If Julie Soto writes it then I am going to read it because she never misses! I am a huge fan of Julie’s romance books so I was super excited to read a new genre from her. This is a ya mystery thriller. This is perfect for fans of A Good Girls Guide to Murder, the Naturals, and One of Us is Lying.

This story follows the it group of their towns high school. The group is nicknamed the Trashers from the outsiders. It is impossible to become a new member although many have tried. It was dubbed the term “thrashed” when someone tries to join but fails or when they are no longer included into the group. We have 5 members: Zack, Lucy, Paige, Julian, and Jodi. Every member but Jodi is extremely privileged and popular. Jodi has an in into the group since she was best friends with the leader Zack since they were little kids. Although she considers them her best friends she does question on why she is included in the group when she has no money or status.

This story starts off with the death of Emily Mills. Throughout the story you will learn how the thrashers were involved in her life and what is actually true about her suicide.

When I started this books I really wasn't sure where it was going to go. I even had to go back and reread some of the beginning as I wasn't sure if there was a mistake. I kept reading. I continued to read as this book pulled me in further and further.
This is supernatural mystery was what I needed to read when I didn't know what I needed. It is well written. There are twists and turns that you don't see coming. Just when you think you have it figured out. you find out you were wrong.
This book is perfect for all ages. Teens, adults, girls, boys, women and men will all enjoy this book.
Julio Soto - well done!

It took me a while to get into the story but eventually it got really interesting and I was curious how the story would resolve. The epilogue blew my mind!

This was a fun YA mysterious/paranormal read à la Heathers, Mean Girls, and Pretty Little Liars. If you enjoy those, you will LOVE this book.

The book starts with an opening prologue of Emily Mills committing suicide in a prom dress. However, the actual book is set months after the suicide as we follow Jodi Dhillon and the rest of her social group called the Thrashers, named after Jodi's best friend, Zack Thrasher. The group begins to be under investigation by the police as evidence seems to point to the Thrashers being involved in her suicide.

I didn't want to write too much about the synopsis as it might ruin the story or you could piece together what happened. This book had me hooked. It is a YA book, but man oh man can Julie Soto write anything. I think that it is intense enough that adults will be into this book as well. I had way too many ideas of what was happening - I definitely figured out the journal stuff immediately because I was like this just sounds insane. The ending though - wow. I think I need a sequel lol especially because there was a bit of a romance forming between two characters and it would be interesting to see the ending developed in a new book.

This book was a thriller with the supernatural/paranormal. If you are a fan of Holly Jackson, I think you will eat this book up.

High school cliques run the story in this deeply provocative mysterious YA novel. It delves into the costs of being in the "it" crowd, and the weight of belonging on your mental and physical health. A young girl has died tragically on prom night, and her supposed friends are haunted by its happening.

The Thrashers, a group of privileged kids, dominate the high school scene and befriend Emily. She's tolerated, teased and obsessed with the groups hunky member, Zack. When her diary is discovered, it points the blame to this pack of bullies. The revelations spark public outcry and the law.

This slow-burn thriller is filled with twists, and a jaw-dropping epilogue. The novel is realistic yet mysterious enough that it will leave you reeling in thought.

Thank you, St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books

3.75 stars

This had my interest from the beginning and had me flipping the pages. It does slow down just a bit in the middle and then ramps right back up. The ending is where it lost me a bit, especially if there will not be another? We'll see, because if there is a second that would definitely change my thoughts on it! I really hope there is!

Thank you to SMP Early Readers, Wednesday Books and Netgalley for access to an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Thrashers by Julie Soto is a YA thriller about Jodi, a girl in the popular crowd who never really feels like she fits in. Her friends—Zack, Julian, Paige, and Lucy—are at the center of everything, but things get complicated when they’re accused of being involved in the death of Emily Mills, a girl who wanted to join their group.

The book has lots of twists and surprises that grab you right from the start. It’s a fast-paced, suspenseful story that will keep you hooked until the end. If you like thrilling mysteries, The Thrashers is a great pick!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the opportunity to read The Thrashers!

Thank you to @netgalley &
@stmartinspress for approving me to read this e-arc!

The first page had me so hooked and it seemed to keep getting better. I love the fact that the book is located in Sacramento (my hometown). The mention of Burrs brings back so many memories and speaking of ice cream I love Gunther’s or the Parlor 🤭 I love the fact that it doesn’t take too long to get to the point.

Completely unrelated or not closely related enough but I got “I know what you did last summer” vibes. And a 90s vibe but this was definitely not in the 90s.

Golden boy Zack gives me .. rich boy syndrome vibes. He’s presented as this super nice guy that everyone likes, finds attractive, wants to be with, etc. BUT he ghosts people that gets too close? He will hang with someone, make them think he likes them, then suddenly looses interest? Yeah he’s an asshole.

Speaking of this, this is called being “Thrashed” which was actually an interesting idea. This book was really good. I almost didn’t want to sleep 🥵 I was genuinely interested in what happened to Emily and honestly I had no clue.

Don’t get me started on Julian and I can’t say too much without ruining it but I will say I was disappointed.

Knocking off one star simply because I don’t like paranormal or ghost/spirts.. whatever you want to call it and don’t feel like this story needed it to be successful.

4⭐️ some kissing and sex talk (no actual scene).

First off, thank you NetGalley, Wednesday Books and Julie Soto for the opportunity to read this book. I love Julie’s romance novels, and I was so so excited to read mystery/thriller debut.

Where do I even begin with this book!! I was hooked from the prologue abd honestly on the edge of my seat the whole book. Julie really kept me guessing which is exactly what I want from a thriller. The Thrashers, are a group of 5 friends who find themselves at the center of an investigation that is truly turning their lives upside down.

I loved that this book took us inside the social hierarchy of high school. Where who you eat lunch with and how much money your parents make can make or break you. Jodi, our FMC gave us such a perfect look into the inner workings of things at New Helvetia High School. I felt for Jodi at so many points during this book. She struggles with how close she really is to her friends and also wants desperately to believe the best in them. Her loyalty to “The Thrashers”
only goes so far and I loved that we saw her question what was true and what wasn’t.

Every character was so cleverly created. They were all flawed in their own ways, but just like Jodi, I wanted to see the good in all of them. Even Emily, who we only see through memories or journal entries was fascinating!

This book really was a rollercoaster with so many twists and turns. The eerie paranormal parts were just creepy enough, but not too far-fetched that it became unbelievable. The plot twists and psychological drama blew my mind and that epilogue! Seriously, I wanted more!! This was such an amazing YA thriller debut for Julie and I can’t wait to see more from her in this genre.

Thank you again, to NetGalley and the publishers for this book. It was such a honor to read.

I’m absolutely in love with this book! A provocative YA thriller that explores the complexities of high school cliches and socio-economical issues with a paranormal edge. It explores the innate need to belong somewhere and toxic behaviors that show up in the form of obsession, body shaming, stalking, suicide, toxic codependency, and rumor spreading. The story begins with the tragic suicide of Emily Mills, a high school sophomore . Fingers are pointed at a group of privileged, popular students called The Thrashers (Jodi, Lucy, Paige, Julian and Zach) as rising evidence seem to indicate Emily was bullied and maybe assaulted before her death. Jodi, an unlikely Thrasher, begins to untangle the web of mysteries surrounding Emily and coincidentally in her own friend group. 
 
I love how each Thrasher had such distinct characteristics and personalities. They are the most popular people in the school but as the plot evolves, they become increasingly vulnerable and stripped down. Julie Soto does an amazing job at making you sympathize with a character and 10 minutes later backtrack and question his/her motives. I love how complex and flawed the characters are. 
 
This book is an addictive, twisty mix of mystery, thriller, paranormal, and high school drama. I was coming up with theories and debunking them every few chapters. I was glued to each page. Can’t recommend this enough to fans of Karen McManus, Holly Jackson, Pretty Little Liars, and Veronica Mars. Just check triggers please! Is it May yet because I need a physical copy asap.

Did I finish The Thrashers or did The Thrashers finish me?

Any one who knows me knows that if Julie Soto is writing it, I'm reading it, so The Thrashers was high on my list of releases this year. While I shouldn't be surprised, I was completely blown away by this debut. I've been a fan of Julie's writing since AO3 and watching her move to trad pub and now break into a new genre has been outstanding. Her ability to write so elegantly across multiple genres should be applauded!

The Thrashers deals with many complex topics including high school hierarchy, suicide, alcoholism, assault, bullying, and more. The perfect blend of drama, mystery, suspense, and haunting. It was equal parts terrifyingly creepy and somehow heart wrenching. In all honesty, I lost sleep over this book. Both because I couldn't stop turning the page and because Emily haunted my nightmares. In my defense I haven't thrillered in a while, but she's also terrifying.

This was a wild ride with many layers and twists to it, but I think the thing that got me the most was that epilogue. Julie, you've outdone yourself and I can't wait to read the next one!

This book had me hooked from the very first chapter. Gossip Girl meets Pretty Little Liars with a slight paranormal twist, The Thrashers was riveting!

Set in a world of the rich high school elite, dangerous obsessions, lies, and secrets fuel this story. Follow The Thrashers as they navigate a trial after the death of a classmate, and watch their worlds unravel.

I definitely enjoyed this YA thriller from Julie Soto. Hope to see more from her in this genre!

Book Review: The Thrashers
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Julie Soto @juliesotowrites
Publisher: Wednesday Books @wednesdaybooks
Thank you @netgalley for the ARC

Thrashers by Julie Soto is a gripping YA thriller that explores toxic high school dynamics, obsession, and the cost of belonging.

Emily Mills’ tragic suicide on prom night sends shockwaves through New Helvetia High, especially among the Thrashers, an elite friend group led by the charismatic yet ruthless Zack Thrasher. Jodi Dillon, an outsider within the clique, clings to her childhood connection with Zack, desperate to maintain her fragile status. But when Emily’s diary surfaces, revealing dark secrets—including allegations of assault—Jodi is thrust into a dangerous game of loyalty and survival.

As investigators close in, Jodi must decide whether to stand by her so-called friends or protect herself. Meanwhile, eerie messages and strange occurrences make it seem like Emily isn’t done with them yet. The novel expertly builds tension, blending psychological suspense with an unexpected paranormal twist reminiscent of Pretty Little Liars.

Soto crafts deeply flawed yet compelling characters, capturing the high-stakes social hierarchy of high school. The story’s slow-burn mystery unfolds effectively, though the pacing drags slightly in the middle. While the ultimate reveal may not be a shock to seasoned thriller readers, the epilogue is chilling and unforgettable, leaving just enough ambiguity to haunt the reader long after the last page.

More than just a mystery, Thrashers delves into themes of bullying, trauma, and justice. It’s a thought-provoking, immersive read that lingers in the mind. Perfect for fans of dark YA thrillers.

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Julie Soto does it again! Great first foray into YA, the characters and plot keep you engrossed until the end.

Julie Soto only writes 5 star banger books. Period.

The Thrashers opens up with the suicide of a 17 year old girl, Emily and the final words "The Thrashers" The Thrashers are the popular high school clique lead by the nice guy golden boy, Zack Thrasher and includes Zach, Julian, Lucy, Paige & our protagonist, Jodi. I loved how immediately you could feel how isolated Jodi felt, and this othernesss is a huge theme of the story. When all 5 Thrashers are taken in for questioning about the death of Emily, the mystery begins.

This thriller had all the twists and turns you could hope for as Jodi tries to unravel what actually happened to Emily. There are lies, betrayals, paranormal activity and maybe even a little love story? I absolutely ate this up. I loved how Julie Soto was able to weave a mystery plot while exploring themes of privilege, bullying, friendship, mental health, abuse, alcoholism and so much more. This story wrapped up nice enough that it doesn't NEED to continue, but it did end just open enough that I was thrilled to discover this was signed as part of a 2 book deal.

4.5 stars

SCREAMING at THAT ENDING!!!

This book hooked me from the beginning. It wouldn’t be a Julie Soto without some sort of swoony romance and even though that was only a TINY part of this it was worth it. Only knocking off half a star because I felt like the pacing at the end was a little too fast, or missing something.

This book was so hard to put down ! It was so entertaining with lots of twists and turns. Even though the book is YA, I still really enjoyed it as an adult. This book gives Pretty Little Liars vibes with the mystery surrounding this friend clique. The ending had me shook and gasping. I highly recommend giving this one a read soon.

Thank you Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

The Thrashers by Julie Soto

This is a thrashing thriller that takes place at New Helvetia High. A group of friends with an unbreakable bond, senior year, what could go wrong? Think Heathers meets Mean Girls but with a twist.

Everyone wants to either be them or be with them and some take it the extra mile to infiltrate the friend group, but at what cost?

In every friend group you might have that one outlier who is just there. They’re part of the group, but always the last to be included, especially if there’s an uneven headcount. And when those friends are rich, popular and can afford the best tutors, what do you add to the group? That’s the million dollar question Jodi Dillon asks herself. But with friends like Zack, Julian, Paige, and Lucy what more could you want?

Well, let’s ask Emily Mills: what or who do you want? The new girl who has quickly labeled herself out as “the one who can’t take a hint” has that question answered when she suddenly dies and when a journal is found there’s an open investigation on the Thrashers and everyone begins to turn on them. “It’s called being “Thrashed”. “It was just a matter of time.” “That poor girl, she didn’t deserve friends like them.” ”. It doesn’t help that the school's residential bad boy Zack Thrasher, also Jodi’s lifelong crush, is the one who seems to be pulling all the strings.

But the thing is, Emily isn’t quite gone. Have you seen her?

Can you trust the ones you call “best friend”?

~

Julie Soto knows how to write a captivating story no matter what genre. In this YA debut, you can’t help but have uncontrollable goosebumps while kicking your feet. I haven’t had a reading slump ripped out of me so fast in the past five years and it was quite scary at how quickly I’ve recovered. Like I’ve mentioned, if you loved Mean Girls and want the twist and thrills of Heathers then this one's for you. Also please note, as someone who has had family members struggle with alcohol abuse and witnessing it firsthand, it was very refreshing seeing said family members in this story take accountability and have consequences.


I will be back for more of her stories and I wish that this was a duology because (respectfully) I NEED ANSWERS!!! Thank you Julie for an agonizingly wonderful time and thank you St. Martin’s Press for giving me the opportunity to read something so special.

Why was this so eerie for a spring time release 😂?! Like by the ending I had literal chills running down my arms PHEW. I’m so curious now, was this a standalone thriller that I was expecting it to be… or will there be an even more creepy sequel, that ending left my jaw on the floor. I’m still not over it lol.

I went into this book thinking it was going to be mostly a typical young adult thriller. School setting, secrets, someone dying and the mystery surrounding it. A rich versus poor situation, one friend always being the poorer one from the rest and the rest taking advantage of that. I even suspected who could have possibly been guilty from the very start. However, in some ways yes this is exactly what I signed up for but in other ways it was COMPLETELY different and a story I won’t soon forget.

I really don’t want to say too much more about this book for fear of ruining the fun for everyone else lol. If you’re a fan of YA thrillers full of secrets, betrayals and cliques with fun names, pick this one up!!

If it wasn’t obvious, there was an overall darker theme so I would probably look into some trigger warnings before starting this book.

Wow! This was my first Julie Soto book and boy it didn’t disappoint! This YA thriller has everything I love in a thriller- interesting characters, a plot full of twists and turns, and an ending that had my jaw on the floor. The story follows an elite group of friends, nicknamed “The Thrashers” by their high school classmates. When Emily, a classmate of the crew, has killer herself, the friends are accused of bullying her, thus causing her death. The Thrashers follows these five friends and what happens once Emily’s journal surfaces. Don’t sleep on this great book! Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy of this book!