3/5⭐️

Happy pub day to Sarah Ochs and This Stays Between Us! Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this one.

A group of seven college students study abroad in Australia. One of them doesn’t return home, and 10 years later, her body is found. Who could be responsible?

This one was not for me. The first 75% was very drawn out, to the point where I started to not care what happened to Phoebe, the missing friend. Then, there was so much whiplash in the last 25% (red herrings, confessions, shared secrets) that it was too much.

I enjoyed Ochs’ The Resort, so hopefully this was just a one off miss for me.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

This Stays Between Us is a smart, fast-paced psychological thriller that blends sun-drenched scenery with simmering secrets—and delivers twist after twist until its final, jaw-dropping page. Set against the backdrop of a once-idyllic study abroad trip to Australia, the novel reunites a fractured group of former friends ten years after the mysterious disappearance of one of their own, Phoebe. Now that her body has finally been found, the group is forced back together, and what begins as a search for answers quickly spirals into a tense unraveling of lies, guilt, and betrayal.

Told through dual POVs—Claire in the present and Phoebe in the past—the story slowly peels back the truth about what really happened during their month abroad. The shifting timelines are initially a bit abrupt, but they ultimately work to build suspense and gradually deepen the mystery. Ochs excels at creating a cast of flawed, often unlikable characters whose murky motives and hidden pasts keep you guessing at every turn.

Though there are a few too many side characters and tangled subplots, the novel’s core tension and well-timed reveals more than make up for it. The final act, in particular, lands with real force—featuring a final twist that redefines everything that came before it.

Dark, gripping, and utterly bingeable, This Stays Between Us is perfect for fans of destination thrillers like The Reunion or The Villa. With a strong sense of place, plenty of moral gray areas, and secrets that won’t stay buried, it’s a beach bag must-read for thriller lovers looking for something sharp and unsettling.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Happy Pub Day to This Stays Between Us! Thank you to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback. Here are my quick thoughts:

What Worked -

The premise and setting both appealed to me, and were intriguing. The pacing and how the overall mystery unfolded were on point (great building of suspense!) And I couldn’t completely figure out who the “bad guy” was until the big reveal, which I always appreciate.

What Didn’t Work (For Me) -

There wasn’t anything all that special or standout here. It was your textbook thriller - fun but lacking substance. Which honestly would have been fine, except that the last chapter kind of ruined it for me. It utilized a trope I really dislike and it took away from any enjoyment I was feeling before. Which was kind of a bummer note to end on. Still that’s a personal preference, so this might work more for you!

Ten years ago Phoebe died at a summer abroad program in Australia. But so did Tomas. And that is glossed over for a good portion of the book. That is the first thing that confused me. Then I couldn't tell Josh and Declan apart. I recognize that the author was trying to build and keep suspense, but at points things were so vague as to just muddy the story for me. There was another part that just plain didn't make sense, but that would be a spoiler. In real life this story would never have ever played out the way it did. In fiction, it was a quick low commitment read.

March 22, 2025
ARC for review. To be published July 15, 2025.

2 stars

Ten years ago friends Phoebe and Claire went to Australia to study abroad for a month, but Phoebe disappeared. Now, Phoebe’s remains have been discovered and the rest of the study group returns to Australia (um, why?) All of them have secrets. Especially Claire. Because she killed Phoebe.

But, of course, it’s most complicated than that. The shifts in POV between Phoebe and Claire were a little confusing for me. Oh, and Phoebe only becomes an acceptable human being when she loses weight, which is awesome. Ugh.

This Stays Between Us by Sara Ochs

Thank You NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Who knew that a summer study abroad in Australia could turn deadly? Phoebe sure didn’t! Six college students from different countries come together to learn about Australia – it’s history and culture! However, these college students are more interested in having a grand ‘ol time the college way.... with alcohol, drugs and other activities! Before the trip ends though, one of them goes missing – Phoebe! She had a troubled past, so the group just assumed she left on her own. However, ten years later, her body is discovered, and cause of death is homicide! Now, the detective in charge is calling the rest of the group to return to Australia for questioning and the prime suspect if Claire, who was the closest out of the group with Phoebe! But there are four other students, plus a few other extra suspects. What ensues is a race against time for Claire to try and prove her innocence...if she even is innocent!
This was a fast-paced mystery thriller you won’t want to miss! Perfect for a summer read, it’s AVAILABLE July 15, 2025!

Unfortunately this book was pretty disappointing since I loved her previous book, The Resort, and had high expectations for another exciting travel thriller. It's another whodunit, but set in Australia during a very short study abroad program that sure caused a lot of problems (and murders!?) It was only a month-long program but everyone (who survived) became life-long friends that kept in contact for 10 years? I could have believed that if it had been a semester, but one month felt implausible.

The characters and setting felt flat. I found myself fighting to get through the book and wasn't excited until the climax, despite all the attempts at intrigue in the middle. The whole story just kind of failed to capture my interest. The ending okay but by then I was just ready to move on. Chilling little epilogue at the end - kind of like in her previous book.

This book jumps between past and present from the POV’s of the two main characters Claire and Phoebe. We go between what happened ten years ago and what everyone is hiding now. There were so many secrets that I never know what was coming next nor could I have guessed it. If you love mystery and suspense you’ll enjoy this book. The author had me feeling as if I was in Australia and on this trip. I was kept on the edge of my seat the whole time.

It's been a WHILE since I was this captivated by a book! A group of college students are studying abroad when one of their peers, Phoebe, goes missing. Ten years later, the case is revisited, requiring all of the former students to return and figure out what really happened that night.

What a BOOK! Ochs sure knows how to create a setting, and her characters were interesting yet relatable, which I feel isn't always easy to do! They had plenty of chemistry and development with the plot keeping you constantly guessing - I can often see a lot of things coming, but not this one! Told in dual-timeline POVs of Phoebe and Claire, it keeps you wondering what the truth really is. The writing style makes for quick pacing, reminding me of Lucinda Berry or Freida McFadden books!

Still not sure how I feel about the ending, but it didn't stop me from truly loving this book. Thanks so much for the ARC!

I was riveted to this story from the first page to the last!

A group of students are awarded a place in a study abroad program in Australia. As with any group of young people who are far away from home for the first time, there is lots of drinking and sexual encounters among the group. They are all there to have the time of their life. One of these students, Phoebe, has a troubled past, crippling insecurities, and a very dark secret that she is terrified of being discovered. But the program is cut short after Phoebe goes missing. Ten years later, the remaining students are summoned back to Australia when Phoebe is found dead and the police are investigating what they suspect could be a murder. These students will be forced to face the secrets, lies and deceptions that have been haunting them all for the past decade. And it is possible that one of them may be Phoebe’s murderer.

Sara Ochs is now one of my favorite destination thriller writers. I loved her book, The Resort, last year which took place in a tropical location. This book captivated me and transported me to all the dangerous wonders of Australia. Her mysteries are complex but simple to follow and her characters are fully fleshed out. I can’t wait for her to write another novel!

Thank you Netgalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be available for purchase on July 15, 2025

Ten years prior, a group of students did a study abroad program, in Australia, which ended with one of the students dead, and one of them missing.

When the body of the missing student, Phoebe, is found, ten years later, the group of remaining students gets together to reminisce and answer the police officers lingering questions.

Most of them seem guilty, all of them are keeping secrets, and who committed the murder is a total mystery.

I enjoyed the dueling POV perspectives of the story, that alternates between Phoebe, the murdered student, from the past, and her best friend and roommate at the time, Claire, in the “now.”

The story is fast paced and has lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing, however the massive amount of characters makes the story, at least at first, very difficult to follow. None of the characters are enjoyable either, which I guess is kind of the point in a “anyone could have done it” mystery, however they were all so unlikable it was hard to care about any of them.

The ending was wild, and surprising, but not for a good reason.

All in all, I did enjoy reading This Stays Between Us, the short chapters and cliffhangers made the story fly by, but it was my no means my favorite thriller I read this year.

I recommend this book to those who enjoy popcorn thrillers, similar to books written by Freida McFadden and John Marrs.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, Sara Ochs, and the publisher, Sourcebooks Landmark, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book publishes, July 15th, 2025.

Ten years ago, six college students went to study abroad in Australia for the summer. A chance to explore the beauty and culture the country has to offer. But after drama and jealously lead to an accident of one of the students, everything changes. And then Phoebe goes missing. Now, their secrets are coming to light and someone knows what happened to Phoebe and will do what it takes to make sure that secret doesn’t get out.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this digital e-arc.*

A summer abroad. A disappearance. A body found ten years later. The friends return. Secrets revealed. Justice served?

Ten years ago, Claire embarks on a summer abroad trip of a lifetime. Studying and living in Australia, when she’s been sheltered her entire life? Sign her up. Claire’s roommate Phoebe is electric, if not a bit toxic. While she is the fun girl of the group, she’s made some enemies, including at times Claire herself. After a night of drinking, Phoebe disappears, and Claire’s been keeping some secrets about their relationship.

Ten years later, Phoebe’s body is found, and the police call the students back for questioning. They’ve made it clear: someone on this trip hurt Phoebe, and Claire just hopes she can fall into the background with her secrets close to her chest.

I thought this book was quite decent, but I’ve become a tough critic these days. I’ve read too many summer-abroad-gone-wrong, murder mystery type books, and while this was good, it wasn’t anything special. In fact, the details are already somewhat forgettable.

I won’t tell you NOT to read this, because I do think it’s a good pool-side thriller, but it just didn’t stand out among a sea of other, similar thrillers for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the eARC.

Sarah Ochs writes such good destination based thrillers. I really loved the premise of this and the call back to mistakes made and how we will all eventually pay for them.

This Stays Between Us by Sarah Ochs. Besties Claire and Phoebe are on a study abroad trip in Australia with a group, and it’s all fun and games until Phoebe goes missing. 10 years later the group are all called back to Australia when her remains are found. This book was pretty good, although I didn’t really vibe with any of the characters so I found it hard to pick up at times. The two friends have a complicated relationship and the book is filled with secrets and lies.
Thankyou to the author, publishers and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

In the past two weeks, I’ve accidentally read the same book twice. Well, basically the same book—different titles, different covers, but the same core plot: Terrible things happen in college. Fast forward to adulthood, and surprise! Those terrible things come back to haunt the survivors.

For the record, my college experience was pretty wholesome. Basketball games, parties, weird advertising projects, philosophical debates in business law, and long afternoons on the library lawn pretending to study while actually checking out the hot guys walking by. Did we do bad things? Sure. Did we kill anyone? Absolutely not. (At least, not that I recall. But memory is tricky.)

Both This Stays Between Us and Our Secrets Were Safe follow a familiar formula: secrets, lies, and murder wrapped up in guilt that’s been simmering for a decade. Why is this trope everywhere? Probably because it’s easy to set up. Commit a crime, bury the past, let it rot, and watch what happens when it claws its way back.

In This Stays Between Us, the story takes us to the Australian Outback, where the remains of Phoebe, a missing American student, are found ten years after she vanished during a study abroad trip. The surviving members of her little travel group reunite for police interviews, and Claire, Phoebe’s old roommate, has to reckon with her own questionable choices. There’s drugs, there’s sex, there’s violence.

In Our Secrets Were Safe, we’re stateside in New York, where Brooke and Charlotte are being blackmailed by “Sophie,” their ex-roommate who (minor detail) has been dead for years. As the layers peel back, it turns out Sophie is exposing more than just the truth about her death. There’s… you guessed it: drugs, sex, violence. See the pattern?

Are these good books? Hmm. Debatable. Did I enjoy reading them? Sort of. It really depends on how much disbelief you’re willing to suspend and how much you enjoy watching messy people implode under the weight of their own secrets.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advance copies!

Ten years ago six students participated in an Australian summer abroad program. When troubled student Phoebe disappears the group has to leave without fully knowing what happened. Ten years later they are brought back after Phoebe's body is discovered. They all have secrets that they are trying to hide, and they all have pieces of what actually happened to Phoebe.

This was a really interesting mystery. All of the characters have flaws and things they are trying to hide from the others in the others. The main focus of the story is Claire and her extremely complicated relationship with Phoebe. There are so many interesting twists and turns in the story. It is fast paced and kept me on the edge of my seat guessing the entire time. I enjoyed the multiple points of view and time jumps. This is my first book by Sara Ochs. I look forward to reading more from her in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This Stays Between Us by Sara Ochs is a solid, twisty mystery set against the sun-bleached backdrop of the Australian outback where secrets burn as hot as the desert sun, and trust is about as reliable as cell service in the bush.

The story follows two timelines and two POVs: Phoebe, a law student with secrets, and Claire, a grieving woman with a backpack and baggage (literal and emotional). Their paths collide at an off-grid eco-hostel full of Instagram-worthy views and suspicious vibes. Ochs does a great job building tension, planting red herrings like desert weeds, and using the setting to crank up the claustrophobia despite all the open space.

But then comes the ending. And the epilogue. Ah, yes, that twist. The one you’ve seen before in thrillers that mistake shock for cleverness. The twist is delivered with a wink and a shove, and while it might thrill some readers, others (like this one) may feel like they were just duped by a genre cliché in a stylish hat. The final reveal and epilogue felt tacked on, like the book was afraid you wouldn't remember it if it didn’t scream “GOTCHA!” on the way out.

Character-wise, don’t get too attached. While the alternating voices keep the pace brisk, depth is sacrificed for convenience. I found the characters frustratingly inconsistent or just plain unlikable, which, fair, but maybe not in a way that enhances the tension.

This is a punchy, fast-paced thriller with an atmospheric setting and a backpack full of secrets. But the overused twist and epilogue may leave seasoned mystery fans rolling their eyes harder than a kangaroo avoiding tourists. Enjoy the ride but don’t expect to be surprised when the train jumps the same old tracks.

What really happened that night years ago?

Ten years ago a group of college students met for the first time at a month-long study abroad program in Australia. Alcohol consumption, flirting and the hot sunny days were a large part of the experience, but it all came to a halt when one of the group, Phoebe, went missing. Phoebe had irritated many of the group members, so the police presume that she ran away...but she never turned up, Until, that is, the present day when her remains are found in a cave near the town where the group had been staying when she disappeared. The remaining people from the group...The Mob, as they call themselves (which is the proper name for a group of kangaroos, I now know)...have stayed in touch over the years, and several had been trying to plan a reunion Down Under. Now, with the authorities wanting to interview them all in an attempt to unearth what happened in the time leading up to Phoebe's death, even the holdouts like Claire agree to return to Australia. They arrive to discover that they are all suspects and that Phoebe's death was definitely murder. When someone else connected with The Mob turns up dead, it seems obvious that there is a killer amongst them. Each of the group, it turns out, has secrets they would prefer stay buried....but who is willing to kill to protect theirs?
This Stays Between Us is a fast=paced thriller with a fascinating backdrop. The narration switches back and forth between the present day (Claire) and ten years earlier (Phoebe), and slowly the relationships and secrets are revealed. Friendship and betrayal, the carelessness of youth and its unexpected and often harsh consequences unfold as the story progresses. The characters aren't highly developed, and I found it hard to connect with them as a consequence. Claire in particular has always held herself responsible for Phoebe's death and is convinced that she will be found out, though the rest seem anxious to find someone other than themselves to blame as well. It's a quick summer read, the plot not terribly original but gripping just the same (and there is an interesting twist at the end); its a solid 3.5 ⭐️ read rounded up to 4 given the intriguing locale. Readers who enjoy Lucy Foley, Alex Finlay and Lauren Ling, as well as those looking for a quick beach/poolside read, should give this a try. My thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for allowing me access to the novel in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this one especially with the end twist. It was difficult to keep track of the different characters in the beginning.