I'm going to say it, Lucia has been dealt a pretty terrible hand from the jump. She's lost her best friend, and in her grief pretty much everyone else. Her mom has done everything she can to help. She's looking forward to being alone and only leaving her house to work at the bookstore. It's not exciting, but it's habit which has its own healing properties.

Then her mom meets Todd and the next thing she knows, Lucia is tagging along with her mom to spend the summer with the new boyfriend and his son on Nantucket Island. Things are looking surprisingly bright until during a morning beach picnic to celebrate her first day of a job with her mom and Todd, Lucia stumbles across the body of a girl washed up on the beach. Nothing bad ever happens there though.

It would have been very easy for Lucia's character to become parody, but she's well written as a grieving girl who is slowly trying to find a new normal only to be hit with a traumatic event right out of the gate. Having grown up in a small community where "nothing bad happens", the events that happen are pretty believable.

If you're looking for a fairly straightforward thriller that has a loveable and believable main character, you can find it here. 4 stars.

Thank you to @rachelekstromcourage and @tbrbeyondtours for providing me with a copy of this book for the purposes of review. My opinions are, as always, honest and my own.

Want to see some more? Check out all the other tour stops here: https://tbrandbeyondtours.com/

What a great read I flew through this book and yes it is YA thriller and I’m here to tell you it has a dash of magical realism that adds a unique twist to the story, When Lucia ends up on the sandy shores of New England for a family Vacation which really it’s more like her mom hanging out with her new boyfriend. The vacation turns dark when she literally stumbles into trouble and it’s the dead kind. Lucia is already trying to come to terms with her own grief and now she finds herself thrown into a tourist town full of smug locals, townies, secrets and a dead body. She’s really out of her league but that doesn’t stop her from diving head first in trying to solve the mystery. So yep this book has a perfect mix of suspense, intrigue, and just the right amount of magical realism to keep you hooked. So if you want a well rounded diet of suspense and intrigue then this one should be on your TBR.

I liked the premise of the book and at the beginning I was hooked. I loved the descriptions of Nantucket which made me believe that I was actually there. But as for the Characters I was not keen on Lucia and her actions. The only saving grace was Selah and her friends who would of been better main characters as there were clearly more 3D. I also found the ending a bit lacking an really was dying to know what happened to Selah and girls.

For all the above reasons Nothing Bad Happens Here 3 stars

Nothing Bad Happens Here is a moody, atmospheric YA thriller that pulls you into the dark side of a seemingly perfect summer escape. Lucia, the main character, is thrown into an unfamiliar world full of wealth, secrets, and suspicion—and the way the author introduces her, her mother, and her mom’s too-charming boyfriend sets the tone immediately. Nothing feels quite right, and that tension keeps you turning pages.

One of the strongest parts of the book is the setting—Nantucket isn’t just a backdrop; it adds to the sense of something simmering under the surface. The cast of characters, especially Selah and her pack of wild besties, bring a chaotic energy that’s hard to look away from. It’s giving Big Little Lies meets We Were Liars in all the best ways.

The mystery itself unfolds at a good pace, and while the twist at the end was a little predictable, it was still satisfying. If you enjoy a thriller with emotional depth, a strong sense of place, and characters who aren’t what they seem, this book is definitely worth adding to your TBR. A fun, fast read with an eerie edge!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5 stars)

"𝑯𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕, 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒆𝒅. 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒃𝒂𝒅 𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒂."

Special thanks to @tbrbeyondtours @delacortepress @rachelekstromcourage for the #gifted physical and eARC copy of this book.

What a great ya mystery/thriller based in New England over summer. This brings so much to the table it's definitely worth the read!

𝙎𝙔𝙉𝙊𝙋𝙎𝙄𝙎
A carefree New England vacation is just what sixteen-year-old Lucia needs to chase her sadness away. At least, according to her mom, who whisks them away for the summer with her ridiculously wealthy new boyfriend. Nothing bad happens in Nantucket, a charming island with cobblestone streets and million-dollar cottages.

But when Lucia stumbles upon the body of a teenage girl on a beach, the discovery reopens old wounds from her past. With the dead girl's identity a mystery, Lucia takes it upon herself to investigate and crosses paths with Selah and her pack of devil-may-care besties. The three girls are beautiful, chaotic, and a little wild—and they help Lucia forget her crushing sense of grief and loneliness. But as Lucia becomes a part of their shimmering world, she begins to suspect that there are dark secrets hidden in this quiet enclave, and that uncovering them may be the key to solving the dead girl’s murder. Not everything on this island is what it seems…

𝙋𝙐𝘽 𝘿𝘼𝙔:
March 18, 2025

ℚ𝕆𝕋𝔻 ❓️⁉️❓️ Have you ever vacationed or been to New England?

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#mysteryandthrills #thrillersandsuspense #thrillerfriendsunite #thrillerlover #thrilleraddict #thrillerjunkie #thrillergirlie #bookbuzz #booktour #tbrtours #delacortepress #rachelekstromcourage
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Actual Rating: 3.5/5

Follow sixteen-year-old Lucia as she is forced to spend her summer in picture-perfect Nantucket, where, according to literally everyone, nothing bad ever happens. But when Lucia stumbles upon the body of a teenage girl on the beach, old trauma reopens. When the girl's body continues to be unidentified, and the police and news doing nothing about it, Lucia decides to take matters into her own hands. Doing so, she crosses paths with Selah and her two besties, and gets swept up in their shimmering, care-free world.

Soon she beings to suspect that there are secrets hidden in this quite town, ones that will be key in finding out who killed the girl on the beach. Nothing on Nantucket is as it seems...

I was hooked from the moment I read the description for Nothing Bad Happens Here! It had a great premise, though I wish I loved it more. But, let's start with the positives, shall we?

Although it took some time for the investigation to get going, the world-building was awesome! Even though there wasn't anything murder related going on, Lucia's life was still interesting. Small towns already have this set dynamic to them, and it's cool seeing how the main character fits into it. For example, Lucia was so vastly different from the other teens on the island that I'm genuinely surprised she made friends with Selah and the other two. Generally though, I love reading books where set in small towns; it's so different from my life which is why I think I find it as intriguing as it was.

As well, the ending was CRAZY! Although I was not surprised at the final twist, I didn't actually expect Rachel Ekstrom Courage to end it like that. I only wish that there was an epilogue so I could see what happened after, even if it was a news report or interview or something else that I will not say because of spoilers.

Now going on to the things that annoyed me, specifically Lucia.

I think Lucia was my main issue with the book. I fully understand that she has trauma from her past, but she was so annoying and flip-floppy. Her moral compass was so inconsistent, and even for her age she was so irrational. Seriously though: who consistently hangs out with girls that she knows nothing about save for their names?!

Also, um... the supernatural aspect??? I swear you either have a book that has supernatural elements in it entirely, or you don't. You can't just plop it in one chapter more than halfway through and not really explain more. My reaction to reading that chapter is very accurately describe using this emoji: 🤦‍♀️

As I mentioned previously, the murder investigation does not really take the reigns that much. The first half especially is focused more on Lucia's character development and how she is adapting to her new life. It is not until the final quarter that it starts to get much more action packed and full of twists (even if they were not that shocking).

Overall, the plot of Never Thought I'd End Up Here was intriguing and the world-building was great, but the main character thoroughly annoyed me. I would not really put this on the same level as my favourite murder mystery books pacing and focus wise, but it was still a good murder mystery book (albeit one that is less investigation and more character).

Many thanks to Delacorte Press and the folks at TBR & Beyond Tours for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The further I got in this book... The more I realized I had massively underestimated this book!

Wow, it was WOW!!!

The plot was wild and the pace did this beautiful thing where is took a gentle plod then BOOM! You are getting smacked in the face! It was a ride and a half. Once I hit the middle of the book I was so glued I read until my eyes hurt so bad and I still had to finish it.

The writing blew me away! It was so dang good!!

4.5 stars!! WOW!!

I wasn't expecting to like this one as much as I did. Some plot twists were predictable, but others were not, and the main character's growth towards the end was great. I liked the mystery parts but the creative twist, too. It was entertaining and makes a great beach/summer reading.
A teen who has lost a friend is about to find another dead body at the beach where they are spending the summer, this time, she will take things into her own hands to find the culprit.

"Nothing Bad Happens Here" is the YA debut from Rachel Ekstrom Courage. I enjoyed the book overall. It was a quick, fast-paced read and will make a great beach read for teens and young adults this summer. It is described as a thriller, but as someone who primarily reads adult thrillers, I don't think that's accurate. There was a mystery to solve, but the book wasn't an action-packed page-turner. With that being said, it was still an enjoyable read. I liked the Nantucket setting and the "rich people behaving badly" trope. It was giving me "The O.C." vibes, which was fun, and the murder mystery was compelling. I did not like the ending, but I don't want to say too much. While this one wasn't a perfect fit for me, I am very excited to read the author's upcoming adult mystery.

Thank you to TBR & Beyond and the publisher for the gifted eARC.

I found “Nothing Bad Happens Here” by Rachel Ekstrom Courage to be a gripping thriller. It pulled me into a world of secrets, deception, and shone a light on the unsettling realization that safety is often just an illusion. I thought the novel blended psychological depth with suspenseful storytelling well, keeping me hooked from start to finish.

The story revolves around a seemingly idyllic town where tragedy strikes, challenging the notion that bad things only happen elsewhere. Courage crafts a compelling narrative by delving into the perspectives of multiple characters, which allowed me to piece together the truth while questioning assumptions. The authors ability to create tension and unpredictability ensured the plot remained engaging throughout.

Fans of psychological thrillers will appreciate Courage’s nuanced approach to character development. The protagonists feel real, flawed, and deeply human, making their struggles more immersive. The book doesn’t rely on conventional twists; instead, it builds a steady sense of dread that lingers long after the final page.

Whether you're a seasoned thriller enthusiast or new to the genre, this read delivers an unforgettable reading experience. Its atmospheric setting, clever plotting, and emotional depth make it a standout novel worth the read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

From the blurb I thought this book would be a great fit for me but unfortunately I struggled getting through this YA Thriller. The writing style just wasn't for me.

A fun summer read filled with powerful men being taken down and the women who want justice to be served. Ultimately, they are the ones to get their form of justice, whatever that may be.

I enjoyed Lucia's journey of both discovery of who the true killer was and within herself in healing her past traumas. I thought this book dragged slightly in parts, and it didn't drive home just how capable of murder or deceit the three girls were. They were the most interesting, and I still want more from them. I'm slightly proud of myself for guessing the true culprit, although it coming at the very end didn't feel as earned to me.

I love YA thrillers but I struggled with this one . The story is quite predictable and I was bored most of the time until the maybe the last 25%z The characters were not likeable at all in that mostly they were annoying and got on my nerves . there was a twist at the end but again predictable. And some paranormal elements that could have been explored and made this one much more compelling

My rating ⭐️⭐️💫

This is a great YA read for summer. Lucia recently lost her best friend, and her mom wants to take her to Nantucket for the summer to live with her new boyfriend, who she saw for about 10 min. My only hang up is this; not the best parenting to move your teenage daughter into a stranger's house and start bossing her around. I find that a little unbelievable, but overall. this was a good book.

While walking on the beach, Lucia finds the body of a dead girl. She also befriends three girls who we are not sure if they are good or bad people. Her mom's boyfriend's son Eric is a great boy and is always looking out for her. As Lucia moves forward in life, she is dealing with trauma and typical teenage stuff.

Lucia starts investigating the girl that died, realizing Nantucket likes to cover these things up so their Island seems peaceful. Who killed Ari and how are all these people connected?

This was an insane read. The fact that we never find out what happened to Sam as well as what actually happens in Nantucket is just insane. I really enjoyed it though lol. Lucia has such a hard time, and I honestly don't know what I would have done in her place. I really like how it ended, and I totally agree with what she did at the very end, but I also don't think she did what was right with everything. To be thrown into a new location just because her mom met someone would have been so hard, I think her mom doesn't give her enough credit for going with the flow or helping hide certain traits her mom does not have from said boyfriend. This was such an interesting read that kept you wondering who committed the crimes until they are revealed. I can say I did not expect the reveals of who did what. Honestly a good book that is suspenseful and mysterious.

I have to admit, that I did have to DNF "Nothing Bad Happens Here" for a few reasons.

One of the things that really stuck with me was how often Lucia's friend Sammi was mentioned, despite her not being part of the story. There were some chapters it felt like every page had another anecdote about her. Rather than continuing the story, Lucia was stuck in the past. It was difficult to make connections with the existing characters when only one was continuously mentioned.

Another reason I had to DNF was I really did not care for what felt like what was going to be a forced romance, and the vibes were really questionable. I'm not sure how it grew, as I made it 38% before calling it quits.

I think the mystery had potential, but it was drowned out by the weird relationships and the stilted story telling. I know the book has it's readers, I just happen to not be one of them.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Rachel Ekstrom Courage for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Nothing Bad Happens Here coming out March 18, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I really enjoy murder mysteries. I thought the setting was really good. I loved the New England vibes. This book definitely felt familiar to me. I’ve read similar stories. I really enjoy YA mysteries. I think the book was pretty fast paced. There are some things at the end that dragged a little for me. But overall, I really enjoyed the story. I would definitely check out more books by this author!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys murder mysteries!

Whew. This book is very much in Lucia's head. Her thoughts and actions are what pulls the story along. She is a very realistic, grieving teenager and there were so many times that I just wanted her to listen to her mom.

If you like mysteries, Nantucket, teenagers being involved where they have no business to be (think PLL, Riverdale- like, come on, call the police 😅) and good endings, read this one. I thoroughly enjoyed it and plan to buy a copy for my shelf.

Pleasantly surprised by this summer YA thriller! It did take a while for me to get invested, but once I got maybe 25% into it, the story began to move faster for me. I did like the small supernatural elements, and the twist did get me. I'd say teenage readers will enjoy this even more than me. There were some pieces I found somewhat annoying. Ok, honestly, I found Lucia to be too much. I think if I had liked her more as a character, I would have been more invested in the book sooner.

It’s been a long time since a book had me so hooked that I wasn’t thinking about anything but the book and then was completely shocked by the plot twist. And that’s where I was with this one. I saw none of this coming and I hope y’all won’t either to get the full experience.

Ok so in my review on Goodreads I said I didn’t even want to put the tags on there because I didn’t want to spoil anything for anyone. That’s how surprised I was. I don’t even know if anyone else was as surprised as I was lol But whatever. I DID have to look them up tho because I had never heard of them before. And I think that was the part that got me. I am a SUCKER for mythology and adding those elements into the story. So when i came across that, I legit had to rewind it back to make sure I heard it correctly.

The mystery was cool tho. I caught on to most of it which disappointed me. But then it was hilarious because that made what happen come even more from out of left field. Without giving too much away, just know that you don’t have anything figured out. And even though you might have it figured out, you don’t know the whole thing. This book doesn’t end until the end. And I mean that 1000%

And even tho this mystery was good, the characters, well some of them, were terrible. I knew something was going on with those girls as soon as they arrived in the story. And I knew I hated that one guy as soon as he was introduced at that dinner. I think the only person I liked in the book was the main character. Even her mom was bad. And that dude was getting on my nerves lol He basically was like trying to do too much when he first met her. And I didn’t like the way she just had to go along with it. It bothered me a bit.

I realize now that I’ve gotten to the end of this that I just repeated a lot of stuff lol But it’s because I don’t want to be the one who spoils things if you actually look for these things. And my apologies if you read this because of me and you don’t actually care about the surprise lol I know this might possibly just be a me thing, but still. So I’ll just say this, as someone who loves summer stories and mysteries, and feminist stories, I enjoyed this and you will too if you love these things.