I loved the idea of how this story was told. The many different perspectives in an interview style. One thing I noticed about this book is that all of the "moms" are either non existent or not kind. The main character is not very likeable but I think that is the purpose of having an unreliable narrator. I would get my students to read this book if they want a plot twist, or an easy plot to follow where it is not always being told truthfully. This a great young adult novel, but very young.

Chelsea Sedoti takes readers on a thrilling journey of discovery. Through the eyes of her protagonist, we explore the complexities of truth and the power of secrets. With a captivating plot and vivid characters, Sedoti crafts a story that will keep readers guessing until the very end. This is a must-read for anyone looking for an exciting and thought-provoking read.

Tell Me What Really Happened is one of my favorite books of 2023. Five friends (some of whom only tolerate each other) go camping. Four of them end up in police interrogation. Each chapter begins with one question from a detective. The rest of the chapter is each teens' answers. Suspense! Creepy! Also a unique way to write a novel.

Murder...or is it? Friendship...or is it?

I kept reading this book long after midnight because I was asking myself, "What next? WHAT NEXT!" Full of surprises. A couple of the characters I kind of wished would be eaten by bears. They weren't. Maybe one of them was eaten by something big and hairy. Maybe not. A real "who done it." Or what done it.

Mystery. Action. Romance...or maybe not. Definitely death. But who, how, and why?

Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for allowing me to read, review, and be frightened by Tell Me What Really Happened.

Tell Me What Really Happened takes you right into the police interview's after a group of friend's camping trip left one friend MIA. I absolutely love interview-style books. This style is so easy to read, and the reading time is much faster. Each chapter was a question from the police, and you would get each character's interview answer. The only thing I felt was lacking in those areas were you never got the police response; it would say (pause) if they were talking back and forth.

I thought I knew what would happen, and I had theories every time the characters mentioned vital details, but I was still surprised by the twist. I had to put my kindle down for a moment and collect my thoughts because it blindsided me. Although the twist took a turn I was not expecting, it felt underwhelming. It may be because I really wanted my theory to be correct, but something was missing, maybe more oomph.

It was an entertaining book, and I devoured it. Anyone who enjoys interview-style reads will enjoy this story.

Thank you, NetGalley, and SourceBooks Fire, for providing an eARC of Tell Me What Really Happened. This review is being left voluntarily, and all opinions are my own.

I want to thank Netgalley and Chelsea Sedoti for allowing me the opportunity to read this manuscript.

I really liked the new spin on a mystery. Five teenagers going on a camping trip and only four come back. It was an interesting concept. It gave me Holly Jackson vibes of Good girls this to murder. I found the characters to be so uniquely different. Petra I think was stuck up, John I felt like he was biased and felt targeted by his race, I won't go more into detail than that, Abigail and her rambling was so annoying and Nolan and his big foot was also very annoying and childish. I really disliked Nolan and John.
The Mystery of who didn't come back from camping and what happened was fantastic. I sure couldn't figure it out.

What I didn't like was the one sided questions. I liked the interview concept but I didn't like how we didn't catch all the questions the police were asking. it left a gap there. I felt lost in that aspect. I mean we read most of the questions but not all and that I think was a mistake. I also didn't like the big foot thing. It's a bit immature and and an eye roll. I couldn't stand it. Then there's John. I really didn't like John for various reasons.

I think the concept of the book was great, the mystery and the interview. It was a nice spin. I don't think I could read every book like this though. I think if we had more of a thorough interview it would have been better. That's why I have it as a four not a five star. It left a gap in my opinion. Besides that though, it was nicely written. Everything made sense. Good work.

I posted my review to Goodreads on March 1st, 2023. I have linked my Goodreads review below. I posted my review to Barnesandnoble.com on March 3rd, 2023. I have linked the Barnesandnoble.com link to my review below. I will submit my review to Amazon.com on the book’s release date, April 4th, 2023. I will include the link to my Amazon review below.

Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader’s copy of this book! It was truly a treat to read.

Hot damn! Tell Me What Really Happened is a masterfully-written novel with lovable, distinct characters and a unique format that makes the story completely captivating.

First of all, it was a fantastic idea to tell this story entirely through police interviews with the characters, and Chelsea Sedoti executed this idea impeccably. I loved how we only heard what the police officers were saying to the characters at the beginning of each chapter, so that when the main characters paused during their monologues, readers could get a sense of what the police officers might be saying to them without having to wade through trivial dialogue.

Also, Sedoti has created a cast of characters that is unforgettable. Each of the four protagonists had a distinct voice and a unique perspective on the world. They felt so real, and I feel that if the characters’ names weren’t written before their dialogue started, I still would’ve been able to differentiate between each of their voices. This quality is very rare in YA literature, especially in YA mysteries, and especially in YA mysteries with four perspectives.

These characters were not only memorable; they were also incredibly endearing. I cared about each of them so much (with the exception of Maylee, and even she was written with nuance and complexity) and I wanted everything to work out for all of them. They were all precious, and were made even more so by their flaws. The earnestness of their young voices as they spoke with the police and the distrust some of them had in the police was realistic, and their naivete and frankness made me laugh out loud.

I was surprised by how funny this book was. I was laughing it up when the characters stated the obvious or were being completely clueless. I loved spending time with Petra, John, Nolan, and Abigail so much that I want to read another book narrated by them right now. I hate that this book had to end, and I dearly miss the characters already.

I can see how a complicated novel like this one would be difficult to plot out, but the plotting of this book was great. The easter eggs that Chelsea Sedoti weaved throughout the story foreshadowed each plot twist perfectly, and the discrepancies in the stories being told by our narrators made me anxious to find out who was telling the truth. The pace of the plot was perfect; I was not bored at any point while reading. I did predict almost all of the plot twists in this book, but I believe that if I had been a younger reader who had not read as many mysteries, I would’ve been shocked by the reveals. However, I do think this novel could have benefited from one extra twist at the end (I have one in mind, and I think the fact that I’m ready to write fanfiction about this book says something about how invested I was while reading it). I love the characters in this story so much that it was enough for me to just enjoy being taken on a ride with them; at a certain point, the plot didn’t even matter to me, if I’m honest.

If you are looking for a funny, compelling mystery with characters whom you will adore, this is the perfect choice for you.

This a great who done it mystery. Maylee organized a camping trip trying to boost her status as an influencer. She has a plan but it goes terrible wrong.

I liked the unique group of diverse characters. Each one has their own issues that they are dealing with. Nolan is big foot obsessed. Petra is a control freak. John is trying to over come rumors and be good son. Abigail is trying to get close to Maylee again and make friends. Abigail is the only one who actually is comfortable being in the woods.

I liked how at times you weren’t sure what was real or what was imagined. It made me laugh with all the conspiracy theories on Big Foot being real. This was very entertaining and fun read.

Let me first say thank you NetGalley for this chance to review this book. This book is a YA thriller that i found was riveting and I was not able to put it down. The book is about a group of five high schoolers who go camping down at Salvation Creek for a weekend. The trip was about making memories, but instead during the night Maylee disappears.

I found the book to be well written as a series of mini interviews with each character. Starting off, I was not sure how this format would go but i really enjoyed it! This is a very fast paced story with lots of plot twists and turns with an ending that comes out of nowhere. Definitely recommend this book to everyone.

This was a first for me! This book was told entirely through police interviews. I've never read anything like it before! Super unique! I have to admit, as much as I didn't want to put the book down, I had to... reading a book about a girl going missing in the woods as you're reading in a camping trailer at night... creepy!!! I'm entirely going to have to look at Chelsea Sedoti's library and try something else. I immensely enjoyed this book and recommended it to a bunch of my coworkers!!!

Thank you, NetGalley!

Told solely in police interviews, Tell Me What Really Happened is the fast-paced, compelling story of a teenage girl's disappearance.

It's her idea - a weekend camping trip so they can get away from it all. Salvation Creek has long been a mysterious place. They've heard stories of missing people, Bigfoot sightings, the danger of the remote campsites; but Maylee is very convincing. Petra, her best friend; John, the boyfriend; Abigail, the friend; and Nolan, Petra's brother; are along for the wild adventure, each carrying their own baggage, hurts, and understanding of both Maylee and the world they live in. Then, Maylee is gone. The four returning teens are quickly deemed parties of interest. The stories they tell don't make much sense, but there's got to be more to the story. Time is running out for Maylee. What's the truth?

I devoured this story. The characters were intriguing, the setting was expertly revealed, and my need to know the truth had me reading at what felt like breakneck speeds.

As a fan of The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett, I knew what I was in for when I saw Tell Me What Really Happened. I was not disappointed. Chelsea Sedoti is an expert at creating complex characters, particularly misunderstood teenage girls. I highly recommend this book for YA readers, particularly those who love stories of unreality, secrets and lies, and the complexity of humanity.

As a guidance counselor and working with high school level students, I love reading Young Adult novels to see what is out there for our students. The latest YA I read was the new thriller Tell Me What Really Happened by Chelsea Sedoti and this is the first novel I have read by the author.
This book is unique in that it is told through a police interview/interrogation format. It is about 5 high school students who go away for the weekend on a camping trip and female character, Maylee, then becomes missing. The story is told through police interviewing the teens and from many points of view. Even though there were many characters, I thought it would be confusing to keep track of each character and their relationship to each other. The author did a GREAT job of making it not confusing and subtly reminding you which each character is. I do not want to give too much of the plot away because of spoilers, but the story navigates what really happened to Maylee that night, and the twists and turns from each teen's point of view.
I really enjoyed the interview format and switching POVS. It made it such a quick read and kept me really engaged, which is great for teens. If you do not like switching POV then this may not be the book for you. Even though this was a quick read and entertaining, I did not really enjoy any of the characters and did not feel a connection. I also was waiting for a big bang of ending and felt that it was lack luster to compared to what I was expecting. I do think this is a great thriller for young adults starting out in the thriller genre and has some great concepts that teens can relate to. Tell Me What Really Happened by Chelsea Sedoti was a fun book and will be out in bookstores April 4th. 3.5 out of 5 stars!

This book has a unique layout in that it’s done as an interview after some events take place. Basically you’re hearing a story unravel from multiple points of view. It was a fun way to share the story and I enjoyed the quirky characters.

Let me start by saying, this book was made for me! One of the main plot points of the book (which I will not spoil) is an area of interest for me, and I had no idea that this was a main plot point to the story, which made me love it even more!

The story revolves around a group of teenagers going on a weekend camping trip organized by one of the most popular girls at school. She brought her boyfriend, her bestie, her bestie’s brother, and her ex. Quite an eclectic bunch! Now add in the multiple reports of young girls disappearing at this camp ground, alcohol, and a whole lot of mystery, and you get a fun, mysterious camping trip!

By the time I finished this book, I was pleasantly surprised! It incorporated some of my favorite things about YA mysteries and thrillers—multiple POVs, surprising twists, and solid character development. Super fun read, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun read!

Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooksfire and Chelsea Sedoti for this eARC copy!

I am an avid fan of mystery thrillers and this ya book did not disappoint. Clearly written for middle and high school, this book delivered on an engaging mystery built into the separate conversations of a group of teens returning from a horrifying camping nightmare. I was left guessing until the end. I really enjoyed the opportunity to read this book and suggest any mystery loving teen to read it also.

Tell Me What Really Happened is a YA mystery/thriller by Chelsea Sedoti that follows five teens on a camping trip that only four return from. The interesting thing? This book is told entirely in interview format in which each chapter starts with a police question and the rest is just the four teens recounting the events of the trip.

To be honest, I’ve outgrown most teen thrillers because most of them are just predictable to an adult reader but this one had an interesting premise so I decided to try it out and I’m glad I did! I found this author’s way of making all four narrators semi-unreliable because the whole book revolves around the way they perceived the events that happened and not necessarily what actually happened. Each of the four voices is unique and there is surprising amount of character development considering the format of the book.

Something I think people will dislike about this book is a lot of it can be extremely repetitive because we are getting the story from four points of view. Most of the characters are not very likable. But I love a good character you can dislike and the repetition didn’t bother me. The only thing that really bogged this down for me is just the pacing at the beginning. It takes so long for this book to really hit its stride and a lot of that is the format. While it is a super interesting way to do things and I enjoyed seeing something unique, it did take me about 30 percent of this book before I got invested.

That being said, I think this would make an excellent full cast audiobook. I almost wish I would not have gotten the eArc and I could have listened to it for the first time. Much like Daisy Jones and the Six and Sadie, some books just read like they would be fantastic as audiobooks.

I would recommend this to anyone who doesn’t want anything to gruesome or otherwise “adult” in a mystery/thriller!

I banged through this in one sitting, a really clever YA novel that speaks to the unreliability of eye witnesses and indeed to our own memories.

I had literally no idea what the resolution would be and when it came it was perfect.

The way the story is told works so well, both the characters and the story making you change your mind all the time.

I loves Nolan as a character but they were all highly intriguing and utterly compelling.

Quite creepy in places too. I'm certainly not going camping anytime soon.

Very much recommended.

I think my students will love this book! The idea of a camping trip going wrong and the gradual reveal of information from the interrogations will be very popular.

3.75 ⭐️ rounding up to 4.

This is a missing person/murder mystery story that follows a group of teenagers and is told interview style from the survivors’ perspectives.

I liked the format and the distinct different voices. While none of the characters were particularly likable, I found John to be the only tolerable person. I *really* disliked the whole obsession with Bigfoot thing going on with Nolan. Not that I don’t understand some people can really go down a cryptid rabbit hole and have obsessions that I don’t understand, I just didn’t enjoy it.

While there were definitely distinct voices for each of the characters and were more or less how a teen might *write* a story, it didn’t seem like things a teenager would actually say out loud in a police interview. However, I do understand the author wanted to paint a clearer picture of the story.

Overall it was a quick read and I felt entertained reading it.

Excellent YA thriller! I absolutely love unreliable narrators and who can be more unreliable than a group of teenagers trying to hide something? Maylee, Nolan, Abagail, John and Petra are all keeping secrets, but don’t worry, they will soon come out.

Easy to read and relatable, you won’t be disappointed when you pick this book up!

Wow! This book kept me on my toes the entire time. Every few pages my theory would change until the final pages! I really enjoyed the format of writing, from the police interviews. I’ve never read a book like this so it was very interesting, and I am anxious to read more in this format now! It really made me feel as if I was there in the interrogation room, rather than just reading the story after the fact.