You had me at Red Solo Cup…

I spent many college evenings holding my fair of red shiners and many mornings regretting my previous nights endeavors.

The kids at Sierton High School are full of regrets too, but why?

My heart is still pounding

What just happened ? I’m an adult, how did a YA book shake me to my core ? Well, when you are He, you know how to skillfully craft a book that will consume and frighten even the coldest of folks.

I know I know. This is crazy . I can read Stephen King and not even bat an eye but I tell ya, this one is good, real good .

Check out this teaser from debut author, Cindy R.X He:

Someone has murdered the queen bee of Sierton High School…and all the dead girl’s friends are suspects. A twisty thriller from a talented debut author perfect for fans of They Wish They Were Us and One of Us is Lying.

Ella Moore was the most popular girl in school…and also the most hated. When she’s murdered at her own party, there are too many suspects to count. And too many people who think she deserved it.

The police’s prime suspect is the new girl, Dawn Foster. Dawn was the last to hand Ella a drink on the night she died. Plus, all of Ella’s friends with a motive for wanting Ella dead are more than willing to throw Dawn under the bus, if it means keeping the heat off themselves.

But Dawn refuses to go down without a fight. She’s determined to clear her name. As she delves deeper into the past, she discovers that Ella and her friends had major enemies, and someone is out for revenge. Dawn must uncover the truth before the police arrest the wrong suspect… and before the next person dies.

#perfectlittlemonsters #sourcebooksfire

This was mind-blowing, intense, and so relevant. I was hooked right from the beginning and binged it in one sitting. I was so sad and angry for Hannah and kept hoping for a different outcome. I only just barely started putting the pieces together when the twist happened and I was shocked, devastated, and in awe. This story was so well written, the plot kept me on the edge of me seat, with characters I both rooted to succeed and rooted to fall. It’s hard to believe this is a debut and I cannot wait to see what He writes next!

Perfect Little Monsters shines an important light on teenage bullying, the lack of consequences for the perpetrators, and the ways in which our actions have ripple effects. This story hit home for me and I hope anyone going through similar experiences reaches out and finds much needed resources. Know you are not alone.

Thank you to Cindy R. X. He for pouring your own experiences and heart into this story. Not only is it a great thriller, but such a relevant read.

Thank you also to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Perfect Little Monsters is a fast-paced, easy read but don't let that fool you. . .because it has the wildest twists and turns! With an intriguing plot, deeply developed characters and relationship dynamics, this book is perfect for fans of YA thrillers as well as anyone who is new to the genre!

[check trigger warnings before reading this book]

This book is EASILY a five stars (six if I could)! I was sucked in right from the get-go. I literally read it all in one-sitting.

The writing style is very simple, but in a way that pays attention to the details and moments that actually matter. No fluff. And still, Cindy does not sacrifice those important moments that draw you deep into the story and its characters.

I am a sucker for high school settings and all of the things that come with that. We follow Dawn Foster, a beautiful girl who is still recovering from a traumatic car accident. She is automatically welcomed into the popular clique. However, unlike them she has such a huge heart and doesn't believe in labels and being cruel to others due to some "social status". But when a girl from the group is murdered, everyone begins turning on each other and Dawn finds herself caught in the middle. So she takes it upon herself to find out who truly did it.

At first, I thought the whole "mean girl" trope was really cliche but I stuck through, in hopes that it was being used for a good reason and...boy....am I glad I stuck through. The underlying themes and messages portrayed in this book are SO WELL DONE. Not to mention, extremely powerful! I am so happy that Cindy wrote this book, that she said what she said. These things need to be discussed.

My heart was racing the entire time but especially towards the end and GUYS, Cindy did not come to play. The plot twists were absolutely mind-shattering (at least to me). I literally did not get off the couch until the book was done, I was HOOKED.

---Overall---
My heart is aching from this book but it's a new favorite of mine and I am so eager to read all of Cindy's future works! Thank you SO MUCH to Sourcebooks Fire for my e-ARC!

Dawn's the new girl in town, and she quickly falls in with the popular crowd, despite some misgivings. Unfortunately for her, the queen bee Ella gets killed at the first party Dawn attends, and Dawn is one of the primary suspects, mainly due to the rest of the crowd seemingly wanting to throw her under the bus. But all of the other students have a motive for killing Ella, so Dawn decides to hold her own investigation to find out the truth and clear her name. Meanwhile, we get an alternate story from another girl, a victim of Ella's bullying in the past, and have to figure out how this ties into the current mystery.

I LOVED this book. It has such important things to say about bullying, depression, and outcasts, all through a tautly woven narrative expertly told in two POVs and two timelines. Plus that twist! SO well done. I would recommend this book to absolutely everyone!

Thank you to Sourcebooks for my arc!


This book ended up being INSANE. That ending…. Moral of the story is don’t bully people.

A dark and twisty read, which I throughly enjoyed! It's a short book and fast paced, so I read it in a quick sitting. Perfect for fans of Karen McManus, and I am, so this turned out to be a delightful debut novel. I'm undecided about the final twist but overall I'm left with the feeling that I had a great time reading and couldn't put it down. so that's a winner in my book.

"Perfect Little Monsters" by Cindy R. X. He is a gripping YA mystery that unfolds in the aftermath of the murder of Ella Moore, the queen bee of Sierton High School. The storyline revolves around the complex dynamics of high school relationships, jealousy, and secrets.

Ella, despite her popularity, is a polarizing figure, and when she is murdered during her own party, the suspects are numerous. The central character, Dawn Foster, becomes the prime suspect due to being the last person to hand Ella a drink on the night of her death. Complicating matters, Ella's friends, who have strong motives for wanting her gone, are quick to divert blame toward Dawn.

The novel takes readers on a journey as Dawn, determined to clear her name, investigates the circumstances surrounding Ella's death. As the plot unfolds, it becomes clear that Ella and her friends had enemies, and a thirst for revenge may be at the heart of the mystery. Dawn is on a quest to uncover the truth before the wrong person is arrested and before more lives are at risk.

"Perfect Little Monsters" not only explores the intricacies of high school social hierarchies but also delves into themes of revenge, betrayal, and the consequences of past actions. The narrative promises a thrilling exploration of the dark secrets that lurk beneath the surface of seemingly perfect lives.

If you've read "Perfect Little Monsters," feel free to share your thoughts on the book, its characters, or any specific aspects that stood out to you!