Member Reviews
⚽️ 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! ⚽️
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I devoured this book! If you’re a fan of young adult thrillers, this one hits! I really liked the main character, I feel like she was dynamic and relatable, well done! The author did a really great job with plot development and made it challenging to guess who the murderer was. Will definitely be reading another book by Trish Lundy!
While there was a nice twist thrown in close to the end, overall I did not enjoy this book. This could be a prime example of it's me, not you since I was already turned off by the ambiance of the story of all teens (like 14, 15 and 16 year olds) heavily smoking, drinking and partying as well as all the casual sex hook ups you can imagine, making it seem super normal and expected that made me want to make sure no young teens or tweens get their hands on the story and think this is how they should act. This book was a prime example making me feel like I can't read YA anymore.
Overall, I just did not connect to any aspect of the story or the main character. I read the book, was a little surprised by how it played out, but still not invested one way or another with what I read. Keep in mind you might like this book, so if the premise sounds intriguing, pick it up. Side note, I feel a little like the title and synopsis were misleading, but take that as you will.
Fast-paced and suspenseful thriller. This one definitely had me at the edge of my seat.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I do not know here to start, I know this book is for young adults but me being in my thirties I definitely enjoyed it, every chapter was filled with drama, thrill and suspense, all the chapters were so easy to follow and so easy to understand, this book is for everyone. I highly recommend
I really enjoyed this book. I can’t wait to read more by this author. Thank you to the publisher for allowing me the chance to read.
We have come a long way since Sweet Valley High. In an online interview, Lundy's debut novel was succinctly summarized as "kissing and murder don't mix". (Nerd Daily April 6, 2024) Told from Lauren's POV, she is the new girl in town. Fleeing from a trauma that remains unresolved, she struggles with her intense feelings of guilt shutting herself from all others even her mother.Despite her emotional distance,Lauren still engages in physical relationships. The book opens with a steamy scene with Robbie, who is beyond dope he is fire. Both agree this is strictly physical no emotions attached. Until Lauren is told that Robbie and his brother Trevor's ex girlfriends are ex as in dead. Wanting to fit in, but also wanting to believe in Robbie, Lauren's life becomes complicated. Her entire life takes on an unsettling turn when she discovers something so disturbing she must begin to seek the truth. Will Lauren find answers or will her path to justice allow her to find herself? The characters may be honest portrayals of teens in the 21st century. Everybody drinks alcohol, some use cocaine. No one, not even the adults are mature. A seasoned mystery reader might discover the villain early on. At the end, a fast paced climax brought things to a sudden close. At one time, therapists would offer books to help a client. Perhaps this title could be part of a healing collection.
Full disclosure: I received the ARC from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for this opportunity
This one was a tough one for me, I loved the beginning and quickly got invested. After that I was having a great time trying to figure out who the killer was but the twist was maybe a bit too twisty and left me wondering what just happened. With that being said I had a great time and want to read more from this author. Also Penn State setting was pretty entertaining being from Pennsylvania. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.
I opted to listen to this on audiobook as I admittedly am late to reviewing this book, and the narrators voice was delightful! I enjoyed the book from start to finish, and only once did I even slightly consider what the twist might be, correctly.
I truly enjoyed the flashbacks, how paralyzing the main characters fear was and how accurately I felt like they were describing PTSD.
I enjoyed the small bits and pieces of her past being fed to us as we tried to figure out what happened, and what everything meant with Clint and her old friends. I've never had such a tragic situation occur to me, and I can't imagine what I would do, but moving away is a hard decision to make, and having to hide your past, and hide from it would be hard, and scary especially as a teenager dealing with all of your ever evolving hormones and pressures from other students.
Seeing Lauren's relationship with Robby develop was beautiful to see her need him, but not realize that it was a want/need that was growing inside of her, and that she was falling for him.
I truly did enjoy this book!
Who doesn’t love a YA thriller this genre will also have a special place in my heart but on to the book I loved the plot of this one and who doesn’t love a bad boy story but when female main character is equally is bad that’s even better
What a solid debut novel. I thoroughly enjoyed this YA murder mystery. It did start off a little slow, but never lost my attention. There was also a little romance sprinkled into the plot, which I loved. I never guessed the twists and turns, and my mouth dropped open at the conclusion. You’ll never guess whodunnit! A solid 3.75 stars for me!
Thank you #netgalley and #macmillianschildrenspublishinggroup for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This read was a solid 3 stars for me. I would definitely give it a read if you enjoy YA thrillers. The main character moves to a new city to escape a dark past just to find out her new hook up AND his younger brother both have deceased girl friends. Did they do it? If not who did? And what is she running from?
I received an e-arc from netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
Okay, this book surprised me in the end. I was very annoyed in the beginning, particularly by the MC being a complete bonehead. I'll say it again: who in their right mind would WILLINGLY go on a weekend trip w/ the guy they've known for just a few weeks, right AFTER they find out he's suspected of murdering his former girlfriend (at that same lake house). She's the type who'd get murdered first in a horror movie.
But it did get better. The mystery got twistier, and I must admit, I was surprised by the ending. But I still think it needed a little more? I still don't fully understand the motivations behind the murders. And the scene where Mark monologues was just stupid, and clearly a poorly handled plot device bc how else would we hear why he murdered Vic and Jess.
I really enjoyed this book, it kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. Secrets upon secrets, things disappearing after being found then found publicly at a football game! This book was amazing, even tho I figured it out it was still a great read!