Thank you NetGalley ebook arc. I have only read romance books by Julie Soto so I was blown away with the suspense and story of this YA book. I was drawn in at the beginning and binged the whole book in one day.
This book should have a TW for suicide or suicidal thoughts is the only negative this that I have
A so call friend commits suicide the night of prom leaving a journal stating how her group of friends bullied her into suicide. They end up all posting bail and not understanding why they were being blamed when they never hung out with the girl.

I'm not really sure how this managed to make me giggle, cry, laugh and feel scared all in one book but it sure did! I absolutely LOVED this! Julie Soto's writing is just beautiful. This was addictive, fast paced and I could not put it down, even though I was really creeped out at night, I continued reading 😂 I had to take a full day after the last page to just think about what I just read. Honestly I'm gonna think about that ending for a long time and just occasionally cry about it 😭 5 stars! No notes!

Super fast paced book that hooks you and makes you want to "solve" the "mystery" to find out what happened to Emily Mills and how she died. It is Mean Girls that goes a bit further with a death. It could be triggering for some with suidice topics.

Thrillers aren’t usually my first choice.

But a thriller written by Julie Soto? Sign. Me. Up.

This is one of those “I don’t want to put it down, life needs to pause because I need to just keep reading to see what happens” books.

What a delight! I was so locked in from the start. The Thrashers are that friend group- we all knew one like it in high school, but seeing the inner workings and different dynamics between them while they were *going through it* was so much fun.

Do not miss out on this one because it’s a must-read.

Thank you to Wednesday Books for the early copy!

3.75
I truly never really knew what was going to happen next. This book was super fast passed and really sucked me in.
I love flawed characters and almost every single character in this book has their flaws. I think Jodi was an interesting viewpoint to read from. The way she views herself makes the story even more confusing in the best way.

The ending did feel sorta unfinished, so I'm hoping for another book.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for the eARC.

This book was absolutely fantastic! I preordered it but I also loved getting the arc for it and it didn’t disappoint. The book was twisty, the characters were great, and I felt that you never knew quite what was going to happen or who to trust. Writing thrillers these days can be tricky; to have to create a good enough backstory to be able to make it twisty, thrilling, unpredictable, and yet not feel totally out of the realm of possibility is so hard, but Julie Soto did all of that and more! I hope there’s a sequel because with that ending, I wanted more!!!

The Thrashers is solid evidence that Julie Soto’s captivating writing easily transcends genres. Her writing is so compelling that I spent this entire book unaware of where I stood with the main characters. I found myself simultaneously mistrusting but also liking the main cast of characters (yet feeling conflicted for liking them because they’re also portrayed in a way setting you up to not like them). This complexity added another layer to this heart-pounding paranormal thriller. I was hooked from the epilogue through the last page (and finished it in a day because I HAD to know how it ended!).

I personally think this is one that’s better if you jump into it without reading a summary. Just trust that it’s a page-turner and sit back and enjoy the ride!

Huge thank you to Julie Soto, Macmillan Audio, St. Martin’s Press, & NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

I am not usually a fan of thrillers but absolutely adored this story. From the very first chapter this book had tension and I couldn’t put it down. This book dives deep into high school dynamics—popularity, power, and the consequences of wanting to fit in—while keeping you on edge with its eerie mystery.

The story follows a tight-knit, elite friend group known as the Thrashers—Zack, Julian, Lucy, Paige, and Jodi—who seem to have everything. But when Emily Mills, a girl desperate to be accepted by them, dies under tragic circumstances, things start to unravel. The guilt, the secrets, and the fear of being exposed make for an intense, psychological read. As mysterious messages start appearing and strange events unfold, you’re constantly questioning who can be trusted.

One of the things I really loved about this book was how well Julie Soto captured the emotional weight of teenage friendships. The characters aren’t just stereotypes—they’re layered and flawed, making their choices feel real, even when they’re making terrible ones. The way Soto portrays social pressure and the blurred lines between loyalty and self-preservation felt so authentic. The suspense builds perfectly, with twists that kept me flipping pages late into the night. I had theories, but I was still caught off guard more than once.

From page one, I was very intrigued by this book. I knew it’d be an excellent YA suspense, but I was not expecting such an incredible in-depth look at toxic friendships, especially in a group dynamic with different social classes. Jodi was such a fantastic character. She was very easy to relate to and her conflicts about protecting her friends versus holding them accountable were so well done. I also LOVED Julian’s character. I felt like the pace was pretty steady throughout the book which is always a plus. The ending was just so good, especially those last two chapters. I think this is one of my top YA reads this year for sure and I’d LOVE another one by Soto.
CW: alcoholism, suicide, bullying, underage drinking, car accident, injury, child abuse, sexual assault

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the digital readers copy!

4.5 rounded up. Thank you St. Martin’s Press | Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy! The Thrashers is out May 6, 2025!

The Thrashers. They’re those kids from high school. You know the ones. Popular and the kids everyone wants to be friends with. Emily Mills is desperate to be added to their friend group of five. Except The Thrashers can’t stand Emily, and one night she ends up dead. We follow Jodi, the one friend who isn’t wealthy and isn’t a beauty queen, as she works to figure out what exactly happened to Emily, and if her friends are to blame.

This book expertly examines the American high school experience - the anxiety of being the “different” friend, wondering if your friends are hanging out without you, social hierarchies, and the delicate line of boundaries and bullying. Throughout the book, Jodi constantly battles with her self doubt and whether or not she really belongs in The Thrashers. Except when Emily, her overeager classmate who cannot take a hint, tries to join The Thrashers, Jodi is quick to put Emily in her place. When details are revealed about Emily’s death, all The Thrashers seem to blame. We follow Jodi as she unravels what happened and if she can really trust her friends. And if they’re even truly her friends?

This book had me guessing who to trust the entire time. I was DESPERATE for the slow burn romance and honestly wanted more of it! I loved Jodi’s growth as a character and the choices she made toward the end of the book. Like I was so proud of her?? The “paranormal” bits added to the drama but I could’ve done without some of it because the Thrashers were put through the wringer omg. I did guess the ending and I felt it could’ve been more “twisty”. Overall, this book was a freaking blast to read and I need Netflix to make this into a movie!! I’m a Julian-stan forever 🫶

🩷 YA thriller
🩵 Popular crowd / high school friend group
🩷 Mystery / who can you trust
🩵 Unrequited love
🩷 Twists / paranormal / spirits
Spice: 🫑 one kissing scene

(TW: suicide, death of a parent, abuse, alcoholism)

This has been a difficult review to write, and I have gone back and forth on what to submit as a review after thinking critically about the themes in this book.

I want to stress that as an ADULT reading The Thrashers by Julie Soto, I thought the book was… interesting? I didn’t NOT like it - it was an interesting read and though it was predictable in places, it was still an enjoyable read.

For me, I had issues with the morals/values/and personalities of the majority of the characters, and I also wasn’t a fan of the resolution

I also don’t know that I think that book is appropriate for young adults readers. I l feel like this book could potentially perpetuate the myth that people who attempt or commit suicide are only doing so far attention, rather than due to mental health issues.

Lastly, there needs to be a trigger warning at the beginning of the book alerting the reading to the topics of suicide, drug and alcohol abuse, parental death, and sexual assault to name a few. I went into this book blind based off of the description and had no idea I would be hit with the topic of suicide on page one of the story.

Ummm... What??? Is this my new favorite Julie Soto book? And it's a YA thriller?? Yes, yes it is. And that's after rating both her previous books 5 stars. I am shocked, blown away by this book. This is a book that does not read YA, in the sense that it isn't "good for a YA", it is just plain GOOD. I loved the depth and nuance to the characters. The twists were unexpected. And there was the perfect little romantic subplot (eeeeek, I love them).

The only thing I would say is I hope this will be published with some sort of trigger warning (even just a page at the front that provides a link to the trigger list). The first time I picked this up I was very put off by the opening scene. I had a much easier time the second time I picked this up and knew somewhat what I was getting into. Given that this is getting published as YA, I think it is all the more crucial.

Final verdict: loved it. Didn't want to put it down. It's in the category of "I wish I could read this again for the first time."

Special thank you to St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. I absolutely loved this book at devoured it in a day. It’s got real life situations that a mixed with a little paranormal. It definitely has some heavy topics with it and some trigger warnings but it teaches a lesson that words matter and speaking bad about people behind their backs can ruin lives and hurt more people than you could ever intend,

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you for the opportunity to read the ARC!

I ventured out of my usual reading comfort zone and read *The Thrashers* by Julie Soto. It was a bit of a different vibe for me, but I'm glad I made the leap. While the story started off a bit slow, it quickly picked up and became an enthralling read that kept me turning the pages.

The narrative delves into some heavy topics, including drug use, suicide, and bullying. In many ways, it reminded me of the show *13 Reasons Why*, as it explores the ripple effects of Emily Mills' tragic suicide. A few months after her death, we’re introduced to "The Thrashers," a popular group of five friends who find themselves at the center of a court case, labeled as Emily’s former bullies. As the protagonist, Jodi, unravels the truth, she discovers that both her friends and Emily’s journal aren't as honest as she was initially led to believe.

What I appreciated about *The Thrashers* is how it challenges readers to reflect on the complexities of friendship and the darker sides of adolescence. The ending was particularly interesting, leaving much open to interpretation. It's the kind of conclusion that invites discussion and self-reflection, and I personally enjoy that in a book.

Overall, Julie Soto has crafted a thought-provoking story that tackles significant issues with sensitivity. Even though YA isn't my usual genre, *The Thrashers* has definitely left its mark on me. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a compelling read that invites deeper thought about human relationships and the struggles many face during their teenage years.

WAAAAAAAAIT WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT

That was so twisty and exciting!!! JULIE SOTO WTF!!!! I am obsessed. I had so much fun reading this book and trying to figure out where the truth was among all of the lies and misdirection. The hints of <spoiler>PARANORMAL ACTIVITY</spoiler> were always just *right there* to make you wonder.

I thought Jodi was a great MC and I often found myself relating to her as the odd one out in a friend group, feeling left out, and often nice to others out of obligation rather than sincerity (sorrryyyyy). I enjoyed how even though this is fully a teen thriller/mystery....there was a lot of personal growth that happened in the 5 mc's lives as well.

I am so impressed with Julie Soto's genre hop and I cannot wait to see what she is up to next!!! LOVED THIS!!!!!!!!!!

The Thrashers follows a group of teens, named after their de facto leader, Zack Thrasher, accused of malicious bullying when a student commits suicide. Jodi Dillon is hanging on by a thread to her childhood friendship with Zack. When he gets arrested under suspicion for Emily’s death, many more secrets come to life about the group of well-off Sacramento rich kids, and Jodi will need to decide if she should be Thrashed.

I completely ate up this story. The audiobook narration by Eva Kaminsky was so captivating, she made Jodi and all the characters extremely likable and I really enjoyed her delivery overall.

Props to Ms. Soto for creating a super interesting mystery, it’s like I was reliving some of my favorite 90s/2000s teen movies. I loved the unpredictability of the plot with the addition of a supernatural sub-theme, there was action, tension, and suspense. Not to mention angsty teen feelings, friendship drama, and so many morally gray characters (Team Julian 4EVA ✌🏼)

I really really liked the paranormal aspect of the book and just I wish it leaned into it a little tiny bit more. But that’s totally not a negative, the book had many interesting things to say and it was a great read/listen.

Thank you to Wednesday Books and Macmillan Audio for the free review copies.

Thank you, St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books for providing the copy of The Thrashers by Julie Soto. I was riveted to the pages to see what happened next and how Jodi would fare. I enjoyed her POV and her story. The other characters weren’t very likable but they also felt real. I wasn’t a fan of the somewhat supernatural elements, but I understood why they were needed. I loved how unpredictable the story was and I would love to see this book as a TV series or movie. It encapsulated the teen experience/feelings, at least as I remember them. The emotional aspects and the themes of what friendship means make The Thrashers a wonderful choice for teens and every school library should have a copy! 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

This is so much more than a young adult novel. The story will suck you in and keep you hooked throughout. I had reminders of several other stories and tv shows and movies that I have consumed in recent years as I read this book. 13 Reasons Why sticks out the most. I'm not sure if anyone else got that? Soto is a talented writer and I'm grateful to have been able to read this. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

The book hooked me from the very first pages. I kept coming up with different theories and guesses, yet the ending still caught me off guard! I didn’t see that coming, and even after finishing, I can’t stop thinking about it. The author didn’t provide direct answers to every question, which makes it a great book to read with someone and discuss certain moments. This is my first book by the author, and I enjoyed the easy style; I definitely want to read her future works. All the characters are different, with their own struggles, secrets, and pain; they are not perfect. The story is told from the perspective of the FMC, which gives a sense of an unreliable narrator. A group of teenagers, their acquaintance has taken her life, and someone among them is guilty, or not? Who is truly a friend, and how not to feel out of place? They are called the Thrashers, and they are suspected of bullying that drove their friend, who doesn't want to leave them after her demise...

Thank you SO much for the ARC of The Thrashers.

This title was absolutely a step away from what I normally read. While I enjoy YA and have read many titles in YA contemporary, I have grown to avoid high school settings and high school aged kids in a contemporary setting without fantasy, now I usually read fantasy YA books set in other worlds. I am absolutely glad that I ended up deciding to break my rule about high school books and read this one. I have been so deep into fantasy or just rom com that I was not sure what to expect. The book absolutely sucks you in with the mystery and the drama, that does not feel childish in any way.

The book felt at first almost predictable but the paranormal aspects and the characters still kept me engaged. There were certainly points that kept me on the edge of my seat and not where I thought it was headed. Then it felt like it wrapped up nicely… and FINALLY you get to the very very end. Just a fragment and my mind said hold up a second! This is not a book to skip out on and just enjoy the ride all the way through! I truly felt Thrashed after the end of this book. It is going to live rent free in my mind for a while now.