I am so glad that Julie Soto was recommended to me. Her books only get better! This was an interesting turn since her last novel, Not Another Love Song, but I'm glad that didn't deter me! This was a thought-provoking young adult read, which isn't usually something I'd put on my TBR! This was the psychological twist that I needed in my books this year!

The Thrashers had me hooked from the first page, and I devoured it in a single sitting (which I haven’t done in a long time). This book took me through every emotion (mirth, joy, anxiety, sadness, you name it), and I was not expecting the ending!

Julie Soto is a master at characterization. The dynamic between characters and the growth we see in Jodi was incredible. I love how we as readers are learning information at the same time as Jodi. This is a 6 star read for me without question. I’ve thought about this book every day since I finished it.

Begging the publishers for a sequel or spinoff in this universe! I would love to see more of Jodi and {redacted}’s story.

I absolutely loved (LOVED) Julie Soto’s first two romance novels, and that is how I came to read my first YA novel in 25 years (lol). I came into The Thrashers with no expectations whatsoever, and by the end found myself gripped by the suspense as the plot unfolded. Similar vibes to 13 Reasons Why, and I am just here for any crumb Julie will give us (thank you for the one kiss, I was dying for it).

Was so excited to get this book, but it is unlike any other Julie book. This was a psychological thrilling time. The story starts with a traumatic event. And we spend the rest of the time trying to piece together the events that happened. The way it wrapped up 😱 WHAT. AN. ENDING.

I wasn’t sure how much I would enjoy a YA in this setting but god was i hooked. The twists and turns kept me wanting to know more. Its all i could think about from page one till the end.

I knew this was a YA novel going in so I’m not sure how fair this comparison is. However I prefer this author, Julie Soto, adult romances more then “The Thrashers”. (‘Forget Me Not” and “Not Another Love Song”) Now I am in no way saying I didn’t like “The Thrasher”. I’m a big “Heathers” fan so I knew I’d like this. I also got a ‘Scream Queens’ mixed with “Pretty Little Liars” vibe here. It took me some time to get into the story with all the set up and how many characters there were but once I did get further in, I was hooked.
Emily Mills dies of suicide on Prom Night. She leaves behind a journal pinpointing a group called “The Thrasher” as the reason for her death. Named after head member Zack Thrasher, the group is a clique at the local high school. Jodi, one of the group begins to questions her other friends and starts to unravel the truth behind Emily’s death.

The Thrashers by Julie Soto is unlike anything I’ve ever read… A friend group that is the envy of the high school is centered around their namesake, Zack Thrasher. All are drawn to him, want to please him, want to be a part of the group but along with that comes with the fear of “being Thrashed”. The term was coined by those who felt cast aside after the group was not longer interested in hanging out with them.

Jodi Dillion has been Zack’s best friend since second grade but nothing more even though she would have hoped for something romantic. She was content being his friend and being any type of person that he needed. She put him on a pedestal and even made his best friends, her best friends. Collectively, they were The Thrashers.

Emily Mills badly wanted to become a Thrasher. She was the worst kind of obsessive. Her life ended on Prom Night where she left behind a journal that placed blame on The Thrashers for bullying her to death. That wasn’t the end of it though.. The year following Emily’s death was filled with strange accidents, dreams and communications from beyond the grave. Emily is still with them and insistent on making the lives of those who wronged her a living hell.

Jodi goes on a journey, along with the investigators, to discover how much of the blame is really on her and her friends. She questions if these friends truly care about her or if she also on the verge of being Thrashed.

This novel is thought provoking, mysterious and has twists, turns and new revelations in every chapter. Julie Soto has become a favorite author of mine with her contemporary romance novels. I’m thrilled to add this one to the list! Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The Thrashers comes out May 6, 2025.

The Thrashers is a gripping, paranormal YA thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It took me a little time to get into it, but after 30% in I couldn’t put it down. It starts with the death of a classmate and a very incriminating journal. The story follows Jodi, who begins to question whether she truly knows her friends as well as she thought. As secrets unravel, and unexpected twists take you by surprise, it leaves you second guessing everyone’s intentions. The morally grey characters makes the story even more fascinating, blurring the lines between right and wrong, which adds depth to the plot. It kind of reminds me of Thirteen Reasons Why.

There’s also a subtle romance woven in. And that epilogue! I really hope she continues with the story because that was too short. And I could see this as a series or movie! 🎥

Definitely check TW

ahhhh Julie Soto. I have a deep love for Julie’s writing style. It’s SOOO bingeable. No matter what genre she’s writing, you want to sit and devour the book in one sitting.

I wasn’t sure if this would be for me because while i like thrillers, YA thrillers are a hit or miss for me because they can sometimes just be toooo immature for my taste, but this one didn’t hit badly.

I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I was eager to turn the page and figure out what happened. I did kind of see what was coming so it wasn’t unpredictable but i don’t feel like overall it took away from the plot.

It’s not my favorite book by Julie, but if you’re a thriller girl and/or a Julie girl def don’t skip it! 😊

PS - The audio was very well done. The narrators did an outstanding job and delivering the emotions of the characters and keeping the listener engaged.

I wasn't immediately drawn into the book but honestly I kept trying to read it at night and when I was tired. Once I picked it up on a Saturday morning, I couldn't put it down! This book was so interesting as it followed the Thrashers. I enjoyed how the story followed Jodi and I'm thankful she finally got over Zack! I can't believe how it ended and I really hope there is a book two!!!

YA Thriller
High School Clicks
Troubling journals

Julie Soto broke into YA with a bang. “The” crowd in high school who protect their own at all cost is a story we’ve all lived. Jodi’s is a character you want to root for and seeing her story unfold was a satisfying conclusion. I enjoyed the dynamic character development for Julian as well, though I could have used more of a full ending to the epilogue. A great read that is easy to digest and follow. Well done as always, Julie!

I’m not surprised that this book was good because I’ve read 2 other 5 star Julie Soto reads, but wow this book was GOOD! I will be there to petition for this book to go into immediate movie production because wow!! I love how the story laced itself together and the secrets that were revealed had me on the edge of my seat. Everytime I had to stop reading I was itching to open it and read more. Only Julie could make me hate a character only to root for him in the end. For sure became a Julian apologist at the end. Can we talk about the epilogue??? Closely aligned to my theory throughout the book but still a shocker. I love this book so much!

3.75 🌟 I’m not usually a big thriller fan but Julie Soto’s name caught my eye and so here I am! This book is centered around high school hierarchies, bullying, and a mysterious suicide. The main character is caught between feeling both a sense of belonging and not belonging in the popular circle (The Thrashers) and finds herself being a central part of the mystery.

I found this book to have great pacing. I appreciated the character development within both Julian and Jodi. My main critique is that the ending felt a bit rushed and less impactful than I was expecting. The epilogue in particular seemed hasty and unnecessary. That being said, I still enjoyed this suspenseful ride and binged the majority of it in one day.

I think fans of 13 Reasons Why and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder would really enjoy this!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC, which I received in exchange for my honest review.

This book was a perfect binge-worthy YA thriller. It had me hooked from beginning to end. This book was filled to the brim with teenage angst and drama. The Thrashers - named so for their most popular member Zack Thrasher - consists of the rich and popular Julian, Lucy, Paige and Jodi which comes from a significantly different socio-economic background. She and Zack has been friends since childhood and he's THE boy according to her.

The Thrasher dealt with many different complex topics such as suicide, alcoholism, drug abuse, bullying, assault, high school hierarchy and so much more. It was a perfect balance of mystery, paranormal and drama.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with this eARC.

I haven't been captivated by a YA thriller since A Good Girls Guide to Murder a few years ago. I am happy to say, I think this one was even better. I ate up every morsel of this story! I was so enthralled by the writing; I wanted to call out of work to finish it! Imagine a more sinister mean girls with secrets, despair and the unfortunate death of a classmate, pending charges and a little paranormal -- and you have The Thrashers. Wow, I wish I could read this again for the first time. I KNOW this is going to be a sensation already.

Every school has a cool clique. But this is one that is the focal point for a murder.
Everyone is in love with Zack Thrasher, and that doesn’t exclude the members of his own clique. Everyone wants to be part of his crew, and those who become close but don’t make it get “thrashed”— basically broken up with via a current member.
Someone who wanted in, died, and after a journal is found pointing the finger at the thrashers, they become the center of attention in a bad way.
I enjoyed this listen! Everyone in the popular crew was going through something and feeling like they don’t belong and/or had a different perception of themselves than how their friends actually saw them. When they were forced to spend time apart, that really put things into perspective. I thought it was very of its age and I enjoyed the mystery twist to it.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the listen!

This was my first book by the author and I really enjoyed it. Her writing makes this hard to put down. It was thrilling and intriguing.

Although this is a Young Adult novel, the themes are a bit heavy. Emily Mills dies by suicide and popular friend group, The Thrashers, are speculated to have played a part. Jodi Dillon was one of the nice ones to Emily; even though she’s part of the Thrashers through a long friendship with infamous leader, Zach Thrasher.

Emily’s journal is found. Jodi dives in to figure out what lead to her unfortunate death. Strange things start happening…coincidence or possibly Emily seeking revenge?

This was a great read! It reminded me a bit of Mean Girls trying to be part of the popular crowd. I also received the advanced listening copy and enjoyed the audio!

Thank you NetGalley for the e-arc!

3.75 ⭐

So, initially I didn't care for this book that much. The beginning was kinda slow and the writing too abrupt and boring.

However, it was easy to read, and, by the time the pace picked up, it was so intriguing and I was freaked out by everything.

And the epilogue made me :o and left me wondering if there will be a sequel.......

I usually go more for romance or fantasy but when I saw Julie Soto I had to read. The twists in this book had me hooked and that ending! I received the ARC through NetGalley but I’m 100% preordering a physical copy!

Yes, I truly have loved everything Julie Soto has written and this is no exception! I'm convinced that Soto can write any genre and keep you captivated the entire way through. Her characters are so well developed and perfectly fit the genre. The twists in this book had me on the edge of my seat and gasping for MORE!