Thank you Netgalley and Dynamite Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

In “Such Quiet Girls,” Noelle W. Ihli delivers a harrowing and emotionally immersive thriller that grabs you by the throat from the very first page and refuses to let go. Loosely inspired by the true events of the Chowchilla kidnapping, this story of ten abducted children and their bus driver weaves a tale of fear, resilience, and the desperate lengths people go to for those they love. Told through multiple perspectives—including the mothers, a kidnapper, and one incredibly brave child—this book is as emotionally raw as it is relentlessly suspenseful.

What begins as a routine bus ride home from school transforms into a waking nightmare when a pair of amateur kidnappers seize a bus full of children and the driver, Jessa. The captives are buried in an underground bunker, with only limited oxygen and dwindling hope. Outside the bunker, Sheena, mother to two of the kidnapped children, is forced into an impossible situation—either follow the kidnappers' demands or risk her children’s lives. Inside, Jessa battles mounting claustrophobia and trauma from a past she's tried to bury, as she fights to keep the terrified kids calm. Meanwhile, young Sage, Sheena’s daughter, emerges as an unexpected hero—courageous, quick-thinking, and willing to risk her life for the others. But as tension rises and one of the unstable kidnappers starts to unravel, it becomes a race against time—against suffocating air, crumbling resolve, and the dangerous unpredictability of people with nothing to lose.

Ihli brilliantly chooses to tell the story through the alternating perspectives of Jessa (the bus driver), Sheena (the mother), Sage (a kidnapped child), and even Ted (one of the kidnappers). This storytelling approach adds rich emotional depth, allowing you to feel the fear, helplessness, and courage from all angles. You get to learn the story from every perspective, including the motivations of all of them, including the villains of the story.

Jessa is a standout character—deeply flawed, quietly resilient, and haunted by her past. Her maternal instinct and protective nature shine through, especially when the children’s lives hang in the balance. Sheena, meanwhile, juggles unbearable emotional strain—trying to save her kids while managing her ailing father with Alzheimer’s, a situation that adds another layer of heartbreak to an already impossible scenario. Sage might just steal your heart. Her bravery and intelligence add a surprising warmth to a chilling plot. She's the kind of character that stays with you. ven Ted, one of the kidnappers, is given dimension—his perspective is disturbing, yes, but not flatly evil. He even gets a minor redemption arc by the end.

At its core, “Such Quiet Girls” is about mothers and daughters—about the fierce love that drives people to fight through terror, grief, and trauma. It’s also a story about second chances, redemption, and finding strength when it seems impossible. Ihli doesn’t shy away from the raw emotions of the situation, and while the action is tense and fast-paced, there’s also room for softer, more heartfelt moments that explore grief, forgiveness, and inner resilience.

The relationships—especially the unbreakable bond between sisters, the complicated layers of motherhood, and the solidarity between women—form the emotional spine of this story. And while the stakes are high, Ihli avoids overly graphic content, creating intensity without crossing into sadism, especially important when writing about children in danger. The book is a fast, breathless read, with each chapter raising the stakes and tightening the emotional grip. The underground bunker is a masterclass in claustrophobic tension—you can practically feel the air thinning as the hours tick by. The ending offers both catharsis and closure. While some plot resolutions feel a little too convenient and perfect, they don’t undercut the emotional power of the final chapters. There's a sense of hope and healing that balances the darkness, making the journey worth it.

"Such Quiet Girls" is a propulsive, character-driven thriller that blends psychological suspense with heartfelt storytelling. It’s as much about surviving trauma as it is about escaping danger, and Noelle W. Ihli handles both with deftness and empathy. This book will tug at your heart, keep you holding your breath, and remind you just how fierce quiet girls can be.

This was one of the BEST books Noelle Ihli wrote. Honestly I felt every single emotion while reading it. I was really looking forward to this one and it did not disappoint in the slightest. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a quick and easy thriller. I was captivated from page 1

Thank you Noelle W Ihli and NetGalley for this ARC!

I was planning on reading my first Noelle book this month, but then I got this ARC, so this book was my first read by Noelle. I didn't realize that many of her books are inspired by true events until I read the Author's note at the end. I looked up the Chowchilla kidnapping of 1976 and reading about it shocked me to see how much she included in this book, even the smaller details like the air pipes and the list of kids names.
I really enjoyed this read. But also terrified me as I have a 12 year old daughter, which is how old Sage is so all I could think about while reading was her.

This book was suspenseful, heart breaking, and just a great read. I can't wait to read more by Noelle.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, publishers, and Noelle W. Ihli for the ARC copy!

This book is an intense emotional ride. I loved that it not only followed four points of view but that the writing styles reflected each character. The four POVs were the perfect choices to give spot-on depth and emotional connection.

Publication day 4.29.2025

Thank you, Noelle W. Ihli, Dynamite Books, and NetGalley for letting me review this book, in return for an honest review.

5 ⭐️ read! She has done it again! This book was full of twists, suspense, and thrill, centered loosely on a historical event that you can feel and envision, making this book just that much more special!

By having 4 POVs - the bus driver, a child on the bus, a mother of one of the children on the bus, and one of the abductors - helps you experience it from all four people.

This book was so easy to get lost in, with its fast paced filled with tension, making the plot unfold that much easier to get lost in this book for hours.

I highly recommend this book, as all of Noelle’s books have been fantastic, but this one tops them all!

When school bus 316 is hijacked in broad daylight, new driver Jessa and 12 year old Sage find themselves trapped in a buried shilling container with nine terrified children. As panic rises and air runs low, they’re told they’ll be freed once a ransom is paid, but survival might depend on outsmarting their captors before time runs out.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat! I can’t wait to read another one of Noelle’s books!

5⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I have read all but one of Noelle W. Ihli’s books now and every one of them gets better. I love sticking with an author and watching them and their writing progress with each release, and this was definitely one of my favorites of hers. I was already familiar with the Chowchilla kidnapping case, so I was extra excited to read this one.

This is the perfect thriller. Not only is it suspenseful and twisty and paced so well, it makes you feel something. The emotional aspects of this book and the way the characters are developed really make it stand out amongst other contemporary thrillers. The author’s writing makes you feel the same dread and fear that the characters feel, and it makes it almost impossible to put down. I formed such an emotional attachment to both of the mothers’ characters and their stories. She also takes advantage of writing from the perpetrator’s perspectives, which really adds to the whole experience. Every page was entertaining, gripping, and the whole book was just so well written and thoughtfully executed.

Can’t wait to see what this author gives us next!!

This book takes place after the 1976 to Chile California incident where a bus full of kids was abducted in broad daylight. The book itself is fictional and not based tightly on the events that happened, but it’s chilling and a great read.

With multiple point of view, we get to see from three different characters perspective. we see from the bus driver’s point of view. A child on the bus, this point of you, the mom’s point of view of the child and one of the abductors.

Not Noelle’s most gripping thriller but it is a 10/10 none the less. Don’t start the book if you have things to get done because you won’t want to put it down..

Noelle!!!!! Such Quiet Girls is a work of fiction, but it is inspired by true events of 1976 Chowchilla kidnapping.

This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire day... Yes, I read this beauty in 1 day because I literally could not stop! It was too good. I needed to know what was going to happen. I listened to the audio version gifted to me by Simon Maverick Audio and loved the production of characters.

The story follows 4 POVs. The Bus Driver, One of the Kidnappers, One of the Students, and One of the Students Moms.

The story is fast-paced, filled with tension and mystery as the plot unfolds. The premise — a detour that turns into a kidnapping involving a school bus full of kids — creates an atmosphere of suspense that’s impossible to ignore. What I enjoyed most was the book’s quick pace, which made it easy to get lost in for a few hours. The pacing keeps you eager to turn the pages, always wanting to know what happens next.

However, while the story is engaging, I wished there was a bit more explanation behind why the kids were involved in the kidnapping. The motivations felt underexplored, leaving me wanting more. A deeper understanding of their reasons would have added another layer to the narrative, making it even more satisfying.

Overall, it’s an engaging thriller that fans of suspense will enjoy. Fast, intense, and full of surprises — a great read!

Oh my stars, what a fast paced and thrilling story. All the POVs were perfect to tell the entire story. I love it all! Noelle writes incredible stories and as a teacher and parent, that added a layer for me as the reader. You felt for the mom, you felt for the bus driver. Knowing the kids are so little. Then add in the grandpa and in his condition. I was hooked! Thank you, thank you!

this author is fast becoming one of my favorites! Love that this is based on a true story and all the different POVs. Not a bad thing to say about this one, absolutely amazing!!

I want to thank NetGalley and the author for an advanced copy. This is my first book from this author and she has been in my tbr for the longest. I enjoyed this book. It's not your typical thriller. This one is unique. I enjoyed every second of this book. It had me at the edge of my seat, It was such a great read, it was entertaining. I was not disappointed at all so I will definetly have to read her other books soon.

My girl Noelle did it again! Loosely based on a true event, a bus of school aged children are kidnapped on the way to day care. There are few leads to where and why the children were taken. The bus driver with a complicated past quickly becomes a person of interest in the case. I couldn’t put this books down to see how it ended. I really enjoyed this book and will continue to pick up anything written by this author.

Thanks to Dynamite Books and NetGalley for this arc. Noelle W. Ihli is autobuy author for me I love everything she puts out and this is no exception. This book is. Sooooooooooo good!

I do not hand out five star reviews often , but this one got it. This read is based on true events . It is not a plot twisty book. It is suspense leaving you on the edge of your seat to know what’s next. It’s a pull on all of your heart strings book. Noelle is a fav of mine . I love reading all of her books but this was moved to one of the top two spots of my favorites of hers

The weight of being a single mother. The weight of being a child. The weight of being a felon. The weight of being a villain with a conscience. The weight of Alzheimer’s. And the unbearable weight of being buried alive.

Noelle Ihli doesn’t just write thrillers—she writes emotional gut punches wrapped in page-turning suspense. Such Quiet Girls had me in a chokehold from chapter one. It’s been a while since I devoured a book in under 24 hours, but I couldn’t stop. I didn’t want to stop.

The chapters are short (a busy mom’s dream), and each one pulls you deeper into the story. The pacing is relentless in the best way—no fluff, just tension, emotion, and perfectly timed reveals.

The characters are so deeply human—flawed, raw, and real. I felt for them, feared for them, and rooted for them. As a mom and someone who reads constantly with my kids, I adored the references to children’s books—especially the shoutout to Harriet the Spy.

This book made me feel everything: anxiety, claustrophobia, heartbreak, hope. I was on edge the entire time, and I loved every minute of it.

The entire premise is fantastic. The fact that all these children are abducted in broad daylight is wild. Their adventure to try and get home will keep you hooked until the very end. The emotion you can feel from the characters and the detail of their capture was so well written. I read this entire book in one sitting, as I just couldn't put it down.

Based on true events a parents worst nightmare a child being kidnapped but it’s both your children. This book kept me wanting to read more. Happy I received a early read

Thank you Dynamite Books, Noelle W. Ihli and NetGalley for the copy of Such Quiet Girls.

This book was so amazing! I loved that it was from several different perspectives. I felt connections to the characters.