Feeling like the odd one out in a friend group is typically a universal feeling. Adding a dead body to the mix doesn’t help.

Julie Soto knocks it out of the park with her YA debut about a group of high school seniors known as The Thrashers to their student body. When one of their classmates ends up dead on prom night, the group are thrown into the middle of a police investigation and everyone is hiding something.

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I genuinely couldn’t put this one down, so definitely sit down with a drink and some snacks for a one sitting read.

I loved so much about our main characters and their dynamics. I wasn’t a “cool kid” in high school so it’s always so intriguing to read about kids drinking, partying, and doing drugs like it’s a normal occurrence. But even though I couldn’t relate to their choice of entertainment, I could absolutely relate to feeling like I wasn’t good enough for my friends. Soto takes that concept and really channels what it means to be loyal to your friends versus yourself versus the truth.

I also loved the mildly supernatural spin on this as well I felt like it was done really well and didn’t necessarily go overboard.

I still have questions! The ending seems almost like there’s more to the story?! Julie!!!

Definitely pick this one up if you like YA thrillers!

4.75/5 stars!

4.5 ⭐️

Perfect for fans of Pretty Little Liars & Euphoria-- a high school girl, Emily, commits suicide and all eyes are on "The Trashers" as being the group of students responsible. Plenty of secrets will be revealed as The Trashers are investigated. In fact, the police aren't the only ones who seem to have eyes on The Trashers. There's a feeling that someone else may be watching them. Is it Emily haunting them or something/someown more sinister?

This is my first book by this author and it did not disappoint. Story is full of suspense and secrets. A major page turner with twists coming out in the e second half of the book. The ending rocked me! Like whoa! The supernatural elements gave the story some horror elements which is always a plus for me. I definitely recommend this book. Thank you NetGalley and the author for this ARC for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Jodi is Zack Thrasher's best friend, the person she always put above herself and the rest of their friend group. But after Emily Mills, the girl who wanted in on the group, ends up dead, the group must come to terms with what they do to outsiders.

This book was amazing! Here's what I loved:

Jodi: I really liked her characters. She's conflicted for so much of this book. Her thoughts on being left out really hit hard at times. I also liked the little romance-ish story that she had. I wanted her to make the right decisions and rooted for her.

The thriller of it: There were so many heart-pounding scenes that kept me wanting to read! It's not really a mystery per se, but there were some things that kept you guessing to what kind of secrets the characters were telling.


All in all, this is a really good YA thriller!
A top read for the year for sure.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the gifted copy!

This was so good! Just what I was looking for in a "teenagers-solving-murder-mysteries" story. I've really enjoyed Julie Soto's adult novels, and this YA was great! I saw a review that said it was a mix of Thirteen Reasons Why x Pretty Little Liars vibes, which I think is spot on. I couldn't put it down until I finished it!

First, I want to give a huge thank you to NetGalley and Julie for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.

This book was absolutely incredible! I devoured it in one sitting as I simply couldn't put it down.

The story centers around a group of five friends, the "Thrashers," who are suspected of bullying a fellow student to death. It's a thrilling, suspenseful ride with a touch of the paranormal. The book is full of secrets - some kept, some revealed. I found myself constantly second-guessing what was true and who could be trusted.

Julie has done an amazing job at crafting both the setting and the characters in this book. I felt as if I were walking alongside Jodi and her friends and caught up in their world. I’m 28 but felt like I too should be worrying about college applications and the implications of trial. The sense of uncertainty was palpable, making it all the more exciting. The pacing was spot on, and there were no unnecessary filler pages. Every single page kept me hooked, and I couldn’t stop reading.

Overall, a fantastic read and can’t wait to recommend it to everyone!

I read this in 24 hours, I literally could not put it down. There is not a dull moment in this book- it is constant action and secrets and so scary I absolute loved this! If you are a thriller girly- this is a must read!
Thank you so much to Wednesday Books and Julie Soto for making this ARC Read Now on
Net Galley!!

A reader theorizes and Julie laughs.

I’m not usually a YA or thriller reader, and I’ve never wanted to reread any that I have read, but wow I need more of this. Ended up reading the last half in one sitting because I could not put it down. I needed answers *insert meme of Sheldon Cooper*

The complexity in the story telling is something to be studied. I’m just in awe of her character building, her deep understanding of humanity and the ability to use that to write such complex and fully dimensional characters. And use the complexity of the characters to drive the mystery. And I know this is a contemporary so the world building isn’t that heavy but I’m still fully in the Sacramento she wrote. All the little details, like having a character put empty grocery bags into the empty bag that holds all the other bags lol she’s so good at making everything feel real.

If Julie has a million fans, I am one of them.
If Julie has one fan, it is me.
If Julie has no fans, I am dead.

So. Read this book. Even if this isn’t your usual genre. You will not regret it.

To whoever approved my NetGalley request, may the other side of your pillow always be cold and may all your Tupperware containers always have their corresponding lids.

This was fun for a YA mystery. The story was layered and written well.. Great blend of mystery, character development, and suspense.

A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4 Stars

I definitely enjoyed myself with this book, as Y.A. mystery/thriller is my fav niche genre, BUT I am so confused by the ending LOL.

This book comes out in about a month and everyone should preorder it now. It was so good. It was one where I really just wanted to grab my popcorn for the ride. I enjoyed the characters and pacing. Lot.

4.5 stars, rounded up to 5

This book! Julie Soto is such an incredible storyteller. I saw that this ARC was available through NetGalley and I just had to grab it because Soto has become an auto-read for me.

While this YA book is categorized as mystery and thriller, Soto’s undeniably perfect romance writing shines through in an epic slow burn that Veronica Mars fans would die for. She gifts us with a Logan Echolls-coded lovable asshole, leaving me giggling with anticipation at every sarcastic, banter-filled interaction our MC has with him.

The beginning 50 pages or so of the book were slow-going, but once the excitement picked up, it was a roller coaster ride to the finish. I must admit, I read this book in one sitting, staying up until 3 am because I just HAD to know what happened next.

Unfortunately, the book did leave a lot of unanswered questions for me, which is why I wouldn’t consider it a perfect 5 stars. I thought the paranormal aspects of the story were intriguing but I found the epilogue of the book to truly shift our genre off its axis, and it honestly felt more like a cop-out than a good explanation for everything that occurred. I understand that the twist we learn in the epilogue deliberately creates a level of uncertainty, doubt, and paranoia about all that transpired in the book, but the choice felt a little lazy. The only caveat I have for this opinion would be if the epilogue was written in such a way to allow for a sequel that would delve more into the possibilities of what such an ending means for our characters and the events that we saw play out. Otherwise, it left me unsatisfied because there were too many holes that are now just able to be “explained away” by the twist.

All in all, this book was so much fun and felt reminiscent of Pretty Little Liars with the exciting way that all of the flawed characters’ truths are revealed. If you love thrillers and teen dramas, I highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books for sharing a digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I was super excited to read this early and it definitely lived up to my expectations! All of the twists and turns were so fun and I never knew who I could trust! Julie Soto is quickly becoming an auto buy author for me. 5 stars

Julie Soto’s ability to write across genres is DIABOLICAL. This impressed me beyond belief. I was in a massive reading slump, and upon starting this, I could not put it down. I was reading it at work, in my car, in bed, desperate to find out what happened. YA mystery is not always my thing, but this just w o r k e d. I love Julie’s writing and her ability to write such genuine, complex characters and relationships, and this was no different. Also, Julian Hollister? Is she kidding? I LOVE HIM, YOUR HONOR. More of this, please please please.

An elite friend group become the people of interest after a classmate suddenly dies. Secrets come to light and Jodi has to decide will she betray her friends or protect herself.

The perfect YA thriller. I was sucked in, submerged, consumed and riveted with the character arcs, plot and whole premise of the book. This has just enough to make your heart race and enough thrill to make you reconsider why your lamp just flickered.

This will be another top book of the year for me. Thrillers, FaRo and Romance: is there anything Julie can’t do?! (no.)

(4.5/5 stars) Thank you to NetGalley, Julie Soto, and the publisher for making The Thrashers available as a Read Now ARC! It was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and I am thrilled to have gotten the chance to read it early. This book is Julie Soto’s first YA and first thriller, but she did it so well. It felt like a combination of 13 Reasons Why, Pretty Little Liars, and Final Destination - in a good way. It was fast paced and addressed important topics such as bullying, suicide, and alcoholism. My favorite thing about Julie Soto’s writing is always the dialogue - it never seems cheesy or unnatural; I can always envision real people saying the words she writes. I also love the wit that she imparts on certain characters; in The Thrashers, it was Jodi and Julian. I loved the chemistry that they had even when they supposedly didn’t like each other.

5⭐

Thank you Julie Soto, St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑻𝑯𝑹𝑨𝑺𝑯𝑬𝑹𝑺 by Julie Soto takes place a few months after Emily Mills commits suicide and "The Thrashers", a popular friends group of five are labelled as Emily's former bullies, but as evidence is unravelled and discovered for the court case, Jodi learns that both her friends and Emily’s journal are not as truthful as she was lead to believe . . .

Julie Soto delivered on the YA thriller about rich cliquey kids. The mystery was very well done and some parts genuinely scared me while reading. Some things I could predict but some things still kept me on my toes and hooked to read this book in one sitting.

The mix of supernatural and paranormal aspects with real life mysteries was super fun to read about and terrifying at times.

The mystery aspect of the book has me hooked in its entirety and I could not stop theorising and anticipating what would come next. Sometimes, I would second-guess myself and be completely mind-blown.

I loved all the characters in the book. They were very well planned and developed, all of them having a role to play -- even if it was small. The friend group might not have been what everyone would have expected but I think they were some kind of found family in their own ways.

The overall story was well planned and plotted. The mystery was compelling and the jaw-dropping twists left me for wanting more. The last few chapters were a rollercoaster of emotions and that goddamn Epilogue is still haunting me.

This young adult novel is perfect for fans of Lynn Painter and Katherine Center. Even though I’ve been out of high school for 25 years, this pulled me right into the drama. I loved (to hate) these characters and couldn’t put it down.

Wow! Loved this book!! I binge read it in a day!

This was my first read from Julie Soto and The Thrashers did not disappoint. I was hooked from the first chapter. Jodi, the main character, is so relatable and well developed it was easy to slip into her point of view. The other main cast of characters were well written and while there were definite stereotypes at play, Soto manged to give them real personalities, flaws, and reasons to understand why Jodi is friends with them.

Throughout the story, I was wavering between doubting the innocence and guilt of every character involved even those who were dead. The ending was done really well and I felt satisfied with how this chapter of The Thrashers was wrapped up. The twists at the end make me curious as to whether there is a sequel coming! Crossing my fingers!

I love a good mystery and this was definitely one of them! I’ve read a few of Soto’s contemporary romance books and have enjoyed them, so reading her first YA novel, and getting an arc for it, was a treat. Each revelation keeps you on your toes and wondering who, or what, actually was the nail on the coffin? I liked how none of the main characters were completely innocent and how much technicalities really do matter in an investigation. Although they weren’t entirely likable main characters, Soto does a fantastic job at making you feel for each of them and their circumstances, especially the home lives of a few of them. I was kind of surprised with the paranormal aspect of this story, but it did add a bit more suspense to it. Even with a lot of the events having some form of human explanation to it. And with that epilogue it makes me curious if we’ll have a follow up story to this one. I only took away a star due to its slow start, but once things got going it was hard to put down!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review.