J-school isn’t a very common setting for a thriller, but in Jenny Hollander’s Everyone Who Can Forgive Me Is Dead, the main character’s experiences at the fictional Carroll University’s graduate school of journalism and subsequent climb to EIC (that’s editor in chief) of C Magazine make for a fun and twisty ride. Hopping back and forth between the past and the present, we learn what really happened at the “Scarlet Christmas” tragedy, and why Charlie (our main character) has absolutely not been able to come to terms with her past, despite making a valiant effort to keep up appearances. Definitely a promising debut!

Thanks so much to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing me with a review copy!

Release date: Today! 🗓️

This is a story we’ve heard a hundred times before, and I couldn’t bring myself to be more invested in it. The writing wasn’t bad, the characters weren’t flat, it was just a story that has been told one too many times. A group of college age kids, one of them dies, a milestone anniversary dregs up everyone’s secrets. You know the one.

A super solid debut! I did a combo of audio/print and very much enjoyed. This was a slower burn, but I was definitely intrigued the whole time and wanted to find out what was happening. The last 40%ish especially had me on the edge of my seat! Def recommend.

What an interesting book! I don’t know if I liked it or really liked it.

The story was great and the characters had me all over the place trying to figure them all out. I was fully invested and loved the way the story unfolded. I didn’t see the full twist coming but I was pleasantly surprised to see what I had guess was correct. Right until the very end you are left guessing and in awe.

Thanks so much NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC.

I think I'm the outlier here but I found this one just okay. The title, description and cover all drew me in. I love a good suspense novel dealing with secrets, trauma and unreliable narrators. I think what this one lacks was that fast pace thriller feel. Main character, Charlotte ''Charlie'' Colbert was developed extremely well. The downward spiral she took us on as she tried to remember the past felt real and authentic. But we stayed in her head to much of the story. The result was all the supporting characters were one dimensional and while it was important for Charlie to remember what happened years ago, I could not have cared less what happened to these people. As a debut novel goes I do think there was potential and will definitely pick up the next Jenny Hollander book.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read and review honestly an advanced digital copy.

Every once in a while, a debut author comes along that you just know is going to be on your auto-buy list, and I got that vibe from Jenny Hollander's Everyone Who Can Forgive Me is Dead. Right from the title and synopsis, I had to know. I mean, if that doesn't draw you in, what will? But once I started reading, I was frantically flipping pages, desperate to know what really went on during Scarlet Christmas.. Everything about this book works, from the characters, the pacing, the plot, the mind-blowing reveal. Even if dark academia isn't normally your go-to, this book is so much more than that. If I could give it more than five stars, I would.

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐞 𝐈𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐉𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you Minotaur Books for my #gifted copy of Everyone Who Can Forgive Me Is Dead!

This book had so many elements! It was a mix between dark academia, suspense, and mystery and was told in a dual timeline format. I’m always a fan of dual timelines, especially in mystery/thrillers, and felt like it worked really well for this one. This is a slow burn with some unexpected twists throughout. I feel like the unreliable narrator aspect was done so well, and may have been what I enjoyed most about this book. It was engaging from the start and one I would recommend checking out if you are in the mood for a psychological suspense novel!

Posted on Goodreads on February 6, 2024: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram - Full Review- on or around February 6, 2024: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on February 6, 2024
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The genius aspect of this read is the title!
Kudos to the author for drawing you in with a title I had to read and discover whodunnit.
The story is an intriguing thriller that took me on a twisty journey about horrific circumstances our main characters went through years before.
She wasn’t the most likable character to me but I believe I don’t have to like a character to enjoy a story.
Her PTSD took her down a rabbit hole that was compelling and at times painful to read.
The pace was a little uneven and the ending felt somewhat rushed.
However, for me but this was a solid story that deserves reading.

Thank you to Jenny Hollander, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

First, how amazing is the cover?! Second, I liked this book. It wasn't so much as a thriller to me, but a psychological suspense. I did like the dual timelines.

But I did not like the characters. I found Charlie to be childish and all she did was ramble. Her life was unrealistic to me. She went through something traumatic that everyone's heard about but yet tried to hide in the background. It didn't make sense to me. Also, there was a whole pointless chapter about her dog.

This one just wasn't for me.

Nine years ago, Charlie Colbert was involved in a violent attack at her graduate school on Christmas Eve. Charlie has never spoken publicly about "Scarlet Christmas". But now as the 10th anniversary looms, other people are looking to speak the truth about that night.,

I just came off another book that I didn't enjoy much and when I read the reviews of this, they weren't promising. So I was bummed. But I tell you, I don't know where the negative reviews are coming from, because I loved this! Charlie was complex and suffering still from the events of Scarlet Christmas. All of the characters were interesting and likeable - or hateable, as the case may be - though I myself was ready to Scarlet Christmas her boyfriend, who I found annoying with his "we're a team" bs. Get out of here with that. I liked the mystery of what really happened that night and who we could believe.

Overall, I'd give this a solid 4 stars, possibly even rising to 4-1/2 stars range. Jenny Hollander, write something else soon because I adored this!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Available today - February 6, 2024!

If you want a psychological thriller that will suck you in immediately, this is it. It is the story of a woman, Charlie, 10 years after she was a witness to multiple murders at her school, trying to move on with her life when it all comes back to haunt her. I loved Charlie’s story. I loved seeing Charlie try to move forward but repeatedly get pulled back by grief and guilt. I loved seeing little bits of that horrific night retold through flashbacks. It was gripping and exciting and well-executed in how it all unfolded, twisted until the very end.

Honestly, I had no darned clue where this story was going. I actually really enjoyed how it was written, with small clues but with nothing outright that made me think that I knew what happened, who died and who was responsible. In the end, this story was well written and captivating enough for me to want to finish it even if it was a slow start. I'm not sure it is a thriller in the general sense, but it IS a mystery to some extend. A few twists I didn't see coming as well.

I would not categorize this book as a thriller but rather dramatic suspense. The narrator is Charlie Colbert, a young woman who is confused about what happened in her past, has made some progress remembering, and is determined not to lose her progress. Since an unreliable narrator tells the story, I found it more than a little convoluted and difficult to follow at times. I was especially confused at the beginning but once I got deeper into the meat of the book, I figured out and few things and kept reading. There are a lot of characters, none of whom can totally be trusted and the plot is intricate with a lot of details, some of which could be omitted and not affect the story. I did enjoy Charlie’s story but the way it was told was not enjoyable and made reading the book more of a chore than a pleasure. Combining various methods of narration and dual timelines along with an unreliable narrator just did not work for me.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

I really liked this debut. And guess what? It comes out today! 💌

Good for those who like:
• Psychological thrillers
• College settings
• Main character trying to unlock lost memories
• Books that take place in NYC (this former Manhattanite says yes 🙋🏼‍♀️)

I think it was also a perfect storm of an extremely stressful work week + needing a book that I could fly through—and it worked 😎

👉 Candidly: I get why some of you aren’t vibing with this; I think the editing could be tighter. Even so, I enjoyed myself and was along for the ride. And sometimes that’s enough 👏🏻

Really enjoyed this debut thriller,absolutely shocking full of twists and turns.Love the academic setting the dual time line. Jenny Hollanders debut is so well written so unique looking forward to more books from her.#netgalley #minator

Todays the day!!!!!

Happy Pub Day, to this stunner!

Everyone Who Can Forgive Me Is Dead

With a title like that, I was instantly intrigued. No need to read the synopsis, I was jumping in blind and boy oh boy was I in for a wild ride! I may have even experienced a bit of whiplash with all the twists!

Jenny Hollander, grabbed me by the throat and pulled me right into her world of secrets, lies and deceit. Every time I thought I had it all figured out, I was DEAD wrong.

This book right here is a must read

Check out this teaser :

What if everything you know about the worst night of your life turns out not to be true?

Nine years ago, with the world's eyes on her, Charlie Colbert fled. The press and the police called Charlie a "witness" to the nightmarish events at her elite graduate school on Christmas Eve—events known to the public as "Scarlet Christmas"—though Charlie knows she was much more than that.

Now, Charlie has meticulously rebuilt her life: She's the editor-in-chief of a major magazine, engaged to the golden child of the publishing industry, and hell-bent on never, ever letting her guard down again. But when a buzzy film made by one of Charlie's former classmates threatens to shatter everything she's worked for, Charlie realizes how much she's changed in nine years. Now, she's not going to let anything—not even the people she once loved most—get in her way.

The story behind the Scarlet Christmas is famous! Yet so convoluted and shrouded in secrets that not even the participants know what actually happened. Charlotte Colbert has lived with doubts and secrets since her time at Carroll University., and she’ll do everything to keep it that way.
When Stephanie wants to make a movie, and tell the whole story, Charlie’s perfectly cultivated life seems ready to fall. What can she do about it? Is she ready to face the truth? .
So many people think they know, and so many have no clue at all. Hollander unwraps the truth, layer by layer, using well developed characters and a dual timeline that creates great suspense. Even when you think you know, that little niggle of doubt seems so appropriate!
I will be looking for more thrillers from Jenny Hollander for sure!

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this debut thriller by Jenny Hollander, narrated by Marisa Calin - 4 stars!

Charlie Colbert was a witness to what became known as "Scarlet Christmas," an event at her elite graduate journalism school on Christmas Eve 9 years ago, where someone died. Charlie has changed her life and her looks since then and never spoken publicly about that night. Mostly because she can't remember what happened but knows she lied to the police. One of Charlie's former classmates is going to make a film about that night and wants Charlie's cooperation. But will that blow up her world once again?

This was a strong debut thriller, with an unreliable narrator. Told in alternating timelines of Then and Now, in addition to press snippets and therapy conversations, we learn the events of the past slowly as well as Charlie's life today. She's engaged to Tripp, from a wealthy family, but will the relationship survive with her past coming to light? I like stories where you aren't sure what you can believe - Charlie was likable too. You could really feel her struggles and trauma dealing with the past. Will be anxious to read more from this author!

3.5 stars
The cover, title, and premise of Everyone Who Can Forgive Me Is Dead was intriguing, and the unreliable narrator left me feeling like 'what is going on...really?' for the majority of this mystery/thriller. There is a lot going on in this dual timeline novel; in the present, Charlie has it all--great career, handsome fiance, promising future--when the past comes back to haunt her, and she must face the memories of the traumatic Christmas Eve she has suppressed.

I liked how the slow reveal of what actually happened nearly 10 years ago kept me feeling unsettled. I didn't trust Charlie, and she seemingly doesn't trust herself enough to remember the events of the Scarlet Christmas. It was also difficult to tell which characters were trustworthy, and which were trying to cover lies. The strength of this debut novel is in the slow reveal of the mystery of what actually happened, who covered events up, and why. The level of tension was fairly low, however, and while I enjoyed the journey, it wasn't much of a surprise when all was revealed.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press-Minotaur for the digital ARC of Everyone Who Can Forgive Me Is Dead by Jenny Hollander. The opinions in this review are my own.

Looking for a new thriller to check out? This was a wild one that really threw off my expectations!

After nine years, when they are looking to make a film of a horrific event Charlie lived through, she continued working to keep her rebuilt life separate. After witnessing a tragedy in graduate school, named “Scarlet Christmas”, she had worked to put it behind her and stay away from it. As the upcoming film proves to possibly affect her life - her engagement, her job as editor-in-chief of a magazine - she tried to keep her life as it was. In the process, though, she may even possibly find out what happened on that night 9 years ago.

This one took me a while to get into. But once I was invested…I was invested. It was a great, twisty read. Once I really got into it, I could not put it down.

I enjoyed all of the twists that kept adding to the layers of mystery. The unexpected circumstances surrounding that night, and how, even trying all of these years to stay separate, things still seemed to come back and affect her. Also, the last third of the book for me was just….wow.

It was a fun, quick book! Glad I had a chance to read it, and am still shocked by parts of it. Definitely one to check out if you’re in a thriller mood.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, received from the publisher and author through NetGalley. However, all thoughts and views reflected are strictly my own opinions.