The book was not very engaging. It was hard to keep reading this book. I would not suggest it because it does not grab a reader's attention.

A fun, binge worthy YA Mystery!

• The plot? Intriguing, well written, and so easy to get hooked on.
• The characters? Complex with backstories that have you hooked!
• The plot twists? They keep you on the edge of your seat!
• The mysteries? You get TWO of them between Lauren’s troubled past & how Robbie and Trevor Crestmont were involved in the untimely end of their girlfriends.

Lauren’s the troubled “new girl in town”. Her and her mom moved so that she could have a fresh start after getting into trouble.

Trouble seems to follow Lauren into the new town. She starts hooking up with Robbie before finding out that he & his brother, Trevor, both have ex-girlfriends who died under suspicious circumstances. Does the town think they did it? Obviously 😂 Do Robbie and Trevor full heartedly say they’re innocent? Of course they do!

Lauren doesn’t know who or what to believe, so she decides investigating the murders herself is the only way to go. This leads to drama (so much drama omg), drugs, romance, parties, and the complexities that are high school students.

The twists & turns were fascinating and the plot twist was truly surprising!

Release Date: April 16, 2024

ARC courtesy of NetGalley

This was my first time reading a Trish Lundy book and I was hooked from beginning to end. The story kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The characters were greatly written, and I loved Lauren. I highly recommend this book to my fellow thriller enjoyers out there. I am very excited to see what else this author writes next.

Huge thanks to NetGalley, MacMillin Children’s Publishing Group, and Trish Lundy for providing me with the free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Engaging from the start, this book captivated me with its suspense and authentic portrayal of characters who make genuine mistakes and decisions reflective of their teenage mindsets. The writing was skillful, and the narrative came together seamlessly. While I thoroughly enjoyed it, I felt the motive could have been developed further for a five-star rating; that was the only aspect I found somewhat lacking.

Lauren, having left California to escape a regrettable past, believes she can start anew. However, she soon finds herself entangled in a perilous situation as she, along with several high school students, attempts to unravel a murder mystery. The suspects all have motives, but each one presents an alibi, leaving Lauren inching closer to danger. Only when it's too late does she discover the identity of the killer. Will she survive? Will anyone come to her rescue?

Gave me Pretty Little Liars vibes! I recommend reading this book snuggled up with a blanket and a cup of tea. It's a quick and enjoyable read that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

There is just something you can get from a ya thriller that you can’t get from anything else… omg this was so much fun to read!

Picking up and leaving her scandalous past behind, Lauren and her mother move to Happy Valley. Lauren can play out her senior year in a new high school, where nobody knows about her past.

Coincidentally, Lauren finds herself at the center of more trouble in Happy Valley. A no strings attached relationship with Robbie brings her into the spotlight when she learns about his AND his brother Trevor’s own pasts involving the deaths of their ex girlfriends…

When I tell you I ATE this UP, I mean it. I read it in one sitting. Every minute of this book was awesome. The premise is a bit farfetched in a realistic setting, but that’s what made it great. So much happens. It doesn’t go in the typical directions that ya tends to go. There weren’t stupid decisions made by Lauren at every turn. She does what she needs to do… This book doesn’t shy away from drug use, either. I mean that may not have been every many people’s high school experience, but it was very typical of my high school peers. Teenagers are crazy!

This was so fun to read. It’s quick, it’s thrilling, and I highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's publishing for the ARC. I could not put this book down. It truly was a thriller of suspense. Do not want to spoil, so I will say this is a must read.

So so grateful I was able to snag this ARC!!!

While this may be more of a YA novel, I was so surprised how much I second guessed every step of the way!!!! All of the twists and turns will keep you on the edge of your seat.

2/5 stars. To be released April 2024.

The book started off strong, but I began to lose interest towards the end of the book. A good handful of the characters were just awful people and even their redemption moments weren't enough to win me over. There were a lot of things the characters did that were a bit over the top or even just hard to accept that a teenagers would or could do. By the time the twist and killer was revealed, I found that I was speed reading through the book to get to the end.

I enjoyed the plot of this book, and there were definitely some good twists. I kept changing my mind throughout the book of who I thought the murderer was and was completely blindsight by who it really was. The book capture my attention throughout, and I was eager to find out who was responsible for the killings.

I think One of Us is Lying and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder were one of the first true murder mystery books in the YA genre. Their character development seemed to be more in-depth. While I enjoyed this book, I wanted to connect with the main character more and wish we had known her back story sooner.

I love a good YA mystery, and if you do too then I think you’ll enjoy this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) for the ARC!

This is an edge-of-your-seat debut YA thriller about a teen who is forced to confront her past in order to catch a murderer before she ends up the next victim.

When I saw this was for fans of Karen McManus and Holly Jackson, I had to check this one out. It was an original storyline and kept me on my toes.

The One That Got Away with Murder is a tale of old money and murder. A gripping YA thriller that takes readers on a suspenseful journey through a small town with dark secrets. Authored with edge-of-your-seat intensity, the narrative revolves around Robbie and Trevor Crestmont, two handsome and privileged brothers harboring a chilling secret— they have a body count, and their wealth shields them from any consequences.

Enter Lauren O'Brian, the new girl at school with a troubled past. As she embarks on a relationship with Robbie, the plot thickens. Lauren's chance for a new beginning is turned upside down when she discovers evidence that points directly at Robbie. The narrative deftly explores the complexities of trust and deception, keeping readers engaged form page one. The tension builds as the Lauren is forced to confront her past to save her future.
The One That got Away with Murder is a compelling debut YA thriller that seamlessly blends suspense, romance, and the chilling reality of a town hiding dark secrets.

This book was an easy read, it kept me gripped from the beginning. The author did a great job with the setting and the pacing was perfectly planned to carry the reader through each beat seamlessly.

Thank you to MacMillan and Tish Lundy for the ARC of The One That Got Away with Murder.

This was a YA thriller done really well for a mid-30s reader!

I always try to preface any YA review that I am in my mid-30s so I am not the ideal target demographic, but sometimes a YA just slaps and I'm into them and sometimes they are way too young.

This one? It was just write! IT was well written, believable and totally appropriate for the target demographic and those of us who are older, but still love a good YA from time to time.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ The One that Got Away with Murder by Trish Lundy

This debut novel follows Lauren O’Brian as she settles into a new town, new school, and new life following a tragic incident involving her boyfriend and a fire. She starts a casual hook-up with town pariah Robbie. Robbie and his brother are both town suspects in their girlfriend’s murders. Soon curious things start happening and a surprise death creates chaos.

It took me a while to get into this book. It starts with a hook-up between Lauren and Robbie. So without knowing anything about anybody, I felt it was a bit of a turn off. Overall, I never connected with Lauren, or really anyone for that matter. Somehow, I liked Robbie the best. There were things throughout this book that bothered me. For example, Lauren was extremely addicted to cigarettes and talked about it so much, yet she had quit smoking and would find herself surrounded with people who smoked and go on and on about it, all while being this tremendous star athlete. I know that this is probably something that really happens but I just wasn’t convinced. Also, the relationship between her mom and her was so scattered, so inconsistent, so ugh, it just drove me insane. In addition, the stuff with the coach was never resolved which was a bit confusing.

Overall, this book was an average mystery, suspense, young adult book. It had the element of surprise. I was sure I knew who the killer was early on but I was wrong. It did keep me wanting to know who it really was and what Lauren was hiding, so for that it gets a solid 3 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this title for review.

I want to thank NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and Trish Lundy for my ARC in exchange for my honest review. My biggest connection is that this book is set in Happy Valley, PA. I loved how this setting played just a huge role in this murder mystery. As Lauren tries to figure out the mysteries behind Cresmont brothers girlfriends murders, I paid attention to the adults since I figure the brothers could not be behind these travesties. As a high school teacher, I wish Ms. Lundy would have done her due diligence in how high schools currenlty work. It is hard to read for plot purposes that common in place rules and guidelines are overlooked. While I was a disappaointed with the conclusion, I am looking forward to her next book.

Wow. This is such a fun, twisty ride. As a consumer of mostly adult thrillers, mysteries, and horror novels, I turn to YA thrillers as a refresh every now and then - but this one actually went so much deeper than your typical YA and had dark (and spicy!) elements which made me love it even more. I loved the main character, Lauren, so much and loved how her back story was revealed gradually, keeping you guessing on who she really is and what her intentions are. There were multiple times in the story where I was sure I knew who the murder was, and I was wrong every time which is so rare and makes it all the more exciting. I found myself sad when the book ended and wanting a sequel because I had started feeling attached to the characters! Overall absolutely loved this read and can’t believe it’s a debut. The writing is beautiful. Will be anxiously awaiting more from this author.

The One That Got Away With Murder is an absorbing YA Thriller packed with secrets, lies, and a relatable protagonist. Plenty of twists and a fast-paced read. I would recommend this any fan of YA thriller and fiction. Well-written and relevant.

Not the most unique story, and the relationships felt a bit undercooked, but a gripping thriller overall.

OK WHAT I FINISHED THIS IN 3 HOURS. Let me preface by saying I’m not a thriller girl - i love romance and fantasy but this was actually so good, and flowed so well - which is why I finished it in one sitting LOL.

This is also a YA thriller- so it reads like such, and there isn’t any spice or hardcore parts (though there are some trigger warnings: murder, eating disorders, fire, etc)

Lauren and her mom move to Pennsylvania from California after a horrible accident with her ex bf and she thinks it’s going to be a new start - until she ends up getting involved with Robbie - who’s hated by the town because he’s suspected of killing his ex girlfriend - AND Robbie’s brother Trevor’s ex girlfriend, has also died by overdose. What are the odds that she runs away from a crazy situation to end up in another one?

I can honestly say I didn’t see who the murderer was coming, I suspected literally RIGHT as it was revealed LOL. I enjoyed Lauren as a character- she’s definitely jaded and has a darker outlook on life which I can appreciate LOL. I feel like we could have gotten to know Robbie and Trevor a bit more BUT maybe that was the point. The whole girls soccer team annoyed me - I get why Lex and Mara acted the way they did, but the others were just annoying, but then again it is a YA thriller.

The One That Got Away releases April 16, 2024.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Overall, this is a fun whodunnit. The Crestmont family is mysterious, Lauren is a likable enough character, and it's not super predictable. I was a little more interested in Lauren's past, though. Having that little bit only at the end felt like a cop-out. I would have even enjoyed a book just about that, but YA suspense is all the rage right now.

Lauren is new to town, having moved after an incident back in California. Things are going well with her weekly hookup, Robbie Cresmont, until Lauren's new soccer teammates find out about it. Turns out Robbie was the main suspect in the death of Vic, their teammate, and Robbie's brother Trevor was involved in the death of his girlfriend, Jess. Then Lauren finds Vic's bloody bikini top in Robbie's family's boat. Now she's on a mission to figure out which Cresmont is a murderer, while enduring the bullying of her teammates and the threat of her past.

This mystery had so many twists, I absolutely didn't guess who it was until very close to the end. Lauren was an interesting protagonist because she wasn't afraid to make enemies due to her past. There were a lot of characters, but they were easy to differentiate and had strong personalities. The story moved quickly to the thrilling conclusion, with a solid amount of wrap-up to make the story feel complete.

Content advisory: Casual sex (in chapter one), sexual situations, teen drinking and drug use, murder, suicide, bullying, blackmail.