A twisty debut novel set in a community in Tennessee.

Elizabeth can't let go of her friend's supposed suicide. She is obsessed to the point that her personal and professional life is suffering. Her husband suggests hiring an assistant to get back on track. She can't believe how helpful Brianna is and she steadily begins to improve.

But Brianna has a big secret she is keeping from Elizabeth and the two women are hurtling towards a showdown.

Good premise for a first book, many of the domestic aspects were believable and tension palpable. A bit of a stretch, but still enjoyable. #penguin #Whilewewereburning

While We Were Burning was an incredibly fast paced read. I think Koffi did an amazing job making her writing approachable and not too convoluted for a book that I could see could get convoluted. I think if you’re looking for a fast read to get you out of a slump, this is the one for you. I thought the dialogue felt a little childish or like a bad movie, especially towards the end. It The twist felt predictable, and I wasn’t sure why I should care about any of the characters. I keep saying it’s a fast book but this one could’ve done with a couple more pages exploring the depths of the three main characters- Brianna, Elizabeth, and David. It would’ve been far more interesting if the psyche of each character made sense with their actions. Overall, I would say 3 stars.

First - thank you to Penguin/Putnum for the Advanced Copy for review!

This is an impressive debut novel from Sara Koffi, and it was right up my alley! My favorite read is a page-turning thriller, and this novel delivered! Without giving out any spoilers, the book was engrossing and modern. It included institutional racism, but in a realistic way (without being preachy). The relationship between Elizabeth and Brianna is complicated and real, and I didn't figure out the mystery until just before the very end. I'm looking forward to Sara's next novel - well done!

A black boy dies while riding his new bike home in a case of mistaken identity. A white woman is found hanging from a lamppost in an apparent suicide. These separate tragedies collide and explode into one giant burning pile of deceit, rage, and delusion.

What. A. Twister! This book had me hooked within the first few chapters – it was so hard to put down! Just when you think the story is gonna go one way, a new chapter and POV comes and you don’t know anymore. If you love a psycho bitch like Gone Girl, you’re in for a treat.

*Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam Books for sending this book for review consideration! All opinions are my own.*

First off, the cover is to die for! It follows 2 friends as things go tragically wrong in their lives. I did enjoy the stories, but felt the characters a bit confusing at times. The story is raw and i loved that!

That being said, I'd read it again and recognize that it might be where I had to sit it down many times even in chapters (silly life and dogs).

Thank you NetGalley and Putnam for the advanced copy in exchange for a review!

While We Were Burning is the fresh take on the domestic thriller we need right now, a provocative observation of racism. Parasite meets Such a Fun Age in a scorching debut that is as heartbreaking as it is thrilling, examining the intersection of race, class.

Elizabeth’s friend has died in what everyone thinks is a suicide, except Elizabeth. She is so distraught over the death that her husband hires her a personal assistant. Brianna is the personal assistant and she clearly has trauma in her past and motive for taking the job. Secrets are exposed, twists and turns abound. This is a very impressive debut. The prose is tight and the author pulls no punches. There is no flowery, descriptive writing here. This is a very propulsive, psychological drama that addresses racial and class issues in society today. I do feel there are some areas that could have been fleshed out more like delving more into Elizabeth’s background and mental health prior to her friends death, maybe more detail on the circumstances of Jay’s death, some more character development surrounding Brianna. However, overall, a highly impressive, page turning, twisty debut.

Hm, this book could have been so much more. I really liked the premise. There were depths to explore that weren't explored. Instead, it became sort of a cheesy thriller. The last 25% of the book is...pretty ridiculous. I would have appreciated a much subtler character story about these main characters. Also, the writing needs help, especially the dialogue. Every character includes the other character's name in EACH LINE OF DIALOGUE, eg:

"What do you think we should do, David?"
"I don't know, Brianna."
"She's your wife, David."
on and on...

NOBODY TALKS LIKE THIS. And it's done over and over again. It got so distracting and contributed to the story feeling increasingly cheesy and amateur. Kind of felt like a soap opera by the end.

I'm sad about this book because it really could have been so much more complex and nuanced. I suppose the publisher is just going for "thriller sales." Sigh.

*Mild Spoilers*

3.5 Stars rounded up

I’ll start with my critique of this book and move into what I loved about it.

First, the writing felt a little disjointed in some areas. For example, parts of the story line, such as Lizzie’s affair, could have been more fleshed out so as to intertwine better with the rest of the plot. Not a huge deal because the story was good enough to look past that but it did feel a little forced, like it was just the vehicle that led to the big reveal at the dinner table.

Second, I struggled with the relationships between the characters. Everything seemed to escalate so quickly between them. We didn’t get a whole lot of insight as to what they might have been thinking and feeling about everything that was going on around them. For instance, Brianna and David met only a couple of times while she was working for Lizzie. Then all of a sudden she’s chasing after him to save his marriage but ends up sleeping with him instead and then wakes up with a nightmare and he’s telling her she can confide in him because he truly cares about her and plans to “take care of her always?” I don’t know… it felt a little far fetched and I think it would have been better if we got to hear some inner turmoil, some contemplating of decisions before taking action, an analysis of potential consequences and subsequent calculation of whether they are worth it.

Now onto what made this book so good… Being inside Lizzie’s head throughout the book only to have it end the way it did… An ending that was essentially told to us early on but easily dismissed because you want to believe she is good – this characterizes white privilege and subtle racism. Her whole persona is a representation of how our system is fundamentally flawed despite any and all appearances to the contrary. On the outside you almost pity her… Is she just ignorant? What does everyone else see that she is missing? No way… she is clearly the victim here. Even Brianna is on her side. See she is friends with a Black person. Wait… WHAT!?

Brianna is an equally complex character – one who has suffered at the hands of said system both directly and indirectly. One who made mistakes trying to take that system on herself in ways that couldn't really addressed the deeper problem. When she realized her error though, she chose to do things differently. She also intentionally put herself in a position where she would never forget what happened and what she did, All while she continued to move forward and hope for better. Brianna is Black Lives Matter.

The quote that starts the book is by Kimberly Jones, “They’re lucky Black people are looking for equality and not revenge.” This was so perfectly fitting for this literary piece and how the story captured this message was exceptionally profound for a debut novel. I look forward to reading more by Sara Koffi.

This was a holy $h!t novel that I was not expecting.

I was drawn in by the relationship between Elizabeth and Brianna as they both seemed to be supporting each other through a painful past. I knew that Brianna had ulterior motives, and I knew she made poor decisions, but I was not quite prepared for how it all played out.

This would have been a five star read for me, but the last 2-3 chapters kind of dimmed my excitement.

Thank you to NetGalley & Putnam for the advanced digital review copy!

This book will be an easy three stars, four for the right readers. The voice didn't particularly draw me in, and the formatting of the ebook was poor, so I didn't feel up to continuing on this one. Stopped after chapter 1. (6%)

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for the ARC.

- If you had told me this was the authors debut book I wouldn’t have believed you. It drew me in and I couldn’t put the book down. Every twist and turned made me want to turn to the next page. The main characters are really complex and are not cookie cutter characters. There were parts when you loved the characters and then hated them. genre this book was characterized is a thriller and I agree. When there was a new character I didn’t know I want to learn more about them.
- I love seeing the social media group posts! I thought it was such a cute touch and it added a lot to the story! I absolutely love when there are two pov’s in a story and those two character end up meeting. It’s just so satisfying, like finding the last puzzle piece.
- The only complaint is every time David said “baby” it just made me really hate him more and more. I also did not like the David and Brianna romantic storyline, I did pick up on the few looks that lasted a little too long but it seemed rushed and would have liked it better if there was some more foreshadowing of this storyline.
- Thanks to Net Galley & G.P. Putnam’s Sons for letting me read this advanced copy

Elizabeth is a suburban wife dealing head-on with the aftermath of her friend's death alongside a turbulent marriage. She hires Briana to be her personal assistant, hoping Briana would help her get her life back in order. She doesn't know that Briana has her secrets and Elizabeth is at the center of them.

I loved the domestic thriller premise and how the book explored the different relationships that Elizabeth had with those around her. The book did start off a little slow for me but picked up steam towards the latter half. I felt like a lot of the characters were pretty unlikable (especially the protagonist) and yet somehow it worked. I do wish the author had fleshed out Briana's character a little more, especially towards the end.

I enjoyed the overall plot of While We Were Burning and thought it was an enjoyable debut effort.

Thank you to Netgalley and Putnam for giving me the opportunity to review this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam books for allowing me to read an eARC. This book was something else. All the characters were messed up in their own ways, and I was there for it. Justice was served in the most inconceivable way possible, and I reveled in every second of it. This book comes out in April of next year, and I 100% recommend checking this one out as you meander your way through Barnes.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of While We Were Burning.

I liked the title and the premise was intriguing so I was excited my request was approved.

Sadly, this didn't fulfill my expectations namely because the narrative was too hard to suspend disbelief for.

I love revenge stories and I thought that was Brianna's motivation but the narrative took a hard right turn into Lifetime-silly territory when she and Elizabeth's husband hook up.

Elizabeth is a one dimensional character, poorly developed and difficult to take seriously.

Not surprisingly, she's an unreliable character with a lot of issues, and not just because she discovered her non-friend Patricia's dead body and becomes convinced she was murdered.

Brianna isn't great, either. Her character really had potential to be someone wily, dark, and dangerous, but instead she becomes the next Elizabeth.

The writing is average, and the narrative is neither suspenseful or exciting, filled with unlikable and/or characters you don't like or care about.

The most exciting thing about this book is the title.

First, I want to thank NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for providing me with an eARC copy of While We Were Burning. Second, I want to say that this book absolutely hooked me in the way only a good thriller can. The description of Such a Fun Age meets Parasite is spot on, and yet it clearly stands on its own! This book brings together, awful people, grappling with morality, conversations on race, and a pace that makes you never want to put it down. On the other hand, I do think that the character of Brianna deserves even more time on the page, and it would be fascinating to see more of Elizabeth's mother. However, these are absolutely minor criticisms and I am so happy to report that I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a new and exciting thriller to read.

I really enjoyed this book. I felt like it was paced well throughout, and had me constantly wanting to hurry up and finish just to see how this all is going to wrap up. I had some moments where i felt that things the characters said or did didnt mesh, but overall....very engaging very entertaining, very crazy!

"While We Were Burning" by Sara Koffi is a gripping and thought-provoking thriller that explores the complexities of race, privilege, and the secrets we keep. The story revolves around Elizabeth Smith, whose life takes a dark turn after her best friend's mysterious death. Struggling to cope, she hires Brianna as a personal assistant to help keep her life in order. As Brianna becomes an integral part of Elizabeth's world, a riveting and unexpected connection emerges between the two women.

Koffi's writing expertly delves into the emotional turmoil faced by both Elizabeth and Brianna. Brianna's grief over the loss of her young Black son, killed by the police, becomes a powerful driving force that compels her to seek answers about the incident. The novel deftly portrays the impact of systemic racism and prejudice on individuals and communities, making it a timely and important read.

As the story unfolds, the relationship between Elizabeth and Brianna evolves beyond mere employer and assistant, blurring the lines between friendship and intrigue. The intricate web of secrets, lies, and hidden motives keeps readers on edge, eagerly turning the pages to uncover the truth.

Koffi skillfully navigates through the complexities of the characters' lives, revealing their vulnerabilities and flaws, making them feel incredibly real and relatable. The author's exploration of identity and the lengths people go to protect their own adds depth and authenticity to the narrative.

"While We Were Burning" is a powerful and compelling tale that challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths and examine the complexities of human relationships. Sara Koffi's skillful storytelling and exploration of social issues make this novel a standout in the thriller genre. It is a must-read for anyone seeking a thought-provoking and emotionally charged experience that stays with them long after the final page.

Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ARC!

WHILE WE WERE BURNING is an ambitious debut from Sara Koffi revolving around a wealthy white woman and her black personal assistant, both struggling to uncover the real truth behind their loved ones' deaths, and the places where those timelines intersect. The plot kicks off with Elizabeth Smith, a white woman living with her husband in the suburbs of Memphis, discovering the body of her neighborhood friend, Patricia. Disturbed by the incident and desperate to find the killer, Elizabeth hires Brianna, a black woman seeking to avenge the death of her son in a police shooting, as a personal assistant.

This book is billed as a domestic thriller, and I appreciated its fast pace that kept the story moving along smoothly, if somewhat predictably. New reveals and twists are scattered throughout to further complicate the narrative and add tension between the two women. I enjoyed the alternative perspectives on the same issue and found the themes discussed to be thought-provoking-- I can definitely see this book gaining traction for that reason alone.

However, I can't say that I was altogether the biggest fan of this book. I really wanted to enjoy it more than I did, but something about all the individual components just didn't work together as a whole for me. The prose is streamlined and stripped-back, which isn't necessarily a bad thing in itself, but it made for a predictable rhythm that felt a little redundant to me. In keeping with this style, the dialogue is also simple and straightforward, which made it feel stilted and somewhat childish to me. My main gripe with WHILE WE WERE BURNING, however, would have to be with the characterization. For a story such as this which revolves completely around the lives of two characters in particular, I was expecting stronger characterization and deeper development. Instead, I struggled to define and differentiate Elizabeth and Brianna's personality traits, and didn't feel a particular connection with or affinity towards either of them. Towards the end of the book, one of the women commits a fairly extreme act, which I won't spoil, but it felt totally out of nowhere, because the characterization hadn't depicted her as unstable or capable of such a thing before. Hence, the plot line diverges into something that feels a little overdramatic and unbelievable, which made it hard for me to emotionally invest in the final act as much as I'd like to have.

While I think WHILE WE WERE BURNING may have bitten off a little more than it could chew for a debut, I commend the creative representation of modern-day racial and class tensions, and took an interest in reading more about them from an intimate, domestic perspective. The setting also served the book well, with the Memphis backdrop interesting and compelling enough to provide a unique angle to the story. I can see fans of [book:Such a Fun Age|43923951] or any similar upstairs-downstairs story turning to this book for something a little more commercial and breezy to read through quickly.

(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)

Sara Koffi treats readers to a taut, propulsive psychological drama in her debut novel “While We Were Burning”. Koffi reminds us that The “American Dream” is never far-removed from the “American Nightmare”.

All the main characters of “While We Were Burning” are struggling in one way or another with identity. Are we what we present to others? Rarely. Are we what we see in the mirror? That depends, doesn’t it? Are we ever known even to ourselves? Not according to our therapists.

There is plenty to keep the reader engaged in this page-turner. There are smart, non-polemic references and treatments of race, class, patriarchy, attitudes towards policing. There is subtle use of the latest weapons of electronic addiction and surveillance including identity theft and stalking.

While Koffi is generous in dropping bread crumbs along the route; there were lots of twists and turns that succeeded in leaving me surprised and occasionally baffled. The novel opens and closes on Halloween. What better time to dress-up, mask-up in order to impress and deceive? Who are my friends? Who can I trust?

Finally, Koffi knows her Memphis, both the old and the new.

Thanks to G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for the eARC.