Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Unfortunately, this one was a DNF for me. I couldn’t connect with the characters and everyone bothered me. All the teens were acting so badly. I couldn’t get into the story either.

I hope others love this one.

Who really did it?
Several different times I thought I knew who did it….. and boy was I very wrong! I did not see that one coming.
I really enjoyed this book. It was very easy to read and very well written. Until I was in the last couple chapters. I felt like once everything really started happening it was rushed. Still very interesting, but I felt like it could’ve used more detail.
All together, it was a really good book and a great read! I love a good small town, murder mystery, who done it book.

Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan, and Trish for this ARC of The One That Got Away With Murder!

Excellent story with regret and murder. Damaged youth seeking redemption. A murderer on the loose and everyone could be guilty. Happy Valley has had three murders or suicide and the suspected offenders must attempt to prove their innocence. Lauren is in a new town trying to forget the horrors of her past. She hooks up with Robbie and he seems to have the suspicion of murder hanging over his head. Be sure to read this!.

<i>I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.</i>

The premise seemed promising but the whole thing fell flat. To start, the title is a bit clunky. The plot is the only interesting part of the book and even that was easy to skim. This isn't thriller-y and it isn't even all that mysterious. Lauren being new and unaware of all the drama and trauma that's happened in Happy Valley really could've worked to keep the tension high. Instead, it's a mediocre YA mystery with no real tension.

The characters are very hard to connect with. I didn't really care for any of them. Also, I had to keep reminding myself that they're all teenagers because the things they got up to seemed WILDLY out of character for 14 - 18 year olds. It's dramatic and over the top and that's not really my thing.

Finally, the ending was incredibly disappointing! There was some lazy storytelling (which definitely cost this book stars with me) and it was generally unsatisfying. I feel like this could've been done better.

This was a great twisty thriller, with multiple mysteries and so much misdirection! Lauren and her mom moved across the country the summer before Lauren's senior of high school, to escape a traumatic situation. (It is slowly revealed over the course of the book, so no spoilers.) Lauren starts hooking up with Robbie, but once school starts the other girls on the soccer team let her know that they think Robbie killed his girlfriend and so did his younger brother. And suddenly Lauren, who wanted a fresh start, is in the middle of not only another scandal, but also a murder mystery. Highly recommended for grades 9 and up.

A murder mystery that keeps you on your toes. Just when you think you know who the killer is, you are wrong. This is one of those murder mysteries where you are yelling at the characters to not go! Don’t open that door! What are you thinking? And yet, they do it anyway. The characters are well developed and the writing sucks you in. I felt like I was right there with the characters.

The story takes you back and forth between two tragedies. One that Lauren is trying to escape in her old town. One involving her old boyfriend, many rumors, a horrible fire, and disfiguring scars.

The other took place last summer in the town she has moved to. And it involved Robbie, Lauren’s current “hook up” and her mysterious murder. No one has been charged with that murder but the town all has their suspicions. Especially since his brother’s girlfriend also mysteriously died not so long ago.

I’m excited to read more novels by Lundy.

3.5 stars
I enjoyed this book, but it just didn't immediately pull me in like a lot of other thrillers/mysteries have.
Main character Lauren has moved to a new school after a fire where her and her mom used to live drastically injured her ex-boyfriend Clint. This new town has recently gone through the death of 2 young girls, both connected to one family, the Cresmonts. Lauren forms a no strings attached relationship with one of them, Robbie, and ends up finding evidence that he may have been involved in one or both deaths.
The characters didn't really jump out at me. Lauren was the typical mystery/thriller MC who pushes everyone away, or tries not to form lasting bonds because of something that happened in the past. She had a strained relationship with her mom who has a new boyfriend, the girls on the soccer team didn't like her. Robbie was kind of bland and the other characters didn't stand out, besides Lauren's mom's boyfriend's daughter Ainsley who secretly did coke.
The plot moved along well, there is another pretty shocking death maybe halfway through with a lot of clues found that could potentially point to a lot of different people. It really seemed plausible that all of these people could have done it too. The person it was, was someone I was not expecting. One thing I did like was that with a lot of books that has a traumatic past event, it gets alluded to a lot with no information. In this one, we knew that there was a fire, and that Lauren's boyfriend had gotten extremely hurt. We didn't know why, but that partial information actually made it more enjoyable when we found out what actually happened because I wasn't super annoyed about the "no information, alluded to" *thing* that happened.
Overall, this was a fun and quick mystery/thriller for anyone who enjoys this genre!

I didn’t love this one. I didn’t find any of the characters likeable. I didn’t like all the drama in this. I was bored.

Main Characters:

-- Lauren O’Brian – high school senior and soccer player, recently moved from California to Pennsylvania with her mom to be closer to her mom’s new boyfriend and to escape a scandal from her old high school
-- Robbie Crestmont – high school senior from an extremely wealthy family, volunteers at the hospice center his family funded and where Lauren’s mom works, his previous girlfriend Victoria drowned at their family lake house, many of the residents of Happy Valley believe Robbie had something to do with it
-- Trevor Crestmont – Robbie’s younger brother, his previous girlfriend Jess died from a drug overdose at their family lake house, many of the residents of Happy Valley believe that Trevor had something to do with her death as well
-- Kat O’Brian – Lauren’s mom, recently started dating Mark long-distance and moved to Pennsylvania to be closer to him, works as a nurse at the hospice center
-- Coach Hollinger – coach of Lauren’s high school soccer team, his family owns and runs the general store at the lake
-- Mark Anderson – Kat’s boyfriend, single dad to Ainsley
-- Ainsley Anderson – Mark’s daughter, high school senior, Victoria had been her best friend before she drowned
-- John – Robbie’s best friend, they’re in a band together, spends most of his free time with the Crestmonts

I typically gravitate to young adult novels as palette cleansers. They tend to be lighter, more upbeat, some fun romance. If that’s what you’re looking for, do not look here. If you want a great young adult thriller that will keep you guessing, you’re in the right place with this one.

Nearly everyone is a suspect in this story, and that is not an exaggeration. I made at least three notes while I was reading thinking it was definitely this character, it was absolutely that character, and that other character reacted a certain way because it was him! Maybe I was right, maybe I was wrong. I’m definitely not telling you. 😉

The story unfolds from Lauren’s point of view. While she seems to have a good relationship with her mom, as Kat and Mark’s romance develops, Lauren takes more of a back seat. Kat is distracted, she wants Mark and Ainsley to spend time with her and Lauren, and Lauren wants none of it. Even though she is happy to have escaped her past in California, Lauren’s plan is to graduate high school and go to college anywhere but Pennsylvania.

What she hasn’t counted on is her fellow students, and especially her soccer teammates, finding out about her past, which she has tried very hard to keep secret. In fact, the author keeps the reader in the dark for the majority of the book as well. We know there was a fire, the fire was Lauren’s fault, her boyfriend was badly burned, and Lauren’s classmates think she set the fire on purpose and accuse her of attempted murder. She was clearly not convicted, but she was happy to leave town before her senior year.

Enter the Crestmonts with their own pasts. Lauren meets Robbie at the hospice center where her mother works and starts hooking up with him, not knowing about his and Trevor’s former girlfriends and their suspicious deaths. Her plan to break things off with Robbie before the school year starts goes sideways, and she finds herself stuck between the Crestmonts and her teammates.

And when someone else ends up dead, Lauren is desperate to find out who the killer (or killers) is before she becomes the next victim. All while her mom is ridiculously distracted with her new relationship.

This story is twisty and unexpected and I stayed up way too late to get to the end. I certainly won’t spoil it here. 🤐 This one is definitely worth picking up.

How is this a debut novel??

For a YA thriller(or any thriller for that matter), the amount of depth, emotion, and character Trish poured into this is incredible. I’m so impressed that this is her first book!

The characters were perfect. There were some I loved, some I hated, and plenty I suspected. I especially love YA main characters that aren’t your typical “good girl”. Lauren has a rough past and she’s still a little rough around the edges during this story.

The twists were executed so well. I love the feeling of truly suspecting almost everyone in a book up until the last few chapters.

I loved this book so much I may need to buy a physical copy for my shelves!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this book. All opinions are my own 💖

TRIGGER WARNING: Drugs, death, suicide, over dose, alcohol, drownings.


High school Senior Lauren O'Brien wants to start over in a new state, new town, and new school to get past the traumatic event that happened month prier. Little does she know, the boy she has been getting close to since the move has a dark past as well. Turns out both him and his brother found their girlfriends at the time dead with no explanation one year apart. Robbie found his girlfriend drowned in the lake with a gash in her chest with no one else around. Trevor found his girlfriend at a party over dosed by the pool. Both now labeled murders with no one believing they are innocent or wanting to get close to them, except Lauren who is new to town and wants to know the truth to see if they are as guilty as she is. Everything is starting to go fine until things get resurfaced and another person is found dead. Can Lauren figure out if the boys really did it or if someone else killed their girlfriends for an unknown reason? Can she make it through her senior year without everyone finding out why she had to leave California? Will she end up a new target, maybe even victim? Read this book to find out.


As a person who really loves YA murder mystery thrillers this was as perfect a find as a triple chocolate cake in the fridge. It has twists, turns, romance, distractions that made you look one place while things happened elsewhere. Now since i am a ya mystery thriller reader i was scared i would be able to guess the killer(s) pretty early but dang this got me good. Even with my suspecting everyone no matter the age or connection to people (IYKYK) i didn't think of it until it was all revealed and i thought back about how everything made sense and was clear as day.

i loved the way this was layed out and how the chapters were long enough to give information but short enough to always leave me saying "one more chapter" until i realized the sun was coming up for the next day.

BOOK: The One That Got Away with Murder
AUTHOR: Trish Lundy
PUB DATE: 4/16/24 by @henryholtbooks
PAGES: 384
RATING: 4 stars
GENRE: YA Thriller & Suspense

A BIG “Thank You” to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Co. for gifting me this advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review!

SYNOPSIS: Robbie & Trevor Cresmont are handsome and privileged brothers, with enough wealth to ensure they’ll never be found guilty of murdering 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. 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.

REVIEW: This was a great young adult, suspenseful thriller, and I would love to see it made into a movie or mini-series. The plot was engaging enough at keeping me guessing who was guilty, and you may not see it coming! I also was intrigued about the FMC's mysterious past! Full of dark twists & turns with a tiny bit of romance mixed in. This one comes out April 16th and I definitely recommend it!

🔪 The One that Got Away With Murder by Trish Lundy OUT 4/16/24🔪

It’s over 50 degrees in New England so you know that means I’m sitting outside finishing my book ☀️

Being a school counselor, I love reading YA novels so I picked up Trish Lundy debut novel The One that Got Away with Murder, and I absolutely loved it.

Lauren is a senior in high school that just moved to get a fresh start from her traumatic past. When she starts hooking up with a random guy at her work, not only does she realize he goes to her school, but there are also rumors that BOTH him and his brother killed their past girlfriends. Lauren then has to decide if she wants to end things with Robbie and make friends, or stay with him and get to the bottom of what really happened.

This was such a quick read because I was at the edge of my seat! Felt relatable to high school students while still having that thriller aspect. The brothers reminded me a little of the Murdaugh brothers, so I liked that there was a hint of true crime. I also was pleasantly surprised by the ending and did NOT see it coming. 4 stars

With a few twists and turns, this story had me on edge trying to figure out who did it. Not till close to the end did I guessed right on the real murderer. Had so much fun reading this, wish it never ended.

Trying to leave a traumatic past behind, Lauren and her mother left everything behind and move to a whole new state for a fresh start only for them to find out the grass ain’t greener on the other side. Juggling senior year at a new school, new sport team and trying to fit in, comes Robbie, the boy Lauren has been hooking up with which been helping her cope through. Lauren soon found out that Robbie himself have some skeletons in his closet and isn’t a favorite within her new teams nor the whole town for that matter. But in this story everything isn’t what it seems.

Robbie and Trevor Cresmont have a body count—the killer kind.

Though the ending of this was pretty darn predictable (a horrid case of the it's me, not you probably), I still had a pretty enjoyable time with this! I didn't necessarily connect with the characters since I'm a bit out of the age-range and it's.... ya know. Murder. But I still found the plot intriguing enough to keep reading, and the entirety of the book really flew by!

If you're a fan of Holly Jackson or Karen McManus, then you'll definitely enjoy this one as well.

The One That Got Away with Murder is set to be published on April 16, 2024. Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), NetGalley and the author for the digital advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

In "The One That Got Away with Murder," Trish Lundy flawlessly crafts a narrative that immerses readers in a world filled with complex characters and intricate plotlines. Set against a backdrop of mystery and intrigue, the story follows protagonist Emma as she unravels the truth behind a chilling murder.Lundy's attention to detail is impeccable, painting vivid scenes that transport readers to the heart of the action. From the atmospheric descriptions of the setting to the nuanced interactions between characters, every aspect of the story feels meticulously crafted.What sets this novel apart is its ability to keep readers guessing until the very end. Just when you think you have it all figured out, Lundy throws in unexpected twists and turns that leave you eagerly turning the pages, desperate to uncover the truth.

But "The One That Got Away with Murder" isn't just a thrilling mystery—it's also a story about love, betrayal, and the complexities of human nature. The characters are multi-dimensional, each with their own flaws and vulnerabilities, making them relatable and compelling.

Overall, Trish Lundy's "The One That Got Away with Murder" is a captivating read that will keep you hooked from start to finish. With its gripping plot, well-drawn characters, and expertly crafted suspense, it's a must-read for fans of the genre.

Lauren and her mom have relocated to Happy Valley, Pennsylvania (the home of Penn State) for a new beginning. Lauren is desperate to escape the stigma of a public scandal, and her mom is excited to finally live locally to a long-distance boyfriend. Lauren’s efforts to build her reputation as a great soccer player all seem for naught, however, when she learns that the boy she’s been having a casual affair with was the last person to see his former girlfriend alive. Then one year later, his brother finds his own girlfriend dead of an overdose. Are the wealthy Crestmont brothers hiding deadly secrets, or did they both really end up in the wrong places at the wrong times?

Even though I am giving this a 3-star review, for reasons I will explain later, I did enjoy this debut. It was so fast-paced and well-written that I finished it in a day. It’s giving I Know What You Did Last Summer vibes, but with higher stakes because the two female victims were in relationships with the suspects. Everyone in town knows that the intimate partner is usually the perpetrator when it comes to violent crimes against women, but they also know that the influential Crestmont family has the resources and the connections to keep Robbie and Trevor out of jail, and permanently erased from the suspect list. I thought the author did a great job developing the mystery and building suspense. She also made all of the main characters sympathetic so that the reader is invested in finding out how and if each character's innocence would be proven.

The reasons that this one doesn’t rise to a 5-star mystery for me are (1) the degree of suspension of disbelief required for the story to work; and (2) the motive for the first killing, and which ultimately set off an avalanche of future violence, just didn’t make sense to me. I still don't know why the suspect(s) did it.

Without spoiling the plot, there is a big reveal about 25% into the story that significantly impacts the main character Lauren’s perspective on the crimes and her suspicions. Even though Lauren is 17 and clearly quite bright and independent, she doesn’t call the police or trust any adult with her findings. She doesn’t even make any kind of permanent record of the findings for herself. We’re talking about an actual murder here, but the reader is asked to believe that Lauren isn’t sure what to do, or that she is too scared to make an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers? This is 2024! True crime podcasts are a thing! It's just too big of a pill to swallow, especially considering that it is her decision not to involve law enforcement that has to happen in order for the rest of the events in the novel to occur.

Finally, and maybe it’s just me, but I am concerned that this novel, like many other YA titles I’ve read over the last few years, does not depict a single adult who behaves like one. Literally, every adult in this novel who interacts with a main character is an awful, selfish, narcissistic, person. The parents who we don’t actually meet on the page are all enabling, if not encouraging, underage drinking, drug use, and sexual promiscuity in their homes. None of the teenagers in this book can point to even one adult who has proven themselves capable of exhibiting good judgment or making a sound decision to protect the minors they have a duty to protect. I don’t think this is representative of most teenager’s lives, and I don’t understand the point of creating a fictional world where the only people that a teenager can trust are other teenagers who are just as angry, depressed, confused, cynical, and disillusioned as themselves.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group/Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) for the opportunity to read and review this novel. All opinions are my own.

Money can buy happiness but can it also buy innocence?

Lauren has just moved from CA to PA after the death of her boyfriend. She falls into stride with two brothers with the wrong kind of body count and soon Laura is thrust into a family that you can't trust with money to cover up their misadventures. Who can Laura trust? What is she supposed to do with the skeletons in her own closet? Jump into the One That Got Away with Murder and find out for yourself!

This book had me hooked from the beginning and I really felt for the characters (either loved em or loathed em) from the start. It was well written and fast paced that made me want to continue reading to find out what came. The twists were pretty good and came at the right moments to keep me engaged. Highly reccommend!

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Lauren O'Brian is starting her senior year at a new school, after tragedy and rumor pushed her out of her hometown. Her mom moves them to a new town, where her long distance boyfriend lives, a perfect opportunity to start over.
Lauren decides to pass the summer hooking up with a Cresmont boy, but after her new soccer team warns her to stay away from the Cresmont brothers, Lauren has to uncover why exactly these brothers are so hated by the town.
Two girls dead, so far. Will Lauren join the body count? Is Robbie Cresmont worth the risk?

This was genuinely really good. Young Adult thrillers are usually not anything to keep you guessing, and ultimately I didn't find the plot twist THAT surprising but it still kept me on my toes. I wish some of the red herrings would've been a little stronger, but still a good read!

Language: G+ (0+ swears, 0+ "f"); Mature Content: PG13+; Violence: G+
There's sex in the first chapter (before I even learn the main character's name!), and I don't want to read any further.