This Stays Between Us 🤫

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Genre: Suspense
Pub Date: July 25, 2025

Ten years ago, a group of students from all over travel to Australia for a month long study abroad. A close group of friends form a tight bond, until Phoebes past catches up to her and starts fracturing the group apart. When Phoebe disappears at the end of the trip, the group disbands. That is until their ten year reunion. The entire group is summoned back to Australia by the police because Phoebes body has been found. And they all have something to hide.

This was a fun one! I was easily sucked in from the first chapter with an immediate shocker. The Australian setting was so enjoyable, and I loved to hate so many of these characters! Everyone was well written and I really had strong opinions about them. I liked the way the author shifted suspicions around and brought some fun plot points to the story.

I oscillated between a 3⭐️ and 4⭐️ rating throughout the book. I would be really sucked in and not want to put it down, but at other times I would get annoyed with stupid little details. Ultimately I did enjoy reading this and constantly wanted to pick the book back up. If you come across this one I think I would make for a quick easy read worth trying out.

This was not my favorite Sara Ochs novel but I look forward to reading more from her. I enjoyed the change in scenery of an Australia setting.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

This one pulled me in fast. It’s got that slow-creeping tension I love in psychological thrillers, especially with the dual timelines—the past during a study abroad trip and the present reunion in Thailand. The characters all have a layer of something unspoken, and I found myself flipping pages trying to figure out who was lying (spoiler: basically all of them). The setting added so much atmosphere without being too showy.

It didn’t reinvent the genre, but I had a great time. I’d definitely recommend it to fans of twisty, character-driven suspense.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

This Stays Between Us by Sara Ochs

3.5 out of 5 stars

You’ll find I gravitate towards novels where the location, specifically tropical locations, is a big portion of the story. Thus, picking up Sara Ochs’ first novel, The Resort, was a no brainer for me as it was located on a remote island in Thailand and I loved it. When I heard Sara Ochs was writing another novel that would transport me to Australia, I couldn’t wait to read it!

This Stays Between Us follows college students at a study abroad program like no other. For an entire month the students will travel through Australia experiencing everything it has to offer. It’s a dream come true, especially for Claire and her roommate/best friend, Phoebe. The student group quickly become friends partying night after night until Phoebe disappears. Ten years later, Pheobe’s body is found, and the Australian Police require them all to return to find out exactly what happened.

This book immerses you in the Australian Outback with its stunning, but deadly, setting. The story progresses through multiple POVs, Claire’s in the present and Phoebe’s in the past, allowing you to see into their mindset. It is a slow-burning thriller that sizzles in the Australian heat with multiple morally gray characters that are bound by more than just an unforgettable study abroad experience. Each twist had me questioning who truly hurt Phoebe and just how far someone would go to keep their secrets buried. What was once a dream quickly turned into a nightmare.
Don’t hesitate to pick up your copy on July 15th to find out what truly happened!

Thank you Sourebooks and Netgalley for my ARCs!

Originally posted on BookshelfbyTori on Instagram!

3.5 stars

I really enjoyed Ochs’s debut, and was excited to read an early copy of her sophomore novel. Like The Resort, This Stays Between Us relies on setting to give the plot its eery feeling of suspense. I was instantly transported to the Australian Outback, with its beautiful, but deadly, wilderness.

I loved how the plot alternated between Phoebe’s and Claire’s POVs, with one representing the past and the other the present. I wish the POVs of the rest of their study abroad group were also included - it would have added to the atmosphere of suspense as they were picked off, one by one. They also each were hiding so many secrets I would have enjoyed a fuller exploration from their perspectives.

This story is a slow burn, taking time to set the stage for each twist. Although I thought the plot dragged at times, I was compelled to see what happened to Phoebe and why Claire thought she was responsible. There were so many clues that kept me guessing. The final showdown was a bit lackluster, and while I’m a huge fan of final twists, this one rubbed me the wrong way.

Overall, an intriguing murder mystery where everyone’s a suspect. It’s worth reading for immersing yourself in the setting alone.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I really tried to get into this one but I wasn't able to. The first book by this author was the same I just couldn't get into it. I believe this author is not for me.

A character-driven thriller that kept me entertained from start to finish. I loved the Australia setting and the different points of view. The final twist was completely unpredictable. The entire book kept me guessing. I think this would make a good Netflix series! Thanks for the opportunity to read in advance!

The character of Phoebe made me sad. Once again it comes down to the woman is always the bad person. Phoebe was dealing with such trauma and just trying to have fun, but everything and everyone was against her. I don't understand how Claire could more or less kill Phoebe over her relationship with Declan but forgive him and move on. This being said this was a good book because it made me think of such things. I liked the setting and the characters, especially some of the side characters such as Luke and Nick Gould. I did at times find there to be too many things going on at once and I found the timeline unrealistic.

For so much to happen in four weeks including Phoebe having sex with Kyan, then ultimately ending up pregnant with Josh's baby didn't work for me. I also can't wrap my head around the fact that someone died during these 4 weeks and everyone just carried on. There was no mention of a funeral or no one cared enough to attend. I did enjoy this book though, probably not as much as Sara Ochs first book. The twist in that one was so fantastic as opposed to this one in the last chapter was a little lackluster. After assuming Claire was responsible for murdering Phoebe the whole book the last chapter was kind of meh.

I do look forward to reading more books by Sara Ochs in the future though. I feel like she is going to be added to by list of auto-read authors.

Huge thank you to Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for the early copy of This Stays Between Us in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions.

So to start, this book was quite the roller-coaster ride. However, it was the type of ride that left me queasy and eager to hop off as quickly as possible. There was very little enjoyment in this read. I don't think I've ever read a book where every single character was as unlikeable as the bunch in this one. No one had any substance at all and I felt absolutely nothing for any of them so when the bodies started dropping and the mystery began to play itself out, I couldn't muster up the energy to give a clap about their outcomes. The story was pretty basic, full of jealousy and teenage style drama and whenever there was a point in the book that really started to pull me in, the author managed to put out those embers pretty quickly with the timeline change from past to present. The beginning of the book started off in a way that was quite different I will say that, giving you a possible suspect before any real crime was committed but as that aspect of the story played out it didn't really add the type of punch overall you'd come to expect with a risk like that one. The effort was there to weave together a twisty storyline but the execution and predictable third act left me wanting too much more for this to be a read I'd truly recommend to others.

I recently read This Stays Between Us towards the tail-end of a massive book binge. As a result, I had admittedly forgotten what the book was about and was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed This Stays Between Us -- which reaffirms my preference for going into reading without any preconceived notions or expectations.

And while multiple POVs and timelines can often end up confusing, Sara Ochs did a phenomenal job of weaving together past and present narratives into one cohesive plot. I was never confused and easily followed the cast of characters. I also loved the contrast of the exotic settings with the underlying sense of foreboding throughout. A perfect summer read!!

Sara Ochs “This Stays Between Us” is a solid page-turner following MC Claire in the present day coming to terms with the fact that she may have killed her best (?) friend Phoebe 10 years. She’s joined by her prior during an Australian adventure program.

Even typing that last part reminds me that this novel, while a page turner, is corny and silly more times than not — I rolled my eyes fairly often especially around sections that mentioned Tomas and chapters that follow Phoebe, which take place in the past. Oh Tomas… what is up with the Australian adventure program and why did it continue even a minute after what happened to him? Suspending some belief in between giggles and more eye rolls.

Focusing on our second MC, Phoebe, for a second. Her sections also suffer with one of my least favorite components of thrillers (though it happens in other genres): telling instead of showing. So much is “I’m going to do this thing” instead of doing it. Instead, the author slowly reveals elements between the present and past chapters. By the time the “big” reveal happens, you’ll either know the truth or will be glad the book is over.

Speaking of, I can’t say I enjoyed the ending (again, silly) as the story is wrapped up in a tight little bow. But that doesn’t even compare to my distain for the epilogue. Without heading into spoiler territory, it feels unlike the character we’ve been following and almost retreads what they’ve learned over the course of the book. If I’m being extra picky, it also doesn’t make sense given it contradicts statements and feelings from earlier in the book. However, after reading Ochs’s first book, “The Resort,” it seems like it’s the author’s “thing,” to throw in something about a character to ruin their growth. Doubt it’s possible but I hope it isn’t included in the final printing (reminder, I’m reading an advance copy in Feb 2025 ahead of the July 2025 release.)

While this novel is about remembering the past and coming to terms of our actions, I doubt I’ll remember this book in weeks time. Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC.

Sara Ochs once again does a great job transporting you to your destination, this time the Australian outback. The tension and suspense is high throughout. There wasn't anything super memorable in here for me but I had fun reading it.

I'm just getting really tired of the "you caught me, now let me monologue and conveniently spell out all of the villainy things I did" trope. Maybe I just read too many mysteries.

Thank you to Sourcebooks and NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for honest feedback. I loved The Resort so was looking forward to the next offering from Sara Ochs, but this one didn't hit as hard for me. An entertaining enough thriller for a beach read, but the characters weren't developed enough to feel like people.

This one took me a while to get through for some reason. I enjoyed it ok, but I liked her last book better. The epilogue did throw me for a bit of a loop, in a good way.

Claire is summoned back to Australia after her former study abroad roommate, Phoebe’s remains are found. She is reluctant to go back with the secrets she holds. But as more and more of her friends reveal they may have secrets too, she realizes there is much more to Phoebe’s death that she previously thought.

I did enjoy this, but it was a bit slow in parts. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for this e-copy in exchange for my honest review.

Just finished this and I really loved it! Complex characters, great setting in Australia, and a really fun story that kept me hooked from beginning to end!

Claire and Phoebe met during a four week education and adventure, exploring everything Australia. They hit it off right off the bat and likewise for the other six in the group. Until one is dead and one is missing and this will be the last trip that the college will do. Now 10 years later the remaining group of friends know as "the mob" are planing a reuion and Claire doesn't want to relive her time there. Claire and the others get a phone call from the Australian Police and are informed that Phoebe's body has finally been found. Claire is wondering who could have been behind this and why, while she tries to find clues to save herself from being named the murderer. This was a fast read that tells the story between Phoebe point of view of what happened then and Claire's point of veiw of now. This Stays Between Us will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. I would like to thank both NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for letting me read an advanced copy of this novel.

Some secrets are whispered and forgotten. Others sink their claws in and never let go.

This Stays Between Us is not just a phrase—it’s a warning, a pact, and a ticking time bomb. What began as an innocent trip through the raw, unforgiving beauty of the Australian outback ten years ago became the origin of a chain of betrayals, hidden truths, and buried guilt that still echoes through the lives of everyone involved.

Where do the secrets begin? Maybe in the heat-drenched silence of the desert, or in the long shadows cast by broken friendships. And where do they end? That’s the thing—some secrets never die. They just wait.

Someone knows more than they’re saying. Someone is hiding something darker than the rest. And someone will pay the ultimate price.

Ten years later, when the past resurfaces and the lies unravel, the question isn’t just what happened out there.

Who survived it? Who decided who's fate?

I really enjoyed this suspense. It really just starts off fast and continues that way. The characters are well developed, and each draws out particular emotions. It has constant reminders of things are not always how they seem. Very well written. And the twist at the end is *chef's kiss*.

Thank you to Net Galley and Sourcebooks for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This Stays Between Us by Sara Ochs

This was a twisty thriller with a kind of “dark academia meets study abroad gone wrong” vibes. The story jumps between the past—when a group of college students took a summer trip to Australia—and the present, when one of them is found dead ten years later.

I really enjoyed the dual timeline format. It slowly unravels the mystery of what happened to Phoebe while revealing that everyone has something to hide. Claire, the main narrator, is unreliable in a way that makes you question everything, and the friendships in the group are complicated and full of tension.

In addition, the Australian Outback setting adds a creepy, isolating feel that really contributes to the suspense.

This book features layered female friendships, secrets that won’t stay buried, and a good “the past comes back to haunt you” story! Although some parts were a little over the top, it is definitely a book worth reading!

When I read the premise of This Stays Between Us, I was definitely intrigued by the fact that we have a group of friends returning to Australia, after their summer of studying aboard there, when their friend Phoebe's remains were finally found after she went missing while studying with the group. Now they must piece together what really happened and how far will one go to keep the truth buried? As it turns out, everyone in the group has their own secret.

This book is dual pov with Claire being a narrator as the killer in the present and Phoebe in the past as victim. This book was a bit to get a handle on of what was going on at first, and at times the pretty much unlikable characters fell flat, but it was entertaining and intriguing. This is one of your standard summer- like psychological thrillers that'll keep you entertained but overall nothing remarkable about the book. This was a book where you'll think you've got it figured out but then you find out you've definitely got it wrong. Overall, I'd recommend it.

A big thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Publication date July 15, 2025