This book was a wild ride, very dark academia centered which helped with the visual imagery of the setting & tone of the book. It was twisty, dark & addictive but at times did drag a little. The narrator did a great job and nailed the vibe. Ultimately I felt this book was gripping enough to where it pulls you in and keeps you turning pages till the very end.

⭐️4.25⭐️

In this dark academia thriller set in the 90s, we follow eighteen-year-old American, Allistair McCain, as he attends Oxford University and becomes entangled with a dangerous secret society called the Saracens.

This book was a wonderful surprise! It felt like an ode to The Secret History, and I was here for it! It has all the classic definitions of dark academia and explores the typical themes of self-discovery, ambition, privilege, and has that twisty betrayal and moral corruption/manipulation that often accompanies the genre. The twist in this one also shocked the hell out of me!

What I really enjoyed most about this story was Yates’s masterful writing. He does an amazing job of weaving such an intricate narrative puzzle while also referencing so many classic tales of literature. I also loved Ali’s character arc and found the ending, while not perfect, oddly satisfying. The three narrators of this audiobook made this book even more enjoyable. They each added their own flair to the characters that I loved, since there were so many of them.

I did feel the book was slow at times, and I personally wanted the ending to drift in a different direction (personal preference, IYKYK.) Even with these struggles, I found myself fully invested in the story and couldn’t wait to find out what happened next.

Overall, I really enjoyed the literary sophistication of this one and highly recommend this to anyone who enjoyed The Secret History or If We Were Villains. It fits perfectly alongside these books, and I think anyone who enjoys the dark academia genre will love this one!

Special thanks to Harlequin Audio, HTP #thehive for the access to this audiobook in exchange for my honest review!

4.5 stars - This book was fantastic! I love a good dark academia, secret society story. The characters were very well developed and all served their role in the novel. I liked the way the story was laid out. The twists were good. The narration was fantastic! I always knew what character was speaking. It really helped to bring the book to life. I do wish we got deeper look into the secret society, but I understand we’re limited to what the characters know. If you like twisty dark academia with a unique concept and intriguing characters, I highly recommend you check this book out! Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for providing me with this ALC in exchange for an honest review. This has been one of my favorite books of the summer!

4.25*

The Rabbit Club is a dark academia story laced with literature references and covered in a thick, unsettling cloud.

I was really excited to read this story as I love dark academia, especially the Dead Poet's Society. I appreciated that over the course of the story, the many characters that were introduced were then shown why they were introduced and the part they play in the narrative. I often get frustrated when characters are in the story but serve no purpose, but that wasn't the case here. Even the arc with his father culminated in a good ending for what it was building to.

I admit I appreciate that the twist was laid out so plainly after it was revealed, and that Emma came into the narrative to explain the breakdown as a more reliable narrator. I saw the twist coming about halfway through the book, but it was still interesting to see what played out and how. The references to Alice in Wonderland (for Alister) were well-done, and I am glad we came full circle on it.

My main issue with the book was that I didn't really understand the Rabbit Club. That is due to the narrator's limited knowledge of its interworkings, but for being the namesake of the book I wanted more insight into it. Why was it so exclusive? How did you progress through the ranks? Why was it such a desirable club? I just personally didn't feel like I saw enough of the society through the path of this book.

I thought the narration was well-done - swapping between accents to show different characters was immensely helpful and really helped with immersion into the story.

All-in-all, I liked the story. It wasn't quite what I expected based on the description, but it was still a good story that kept me engaged.

This will be perfect for fans of dark academia. The characters are well-written and differentiated, the plot is interesting. and the writing is engaging. Plus the structure and twists are great!

Wonderful audio. Not being much of an audio book person but I read in tandem with the gifted arc from @htp the narrator’s did a wonderful job and while I totally had it figured out I think it says more about my twisted brain than the book. Four stars

The concept was definitely unique and had that dark, mysterious edge that pulled me in at first—but The Rabbit Club by Christopher J. Yates just didn’t quite work for me. The pacing felt uneven and I struggled to stay fully invested, even though the writing had moments of brilliance. That said, it’s the kind of book that could totally click with the right reader, especially if you’re into psychological stories with a twist of the bizarre. Just not my flavor this time around.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 stars
Rated R for language, mature themes, and unsettling content.

Ali is an American who has been accepted to Oxford to study literature, but he has a hidden motive for traveling so far. His estranged rock star father lives close by and he is hoping to connect with the myth of a man who abandoned him and his mom at 18 months old. As he arrives to Oxford, he not only starts to unravel his father’s history but is also steeped into one of the historic college’s secret societies.

The narrator did a great job. I loved the back and forth between the two voices of the two characters.

My issue with this book was that the first almost 40% drug on and I was finding myself becoming distracted. I was very close to DNFing the book multiple times.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin audio for this ARC!

I am intrigued by dark academia, so I was excited to receive, read and review this book. It is filled with suspense and so many literary references! Those that are well-read in the classics, especially Shakespeare, will love this one.

I loved Ali and the relationship development with his dad. The banter between the two and their shared love of literature was unique. In fact, I loved many of the characters and how they were crafted and developed.

Secret societies are one of my favorite plot lines, so my one frustration was I really wanted more from that aspect of the book. We get glimpses of it, but I expected it to be a bigger part of the story. Not so much in how the plot played out, but in the details and the storytelling along the way.

But the twist at the end, WOW! I didn’t see that coming!

If you want a suspenseful, dark and unique story for your summer TBR, pick up this one. You will enjoy the trip down the rabbit hole! While I did the audio version, I would suggest pairing it with the print to get the most out of the story.

Thank you @netgalley, @htp_hive, @htpbooks and @hanoversquarepress for a gifted copy of The Rabbit Club in exchange for my honest review. This one is out today!

I wanted very much to enjoy The Rabbit Club, but this audiobook just wasn't for me. The narration for Ali was quite good, but I found the other character's voice lacking. I did enjoy the 1990s college setting but not enough to increase my rating. 3.25 stars.

Thank you @htpbooks_audio @htphive @htpbooks @hanoversquarepress for the gifted advance reader copy!

In the 1990s, American Alistair McCain travels to England to attend Oxford and hopes to reconnect with his estranged father, rock legend Gerry McCain. His new life slowly unravels as he is lured into an elite secret society.

Wow! I was truly blown away by this book! The writing was so smart and filled with literary references from Shakespeare to Alice in Wonderland. I was completely immersed in Ali’s story as he navigated his first year at Oxford and reconnected with his father. The interspersed second point of view was a little confusing to me until the end, but the way everything came together was genius and brought this dark academia tale to a whole new level! 👏🏻

Rating 5⭐️

Well, I was certainly NOT expecting THAT!!!

OK... to be honest, I was cruising through this for the most part... a little uncomfortable with the 90's college boys trying to be men, and the games that were played... as well as the illegitimate son angle... but, I was game, and kept listening… and WOW! Most of this seemed to come out of nowhere!!!

Ali (Alistair) is a young man who was basically abandoned by his rock star father when he was just a baby. His Dad never once looked back, or made any attempts to get in touch with him. So, of course, as he is getting ready to go to college, he decides that NOW would be a good time to seek out Dad. And so it begins!

BUT, that is just ONE ANGLE of this crazy affair of a book!
There are so many more!!!

Ali falls for a girl, who may or may not be what she seems.
Ali gets involved in a group of boys/men who also do not appear to be what they are.
Ali gets picked on from the moment he arrives in England (from California), relentlessly...by a chosen few.
Ali also gets picked on and basically abused by one of his mentors at school.

But, alas... ALL is NOT as it seems, and in Acts II and III, well, the tables kind of turn!!!

And that is all I am saying on this one!
My mouth was agape!! Several times!! Like, flies could have gathered there!! 😮😮😫😫

But in the end, all is kind-of taken care of. At least I think it is/was!🤞🏼

This one casts many tales, or spells, or themes... alluding to Shakespeare many times over... as well as to rock bands and songs, and so much more.

And, LOOK at that cover… it reeks of old world charm, money, England… and more!

#TheRabbitClub by @ChristopherJYates and narrated beautifully by @JeremyArthur, @WillWatt and @ImogenChurch.

4 1/2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💫for me, happily rounded up to 5!

*** If this sounds like something that might intrigue you, well, keep your eyes 👀 open!! It comes out tomorrow, July 8, 2025!! ***

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #HarlequinAudio for an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.

You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Insta @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine

Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️

3.25 stars

Thank you to The Hive for an ARC

This was interesting with a good twist at the end but wasn't at all the book I was expecting. It almost feels like it was trying to do too many things and didn't execute any very well. I will say it's a very unique dark academia book but I wish this just focused on the secret society itself more. That's really all I can say without spoiling and I'm still very conflicted on how I feel about this.

Ali McCain is an 18 year old American, recently enrolled in Oxford. He develops a group of friends, some of whom have secrets that will lead to their possible downfall (or great success). Ali is a vulnerable boy trying to reconcile with the rock star father who abandoned him. He is perhaps too eager to join one of Oxford’s exclusive clubs.

This was my third time reading this author, and I have enjoyed all three books. There are a lot of literary references in this book, but they aren’t hidden like Easter eggs. The author tells you the exact source of each quote or reference, so this isn’t a literary puzzle. However, it’s a puzzle of a different sort, and the twist really did take me by surprise. The book dragged at times, and one character was a little too obviously up to no good. I think the plot was believable and it came together convincingly at the end. All three narrators of the audiobook did an excellent job.

I received free copies of the ebook and audiobook from the publisher.

Allistair (Ali) has been accepted to Oxford University. He plans to study English literature. He is also hoping to initiate a relationship with his estranged father, a legendary rockstar, of whom he doesnt have any memories. The book is filled with literary references. As Ali arrives at Oxford, he finds a small group of friends. He soon uses his father's name to gain a membership in the secret society, the Sacrens. This was a deep and atmospheric read, filled with twists, turns and villians. Dark academia at its best.

Thank you to Hanover Square Press, HTP Books, and Harlequin Audio for the ALC. The narrators Jeremy Author, Will Watt, Imogen Church were superb.

I was so thrilled when my sister-in-law sent me 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑹𝑨𝑩𝑩𝑰𝑻 𝑪𝑳𝑼𝑩 𝒃𝒚 𝑪𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒑𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝑱. 𝒀𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔, from @hanoversquarepress & out July 8th. I was then thrilled to receive the #gifted audio from @htpbooks_audio via @netgalley and the combination was divine with Jeremy Arthur, Will Watt, & Imogen Church narrating.

This is a dark academia, gothic suspense told in such a teasing method that had me trying to put it together to no avail.

Ali McCain is off to Oxford to study English Literature, and also hopes to meet his father, a British Rock star who abandoned him as a tot. He uses this "clout" to gain a spot in the secret society, the Saracens, despite the warnings of his new friends.

Despite where I thought I saw this one going, I was hooked in the atmosphere and waiting with bated breath for what would surely be a different direction. I was rewarded with this patience as the tale went down a dark and twisted path. I love that rug pulled moment.

The characters were well formed by this disorienting point, and I lost all sense of where it would land. This is one of the best feelings I've had reading a suspense, and how it all did come together was brilliant and unique. The final page left me a bit breathless as it was satisfyingly loose. The references to Brides Head Revisited, King Lear, and Alice in Wonderland were a mix of fever dream deliciousness.

I love audio, as you may well know, but I must say I needed the print to keep up. There were some interesting perspectives telling the story and it helped to keep track, though I loved the voices!

I definitely recommend this excellent addition to the genre to fans who can allow the author to peel the layers in their own time and ways. I loved it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

This book was….incredibly odd. Partly in a good way? Dark academia, weird things at play, secrets of the wealthy. When college freshman Ali moves from LA to Oxford and attempts to join a secret society, his life begins to unravel.

Things I enjoyed:
The dual timelines, the mystery narrator, an abundance of literature references, Ali as a main character, 1990s nostalgia, the writing itself, and the twist towards the end.

Things I didn’t love:
Slow pacing, so many unlikeable characters, some subplots the received too much attention in my opinion, and just a general feeling of disconnection on my end. I really wanted to love it as it has an interesting premise, but it just wasn’t for me.

⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you HTP The Hive and Harlequin Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

What a pleasant surprise this audiobook was! I loved the narration and found it easy to transport myself to their elite circle.
I am a twist chaser to the extreme, and I really loved the calculated twists in this one. Christopher J. Yates is a truly gifted writer and I cannot wait to read more! I highly recommend this one for lovers of all genres.

I wanted to enjoy this more than I did. I felt the start and middle were quite messy in terms of plot and narrative style. I did end up enjoying the ending, so I wish that the author had better developed their writing for the first 80% of the story.

This was strong at the start, dragged through the middle, and then the last 20% is when all of the real action happens. I think I would have been less disappointed if this was not marketed so heavily as a dark academia “thriller”, it is far from thrilling. It IS one of those books with a plot twist that makes it worth finishing. The writing felt pretentious at times, but classic literature lovers especially Shakespeare enthusiasts will love it.