I was not a fan of this book. I found it to be boring and poorly paced, and the characters were annoying. I don't really recommend it, but it reminded me of the Private series by Kate Brian, one of my favorites. I'm sure there's an audience for this book, otherwise it wouldn't exist. But that audience is not me.

This feels like it's for a younger YA audience. Yes it deals with some complex heavy topics but there's not depth or detail. A simple read

YA suspense/mystery is one of my favorite reading genres, but I found this one to be fairly unsatisfying. There were a lot of plot holes and the end was just too unbelievable. 2.5 stars rounded to 3

My students and I love Melissa de la Cruz novels! The Headmaster's List engaged in a little suspension of disbelief but it got the girls talking! Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to preview #TheHeadmastersList - I'm already looking forward to her next release!

I received a free copy in a giveaway. The premise was interesting but the execution is flat and boring.

This book kept me guessing until the end! I loved the characters--they were all well developed and believable. I loved the portrayal of the therapy dog in the story. The book was fast-paced and I could not wait to finish it.

A twisty academia read set in a prestigious LA private school, Argyle Prep, and focuses in on what really happened in a car crash that killed a classmate. No one is sure what happened as the memories of that night are hazy. Who was behind the wheel? Was it an accident or something more? It cannot be a coincidence that all of them were part of the elite of the school and part of the Headmaster's list, Perfect book for fans of Good Girl's Guide to Murder and other popular YA mysteries.

This book sounded like it would be such a fun read but I just could not get into the book. The cast of characters, a handful of rich spoiled teens, felt super flat to me. Nothing about any of them stood out or made me care about them. The pacing of the book also felt off. The beginning is intense and quick to draw you in but it doesn't keep that up. Overall I think this one was probably geared towards younger teens.

4.5/5 stars
LISTEN TO THE AUDIOBOOK I BEG OF YOU. This book was fire and I did the thing that I always do by falling for the wrong guy. I will not going into deeper detail but if you read this book you will know what I'm talking about. Exactly how it was pitched Gossip Girl with A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. I love overachieving academic atmospheres in books because it makes me want to be an overachieving smart person who will do anything to get into their dream school (but without the murder ;) I need more books like this because I'm a fan of Gossip Girl and murder. Check it out if you feel the same.

Earning a coveted top spot on the elite Headmaster’s List at Armstrong Prep, senior Spencer Sandoval’s future plans seem to be falling into place. Some people’s family’s have to donate buildings to get them on the list, but that’s not a big problem in L.A. When a high speed car crash ends in tragedy, leaving Chris Moore – son of a Armstrong teacher – dead, Spencer wishes she could remember the details. Why was she in the car with her ex Ethan, who she caught cheating at the party; Chris, an underclassmen; and Tabby, a newer transfer student? Missing the first week of classes definitely wasn’t part of Spencer’s plan. Upon her return to school, Spencer gets plenty of unwanted attention and everyone wants to know what she can’t remember. Perhaps more than anyone else, classmate Peyton Salt wants an exclusive interview to propel her – and her podcast Get Salty – into fame. Recovering from her injuries means Spencer can’t play field hockey, and no one seems to look away new scar on her face. While her new service dog Ripley helps keep Spencer’s emotions in check and wake her from recurring night terrors, she also notices the pitying glances that come her way despite her best friend Olivia’s attempts to shield Spencer. Ethan, who admitted to causing the accident, couldn’t have meant it, and now he’s being charged as an adult. Spencer has a nagging feeling if she just could remember something, all would be resolved. Teaming up with Jackson Chan, Ethan’s best friend, who is helping Spencer catch up from her absence gives Spencer the sense of purpose she’s been missing – and hope that she’ll fill in the pieces of that night.

THOUGHTS: Readers looking for a puzzle will appreciate Spencer’s unreliable narrative as she tries to remember (and accept) what happened and her part in it. Recommended for high school collections where mysteries with memory gaps like We Were Liars and Monday’s Not Coming are popular.

This book was a fun ride! At every turn you weren't really sure who to trust and who was telling the truth. Why was Ethan so set on taking the blame? Why would no one answer Spencer's questions? Why can't she remember anything?! I had to keep reading to find out.

Now where this book lost me is that it kind of felt like nothing was happening for about 60% of the book. It took so long to get new clues and more pieces of the puzzle. By the time I got a new clue, I sort of forgot why it mattered and it took me a minute to piece it back together. I just wish there had been more action or more detective work.

I did REALLY love Ripley and the author's descriptions of how the mental health dog's actions soothed Spencer. It was a really interesting look at therapy animals and how they're trained to help.

I'd still recommend if you're looking for a YA mystery! I did this both as an audiobook and a physical book - and I have to say the audiobook is very well done & I'd highly recommend.

Read if you like:
Veronica Mars
Teenage Sleuths
The Agathas
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder

After a fatal car crash that left their classmate dead, everyone wants to know who's fault it is. Spencer doesn't remember the crash but knows her ex-boyfriend didn't do it (even though he's taking the fall for it).

This YA thriller was entertaining but ultimately, middle of the road for me. I think it's perfect for teens who enjoyed "One of Us is Lying" or "Pretty Little Liars". I wish there was more clues for the reader to follow. It just felt at the end that the main character figured out the mystery without the reader being about to follow. I think if I would have physically read this book, it would have felt more slow than the audiobook did.

I wasn't a huge fan of this one, but as a high school librarian, I can already tell its going to be a hit in my library. My readers will like this one.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book took me forever to read but not because the book itself, I just had a hard time getting into books the last couple of months. But I finished it finally!

Ethan, Spencer, Tabby, and Chris are all in a car accident after a party. Chris is dead. Ethan is charged for murder. Spencer, who is Ethan's ex-girlfriend is determined to figure out what happened. She knows that Ethan drives fast but he couldn't have been going that fast, or could he? Together with Jackson, Spencer and him try and solve the case to hopefully keep Ethan out of prison.

This book hooked me in quickly and I enjoyed the mystery/thriller aspect of it. My biggest issue is the ending felt super rushed! I would have loved to see more why and what happened after everything was solved. Overall a good book, but ended very fast.

Oh what a mystery thriller of a story. Lots of twists and turns when Spencer tries to find out what really happened the night she and her friends were in a car accident.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Give me all the dark, rich private school vibes! A car crash, amnesia and a therapy dog! I loved this YA thriller that had a gossip girl/ one of us is lying vibe. Well done!

Melissa de la Cruz never ceases to amaze me - and The Headmaster's List is no different! There were a few slow moments where I almost contemplated setting the book down but I am glad I pushed through. Either de la Cruz is incredibly talented or I am incredibly rusty because I did not catch any of the plot twists. I felt the ending wrapped everything up perfectly, which I loved. A Very fun read!

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

After leaving a party before school starts, 4 teens get into a car crash, one is dead. Spencer wakes up in the hospital with no memory of the crash. With nightmares plaguing her about that night and the police story not matching up with her snippets of memory, Spencer becomes determined to solve the case. Confessing to driving recklessly, right before the crash, Spencer’s ex-boyfriend, Ethan is on house arrest awaiting trial. With a dark past and secrets of his own, could he have really broken his sobriety that night? With the help of Ethan’s friend, Jackson, and her service dog, Ripley, Spencer dives into social media posts, an annoying podcaster’s account, and other pieces of evidence. With wire cutters found at the scene, evidence of drugs, people getting drugged at the party, and discoveries of people from Ethan’s past wanting revenge, Spencer becomes convinced that their car crash wasn’t an accident. Things take a dark turn when she starts receiving threatening letters in her locker and someone tries to run her over. What really happened that night? Can Spencer regain her memory before it’s too late?
The characters are engaging, realistic, and draw the reader into the story. The plot is well-developed, complex, and full of twists and turns. The middle feels like it drags on, but ends up playing an important part in the book. Overall, this book is a binge-worthy read for anyone who likes Sara Shepard, mysteries, and thrillers.

Please Note: A copy of this book was given in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. No other compensation was received.

A well written, mysterious thriller by Melissa de la Cruz, full of twists and turns that keep you on your toes from the get go. Fast paced and interesting, this story will keep you guessing.