The story revolves around a group of friends in a California high school. It's considered an elite group that is centered around their charismatic friend Zack Thrasher.. Many people, mostly girls enthralled with Zack, want to be members of The Thrashers, but things change when they are accused of contributing to the death of another student - a Thrasher wannabe. Backlash and paranormal events seem to take over their lives and puts their own lives at risk as they try to figure out what really happened. Told through the narrative of one of the Thrashers, Jody, who became friends with Zack in the fourth grade, and now shares him with the other members., and her thoughts of not feeling good enough for the group, as , as dealing with a frequently drunk father.

Part paranormal, part mystery, and completely engrossing and entertaining read. Julie Soto has done it again, only this time with an intriguing YA story.

Audiobook had great narration

An absolutely incredible young adult thriller from Julie Soto! She really did put all of her power in this one and it shows

3.5⭐️ | Enjoyed this thrilling young adult story! If I had to compare it something it reminds me of, I would say the series 13 Reasons why. Julie Soto does a great job at building tension as you anticipate what will happen next.. The Thrashers are in the in crowd & every student wants to be amongst their circle. When a fellow student dies, this group of 5 is under a lot of scrutiny, as a journal surfaces that contains some damaging entires that pertain to this group.

Format: Audiobook
Perfect for: fans of YA thrillers
What I loved: narration, the narrator did a great job bringing like to Jodi & these characters. Writing Style
Length: 10 hours 15 minutes

A good read that makes me interested in more from this author. Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

So far, I really like Julie Soto as an author. Her romance has worked well for me so far, and this YA thriller was entertaining and fun. Is it something that turns the genre on its head? No. But it's well executed for its intended audience and it's a solid entry into the genre.

The plot was thrilling (though not overly so, like, my mind wasn't blown), it was easy to read, it makes you want to keep turning the pages, the characters acted like teenagers but weren't stupid, and the drama was juicy. Overall, I have nothing bad to say about this book, and I recommend it if any of the things I've mentioned here are up your alley.

The narration was very well done and the voice worked great for the story.

The Thrashers are a group of friends at the "top" of the high school food chain. All students want to be them or be friends with them.

Enter Emily. Emily wanted to be apart of the Thrashers social circle until she took her own life on prom night.

It appears to be a closed case, right? Until Emily's diary is discovered. Now the police are taking a closer look at what may have happened between the Thrashers and Emily.

The audiobook for this is fantastic. I loved the narrarator. The suspense in figuring out what actually happened to Emily made it extremely difficult to stop listening. This is labeled a YA Thriller, yet as an adult I devoured it.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

From the very first chapter, The Thrashers pulls you in and doesn’t let go. The audiobook narration is outstanding—each character feels like a fully realized person thanks to the distinct voices brought to life by the narrator and the nuanced writing by Julie Soto. 🎭✨

The story centers on a group of high school seniors in their final year, navigating the messy in-between of youth and adulthood. While it’s a coming-of-age story at heart, it’s also layered with mystery, tension, and some sweet, flirtatious moments that add charm without ever feeling forced. 🎓💬🔍

What really stood out was the emotional complexity of the characters. They're flawed—sometimes painfully so—but that’s what makes them compelling. You may not love all of them, but you understand them. And more often than not, you root for them. 💔➡️❤️

As the plot unravels, the tension builds in all the right places. It’s the kind of story that keeps you on edge (yes, cliché—but true!) and makes the ending feel well-earned and satisfying. ✔️📚

If you’re into character-driven YA with suspense, heart, and a little chaos, The Thrashers should be on your radar. A standout debut with voice and depth that lingers. 🎤🔥

This book was a solid paranormal mystery perfect for YA readers. While I struggled a bit, I know I am not the intended audience. I think this book will be great for teens who struggle with friendships, cliques, and how to know when something feels off or not. I really enjoyed the paranormal elements here, and I think it added originality to the story. While I'll stick with her adult novels from now on, I know that Soto will be loved by YA and adult YA readers alike.

This was such a good mysterious ya thriller! I enjoyed all the twists and turns and loved the character development. Such a sad and creepy story!! Really liked Jodie and Julian

The Thrashers By Julie Soto
Genre: YA Thriller
Vibes: 🌊🛁📝🍻🚗🚌📓👗
Did I cry? Almost, but definitely screamed OMG a million times

For fans of Gossip Girl, Mean Girls, and 13 Reasons Why.

Hit after hit!!! These kids can’t catch a break. Mixed emotions about these characters - hate them, love them, pity them, concerned for them.

Themes:
-toxic friendships
-intensity of high school
-young love/obsession/infatuation
-bad parents
-“mean popular kids”

Personally- this wouldn’t be my go to sub genre and it was too dark for me (considering they are kids) but it was absolutely riveting, twisty, and oh so well written!

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review. Incredible narration!

Grateful for Allie’s bookclub Booked with Babes for the Buddy read! Probably wouldn’t have otherwise picked this one up!

Cw: suicide, drowning, reckless driving, car accidents, drug abuse, alcoholism, teen drinking and drug use, abusive parents

Among this group of high school elite, popularity and inclusion are everything. When a girl dies, the surviving members of the group find themselves in trouble and possibly haunted. The tone is unrelentingly grim and will appeal to teens who are drawn to dark books where you never know who to trust

In this book we follow Jodi Dillon. A high school student who is in this friend group called The Thrashers. These are the popular kids and everyone wants to be apart of them, especially Emily Mills. But when Emily Mills unalives herself, the group is now being looked at by investigators to see if they had something to do with her death.

This book sounded extremely promising, especially since some people were referring to this book as being close to AGGGTM which is one of my favorite books, but this was so off the mark for me. The only similarities between AGGGTM and The Thrashers is the fact that it is a YA mystery but other than that, there is nothing that makes these books similar. The Thrashers is a more of a YA paranormal mystery but I felt like I lost the suspense and twists that are typically in a mystery. The stakes didn’t feel very high, I wasn’t invested in any of the characters, and it felt like this story dragged way too long.

The Thrashers are the popular kids in school, everyone wants to be friends with them - until a new girl who was “thrashed” and ends her life. Now the Thrashers are on trial for criminal harassment, but the truth isn't always what it seems. Perfect for fans of Karen McManus and Holly Jackson - this is a great addition to any high school/middle school suspense collection. Triggers include physical abuse, mental abuse, & suicide.

Julie Soto’s debut in thrillers was highly anticipated for me, and it definitely lived up to the hype! I was hooked from the start with this story. I could not put it down. This group of teenagers “The Thrashers” and their dynamics were fascinating, with it centered around Jodi’s observations. While I predicted the “twist”, that doesn’t take away from the great writing and other events that held my attention all the way through, culminating in that epilogue! Wow!

I listened to the audiobook for this one. While the narrator did a good job distinguishing between the many characters with different voices and it was easy to follow, I think multiple narrators could have elevated this.

HUGE thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audiobook ARC!

This book is an absolute MUST-READ! Julie Soto hooked me from the prologue, and I couldn't focus on anything but the audiobook. I have read her other two books and loved her writing style, so I knew I would love this one too. It is a different genre from her others, but you would never know this is her first YA thriller.

In the beginning, I thought it was going to be very similar to the TV show, 13 Reasons Why, but I was surprised as I got further into the book and all the twists and turns. I don't know how to talk about this book without giving anything away, but trust me when I say this book was amazing!! It was nothing short of captivating- It had me gasping, talking out loud, and clutching my pearls. This read just further cemented Julie Soto into my list of favorite authors.

Also, Eva Kaminsky and Jesse Vilinsky did a FANTASTIC job narrating this!! They made the book so much creepier and brought each person to life so well!!

I recently had the pleasure of listening to an ARC of “The Trashers” by Julie Soto, and it was an exhilarating and unforgettable experience. Soto has crafted a unique and compelling story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, and the audiobook format only enhanced this experience.

The novel follows the story of Mia, a young woman who inherits her late uncle’s struggling trash collection business. As she navigates the challenges of running the company, she discovers a hidden world of corruption and intrigue within the waste management industry. With the help of her quirky and loyal team, Mia must uncover the truth and fight to save the business, all while dealing with personal struggles and unexpected romance.

Soto’s writing is sharp and engaging, drawing the listener into the world of the characters and making every moment feel vivid and real. The characters are well-developed and relatable, each with their own quirks and complexities that add depth to the story.

One of the standout aspects of this audiobook is the narration. The narrator did an excellent job of bringing the characters to life, capturing their personalities and emotions perfectly. The pacing of the narration was spot-on, maintaining the right balance of action, drama, and introspection. The narrator's ability to convey humor and serious themes seamlessly added an extra layer of enjoyment to the listening experience.

The story tackles issues such as environmental sustainability, corporate greed, and personal growth, all while maintaining a lighthearted and witty tone that keeps the listener hooked. The audiobook format made it easy to immerse myself in the story, and I found myself eagerly anticipating each new chapter.

“The Trashers” is a refreshing and original listen that will leave you thinking long after you’ve finished. Julie Soto has proven herself to be a talented storyteller with a unique voice, and I highly recommend this audiobook to anyone looking for a captivating and thought-provoking experience. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!

"Either you're in or you're out. Welcome to the Thrashers, the elite friend group at New Helvetia High. They're everything everyone wants to be."

WOW. Just—WOW. I’m not surprised, and yet, I’m still completely stunned. Julie Soto has once again proven there is nothing—and I mean nothing—she can’t write. Her YA thriller debut is nothing short of electric. What a pulse soaring, compelling, and yet, beautiful, story. The Thrashers are a group of deeply flawed High School students, who you truly can't help but root for. I was hooked from the very first line of the story and completely unable to pull my Air Pod from my ear.

This gave Pretty Little Liars meets 13 Reasons Why in the best way. I am forever changed.

The Narrators brought the story to life in a whole new way, adding emotion, nuance, and a sense of intimacy that deepens the connection to the characters and plot

I love Julie Soto’s books and her fan fiction, so I was really curious about The Thrashers. But I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure if it would be for me. I haven’t read a thriller in years and YA can be pretty hit or miss depending on the voice and pacing. But this? I was completely pulled in. I devoured this book and had absolutely no idea where it was going at any point and I loved that.

It’s definitely darker and spookier than I expected, and the vibes gave me major Pretty Little Liars energy in the best way. There’s a layered mystery at the heart of this story, but also so many thoughtful observations about high school social dynamics, identity, and what people will do to feel like they belong. There’s a lot to unpack beneath the surface.

The pacing was excellent, the atmosphere was eerie without being over the top, and the writing had the same smart, addictive quality I love from Julie’s other books. The audiobook was also truly superb and really added to how addictive this book was. And that epilogue? I have so many questions. I’m going to need a follow-up, because what do you mean. What. Do. You. Mean.

This audiobook was perfection. This book is perfection. I think it has ruined me for all YA thrillers because nothing will ever measure up. Julie is a magician. The amount of times I gasped was ridiculous. Highly highly recommend.

How does it feel to be the poor Thrasher? The girl who doesn't fit with the rich beautiful highschool crew centered around Zack Thrasher? That's what Jodi deals with everyday - from the school and the group themself. Except, it's not so bad since she's been best friends with Zack since 2nd grade, in love with him just as long.

But then Emily came along, and tried to get into the group. That did NOT end well for Emily. And then the cops came sniffing and Emily has to wonder if her so-called friend group is really being honest with her, DID they have something to do with Emily's death?

Could. Not. Put. It. Down.

YA Thriller
Popular group
Mystery
Spirits/Paranormal

My first time reading this author and though this ideas there first thriller it wasn’t bad. It was most definitely YA and giving pretty little liars, but the story line was there and was really emotional 😭

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC read.

Publish Date: 5/6/25