Member Reviews

This is an edge-of-your-seat debut YA thriller about a teen who is forced to confront her past to catch a murderer before she ends up the next victim. This one is Perfect for fans of Karen McManus and Holly Jackson.

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The One That Got Away With Murder follows Lauren, a newcomer trying to escape her troubled past. She soon gets involved with Robbie, a guy with a reputation—both he and his brother, Trevor, are under suspicion for the mysterious deaths of their ex-girlfriends. The entire town believes the brothers are killers and warns Lauren to stay away. But Lauren has other ideas. Instead of backing off, she’s determined to uncover the truth. Is she dating a murderer, or is someone else responsible?

The plot is full of unexpected twists and turns, keeping you guessing until the very end. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, another surprise hits. I was completely taken off guard by the ending—it’s a thrilling read that’s impossible to put down.

My only critique is that some of the minor characters could have been more developed, such as Lauren's Mom and her mom's boyfriend Mark.

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Okay, so I just finished The One That Got Away with Murder by Trish Lundy, and wow – what a ride! Seriously, I couldn't put it down. Lauren's situation – trying to lay low after a traumatic experience, only to get tangled up with the possibly-murderous Robbie – is just the kind of drama I love. Lundy does a great job of building the suspense and keeping you guessing about Robbie's involvement. I was flipping pages like crazy trying to figure out what really happened. Honestly, my only little niggle is that the ending felt a bit too tidy. Things wrapped up a little too neatly, you know? I kinda wanted a bit more. But overall, this book is a total winner for anyone who loves a good YA thriller. Definitely recommend!

Big thanks to NetGalley and Trish Lundy. All thoughts are my own.

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I enjoyed this YA mystery. The characters were intriguing and I enjoyed all the plot twists. It was suspenseful and kept me engaged the whole time.

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I'm honestly just so confused by what I just read.... What the heck was that ending?! It ended with a twist, but not in a good way. There was no explaination or supporting evidence to allow readers to understand why it ended the way it did. This book makes me wish I would have read it in print instead of an ebook so I could throw it across the room.

Thanks to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for my advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own

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3.5 Stars. Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the E-ARC. This had total AGGGTM vibes but different and I was here for it. It had short chapters which made it such a breeze to read. I was super into it trying to figure out who dun it the whole way. I was engaged till the very end and the twist were twisting I was totally here for this.

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Trish Lundy’s The One That Got Away is a psychological thriller that offers plenty of suspense, but may leave you with a few lingering questions. It’s like the perfect date: charming and full of promise, but by the end, you’re left wondering if it’s going anywhere—or if it was all just a little too convenient.

The story follows Abby, whose life is turned upside down when she reconnects with her ex, and soon becomes entangled in a dangerous game of cat and mouse. The premise is intriguing—a mix of romance, psychological tension, and mystery. As Abby unravels the truth about her past relationship, things start to spiral, and suddenly, the one that got away becomes something much more sinister.

Lundy’s writing is sharp and propulsive. The pacing is quick, with short, snappy chapters that keep the pages turning. The suspense is certainly there, with enough twists to make you raise an eyebrow (or two). The tension between Abby and the people around her feels real, and Lundy captures the confusion and paranoia of being stuck in a situation where you don’t know who to trust.

However, the characters, while interesting, sometimes feel a bit too one-dimensional. Abby, as the protagonist, has a few moments of relatable vulnerability, but her decisions can be frustratingly impulsive. The pacing of the story is fast, but at times, the plot feels a bit too convenient for its own good. The big reveal, while satisfying, isn’t as jaw-dropping as you might hope.

The One That Got Away is an entertaining thriller with enough twists to keep you hooked, but don’t expect it to leave you with your mind blown. It’s a fun ride, but one that might not stick with you long after you finish. Perfect for a weekend binge—just don’t expect it to be the one that stays on your shelf forever.

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Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it

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Read 4/12/24

4.5 stars
I was a very, very good kid. My parents have no idea how lucky they are. This was a wild story. The fact that these kids were doing this stuff when they were 14/15 blows my mind. Also, I kind of guessed who the bad guy was; there's just no way they were THAT nice. I'm also very glad the reason they moved wasn't left open in the end, but I wasn't expecting the cause of the fire to be what it was.

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A fun and interesting thriller

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this review copy and the opportunity !

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The One That Got Away with Murder was an intriguing, twisty, kept-me-on-the-edge-of-my-seat kind of read. The story was suspenseful and engaging, and had me guessing until the end. And that ending- who would have ever thunk it!

This was a great debut and I can't wait to see what's to come from Trish Lundy.

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Really enjoyed. Captivating mystery/thriller. If you’re a fan of Holly Jackson then I definitely recommend. The twists and turns were everything.

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I received an ARC of The One That Got Away with Murder by Trish Lundy through NetGalley. This was my first time reading this author, and while the book had some intriguing elements, it didn't fully meet my expectations. The story follows Lauren O'Brian, a high school senior who moves to Happy Valley, Pennsylvania, for a fresh start after a scandal at her previous school. She quickly becomes entangled with Robbie Crestmont, a wealthy and enigmatic classmate. Robbie and his brother Trevor are suspected of being involved in the deaths of their ex-girlfriends, Victoria Moreno and Jess Ebenstein. As Lauren's relationship with Robbie deepens, she discovers evidence that might implicate him in the murders. With danger closing in, Lauren must navigate a web of secrets and lies to uncover the truth before she becomes the next victim. Lauren's journey begins with her move to Happy Valley, where she hopes to escape her troubled past. She starts a no-strings-attached relationship with Robbie, but soon learns about the dark rumors surrounding him and his brother. The plot thickens when Lauren finds incriminating evidence at Robbie's family lake house, leading her to question his innocence. As she digs deeper, she uncovers a series of shocking secrets that put her life at risk. The story builds to a tense climax as Lauren races to piece together the truth and protect herself from becoming another cautionary tale. While The One That Got Away with Murder offers a compelling premise and well-developed characters, some plot twists felt predictable, and the pacing could have been tighter. Lauren's character is relatable, and her struggle to reconcile her feelings for Robbie with the mounting evidence against him adds depth to the narrative. However, the story's reliance on familiar tropes and a somewhat rushed conclusion detracted from the overall experience. Despite its flaws, the book's strong character dynamics and suspenseful moments kept me engaged. Fans of YA thrillers and mysteries might find this book an interesting read, even if it doesn't fully deliver on all fronts. I would consider reading more from Trish Lundy in the future. #netgalley #theonethatgotawaywithmurder

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⚽️ Welcome to the world of Happy Valley, where deadly secrets linger just beneath the surface, and the town’s hottest soccer stars aren’t the only ones playing a dangerous game! 🔪

Let’s talk about Robbie and Trevor Cresmont—handsome, rich, and charming, but with a body count that’s sending shivers down spines all over town. These two brothers are untouchable, right? Think again.

Lauren O’Brian, the new girl with her own dark baggage, walks into this twisted tale, and let’s just say... things get wild.

She starts a no-strings fling with Robbie, but when she uncovers shocking evidence that could pin him to a string of suspicious deaths, she’s suddenly caught in a deadly web of lies and betrayal.

🕵️‍♀️ With danger around every corner and Lauren unsure who to trust, this fast-paced, twisty YA thriller will have you gripping the edge of your seat! Will she uncover the truth before she’s the next victim? 🤯

I’m obsessed with Lauren’s growth throughout the story—she’s fierce, flawed, and totally relatable.

And Robbie? Let’s just say there’s more to him than meets the eye.

That ending twist had me gasping—did not see it coming! 🫢 You’ll be guessing until the last page!

So lace up your cleats, grab your popcorn, and get ready for a thriller that’ll keep you guessing until the final whistle! ⚽️

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Very interesting! I have noticed that YA books can be very hit or miss for me these days but this one was good. For the most part I enjoyed it.

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This was a good story; I liked but didn't love it. If you like Karen M. McManus, Holly Jackson, Maureen Johnson etc, you'll like this one.

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As much as I enjoy a good mystery, I just struggled to really get into this one. It could be because I was dealing with a bit of a book slump but I feel like this one was overall okay but it didn’t push me out of my slump.

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This book was not bad but it wasn't groundbreaking either. This is a YA book so I went in with low expectations as this genre can be so hit or miss for me. High schoolers always come across as so stupid and naïve, which grates on my nerves because why can't we just have an intelligent put-together MC?. I get it that they are young and you want them to come across as 'relatable' but having these dense characters all of a sudden seeming to have the smarts to become a sleuth is so unbelievable and makes me automatically have no interest in their ploy! 😒. I give props to the author making it an easy read and I do think if you are a young adult just getting into thrillers this book would probably WOW you.
So for that reason, I would recommend it for the YA demographic and not just adults who do occasionally like YA books.

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When I read The One That Got Away With Murder, I followed the story of Lauren, a new girl in town escaping her dark past. She gets involved with Robbie, a guy with a bad reputation, and his brother Trever, who both have a mysterious history involving the deaths of their ex-girlfriends. Everyone in town believes they’re murderers who got away with it. I found myself intrigued by Lauren’s determination to solve the case and figure out if she’s dating a killer or if someone else is behind it all.

That said, the book wasn’t groundbreaking for me, but I didn’t have high expectations since it’s a YA thriller. The characters felt a bit dense, and it was hard to believe they had the intelligence to become sleuths, which made the story less engaging. It was easy to follow, though, and I can see how someone new to thrillers might enjoy it.

One thing that stood out to me was that the book lacked a genuine connection between the characters and the readers. It made the story feel more like an easy read rather than something gripping or memorable. Still, I have to commend the author for the way they approached the story, even if it didn’t fully deliver for me.

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for this advanced copy for an honest review.

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These YA thrillers are always filled with drama and I am here for it. There were a lot of characters and it was only in the main character's POV. I think I would've preferred different POV's, but I could see that getting confusing. The story didn't blow me a way, but it was fun to follow Lauren.

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