This was a fast paced read that kept me wondering the entire time. I didn’t see the end coming, and it wrapped everything up really nicely.

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC for review!

This was an interesting thriller that had me guessing where the story was headed again and again. The prologue hooked me! However, the prologue seemed to be very misleading. The beginning had me sucked in, with a mysterious death and our main character convinced it wasn’t an accident. Add in our second main character, with her extensive (and maybe not quite necessary) background and side story (some of which I’d forgotten by the last 90% of the book). I felt like there was extra story that wasn’t necessary to make our mystery interesting. None of the characters were like able. Elizabeth’s husband, David, was unbelievable. While there was definitely mention of gentrification, that’s all the came about it. Bring mentioned. The ending was slightly unhinged and felt a little rushed and chaotic after the long path it took to get there.

All in all, I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves suburban house-wife drama and a thriller that makes you suspect every character.

Thank you Netgalley & PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have really complicated feelings about While We Were Burning. I'm not sure what to say, exactly, other than that you should probably go into this fairly blind, because literally nothing in this book will make sense or go the way you think it does.

This book had so much potential for me but I ended up disappointed and annoyed by the characters!

While We Were Burning tells the story of two women who are connected through an awful tragedy but don’t necessarily know it and understand how. The main characters, Lizzie and Brianna are both unlikable for me, as well as Lizzie’s insufferable husband David. The only character I wanted to support was Jay, Brianna’s son, who we only catch a true glimpse of once. I wish there was more background about him.

The bones of this book were really good. The framework was definitely there! The social injustices that were written about were heartbreaking and all too real.

To me, I just feel like the author didn’t know which way to go so she kind of went all over the place and I was left questioning why. One of the characters does something so out of character in the second half of the book that I was genuinely confused and disappointed.

I enjoyed the first half of the book a lot and then felt like the second half just totally went crazy. I was left with a lot of questions.

The author is clearly a talented writer. I enjoyed her writing style, POV style, and nicely paced chapters. I just felt like this book was a little too….. disjointed and that made it hard for me to care about the characters. I look forward to the author’s next novel because I truly did like her writing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group - GP Putnam and Sons for the opportunity to read the ARC.

After the mysterious death of Elizabeth's friend, she begins to spiral. Not being able to get out of a funk, her husband thinks it will be best to get a personal assistant to get her life back on track. Brianna, her new assistant, is also dealing with the recent death of her son. Brianna joins Elizabeth on the search for answers about her friend's murder only for Brianna to be searching for her answers as well about her son.

This book was nothing that I expected it to be, although I did not have preconceived notions about this book before I began. I feel there were some surprising twists and turns but the timeline of these episodes seemed out of place. It lacked character-building & relationships built amongst the characters as this would have supported and strengthened the actions the characters take during the storyline.

I rate this book 3.5 stars. It did hold my attention, especially in the last half of the book. I love debut books and this book really showcased what the author has to offer and I am looking forward to her future books to see what they bring. If you are looking for a book with thrills and mystery about relationships with loved ones, race, and grief this book is for you.

Thank you, NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC!

Sara Koffi delves into how race affects female friendship, and I felt she was effective in exploring "unlikable" female characters, though the characterization of multiple characters could have been fleshed out more. While a lot of the storyline was predictable, it covered important topics in a way that kept it interesting.

(Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for the ARC)

While We Were Burning is a domestic thriller that brings together two women, Brianna and Elizabeth, seemingly by coincidence. Elizabeth hires Brianna as her personal assistant to support her in her day-to-day life as she attempts to cope with the recent death of her friend and neighbor. A death that Elizabeth is obsessed with because she is certain that her friend was murdered. Brianna seems perfect, exactly who Elizabeth needs, as if she has always been a part of her life; however, Brianna is not be who she seems. As Brianna helps Elizabeth uncover the truth behind her neighbor’s death, Brianna has unanswered questions of her own. Questions about the murder of her black son, at the hands of the police, after someone in Elizabeth’s “perfect” white neighborhood calls the police over a possible stolen bike. Brianna is willing to do anything to get the answers she so desperately needs and to get revenge on whomever was involved.

I was initially drawn to this story because it was compared to Parasite; however, this comparison did not hold up, leaving me feeling disappointed. This novel, while a thriller, attempts to address themes of white privilege, police brutality, implicit biases, loss and grief, and mental health; however, I do not feel that any of these themes were explored in deep or meaningful way that would push the reader to think more critically about these issues. The protagonists, Brianna and Elizabeth, were unlikeable with few redeeming qualities. Exploring unlikable female character is something that the author is striving for; however, I feel that the nuances of the characters were not fully fleshed out. For example, I wish Brianna’s story was explored in more depth. This would’ve created more empathy for her character (even if unlikable) and a deeper understanding of her actions and motives. Unfortunately, the dialogue was a bit cheesy at times and there was a significant overuse of the characters’ names and a lack of pronoun usage. This was very distracting, making it difficult for me as the reader to truly fall into the story. This style of writing also makes the dialogue unrealistic. Ultimately, I just expected more and definitely wanted more from this novel. The concept is compelling, but it unfortunately falls short in execution.

This book was full of twists and turns,, written from 2 point of views. Lizzie and Brianna live on “opposite sides of the track” but their lives become intertwined for better or worse. Both mourning a loss, they lean on each other while getting close to the truth about what happened to their loved ones. Would have loved more background on Lizzie to explain why she is the way she is and her marital problems regarding intimacy.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! This book was a page turner from start to finish. The story line and plot could be confusing at times, but other than that I enjoyed it!

While We Were Burning is a tension-filled thriller full of surprises. Elizabeth finds her neighbor/coworker Patricia’s body hanging in the street of their idyllic Memphis neighborhood. Though it is ruled a suicide, Elizabeth is convinced Patricia was murdered. When Elizabeth’s husband suggests she hires an assistant (Brianna) to help her get back on track, Elizabeth finds herself getting increasingly close to Brianna (who, unbeknownst to Elizabeth has an agenda of her own).

This was a fast-paced read that was compelling in some parts and rather farfetched in others. The story tackles themes of class, race, mental health, friendship, marriage. I would have loved more background on the relationship between Elizabeth and her husband - I found it hard to see how they were ever in love or a good match.

Thank you very much to Putnam Books for the opportunity to read a copy.

"There was a legacy of women just like Elizabeth, privileged white women who were allowed to ruin the lives of women like Brianna on nothing more than a hunch. Sometimes even less. "
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While We Were Burning by Sara Koffi is one of those books that made me think about how much I love reading. I was hooked from the very beginning through every twist and turn. The narrative was clever and compelling, and the characters had depth to them that is often lacking in extremely readable books. The characters, especially the main character were at times moralistically grey, and the way they were written by author Sara Koffi really had me waffling between hating them and sympathizing with them and then back to hating them (especially one of the main characters, Elizabeth). Koffi also does a really great job of writing the liberal white ally character in a way that was believable and true to form (and unsurprisingly Elizabeth shows her cards as soon as she thinks no one else is watching). In this way, While We Were Burning provides insightful and subtle social commentary on race and class in America while touching on so many related topics (e.g. police racism + brutality, white privilege, redlining, & the issues within white suburbia). The story felt unique and new to me. Though the blurb compares it both to Parasite and Such a Fun Age, and having seen/read both, While We Were Burning was very much it's own story. Would highly recommend to fans of both of the aforementioned works, as well as Little Fires Everywhere, Get Out, Gone Girl, and Other Black Girl.

Thank you SO much to Sara Koffi, Penguin Group Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and Netgalley for an advanced copy of While We Were Burning!

THis book was such a page turner. The plot was incredibly masterfully crafted and the suspense was REAL. I found the characters to be easy to hate, but also easy to sympathize with. My one criticism is that the plot does get a bit unbelievable at times, though not enough for me to put it down.

Thank you Putnam Books for my Netgalley copy = of WHILE WE WERE BURNING by Sara Koffi, out 4/16/24!

The publisher says this novel is Parasite meets Such a Fun Age and that’s a pretty good descriptor! This debut examines the intersections of race, class and female friendship with an exploration of devasting consequences of everyday actions.

I really, really enjoyed this book. It’s a slow burn thriller, letting you slowly uncover how our characters are connected and it really came together for me.

After her best friend's mysterious death, Elizabeth Smith’s picture-perfect life in the Memphis suburbs has spiraled out of control—so much so that she hires a personal assistant to keep her on track. Composed and elegant, Brianna is exactly who she needs and slides so neatly into Elizabeth’s life, almost like she belonged there from the start. Soon, the assistant Elizabeth hired to distract her from her obsession with her friend's death is the same person working with her to uncover the truth behind it.

Because Brianna has questions, too. There’s more to the synopsis, but I think this book is best when you go in unknowingly. The final showdown is electrifying and the lines get very blurred - it’s a wild ride.

I loved the ending, but I also have major questions that I’ll keep to myself to avoid any spoilers. Just know, the characters are incredibly complex and flawed and you’ll find yourself switching sides until the very end. Let me just say I do NOT understand the conclusion of the romance and I don’t think it does as much as the author thinks it does? Doesn’t seem like a win to me? But idk, maybe I’m the outlier!

I think both characters could have had more depth to them when it came to our understanding of them as readers - we get snapshots of their past that drive their characters, but not quite enough to make that full connection. I think they could have been fleshed out more. I wanted more back story on Charles, Camilla, parental upbringing, and the traumas that made each character the way they are (because both main protagonists are very unique).

The vision is immaculate though and I give Koffi major snaps.

Elizabeth Smith’s life is perfect! She has the perfect husband and house in the suburbs of Memphis. Things spiral out of control when she discovers the body of her friend and neighbor. She is sure her friend was murdered and is determined to find the killer.

Brianna comes into Elizabeth’s life after her world spirals out of control. She has been hired as her personal assistant to keep her focused and on track. Brianna is also looking to get some answers of her own. She is determined to find out why the police were called out to Elizabeth’s neighborhood, resulting in her son being killed.

NetGalley and Putnam Books, thank you for the advanced reading copy. “While We Were Burning” was an interesting twist to the normal protagonist storyline. The book was truly a page-turner and kept me on my toes! I never predicted the ending or where the plot was going. I thoroughly enjoyed the read😊. The book has a good amount of suspense/thriller plus mystery that will keep you interested until the end. Not only is the reader taken aback at the ending of the book, but throughout the book you truly don’t know which way the plot will turn.

I couldn’t get into this book and I’m not sure why. The writing style was smooth, the storyline wasn’t bad, I just lost interest early on because it was missing something

I really wanted to get into this, but I could not even finish it. There was just too much BML, political stuff in it that I sat it down only a quarter of the way through it. There are so many amazing novels that show you do NOT have to get political for it to be an excellent read.

I received a free copy of this for review from NetGalley.

Fun read and I wanted to keep reading to know what happened.

I had not heard anything about this author of this debut novel before I dove in to this book. I was pleasantly surprised. While We Were Burning is described as a cross between Such a Fun Age (one of my all time favorite novels) and the movie Parasite. The description is accurate. While We Were Burning is a psychological thriller that tackles serious current racial issues. The two main characters (Elizabeth and Brianna) are both unlikable and are both unreliable narrators. There are numerous twists and an unexpected ending. If you are a fan of domestic/psychological thrillers you will enjoy this debut novel. This was a very fast read for me and I look forward to more from this author. This book is expected to publish in April of 2024. Thank you to #Netgalley for the Advance Readers Copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, where to start. This book was a rollercoaster, the type that is thrilling but in the end leaves you feeling just a little sick.
Let me explain.
As a mother, I really connected with Brianna. I can’t imagine losing a child and the way that she lost him, I’ll never understand that. That makes me hurt for her. And I honestly can’t say I wouldn’t do some of the things she did if it were me. But don’t get me wrong…. She crazy.

Now Elizabeth, she’s also a cup and a half of crazy. Lol
But for a while, you feel for her too…. Not near as much but enough to get you hooked.

And as the plot unfolds you are just hit with twist after twist. It’s fast paced but in a very good way.

The author is an excellent writer and I would read her stuff again.

Overall I give it a solid 4, for tackling current issues and doing so in a way that it fit seamlessly into the book. Well done.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

This was not at all what I expected. Often felt confused by the direction the story was taking and felt like the progression of dialogue wasn’t always sensical.
I would say there wasn’t really a likable character, but maybe that was intentional.
Overall, pretty entertaining and kept my attention. Would love to see what else this author puts out in the future.