Thank you to the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review; unfortunately, this did not work out for me. I couldn’t connect to the story or the characters and had a hard time wanting to pick it up. I think this would be an interesting thriller for very young YA. It didn’t feel developed enough and lacked expiation in a lot of ways.

this was honestly a bit of a let down. I loved the characters. It’s not said explicitly but the main character felt very autistic coded which I enjoyed! But the mystery which is the whole focus of the book was just so … meh. Nothing about it felt twisty or gripping. The entire investigation it feels like, they have no leads whatsoever and are just grasping at straws until they literally stumble upon the truth in the end. It kind of feels like the author spent so much time making sure these characters had fun personalities but then was hesitant to actually make the mystery interesting. I still rate it rather high for the circumstances because I liked the characters and their chemistry so much but man do I wish there would’ve been an actual mystery at hand.

This was a really weird one too. For it to be a mystery, it started off really weird. It took forever to get going. She was trying to be a journalist which meant she was following the case, but I think it would have made it infintely more exciting if she was trying to be a detective.

Ok so for one, I think the biggest thing in the book was the mystery. It was……in short….. not good. And not because of the way it ended. Well kind of. It’s never really explained. And when it is, its done in a mass info dump setting. I hate when authors do this. I usually miss a detail that way. And the person that “did it” was terrible. (If you want spoilers, message me) Idk what made them end this like this.

The characters were all quirky which I did love. I very much wanted to see the two of them find love, but I also really didn’t understand why it was in the book in the first place. It didn’t actually need it. They could have been friends and left it at that. But I understand that there needed to be some filler, but I’m just saying it could have gone a lot of different ways instead.

The plot of this was dumb tho. I don’t actually like books with teacher plots. They always reveal some weird thing about the teacher and the student. And although this one doesn’t have it, she did make some weird questionable choices. I don’t really get why she did these things and didn’t actually make a big deal about it. I’m sorry, its 2024… She had to know that this was something that could get her in trouble.

I’m a little disappointed because I was assuming this was going to be like Truly Devious. But it wasn’t. Yeah she was awkward af, but that was it. I hate when these comparisons give me something to get excited for and then it doesn’t deliver. This is not something I normally would have dropped everything for at all. It was too innocent for this coolness that is this cover. I DID like the use of the podcast and social media tho. I know people hate it and say it dates the book, but I love it. I guess because teens actually do this. They really are out here trying to make it big via a podcast.

In this story, we follow our main character Posey as she has moved to a small town after living in San Fransico. We follow her as she joins the local school's AV Club. One day their club advisor goes missing and things seem a miss and the club decides to investigate their teacher's disappearance.

This was a fun read because it was so fast-paced and kept me on the edge of my seat. I will say that as an adult reader, some things annoyed me like Posey's dad being a reporter who is "always gone" so Posey can do all of these things that a normal teenager would not. I also thought that the male lead Sal who was living out of his van was portrayed well. I believe that the reveal was one that I did see coming but also that it was done well for the age group in which this book is intended.

I hope that this is going to be a series because I would love to see more of these characters and what they do going forward.

I want to say thank you to NetGalley and HarperTeen for allowing me to read this ARC.

Just like the last sentence in this dynamite mystery, I hope that If You Can Hear This is just the beginning of what would be a knock-out YA series. From the endearing motley crew of teen wannabe journalists to the smoothly unfurling tale behind what happened to Ms. Moses, I quickly lost track of time as I got caught up in the words. The fact that I fell in love with Ms. Gardner’s book came as no big surprise, however. After all, she’s easily become one of my favorite authors following my love of her last adult thriller, Like It Never Was, which is one book that I can’t recommend strongly enough to anyone reading this review.

While geared more towards the younger frame of young adult readers, even this adult got plenty from the plot. With a found family vibe, realistic dialogue, and a clear sense of place, the words thrummed into my soul like only a really special book can. The absolute best piece of the puzzle, however, was the eccentric protagonist. Posey was likeable, clever, and yet also utterly black-and-white. Set against her soon-to-be friends, her character arc was truly impressive. And as for the rest of these wily teens? Well, their distinct identities and wide range of personalities only made the book sing in the most delightful of ways. All together? It made for a stellar example of masterful character creation no ifs, ands, or buts.

All in all, from its giggle-worthy humor to the mixed media format, this book was well-written and felt wholly immersive. And while there wasn’t a particularly shocking twist considering the potential direction of the plot, I still didn’t have even an iota of a glimpse of the truth before the final timely reveal. So if you love a good cozy-ish mystery along the vein ofI Killed Zoe Spanos, you’ll probably fall in love with this one just as much as this mystery/thriller fanatic. Just don’t expect any truly disturbing topics or adrenaline-pumping action. Do expect, however, one altogether rollicking good time. Rating of 4.5 stars.

Thank you to Faith Gardner, Harper Books, and NetGalley for my complimentary physical and digital copies. All opinions are my own.

If You Can Hear This by Faith Gardner tells the story of Wild Pines High AV club on their search for their missing teacher. When Posey moves to Wild Pines all she wants from this fresh start is to fit in, make friends and focus on journalism. Once she finds out there is no school paper, she decides to join Wild Pines High AV club , which is a club formed under the sponsorship of professor Ms Moses. As soon as Posey joins the club she sees that this club might not be what she wanted, however when Ms Moses goes missing she pursues her fellow club members (Sal, Yash, Athena, Lexy, and Jeremiah) to form Wild Pines Buzz. Wild Pines Buzz is a Youtube Channel with 5 minute videos where the AV club report their findings from their search for their missing teacher.

To be honest I did not think I might enjoy this book as much as it was YA and I have recently not read as many YA books, but I am so glad I read this as I truly enjoyed this book and could see the comparisons with 'A Good Girl's Guide to Murder'.

I liked how the story surrounded on Posey and her leading the club, along with Sal, on their search for Ms Moses and then shaping the videos for their Youtube Channel. I found that the characters were very well developed and their vulnerability shown, as these were still high school kids. The way the relationship between the club members developed with each chapter was also very endearing.

The only negative for me is that the ending felt a bit rushed, leaving it all to the last 2 chapters but overall, I did enjoy this book.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for this ARC in exchange of an honest review.

Posey Spade, who has dreams of being a journalist like her father, has just moved to Wild Pines. Being a new student at a new school is hard but she is determined to make the most of it. She joined the AV Club in hopes of doing some journalism at her new school, but finds the club is full of slackers and those who want to watch movies to pass the time. After their teacher goes missing, Posey and her fellow AV club members decide to investigate her disappearance and set about to learn the truth!

If You Can Hear Thisis a YA book that on the surface is about students seeking answers about their missing teacher but it is much, much, more. I enjoyed watching as the club members began to share and be vulnerable with each other. How they found a purpose and in doing so made friends, grew in confidence, used teamwork, and learned about their community.

I thought Faith Gardner did a great job in drawing her characters. The teens in this book felt real and I am sure that YA readers will relate to one or more of the characters. I enjoyed the writing and the well thought out mystery.

Well written, mysterious, and engaging.

3.5 stars rounded up

This book was slow to get me hooked, The mystery did pick up a third of the way through and I finished in a day. I wasn't a fan of Posey at the beginning, but I came to understand her better believing that she is ND without her stating that. It read as a mid age YA book, minus all of the F-bombs used. Ending felt rushed..38 chapters of build up and then boom they have an idea and all is solved? A handful of subplots were introduced but then never wrapped up.

Overall it hit all of the standard YA mystery beats and it reminded me of Jessica Goodman books.

Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

I have enjoyed books by Faith so I was very excited for this one and it did not disappoint me. I loved how the mystery and secrets unfolded throughout and Posey really grew on me the more we got to know her.

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC of if you can hear this. I was a little unsure if I would enjoy this book early on but it really grew on me. It has a similar vibe to a good girl's guide to murder but with more friendship. Posey is a little bit of a strange protagonist but I warmed up to her. It's definitely a YA mystery and if you don't like YA this isn’t the book for you. I do wish we could’ve explored more than romance storyline between Posey and Sal but I’m ok with how it ended.

The idea of this was intriguing but the execution of said idea was less than ideal. I found the main character to be hard to deal with--I just found her annoying, to be blunt. I think that Posey was supposed to be neurodivergent, and as an ND person I welcome the representation but I wish that her hard black and white thinking had been challenged a bit. Outside of the characters, the actual plot was not my favorite. The investigation, the conversations, the plot lines that showed up and went nowhere, the ending--I didn't vibe with it. The side investigation into the teacher-turned-parent felt bizarre. I don't know. I just didn't enjoy this, and reading it felt like a punishment.

Short and Sweet Review

Posey and her father just moved to the small town of Wild Pines. Posey immediately knows she wants to join the high schools AV Club, what she didn’t realize is that the other members of the club aren’t as motivated as she is. When the club’s sponsor Ms. Moses goes missing, Posey sees this as her chance to lead the other members of the club to make groundbreaking news and find their teacher.

This book had a great concept but failed at execution. Posey is our main character and she’s determined to get things done, she comes in a bit hot and ready to throw out ideas, but she doesn’t know any of the other members of the club to come in like their leader. There’s five other members of the AV club and the most important one is Sal because he’s actually their leader. I feel like the rest of the members of the AV club were just their so it could seem like it was a club that had members, they’re in the book but don’t really add anything important. Sal on the other hand is a romantic interest for Posey but the sparks were not flying off the page and there were times when Posey thought he was a suspect. There were rumors going around the school that Sal and Ms. Moses were too close but once we figure out she’s just one of those teachers who cares about her students at an above and beyond level it made sense. When the AV club starts making content about Ms. Moses going missing it starts making waves in this small town. I enjoyed reading the transcripts and seeing the comments on their videos. I don’t want to spoil anything but what happened at the end just isn’t possible, I even did my own research and it’s just not happening. I feel like the ending was okay and some of the side plots weren’t completely answered.

Overall, this was an okay book. I love mysteries but I think when I read the ending I was just upset at the outcome it also didn’t seem like there was an urgency at finding their teacher but more of an emphasis on making content. I personally didn’t enjoy this book as I went into it thinking I would have, but I can see people liking this book and looking past the issues I had with it.

Posey Spade, a budding journalist, moves to a small town where she must inspire a group of misfit students in the AV Club to investigate the mysterious disappearance of their teacher. As they unravel the town's secrets, Posey learns the importance of friendship and teamwork in solving a dangerous mystery.

This book is definitely geared towards a teenage audience, but I found it to be quite enjoyable. The writing was well-crafted, and the characters were not only likable but also quite clever. Each character was well-developed and displayed a level of intelligence beyond their years. This was a refreshing change from the typical Young Adult novels that tend to focus on drama and simplicity.

The plot of the book was intricately woven and slowly revealed, keeping me engaged throughout. I found it particularly frustrating when Posey and the AV club attempted to intervene, only to receive no support from the authorities, leading to an unexpected outcome.

I have noticed that this book has received mixed reviews, but personally, I found it to be quite engaging. The book cover is also quite appealing. The narrative, plot, and resolution were all enjoyable, and I highly recommend giving this book a chance. If Teen YA novels are not typically your preference, you may not enjoy this book, but I usually steer clear of them myself and am glad I gave this one a chance. I am looking forward more work from this author.

Thank you, HarperCollins Children's Books | HarperCollins for digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Release: Nov 18, 2024

Publisher: Harper Collins

Rating: 4/5 ★

If You Can Hear This by Faith Gardner is a compelling story about a young protagonist who must piece their life back together after a traumatic event changes everything. As they navigate feelings of isolation and confront challenges in their relationships, the journey becomes one of self-discovery and resilience. The novel touches on themes of trauma, healing, and finding one’s voice, blending moments of struggle with hope and the power of connection.

If You Can Hear This by Faith Gardner is an emotionally resonant novel that explores trauma, identity, and the struggle to reclaim one’s voice. The story follows the protagonist as they navigate the aftermath of a life-altering incident, dealing with feelings of isolation, the complexity of relationships, and the weight of rebuilding a sense of normalcy.

Gardner’s writing is raw and heartfelt, effectively capturing the protagonist’s inner turmoil and gradual journey toward healing. The characters are deeply layered, showcasing both flaws and strengths that make them relatable and compelling. The novel does an excellent job portraying themes of resilience and the power of human connection, creating an inspiring and thought-provoking narrative.

One of the strengths of this book is Gardner’s ability to write authentically about heavy topics, balancing moments of darkness with hope. The plot is paced thoughtfully, allowing readers to fully absorb the emotional depth of each chapter without feeling overwhelmed.

Overall, If You Can Hear This is a powerful read that will resonate with anyone who has faced difficult challenges or sought to find their voice after hardship. It’s a story of hope and recovery that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

Favorite Quote:

"we're all just stories. But we don't get to choose which one we're born into"

If You Can Hear This by Faith Gardner is a Young Adult Mystery & Thriller novel about a high school AV Club and the search of their teacher who is missing. The expected publication date of this book is November 19, 2024. I'd like to thank NetGalley for sending me an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

Overall, I can say that I really enjoyed the storyline. It reminded me of the Point Horror Books of the 1980's and 1990's and followed a similar formula. There were plenty of suspects and motives throughout but was a bit predictable.

Additionally, I liked that the author had a diverse group of characters in the book, including two or three from the LGTBQ+ community, a couple that were people of color, and one that had a mental illness. I think it's important to include a diverse group of characters so that everyone has a book to read that depicts someone like them as well as educating others on people who are different from them.

What surprised me the most is that the school newspaper was disbanded and that there was actually an AV Club. I'd think that it would've been called something more updated like the Multimedia Club or having a school television show. Do kids these days even know what an AV Club is? I know that the television show Stranger Things might have brought some light to these type of clubs, but I don't know if that would be enough for it to be relatable to kids and teens today.

Four out of five stars is what I gave If You Can Hear This by Faith Gardner. It's great for tweens and teens as I think they will find certain situations relatable. Adults who like to read YA should enjoy this book for the nostalgic features.

3 stars!

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I didn't like Posey at first, and that colored my initial perception of the novel as a whole. But she grew on me. She was earnest and ambitious and I ended up loving her, and the rest of the AV Club, by the end of the novel. The mystery itself was solid, and the reveal was great. I didn't see it coming at all and it really worked for me.

Solid 3 stars, would def recommend if you like YA mysteries being solved by a fun friend group!

This is definitely a YA book, so be warned if you plan to read it. Overall it's a decent mystery for that age group, but I don't think it will connect with adults as well as it will connect with teens.

If you liked A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, you'll probably enjoy this one as long as you don't compare them too closely because they are very similar. The characters are engaging and the storyline will appeal to its intended audience. We need more cozy type mysteries for YA readers with likable characters.

1.5⭐️

This book tried very hard to be A Good Girls Guide to Murder and it fell very short.

Posey was absolutely infuriating. I’m all for unmasked neurodivergent people, but Posey was a robot. It’s never explicitly said she’s ND, but as an ND person myself I can see it. Between her overly formal way of speaking to her stiff convictions of right and wrong, this turned into a painful read quickly. The fact that she allowed Sal to park his van that he was living in on her driveway but never once asked the homeless kid to come inside was also wild to me. None of the conversations anyone has in this book feel natural. The ‘investigation’ left a lot to be desired. And the ending felt lazy.

There’s also an ‘investigation’ into inappropriate behavior between a teacher and a student. But the student was a kid abandoned by his parents with no place to go and the teacher stepped in as an almost foster parent for him. I feel like there’s a big difference between an inappropriate relationship and stepping in as a parent. Posey was so scandalized by the teacher giving him a hug after finding him drunk sleeping outside. I’m sorry, would you rather him have nothing? Posey at one point refers to Mrs. Moses as a woman with a ‘savior complex and boundary issues.’ Again, she was the only adult who ever did anything for Sal?! Mrs. Moses was a safe space for almost everyone in the AV Club but Posey was so scandalized by everything that it made no sense.

Also, there were so many sub plots that were never completed. Was the cult important? What is Posey’s obsession with bears? Who is Hannah and why do you keep mentioning her?

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins for providing this ARC to me.

Wow, another great read by Faith Gardner! Such an easy mystery to sink into. Dual timelines and fantastic characters made this book impossible to put down. I flipped pages into the wee hours. I connected with this story, such great energy and emotion all packed into one. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend this one.
Thank you NetGalley , Faith Gardner and HarperCollins for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The whole book felt rushed a discombobulated. The mystery didn’t really develop, and the female main character tipped from precocious to annoying very quickly. A plot line would be hinted at/introduced and never fully developed, but it would be referred back to as if the reader was supposed to have the background knowledge. It was very frustrating.