thanks to NetGalley for the eARC

⭐️=3.5 | 😘=2 | 🤬=2.5 | ⚔️=3.5 | 14+

summary: identical twins separated at birth (who don’t know they were separated at birth) both show up at the same creepy camp lake thing where a murder happened a while ago! and some spooky stuff happens while they are looking for evidence!! and a random sapphic subplot!!!!

thoughts: ups and downs!! there were some cool twists, but any character development was minimal, and the ending anti-denouement chapter (that thing where horror/thriller novels have a final chapter or epilogue with something jump-scary to, like, resolve the plot somehow as opposed to calming things down idk i just heard that term once in a video essay and it seemed relevant here!) didn’t work for me! the MCs really said “I guess we’ll never know” and then the audience does get to know in a dumb and not foreshadowed way, which is annoying. however! many of the aforementioned cool twists were genuinely unexpected and only slightly silly (twin plotlines are usually at least sort of silly to me??).

I was interested in this book because I had read one prior book from this author and this one did not disappoint. I actually did not notice that it was a YA book when I requested it (which I would not have done) because I am just past that now, where I am kind of exhausted of the juvenile writing, but I feel like this didn’t have as much of that. There was a little bit of repetition and it probably could have been a hair shorter, but I feel like the twists kept me captivated in the story and were unpredictable. It isn’t like other “camp” stories. The questions that were left unanswered didn’t really bother me a ton, at the end because I feel like it was wrapped up enough.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Penguin Teen for the DRC in exchange for my honest review.

Olivia was born at Camp Lost Lake on the night that a massacre occurred there, but seventeen years later her life is relatively standard. She soon learns that her dad isn’t her biological father, and the only place she knows to look for answers is at the Camp. Reagan and her mom have been on the run since she was little, and her mother was accused of being the Camp Lost Lake murderer. But Reagan’s grown tired of her life and decides that the only way to clear her mom’s name is to go the Camp and search for anything that may prove her innocence. But they’re not the only two interested in the Camp and its secrets, and some people may even kill to keep those secrets.

This was a good YA mystery that was full of twists and secrets. I enjoyed the dual perspectives, and the insights each offered. The characters were okay overall – they certainly weren’t anything special but were decent enough not to detract much from the read. I will say that the romance subplots didn’t add much to the book and even detracted from some of the suspense that should have been present.

Even though some of the twists were relatively predictable, the pacing kept me engaged with the book. I did dislike the last twist. It made for a somewhat disappointing ending that felt more like it was included to try and shock rather than to be a strong conclusion. The setting of the work was strong, though, and I like how well the author incorporated the camp and its derelict condition to add some tension.

If you’re interested in a YA murder mystery then you may like this one. My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group for allowing me to read this work, which will be published June 25th, 2024. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Two teenage girls return to the site of a 16 year old gruesome murder, each with their own agenda. One girl was infamously born the night of the slayings, while the other is the daughter of the prime suspect. Together they piece together the truth of that fateful night as they try to escape when the killer comes back to tie up the final loose ends.

I love horror stories. The Scream franchise gives me joy. So, if you’re like me, you will devour this book. It is a well-crafted story with characters who have clear motives. It is the perfect summer read if you like slasher movies. It got so intense at times that I had to put the book down. (Similar to covering my eyes during a scary movie.) I’m off to read everything else this author has published! Thank you NetGalley, Danielle Valentine and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group for the ARC.

I loved this thriller from the very first page. This was so compulsively readable! I vibed with the author’s writing style immediately, and I started this pretty late at night, only intended to read just a few pages, but ended up not being able to put it down because it grabbed my instantly.

Two teenagers have their lives tied back to Camp Lost Lake, a camp that closed down back in 2008 after some mysterious murders committed by the Witch of Lost Lake. Olivia finds out from an ancestry test that her dad isn’t her biological dad, and suspects that her real dad is the husband murdered by Lori, the supposed Witch of Lost Lake. Regan, on the other hand, is none other than the daughter of the Lori Knight, the alleged killer. Regan sneaks off to go to the reopening of Camp Lost Lake, determined to find the true killer so her and her mom can stop living on the run. Both of these girls have reasons to go back to Camp Lost Lake and both of them seek answers.

This book was so gripping, and I just wanted to get to the end because I had no clue how this was going to end. It was expertly plotted, a Frieda McFadden level of well planned.
This is a super quick read, perfect for a summer read you could finish in one sitting on the beach. This was SO much fun! Any thriller and murder mystery fan will love this one! Danielle Valentine is definitely on my radar now. I’m a fan!

Thank you to Netgalley and GP Putnam for sending me an advanced copy in return for my honest review.

You have to take these YA thrillers for what they are, which are fun, usually far-fetched campfire stories (pun intended here). This was a quick read with great pacing. One of the twists was predictable pretty early on, but the last one was unexpected, albeit very improbable.

A little more YA Horror than what I am really drawn to…. there is a massive audience ready to devour these storylines. This book is well-written and the author has tons of talent! I cannot wait to see what comes next!!! Keep writing!!

#TwoSidesToEveryMurder #Netgalley

4⭐️

Seventeen years ago, a staff member of Camp Lost Lake went on a murder spree dressed in a rubber witch mask, leaving three people dead. The murderer was never caught. While the camp has been closed for years, rumors regarding the Witch of Lost Lake are still regularly repeated. And two girls have born that year have never been able to escape the rumors either.

Olivia was born in the parking lot of Camp Lost Lake the night of the murders, her mother going into labor due to the stress. And Reagan is the daughter of the alleged Witch of Lost Lake. When the camp is purchased by someone hoping to fix it up, they both return to the camp looking for answers. Chloe about her birth and Reagan to prove her mother's innocence.

I love a good camp slasher book, especially by an author who has made shocked me before. I loved the flash backs to the night of the initial murder, especially the video footage of the girl trying to become the towns Gossip Girl. I also liked how quickly things go off the rails when people can't rely on their cell phones. The connection between Chloe and Reagan was a nice twist and I liked how it was a catalyst for the four teens to work together.

I loved that this had Friday the 13th vibes, but I did feel like that the plot quickly turn slightly predictable. There is a reveal pretty early on that made me go 'oh, I bet this is what's happening.' I even made a note in my phone of my predictions starting at page 86 and only one of my predictions wasn't correct. The build-up to the reveal was still nicely done but didn't take all the predictability out of it. I also wasn't a fan of any of the teenage relationships; they all felt a bit forced and didn't flow well.

Thank you Netgalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for providing this ARC to me!

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

I was immediately drawn in with the first chapter and pretty much read this in one sitting! “Two Sides to Every Murder” is a thriller, maybe better aimed towards a young adult audience, but will have your heart racing. It’s best to think of it as ‘The Lying Game’ x ‘The Parent Trap’ x ‘Gossip Girl’ x ‘Pretty Little Liars.’ I quite enjoyed this read but did find the romantic aspects to be unnecessary. Also, I the last chapter/epilogue was rushed and a bit unnecessary. Overall, this is a great quick read to had while on vacation!

Two Sides to Every Murder had me hooked from the very first page. I found myself eager to uncover the mysteries surrounding Camp Lost Lake and the identity of the witch.

. The characters are well-developed and multifaceted, adding depth to the narrative as their secrets are gradually revealed.

I enjoyed the dual perspectives With each chapter alternating between different characters' points of view, the reader is given insight into the complexities of human nature and the blurred lines between truth and deception.

Thank you to Danielle Valentine, PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group, and NetGalley for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

​Two Sides to Every Murder follows Olivia, born the night of the Lost Lake murders and Reagan, the daughter of the Lost Lake murderer. Sixteen years after the murders, the two girls find themselves back at Camp Lost Lake, which is now being renovated to reopen as a retreat, and both are looking for the truth of what really happened that night while trying to stay alive and finding family secrets along the way. This was a solid, fast paced story until the very last page and is typical of a classic summer camp murder mystery. The story is told in dual points-of-view and dual timelines ​a​nd although I really like dual POV, I did find myself getting confused from time to time. Also, some of the romantic elements didn't seem to fit. I know for a fact if I'm trying to survive someone out to murder me, I'm not going to focus on making out with some hot dude. Let's talk about the ending....I am not a fan of cliffhanger endings UNLESS there is promise of a second book. I'm like....did it really just end like that?! No epilogue..nothing...just the final page lol. Overall I really enjoyed this book. It would be a perfect summer camp read or just a quiet, dark and stormy night at home. Put this one on your TBR for June 25, 2024.

4.5 ✨

The Parent Trap x Friday the 13th

I binged this fast pace thriller within a few hours. It was a little predictable, but I couldn’t put it down because it had all the cheesy thriller tropes that I loved! This book is set in two different time zones and has three main POV’s that take place in 2008 and 2024. The 2008 POV’s had me in all the feels. I loved the summer camp vibes and the old school Halloween touch of this book. ⛺️

Thanks NetGalley and Penguin Group for the ARC

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
4.5/5 STARS

Genre: YA thriller/horror

Synopsis: Two girls return to a camp where they have ties to multiple murders from years ago.

This is my second YA thriller/horror by this author and I really enjoyed it! She takes her books to the absolute max of YA and that’s why they are so good. Sometimes YA books have a little too much teen drama for me and not enough suspense/plot. If you remove the teens from this book it could actually be an adult book and that’s why I like it. This was full of suspense and she isn’t afraid to kill characters off. Even though it was a little on the predictable side, I still enjoyed guessing how everything was going to unfold.
If you are looking for a quality YA horror/thriller, don’t miss this author! She also has an adult book which American Horror Story: Delicate is based on if YA isn’t your thing.

Thank you Penguin Teen for the ARC! 🖤

This was a great dynamic YA thriller that kept me fully engaged from start to finish. I loved the alternating timelines and perspectives and the summer slasher storyline.

I liked the fast pace and twists and think it's a fun summer read. Perfect for fans of stories like Pretty Little Liars or the Fead Street Saga.

I absolutely loved this!!!! It was gripping and the characters are extensive relatable and loveable!! The story was mesmerizing and kept me guessing til the very end

I found this piece to be exceptionally well-crafted, and I'm eagerly anticipating the opportunity to delve into more works by this author. Given its potential popularity among our library patrons, we're certainly looking forward to adding it to our collection

It was a fun read filled with plot twists, drama, and even a dash of romance mixed in there as well. Uncovering more and more of what really happened the night of the Lost Lake murders and both Olivia and Reagan learning a few new things about their family along the way.

Two Sides to Every Murder follows two teenage girls, Olivia and Reagan as they attempt to find out what really happened at Camp Lost Lake sixteen years ago and stay alive in the process. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, especially the different POVs and the past and present timelines. I felt like the story flowed well and was well-paced. I was so invested in the story that I finished it within 24 hours and honestly only put it down because I had to be an adult and go to work!! The ending was just.... ugh!! I really hope there is a book two because it cannot end that way!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers for the advanced e-book. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This YA thriller was entertaining enough and had some interesting twists. You didn’t have enough time to really connect with or understand the character’s and their motivations, so it was more of a surface level read.