I really, really enjoyed this book. I can’t wait to recommended it to people and I would love to buy a physical copy for my collection. I read it in one sitting. I did not see any of the twists coming, in fact I highlighted part that made me think I did early on and I was oh so wrong. Towards the end I started to wonder about something I was afraid wouldn’t be resolved (Sam) and it was. This was a really good read. I will be looking for more from this author.

This was my first Andrea Mara novel, and I enjoyed it. I will definitely read more of her books.

It Should Have Been You was more of a mystery than a thriller in my eyes. However, it still kept me turning the pages to see what was going to happen.

Mara did an incredible job with her edgy writing and kept me guessing the entire read through.
This novel had so many twists and turns I couldn't keep my head straight. Truly suspenseful.

I enjoyed the multiple POVs with all the different characters. It did take me a few chapters to keep all of the characters straight.

The ending was what made this go from a four star to a three star for me. I just felt like it was too much at the end - too farfetched. It was all tied up nice and neat, though.

I recommend It Should Have Been You to anyone who wants a fast-paced, easy to read mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Viking penguin and Andrea Mara for the eARC of It Should Have Been You.

Do you ever have that moment where you write an ugly text message about someone and think for a second that you sent the message TO THAT PERSON BY MISTAKE? Nightmare-inducing. Imagine sending that mean text to your NEIGHBORHOOD’S GROUP CHAT. And that text casually leading to MURDER? That’s where our book begins. You want drama, baby? It’s here.

This book was A WILD RIDE. Twists, turns, so many intriguing characters, social media fiascos, text drama, affairs, murders (yes—multiples!), mixed-up identities. I was on the edge of my seat the ENTIRE TIME—hooked from page ONE.

I was also TAKING NOTES. I wish I were kidding. My notes app got a workout trying to keep track of characters and how they were all linked together. And there were many. Short chapters and weaving POVs kept the story moving quickly and was so entertaining. I FLEW through it.

LOVED this book!

Parents Weekend revolves around a college campus where "parents weekend" is currently taking place however after 5 students do not show up to dinner an investigation begins and they soon realize that the kids did not simply party too hard but were in fact taken. The book then begins to dig into all of the parents lives and we find out that it seems every parent there has something to hide. The book is told from multiple POVs. Overall this book had a good story and was interesting enough to keep me listening however I don't believe anything stood out or made in any different than other thrillers out there. I give it 3 stars because it was interesting and got to the point quickly but wasn't outstanding.

I absolutely loved this book. I was hooked from page one. The contemporary storyline of a young mother, exhausted from no sleep, sending a derogatory text message about a neighbor to the entire community in a WhatsApp group is intriguing. She thought she was sending the message to her sisters; but instead, she sent it in a group chat to the entire neighborhood! Wow! This is something we can all relate to with technology today and how the world communicates by text messages instead of old fashion phone calls. We have all accidentally sent a text message to the wrong person; but did it cost someone their life?

The storyline is fascinating and the author did an exceptional job with character development and keeping the audience in suspense until the very end. I would highly recommend this book!

One text. Total chaos. I devoured this in a day.

Review — Fast, Gossipy, and Deliciously Messy Domestic Thriller

It Should Have Been You is pure suburban nightmare fuel — and I loved every messy, scandalous, nerve-wracking minute of it. One accidental text sent to the wrong WhatsApp group and suddenly an entire neighborhood’s secrets are spilling out, friendships are imploding, and someone winds up dead. It’s the kind of premise that makes you instantly imagine what would happen if your group chat drama went public.

The book moves at a lightning-fast pace, with short, snappy chapters and multiple POVs that slowly reveal just how ugly things can get behind picture-perfect lawns. The characters are wonderfully petty, paranoid, and flawed, and while some twists are a little far-fetched, it’s so much fun you won’t care.

If you love thrillers in the vein of Big Little Lies, The Husbands, or The Neighborhood, this is your next binge read.

Rating: 4 stars — juicy, dramatic, and perfect for fans of small-town secrets and neighborhood thrillers.
#ItShouldHaveBeenYou #NetGalley

I would venture to guess that most of us have sent a text to the wrong person and then felt their face flush once they realize their error. Unfortunately for new mom Susan, a text that she intended to be shared with her sisters was actually shared in the neighborhood chat. As a result of this message, an avalanche of events begin to unfolding.

This story is told from multiple points of view with several different characters. I love this form of writing, as it’s always nice to get into other characters brains.

This was a story that I was unable to put down and spent many nights awake way too late reading.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this book. Can’t wait to check out other books from this author.

Oh my goodness, this book was so addicting! I was staying up late to read! I was so hooked on this book. I loved how there was multiple dramas taking place during this book so it wasn’t just focused on the one issue. I loved the multiple POVS and the plot twist! I definitely thought I was locked in on who did the crime and sure enough I was left shocked! Boy was I far from right. I loved this book so so much!


*review will be posted on my Instagram @paigetopagereads

*Run date: review will be posted the week of 4/21/25 and remain up.

Exactly what I was looking for! All the suspense and a twist I did not see coming! I enjoyed it from beginning to the end will get a physical book! Thanks NetGalley and Viking Penguin for the arc!

Definitely a must read. This is my first book by this Author, and I will be looking out for more of her books.
I couldn’t put it down.

In Andrea's latest novel, the tension builds quickly from an innocuous, yet sharply worded, text message to a chilling series of murders. Susan, a teacher and new mother on maternity leave, has been struggling with sleep deprivation and the stress of balancing her personal life with the demands of a tight-knit neighborhood. When she reads something from a neighbor, Celeste, in the local WhatsApp group, Susan is quick to fire off a snarky message about Celeste's difficult children and philandering husband, intending to share her frustrations with her sisters. However, in a moment of oversight, Susan accidentally sends the message to the entire group. What follows is a cascade of consequences—first, the neighbors are outraged, and Susan is mortified. But the stakes are raised when Celeste’s husband and his companion are murdered, and another woman with a similar address to Susan’s is also found dead. The question arises: Was someone targeting Susan, or was it a case of mistaken identity?

There is a wide cast of characters to keep track of, and each one has something to hide. When a murder investigation centers around someone with the same address as Susan, the pool of suspects widens dramatically, keeping you guessing until the very end. The twists and turns are dizzying, and while the storyline may at times feel too convenient or even implausible, Andrea’s masterful pacing keeps you engaged. The book is certainly one you can read in a single sitting, with the stakes continuously escalating and drawing you in deeper.

However, while the narrative is undeniably compelling, the execution falters somewhat as the story progresses. The introduction of numerous perspectives and subplots, particularly the storylines involving teenagers, sometimes detracts from the central plot. These characters and their conflicts feel underdeveloped and unnecessary, which detracts from the intensity of the main story. There are moments when these secondary plotlines seem more like distractions than valuable additions, and the leaps in logic some characters make feel forced. At times, you might find yourself questioning why certain characters are jumping to conclusions without sufficient evidence, only to discover their hasty assumptions are, in fact, correct. This use of improbable logic to push the plot forward feels contrived and detracts from the immersion of the story.

Additionally, the ending—though wrapped up neatly—lacks the emotional satisfaction that the earlier buildup promises. The resolution of multiple storylines feels a bit too convenient, leaving the reader with the sense that the characters were simply too many and not fully explored. In particular, the resolution surrounding the teenager plotlines feels like an unnecessary add-on that could have been eliminated to allow for deeper exploration of the more central characters.

Despite these flaws, Andrea’s ability to create a tense, page-turning atmosphere shines through. The story raises thought-provoking questions about privacy, the consequences of technology, and the fragility of trust in close-knit communities. It’s a reminder of how one impulsive action can alter the course of a life, and how easily a small mistake can spiral out of control.

In summary, while the novel has its issues with pacing and character development, it remains an intriguing exploration of the ripple effects of modern digital communication and its potentially disastrous consequences. Fans of psychological thrillers will likely appreciate the high stakes and suspense, though those who prefer tighter plots and more fully realized characters may find it lacking. It’s a story that ultimately works better in concept than in execution, but it’s still a compelling read for those who enjoy a tense, twist-filled narrative.

Thank you Netgalley and Viking Penguin Books for this advanced readers copy.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

Susan sends a text message to her sisters text thread saying something negative about a neighbor- oops! It went to the Neighborhood group by accident. Then, a neighboring resident with the same address as Susan ends up dead. Is someone targeting Susan? One death never is never good, but then turns up a married couple has been found murdered in their own home.

I enjoyed this read. All of the characters had strong voices/personalities, and the way that they were all tied together was perfect. The ending reminded me of Freida McFadden's books- a big twist that I didn't see coming! There is one small detail that you find at the very end that I did guess correctly, but you have to pay attention to put it together. Five stars!

The concept was interesting and I always enjoy multiple narrators. The characters were so intertwined, it was a giant, messy web of relationships, lies, and deception. It did feel a little bit like too much was happening, but it was still a fun read.

✧. 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 .✧

⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5

📖: It Should Have Been You
✍️: Andrea Mara

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤.
︿︿︿︿︿︿︿︿︿︿︿︿︿︿

💬 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
Yikes! We’ve all sent a text to the wrong person at some point but here’s hoping the fallout wasn’t anything nearly as bad as what happens in this storyline. This was an entertaining thriller that’ll have you narrowing your eyes at every character at some point. I don’t feel that this plot was groundbreaking if I’m being honest but that really is hard to do when writing a thriller like this. I found most of the characters unlikable in an entertaining way. This book is like when you catch a decent movie on Lifetime for once. I’m definitely invested and am watching til the end with my popcorn but it won’t be all that memorable.

This was just ok for me. I was really enjoying it at first and thought the premise was really fun! Then as it went on I felt like the book was trying to do too much. There was so much going on. It was sometimes hard to keep track of it. It felt like it kind of lost its original idea at some points and could have been a different book. It wasn’t bad just wasn’t my favorite.

This was my first ARC review from NetGalley. Highly recommend!! The ripple of events that happen after the main character mistakenly sends a message into the wrong group chat was insane. Just when you think it can’t possibly get more unhinged, you turn the page and it gets crazier. I couldn’t stop thinking about times I’ve accidentally sent a text to the wrong person. I’m sure most people have done it at one time or another when we’re just trying to answer back quickly or are distracted. So to think that small action could potentially have such a large impact is wild. Definitely recommend reading this book, you won’t be disappointed!!

A WhatsApp message accidentally sent to the wrong group starts a jaw-dropping series of events that no one could imagine. Four people end up dead and a teenager ends up in jail, but the real question is, was the misdirected message to blame or was a lot more going on? Teen age bullying, infidelity, mistaken identity, past traumas, lots of characters and lots of secrets will have you reeling, and perhaps taking notes, as you try and understand who actually did what. And when you are done you will definitely think twice before you send a tell all message about someone.

I honestly wasn’t expecting the ending of this book at all. Every time I thought I had it figured out something else would happen and make me question everything. This was such a good read! I highly recommend everyone go out and get this book once it’s released!

Th is story was was really intresting. this is about a women who is ranting to her sister, about her job frustration, and accidentally send the message to her school group chat, instead of her sister.then there is a murder that happens, and we try to figure out were they targeting her, but killed the wrong women? so good

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I enjoyed Andrea Mara’s last novel, Someone in the Attic a lot, and I think this book is way better, so that says a lot. The plot of the novel was really interesting. I have not read a suburban domestic thriller based around someone killing someone who they thought was someone else. And the way the rest of the plot unraveled around it? It was nearly perfect.

First off, this novel has multiple narrators and begins on a certain day in the prologue. Then we spend the novel reading the days leading up to the prologue with differing cast of characters. As someone who adores multiple narrators, I was very happy with this. However, some people may get turned off because there are more than 4 different narrators within this book.
Second, I was genuinely riveted reading this book. With every page, I honestly had no idea what was coming next. There were so many twists and reveals that had me shocked, and it kept me reading all day. I barely stepped away from the book!

The writing was well done. There are different styles of writing for each of the characters, which helps establish their each own individuality. The characters also each have their own flaws, but it makes for a very complex and interesting novel, in my opinion. I like when the characters are not all perfect.