The mystery of Girls Who Burn intrigued me from the beginning. Addie Blackwood lost her sister a year ago. She’s spent the last year blaming their friend Thatcher Montgomery for pushing her to her death. But when Thatcher dies the same way, she knows she’s been wrong. Their families are intertwined in friendship and drama and - as now becomes clear - hatred. Thatcher’s brother Seth, the boy she was with both times, is the only person she trusts to help. But all their theories have the same problem. Who would want someone from both families dead?

This is not action-packed. The slow romance takes a central role. The characters and their struggles feel painfully, beautifully real. This is a story about money and power, and about the desperate measures of those who have neither.

Plot-wise, this wasn’t everything that I hoped it would be. As much as Addie fretted over finding a simple reason for the deaths, it would have been nice to get one. In the end it just seemed complicated. And I lost track of how many times someone showed up at just the right moment in the woods.

Four stars to this novel. Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for this advance read.

I enjoyed this one! Pacey, twisty, angsty--it's got it all. It's perfect for fans of Karen McManus and Jessica Goodman. Would def recommend!

Okay but can we make thriller romance a thing, because this was SO fun. Absolutely loved it. Total page turner. Really excited to read whatever Pagano writes next!

This was exciting and unexpected from the get go. As they work together to solve Fiona and Thatcher's murders, Seth and Addie are trying so hard to move on. They can't seem to escape the shadow of that summer though, and they're worried they may be on a path to be the next victims. As they grow closer and spend more time together, they realize they were never as alone as they thought.

With beautiful prose that will tug on your heart strings, this mystery thriller is twisty, emotional, and did not disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed this intricately plotted book. For lovers of mystery thrillers with a good dose of romance.

There aren’t the words to describe how much I really enjoyed this book. It was everything and more. I would highly suggest and recommend this book to anyone.
10/10

i thought this book was like every other YA thriller, because of all the tropes. i liked that it was a fast read with a lot of twists though

thank you netgalley for the e arc!

GIRLS WHO BURN by MK Pagono
Thank you Netgalley and PenguinTeen for the opportunity to read this early: Out July 16th.

Review:
4.5⭐
GIRLS WHO BURN is a magnifying debut novel the engrossed me from page one. Like Addie, I wanted to know what happened that fateful night, and like Addie, I wanted to know what was going on now. Who's responsible? For Fiona's death? For what's happening to the other characters: the threats, "accidents," and near accidents. Throughout this novel, I asked myself those questions and more as I tried to solve everything---picking at the clues, creating my own lists of suspects in my mond as I read, etc---before Addie and those investigating.
GIRLS WHO BURN is a face-paced, action-packed, threat and accident galore, novel. There are so many secrets and so much drama that I had to know what was happening. Once I was able to read this without distraction, I read it in just a few short hours over a few short days. That's how intriguing it is...that's how much the mystery pulled me in, kept me guessing, and oh-so shocked me. Plus the whodunit never crossed my mind.  GIRLS WHO BURN is a must-read if you love secrets, drama, and murder-mystery. 

What I Liked About It:
*the never ending threats
*the drama
*the ending

3.5 stars, rounded down

I mostly enjoyed this debut novel by MK Pagano, and I'm interested to see what she comes out with next. While I enjoyed this quick read, the story definitely walked a familiar and well-worn path that covered a LOT of the same tired YA mystery tropes that feel rather outdated and overdone by this point - boy and girl from opposite sides of the tracks, classism, corrupt police, rich kids getting away with things, etc.

It wasn't bad, but I had been hoping for something more unique and something that felt a little fresher. Don't let the "enemies-to-lovers thriller" line in the description get you either - there's virtually no "enemies" portion to Addie and Seth's relationship other than passing references to how much they used to bicker as young children and about a chapter and a half of mild tension when they first see each other again at the beginning of the book.

I saw the major plot twists coming before the halfway mark, so I wasn't shocked by the ending, and I think most readers will harbor the same suspicions. I'm also still scratching my head as to how the title is supposed to tie into the narrative, but all-in-all, this book wasn't a bad way to spend a couple of hours if you're looking for a quick surface-level thriller.

An engaging and thrilling mystery that kept me guessing until the very end. Definitely didn't see the twist coming as well!

It has been a year since Addie’s older sister Fiona’s lifeless body was found in a ravine, and Addie is still trying to prove it was not an accident. Fiona was a talented ballerina on her way to the American Ballet Academy – there is no way she fell or jumped. When Addie’s prime suspect Thatcher is found dead in the same ravine, she and Thatcher’s cousin Seth begin searching for clues together. As Addie and Seth investigate, they start to unravel secrets about both of their families and realize everyone is a suspect.

This is an entertaining YA mystery in a similar vein as Jessica Goodman. There are a lot of the expected tropes (wealthy, brooding, misunderstood crush; secret relationships; corrupt cops; absentee parents) but it is a fun and fast read. Addie’s ability to be easily swayed is irritating at times and Seth is fairly one-dimensional, but overall, it would make for a good vacation read.

I’ve had Girls Who Burn on my TBR since its deal announcement and boy did MK Pagan deliver with her phenomenal debut! This story touches on many important themes - classism, police corruption, the bonds between family, exploitation, friendship, and first love.

Addie is everything you’d want in a fierce and determined MC. She ruthlessly pursues the truth and is not above accounting for her own failings. She doesn’t fall victim to the overplayed stereotype of uninformed teenager, she’s had to grow up fast and you see that play out in how she thinks through different scenarios and makes decisions. She’s not perfect and that’s what makes her so relatable.

This story kept me on the edge of my seat - there were so many twists and turns and everyone is a suspect. I loved the dynamic between Addie and Seth - both trying to figure out who murdered their loved ones. The cast of side characters were also extremely well-developed. If you love any books by Karen McManus, Diana Urban, or Chelsea Ichaso, then this story is absolutely for you!

Thank you to Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group/G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

The cover is what drew me in but the story….perfection. I recommended this book to my daughter too. She loved it and now our book club is eating it up.

Girls Who Burn gave me what I secretly wish for whenever I read a book in this genre: A YA thriller that has as much romance as mystery and suspense.

Here's what you can expect:

🩰Frenemies-to-Lovers
🩰Only One Bed
🩰Gunpoint Confession
🩰Small Town Mystery
🩰Family Secrets
🩰Dangerous Woods
🩰What Happened 'That Night'

There were a lot of red herrings (and a touch of irony somewhere in there that I have to applaud the author for) that were explored by Addie and Seth. As soon as I formed a theory, the characters had the same one, and solved or explained it away. Or did they? Needless to say, I didn't trust a soul.

And a satisfying ending?! No ominous twist in the last sentence?! That made me happy.

I breezed through this book, and had fun reading it. I can't wait to see what comes next from this debut author.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley & Penguin for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"In my mind, I'm always a better person than I actually am."

Girls Who Burn is a mystery-thriller about two teens who fall to their death a year apart, both under mysterious circumstances. Addie, determined to find her sister's murderer, teams up with Seth, who is still reeling from the recent murder of his cousin. Together, they must investigate who could've killed both teens - even if the answer is closer to home than they ever could've imagined.

I liked a lot about this book: the mystery, the characters, the town setting, the creepy forest. I think this book really shines with its characters, especially Addie, who is a teenager that loves fiercely, and can't help but be a little selfish with those around her.

There were a couple things that I would've liked to see addressed on-page at the end that weren't, but as a first book, I can excuse that, M.K. Pagano is a debut author that I will definitely be reading again.

I was fortunate to receive an early copy of this book, and I must say, it did not disappoint! It's a fantastic read from start to finish, skillfully capturing the intricacies of youthful friendships and relationships, as well as the bond between family. The introduction of a murder mystery then intertwines seamlessly with the characters' lives, creating a compelling and exciting narrative. Something else I really loved is that the main characters' responses to the situation felt authentic to a group of young teens, as they delve into wild and absurd theories, blending their version of detective work with typical teenage romance and friendship dilemmas.

If you're a fan of quick, riveting YA thriller page-turners by authors like Jessica Goodman, Chelsea Ichaso, and Diana Urban, then this book is a match made in heaven for you.

As enemies-to-lovers dynamics turn into partners in crime, they collaborate to uncover the identity of the real killer, who may be someone from their inner circle. The plotline is well-constructed, though the identity of the perpetrator was somewhat foreseeable for me. However, the author's clever twists still drag you into a guessing game, pointing fingers at everyone and keeping the suspense alive until the last chapter.

While many readers may have found the heroine, Addie Blackwood, a little irritating, I personally don't agree with them. I found her reserved, stuck dealing with her low self-esteem after being abandoned by her own mother, navigating a complex relationship with her childhood nemesis, and grieving her sister. Her surly demeanor, insecurities, and suspicions about people's secret agendas make her relatable and engaging, even if she's not the most lovable character.

The story revolves around Addie Blackwood, who lost her sister one year ago and believes she was killed by Thatcher Montgomery, their wealthy neighbor, after witnessing a big fight between them. Despite the police ruling her sister's death an accident or suicide, Addie does everything in her power to convince them she was murdered. She even starts writing on a crime forum under a nickname to raise awareness about her sister Fiona's case.

On the night of the murder, she had a one-night stand with her childhood nemesis Seth, the cousin of Thatcher, and later confesses to cheating on her boyfriend Jeremy, leading to their breakup. As both Montgomery family members return for a will hearing, Addie sees an opportunity to speak with Thatcher and extract a confession, but Seth intervenes. Another murder occurs in the same manner as Fiona's death, making both Seth and Addie prime suspects. Seth may escape with his family's influence, but Addie must find the perpetrator before they claim another life, forcing her to collaborate with Seth, despite her complex feelings of love and hate towards him. Could the killer be someone they know, someone close to them?

Overall, this book is a fast-paced, popcorn-worthy read that you can devour in one sitting. It's definitely an enjoyable wild ride that's worth giving a try!

I extend my gratitude to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group/Nancy Paulsen Books for sharing this riveting thriller's digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

SOO GOOD i usually dont like romance subplots in [ya] thrillers but i really loved addie and seth so much!! i couldnt put this down

I kind of had mixed feelings throughout this book. There would be some moments I was really enjoying and then others that I was confused or annoyed about. One thing that kind of irks me is that I have absolutely no idea where the title came from. I love a good title that is shown through the story, but this one had no connection to it. The mystery was really good and by the end I had no idea who did it, making the reveal much more intense. I did like the romance, I was definitely rooting for them throughout the book despite their problems. But I did have a hard time connecting to the characters, which makes it hard to get super invested in a mystery like this. There was just something about them that didn't hit as hard as they could have. Maybe that is just a me thing though. I did feel at times it was trying too hard to force character dynamics and it didn't feel natural. I did enjoy this book and it was a good mystery. I love a good small town mystery and a big rich family that has control over everything. I just didn't love it, which is okay. If you're looking for a twisty YA mystery with a good side romance, I would recommend this one.

A thriller with a romantic frenemies to lovers subplot?!? SIGN ME UP. I feel like I haven’t read a ton of thrillers that have quite a bit of romance thrown into the story but now I need more?? lol.

Addie lost her sister in a tragic maybe accident? But all that changes when a year later, her frenemie Seth’s cousin dies in the same exact tragic way? Only this time Seth and Addie were together to witness his scream before the fall. Clearly.. Fiona’s death wasn’t an accident and it’s up to Addie and Seth to figure out exactly what has happened.

This book was so much fun to read and it got to a point where I couldn’t put it down and finished about half of it in one sitting! Full of red herrings, it will be pretty hard to guess what actually happened, and once you know.. all the pieces start falling together perfectly.

I also really loved how messy and complicated Addie and her feelings were. I felt like I was truly following along with a teen girl’s life. The supporting characters also felt really raw and real, which definitely helped with making it feel realistic!

Overall, I really enjoyed this thriller and would be an excellent beach read for the upcoming warm months. But I do wish we learned more about the mysterious treasure mentioned a few times lol.

Read if you like:
- One bed trope
- Frenemies to lovers
- Red Herrings
- Summertime thrillers
- Small town vibes
- Rich vs poor
- Tough female lead
- Woods