfriend Heather was definitely Regina George and the things she did were completely unacceptable. Let’s just say she let finding out she had 0.0007% of black in her blood go straight to her head. Then we have Sarah who was never a true friend to Kitan to begin with IYKYK!!! The beginning was also a slow-burn but once the pace picks up you’re sucked in by all the drama.

The character development was complex and perfectly executed. Iyanu was one of my favorite characters because she stood on business PERIODT. I was waiting for her to check Heather. The creativity and vividness in the authors writing made it easy to put a face with all the characters. I did enjoy the dual POVs we were given from both Iyanu and Kitan. It allowed us a glimpse into the different lives they both live during school and with their families.

Overall, I enjoyed the book with all the twists and turns. The mystery behind who leaked the photos did drag a bit. But once the truth was revealed and the reasoning I was like girl you could’ve took that L instead of messing up people reputations to save your own. Special thanks to the author & @balzerandbray for my gifted copy!!!

Everyone’s Thinking It is a dramatic book about a school where everyone’s secrets are leaked one day!!

Iyanu is on the outskirts of the social pyramid, but she does a lot of event photography for the school. They have a matchmaking event where she takes photos of every attendee… and after the weekend, she comes into school and everyone is glaring at her. Turns out her negatives from that night got developed, each person’s photo had a secret of theirs written on the back, and then they were set loose in the school...

Kitan is Iyanu’s cousin, but they don’t associate, because Kitan’s in with the popular crowd. Yes, queen bee Heather’s daily makeup look is basically blackface, but Kitan think it’s still preferable to being a nobody. So when the secrets come out, she and her friends are in the spotlight.

Both girls have good reason to find out who leaked the secrets. They both start their own little investigations, but of course in the end it’s better to work together.

Everyone’s Thinking It is a drama, but it’s also a story of belonging, a little romance, and the important of having a supportive group of friends. Lots of queer rep, too :) It was a lot of fun to read!!

Everyone's Thinking It manages to examine racism and secrets within this Ace of Spades like mystery. It's about our secrets and desires being showcased. The opportunity for our own revelations robbed from us. In this dual POV story, Omotoni examines what we will do to fit in, to stay at the top, do what we think makes us safe. What happens when what we would do disappears? The places we hide which turn into rooms with double sided mirrors.

Well this book lured me in the easiest way a book can: by putting Black girls on the cover! So I was already on board and excited to read this and then I learned it was a thriller and I was even more hype. I'm just really loving this era of Black girls starring in thrillers/horrors/mysteries and I will honestly read anything with a Black girl in one of those genres. This one, I'm glad to say really lived up to my expectations. I enjoyed the slow burn of it and the hints we got along the way. It made me paranoid and nervous which is always the best way to feel when reading this genre. The characters were good and I was rooting for our main girlies the whole time. The twist was pretty good as well! I did guess it before it was revealed, but that didn't bother me so much! Overall, this was a really great read and I'm excited to read from this author in the future!

I liked this despite the plot dragging a little in the middle. These were really well written teens that held my interest.

This really did feel like a mean girls but it was so good. I am so glad I won it as a giveaway because I probably wouldn't have picked it up otherwise. Thank you!

"Everyone’s Thinking It" immerses readers in the intricate lives of two black cousins, Iyanu and Kitan, who grapple with their identities while navigating the challenges of an exclusive, predominantly white boarding school. The story unveils a stark dichotomy as Kitan effortlessly ingratiates herself with the popular clique, while Iyanu is left on the fringes of the social landscape.

However, the plot takes a dramatic twist during a matchmaking event when a clandestine scandal erupts, punctuated by the release of intimate photographs and a vicious personal attack. The fallout casts a dark cloud over the school community, and suspicions coalesce around Iyanu as the prime suspect. What ensues is an enthralling journey spanning a week, a gripping quest to unveil the true culprit responsible for the damaging leaks, while the characters grapple with complex issues of identity, belonging, and the harsh realities of systemic prejudice.

The narrative's profound impact is further heightened by the author's skillful exploration of vital themes, including racism, sexism, white privilege, blackface, and biphobia. The relentless pursuit to uncover the perpetrator's identity maintains an unrelenting grip on the reader's curiosity. While I harbored my own suspicions throughout, the book's climactic revelations delivered a shocking twist that left me spellbound.

At the heart of the story is the resilient and deeply relatable character, Iyanu. Her predicament, compounded by the betrayals of her own cousin, elicits profound empathy. Iyanu's unyielding spirit and unwavering commitment to speaking her truth in the face of adversity make her a compelling and inspiring protagonist. Readers can't help but champion her as they follow her journey, hoping for a triumphant resolution to her struggles.

Though the story ultimately captivates, it does take some time to build momentum, only achieving its full, electrifying potential when the controversial photos come into play. The conclusion, while not conforming to conventional expectations, deftly underscores the pervasive theme of white privilege that underscores the characters' experiences.

In sum, "Everyone’s Thinking It" stands as a compelling and thought-provoking narrative that delves into the complexities of race, identity, and social dynamics. Aleema Omotoni's skillful storytelling sets a high bar, leaving readers eager for her future literary endeavors.

This is great for Gossip Girl vibes in a book that deals with themes like racism (and particularly blackfishing/blackface) and sexuality (and particularly biphobia) where the central focus is secrets getting out and causing trouble. I had some trouble getting into this at first, especially because of the large cast of characters, but I ended up really enjoying it. This is the author's debut, and I will definitely keep an eye out for anything she writes next.

This was so thought-provoking as well as very engaging. I love the complexity shown in the characters and situations. I hope more people will find this book and read it.

This one was a little bit of a slow start for me. Feel like I saw the "twist" coming, but still a good read. Liked the teen elements it addressed, like bullying etc.