This was a very spooky YA thriller that was reminiscent of Five Survive by Holly Jackson - a bunch of teens stuck in the woods being hunted by a killer. I was actually spooked a decent amount of the time reading this book, so it was obviously well done. I enjoyed the characters, the plot, the tidbits of romance, and the twists. Very solid YA thriller!

*ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a wild ride. It keeps you guessing pretty much the entire time, I was desperately trying to unweave all the threads of the past and present to understand what really happened. The two girls grew up worlds apart but the past linked them forever in a way neither of them even realized until the crossed paths while looking for answers. I really liked how you almost couldn't trust anyone other than the two girls because so many unanswered questions made everyone look guilty. Both were smart to be wary of any and everyone including each other. I didn't particularly like how a cute boy was so distracting in the face of danger it was weird but the character acknowledged how odd her feelings were. There was a nice flow of information that kept me interested and wasn't just an info dump, you really have to pay attention to the past pov of the characters and remember things to tie into the present. I did figure out the who but still needed the why and how of everything. The ending epilogue was... interesting I don't really know what to think of it but I'm glad it cleared up the final piece. Overall I really enjoyed this book and had a fun time reading it.

Thank you Netgalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons publisher for an ARC in exchange for honest review.

Sixteen years ago, a tragedy befell Camp Lost Lake, marked by a series of murders. Reagan's mother was implicated in the crimes, prompting them to live life on the run . Now, Reagan returns to the camp with the mission to exonerate her mother. Meanwhile, Olivia's seemingly idyllic life shatters when she uncovers long-held family secrets regarding their ancestry. Convinced that Camp Lost Lake holds the truth, Olivia seeks answers, unaware that someone is determined to bury the past at any cost.

This was a fun read! I liked the concept of the story. At first the two POV’s were confusing but once Reagan and Olivia personalities showed it was easy to differentiate. I did guess a few twists but not all of them! The blend of romance while running from a murderer was funny but it’s YA. Some parts dragged a bit and could’ve been trimmed.The rushed ending left lingering questions about certain plot points but overall I would recommend the book.

I really enjoyed the dual POV of the characters as it allows for more story building and getting to know each person. The story was paced well, and I was HOOKED. I did guess some of the twists, but I was okay with it because the writing was good. It could be better as some things were cliche and very teenager-y but overall the book was good and I'd recommend it.

2.5 ⭐️ oooof I wasn’t expecting to not like this given the plot summary! This was an ARC on netgalley, so it isn’t out yet.

This is a prime example of a good idea but badly executed. It had so much potential! This was VERY ya. At first I was kind of liking the book, but then it just got really cringy. I usually like YA books, but this one I was skimming just to avoid reading the teenager dialogue. There was teens falling for people they only met an hour before, and three pages about them flirting about what they put in oatmeal 😅 I get maybe the author was trying to be inclusive, but it felt forced. We don’t need a love triangle in a less than 300 page murder book.

It was honestly like watching a bad horror slasher movie lol. I was about to give it 3 stars until the ending because I figured maybe I’m just too old for this book and younger audiences would love it. But that very end was ridiculous 🤣

I really wanted to read delicate condition by this author but now I’m nervous I won’t like it.

Even though I didn’t like this, I’m still thankful I was given the opportunity to read and review this early!

This takes place in a camp that's about to reopen, having been abandoned for years after brutal murders occurred, the killer never captured. It was a fast-paced, slasher-type young adult novel full of dumb decisions and all the clichés you can think of, giving it a more fun, campy vibe. I think it's because I am unfortunately older that I couldn't exactly connect with any certain character, although none were really all that likable either. That's not to say it wasn't good, especially if you're a fan of this type of story for which has a huge following. Three Stars.

Thank you, Netgalley and Penguin Young Readers Group, for this ARC.

Two sides to every murder. Infinite possibilities as to why.
Summer camp hosts games, sharing cabins with friends, fun at the lake, hikes in the woods, and archery at the field. Camp Lost Lake was exactly that camp, until the Witch of Lost Lake wreaked her havoc one summer day.
Sixteen years later, Camp Lost Lake is being resurreced back to life. After years of being closed, Andie D'Angeli is ready to clean up the camp and get it ready for a new set of campers. All in hopes the Witch of Lost Lake stays gone since the murders 16 years ago. A popular podcast brings the crime back to the spotlight, causing Lori Knight and her daughter, Reagan, to go on the run. Lori is thought to be the killer of her then-husband, her son, Matthew, and counselor, Gia North, who got something on camera. Soon after Olivia finds the camcorder, she and her friends are on the run from the Witch of Lost Lake. More murders, lies, and questions come to the surface as the teens try to get help and stay alive at the same time. Family secrets are revealed in this twisted account of bravery, fear, and family drama.

I'm not exaggerating when I say this is the twistiest thriller I've read so far. For being a YA novel, there was more domestic drama/tension than I had expected, which makes me think that it could be interesting to even readers who prefer adult thrillers. The only caveat being that there are moments when it veers into the Lifetime movie category, which is when its YA vibes may be too off-putting for some. Nevertheless, it's a fun read that's good for dreary, rainy days!

I was even more excited for this book after reading "How to Survive Your Murder" by @daniellevalentinebooks. Both books drew me in immediately and would not let me go until I finished them. Honestly, they still haven't let me go.

These are YA Murder mysteries, and sometimes I think YA gets judged too harshly. Both of these books were gripping, suspenseful, and Danielle Valentine is NOT afraid to brutally Murder a character for the sake of a twist or a jaw-dropping moment. Up until now, my favorite YA thriller author was Karen McManus, who I recommend to everyone, but I will absolutely be adding Danielle Valentine to that list.

This book has a web of lies that unravels all throughout the book and just like with "How to Survive Your Murder" Danielle Valentine throws an epilogue in there that leaves you with your jaw on the floor. I highly recommend checking this author out and pre-ordering this book for its June release.

Ate this book right up! There are many twists and turns and I found myself glued to my phone trying to finish this one. It’s an enjoyable and quick read!!

Thanks to Penguin Teen for sending me the ARC on NetGalley.
This was such a good book and it literally held my attention from the start! While reading it I had an hourlong roadtrip to the city, and not once did I take a break to scroll because it was just so good! I went to the city to visit family and could not put my book down at all while there! Which.. might be a bad thing, now that I think about it… Anyways, on the drive back home, I again kept reading and reading! And then when I got home I immediately sat on the couch and kept reading! And then I finished it. So, yeah, you should totally check out this book!

The mysteries were pretty obvious and I think the ya aspect put me off being a horror thriller I think it would have been more effective with adult characters. Some parts were enjoyable and left me guessing until the end but the parts that lull outweigh the excitement.

“She said that even strong people need to fall apart. And if you go too long without letting yourself do that, your body’s going to do it for you. We’re not made of stone.”

We follow two teenage girls who find themselves at the center of a chilling mystery. Olivia, who was born at the camp where a notorious murder took place, and Reagan, whose mother was accused of the crime, are both determined to uncover the truth. When Camp Lost Lake reopens and they start digging for answers, they soon realize that a killer is on the loose and danger lurks around every corner.

I enjoyed how we to experience the perspectives of both Olivia and Reagan and even got those flashbacks to the original Lost Lake murders from 16 years ago. I managed to guess a few of plot twists. Even though I had a hunch about what was coming, the overall pacing of the book still had me hooked and entertained. I felt like the inclusion of romance subplot didn’t need to happen as it took away from suspenseful moments in the story. I think the last twist at the end wasn’t needed.

This one was pretty satisfying as far as ya thrillers go. It gave the 80's horror/90's thriller/slasher vibes that I was hoping for. It had a great, satisfying ending. The twists were pretty good. The characters were vivid, the comedic relief moments were on point, and it had a good amount of build up and intensity. Definitely a recommended read for lovers of this genre!

"Two Sides to Every Murder" by Danielle Valentine delivers a gripping YA thriller experience with a captivating whodunnit plotline. The novel's dual perspectives, presented through the eyes of Olivia and Reagan, add depth to the narrative as they endeavor to unravel a mystery shrouded in secrets from 16 years prior. Valentine crafts a page-turner that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly flipping pages to uncover the truth. While some moments may be predictable, the overall journey is a delightfully engaging one. Fans of YA mysteries will find themselves thoroughly immersed in this tale of intrigue and suspense.

Two Sides to Every Murder by Danielle Valentine
Pub date: June 4, 2024

When three people are murdered at Camp Lost Lake in 2008, the killer, Lori Knight, escaped, never to be found. This is the same night that Olivia’s mother had her, right at this horrific murder scene.

Now, Andie, Olivia’s older sister is set on reviving the old camp despite its grim history. Meanwhile, Reagan, whose mother has always been on the run, forcing them to always be in hiding, is heading to Camp Lost Lake to clear her mother’s name.

This, my friends, is a recipe for disaster and someone out there doesn’t want the truth to come out. They’ll stop at nothing to make sure that the secrets of Camp Lost Lake stay buried even if that means more murder!

This is such a twisty YA thriller with a tense narrative and suspenseful creepy atmosphere! I loved that it was told by both Olivia and Reagan, along with the 2008 flashbacks, giving the story a unique perspective from both sides of the story!

Such a fun romp through the woods in this creepy camp setting, suspecting almost everyone of murder and being wrong every time! I love a story that can still shock me!

My thanks to Penguin Teen for this gifted copy to review!

Despite the limited intellect and bone deep selfishness of every single character, thos was genuinely a propulsive and super fun read.

3 ⭐️ // Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me with this ARC.
I loved the idea for the plot of this book - murder mystery, with twists and turns and a whole lot of suspense! I couldn’t put this book down and finished in 2 days. I enjoyed the camp setting, the twistyness of the story for the main characters, and the surprises along the way. However, the overall concept was so good, but the execution was a miss. Characters felt underdeveloped, plot points felt rushed, and the time setting of 2024 / 2008 didn’t work as well. Overall, good story, but wouldn’t recommend.

After enjoying How to Survive Your Murder last year, I knew I wanted to request Two Sides to Every Murder, Danielle Valentine's newest YA thriller.

This is a book you could read in one sitting. It's less than 300 pages, filled with action, and very fast-paced. It took me a minute to familiarize myself with the characters and their family trees. I will say the ending lost me at times as there were a few eye roll moments, but overall I had a fun reading experience. The last few pages also helped with some extra darkness added in that worked for me.

In general, YA can be hit or miss for me, and while being in the heads of these characters felt very high school, I didn't think the dialogue was too cheesy (my typical complaint). I felt like this was a great book to switch it up between some darker psychological thrillers on my TBR.

Both books I've read by Valentine have been so cinematic. They are fun yet bloody and intense. If you've watched Totally Killer with Kiernan Shipka (Amazon Prime), that's how I envision these stories as I'm reading.

Rating: I liked it a lot! (3.5 rounded to 4)

Abandoned Camp. Secret Twins. Bow and arrow murders. Two Sides to Every Murder has a promising set up and premise.

Reagan goes to Camp Lost Lake to prove her mom did not commit the camp murders 16 years ago; Olivia is just there to help her older sister clean up the camp. Olivia has just learned that her dad isn't her dad and she has questions. Reagan and Olivia run into each other while running from the bow and arrow wielding Witch of Camp Lost Lake and it is immediately clear that they are identical twins. Family secrets are revealed and not one but TWO murderers is unmasked (I'm not even a little sorry about that pun.)

Overall, Two Sides to Every Murder delivered the suspense and thrills! The pacing was excellent and the cast was the just right size. As I was reading, I did not want to put it down (seriously, I almost called out of work to keep reading) and when I wasn't reading, my mind kept drifting back to the story. This was a fun ride and I really liked all of the characters. I highly recommend Two Sides to Every Murder!