This was completely different from the other two Julie Soto books that I’ve read. I wasn’t sure how I would like the YA aspect of it, but I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this. It was a super quick read that kept me hooked and left me guessing until the end.

The Thrashers was thought provoking and fast paced. It made me think about how I view bullying and socially outcasting someone, regardless of their personality.

If you’re looking for a high school thriller with morally grey and toxic characters, this is the book for you.

PS I would love a sequel that tells more of Julian’s story!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press | Wednesday Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect and chose to read this book purely because I have enjoyed Julie Soto’s adult romances, but she did not disappoint in the least with this thriller-esque YA. This book gave all the teen drama of fitting in, combined with the mystery of a young girl dying, and spiced up with a little Final Destination outrageous “someone or something” is trying to kill us vibes. Read this if you enjoy stories from the outsider or underdog perspective of the teen that never 100% fit in with her friend group (they’re rich, she isn’t, they’re popular, she is by default). There are secrets galore, ghosts that may be haunting each of the Thrashers, and as I mentioned drama, drama, drama. Julie Soto can tell a story whether it’s campy high school popular kids getting what’s coming to them or prodigy cellists. So if you enjoy her writing style, definitely pick this one up even if it’s outside your wheelhouse. I received an early copy from the publisher, all opinions are my own.

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Teenage drama with a touch of paranormal? Count me in! This is the first Julie Soto book that I’ve read and I loved it! The writing is great and it was absolutely bingeable! To say I ate this up is an understatement! It has such great twists and turns and morally gray characters that I was actually kind of rooting for (well most of them). I loved Jodi and her journey to really learn more about herself and her friends felt very genuine! I hope everyone picks this YA thriller up when it’s released!

After the death of a classmate, Jodi and her group of friends, known around school as "The Thrashers" become the focus of a police investigation into the death. At the same time, unsettling and strange accidents begin to happen to members of the group. I don't want to say too much more and risk spoiling anything but this was a fun, fast-paced read. Julie Soto does an excellent job of propelling the plot forward, and the teenage characters felt real to life, especially as Jodi begins questioning how well she really knows her best friends. Overall, a YA thriller that deftly handles a variety of complex topics, with a sprinkling of romance and a dash of the supernatural.

Thanks to NetGalley, Julie Soto, and Wednesday Books for the advanced review copy. All opinions are my own.

I love Julie Soto and this didn't disappoint! I love how the story developed with the twists and turns of almost like a psych thriller with a little paranormal thrown into the mix. I loved how the characters were developed but to be honest, I wasn't in love with any of them. I feel like they were all just a group of unlikable characters. I would have liked a little more backstory on the character who offered insight into the case from the previous high school, but otherwise I feel like everything was well developed. I also feel like the ending offered closure but also was set up so that there could potentially be a continuation.

Read-ability: 5/5
Character development: 4/5
Overall: 4.75/5

Would definitely recommend!

This was a fun read and different from all of the other Julie Soto books I’ve read. I enjoyed the mystery and thriller aspect of the story, and I also really liked the dynamic between the Thrashers and how we learned more and more as the story progressed. I will say I wish the paranormal aspect had been fleshed out a little more, as it felt a little half hazard and I would have like to see more intricacy with those elements. I also feel like the ending was a little bit abrupt for me, but I did read somewhere that this may have a sequel and if that is the case… I will be reading! All in all I would recommend this if you are looking for a fun quick-paced YA thriller that is not your usual!

As a high school teacher for the past 22 years, I thought this was a well-done and compelling YA story! When high school junior Emily takes her own life on prom night, the popular crowd she had been obsessed with is left defending their morally ambiguous and sometimes cruel actions leading up to her death. It dealt with a lot of issues facing modern teens today in regards to social media, substance abuse, pressures of college ,etc...., as well as decades-old insecurities like identity and fitting in, and finding your true friends and place in this world. It did get a bit far-fetched at times, and some characters were far more three-dimensional than others, but overall, I think my high school students would devour this book! There is an element of the supernatural to it, and that ending!!! Really hoping we see a sequel at some point in the future ;) Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's for this ARC!

The Thrashers by Julie Soto

Having never read a Julie Soto novel before, I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was not disappointed. Julie Soto delivers a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat YA thriller with The Thrashers. From the first page, I was hooked. The story masterfully weaves together suspense, morally gray characters, and an undercurrent of slow-burning tension that had me constantly guessing.

Jodi Dillon’s journey, caught between loyalty and self-preservation, was incredibly compelling. Watching her character grow and stand up for herself was both emotional and satisfying. Soto’s sharp writing and clever plotting made every twist land perfectly, and the eerie messages from Emily kept the suspense at an all-time high.

And that ending? Completely shocking. I’m still thinking about it and desperately hoping for a sequel!

If you love dark, twisty thrillers with complex characters and plenty of drama, The Thrashers is a must-read. Highly recommend!

5/5 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Wednesday Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC! I will be sharing my public review first on my Instagram page @perusetheshelves and will publish the same day as I post this review 3/29/2025.
Thank you again!

Loved loved loved The Thrashers, and I'm not usually a YA-reader.
- Julian is the best high school boy I've ever read
- Navigated being an outsider at high school well
- Julie Soto's writing is the perfect mix of to the point, and descriptive, for me

4.5⭐️

This was such a fun read! I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this, coming from Julie Soto’s romance books. But it truly was a fun time.

All of the characters were very clear people that I could picture. It felt like I knew each person, both in the book from their personality, but also from my own life. Thriller/mystery is not my typical genre, especially YA thriller/mystery, but anything by Julie is an auto-read for me and I was definitely not disappointed!

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the eARC and the ability to read this early!

This one had me hooked from the start—drama, secrets, and an elite high school friend group with some seriously dark undertones? Say less. Set in the glittering-yet-claustrophobic world of New Helvetia High, the story follows Jodi Dillon as she’s pulled into the orbit of the Thrashers: a group that thrives on power, attention, and exclusivity. When a girl desperate to join them turns up dead and her journal begins to circulate, everything unravels—fast.

Julie Soto captures the messy intensity of teen friendships so well—the way they blur into obsession, the pressure to belong, and how quickly loyalty turns into self-preservation. The social dynamics and high school hierarchy felt believable, and I was second-guessing almost everyone. There’s a nice blend of suspense and emotional depth here, and the twist (plus that epilogue!) delivered. I would absolutely read a sequel if Soto ever decides to return to these characters.

The Thrashers is a captivating and suspenseful YA Thriller about an obsessive toxic clique of high school friends, The Thrashers, and the great measures others would take to be a part of this elite group. Taking place after the death of a classmate, the story is told through various POVs and journal entries, police reports, and interviews. When a journal is found, the story begins to unravel with what really happened to their classmate, and all eyes start looking at The Thrashers.

Julie Soto is known for her adult romances, this is her debut YA thriller and she knocked it out of the park. I devoured this book in less than 24 hours, it was an addictive read and twisty ride, with an intriguing plot and very well developed characters. I really enjoyed this story of dark secrets, lies, drama, deceptions, bad choices, and the mystery of this complex and toxic group of friends. I was hooked from the first chapter until the very end, with an epilogue that blew my mind!

Eva Kaminsky and Jesse Vilinsky did a fantastic job narrating the audiobook. Their tone and inflections not only helped to create the suspenseful setting but also with giving each character their own unique voice, making it easier to differentiate. The audiobook took this story to another level enhancing the overall experience.

Readers may want to check TWs, there are several complex topics like suicide, alcohol abuse, physical abuse, bullying, paranormal activity.

Thank you @stmartinspress, @wednesdaybooks, @macmillan.audio, and @netgalley for the #gifted ARC & ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Do you ever think a bad decision you made is going to come back and haunt you? No? Well you should.

In this thrilling read, we follow a group of high schoolers after they have been framed for a girls suicide. What they don't know is it's just getting started.

Emily, the dead girl, had everything documented in a journal, that would later frame all but one person in the friend group. Emily is soooo back for revenge.

I've never read a book by Julie Soto, and this one completely knocked me out of the water. The way she breathed life into this story, given the circumstances! It's a 5 star read for me!

Julie Soto delivers in this Young Adult/Thriller Mystery.

It is told in a third person POV and I was lucky enough to immersion read. Narration is brought to us by Eva Kaminsky and Jesse Vilinsky in dual style narration. It is a very enrapturing story that gives the vibes of Pretty Little Liars and Gossip Girl meets Thirteen Reasons. I was enthralled in the writing style and couldn't wait to see what was coming next.

The Thrashers follows Jodi Dillon and her elite group of friends after the tragic suicide of one of their classmates, Emily. Jodi’s always felt out of place with her friends, the Thrashers because they’re all rich and sophisticated. But Zack Thrasher has been her best friend since the second grade so she’s stayed in the group. But after Emily’s death—a girl who was desperate to be a Thrasher—police start asking questions about bullying. Jodi is faced with an impossible choice: betraying her friends or saving herself.

I had so much fun reading this!! Truly a twisty mystery with so much drama and intrigue. I was so unsure the entire time who was truly at fault and where everyone stood. The author crafted the relationship between the friends so seamlessly. I loved Jodi’s doubt about her place in the group and how it became this confusing plot about whether she was reading into her friend’s behaviours or if she was truly their friend. Emily was so fascinating and so creepy at times and I felt so bad for her.

It's very thought provoking as the author displays the complexity of friendship and the cost some friendships can have. The hierarchy of high school cliques was really interesting and felt very believable. The plot was very engaging from the beginning and keeps things interesting. I was suspicious of so many people and the ending is really satisfying. Especially the epilogue although I would love a sequel.

Overall, if you like mystery/thrillers about cliques, social hierarchy, and complicated friendships, you should definitely check this out!

Thank you to St. Martins Press and Netgalley for the arc!

Oh? The ending? Ok… I mean… I need the next one like now because what??? Also a petition for this to be a show too 🤭

I am not a YA thriller/mystery gal but this one intrigued me because it was written by the Julie Soto. Honestly this had me hooked the whole time. The writing was easy to follow, the drama made you want to continue and the paranormal ness of it had you on the edge of your seat.

The follows a popular teenage friend group coined the “Thrashers”, after the main Zach Thrasher and them being publically scrutinized by their fellow peers at school and the law after Emily Mills commits suicide after being “Thrashed”.

I really enjoyed the archetypes that Julie set up within the group and how it all played into their dynamics. I might not be the target demographic for this at my ripe age lol but the inner thoughts of Jodi & her friend’s actions resonated with my younger self a lot so I liked that element a lot.

Can’t wait to see where this story continues!!

Justice for Julian & FU Zach

Thank you Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the eARC of The Thrashers by Julie Soto!

In perfect honesty, I don’t think I could even explain with words how much I loved this book. From the character development to the twists and turns of the plot, I cruised through this eager to know what happens next.

Julie’s writing spans genres, fandoms and more, but The Thrashers was the perfect blend that transported me into another world and held me there until I knew what happened next.

For me to finish a book in 48 hours means that it had my undivided attention and BOY did The Thrashers deliver.

5/5 absolutely zero notes, I require a physical copy the minute it is out.

The Thrashers rule the school, and everyone else tries to survive them.

Jodi Dillon was never supposed to be in the inner circle. The Thrashers are rich, dramatic, and always in the spotlight. Jodi is a wallflower, but because Zack Thrasher was her childhood best friend, she was suddenly one of them. When Emily Mills dies, detectives start poking around. Emily wanted nothing more than to be a Thrasher. Jodi starts wondering how well she knows the people she’s been calling friends when a few of them are accused of causing Emily’s death.

This book mixes secrets, lies, and classic mean girls. It’s sharp, twisty, and just a dash of scathing jealousy. Beneath all the drama is a thoughtful look at mental health, peer pressure, and what happens when you’re forced to grow up way too fast.

It’s impossible to put down. The characters are fun to read, and you never know who has alternative motives. I hope to see more YA reads from this author.

Thank you, NetGalley, St. Matin’s Press, and Wednesday Books, for allowing me to review the ebook.

This book drew me in with the first line of the prologue. What a start!

The Thrashers was so interesting and different! It was part mystery, part paranormal, part thriller, part romance, part gossip girl crossed with 13 reasons why. I absolutely ate it up - I can't even describe how masterfully Julie weaved in the twists and turns as Jodi and her friends (The Thrashers) navigate the fallout of a classmate's suicide and topics such as bullying, harassment, social hierarchy as well as darker topics such as substance use and child abuse.

I thought I knew what had happened but I couldn't predict some of the twists! What I do know is that I am a Julian Hollister STAN!! The way that man came through for Jodi, more than her best friend ever did made him a favourite in my book. The tension between them was palpable and despite his gruff exterior he was soft for her.

I am frothing at the mouth for book 2. Can't wait to read it!!

Thank you Wednesday books for the advanced review copy.

this is my official request to julie soto for a 400 page romance book with jodi dillon and julian hollister 💕

anyways this book was so good?! i’ve been in a reading slump for a month now and the thrashers has pulled me out of it!! i seriously couldn’t put this book down and read it in two sittings. the suspense? amazing! the story? loved! the characters? so well written!!! THE EPILOGUE? jaw dropped and mad asf bc i need more hello?!

my favorite thing about this book was JULIAN MF HOLLISTER AND MY GIRL JODI DILLON!!!!! i immediately sensed something was going to happen between them at the start and their CHEMISTRY? their BANTER? WHEWWWWWW!!!!! gosh it was too good!!! THE WAY HE SHOWED UP FOR HER TIME AFTER TIME!!!!!! the entire scene with the paint/kisses OHHHH I WAS SCREAMINGGGG!!!!! they had me giggling squealing and kicking my feet. I NEED more.

(julie soto pls give us more jodie and julian im actually begging)

moving on…

this was my first julie soto book and i definitely recommend!!! will for sure be reading her other books now because i was obsessed with this one :) 4.5 stars!

thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the advanced readers copy!