This was a fantastic second novel and I'm thankful for netgalley for allowing me an early read in exchange for my honest opinion. Chloe has found herself in the short list of competitors for "The Wilde Trials", a final wilderness competition for students are her private boarding school. The issues is that her ex-boyfriend's brother died while competing and her decision to apply for a chance has changed her social circle significantly. Chloe is a fighter and is motivated to win because of her desire to help her younger sister, who is fighting for her life, with the prize money. Once the trials begin, things start to happen that make Chloe wonder if history will repeat its self! I devoured this arc the past two days and it was another fantastic YA story filled with all things I love in a novel: adventure, puzzles, mystery, romance, a boarding school setting, drama, blackmail and steadfast love between siblings. Mackenzie Reed is now a must buy author for this high school English teacher!

Mackenzie Reed's The Wilde Trials is an enthralling blend of suspense, competition, and deep emotional complexity that grips readers from start to finish. Set against the backdrop of the prestigious Wilde Academy, this novel delivers a riveting story filled with intense challenges and intricate personal dynamics.

Chloe Gatti, our determined protagonist, is driven by her need to win the Wilde Trials to secure a future for her sick sister. Mackenzie deftly portrays Chloe's strength and vulnerability, making her a character readers will genuinely connect with and cheer for. With a life-changing prize of half a million dollars at stake, Chloe's journey is thrilling and emotionally charged.

The addition of Hayes Stratford, Chloe’s brooding ex-boyfriend, adds a rich layer of tension and intrigue. Their complicated past and the shadow of Hayes’s brother’s tragic death during the trials years ago create a compelling dynamic. Forced to team up to uncover the saboteur threatening Chloe's chances, their evolving relationship and shared quest for answers keep the plot brimming with suspense and unexpected twists.

Mackenzie excels in crafting vivid descriptions of the trials, each one a test of the character's physical and mental limits. The atmosphere of Wilde Academy is brought to life with precise detail, immersing readers in a setting that is both captivating and ominous. The tightly woven plot ensures that every clue and revelation adds depth to the overarching mystery of the trials and the academy's hidden secrets.

One of the novel's standout elements is its exploration of the ethical and moral dilemmas faced by the characters. Chloe’s internal struggle about what is truly worth fighting for, and the potential consequences of her decisions, adds a profound layer to the narrative. Mackenzie does not stop depicting the harsh realities and sacrifices inherent in such a high-stakes competition, making Chloe’s journey all the more compelling.

The Wilde Trials is a thrilling, emotionally rich adventure that captivates with its blend of action, mystery, and romance. Mackenzie Reed has crafted a story that is not only a page-turner but also a poignant exploration of loyalty, love, and the lengths one will go to for family. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a story that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant. Highly recommended!

Binge-worthy! I loved this book a lot, it was quickly placed and held your attention till the very end! Loved this book!

The Wilde Trials by Mackenzie Reed is a quick paced YA mystery thriller that will keep you turning pages until the end.

We start the story immediately with our MC Chloe finding out she's secured her spot in her school's Wilde Trials: a 2 week challenge for seniors about to graduate from an elite academy. The winner of seven physical and mental challenges gets to take home the title of valedictorian and, of course, a huge pot of prize money. Chloe, one of the only students on scholarship, is brilliant but also desperately needs the money to help her sick sister. But of course, she's thwarted every step of the way. Not only is her ex-boyfriend a competitor, but so are a few other former friends who didn't take her side in the breakup. And she's quickly targeted by a secret blackmailer trying to get her out of the competition. Ultimately, she teams up with her ex to figure out who's threatening her and in turn, help him solve the mystery of how and why his brother died in his Wilde Trials a few years before.

I enjoyed the higher stakes, creepy setting of being an a run down old mansion way out in the woods. I also always love a good competition, so it was great to be able to see what they had to accomplish for each challenge, but I wouldn't have minded spending more time on these. Chloe isn't my favorite MC of all time - she truly makes some terrible choices - but I think it's a relatively accurate portrayal of an 18 year old in this situation. And we do see some growth out of her over the pages. Overall, it's much more of a plot driven story than character driven, but that's my preference anyway. I can usually pick up the ending of a whodunit plot pretty early, but this kept me guessing a good way through! I wanted to keep reading, so I flew through this. 4.25 stars.

Mackenzie Reed is back with another binge worthy, high-stakes plot about family, friendship, and romance! I am always game for a competition thriller and The Wilde Trials did not disappoint.

I devoured this book in one sitting! I was immediately pulled in by Chloe’s plight and the premise of trials set among an abandoned estate. I loved the small inclusion of the history of the estate and the woman behind the Wilde Trials. Despite having quite few characters to keep track of, each were distinctly written and all played a unique role in the plot. I loved how there were dueling mysteries and how the action only picked up the more I read. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish!

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.