Julie Soto’s romances have been on my TBR list, so when this YA thriller popped up on NetGalley I was thrilled to receive a copy of the ARC. I listened to the audiobook and felt the narration was solid. I think this book would be a good fit for fans of One of Us Is Lying or Pretty Little Liars. The book has a solid start as the popular clique (aka The Thrashers) is at the center of controversy when a journal blames a classmate’s suicide on their awful treatment of her. The book kept my interest for the first 60% and then felt like it dragged with some of the same “spooky” moments and unsettling images. By the time the twists at the end were revealed I felt a bit underwhelmed. I’d give this a 3.5.

This was a really well done thriller! Also teenagers can be so horrible!

When Jodi and her friends the Thrashers are involved with Emily everything turns upside down really quick. Emily killed herself and the Thrashers are to blame.

The ending didn't surprise me with this one but I still loved seeing the story build and seeing the background to how we ended up with that ending. Very well done!

Also WTF is wrong with those kids? The whole elite rich kids who think they can do no wrong are the worse type of people.

Interesting YA thriller with a touch of the supernatural. Surprisingly, it didn't bother me because it enhanced the story.

This is mostly the story of Jodi, a girl who is part of a close clique of high school seniors, nicknamed "The Thrashers" after their quasi-leader, Zack Thrasher. All of the members of their friend group: Zack, Lucy, Paige, and Julian, are wealthy and privileged. All except for Jodi. She is accepted into their group because she and Zack have been best friends since second grade. Enter Emily Mills, a younger girl who was desperate to join their group. When Emily dies by suicide, people wonder why. And when Emily's journal surfaces, the police join in on the questions--were the Thrashers responsible?

I liked this story and how it played out. I didn't love the characters, but I suppose they acted and reacted as typical teenagers would, so I can't really hold it against them. Some of their actions made me incredibly angry. The tale is very thought provoking, probing the limits of bullying and getting into the grey areas regarding wealth and privilege.

The supernatural elements of this book definitely enhance and further the plot rather than being a distraction. The one part of this story I didn't really care for was that the adults (parents, administrators, counselors, police) were all portrayed as either inept or overbearing. I thought that the school counselor in particular was a caricature. There's zero possibility that Jodi would really be able to do all of the armchair sleuthing she did if it was happening in real life.

Overall, this is an interesting YA mystery that will appeal well with that demographic. I listened to the audiobook and the two narrators did an excellent job. I am a huge fan of Jesse Vilinsky, so I made a point of getting the audiobook version of this book because of her narration.

Julie Soto’s The Thrashers is an electrifying YA thriller that pulls you into a world of high school hierarchies and dark secrets from the very first page. Centered on Jodi Dillon, the novel unravels the toxic dynamics of an elite friend group as they grapple with a tragic loss that shakes their very foundation. The blend of paranormal hints with raw, relatable teen drama creates a suspenseful atmosphere that is both eerie and deeply engaging. Just when you think you've figured out the mystery, unexpected twists force you to question every character’s loyalty and motive. Overall, The Thrashers is a must-read for anyone craving a smart, emotionally charged narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the final revelation. Audiobook was also great with multiple narrators.

This will be a great fit for people that love Thirteen Reasons Why, Five Survive, or other YA thrillers/mysteries.

I was so excited for a Julie Soto thriller but sadly this just didn't work for me. I found the big twist ending to be extremely predictable. For this to be marketed as a paranormal thriller, I was hoping for more that couldn't be explained by the big twist. I didn't find the characters likable, and not even in a productive way where they have an arc! These characters don't grow with the plot, they remain largely stagnant. I had trouble with the pacing as well. A thriller should keep me on the edge of my seat waiting for the next detail to drop, and I feel like this could have been a little more concise as it felt like there were large gaps of "going about teenage lives" instead of learning anything to further the mystery.

This didn't hit for me, but I think it will work well for fans of Holly Jackson! Not bad at all, just not for me.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the alc in exchange for an honest review!

First of all, I would like to echo the sentiment of other reviewers that this book needs to come with content warnings upon publication! For being a book marketed as “YA,” this book covers very heavy topics, such as suicide and child abuse. Is these are topics that would be triggering to you, I would proceed with caution.

That being said, I loved this book. I’m not usually a thriller girlie and I’m not usually a YA girlie, but I think mixing the two together is just what I need to enjoy both genres. The mystery, though tragic, felt low stakes enough that my heart wasn’t hammering, and because the book wasn’t a romance, I didn’t have to read about the decisions kids make in the name of “love.” This book follows a group of five high school seniors, called The Thrashers, and the fallout after Emily Mills, who desperately wanted to be a part of their clique, commits suicide on prom night. Investigators believe The Thrashers are responsible, at least in part, for her death and use her journal as evidence to prove it.

The story is mainly told through Jodi’s point of view, with the occasional excerpt from Emily’s journal providing a different perspective. Jodi is childhood best friends with Zack Thrasher and doesn’t really feel like she has fits in with the rest of the clique she’s a part of because they’re all wealthy and she isn’t. I loved this being told through Jodi’s POV because even though she didn’t really like Emily, she was the only Thrasher to show her kindness. All the characters were a bit unhinged, especially Emily, so having a character that showed compassion and seemed to be more understanding because of her own circumstances, was a great way to tell this story. The relationship Jodi shared with each of her friends (or should I say “friends”) was very interesting and the way she felt like she was on the outside, even when she was actually on the inside, was very relatable. Zack’s relationship with everyone, especially Emily, reminded me of why he was the kind of person I avoided in high school. Julie Soto did a wonderful job of making Emily Mills just unlikable enough that you feel sorry for her but also understand why the others weren’t always kind to her, which is a tough line to balance. I’m not sure if I was supposed to, but I loved Julian, even before I got more of his backstory. I couldn’t really relate to him, but he was still someone I really liked. Overall, this book was very gripping. I thought about when I wasn’t reading it and I couldn’t wait to get back to it when I was doing something else. I constantly wanted to know what was going to happen next and I really loved Jodi as a character. Her point of view was just reliable enough, but because she’s a high school senior, of course there were times I didn’t always know how much I could believe her, because if there was ever a time my emotions and thoughts couldn’t be trusted, it’s when I was in high school. And Jodi’s voice in the audiobook was also perfect. Eva Kaminsky voiced her so well! The pacing felt just right, and she did other characters besides Jodi justice (even the male characters). I was very sucked in by the way she told the story. But maybe even more entertaining (is that even the right word?) was Jesse Vilinsky. The way she voiced Emily was so, SO good. Emily gave off manic pixie dream girl vibes (and not in a good way) and Jesse DELIVERED THAT. The only main times we heard Emily’s voice was in her journal entries (because she’s dead) and those were parts of the book I was so excited to listen to because they made Emily sound just a little bit crazy. Overall, this book was such a great experience for me. I think I’ve finally unlocked a sub-thriller genre that I can get down with and I feel unstoppable!

Gripping, compelling, and very entertaining YA debut from Julie Soto. This book was compulsively readable and reminded me of all the things I felt (and sometimes still feel) as a teenager trying to navigate friendships and situations.

Who loves Julie Soto?
I do, I do!!!
This was just as amazing as I had hoped for and I encourage everyone to get wrapped up in the drama that is The Trashers!
Drama, mystery, drama, found family, drama, romancey bits, drama, and did I mention it's got drama?
There is so much going on in this book, and yet, Julie manages to keep it all in a nice easy to devour flow.
Much love to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press & Macmillan Audio for my ARCs!

So…I started this audiobook at my 5 pm walk and had it finished by 11:30 pm the same day (I listened at 3x speed).

I got so drawn into this story. It’s been a while since I’ve read such a good YA thriller. The story is told from Jodi’s perspective, who is a member of an elite group of high school students called The Thrashers. She’s not sure if she belongs and she was definitely a related high school narrative. Interspersed with Jodi’s narrative are journal entries from Emily, a student who died at the beginning of the book, giving her history with The Thrashers.

Also, there is a paranormal element in this one that I wasn’t expecting. I’m usually not a huge fan when that happens, but this one just worked somehow…and the epilogue was amazing!

The narrators, Eva Kaminsky and Jesse Vilinsky, did such a great job. As I mentioned, I listed to this one at 3x speed, and everything still sounded smooth and clear.

Highly recommend this one for fans of YA thrillers. This releases on 6 May 2025. A giant thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan audio for a free ALC in exchange for my honest review.

𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5⭐️
THE THRASHERS
🤍𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: mystery
📖 352 pages
𝗘𝗺𝗼𝗷𝗶𝘀: 🚔 📔😱💬🛁⛓️‍💥🕵🏼‍♀️👻💡🎭🔥💊
𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲: 5/6/2025

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:
◽️ single POV
◽️ diary entries
◽️ mediums & seances
◽️ mysterious texts

💜𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲💜

Thank you @juliesoto @wednesdaybooks @netgalley @macmillianaudio for the #gifted copy!

I absolutely devoured this!! It was everything I love in a gripping YA mystery. It had the addictive energy of a high school drama series, blending the emotional pull of ONE TREE HILL with the dark, twisty mystery vibes of 13 REASONS WHY. From the very first page, I was hooked & genuinely didn’t want it to end. The teenage angst, tangled friendships, & slow burn romance gave it the perfect mix of heart & suspense.

Told mostly through Jodi’s single POV, with a few diary entries & past memories layered in, the story felt intimate & emotionally charged. Secrets, lies, & hidden motives are scattered throughout, keeping the tension high & the pace snappy. Even though it’s a YA novel, it never felt juvenile—the writing was sharp & the stakes felt real. I will read anything Soto writes!!

⚠️ physical abuse, bullying

𝗣𝗹𝗼𝘁: Jodi Dillon finds herself in the elite friend group known as the Thrashers, thanks to her childhood bond with Zack Thrasher. The group—Zack, Lucy, Paige, & Julian—are wealthy, glamorous, & used to getting what they want. When Emily Mills, a girl desperate to join their circle, dies under suspicious circumstances, rumors begin to swirl. As Emily’s journal emerges & creepy messages appear, Jodi must choose between loyalty to her friends & saving herself. With the investigation closing in, it seems Emily’s story—& her revenge—is far from over.

I’ve definitely become a Julie Soto fan, and I really enjoyed The Thrashers! I listened to the audiobook, and the narration was excellent. I wasn’t sure at all about how all the issues would resolve, so it held my interest until the very end, and even then there was a twist!

This story about a “clique“ of five friends in high school (nicknamed after the most popular, most handsome, most desired boy) brought back all kinds of teenage angst from long-past years, and the occurrences and secrets are tightly held. Jodi, the main character, became someone worth knowing, and I wondered if the author might pick some of these characters back up. This was really good, and I enjoyed it a lot.

4.5 stars rounded up!

I received a copy of the digital ALC via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

I could not stop listening to this book. The story is gripping & the narration is great. I can absolutely see this becoming a tv series. This YA thriller has everything you could want- a twisty mystery with characters you can’t trust but maybe love anyway. I loved Jodi even though I didn’t love all of her choices. She feels like she doesn’t really belong in her privileged friend group- the Thrashers, named for the very popular Zach Thrasher, Jodi’s childhood best friend. Emily Mills also wants to be in the group. No one else wants that though. Emily, seemingly commits suicide because she was kept out & maybe bullied. But nothing is as it seems. Jodi and her friends unravel as they try to save themselves and each other from potential prosecution. While Emily is haunting them from beyond the grave. A very fun read!
Thank you Macmillan Audio & NetGalley for the advanced audiobook!

A unique coming of age novel mixed with a thriller/suspense that had me questing everyone's intentions. The Thrashers are an elite group of friends navigating high school when a mysterious death rocks their community and their friendship group. This novel is told from a single POV, Jodi a young female who feels as though she is an outsider looking in to this friend group.

Told with Julie's snarky voice and with well developed characters, this novel captured my attention from the very first chapter. I really enjoyed the mix of drama from the high school friend group and the thriller aspect of "The Thrashers", the pace was quick and the twists and turns were unexpected.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the ALC

A close knit group of friends dubbed “the Thrashers” by classmates are the center of a police investigation involving a sophomore who passed away.

THE THRASHERS is a fast paced, twisty YA thriller filled with unraveling secrets, unreliable narrators, and shifting loyalties. There’s PRETTY LITTLE LIARS vibes: an unseen presence threatening the group and picking at the seams of “the Thrashers” friendships. The pressure builds with every chapter as Jodi is pinned against her friends by the detectives, heightening her long held insecurities of not being enough, of being the one on the outside looking in. It’s a gut punch portrayal of what it feels like to be a teen and to question your place with the people you love most. I binged this book in 24 hours, and just sat in silence processing the epilogue.

I read this book in an immersive way, pairing the ARC with the ALC. The audiobook performance is exceptional. Eva Kaminsky voices Jodi, channeling a blend of teenage vulnerability, confusion, and self doubt. She also captures Jodi’s quiet strength as she learns to stand firmly on her own. Jessie Vilinsky embodies Emily’s journal entries, nailing the immature, tumultuous inner musings of a young teenage girl. Her slightly unhinged tone provides a counterbalance Jodi’s more grounded present day narrative. This dual performance elevates the entire story and I highly recommend the this book in all formats!

Thank you Macmillan Audio & Wednesday Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

******MASSIVE SPOILERS******* DO NOT READ UNLESS YOUVE READ THE BOOK!

I loved this book. I did not want to pause it at any point when i started it today. I was HOOKED. I want to repeat I LOVED it!
I HATED the ending, Not all of it, but 100% ALL charges should have been dropped when they found out she was an actual stalker! Which the police should have already known.
I don't really like Zack, but i do agree he shouldn't have been charged, they were literally a year apart in age...
The fact that Julian is in juvie is absolutely ridiculous to me. Yes, what he said was wrong but she was STALKING his friends.
Emily was total creep from beginning to end, 🙄 & Hannah, idc that youre 15, you should have called your parents when your sister started acting crazy on prom night, K BYE.

Description
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.
Jodi Dillon was never meant to be one of them. Julian, Lucy, Paige, and the infamous Zack Thrasher are rich, sophisticated, and love attention. Jodi feels out of place, but Zack’s her childhood best friend, so she’s in.
Then Emily Mills, who desperately wanted to be a Thrasher, dies—and the whispers about the Thrashers begin. As Emily’s journal surfaces, detectives close in, and Jodi faces an impossible choice: betray her friends or protect herself.
But as eerie messages and strange occurrences escalate, it becomes clear—Emily isn’t done with them yet.
A twisty thrill-ride of unforgettable drama and suspense that "encapsulates the vulnerability of adolescents playing adult games" (Ali Hazelwood) from USA Today bestselling author Julie Soto, The Thrashers will keep you up at night desperate to read just one more page.

Thanks to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for the ALC of this book!

The Thrashers
A Novel
by Julie Soto
Narrated by Eva Kaminsky; Jesse Vilinsky
Pub Date May 06 2025
Publisher Macmillan Audio

4.5 ⭐️

Is there nothing that Julie Soto can’t write??
Woah, I’m so impressed by this story. Getting into the first 25% of this story took me some time. But the rest of the 75%?? I’ve literally been listening to this audiobook all day. At the grocery store? Listening to this. At the dentist's? Listening to this. Having a conversation with my roommate? Oops, I was still listening to this. 😆 This became addicting!!

The story is told mostly from Jodi’s POV. Jodi is childhood best friends with New Helvetia High’s greatest Heartthrob, Zack Thrasher. With the name Thrasher, it’s no surprise he’s the coolest person to ever exist. Everyone wants to be his friend or have a chance to date him. If he feigns to look your way, you’re considered a “Thrasher”. Everyone wants to be a Thrasher until…. they are blamed for bullying Emily Mills, and she ends up dead. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about this teenage subject matter, but this one was gripping without being completely disturbing. I will say as a warning that there were paranormal aspects that I personally was not a fan of (I’m a scaredy cat).

I really came to sympathize with each of the Thrashers, despite being suspicious of their motives the entire time. I kept questioning if I was justifying a possible murdahhhhrer 😅 Jodi is different from the rest of her friend group in that she ain’t spoiled and she morals (🤷🏼‍♀️ it’s true). I found her to be a great main character.

The ending had me in shivers!! I had to stop cutting my carrots and go hide in my room to process the last few pages 😆

Thank you Net Galley for giving me a readers arc of this! I found the audiobook to be super engaging! I did get confused a few times with what timeline we were in since some chapters were excerpts from Emily’s journal. I think if I had a physical copy, I wouldn’t be as confused.

I wasn’t sure I’d like this one (teen books are hit or miss for me), but… I did! Super fast-paced, creepy, and a touch of teenage angst. Could do without the mean girl energy.

That ending though??? There has to be a sequel, right??? I’m so conflicted!!!!

(Thank you, St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and Netgalley, for the ARC and audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review.)

Thrillers aren’t my typical genre but I really liked Julie Soto’s Not Another Love Song so I wanted to read her YA debut. It was really good. I listened to the audio and found myself listening to it long after I normally would (in the car, working out, etc.), so that’s the sign of a really good book. The ending didn’t work out exactly as I’d hoped and there was a bit of paranormal element I didn’t love, but realistic characters mean I don’t always get the exact ending I want for everyone. I hope Julie Soto gives us lots more YA!

At New Helvetia High, Jodi Dillon finds herself in the elite friend group known as the Thrashers, thanks to her childhood bond with Zack Thrasher. But when outsider Emily Mills, who longed to be one of them, dies, secrets begin to surface. As Emily’s journal is found and investigators circle, Jodi must choose between loyalty and self-preservation. Strange messages and unsettling events suggest that Emily might not be entirely gone and the past isn’t ready to stay buried.

The book keeps the pace brisk and the drama steady—never boring, but don’t expect any massive plot twists. It’s more “ooh, messy” than “WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!” Still, you’ll be turning pages like it’s gossip you’re not supposed to hear.


<i>As always, shout-out to my homies at Netgally and the publisher for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review</i>

I finished The Thrashers weeks ago, but due to a family emergency, I’m just now writing my review — and honestly, this story has stuck with me ever since.

I thoroughly devoured this book! The narration by Eva Kaminsky and Jesse Vilinsky was absolutely fantastic — they brought the characters to life with so much emotion and distinction that it made the entire story even more immersive. Their performances kept me hooked from beginning to end.

The plot was a refreshing twist on familiar ideas, giving me a 13 Reasons Why vibe but with a fresh, original take that felt new and thrilling. The story perfectly captured the toxicity of elite teen social circles, secrets, and consequences. I loved the slow build of suspense and the unraveling of betrayals.

My only wish was that certain characters who deserved harsher consequences had been held more accountable — but at the same time, I admire that Julie Soto stayed true to the often frustrating reality that justice isn’t always served.

The ending was incredible — haunting, bittersweet, and left me dying to know what happens next. I genuinely hope the author writes a sequel because I would absolutely love to see the fallout and aftermath play out.

If you’re looking for a dark, binge-worthy YA thriller full of morally gray characters, messy friendships, and secrets that refuse to stay buried, The Thrashers is a must-read.

Thank you to Julie Soto, NetGalley, and Macmillan Audio for the chance to experience this unforgettable audiobook!

Rating: 4/5 stars