A good YA thriller that seems like it might be turned into a series. I enjoyed that the perspective was from the main character as it really kept me guessing till the end and damn that epilogue.

Julie Soto doesn’t again!
This was just what I needed to end my reading slump. I stayed up way past my bedtime to read this. I was so invested in the characters and story.

Thank you so much @wednesdaybooks for this gifted copy!! I was SO excited to read and review this new thriller by Julie Soto!! Julie Soto can do no wrong in my eyes! I’ll read whatever she writes!! 👏🏻👏🏻

This was such an addictive YA thriller! It follows a group of popular kids called the Thrashers, and things spiral after a girl named Emily, desperate to join them, ends up taking her own life. The group gets pulled into the mystery, and secrets start to unravel fast. When everyone in the friend group is a murder suspect, but one, you don’t know who to trust!

It’s written from the POV of the main girl, and you’re never totally sure if you can trust her—which I loved. The story touches on bullying, toxic friendships, unrequited love, trauma, and even has a slight paranormal twist.

The pacing hooked me right away. I kept guessing and still didn’t see the ending coming. Some things were left open-ended, which almost left even more mystery to the book that I really liked. There’s a small romantic subplot too, but it doesn’t take over the story.

I could honestly see this having a sequel because there was just so much that happened and so questions left unanswered! I could also see this being a really good show!! I hope we get a lot more thrillers/mysteries from Julie soon!! 👏🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

Absolutely loved this! Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ahead of time. This was such a page turner. I blasted through it! Needed to know how it ended. Really kept me on my toes. Very unique. Will definitely recommend.

4.5⭐️

It’s been a while since I stayed up until almost 5 a.m. reading a book because I couldn’t put it down!

I was a little skeptical at first, if I’m being honest, but Julie proved me wrong from the beginning. Oh lord—she had me hooked instantly!

I really liked the story and how everything developed. The plot, the paranormal elements, the characters—everything was so good! And the pacing? Amazing!

The only thing is… I don’t know if I was 100% happy with the ending. Don’t get me wrong—it wasn’t bad. It just didn’t give me the justice I was hoping for (if that makes sense).

AND THE EPILOGUE?? Julieeee, why did you do this to me?? I don’t know if this is going to be a series (I hope so, or at least a novella), because that epilogue is going to haunt me forever. 😭😭

I honestly loved this book so much! The release date is May 6th—do yourselves a favor and get it. You’ll thank me later!

This is my first Julie Soto book, but I've always heard good things about her writing, so when I had the opportunity to read The Thrashers pre-release, I jumped on it. Our book starts with a student's suicide, then we go back to the beginning to find out who this student was, and why she took her own life.

Our MC, Jodi Dillon, is one of an exclusive, tight group of friends called known as "The Thrashers", that includes Julian, Lucy, Paige, and Jodi's best friend since childhood, Zach Thrasher. Jodi is the only one who is not wealthy and sophisticated, and she has always felt like a bit of an outsider. When a girl named Emily makes a nuisance of herself trying to join their group, always hanging around trying to get Zach's attention, and taking a weird interest in Jodi, kills herself, everybody looks at The Thrashers as somehow to blame. When the police get involved because a diary written by Emily turns up that starts them asking lots of questions about The Thrashers, Jodi is put in a position of betraying her friends or protecting herself.

This was a suspenseful book with a compelling storyline that moved at a comfortably fast pace. It had great characters that were well written and fleshed out, and the relationships between them were realistic and believable. My only complaint is that I would have loved to delve more into the relationship between Jodi and Julian as there seemed to be a real, unexpected connection there. I thought the ending was good, if not a bit rushed, but then there was an epilogue that knocked my shoes off, and left me wanting more. A second book, perhaps? One can hope.

All in all, I enjoyed this book very much and highly recommend it.

5/5 stars.

*** I would like to thank NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Julie Soto for the opportunity to read and review The Thrashers.

I would like to give the BIGGEST thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the incredible Julie Soto for an ARC!

I will happily consume any book Julie writes, and I was practically foaming at mouth when I read the synopsis.

It took me a little bit to get into this one and some parts felt a bit repetitive, but overall I really enjoyed the twists and reveals. This felt like an ambitious book, but I think Julie did a good job of juggling the thriller, supernatural, drama, and even a sprinkling of romance (my favorite part).

I'm calling it now, this book will be made into a Netflix or Hulu show! It read like a tv series/show and the DRAMA would make for a high rated show.

This is a YA novel/thriller that introduces us to a group of friends: The Thrashers. This book weaves in the intricacies of school cliques, toxic friendship dynamics, and school bullies in a high drama manner.

We learn that a student name Emily has taken her life on the night of prom. This sets the stage for the rest of the book. The Thrashers get thrown into the spotlight after a journal of Emily's is found noting that they'd been bullying her. A large part of the book centers on Jodi, one of the thrashers, as the investigation unfolds - who can she believe? did she have a part in this? etc.

This book is pretty fast paced and full of tension and twisty drama. Held me to the very end. Thrillers always make me put my imaginary detective hat on and though I thought it was going to be predictable, I felt like I was guessing until the very end.

Despite this being a Thriller and YA, I found myself yearning for more story between Jodi and Julian. If you've read Julie Soto's other books you know she can write a steamy romance - so would I be mad if they got their own book someday... heck no. (That painting scene IYKYK).

Lastly, I will say as a parent of teens - I struggled slightly with the abundant drug use and drinking - but I can admit it might have seemed like a less dramatic storyline without any of it.

4 out of 5⭐

The Trashers opens with the shocking suicide of Emily Mills on prom night, and her discovered journal points to a privileged high school friend group—the Thrashers—as being involved. What follows is a twisty, layered mystery filled with secrets, betrayals, and shocking revelations.

At the center is Jodi, longtime member of the Thrashers but different from them in key ways—she’s not rich, and she’s far more grounded. As Jodi digs deeper into Emily’s death, she starts to unravel the toxic dynamics of her friend group and confront uncomfortable truths.

I loved Jodi’s character and her growth throughout the story. The light romance subplot was a lovely surprise—I definitely wanted more of that slow-burn pairing! While the paranormal elements felt a bit out of place at times, the book delivers strong tension, compelling relationships, and a gripping mystery. The ending felt a bit rushed, but that final epilogue? Totally unexpected.

A big thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. I am thoroughly convinced that Julie Soto can do no wrong. I have read nearly every one of her books and they never disappoint, this one is no exception. I loved the (dislikable) characters, the twists and turns were unpredictable, and I really was on the edge of my seat. I can't wait to see what else she publishes, but I will certainly be recommending this one! A more formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads for release.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin Press, Wednesday books and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for honest review.

4.5 stars! Julie Soto is quickly becoming an automatic read with every book she puts out! Thrillers aren't my typical go-to genre but I've loved everything Julie Soto has put out so far! This was no exception. I could not put this down and if I'd started it before 9 PM, would have definitely read in one sitting!

Based in Sacramento, CA, The Thrashers is as if Gossip Girl met the OC met Pretty Little Liars. The most popular guy in school, Zack Thrasher, has a tight friend group that rarely lets anyone new into the group. Our story follows Jodi, one of the Thrashers and Zack's first best friend. The latest teen who had tried to make it into the Thrashers died by suicide on the evening of prom. Jodi had been the nicest to the new addition, but all of the Thrashers are feeling the impacts of her death and sensing supernatural things.

There were so many twists and turns that I hadn't expected and the ending was a masterpiece! I can't wait for everyone to read this and am honestly wishing for more from this quintet of friends!

This was a freakin good book and has proven without a doubt that I am a fan of YA. It was a harrowing return to adolescence that made me immensely relieved I was not popular in high school. Our main character, Jodi, is beginning her senior year when a pseudo-friend commits suicide and names her friend-group as the (13th) reason why. While perhaps not the most original concept - bullied and crazed gal seeks revenge on her tormentors, Julie Soto’s spin makes for an absolute page-turner. I could not put it down. With a nod to the paranormal interspersed throughout a deeply contemporary story, there’s something for everyone in Thrashers. It wasn’t a book I personally could read through the night, but only because I’m a scaredy-cat. Major trigger warnings for suicide, abuse, and near-death experiences (final destination fans will not be disappointed) described in harrowing detail. The range displayed to seamlessly cover sordid family issues to the stressful albeit less series social dynamics of navigating romance, friendship, and popularity in high school was executed flawlessly. Like all of the author’s books, the writing is excellent and the audiobook narration is fantastic.
Thank you to St. Martin Press/Wednesday Books, MacMillan Audio, and NetGalley for the eARC and audiobook. I promise I do read many things I don’t like, but haven’t come across a bad Julie Soto book yet.

When high schooler Emily Mills commits suicide on prom night, a group of five friends called “the Thrashers” become front and center for their potential involvement in the case.

From the beginning, I really enjoyed this book. For a YA thriller, it felt very original and kept me turning the pages, despite the fact that all of the characters came off as pretty dislikable. Unfortunately, the ending let me down a little bit. Throughout the book, there was a really good use of suspense and mystery building up to what I thought would be some very satisfying plots twists, but the end felt a little rushed and abrupt. Overall, considering that this is Julie Soto's debut into this genre and the first book I've read by her, I was pretty impressed by her writing style, so I will definitely be trying her other books.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

First, I want to thankNetGalley and St. Martin’s press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I really enjoyed this book! It was so hard to put it down, and I definitely stayed up too late reading! It made me wish for the days when I was still in high school and could read a book in one sitting because I didn’t have any responsibilities!

This book draws you in quickly, and I think was very well done while dealing with sensitive topics such as suicide, drug and alcohol abuse, and the drama of high school and needing to fit in. Each of the Thrashers were all well-rounded and despite myself, I was liking (almost) all of them as the book went on.

My only complaint would be that I am left wanting more! That ending, the epilogue, I am shook and have so many questions! I’m hoping that this means Julie will bring us back to this world again! I’ll absolutely be reading this book again!

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The Thrashers by Julie Soto is a mixed first and third person-POV YA thriller set in California. Jodie is a member of the Thrashers, a group of five friends (herself, Lucy, Paige, Zack, and Julian) who are all connected by Zack Thrasher. When a sort-of friend, Emily, ends up dead on prom night, the group is rocked by the accusations that they had something to do with Emily’s death.

The major themes include in-group vs out-group, the way outsiders view us, and the impact of alcoholism and suicide. This is definitely on the heavier side, especially in relation to alcoholism and domestic abuse as we do have a scene detailing how Jodie’s father terrorizes her when he’s drunk only for him to not remember in the morning when he’s sober again. I found that scene to be intense without reaching a point where it felt excessive, but I do recommend anyone who is triggered by alcoholism or domestic abuse to proceed with caution when picking the book up.

Jodie and the rest of the Thrashers are essentially the cool kids of their school with everyone wanting to be part of the group and many of the girls wanting to sleep with Zack. What makes this even more complicated is that Paige, Lucy, and Jodie are known to have romantic feelings for Zach despite his lack of acknowledgement towards those feelings. Zack’s habit of picking up new people to hang out with the group only for those people to be removed from the group have led to the Thrashers having a reputation as users, a reputation that Jodie doesn’t appreciate and she believes is unfair. I think there’s a lot that Jodie probably doesn’t know or that the reader isn’t actually privy to and the answer is probably somewhere in the middle: I wouldn’t be surprised if some people were being used and others just crossed a boundary that concerned the other members. It’s a more morally gray Mean Girls with a lot more complicated feelings.

Jodie and Julian are very antagonistic to each other at first, mostly hanging out because they’re friends with Zack, Paige, and Lucy. After Emily dies, the two slowly drift closer and closer and there are romantic feelings there that could develop into something or maybe not. I’m very conflicted because, on the one hand, I do ship it and think that there is a spark there and an understanding that is healthier for Jodie than her crush on Zack. What’s more is that this budding attraction seems to have been exactly what Jodie needed for her to finally stop seeing Zack as perfect and see his flaws. On the other hand, Julian’s cruelty at times is concerning and if the two are going to have a future, he’s going to do an awful lot of unlearning.

Content warning for alcoholism, child abuse, car accidents, suicide, and underage drinking

I would recommend this to fans of YA thrillers with longer chapters and readers of YA looking for morally gray casts

4.25 stars…and truly what can’t Julie Soto write?! From moving romances to intense fan fiction and now into the world of the twisty YA thriller…

The Thrashers, an elite clique with complicated connections, a group everyone wants in on but it only ever really stays with the core five: Zack Thrasher (yes that is his ridiculous last name), a friendly yet gullible idiot whose privilege and charisma make him the center of the universe; Jodi, seemingly the odd one out and yet Zack’s oldest friend; Julian, the oftentimes rude enforcer of the group; Paige, the classic popular girl involved in everything; and Lucy, too cool to even be real. Everyone wants into this group, and they may be welcomed in for a short time before they’re Thrashed aka they’re voted off the island and their torches are snuffed. Their most recently Thrashed classmate died by suicide, and it looks like it’s all their fault, but is it really??

This was absolutely a wild ride and also a ride I should not have taken to end my night!! It was twisty, stressful, at times a little spooky, and so very compelling. The characters were well developed and I could feel myself rooting for and against each of them as the story went on. And oh my goodness the way the plot wraps up is just so wild and I was wildly (lol) impressed by this new genre foray for a favorite author!!

Thanks so much to Julie Soto, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.

YA Thriller
Friend Group
Paranormal
*Check trigger warnings

Tragedy on prom night. Toxic friend group is being blamed, secrets come to light. Jo feels left out when she finds out the “Thrashers” have hung out without her and maybe keeping things from her.

After most of the Thrashers have near death experiences we finally get some answers because of Jo.
What a fun ride! There are some twists that I did not see coming and the EPILOGUE?!

Team Julian!

I'm obsessed!! I binged this in a day. It's one of my favorite things I've read this year hands-down. This is your standard "popular clique may have gone too far this time" story with a twist and I ate it up. The stakes kept raising and I was fully invested in untangling the mystery of what happened to Emily. I truly did not see the ending coming and I am dying for more books with these characters!! I fell hard for one of the side characters and I'm hoping we get more because I need to know more of their story. If you enjoy YA thrillers this is a must read.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

Why are YA thrillers so hard to put down? What exactly is laced in their pages?

Julie Soto( in her YA debut) takes readers to Sacramento, where a group of high school students are under suspicion for the role they may have played in the recent death of a schoolmate, Emily Mills. The story is told from the viewpoint of the "one who doesn't seem to belong," Jodi Dillon. The police tell Jodi that they have evidence from Emily's journals saying Jodi was a good friend. But Jodi is perplexed as to why Emily would feel Zack, Julian, Lucy, and Paige would want to hurt her. As the police investigation intensifies, strange texts and unexplained occurrences start to make Jodi and the rest of the group wonder if they're being haunted by Emily, or if someone is watching that might know all the group secrets?


This had me going in circles and changing my mind so many times as to what I thought had happened. I love it when a book can do that. The unexpected paranormal moments certainly kept the narrative going. Also, although it was a mystery surrounding the death of a teenage girl, is it okay to say this was a fun read?

I have a feeling YA readers are going to gobble this up!






Expected Publication 06/05/25
Goodreads Review 09/05/25

I absolutely loved this book! The book starts with the suicide of Emily Mills and how a group called The Thrashers are accused of bulling her. We follow Jodie Dillon, the odd one out of the group as she tries to figure out what actually happened.

I went into this book thinking its a YA thriller and was surprised to see a few paranormal aspects. Once you start reading the book, it's almost impossible to keep the book down until you finish it. So, a word of caution to those who are going to read it, don’t start it if you have other important things to do. The story stays in your mind all the time, when you are half way through the book, and even long after the story is over. The ending was shocking and I hope there is a sequel to this. I simply didn't get enough of Julian & Jodi portions.

This is my first Julie Soto book and with this book she has managed to make me auto buy her books.

Must read for those enjoy YA thrillers that will keep you invested and wont let you stop the flipping pages.

Thank you to Netgalley and St-Martin's Press for a copy in exchange for a review.