4.5 ⭐️

Special thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to review this beautiful ARC. I'm absolutely in love with this author's work and was so excited to see that I got approved for this ARC.

Imagine if ten children were kidnapped in the middle of the day, buried alive, and had to struggle to survive. Doesn't that sound intense? 
Sage and her sister assume it's simply another school day when they board Bus 315. However, everything changes as Jessa, their new bus driver, battles her personal issues while attempting to keep the kids safe at all costs.

I developed a strong emotional bond with the characters and narratives of both mothers. She also makes use of writing from the viewpoints of the criminals, which enhances the entire experience. Every page was captivating and fascinating, and the entire book was incredibly well-written and well-executed. Sheena is a devoted mother, and a very emotional person. Many readers will be scratching their heads at some of the highly dubious choices she makes. But when faced with an unthinkable circumstances, she acts in what she feels is the best way to save her children' lives.

The plot appeals to every parent's worst concerns, such as being abducted or buried alive, and is made all the more terrifying and powerful by the fact that it is based on actual events. Even without any significant plot twists, this author creates a story that is completely engrossing and compelling, which is uncommon for psychological thrillers and a credit to her extraordinary talent.

This book's structure was fantastic: it had short, compelling chapters, several points of view that maintained the suspense, and even a cleverly done antagonistic redemption story.

Ihli never disappoints! The multiple POV writing style makes you feel so attached to the characters and their struggles as the book goes along. While the book was a little drawn out/slow in the middle, the stress and horror of the scenario kept me glued to the pages. There are definitely heavy parts, so make sure you're prepared (parents especially may want to check the trigger warnings). Quick, suspenseful, and gripping from the first page to the last!

Really enjoyed this book! Thanks to multiple povs, the story pulled me in and moved quickly from the first page (although it did slow slightly in the middle) to a satisfying conclusion. Definitely worth a read.
Thank you to Netgalley for the arc of this book to review

This is my second book from the author, Nichole W. Ihli and she never disappoints. Such Quiet Girls is about a school bus with a group of kids goes missing. As a mom, I couldn’t even imagine if my child went missing this way.

This book was a fast and quick read. I had a hard time putting it down. The author gives you just enough detail without making you feel as if it was too much to handle. It is book you absolutely need to read.

Thank you NetGalley and Ms. Ihli for the opportunity to review this book.

4.5 stars!!

I was so excited to receive an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!!! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher!

I highly recommend this book! It was stressful because the events but I couldn’t put it down! I’ve never heard of the incident that inspired this but I looked into it after and the author helped me understand everyone’s point of views begged by writing this! I can’t imagine how terrifying this situation would be. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book

This author is AMAZING!

3.5☆ Author is an auto-read for me! Took me a bit to get into this one, but after I got through the first half, I couldn't put it down. I loved getting multiple pov's. Pulled hard at my mama heartstrings bc what an absolute nightmare. It was like reading so many of my worst fears all in one book...my children missing, being buried alive. Seeing a family hero story was awesome too. The ending is a satisfying tearjerker! ❤️
Thank you to NetGalley for this Arc!

3.5⭐️

This was just alright for me! I loved the concept and the story was interesting and fast paced enough that I felt the need to keep reading, but there’s something about this author’s writing that I just don’t vibe with. Like these characters were obviously in a very harrowing situation, but I wasn’t really feeling anything for anyone. The writing is just kind of bland, and very straight forward. That’s the best way I can think to describe it lol. Still, a fun fast paced thriller!

According to the author’s note at the end, this is based on the true story of a kidnapping that happened back in 1976!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced digital copy to read and review.

My first book by Noelle and I loved it. Read it in just about 1 day.i can’t wait to read more of hers! Kept me on on my toes needing to know what happens next.

Hauntingly Powerful: A Story That Will Stay With You!

Such Quiet Girls by Noelle Ihli is an absolutely stunning, deeply emotional novel that gripped me from the first page and never let go. Knowing it’s based on a true story made the experience even more powerful and heartbreaking.

Ihli masterfully captures the quiet strength, resilience, and fear of two young women trapped in an unimaginable situation. The storytelling is vivid, raw, and utterly authentic, pulling you into their world of whispered warnings and hidden dangers. I found myself holding my breath at times, completely absorbed in their journey and rooting for them to find a way out.

The writing is sharp yet full of heart, and the pacing is perfect—building tension in a way that feels relentless yet never overwhelming. Such Quiet Girls is not just a thriller; it’s a moving portrait of survival, friendship, and the silent battles so many fight behind closed doors.

This is one of the best books I’ve read this year, and it will stay with me for a long time. I cannot believe how fast I devoured this incredible masterpiece!

Well done!

Noelle W. Ihli's Such Quiet Girls is a spine-chilling, edge-of-your-seat thriller that captivated me from the very first chapter. Inspired by true events, this novel dives deep into a horrifying ordeal: ten children abducted in broad daylight, entombed in a buried shipping container, and the race against dwindling time to survive.

The narrative alternates between Sage, one of the abducted children, and Jessa, the new bus driver bearing the crushing weight of her own past loss. Ihli expertly weaves together their perspectives, painting a harrowing yet hopeful portrait of resilience, resourcefulness, and the indomitable human spirit.

But what truly makes this story unforgettable are the characters themselves. Sage’s courage and wisdom far surpass her years, drawing readers to root for her at every turn. Jessa’s determination to turn her life around and protect the children is deeply moving, making her impossible not to cheer for. The interactions among the children—heartbreaking yet inspiring—highlight their desperate efforts to keep hope alive amidst the chaos and terror. Their bravery and camaraderie shine as the emotional core of the story.

The suffocating setting—a cramped, dark, and air-deprived shipping container—heightens the tension, making every breath and every moment pulse with suspense. Ihli's writing ensures that you’ll feel the walls closing in, the stakes rising, and the clock ticking faster with each chapter.

Such Quiet Girls is a masterpiece of suspenseful storytelling, blending high-stakes action with deeply emotional moments that will stay with you long after the final page. If you’re a fan of tightly-plotted thrillers brimming with heart, you won’t want to miss its release on April 29th.

I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley and would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the author, Noelle W. Ihli, and Dynamite Books for the opportunity to read and review this gripping novel.

I love Noelle's writing! I wasn't as huge of a fan of this book, as I was Gray After Dark (if comparing). I felt it was kind of stiff. I love the fact that also younger child was more so the hero in this book. I honestly can't wait to read my next read by Noelle! Thank you to Noelle & her publisher for an advanced read!

I love Noelle's books so much and this one is just as good!! I really like the multiple perspectives in the storyline. This is a very fast read because you just have to know what is going to happen!!

I was fully engrossed in this one. Short, sharp chapters kept the story flowing. I loved the multiple POV's, even the chapters from the kids which I usually find annoying. The ending had my heart pounding. I can't imagine this happening in real life to such small kids. Terrifying.

Content warning - domestic violence.

This had me in the biggest chokehold! From the very first page to the last, I could not stop. I ignored all my responsibilities to finish this in 2 days. My favorite read of the year so far! Highly recommend!
also posted on Goodreads

Thanks to NetGalley and Dynamite books for the ARC ebook. I'm a huge fan of Noelle W. Ihli and was super excited to be able to read this. It was not exactly what I was expecting but once again, she did not disappoint. I would rate this more of a 4.5 star.
New bus driver Jessa along with 10 children are abducted and buried alive 20 feet underground in a shipping container. The kidnappers say they will let them go once the ransom is paid but will they? This story goes through their terrifying ordeal. Sage, the oldest of the children, is bound and determined that she will come up with a plan to save them all but she's just a child... It's a race against time. Will they all make it out safe? I highly recommend this book.

SuchQuietGirls #NetGalley #Read

Talk about emotional trauma 😩 I am unwell after this book. It’s horrifying and not for the weak. Multiple POV’s, one of which is the oldest child on the bus. As a mother, this is my worst nightmare. Honestly this book would be a 5 star however my version of a 5 star is that it’s a book anyone can read and enjoy. If you’re a parent, you may want to sit this one out.

OMG OMG OMG!
This book had me at my soul.
When Ms. Jessa tries to restart her life, she becomes a bus driver for an after-school program. The trip home on that first day turns into a riveting, jaw dropping, in your face experience when Andy and Ted lead the bus down a detour. These children and Ms. Jessa experience something so frightening and live to tell the tale. This book was built amazingly. The climax just out of reach and then boom.
5 Star Read at its Best.

Thank you Netgalley and Dynamite Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book, I literally couldn’t put it down until I had finished it as I wanted to know what happened. I put myself as I read into the positions of some of the characters thinking, ‘what would I do’ if I were her or him?! A good read if you ask me…I don’t want to give anything away!

Noelle West Ihli once again kept me up all night. She gave me characters to love and hate. She even gave me characters to almost love and hate at the same time. I love that the inspiration comes from a true story but is fictionalized and really appreciated the incorporation of the character and hardships of the father/grandfather living with Alzheimer’s. Weaving in all the different aspects into one amazing story!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of Such Quiet Girls! This marks my second novel by Noelle Ihli, and I have to say — her storytelling just keeps getting better.

This book struck an emotional chord with me in a way few stories manage to. It takes a lot for a novel to move me to tears, but Such Quiet Girls did exactly that. Shauna’s and Jessa’s harrowing experiences as mothers made me hold my own children a little tighter and cherish those everyday moments we so easily take for granted.

The plot taps into every parent’s deepest fears — kidnapping, being buried alive — and the fact that it’s inspired by true events makes it all the more chilling and impactful.

I loved the structure of this book: short, gripping chapters, multiple points of view that kept the tension high, and even a well-executed redemption arc for the antagonist. Noelle Ihli delivered everything I could’ve asked for in a thriller, and I wouldn’t change a single thing.

A phenomenal, emotionally charged, and heart-pounding read. I absolutely loved it.