CW: suicide, child abuse

It needs to be routine to always include content warnings at the start of a book about suicide. And that's even more important when that book is being marketed to teenagers. This book didn't have so much as an author's note at the beginning or end and didn't offer any mental health resources. Reputable medical organizations have provided clear recommendations on how to address this topic with youth in order to prevent harm. Those recommendations were not followed by the author or publisher here. In the US, the lifeline is 988 if you or someone you know needs help.

On to my review:
It's a little tough for me to write this, as I find it difficult to separate my feelings about the books as a novel from the harm it could cause. Personally, this book wasn't my favorite because I didn't like any of the characters. I started caring a little about Jodi about halfway through. I didn't like any of the other Thrashers, especially Zach. And that meant I didn't feel particularly invested in what happened to them.

But it was well written and a twisty psychology thriller. And I think a lot of people who don't feel the need to have a character they can root for will like it a great deal. The audiobook was well produced and added to the suspense.

I am not sure what just happened, but I loved it, I couldn’t put it down and I am going to need more! I was already a huge fan of Julie Soto before but now I know she can not only wreck me with romance she can also completely haunt me with a good YA mystery. Gave “I know what you did last summer” or “A good girl’s guide to murder” vibes and was executed so well.

This book however should come with strong trigger warning. Suicide, parents with a substance abuse and bullying. Thank you to NetGalley, St-Martin’s Publishing and the author Julie Soto for the advanced reading copy, all my opinions are my own.

A cross between 13 Reasons Why, Gossip Girl, PLL, and Single White Female. This was my first Julie Soto book and being a fan of thrillers, I enjoyed her YA thriller debut. It follows 5 popular high schoolers aka The Thrashers (led by Zach Thrasher) being linked to the bullying and suicide of Emily.

The plot was addictive but there were some parts that dragged out for longer than needed. There is also paranormal activity which I am not a fan of in the least but that’s my fault for going into the book completely blind. The ending however was completely unexpected and 🤌🏽. This being said, I like her writing and looking forward to reading another one of her books in a completely different genre.

Thank you to Wednesday Books for providing me with this e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Gripping from the very first page!

I ADORED this YA mystery/thriller! This is my first book by Julie Soto and I was so excited to start it since I have such amazing things about her other works. The Thrashers did not disappoint! It is sexy and scary and earnest and heartfelt. The ending was messy perfection!

I don't want to spoil anything so I will leave it like this: go preorder this book!!

This book was such a ride! This was different from the books I normally read and it was a nice change. It was filled with mystery, suspense, and paranormal aspects that gave some serious spooky vibes. 😱 I didn’t know what to expect with this one and it honestly had me on the edge of my seat wanting to know more!

The Thrashers is an elite group of friends in high school who have acquired this title — for a reason. Emily Mills, is a not so popular girl who desperately wants to befriend this group. However Emily Mills keeps a journal of her experiences along the way. When she commits suicide, clues and pieces of evidence are brought into question. The story begins to unravel and everything you thought you knew about these characters suddenly changes very quickly. There’s lots of twists that will have you guessing the whole time!

Readers should check trigger warnings— death, suicide, abuse, substance abuse.

Overall I give this book a solid 4 🌟. This book releases May 6, 2025!

Thank you Netgalley, Julie Soto, and St. Martin’s Press for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Read this if you like:
•13 reasons why
•drama
•suspense

I flew through this one. When a girl dies on prom night, this elite friend group is in the spotlight for bullying. Jodie is the only one in the group not rich and entitled and she’s also the only one not suspected of bullying Emily leading to her suicide. Pretty little liar & 13 reasons why vibes! Thank you Wednesday books!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martins Press, and LibroFm for providing me with an advanced e-book and audiobook in exchange for an honest review of “The Thrashers” by Julie Soto. This YA suspense/mystery novel, with its intriguing supernatural elements, quickly became one of my favorites of the year.

The plot was fast-paced and the premise was well-crafted. While the novel primarily focuses on Jodi Dillon, the character development for each of the Thrashers was well-written and distinct. Despite its YA genre, the book is enjoyable for adults as well, making it a perfect fit for fans of Natasha Preston, Karen McManus, and Holly Jackson.

This was a 2am, I can’t put the book down read. While often times I find similar plots to be predictable, I was pleasantly surprised by all the twists and turns here. There was no point where I could have expected the exact chain of events that Jodi discovered in her attempt to learn more about what led to her classmate’s suicide. Along with the plot, the characters and their relationships with one another made this one of my favorite reads this year!

Despite not being a big fan of high school bullying troupes, Julie Soto being the author encouraged me to make an exception—and it did not disappoint. While it would have been very easy for The Thrashers to be very stereotypical high school bullies, their characters were more complex than I expected. Zack, Julien, Lucy, Paige and even Jodi all expected in the grey space.

Jodi leads the story. She spends a lot of it talking about how she often feels left on the outside of the friend group. I think those insecurities coupled with the motivation to learn more about what happened to Emily really drives the plot. Most of the story is fueled by emotion, the volatile nature of teenage emotions creates a frustrating, but amazing unreliable narrator learning about the mysteries surrounding the plot.

Unexpectedly, Julien quickly became a favorite character. Often times it felt like he was the only person who could “see” Jodi. He played a great foil to Zack’s golden boy character as Jodi struggles to work through both the mysteries and her own emotions. I couldn’t put the book down once I started reading. After reading the ending, and specifically the epilogue, I’m eagerly waiting for the announcement of the squeal!

The Thrashers are THE clique to be in, and no one is REALLY in apart from Zack, Julian, Lucy, Paige, and Jodi. Jodi has never really felt like she's fit in, but she's been best friends with Zack for forever. Enter Emily Mills. Emily is obsessive and tiresome and tries her hardest to be part of the group, especially concerning Zack, but when she commits suicide on prom night, everything The Thrashers thought they had is taken away. Rumors and theories abound...how much were the Thrashers involved, why did Emily do it, why does the group feel like they're being haunted? The Thrashers is a captivating thrill-ride with a touch of the supernatural, and I could not put it down.

I had forgotten how much I liked YA thrillers, and this just brought it back, baby. I will now be reading through more of the YA thrillers that have been sitting on my shelf unread, and I do sincerely wish that there will be a followup to this novel. Soto sure can genre-swap.

This a YA thriller very much like all YA thrillers, but the writing and the story are strong. The relationship drama, the romantic subplot, the pure amount of angst through this book, in the most ominous and spooky supernatural way, and the thrill of the whodunnit were executed perfectly. I did have quite a bit of suspicion who was behind the little twist at the end, but I'm not sure it was really supposed to be a mystery to the reader, more to the characters; there was definitely an amount of dramatic irony, even though we are in Jodi's head, who is a character who really does have the least amount of information and has to uncover a lot throughout the story.

This was such a deep dive into teenage social dynamics and high school cliques, and even though we were reading about the popular group that we all love to hate, Soto made me care about every single one these characters, while simultaneously yelling at them for acting the way they did. Love reading those morally ambiguous and flawed characters that the author makes you love regardless.

I was definitely expecting there to be a bit more romantic plotline given Soto is mainly a romance writer, but given it's YA, also not surprising. The subplot of romance was really well done, I was definitely rooting for a certain couple...but the TWIST at the end made me seriously question.

The conclusion wrapped up nicely, and there was a jaw-dropping twist on the very last pages that has made me desperate for more... although it wasn't a cliffhanger. It definitely could segue into another story, or it was a VERY interesting way to make the reader imagine the story through a whole new lens. It has definitely made me want to reread and reexamine. If you like YA thrillers, this is definitely one to pick up!

As soon as I finished The Thrashers I knew I needed to shout about it to all! Just…..wow! Julie Soto is a mastermind. I didn’t fully know what to expect when going into this book, but it gave everything I could want and more. The blend of thriller with a dash of romance was sublime. I had a roller coaster of feelings throughout this book, and I wasn’t mad about it. But, just when I thought everything had been wrapped up…..had it?

Things I loved about this book:
* Julie got in there and wrote down what every high school girl felt in some way or another. Really, just what every girl/woman feels at one point in their life. I could relate so easily to the characters and their thoughts. Even if you don’t relate to everything, I feel like there is something in this book for everyone to relate to in some way.
* The play on the paranormal events was intriguing. Trying to decide if it was a real person or a “spirit in the beyond” kept my attention until the very end.
* The splash of romance was perfect. Though this is NOT a romance, there is a little bit of it here and there that played to my romance loving heart.
* The ending.

Things I didn’t love:
* A couple of things were predictable, but didn’t take away from the story.

This book was a perfect reprieve from the usual stories I lean towards, and I cannot wait for the next one. There will be a next one…..right???

A huge thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday books for the ARC!

I love a dark academic thriller and Julie Soto nailed it with her debut thriller. I love her romance novels and was excited to dive into this. Set in high school in Sacramento, we have the death of Emily.

The story centers on The Thrashers, a group of kids that hang out with Zack Thrashers. The Thrashers are all rich and popular except Jodi, who feels lucky to be part of them.

The story follows Jodi as she uncovers what happened and Emily's journal which was uncovered as part of the investigation.

The story is fast paced and there is an element of spookiness to it. I loved how it all played out.

Eva Kaminsky and Jesse Vilinsky did a great job with narration and bringing the story to life.

Thank you @macmillan.audio @wednesdaybooks for a copy of the book.

When the quest for popularity goes bad...it's not a new trope, but this one throws in a possible haunting to mix it up a bit. The tension levels are consistently maintained throughout. The psychology of friend groups was explored to good effect--in a group of five friends with one alpha, how do the other four compare themselves and jockey for position? What happens when someone new enters the mix? The story is told from Jodi's point of view, and she sees herself as the lowest member of the totem pole so there's a fair amount of angst, but it didn't reach what I consider to be annoying levels. There were several reveals that I saw coming, but that didn't diminish their effectiveness, even if I didn't quite buy every twist. All in all, it kept me turning pages.

Thank you Wednesday Books, Netgalley, and Macmillan for the physical ARC, digital ARC, and audiobook ALC respectively!

Julie Soto writes a compelling YA coming-of-age thriller about a clique, “The Thrashers,” under scrutiny as evidence of their supposed bullying surfaces toward a “thrashed” classmate who died by suicide on prom night.

I ate this book up: Julie Soto had me hooked from the first chapter and I read/listened to this quickly in 2 days. 

Soto from the first couple of chapters builds the characters and the suspense. The plot is easy to follow and the tension is held throughout. The story and writing maintains a YA language, but one I think will appeal to both a teenage and an adult audience. Soto’s writing style is versatile and has a range.

The story and reveals were easy enough to guess, but where this book really shines for me was the character studies of our leads. You see this clique in mixed light; one from Jodi’s perspective but also as you get to know them and their relationships with each other. They’ve all done some ambiguous and wrong things, but they also care. I liked Jodi’s perspective and seeing her growth. I connected with the idea of reflecting on your friendships with a more Birds Eye view as I experienced that transition with high school friends post-graduation and now talking to few if any of them. The pacing does reflect this character study and slow-burn, but audiobook wise I was addicted. The court case took a back seat after the beginning 1/3rd, so I was waiting for things to surface more especially when the initial findings gave me manipulated/edited evidence, which I think is an intriguing topic given AI prevalence now: l wanted more of.

I loved the audiobook. Jodi’s narration paired with evidence narrated by Eva Kaminsky and Jesse Vilinsky. It set the tone and story well and the speed and volume were congruent with one another. If you like the story formatting of A Good Girls Guide to Murder, this is similar.

A massive thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for an early copy of this book 😊. I read a fair amount of YA and I felt like this was YA done right! This had a lot of layers and touched on a lot of serious topics. The pacing was perfect and this book was addicting. It was really hard to put it down. I liked the characters and was hooked on the storyline and plot. This read like an episode of Pretty Little Liars or Riverdale but without the YA cheesiness that makes you eye roll and want to turn it off 🤣. Overall this was great for a YA debut and I look forward to reading more from this author 😊.

Thank you to SMP and Macmillan Audio for the review copies!
This dark and suspenseful YA thriller draws stylish elements and themes from One of Us Is Lying, 13 Reasons Why, and even A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. It shakes them up and offers a story that explores the post-unaliving reveals from one of the characters. While the premise may not feel completely new, the storytelling is strong; many readers will likely question the ending, but it will definitely get people talking — always a win for this book reviewer!

The plot and pacing are perfectly coordinated, with media drop-ins that add an extra splash to the story and help move it forward. This is a perfect pick for Karen McManus fans or anyone looking for an edgy YA summer read. It especially stands out on audio, thanks to the excellent narration and the creative production of the media elements.

Julie Soto knows how to write a book that will keep you intrigued until the very end. I wasn’t sure that I was going to like this book, YA thrillers are so hit or miss for me but this one definitely hit the mark.

I loved the mystery and I loved the clips of mixed media that the author incorporated into the story.
It added that extra something that made the book more compelling.

Also, that ending!

OH MY GOSH.

Are we kidding with this one? I have never been so pulled into a book from the first line alone ever. Julie Soto took something absolutely crazy and made me want more and more of it. I think I binged this book in less than two days? Needless to say this book was FUN.

*please check your TW warnings. Heavy themes included!

EVERYONE STOP WHAT YOU’RE DOING AND PUT THIS ON YOUR TBR!!!! If you’ve been looking for a book that gave you a similar feeling as a good girl’s guide to murder or the natural series, THIS IS THE ONE!!! A YA thriller that has you captivated by the mystery, full of unexpected twists and turns, a slight romance subplot, and with a messy friend group dynamic.

The Thrashers are top of the social chain in high school. Jodi Dillon has never quite fit in, but she’s been best friends with Zach Thrasher since second grade and therefore, is part of the group. When new girl at school, Emily Mills, desperately tries to befriend them all and then suddenly dies, rumours and whispers about the Thrashers become louder and more criminal. Jodi is stuck between a rock and a hard place when unexplainable things begin to happen, and she begins to wonder if there’s more to the Thrashers than even she knows.

I haven’t felt quite a reading high like this since I binge read the natural series. I LOVE a YA mystery/thriller and this was SO good!!! Julie Soto’s writing was easy to jump right in and get transported to the world at New Helvetica High. I truly was hooked from start to finish. not to mention that ending had me shook??? I so hope there’s a sequel coming🤞🏼

Julie Soto has become an auto-buy author for me. I loved both forget me not and not another love song. I think she could dive into any genre and absolutely nail it!! Thank you St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

After devouring Forget Me Not and Not Another Love Story, Julie Soto became an instant auto-buy author for me. I've adored everything she's written. When I heard about The Thrashers, I was beyond excited. And let me tell you, she did not disappoint.

The story centers on Jodi Dillon, a girl on the fringes of the elite high school clique, the Thrashers. She never truly feels like she belongs, and her outsider status becomes increasingly precarious following the tragic suicide of Emily Mills, a classmate who desperately sought acceptance into the group.

As the investigation into Emily's death unfolds, tension escalates. The discovery of Emily's journal, filled with unsettling accusations, casts suspicion on the Thrashers and thrusts Jodi into the spotlight. Then come the anonymous messages and the eerie coincidences. Is someone messing with them? Is it guilt or paranoia? Or is Emily not as gone as they thought?

The Thrashers is the best YA thriller since A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. Soto masterfully blends psychological suspense with the complexities of teenage social dynamics. The uncertainty keeps you on edge, questioning what's real and imagined.

I especially loved Soto's character work. They are deeply flawed and morally ambiguous, and some are deliciously creepy. Soto's skillful writing made me care about them regardless, especially Jodi and Julian. I was invested in their fates even as I questioned their choices.

The audiobook was so good. Eva Kaminsky's and Jesse Vilinsky's narration captures the fear and creepiness perfectly.

I listened to this in one sitting. I couldn't put it down. The ending left me in shock; my mouth was agape. I can't recommend it enough.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and St. Martin's Press for gifted copies in exchange for an honest review.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press | Wednesday Books, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the YA debut novel by Julie Soto, with the audio narrated perfectly by Eva Kaminsky and Jesse Vilinsky. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

The Thrashers are the elite friend group at New Helvetia High. Jodi doesn't quite fit in with the others, but because she's been Zach Thrasher's best friend since childhood, she's in. When Emily Mills, who was desperate to be a Thrasher, dies, the whispers about the friends grow loud. When Emily's journal comes to light and the detectives close in, Jodi has an impossible choice to make - protect herself or betray her friends.

There is a lot to unpack in this story, but especially the way many young people treat others, especially in this social media age when it's easy to hide. There are also triggers of suicide, stalking, obsession, classism. Throw in some mystery, twists and turns, and a few supernatural events and you have a gripping story! While no one is a shining example of how to behave in this book, I couldn't help but feel for Jodi who has had a tough life and is trying to do the right things, while keeping her feelings about Zach to herself. The narration was spot on and it will transport you back to your own high school days, when being friends with the right people seemed paramount. Great book!