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!

if 13 REASONS WHY had a more sinister thriller tone, it would be this book 👀 and I’m still debating whether I truly enjoyed it or not…

julie soto’s writing is so captivating that I physically couldn’t put this book down until I finished it! reader, I did indeed stay up until 2:30am 🫨 and her ability to flesh out characters without being in their POV was fantastic! I really felt like I was part of the thrasher friend group (whether that’s for the better or worse)

the ultimate storyline, I fear, was a bit predictable… after two chapters in which the characters spoke about emily, their classmate who unalived themselves, I figured emily was way more than an innocent naive teenager…

while it was quite bingeable and fast-paced, the ending left me unsatisfied, similarly to 13 REASONS WHY. all of the posthumous revelations about emily did nothing to make or break how I felt about the thrashers in the end… and I was wildly disappointed in the lack of “thriller” elements…

overall, a quick and fun read, but I wanted more! thank you to wednesday & macmillan for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

rating: 3 stars
wine pairing: sonoma coast chardonnay

I love a good YA thriller and this one kept me engaged! Narration was well-done and the story itself was entertaining. I recommend this book for thriller lovers that need an easier-to-digest read!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Julie Soto for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this edge-of-your-seat, nail biter. I found myself thoroughly invested the entire book, enjoyed the twists and the supernatural touches along the way. The morally grey characters within the Thrasher group are intriguing, though I found myself wanting them to be found out. I also appreciated the careful way that the high school social scene and aspects like bullying were dealt with.

This was a quick read that caught me at the prologue and kept me guessing at the events that unfolded throughout. I highly recommend if you are looking for an addictive YA thriller.

This isn’t my normal genre of choice and I wasn’t sure with the book being more YA if I would like it. I couldn’t put it down!! I read it in one sitting. The ghost aspect was a little out there and the ending wasn’t what I was expecting but a great read!

I really enjoyed this book. I couldn't put it down. First time reading this author and won't be my last.

Huge thanks to the publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy of The Thrashers by Julie Soto! As a longtime fan of Soto’s adult romances, I was really curious to see how she’d handle a YA thriller—and when I heard it was Veronica Mars-coded, I had to read it. (I was a huge Marshmallow growing up, so it totally hooked me.)

There’s so much to love in this book: the mystery is compelling, the writing is sharp. Soto absolutely nails the atmosphere, and the tension builds in all the right places.

That said, the YA aspect just wasn’t totally my thing. That’s purely personal preference. I just found myself missing the emotional depth and maturity that Soto brings to her adult characters and relationships.

Overall, a strong, atmospheric debut into teen thrillers. I’ll always be a fan of Soto’s voice, no matter the genre!

This was a very fast paced read! I was eager to see what was going to happen, but did find myself getting a little lost at points. Some of the plot twists were predictable but others had me on the edge of my seat. Overall, a good young adult thriller.

This was a fun read, and it reminded me of Pretty Little Liars and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. I really hope Julie Soto writes more YA mysteries—or just leans more into YA in general. There were some aspects I didn’t love and the pacing dragged a bit in the middle, but overall it was a solid read and the plot twists were good. Kinda curious to explore more YA mysteries now since I’ve not heard much about it.

3.5 ⭐️

As someone who has read a few of this author before- this is a new genre! This was a wild ride. Set amidst a high school setting, this story follows a group of students callled The Thrashers. Everyone wants to be one, but are they who they actually say they are?

The first half of this book was a bit slow but really picked up steam halfway through. I really actually liked all of the characters, in spite of their flaws, and was rooting for them somehow. The twists and turns were super unexpected. This is not a romance by any means but I was eating the crumbs she gave us!

My biggest critique is that this book tries to be so many things. It's a bit of thriller, YA fiction, a touch of romance with a very unexpected main dish of paranormal. I think I needed it to come out stronger in the first half with one of them. Overall, I had fun with this and that ending really sticks with you and won't be forgotten for a long time!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5/5 Stars

First off, a huge thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of The Thrashers!​

This book was an absolute rollercoaster, and I loved every twist and turn. Julie Soto's debut YA thriller dives deep into the complexities of high school friendships, secrets, and the haunting aftermath of a tragedy. The story follows Jodi Dillon, who finds herself entangled in a web of mystery and suspicion after the suicide of Emily Mills, a girl desperate to join the elite friend group known as the Thrashers.

The narrative masterfully blends elements of suspense, drama, and even a touch of the supernatural, keeping me on the edge of my seat. The characters are richly developed, each with their own flaws and secrets, making it impossible to know who to trust. I was particularly drawn to the exploration of themes like loyalty, identity, and the pressures of adolescence.​

What stood out to me was the atmospheric writing and the way Soto captures the vulnerability of teenagers navigating adult situations. The pacing was spot on, and the plot twists genuinely surprised me. It's a gripping read that I couldn't put down, and I found myself thinking about it long after turning the last page.​

If you're a fan of Pretty Little Liars or 13 Reasons Why, this book is right up your alley. It's a compelling, thought provoking thriller that delves into the darker side of high school dynamics. I can't recommend it enough!

The Thrashers
By: Julie Soto
5 stars

Hey so… that was wild?! I read this one so fast- within 24 hours- because I needed to know what was going to happen next! This is a perfect book for fans of Pretty Little Liars, 13 Reasons Why & toss in some paranormal activity! Everyone does bad things. The friend group is toxic. And the ending?! WHAT WAS THAT?!

Starting with the tragic suicide of junior Emily Mills in her prom gown, were quickly brought into the world of high school drama. We’re introduced to the Thrashers, a 5 person group of highly popular teenagers who are all everyone wants to talk about. The leader, Zach Thrasher, whose last name defines the group, is the boy everyone wants to be around. He’s good looking, charming, extremely wealthy, and has a habit of picking up people only to discard them when he gets bored or no longer has any use for them. His friends say it’s not his fault and he just has a way with engaging people, but tell that to the many people left ghosted or humiliated after he’s moved on. Julian is the handsome athlete, Paige is the creative artsy type, Lucy is the stunning beauty, and Jodi is the long term friend.

Jodi Dillon is our protagonist and stands apart from the rest of the group. Unlike the others, she lives on the wrong side of town, doesn’t have any money and doesn’t have extreme good looks or talents like her friends. She lives with her alcoholic father who can turn mean when drunk and basically lives on her own as he’s a truck driver gone for long stretches of time. She’s in the Thrashers because she’s known Zach since second grade and they’ve grown together over time. She’s been in love with Zach forever and is terrified she’s being replaced every time Zach finds a new friend. The other 3 that have stuck around are no longer her competition but she feels herself being edged out all the time.

After Emily’s suicide, a journal is found and reveals secrets about the Thrashers that puts them all under investigation for influencing her death, except for Jodi. This twist puts Jodi on the fringes of the group and she is forced to testify against her friends. The police say that the Thrashers bullied Emily and Zach is charged with statutory rape against Emily. Jodi has a complicated relationship with Emily. While they were never truly friends, Jodi tolerated Emily and hung out with her to study at her house often. Emily was always so intrusive, asking questions about Jodi’s life, obsessing over Zach, and inviting herself along to hang out with the group of friends. While the rest of the group were relentless teasing Emily and making fun of her behind her back, she was desperate to become the next member of the Thrashers.

As the investigation is underway, Jodi begins to question everything she knows about her so-called friends and their dynamics. Did the bully Emily to death? Are there secrets the others are hiding from Jodi? Was Jodi just another expendable person to be “Thrashed” to the group? Most importantly, what if Zach isn’t the person she believed him to be?

Full of the classic teenage behavior with underage drinking, drug-use, cliques, and gossip, this was an engaging read. Tossed into the mix was a paranormal aspect that haunts the group throughout the book. This explored so many topics along the way such as friendship, a sense of belonging, insecurities, mental health, trust, and the high school experience. It was full of twists and turns, unexpected events and kept me guessing until the very end. And the epilogue?! I literally have never read anything like that before!

I finished only moments ago and I’m currently just staring blankly at the wall. This book had me on my toes from start to finish. The complicated friendships, the betrayal, the lies, the secrets. The dramaaaaaa. The romance, though small, was MIGHTY. I fear I am weak for Julian Hollister???????

AND THE EPILOGUE WILL LIVE RENT FREE IN MY BRAIN FOREVER.

If you love One of Us is Lying, 13 Reasons Why, Veronica Mars, and paranormal elements—HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

Julie Soto first foray into YA is a smashing success with delightfully bonkers mystery.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

The Thrashers was an intriguing YA mystery about an elite and privileged group of friends that land in the middle of an investigation related to the death of another student, Emily. The book is told from Jodi's perspective, who doesn't quite fit in with the other Thrashers, and we follow her on her high school experiences and all the ups and downs that come with it (and reminded me that I definitely don't miss high school at all!). This one kept my attention from the beginning right to the end with lots of secrets, mysterious events that occur, love triangles and the fascinating dynamics of the friend group and various characters. It was super bingeable and I enjoyed the journal entries that were incorporated throughout.

Overall, I enjoyed this one and rated it 4 stars! If you are looking for a YA thriller centered on a high school friend group that is full of secrets, rich kids behaving badly and some eerie elements to it, check out The Thrashers, out May 6!

Thank you to NetGalley, St.Martin's Press and Wednesday Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.