This was a fun and fast-paced YA mystery/thriller! I really liked that it wasn't too cheesy with the romance and that the mystery was at the forefront without being completely predictable. This totally gave some Gossip Girl, Euphoria, and Pretty Little Liars vibes, and I totally loved it. Definitely recommend!

The One That Got Away with Murder is the debut novel by Trish Lundy. Full of nail-biting twists, The One That Got Away with Murder is a gripping debut about owning your past, the cost of our mistakes, and the hardest question of all: Was it him all along? Be careful who you fall for. Robbie and Trevor Cresmont have a body count—the killer kind. Handsome and popular, the Crestmont brothers have enough wealth and privilege to ensure they’ll never be found guilty of any wrongdoing, even if all of Happy Valley believes they're behind the deaths of their ex-girlfriends.

First, there was soccer star Victoria Moreno, Robbie’s ex, who mysteriously drowned at the family lake house. Then, a year later, Trevor’s girlfriend Jess Ebenstein died of a suspicious overdose. But the Crestmonts aren’t the only ones with secrets. Lauren O'Brian might be the new girl at school, but she's never been a good girl. With a dark past of her own, she's desperate for a fresh start. Except when she starts a no-strings-attached relationship with Robbie, her chance is put in jeopardy. During what’s meant to be their last weekend together, Lauren stumbles across shocking evidence that just might implicate Robbie.

Lauren is in a tough spot, not knowing whether or not to believe the rumors and if she made a mistake by getting involved with Robbie. If she continues her relationship, she will lose the trust of her new soccer teammates who have already made up their minds about Robbie and Trevor. With danger closing in, Lauren doesn't know who to trust. After a third death rocks the town, this time someone thought to be a killer, she must decide whether to end things with Robbie or risk becoming another cautionary tale.

Meanwhile, Lauren has her own problems to deal with when people start digging up her past which forces Lauren and her mom into moving to Happy Valley. No spoilers. Further complicating things is the fact that Trevor has a binder that seems to indicate that he has been investigating Jess and Vic's death, and it seems as though the investigation is now up to Lauren, Robbie, and his best friend John to find the proper evidence before yet another girl, maybe Lauren, is the next victim of a serial killer.

*Thoughts* The rating of this book is based on the fact that I truly didn't like much of the cast of characters. Lauren's past is finally revealed, and I said to myself that perhaps if she hadn't been doing half the things she claimed she was doing, she may have still been on her former High School's soccer team, she would likely still have friends, and a boyfriend, and her mother likely could have had a relationship. Robbie and Trevor are victims of their father's wealth, and nothing more. This story is certainly more on the darker side and probably geared towards a more mature reader. Some people may be triggered by things like drinking, smoking, drug use, sex, eating disorders, suicide, and of course murder to name a few.

I am usually not one to pick up a YA book, I don’t generally enjoy them. I almost didn’t finish this one but I did! And I am glad I did!

You follow Lauren through her senior year of high school, she meets a boy. This boy is believed to have killed his former girlfriend and has become public enemy number one. Her death is suspense and in an unlikely pairing, Lauren and him seek to find out what really happened.

I was blown away by the ending, I didn’t see that coming at all! I was about halfway through the book and thought, I need to be done. I don’t like the setting or the characters. I’m glad I hung on for the twists that deceived and the final I didn’t see! If you can get past the characters general unlikeableness, you are solid. Lauren was a major cry baby and entitled for absolutely no reason, I didn’t like how she treated her mother so all that was hard to muster through. Buuuttttt, that twist!

I went through a YA Mystery/Thriller phase awhile back. It's not usually what I read but I'm a mood reader and a Librarian so sometimes I branch out. I unfortunately have begun to lose interest at the moment and can't seem to be able to get into the plots.. This one definitely has '<i>How to Get Away With Murder</i>' the TV show, vibes. And I know many, especially some of my YA library patrons, will very much enjoy this book. They can't seem to get enough of YA murder mysteries. That's almost all they ask for. It's just not for me personally at this time.

Thank you to Netgalley and Henry Holt and Co. For providing me with a review copy.

Thank you NetGalley for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Rating 4 Stars

Trish Lundy, you are a writing master! This book literally kept me on the edge of my seat and I couldn't stop. The ending was crazy, yet so so satisfying as the novel came to a close and while I had my theories, I was SO wrong and that is not something that happens often for me. Incredibly fun, so well put together. HIGHLY recommend. New favorite author?

This book had it all: intrigue, secret pasts and, of course, murder (I mean if you couldn’t tell with the title, you knew we were getting that bit😂). This is the perfect edge-of-your-seat thriller that will have you guessing who is really telling the truth the whole way through the book

Our story follows Lauren, who has recently moved from California to Pennsylvania after a tragic event in her previous hometown has caused her to basically uproot her life with her mother and move to the opposite side of the country. You don’t learn about what this incident is so I’ll leave you a little intrigue 😉 arrives in the summer. She starts to hook up with the one guy, and she later learns that he and his brother have both dead girlfriends, and the crimes were never really solved, just brushed off as accidents since their families are very well off. Well, things start off at the beginning of the summer. They take a turn for the worst as we get into school, and of course, there’s more murder, but no one knows who has done it.

The questions just keep piling up along with the bodies and you are left helping Lauren and Robbie try to figure out who in their town is actually committing these crimes. If you are a fan of Holly Jackson’s A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, then this is the book for you. I absolutely flew through this once I got into it and that ending had me shook.

I'm looking forward to my next read on this author. It's a little bit of a slow burn at first but does pick up setting up the twists and turns that you do not see coming. I grew up reading YA Thrillers and this one does not disappoint.

"The One That Got Away with Murder" by Trish Lundy is a gripping thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Lundy masterfully weaves a tale of suspense, betrayal, and unexpected twists that will leave you guessing until the very end. The characters are richly developed, and the plot is intricately crafted, making it impossible to put down. A must-read for fans of psychological thrillers!

What if you moved to a small town, started hooking up with a boy, and then found out the entire town suspected him of murder? This is the question that the MC of this book must face.

As with any good mystery, there are tons of twists and turns. However, I figured out who did it early on. I also thought everyone in town acted oddly when one person was cleared. Everyone just immediately accepted them, which felt off, given the circumstances.

It was also odd that the author chose September 11 for the day that something noteworthy happened. It kept being brought up and made me wonder if today’s youth doesn’t connect September 11 to the terrorist attacks on the U.S.

All in all, this was a decent read, despite my criticisms. 3 stars.

This was such a quick read for me and I think a lot of people would enjoy this book...
However....I think while reading this, I realized that young-adult mysteries are just not for me anymore.

Don't get me wrong, this isn't a bad book, it's fast-paced and the storyline flows well. It just wasn't for me. I found it hard for me to keep my own interest in it and thought I was just glazing over pages sometimes because I wanted to move on. I couldn't get myself into the characters and felt very detached to the story in general.

While the book has some substance to it, I still thought it was pretty cheesy. I think that is just a re-occurring theme with a lot of YA books.
Overall, if you enjoy YA I would give this book a read. But if not, then pass.

Lauren, due to a traumatic incident (which is revealed through a series of flashbacks throughout the book) at her last school, has moved across the country her senior year. Here she meets Robbie (who kind of reminds me of a Dylan McKay type). Robbie's family is extremely wealthy, and rumor has it that because of his wealth, he and his brother have gotten away with the murder of their girlfriends.
I really enjoyed this book, there were a few red herrings and I didn't really suspect who the killer was in the end.

WOW. I am just now emerging into murder and murder mystery novels and this one had me HOOKED. From the very beginning until the very end I had absolutely zero clue who committed the crime. As a listener you would be led to believe it was clearly one person and then SWOOP turns out it isn't that person. I loved the way this book was written. I loved the narrator -- you also get a secondary narrator at one point (no spoilers though so I can't say when). I cannot recommend this book enough. Easy 4 stars.

I also need someone else to read this so I can see if it truly does leave you in the dark the whole time or I'm just a newb in the mystery novel world.

Trish Lundy's debut YA thriller, "The One That Got Away with Murder," is a captivating and suspenseful page-turner that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The novel follows Lauren O'Brian, a girl with a dark past who is desperate for a fresh start, as she becomes entangled in a dangerous relationship with Robbie Cresmont, a handsome and privileged teenager suspected of murdering his ex-girlfriends.
Lundy's writing is both elegant and accessible, drawing the reader in with vivid descriptions and sharp dialogue. The pacing is impeccable, with the narrative building in intensity and suspense until the final, jaw-dropping conclusion. The author skillfully weaves together multiple timelines and perspectives to create a complex and intriguing narrative, constantly keeping readers guessing and second-guessing the characters' motives and the true nature of the events that unfold.
One of the novel's strengths is its well-developed characters. Lauren is a flawed and relatable protagonist, struggling with the weight of her past and the uncertainty of the present. The supporting cast, particularly the enigmatic Robbie and his brother Trevor, are equally compelling, each with their own secrets and agendas that add depth and complexity to the story.
Lundy's ability to create a world where appearances deceive and danger lurks around every corner is truly commendable. "The One That Got Away with Murder" serves as a reminder that beneath the veneer of wealth and privilege, even the most charming individuals may possess dark secrets that can have deadly consequences.
In conclusion, "The One That Got Away with Murder" is a compelling and chilling tale that will keep readers engrossed from beginning to end. Trish Lundy showcases her prowess as a storyteller, expertly crafting a narrative packed with suspense, mystery, and unexpected twists. Brace yourself for a thrilling ride through the shadows of Happy Valley, where the line between love and obsession blurs, and the consequences of the past can be deadly

This was a great mystery, cold case thriller with some teen romantic vibes. I liked the characters with all of their faults and teenage insecurities. I liked the overall plot and how much it showed that the town had been shaken up by what had transpired. I liked the tragedy aspect- all of the main characters had experienced some form of tragedy and were facing it in there own way. I had a hard time with the "bullying" that occurred, but I guess that is high school for you. I also did not see the ending coming. I do feel like it kind of happened fast which is why this dropped from a 5 star to a 4. I also feel like there was not a ton of explanation as to why the person who had done all of these things did them. It seemed glossed over, but overall this was a wonderful debut!

Lauren O'Brian and her mom have moved to a new town for a fresh start. Lauren is still reeling about how much her life has changed over the past few months, and now she is about to start a new high school in her senior year with her mom getting closer to her boyfriend Mark. No one here knows about the fire that changed her life. Or the boyfriend who she loved but doesn't talk to anymore. Or about any of it. She has found a casual hookup with Robbie which is helping her keep her mind off the bad things. What she doesn't know is that Robbie has his own tragedy that he has faced. A few years ago his girlfriend Victoria drowned at their lake house. The same lake house he has now invited her to come to. The same lake house that people think Robbie killed Victoria at and got away with it. To keep the scandal going, Robbie's brother, Trevor, has also experienced tragedy. His girlfriend Jess also died under the mysterious guise of an overdose.

While at the lake house, Lauren finds evidence on the boat about what might have happened to Vic. Evidence that now has her along with the rest of the town convinced he did it. She doesn't know how to act but decides to continue to keep him close but at a distance so she can help get to the bottom of what happened. What she doesn't realize is how much hanging out with him would affect HER at her new school. Now she finds herself off of the soccer team and having nothing else to do but try to string clues together that maybe all of these tragedies were done by the same person. Now she has received a creepy phone call telling her to back off. Her past has been put on blast for the school to read about. The Crestmonts have experienced yet another tragedy, and yet they are no closer to finding out what happened. But with the newest round of tragedy, Lauren finds herself with a small circle of people willing to help her. They also want to find out what happened and put it behind them. What Lauren doesn't know is that the killer has already set his eyes on her, and formed a plan with how to get away with her murder.

Like I said, this was a great debut! There are mentions of drug use on page, sexual assault (kind of on page), bullying, and other triggering things. I would recommend checking those out before reading this one. As much as I struggled with the killer reveal and that ending, I did like how Robbie and Lauren circled back. They both realized that what they had didn't need to be casual. I liked how they both came to that realization individually and together. I am looking forward to reading more by Trish in the future! I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was really good up until the killer is revealed. The whole book is focused on Lauren then the killer is revealed, and the focus switches to him telling Lauren how he was able to commit all the murders while Lauren is laying there on death's door. I realize the author is trying to explain to the reader but it should have been written as an omniscient narrator telling the reader, not the killer narrating to his latest victim.

Title: The One That Got Away with Murder
Author: Trish Lundy
Genre: YA, thriller
Rating: 4 out of 5

Be careful who you fall for...

Robbie and Trevor Cresmont have a body count—the killer kind. Handsome and privileged, the Crestmont brothers' have enough wealth to ensure they’ll never be found guilty of any wrongdoing, even if all of Happy Valley believes they're behind the deaths of their ex-girlfriends. First there was soccer star Victoria Moreno, Robbie’s ex, who mysteriously drowned at the family lake house. Then, a year later, Trevor’s girlfriend died of a suspicious overdose.

But the Crestmonts aren’t the only ones with secrets. Lauren O'Brian might be the new girl at school, but she's never been a good girl. With a dark past of her own, she's desperate for a fresh start. Except when she starts a no-strings-attached relationship with Robbie, her chance is put in jeopardy. During what’s meant to be their last weekend together, Lauren stumbles across shocking evidence that just might implicate Robbie.

With danger closing in, Lauren doesn't know who to trust. And after a third death rocks the town, she must decide whether to end things with Robbie or risk becoming another cautionary tale.

I enjoyed this thriller! (It kept me entertained throughout a day of boring meetings.) The people of Happy Valley—especially the soccer girls—were pretty mean, and they were horrible to Lauren. I liked how the author interspersed chapters from Lauren’s past with the present-day storyline, without giving away what really happened. I thought the mystery was well-done, and I didn’t figure out who the killer was until just a little bit before Lauren found out.

Trish Lundy lives in California. The One that Got Away with Murder is her debut YA novel.

(Galley courtesy of Macmillan/Henry Holt and Co. in exchange for an honest review.)

(Blog link live 5/6).

Overall this was a solid ya thriller, if not a little overly dramatic for the high school setting. I enjoyed the characters a lot, but could have done with a little more built up to the ending and a little more explanation of how they survived. Good first novel, I’m excited to see what comes next!

Thank you to the author and publisher for this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review!

I love #YAthrillers and this one sounded like it was going to be so good. And it was. @trishlundy did an amazing job of writing complex characters that are facing typical high school drama and the murder and suspense we love in a thriller. One character I couldn’t get on board with? Lauren’s mom. She was just so disconnected from Lauren that it pissed me off. Who would have thought my least favorite character was not one of the people suspected of murder?

I do wish the final reveal had been drawn out a bit more. Though I still felt the terror and enjoyed the different perspective we got with it.

If you’re looking for a YA thriller that sucks you in as soon as you start, then The One That Got Away With Murder is one you want to add to your TBR.

Everyone believes Trevor and Robbie Cresmont killed their girlfriends. Lauren, new to town, with her own murky past, begins hooking up with Robbie before learning about the persistent rumors. Will she ruin her life again, or lose it?

This book has some very compelling, complex characters, and the relationships between them are so important and feel so real and relatable. We’ve all struggled with beliefs and experiences in our lives, even if they are not to the extremes in this book.

The mystery is a great one-I was completely shocked by the ending. Lundy definitely knows how to write twists and turns. I would recommend this book.

A really solid YA suspense story with an audacious premise and a solid mystery at its core. Lauren is still reeling from some unspecified trauma and begins hooking up with a guy she met at her volunteer job. When she arrives at her new high school, she gets a big (Sandy and Danny in Grease style) surprise. Not only does Robbie, her hook-up guy go to her new school, he;'s one of a pair of two brothers who rumors suggest killed their girlfriends.

Way to take the "dangerous guy" trope to whole new level. Of course, Lauren can't stay away and starts poking around in the past, with deadly results!

A really fun book that should please both adult and teen readers of psychological supense!