The plot was so interesting! This story had me on the edge of my seat with the multiple POV, going back and forth between Tessa and Mariella, with a switch from present to past. well written and definitely recommend

I received a free advance digital copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. Working on getting through the rest of the advanced books I received.
I really enjoyed this book not only for the story but also the section on the places and events mentioned in the book. At first the plot was a little strange to wrap my mind around. The authors writing drew me in though and I ended up not wanting to put the book down!

This is perfect for fans of True Crime or those interested in the Lizzie Borden murders! I really enjoyed this eerie story!

I have developed a keen interest in the Lizzie Borden case ever since I first encountered it through a true-crime podcast. Therefore, it was with great enthusiasm that I seized the opportunity to participate in this exclusive blog tour.

In the novel “Hatchet Girls,” readers are introduced to Tessa, a young woman grappling with the loss of her father and adjusting to her new life in Fall River. Her journey takes an even more tumultuous turn following a series of unsettling events involving Fall River’s prominent figures, the Morses. Complicating matters further, Tessa’s brother Vik finds himself entangled in a situation where he is accused of murdering Mariella’s parents, his girlfriend. However, Tessa and her family staunchly believe in Vik’s innocence, and the eerie parallel between these recent killings and the infamous case of Lizzie Borden’s brutal murder of her own family adds another layer of intrigue to the story.

I absolutely loved the setting of this book and really enjoyed this Lizzie Borden Retelling story. It just felt like the perfect fall reading. There was everything inside this book. Everything that you’re expecting about a book coming out in October and that claims to be a horror book can be found in this story.

“Hatchet Girls” was a creepy read and definitely kept me fascinated and in its hooks. I just couldn’t stop reading this book and was shocked by the ending. And not only shocked because I’d finished it so fast.

If you’re a fan of spooky stuff and love reading about real-life horror stories, then this book is a must-read for you. Seriously, it’s packed with all the creepy details a horror fan craves!

Hatchet Girls is a thrilling and darkly atmospheric young adult novel that reimagines the infamous Lizzie Borden case with a modern twist. Set in a small, eerie town, the story follows Tessa and her best friend, Brynn, as they uncover chilling secrets about their families and the town’s history. Wallach masterfully blends suspense, horror, and mystery, keeping readers on edge with unexpected twists and deeply drawn characters. The novel's exploration of legacy, guilt, and the darkness lurking beneath the surface makes it a compelling read for fans of psychological thrillers.

The format of this book worked so well. The mix between what had happened and what was currently happening was so well paced and then so satisfying when the past chapters caught up to where the book started and everything was revealed. The twists were a little predictable but still well written. I liked the characters and seeing a bit of how they perceived each other. The setting was so well done and I also went to the authors website to see the pictures taken during the research for the book. That is such a cool ouch and I loved seeing the explanations of what was fact vs fiction and where factual elements were combined with creative liberties. The aspect that kind of fell apart for me was the very end. The big reveal was so well done and then I was left with some lingering questions. It was a more realistic ending in that the villain doesn't usually fully perfectly explain themselves in real life, but that's part of why i prefer fantasy over true crime. It felt particularly disappointing with how meticulously so many detailed were explained. That said overall a great book.

For fans of horror and creepiness! Set in the town where the Lizzie Borden murders happened, the main character's brother is being accused of murdering two very important people in the town and she is set on proving his innocence. Told in multiple POV.

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

This was a fun YA Thriller that I found to be a fun ride. I love YA thrillers because they some how for me at least are less predictable than the adult ones.

I think that anything involving the Lizzie Borden mystery is fascinating to read about. I love seeing author’s twists on the story and their fictional recounts on what really happened. Hatchet Girls takes a different approach and takes place a century later but in the same town that the crime took place. In fact, there’s even a Lizzie Borden House, a haunted bed and breakfast, which is the only tourist attraction in town.

I really liked the premise of this book! I just found that I didn’t really connect with the characters and the middle of the book dragged a lot for me. I think the author has amazing potential though and I look forward to seeing what she writes in the future.

I was expecting more of a direct connection to lizzie border right at the beginning of the book. And I didn't really get that. Wasn't interesting enough at the start to keep me interested. DNF

Some books start off with a bang, while others with a whack!

If you’ve spent all your life hoping for a book that is (a) a reimagining of a Lizzie Borden-style story; (b) but with a modern setting; (c) and that offers a hint of the supernatural; lock the doors and pour the wine, because your day has come!

To begin at the beginning, the setting is Fall River, Massachusetts, the hometown of Lizzie Borden, and she and her alleged crimes exist within the world of our story. Over a century and a quarter later, we settle in to read about a young man accused of axe-murdering his girlfriend’s parents, Lizzie-style, and the sister who won’t stop believing in his innocence.

From its opening pages, mystery takes hold. Don’t get comfortable. Though you may think you’ve correctly anticipated what you’ve signed up for, you’ll quickly learn how wrong you are. Almost immediately, mystery morphs into horror. This is not your parents’ Lizzie Borden story.

This book is pure delight to have and hold. The story is fresh, and the pacing is perfection. The characters and their actions are believable. You’ll find someone to cheer for within these pages, but you’ll also find plenty of moments to shriek at. The imagery will stay with you long after you close the covers and say goodbye once again to the town of Fall River.

I cannot recommend this one enough. It’s time to get your chill on! Enjoy!

Lizzie Borden allegedly murdered her family over a century ago. In this YA thriller, the town pulls on that history for tourists, helping the town out. But now more murders are taking place. Is there a copy cat? Is the town cursed? The novel follows a couple of teenage friends: the suspect and his sister, the murdered's daughter, and her best friend. They have to figure out what's going on before anyone else dies.

I love the set up for this. The characters are well developed, the setting is perfect. But the author gives the reader a little too much too soon in my opinion, taking away from the mystery and the suspense. So in the end I wasn't very surprised by the twists. That being said, I am not the target audience and I think that young adults would really enjoy this one a lot more than I did!

The Lizzie Borden case has been subject of plenty of speculation, so it's ripe for a re-imagining. Rodriguez certainly takes an interesting tactic, exploring motivations and influences, asking us to consider guilt and responsibility. The book makes overtures towards questions of racism and classism but these concepts are not explored in any true depth. Vik, as we meet him, is too sympathetic. Mariella is too manipulative. There's no nuance to the plot that has us wondering.

Thank you to the publisher and author for sending me a copy of this book to review! I switched back and forth between the e-arc and the physical arc.

5 reasons to read HATCHET GIRLS. It's:
1. Lizzy Borden inspired
2. Bad girls do murder
3. Is it a Haunting or a possession?
4. seriously, Don't drink anything from a witch!
5. Revenge plot goes bad

When Mariella Morse accuses her boyfriend, Vik Gomez, of murdering her wealthy parents with an axe, the town is quick to believe her. It doesn’t help that Vik is caught standing over her parents’ bodies with blood on his hands, unable to remember anything about the night in question.

But Vik’s sister, Tessa, knows that Vik would never be capable of such a gruesome crime. Haunted by the mistakes she made that led her family to move to Fall River, MA in the first place, she sets out to prove her brother’s innocence.

Tessa’s search for answers will lead her into a sprawling, notoriously cursed forest, where she and Mariella must face a darkness that has lurked within their town since before the days of Lizzie Borden—the original axe murderess of Fall River.

I thought the premise for this was really cool. It blends spooky elements and reimagines the familiar story of Lizzie Borden in a new way. I think the end of the book wasn't very strong however and found myself skimming until the end. I never really quite understood why this particular region of the country was susceptible to this particular plot even though it seemed like that was the story the author was trying to tell. I also found one of the character's actions to be pretty unrealistic which drew me out of the story.

Overall, 2.5/5 stars

I was so bummed that this book was over!

I loved everything from the title to the cover to the Lizzie Borden connection. Tessa is awesome and I definitely enjoyed how creepy everything was.

Did I know who was doing what? Yep, but I didn’t know why and how and I really wanted to know.

Expect a fast paced, entertaining, and very eerie read!

As a history teacher obsessed with True Crime and feminism, I liked this story a lot and the ways in which it parallelled the Lizzie Borden story and its sensationalism.

A wild ride of a book.loved that this is a retelling of the Borden murders with a paranormal twist. Especially the fact that it was set in the same town, and with people living the Borden history - running the house as a museum. If you’re a fan of Lizzie Borden, this will definitely be a book for you. Though not directly following Lizzie’s story, this gives a bit of a theory of what could have happened, and what other emerges might be affecting that area.

A creepy read for the season. A bit depressing - domestic abuse, depression. But there’s also a cute love story and tight family bonds. So a bit of everything for everyone.

Also, loved how much research and diving into the real story the author did for this book.

Lizzie Borden took an axe,
And gave her mother forty whacks,
And when she saw what she had done,
She gave her father forty-one.

I truly enjoyed the aspect of a true crime incorporated with this YA horror/mystery book.

Plot: I enjoyed that the plot intertwined with Lizzie Borden's history, but was also a thing of its own. It revolves around a girl who would die for her family while the other plots to kill her own. Lastly, throw in supernatural forces that are meant to be left alone.

Premise: I thought the premise was brilliant, it was very creepy and unsettling. The true history behind the town and forest added a serious unnerving feeling that I couldn't shake even afterwards.

POVs: I loved how we went back and forth between Mar and Tessa. There was a present and past timeline as well. I never felt confused and it never felt out of sorts, I feel like it strengthened the plot.

The writing: Perfect for the age range. The vocabulary fit and enhanced the experience. The pacing was quick but that's what made me want to continue reading along.

Characters: Can't really complain about any of them. I definitely rooted for Vic.

Overall, this is a solid 4 out 5 star YA read!