Title: Someone Knows
Author: Vi Keeland
Publication Date: June 17, 2025
Rating: 3.5/5 stars

'Someone Knows' follows Elizabeth, a college English professor who receives a story about a high school senior who has an affair with her teacher from one of her students. The fact that she experienced it all makes it familiar. She knows exactly how the story will end—with the professor dead because she was the one who killed him—and the girl in the story was her best friend Jocelyn.

In an attempt to try to figure out who is trying to expose her, Elizabeth goes back to her hometown in Louisiana, but it quickly becomes apparent that she will never be able to put her past behind her.

The premise of the story was so intriguing and quick-paced that I finished it in one sitting. The numerous twists and turns will captivate you immediately and sustain your interest throughout. However, I felt that the execution was a little chaotic and that there were lots of plot holes. Some plotlines didn't make sense and seemed to be left hanging, especially given the open-ended conclusion. Additionally, I am aware going into the book that it is marketed as a sexy thriller, and I may not be a big fan of on-page spice in thrillers.

All things considered, this book is a must-read if you're looking for a gripping story with a hint of romance and psychological edge. Vi Keeland is skilled at creating complex, multi-layered thrillers with a flawed protagonist.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This one is filled with twists! This review is a hard one to write because in order for someone to get the full experience of the story is to go in pretty blind. Elizabeth grew up with an alcoholic mother and poor in Louisiana-a place she escaped from years earlier but her past resurfaces and she finds herself relunctantly going home. One after another, shocking secrets and actions are revealed- showing how abuse brings damage in unimaginable ways. Hang on tight, this one packs a punch!

This book sucked me in immediately, probably because no time was wasted jumping into the story. Elizabeth found out that someone knows in the first chapter and immediately I found myself asking WHO?!

Elizabeth isn't very likeable, she treats Sam like crap, and apparently has no friends? But still, I couldn't put the book down. I don't get into a ton of thrillers because the stories start to all feel the same, but this one felt a bit more unique.

However, the twists weren't crazy. I was only slightly surprised at who was sending the chapters. But there are unanswered questions, and I have no idea how this person knows Elizabeth specifically was involved with the death. It makes no sense because the dead person couldn't have told, obviously. So while I liked the book, that unanswered question plus the big unanswered relationship question at the end kind of ruined the rest because it just doesn't feel complete.

There were a couple plot holes, too. Elizabeth thought she saw someone watching through the window, but that turned into nothing, not mentioned again. She also frantically searched someone's house, but didn’t ask to search their computer. The way she was acting, how could she not at least try and ask?

Overall, despite this ending and this review, I do recommend this book. It had me hooked immediately and kept me there throughout.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC 🤍 All opinions are my own.

I can never put a Vi Keeland book down. The second I am handed one I just devour it from cover to cover. Her thriller is my new favorite era of hers and I think it is the era I want to live in with her forever. I can not predict the turns she is going to take next and am let ton the edge of my seat guessing and always in shock.

Someone Knows is everything I’ve come to expect from Vi Keeland—soul-stirring, addictively romantic, and packed with chemistry that practically crackles off the page. This story pulled me in fast and didn’t let go, blending mystery, heartache, and heat in the most irresistible way.

The connection between the main characters? Off. The. Charts. There’s a past that aches, a present full of tension, and a future that begs to be fought for. It’s emotional, it’s tender, and it has just the right touch of spice.

If you love your romance with a side of secrets, swoon, and second chances, Someone Knows will absolutely steal your heart—and maybe break it a little before putting it back together stronger than ever.

I’ve read and enjoyed many Vi Keeland books and was very excited when I saw a new one available on NetGalley. However, this one fell flat for me. There were too many plot holes and things that just didn’t make sense to me. The ending also fell flat and did not feel satisfying. That said, I will continue to read her books as I do enjoy her writing style.

Wow, what a roller coaster ride!! Vi Keeland really knows how to spin a web of intrigue and suspense. I love how her main characters know what’s going on but they don’t. I love all of Vi’s stories but her mystery/suspense stories are quickly becoming my favorites.

Dark, gripping, and full of suspense.
Someone Knows is Vi Keeland like you’ve never read her before—a twisty, emotional thriller about secrets that won’t stay buried. I couldn’t stop turning the pages!

Tgis book hooks from the start. The story follows Elizabeth, a professor haunted by a secret from her past that comes back to life in the form of a student’s chilling manuscript. The tension builds steadily as she returns to her hometown to uncover who’s behind it all, and the lines between truth and fiction blur in unsettling ways.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria for the gifted copy!

4.5 ⭐

After finishing the book, one thought immediately came to mind: wow… what a ride! But first, let me tell you a bit about the plot.

The FMC is a college English professor. She also teaches creative writing, and one day, she receives a first chapter a story from a student — a story about a relationship between a high school senior and her teacher. The thing is, Elizabeth knows this story all too well, because twenty years ago, her best friend was that girl… and Elizabeth was the one who killed the teacher.

I was a little slow to get into the story at first, but once it hooked me, I couldn’t put it down. This is a psychological thriller with steamy moments, and it’s full of unexpected twists. I had so many theories and guesses, but I was never fully sure of anything. Toward the end, I had no idea how things would wrap up. That final chapter? My jaw was on the floor. The ending is somewhat open, and while I’m usually not a fan of open endings, this one felt just right. It was the perfect way to close this story!

I’ve read Vi Keeland’s romance books before, but this was my first time reading one of her thrillers — and I’m blown away! I’ve also seen amazing reviews for The Unraveling, so I'll definitely pick that one up later.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

This book is as twisted as the roots on the trees in a bayou. I devoured this book and could not put it down. All of the characters had me questioning their motives and agendas. I found Someone Knows to be an atmospheric and engrossing thriller. Highly recommend for anyone looking to get out of a book slump.

Thank you to Atria, Netgalley, and Vi Keeland for allowing me to read this ARC.

A twisty and at times scary thriller showing that lies always come back with a vengeance. A terrific storyline!

Definitely had me on the edge of my seat, did not see the plot twist! The way the author weaves this basket full of suspenses fantastic.

5/5 Stars – Unputdownable!
Let me just say—the rate I devoured Someone Knows by Vi Keeland was absolutely insane. I was hooked from the very first page, and it never let me go. The writing was addictive, the characters felt so real, and the plot twist? A total chef’s kiss. I didn’t see it coming well I thought I did but then I didn’t and it hit me in all the best ways. The ending left me stunned—in the best kind of book hangover way—and I know I’ll be thinking about it for a long time. If you love a twisty, emotional, can’t-stop-reading type of book, Someone Knows needs to be on your TBR right now.

My mind is blown! I think I read that ending 5 times and still was like what the hell did I just read. Vi you are leaving me speechless! Great book. Can’t wait to read your next thriller!

I received an ARC copy, and can I just say—this book blew me away! I did not expect that twist at the end—I literally gasped. This was my first Vi Keeland book, and it definitely won’t be my last. I was hooked from the very first chapter and couldn’t put it down—I had to know how it ended.

I’ll admit, Elizabeth annoyed me a bit with how naive she was, but I think that was intentional. It worked for the story and made certain moments hit even harder. I can’t wait for more readers (myself included) to get their hands on this—prepare yourselves for a wild, twisty whodunit ride.

It reminded me a bit of My Dark Vanessa because of the teacher-student trope and how he groomed her. Mr. Sawyer’s behavior had me ready to fight him! That said, the story absolutely stands on its own. Overall, readers are in for a gripping, emotional journey.

A sexy thriller👀 ? Yeah I'm gonna EAT IT UP! This English teacher Elizabeth, had a lot going on yall. Vi Keeland step to the front I wanna talk!😂 The plot was plotting and my mouth was GAPING! The stress through the book! Like girl who knows the secret ?WHO IS THIS?😂😂& you had the nerve to like who you liked ?👀😂 NO SPOILS. Some topics are a bit unsettling so beware, but I'm crazy so I loved it! Sam,Noah,Lucas,ivy like PLEASE come check out the messy mind twister this is. What I thought would be the end, was NOT!!! Thankyou Vi & NetGalley for the arc for my honest opinion!!🔥

3.5⭐️

I just finished Someone Knows by Vi Keeland, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The story had a few surprises, keeping me on engaged until the very end. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, the book delivered one final, unexpected twist!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for allowing me to read this ARC!

I usually love Vi Keelands book but this one was just ok for me. Maybe because i figured out the story but it wasnt the best.

An english professor receives an assignment that describes a secret that she has hidden for 20 years. Is someone messing with her? Does someone know what she did?

This was an exciting ride with a lot going on. She goes back to her hometown, her mother is dying, and she faces all the secrets of her past. There are some very spicy scenes so keep that in mind if spice is not your thing.

Everyone was suspicious and when I got to the very end I was shocked.

Someone Knows, the debut thriller from New York Times bestselling author Vi Keeland, is a gripping tale full of twists that had me guessing until the very last page. Not knowing what to expect from a romance author, Someone Knows was a pleasant surprise.

As a college English professor, Elizabeth looks forward to the start of each new semester teaching her creative writing seminar. At least until she reads chapter one of The Reckoning, a tale about a high school senior who has an affair with her teacher. To anyone else it would be the beginning of a great page-turner, but to Elizabeth it is the beginning of the end.

She knows this story. It’s all familiar because she lived it. The girl in the story was her best friend Jocelyn, and Elizabeth knows exactly how the story will end—with the professor dead. Because she was the one who killed him.

Someone knows what Elizabeth did twenty years ago and her secret is about to be exposed, but who is the mystery student submitting the chapters? In an effort to find out, Elizabeth returns to her Louisiana hometown where it soon becomes clear that no matter how many years have gone by, she can’t escape her past.

To be honest, this novel by Vi Keeland wasn't even on my radar until I received an email from Atria Books. Knowing my reading preferences and having collaborated with them on a beer surrounding Daniel Kraus' Whalefall, the Atria team suggested I might enjoy this debut thriller from Keeland. They were correct in their assumption as Someone Knows turned out to be a fast-paced, twisty thriller that had me furiously turning each page to see where the hell the book was headed.

The first few chapters I read at my normal reading pace, but midway through, I found myself racing toward the conclusion to see where Keeland would take Elizabeth and how the story would unfold. I consumed the final 40% in one sitting. Keeland has a great ability to craft each chapter to force you into the next that makes it impossible to put the book down.

Elizabeth is a deeply compelling character in which I could not help but feel for as the story unfolds. She has suffered through some significant stressors in her life, including family drama and alcoholism as well as unresolved trauma buried deep in her memory. It was hard not to connect with her on a personal level and root for her journey to end on a positive note. While the supporting cast that Elizabeth encounters are well-developed and add depth to the story, it's Elizabeth herself who steals the show for sure.

As a romance novelist, Keeland does include a bit of spiciness to Someone Knows, which longtime fans of her work are sure to appreciate. However, as someone who is indifferent to such moments, these spicy moments did not significantly add the overall story.

Someone Knows is an edge of your seat thrill ride packed with unexpected twists. Vi Keeland makes a strong debut in the thriller genre, delivering a novel that hooks you from the outset and feverishly pushes you toward the end. Someone Knows is perfect for those romance fans who want a bit more thrill in their novel as well as those thriller fans looking for a bit of spice.