Eh… not really sure what I was expecting with this one… I read that this book was heart stopping and the twists were good but I thought it was just “eh”. I know it was a bit off of actual events but the book was basically the 1976 Chowchilla kidnapping but fictionalized.

Short Synopsis:
Inspired by true events, Jessa, a new bus driver is haunted by her past. It’s been three years since losing custody of her daughter, when the bus she’s driving, carrying ten children—including sisters Sage and Bonnie — is taken by abductors in broad daylight to be buried alive in a shipping container 20 feet below. This is a story of bravery, survival, and family at its core.

My Thoughts:
I loved this one! However, I gave it 4.5 stars because it felt a little slow in the beginning. Once things started to happen — THEY HAPPENED — and maybe the ending felt a tad bit rushed? But over all, it was a great page turner.
The relationship between Sage and Bonnie kind of reminded me of my sister and I; me being Bonnie as I am younger — and what a comfort it is to have someone you’re so close with to go through some of life’s hard things with (not that we’ve ever been kidnapped and buried alive…knock on wood). But I just loved seeing how brave Sage was for her sister and how their relationship ship evolved from beginning to end. I tried to imagine what I would have done if I was the mother in this one (I only have fur children 🐱🐶) and honestly - what a hard decision to make! I really don’t know what I would have done! & just the last bit - as a great grandchild of someone who had Alzheimer’s, what a crazy disease - I really loved that part of this book and felt that it was portrayed in a real yet dignified way. Needless to say, I recommend this book! Go preorder it now!!

Thank you @netgalley and Dynamite Books for this ARC for my honest review! I’d say it was a good one for sure.

Thank you @noelleihliauthor for writing such great books! I can’t wait to read another!!

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#bookreview #arc #arcreview #bookreviewer #arcreviewer #arcreviews #noelleihli #noellewestihli #dynamitebooks #netgalley #bookishpost #thriller #thrillers #thrillerbooks #suchquietgirls #basedontrueevents #truecrime

Fast paced and action packed, but I didn't find any of the adult characters particularly interesting to read about. The only POV I enjoyed was the kid's.

This was an intense mystery that had me biting my nails while reading.
I felt like I was right there I the hole with those poor kids.
Solid 4⭐️ read!

As a teacher of small children man this book hurt my soul. But it was very good! It was very fast paced for sure. The multiple point perspectives weren’t to much to follow and offered the insight into the bad guys. I will definitely recommend as a high paced quick read.

I COULD NOT PUT THIS DOWN! WHAT A PAGE TURNER🙌🏻 THIS RACE AGAINST TIME THRILLER KEPT ME ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT FROM START TO FINISH!
LOVED THE MULTIPLE POV’S!
EVERY PARENT’S WORST NIGHTMARE AND BASED ON TRUE EVENTS😳
AS ALWAYS, ANOTHER MASTERPIECE BY THE AUTHOR ♥️

Inspired by real events, ten children and their bus driver are abducted in broad daylight and buried alive in a shipping container.

Unfortunately, this was average for me. I didn’t find it to be thrilling at all. My favorite character was the oldest child Sage. I did enjoy the multiple POV’s.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review.

📚ARC REVIEW 📚

Such Quiet Girls⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Jessa has started her new job as a bus driver for an after school care program. However, she shouldn’t be on that bus with children, considering she has a past. Neither should 12 yr old Sage who is determined that she is too old for after school care, but has to be with her younger sister, Bonnie, to watch out for her. When Ms. Jessa takes a detour they both, along with 8 other children, fall victim to a hijacking of the bus. The kidnappers take them plus the others and bury them alive in an underground bunker. Time is ticking as the oxygen levels drop. Will they be able to escape or will they be set free once the ransom money comes in?

I was immediately hooked within the first page of this book. I had a rollercoaster ride of emotions while reading this one. I loved how it was written through the point of view of multiple people. The storyline was one of determination and grit and I loved seeing all those strong female characters. I love how a lot of Noelle’s books are based off true events. If you like mystery/thrillers, true crime, you’ll love her books!

This book will publish on April 29th. Be sure to add it to your TBR list. Thank you to NetGalley and Dynamite Books for my advanced readers copy. This is my honest and voluntary opinion.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dynamite Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

A bus of young kids are kidnapped and buried underground. Told from multiple POVs--kids, driver, kidnapper, and a mom of two of the students.

I didn't understand the title as there were boys kidnapped too.

One of the best thrillers I have read so far! It had me at the edge of my seat, gnawing at my nails from the suspense and thrills.
The best part was the multiple POVs and the way the witting and dialogue changed to each corresponding character. It was beautifully done.
Will definitely be buying it once it comes out!

OH MY GOSH! Once again, Noelle Ihli has knocked it out of the park with this one! As I read this one, I found heart hurting for the kids, cheering for the underdog, and yelling at the main character! Then, all of a sudden, TWIST! Just when I felt like I knew how it was going, Noelle threw a curve ball! Great read, great character descriptions, love the multiple POV

I LOVED THIS BOOK! First off Noelle Ihli is an auto buy author. I was so excited to get an ARC of this book. It was suspenseful, had me on the edge the entire time. And the descriptive writing had me right there in the van.

3.5 stars 🌟
My first book by Noelle Ihli having heard nothing but fantastic things I decided to give her newest one a go.
The book is about the kidnapping of a bus full of children and is told from the point of view of Ted (one of the kidnappers), Sage (one of the kidnapped children) and Sheena (mother of Sage and Bonnie, both kidnapped). The story pretty much takes place in just over 24 hours so there is a lot to unpack except it just felt very slow to me. There is a lot of description about the surroundings, feelings, thoughts etc and not that much action or progress in the story and so it felt a bit dragged on for my liking.
Although the story is tense in nature as anything involving children usually is, that is pretty much it though. Do not expect a mystery or a twist because there are none.
A straightforward story with a satisfactory ending which can be read pretty quickly but I didn't think it was anything special myself.

Many thanks to Dynamite books who provided me with a copy of the book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

So much suspense and emotion in reading this book. Heart tugger for sure! The anticipation of waiting to find out if the kids are going to be ok was real. Suspense thriller for sure

Love Noelle W. Ihli!!!!! She always delivers and Such Quiet Girls is no exception, Thoroughly enjoyed this book! I was hooked instantly. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book!

This is a suspense thriller that immediately pulled me in with its intense and unique premise — a hijacked school bus filled with children. From the very first chapter, I was completely hooked and could not stop turning the pages. The storyline felt fresh and unlike any other thriller I have read so far, which made it all the more compelling. If you are into gripping, fast-paced reads with high stakes and emotional depth, this one definitely deserves a spot on your TBR.

Noelle West Ihli sure knows how to write a high-tension story! That in itself is quite a feat but adding character development and making you care emotionally is also pretty amazing! I honestly felt as if I didn't read fast enough, these kids were all going to die! Sage and Bonnie are on their school bus along with nine other kids. Their driver Jessa is directed to a detour, and they all end up in a quarry pit specially outfitted to hold hostages. Meanwhile, Sheena, Sage and Bonnie's Mom is given the ransom note with instructions not to contact authorities or everyone will die. We also get to follow along on Ted and Andy's attempt at pulling off this whole thing. Geniuses, they are not. I swear I could actually smell the dirt during the pit sequences and felt a bit claustrophobic. This story has it all! Action, suspense, drama and at the bottom of it all, family love. I even cared a bit for one of the kidnappers and I totally cried at the end! Great job once again, Noelle West Ihli! She is becoming a fast favorite!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Noelle West Ihli and Dynamite Books for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I will publish my review to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Facebook and other retail and social media sites upon publication day of April 29, 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dynamite Books for providing me with an ARC of Such Quiet Girls by Noelle W. Ihli in exchange for my honest review.

Based on real events, Such Quiet Girls follows a school bus of children and their bus driver as they are kidnapped and trapped underground in a buried shipping container. The narrative is presented from the perspectives of one of the children, her mother, the bus driver, and one of the kidnappers.

Ihli’s masterful pacing and storytelling techniques allow the storylines to unfold seamlessly, creating a captivating and well-crafted narrative. Beyond its thrilling elements, Such Quiet Girls delves into profound themes such as mother-daughter relationships, inner strength, and the process of confronting one’s inner demons.

While the book may not feature a major plot twist, it compensates with its richly developed characters, exceptional writing, and an enthralling storyline. I highly recommend that everyone add Such Quiet Girls to their TBR list.

The book is set to be released on April 29, 2025.

Inspired by a real life story this book is about a school bus of children who are kidnapped then hidden in a shipping container underground. Told from 4 perspectives: 1 of the children, the bus driver, 1 of the kidnappers and 1 of the mothers you get to see the action from multiple viewpoints.

It was a good read, but not as thrilling or interesting as some of her other books. I particularly liked Gray After Dark.

If you’re a big fan of Noelle West Ihli like me, you know she has a way of telling a story like no other. And when it’s based on true events, like Such Quiet Girls, Noelle treats the subject matter with such respect and compassion. This story is one of love, hope, strength and bravery, told in Noelle’s signature edge of your seat style.
Definitely another 5 star read, but I wouldn’t expect anything less!