This book was an easy read and a lot of fun, kept my interest the whole time. I really enjoyed all of the characters, all with distinct personalities. It gives a strong 13 reasons why vibe (so please check TW) with also a little bit of the Riverdale campy-ness mixed in. I was disappointed in the ending, not sure what I expected but I didn't get the shock value I anticipated from a thriller.

OOOOKAY JULIE 🔥 I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump this month, and decided to switch things up and pick up a thriller. And WOW, did The Thrashers deliver 👏🏻 it had me in an absolute chokehold. I was hooked from the very beginning and I could not put it down. This is a “just one more chapter and suddenly it’s 3am” kind of thriller, and I absolutely loved it.

Fast-paced, utterly addictive, and dripping with drama and tension, The Thrashers was masterfully written. The characters were flawed and complex, each of them dealing with their own struggles, fears, and secrets that keep you guessing. The plot was enticing and full of twists and turns, and some of the events were downright eerie. I really loved the supernatural elements woven into this story. And I had a few new fears unlocked along the way.. lol. Its giving Final Destination.

And the epilogue alone deserves 5 stars. It was absolutely bone-chillingly genius! And I did not see it coming at all. I’m curious to see if there’s more to this story up Julie’s sleeve..? (please).

This might also be the first thriller to make me cry? Some moments hit so hard in the feels for me and I got super emo, and I thought Jodi was extremely relatable and I loved her. And that slow burn romance budding throughout? Oh, SO here for it. And I want MORE OF IT. Please, I’m begging for a even a crumb more!

If you’re looking for a fast-paced, tense, and bingeable thriller, this is THE ONE. Fans of Pretty Little Liars and 13 Reasons Why will eat this up. It also gave a bit of Euphoria vibes imo.. (come on, try to picture anyone other than Jacob Elordi as Zack).

I loved both of Julie’s romances, and I will now always read her thrillers—seriously, Julie, I NEED more! I mean, who else could have me on the edge of my seat, squealing and kicking my feet, AND in tears while reading a damn thriller? I’ll wait 💅🏼

I want to preface this review with the fact that I am and always will be a massive Julie Soto fan. She could write the phonebook and throw it at my face and I would say thank you.

Anyway, I read The Thrashers in one sitting. I quite literally could not put it down. I normally am not one to read Young Adult mystery/thriller type books but I think Julie may have converted me.

The Thrashers gives Pretty Little Liars x Heathers vibes - the secrets between friends, the quiet competition, the almost backstabbing - it took me right back to high school with all of the drama.

The group dynamic between Jodi, Lucy, Paige, Julian, and Zack is so stressful (in a good way). You can tell they all care for one another but are blinded by their own teenage insecurities and desires. Jodi is the main FMC and I adore her. Jodi's self esteem and insecurities surrounding what people think of her are realistic and relatable to most teenage girls that I've known (including myself). The fear of being secretly disliked and left out constantly nagging her in the back of her mind and the belief that you're the only one who feels that way is almost unbearably accurate.

The story begins with a teenage girl named Emily dying and we essentially see the fallout of that (a la Thirteen Reasons Why in a way). The Thrashers are the epitome of 'love to hate them' in their high school - peers want to be them while simultaneously wanting them to fall from grace.

There was a lot more paranormal vibes than I anticipated which added a layer of intensity to the plot - you're constantly wondering if what is happening is real or simply imagined by a group of stressed out teens.

Overall I really adored the book and I am BEGGING the publisher to allow Julie to write more in this world (ideally a sequel starting right where we left off because HELLO that ending)

**SPOILERS BELOW, DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE NOT FINISHED THE BOOK**

Seriously, spoilers for the plot are below. Don't ruin it for yourself.



I am unsure how I feel about the ending with Julian and Emily - I feel like I need a lot more detail and story to truly understand what Julian was/is going through given his role in Emily's death. But, I also am confused about why exactly Jodi is so okay with Julian being locked up while honestly they all played a role in Emily's delusions. But, speaking of her delusions, we learn that Hannah and her orchestrated the "attempt" and it wasn't supposed to work and was all a manipulation tactic. Obviously, Emily does die and the "plan" failed - but I feel like Julian being locked up for the things he's locked up for while everyone else gets off scot free is pretty crap. I really hope another book is coming that will shed some light on the situation because I can't say that I truly understand the direction it all went in.

Also, I need more Jolian like right now.

I've loved every Julie Soto book I've read and this was no exception. At first I was worried about the number of major characters - because it seems like the more big characters the more they blend into each other. But these characters were very fleshed out and very much their own character.

The way it was written was fun, too. I liked seeing the journal entries from Emily and trying to figure out what was real and what was a lie.

Julie Soto also really seemed to capture the feeling of having an unrequited crush on a high school boy. She was able to capture the infatuation on the page in such a great way.

I don’t know what came over me when I accepted this arc. I did not care for her other two books, they weren’t bad by any means but they just weren’t for me. But something told me to give this a chance. And I am so glad I did.

The mystery kept me on the edge of my seat but the supernatural elements are really what pulled me in. It reminded me of the Christopher Pike & Fear Street books I grew up reading.

Thank you so much to the publisher & NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

ooohooo spooky!! my heart is beating so hard in my chest after that epilogue :’)

petition for julie soto keep the thrillers coming! this gripped me from beginning to end and had me feeling so immersed, i worried i was gonna get Thrashed myself 😩 i love the guessing game of a whodunnit storyline and this was one had me questioning and suspecting in every chapter.

OBSESSED WITH JULIAN MY GOD

i neeeeed the next book in my hands immediately!

can see people who enjoyed agggtm, 13 reasons why, and the tv show euphoria having a rly good time with this!

i believe this is being marketed as YA because of the age demographic of the characters (17-18) but there are some pretty intense themes so here are some content warnings for younger readers:

- underage alcohol/drug use
- alcohol abuse (abuse from parent)
- mentions of assault/rape
- sexual innuendos
- bullying
- language
- violence
- off page sex (consensual)
- no spice but kissing at different levels occur throughout

This book disappointed me so much, especially at the end! I was entertained for the most part but towards the end it started to loose me. I know this isn’t a romance but I was eating up all of Julian and Jodi’s interactions. I wish there was a bit more. I understand Jodi’s infatuation with Zack and pleasing the Thrashers but I felt like she needed more of a backbone, or at least her starting to get one. The one time she blew up to her friends felt like she needed more because she immediately turned back into her submissive self. The ENDING!!!! Like come one everyone got off free except Julian ?!!?!? It would have been a bit better if at least both Zack and Julian but Zack got free. Jodi pissed me off with her “I won’t lie under oath” but was tight lipped to find out everything that Hannah and Emily did! -_- I was completely shocked at the epilogue. I really hope that a sequel gets made out of this because I NEED MORE.

Thank you to Julie Soto, St. Martins Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for this e-ARC and audiobook

This book disappointed me so much, especially at the end! I was entertained for the most part but towards the end it started to loose me. I know this isn’t a romance but I was eating up all of Julian and Jodi’s interactions. I wish there was a bit more. I understand Jodi’s infatuation with Zack and pleasing the Thrashers but I felt like she needed more of a backbone, or at least her starting to get one. The one time she blew up to her friends felt like she needed more because she immediately turned back into her submissive self. The ENDING!!!! Like come one everyone got off free except Julian ?!!?!? It would have been a bit better if at least both Zack and Julian but Zack got free. Jodi pissed me off with her “I won’t lie under oath” but was tight lipped to find out everything that Hannah and Emily did! -_- I was completely shocked at the epilogue. I really hope that a sequel gets made out of this because I NEED MORE.

Thank you to Julie Soto, St. Martins Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for this e-ARC and audiobook.

“Either you're in or you're out.” You definitely want to be in this book! The way I devoured this book. It’s been a while since I have read a YA book. This had me hooked. The characters and the uncertainty of who to trust was *chefs kiss*

Wow. What a ride!! Thank you to Julie Soto and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this as an ARC.

I am a huge fan of Julie’s romance novels and was curious to see her write in the YA Thriller genre. This was so much fun and chilling at the same time. Julie has such a talent for connecting us to her characters, making us want to root for them (even the morally gray ones). Here we meet a group of friends who the school calls The Thrashers. It’s prom night, supposed to be the best night ever when Emily winds up dead. Everyone thinks The Thrashers are to blame, but who’s telling the truth? Fantastic great. I can’t wait to see what Julie writes next.

While I recognize I'm outside the typical target demographic for young adult fiction, I do occasionally enjoy exploring the genre. This particular book appeared frequently in my Goodreads recommendations, prompting me to give it a read. Ultimately, it didn't quite resonate with me.

The characters felt somewhat inconsistent in their portrayal. Their shifts in personality often seemed to lack organic development within the narrative. Jodi's artistic endeavors, for instance, felt somewhat like an afterthought, an attempt to inject depth that, in my view, wasn't fully realized. Julian's characterization was also a concern, as it bordered on what felt like a normalization of potentially unhealthy relationship dynamics. Emily's erratic behavior, while perhaps an intentional character trait, didn't evoke the intended emotional impact upon the reveal of her instability.

I felt the novel attempted to juggle too many distinct genre elements simultaneously. It incorporated aspects of a thriller, introduced supernatural elements, and included a romantic subplot. While these elements can certainly coexist effectively, their integration in this instance felt somewhat disjointed and lacked a smooth flow. Once the supernatural aspects were introduced, the narrative felt somewhat overloaded, and the various threads didn't quite come together cohesively. Conceptually, the premise and its individual components sound potentially engaging; however, the execution in the final product felt somewhat lacking.

In conclusion, while I didn't find the book entirely without merit, I wouldn't personally recommend it or consider purchasing it.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

Thank you NetGalley, St Martins Press and Julie Soto for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am not a big thriller girl but I am a Julie Soto girl and this made me realize that a YA thriller is more my speed. It still gets the pulse going but not so much losing sleep, peering around corners and suspecting the mailman of being a murderer.

The one aspect that I wasn’t crazy about was the supernatural part but it wasn’t enough to turn me off of the book. That being said, this book has totally turned me off of my children growing up and going to HS. Holy moly, everyone is toxic. Hard pass, no thank you.

I loved Julie Soto’s romance books so was excited to read her in another genre and really enjoyed it.

There is a very light romance thread so if you came only for the romance you may be disappointed but hold out to the end and you get a glimpse of something because of course she would tease us!

I have loved Julie Soto's romances but I think this might just top them. This YA suspenseful thriller/mystery is one that I'll be thinking about for a while. It's definitely reminiscent of 13 Reasons Why & Pretty Little Liars but with a supernatural twist. The story hooks you in from the jump & the unraveling of each character from Jodi's, our FMC, POV had me holding my breath until the end.

This story revolves around a high school clique called The Thrashers and the case being made against them in the suspicious death of a girl, Emily, who was desperate to join their friend group. As Jodi & her friends start to be confronted by elements of the case, Jodi must face the fact that her best friends might not be telling the whole truth about what really happened between them & Emily.

This story is gripping & will keep you guessing. I love the morally grey elements to each character, including Jodi at times. It really is a story about manipulation, insecurity & complicated relationships especially when you're a teenager. Personally, I don't usually like supernatural elements but it works so well (just wait until that epilogue!).

The topics & issues explored here captivated me & I really appreciated the way that both friendships & family dynamics are portrayed. There is also an element of division of wealth that I think added another layer to Jodi's character (she is the girl who, unlike her Thrasher friends, doesn't have a financial cushion).

Julie Soto just stepped into a whole new era & I am absolutely here for it!

🖤 Dark YA Thriller
🕵️ Mystery & Secrets
💖 High School Popular Clique
❣️ Truths & Lies
💋 Unrequited Love
👻 Paranormal Activities
☝🏻 Single FMC POV

NetGalley Review – 4.5 Stars

Thank you to Wednesday Books, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the ARC of The Thrashers by Julie Soto.

In this YA thriller, Jodi and her group of friends, infamously known as the Thrashers, find themselves at the center of an investigation after the death of their classmate Emily Mills. The town believes the Thrashers bullied her into suicide. But as strange things start happening and secrets unravel, Jodi begins to wonder if something more sinister is at play.

I adore Julie Soto and will read anything she writes. That includes thrillers, even though I know that genre is just not for me. I started The Thrashers yesterday afternoon and finished it around 1 AM, and this is why I do not read thrillers. I couldn’t stop reading because I needed a conclusion. But once I had that conclusion, I couldn’t stop thinking about it to sleep. So here I am writing a very sleep-deprived review.

Now I say this as an adult who maybe should not have read this particular YA. I was so stressed reading this book because I just wanted someone to take care of these kids. I had a very sheltered upbringing, so I could not relate to most of this book first because of my age, and then again because I had none of these experiences as a young adult. There were drugs, addiction, abuse, assault, bullying, depression, neglect, harassment, and I am sure more that I am missing.

I literally have not been able to stop thinking about this book today. I loved the ending but at the same time I hated it. I am a big romance reader and I wanted to romanticize this in ways but Julie Soto gave us what was needed rather than what I wanted and it was real and heartbreaking but it was right and doesn’t allow us to romanticize bullying which I have seen an uptick in lately and in a YA book I am happy she refrained.

I was not expecting to like this as much as I did. Julie Soto is known as an amazing romance author and now young adult too. This book hooks you in and makes it hard to put down. It showcases all the different sides of friendships in high school and keeps your guessing right until the end. I was fortunate enough to get advanced copy to read.

I really liked this book. Jodi is a great character. She is part of a group that she doesn't quite fit. They are implicated in a girls suicide. Did one of them cause it? Thrown in is a little paranormal. Is it real or imagined?
Jodi has a tough home life. I feel her relatives haven't been there for her. Zach is not what she thinks he is.
I think Emily's sister should have been honest about the suicide. Julian turned out to be Jodi's real friend. He was only one to be punished. It shocked me at the end. Didn't see the end coming.
Thank you NetGalley and Julie Soto.

The Thrashers by Julie Soto
“I slipped away with the hum of a slow dance in my veins.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 WOW Julie Soto, just WOW!! I was so excited to get this ARC from NetGalley and it blew my expectations out of the water. Forget Me Not and Not Another Love Song were two of my 2024 favorites because I just love Julie’s beautiful writing that sucks you in immediately. Her first foray into YA definitely hit the mark for me. A little Mean Girls, a little I Know What You Did Last Summer and a little Heathers, The Thrashers pulled in right away and kept me guessing with every turn of the page. Julie remains an auto buy author for me. Loved!!
#yathriller #juliesoto #pageturner #unsettling #twists

3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I have mixed feelings about this book. I enjoyed reading thrillers a lot even though thrillers can be something you hate it or you love it. Reading thrillers also gives me a break from all the romance books that I read so I decided to pick up this book. Also, I love books written by Julie Soto so I couldn’t wait to read her debut YA Thriller. Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect going into this book other than the blurb. The concept of the story reminds me of 13 reasons why - a girl was bullied by a group of kids called “the Thrashers” from school and committed suicide and now we are looking to why and what happened? I thought there were some moments that were very slow and repetitive - especially about how insecure of Jodi was and how she felt like she wasn’t included in the group. It was a little frustrating seeing that things would have been different if Jodi just speaks her mind and the rest of the group just communicate better. There were also some heavy topics discussed in the book - drug abuse, suicide, depression, alcohol use, death of a parent, and peer pressure. What I didn’t expect are all the supernatural things that happened to the group. It was creepy and mysterious that kept me reading to see what’s going to happen next. The ending wraps up the story and I thought mhmm everything makes sense now... then 💥 boom! The epilogue completely threw me off 🤣 and I’m still thinking about it.

I don't usually read YA mystery (I think I've never read one actually) but this book was SO GOOD! It had me in invested from start to finish, I couldn't put the book down.

This book takes place a few months after the suicide of Emily Mills, a seventeen year old highschool student. We follow her classmate and friend Jodi, and her popular group of friends people calls The Thrashers.
An investigation takes place and the police are set on proving Emily was bullied to death. The Thrashers dynamic is disturbed when they find themselves at the center of this investigation.

This book is full of intrigue, lies, secrets, complex friendships and a very light subplot of romance. I haven't been a teenager in a while, but it brought me right back to highschool and I think anyone can relate to one of the characters in this book. The feeling of wanting to fit in and never being enough was very well portrayed. I loved Jodi's character and found her very relatable.

If you liked shows like 13 Reasons Why, Pretty Little Liars and One of Us is Lying, you're going to love this book!

Also THE EPILOGUE??????? My jaw was on the floor. Worth the read (as someone who always skips it lol)

This is one of those books that, based on the synopsis alone, could be so good or so very bad. I was hesitant to pick it up for that reason alone, but once I did I couldn’t put it down. The plot was non-stop action. Every time I thought I got to a good stopping point, something else happened and next thing I know is it’s 2AM and I haven’t moved from the couch in four hours.

Soto wrote such a complex cast of characters. From the beginning, Julian was the most intriguing and quickly became my favorite. Like real life, everything isn’t always black and white and these characters were SO grey. They each had very unique personalities and despite having five main characters, they felt distinct and each held their own.

The ending also did not disappoint. It makes you question and look at events in a new light but also was still satisfying if not necessarily happy. #teamJulian

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC!