April Clarke-Cliveden was the “It Girl” on the Oxford campus, who seemed to have it all. Her roommate, Hannah Jones, was dazzled by her. They had a close group of friends (Will, Hugh, Ryan, and Emily) who did everything together, but by the end of their first year, April was dead. Hannah’s testimony that the creepy porter, John Neville, was the last person seen leaving their room, is what convicted him for murder. Now, ten years later, Hannah is expecting her first child with April’s ex-boyfriend, Will. When they get the news that John Neville has died in prison, it brings the case back into the spotlight. Journalists start asking questions about the case, which makes Hannah question if she was correct in her assumption that John killed April. She does her own investigation, digging up everyone’s secrets, and discovering things that should have stayed hidden.

I was looking forward to reading this book but I found it disappointing. I was certain that I knew who the murderer was from the beginning. The twist that I predicted is one that I’ve read a few times in similar thrillers so it wasn’t original. I seemed to be right, but the story took a strange turn at the end that felt forced. There were also a couple of red herring clues that went nowhere and didn’t actually have anything to do with the story.

I’ve rated this book three stars because I did finish it, and I’m sure some readers could enjoy it. I just found it disappointing because it was like other thrillers I’ve read in the past.

Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada for sending me a copy of this book.

I love a good Ruth Ware book and THE IT GIRL did not disappoint!

Although not my favourite by far (THE DEATH OF MRS. WESTAWAY still holds that slot!) THE IT GIRL was an easy read with a hint of dark academia. Honestly, I thought I had it all figured out..until I didn't. Overall I was very satisfied with the ending and highly recommend it to any Ware fans.

Thank you to Netgalley for my #arc

Author Ruth Ware is on many auto-buy lists, and with reason.
The It Girl is just one more reason for said lists!
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada and Netgalley for my copy for review!
The It Girl is an academic suspense/thriller, with the prestigious Oxford Pelham College as the backdrop.
Ten years ago, Hannah Jones's wealthy and popular roommate, April Clarke-Cliveden, was found murdered in their dorm room.
Convicted of the crime was one of the college's security porters, John Neville, who died in prison while proclaiming his innocence.
The It Girl is told in two storylines - Hannah's distress and remorse are recounted in After, and events leading to the murder itself a decade earlier in Before.
This is some great slow-burn storytelling, with webs of drama and flawed characters.
This has been a highly-anticipated release for many - myself included - and it absolutely did not disappoint.
Recommended!
Released on July 12.

A decade before this mystery opens, protagonist Hannah was a student at Oxford University, where her It Girl roommate April was murdered - Hannah's evidence led to the conviction of Oxford porter John Neville, but was he really guilty?

The story moves back and forth in time between past and present events, as Hannah becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened. She grows increasingly distressed that she might have hurt an innocent man, especially when what she learns points to one of her closest friends.

Ruth ware has done it again, this was one of my most anticipated books of the year and ware hit it outv of the park with this academia thriller. It has short chapters, was well written and had a hard time putting it down. It was dark it was gripping it was everything i hoped for

The It Girl is a duel timeline mystery about Hannah who is still dealing with the death of her best friend and college roommate April a decade earlier. She learns that the accused killer has died in prison and is faced with news that people think he may have been innocent.

Since it was her testimony that was largely responsible for his conviction, she feels immense guilt and begins to look into details of the murder. The book jumps between present and the time leading up to April’s death.

I felt like I had read this book before. Dark academia theme where a nerdy loner becomes friends with the rich, mean girl at school, only for popular girl to be murdered with questions about who really did it. My biggest problem with this plot is the victim always seems like a terrible person, and it’s hard to believe the kind girl was friends with her (especially as it felt like she didn’t really like her).

This was a slooooow burn mystery. I actually really enjoy slow burns because I love the build up and anticipation. I think people often combine thrillers and mystery/suspense and thriller lovers get frustrated expecting a lot of action. So if you read this one, just go in knowing it’s not a thriller and is quite slow moving.

As I mentioned I earlier I figured this one out fairly early on. I even messaged my friend to put it on paper. I guessed not only the killer, but the circumstances around the death.

Normally figuring out the ending makes the book less enjoyable for me, but this time I was just so proud to have nailed it! It’s a fun book where literally everyone could have committed the crime and definitely keeps you guessing.

My biggest complaint for this book is it didn’t feel “new”. It seems like these books all kind of blend together, Ex. The Girls are all so nice here, In my dreams I hold a knife. But overall it kept me interested, mainly to confirm I had nailed the ending!
Rounded up from 3.5 stars.

The IT Girl was my first Ruth Ware novel and it didn’t disappoint.

Hannah Jones still relives her friend’s death every day as if it had just taken place. April Clark-Cliveden was murdered a decade prior and Hannah helped put April’s killer in prison.

Or so she thought.

A reporter gets a hold of Hannah when the supposed killer dies in prison. The reporter reveals to Hannah that the assumed killer may not have committed the crime after all.

The information causes Hannah to second guess everything about what happened that night and if she put an innocent man in prison.

I had a good time reading this book and I kept changing my mind about whom I thought the killer was. The timeline change in every chapter wasn’t confusing to follow and gave a lot of insight into Hannah and April’s friendship. The ending had me surprised as I wasn’t expecting that character to be the true killer.

Having recently been on a thriller binge, this book arrived to me at the right time. I will definitely keep Ruth Ware in mind for when I want to dive back into a good thriller novel.

Thank you @Simonschusterca for the eARC!

Normally, I find murder mysteries to be somewhat predictable but this one completely stumped me! Very well done! I loved the story and how the author used flashbacks to tell the story!

Another great read by Ruth Ware. I loved the suspense and general unpredictability of the story, it kept me wanting to find out who and WHY. A slower “burn” if you will, but the last few chapters will certainly keep you on your toes. Would certainly recommend it, an easy read, a good book for your beach bag this summer.

I can always count on Ware to be consistent - her books always hold my attention and I haven't found one that I've really disliked yet. This is also true for The It Girl; writing was good, ambiance was there, there were several twists... That being said, I did find this story tended to lull and was definitely more on the predictable side. It was still an enjoyable read and kept me entertained but I can't really say I was overly invested in the characters or the story itself. I do always keep coming back to read her books though, so that says something.

I would give this one a 3.75/5 stars

CW: Physical assault, touches on issues such as harassment, hesitance to disclose, victim blaming/dismissing, classism and gender imbalance, prescription drug abuse, alcohol use, guns, murder/attempted murder and one could argue, bullying.

A huge thank you to Simon and Schuster (Gallery/Scout Press) and NetGalley for the e-ARC. All opinions are my own.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Hannah has been accepted to Oxford and is very excited to go there. She ends up being roommates with April who becomes her best friend quickly. April includes Hannah in her circle of friends and Oxford. Hannah enjoys being part of the group, she's different from most of her friends as she doesn't come from the same affluent background as everyone else. Hannah has a wonderful time at school until things change drastically and April is murdered. Hannah does her best to support the investigation and John Neville is found guilty of her murder. Hannah isn't really able to move past April's death and doesn't continue with her University studies after her first year. She ends up moving as far away as she reasonably can to Edinborough and Will ends up following her to Scotland and they begin dating and starting a life together. Every so often reporters try to reach out to Hannah to ask her questions about murder and Hannah does her best to avoid having any discussion until one day a reporter shows up at the bookstore and she reluctanly meets with him.

I enjoyed the storyline quite a bit and the twists in the story were well done and interesting. I found that the story moved a bit slower than I liked at times. I would recommend this book if you like thrillers but this one was a bit more of a slow burn thriller than most of the thrillers that I read. I wasn't able to predict where this was going, which is also good, and I was surprised how it came together. Sometimes I find that the thrillers get pulled together end really quickly but this one didn't which I also liked, it also had a few unexpected twists to it. I will be reading more books by this author.

Read if you like: campus thrillers like The Maidens.
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When Hannah starts university at Oxford, she becomes quick friends with her roommate, April. But when April is murdered during her first year, this traumatizes Hannah. In the present, Hannah is married and pregnant, but can't shake the feeling that she missed something during the trial, and the wrong man went to jail.
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Quite a few things worked well for this book. I liked the before and after timeline as we pieced together what happened to April. I also liked the ending; I was completely engaged for the last 30%.
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The book did seem a bit long and the middle dragged, and Hannah seemed a bit annoying at times, but overall I enjoyed this mystery.
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CW: murder, pregnancy, alcohol and drug use, bullying and peer pressure, harassment and assault.

I have been a fan of Ruth Ware from book one. The It Girl ticks a lot of boxes for me in terms of an entertaining read. First thing, there is a murder. Secondly, the murder takes place at Oxford, and there is just something about a university setting and academic life. Third, there are a number of characters who are closely tied together so you’re constantly trying to figure out who did it. This kept me engaged throughout, and the tie between the lead-up to the murder, and the present, lends more backstory. Where are they all now?

April was Hannah’s roommate. During their time at Oxford, she introduces Hannah to a whole new world filled with privilege, private clubs, and interesting people. During their first year together, April is murdered. Ten years later, the man convicted of her murder dies in prison, the man Hannah helped put behind bars. His death brings April’s murder back into the spotlight and with it, his fight in prison to prove his innocence. Hannah reluctantly agrees to meet with one of the journalists and finds herself doubting what she has believed all of this time and questioning who in her inner circle she can trust. This includes her husband, who was April’s boyfriend at the time of the murder. Pregnant with their first child, Hannah had hoped to leave the past in the past.

The cast of characters all have their motives to kill April, but is it possible that an innocent man was ultimately charged? I was certain I had the ending figured out, but in this story, everyone is guilty until proven innocent. It could be anyone.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for the advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoy reading about dark academia thrillers, especially if set in one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions in the world. The It Girl is definitely my kind of read- it’s set in Oxford, gave off In My Dreams I Hold a Knife vibes (which was another fave of mine), dual timelines, plus a whodunnit mystery. It’s not as fast-paced as I’d like it to be, but it still kept me engaged. To be honest, this wasn’t a fave of mine. I’m missing the old Ruth Ware style. Plus, I wasn’t too surprised with the ending because I’ve had my suspicions early on. There were also some unresolved questions in my mind. If the ending is not open-ended, I’d like all issues to be resolved and explained. Despite my misgivings, I’m a loyal RW fan so I’d still recommend this if you enjoy dark academias like moi.

Ruth Ware never disappoints. A twisty exploration of a 10-year-old murder case at Oxford where the It Girl turns up dead and the wrong man was convicted. Or was he? Highly recommend.

“The IT girl” by Ruth Ware is a murder mystery thriller. Hannah arrives at Oxford to find that she’s been assigned a roommate who is the ultimate “IT GIRL”. April is beautiful, charming and loveable but at the same time can be manipulative, cruel and calculated. Hanna and April become fast friends with Will, Hugh, Emily, Ryan in the first semester by the end of the second semester April is dead. The author of Ruth where does a good job of keeping you guessing as to who the murderer is. Hannah goes between the timeline of before and after the murder. For the last decade she has believed that the creepy school porter she put behind bars, Neville, was the murderer now that he has died in prison she has questions whether what she thought she saw was actually what happened. And it doesn’t help that she has gaps in her memory of the night of the murder. The beginning of the novel is a slow warm up to the action later in the novel. I felt like it could have benefited from more intensity sooner in the novel. Overall I enjoyed trying to sort out who I thought could’ve done it and changing my mind several times! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Simon and Schuster, Inc.

This is a perfect easy thrilling summer read. Is not too long and has the right amount of twists and turns to keep you rapidly turning pages. If you’re a fan of this author you’ll enjoy this new addition.

A decade after her friend April’s murder, Hannah learns the convicted killer has died in prison. Hannah is the one who’s testimony helped put him behind bars, and suddenly the memories of it all are dragged to the surface. April begins rehashing the events of that tragic day and starts questioning if her recollection is accurate, or if she let an innocent man die in prison.

If you’re a fan of Ruth Ware’s previous books, this one will likely fit the bill for you. I found a few plot points to be an enormous stretch, but if you’re not too discerning it can be looked past. All in all, this book fell into the “ok thriller” category for me.

And if I’m being transparent, I sometimes confuse Ruth Ware with Mary Kubica, and I was thinking of the other author when I agreed to read this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. When her best friend was murdered her life changed forever. She thought she the real murderer was sent to prison but when she is face with the possibility that her testimony could have sent the wrong men to prison, she starts asking questions. This book kept me guessing all the way to the end and this is rare for me. I recommend this book to anyone.

This book, told in two timelines follows Hannah while she is studying at Oxford, and a decade later. If you're a lover of books set in schools, this is one for you.
The It Girl is LONG. The first 50% of it took me almost a week to get through. There was a lot of background, which is important for the story, but I just felt like the plot wasn't moving for a long time.

If you can get through the first half, the story starts moving, and I found I was enjoying it. The book was... fine. Nothing particularly unique about the plot, I've read better (shorter) books with similar settings, but I always need to know if my guess is right and if the book will play out the way it has in my head. (And let it be known that I did not guess the ending of this one ahead of time.)

I haven't read anything by Ruth Ware before, and if so many people didn't rave about her books I probably wouldn't be picking up another one after this, but I plan to try out something off her backlist soon.

Overall, I had a lot of trouble getting over how slow and long the beginning of this one is. If your a fan of the slow burn, this might be the perfect read for you.