After reading A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder a few years ago, Holly Jackson became one of my favorite authors and rekindled my love of YA books. When I got approved for an eBook ARC of her newest novel, I was ecstatic.

The Reappearance of Rachel Price is an interesting book for multiple reasons. The main character, Bel, lives with her dad, and her mom went missing when she was a toddler. When her mom suddenly appears claiming she was held hostage for 16 years, the story doesn’t add up, and Bel thinks her mom is lying.

This is one of those books where you think you have it figured out and that you know who the villain is... but you later realize you know nothing. I was so intrigued by the premise and couldn’t put the book down once I started reading it. I read the entire book on a flight. I definitely recommend it to anyone who loves YA thrillers!

*Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley, and Holly Jackson for the free eBook ARC!

I could NOT stop listening to this one! I absolutely love the Good Girl's Guide to Murder series by Holly Jackson so I was excited and also slightly scared to dive into this one. I didn't want to be disappointed after loving that series so much.

Well, I definitely wasn't disappointed! I literally started a puzzle and finished it in one night so I could just listen and listen and listen to this one.

Was it perfect? Probably not. Was I entertained and invested and trying to figure out who was lying and who was telling the truth the whole time? 100% yes!!!

What I really appreciate with this book is that it is a YA novel that my 16 year old niece will read and we can discuss and talk about - but I truly didn't feel like I was necessarily reading a YA book. I was very invested in the characters and it really kept me guessing and going back and forth between who I believed the entire time!

Highly highly recommend!

Thank you to Netgalley, Random House Children's & Delacorte Press for the advanced reader's copy of this one!

I ended up doing a hybrid read and also listening through Penguin Random House's Audio Influencer program so thank you to them as well!

Writing and plot twists >>>
Binged this in a day, this was so genius 🫠

TWs - death, murder, kidnapped, someone who was kidnapped and held for more than a decade, and I'll add more when I remember

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

I was so happy to receive this ARC as I love Holly Jackson! This one took a little bit to get into, but the twisty turns at the end were great. Always great writing from Holly. I enjoyed it.

I loved the premise of this book! I felt like it dragged at certain points.

Bel's mom Rachel disappeared when she was around 2 years old. The weird thing? Rachel had Bel with her when she disappeared. Fast forward 16 years and a film crew shows up to New Hampshire to film "The Reappearance of Rachel Price" a documentary about what happened to Rachel.

A few days into filming, Rachel is spotted by Bel walking in town. Where was she? What are people hiding? It's Bel's mission to figure out what happened 16 years ago.

This story was interesting, but I kept looking at how many pages I had left. There were some interesting twists, but overall it fell a little flat to me? I guess I just binged AGGGTM so quickly that this one felt so slow in comparison. I can see why people like it, though!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy!

This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year and I’m sad to say it was disappointing.

The first half had me quite intrigued and I was annoyed when I needed to go to bed, since I wanted the answers. Then in the second half it lost me, not to say that the twists weren’t interesting, because they were. But the story started to drift away from the dokumentary part and moved somewhere that just wasn’t working for me. The ending especially is something I just didn’t buy.

It also did not help that there was literally only one likable character ( Carter) and she was not present nearly enough.

But like I said the ending was the deciding factor, so ultimately this was a miss.

Still would give it a try if it sounds interesting. What clearly wasn’t working for me, might for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the E-Arc in exchange for an honest review.

YA

What fantastic plotting!

I first read Holly Jackson with the Good Girl's Guide to Murder series and immediately became enamored of her style and smart story choices. These books may be classified as YA, but they pack a punch for mystery fans.

In this novel, Bel and her father have been living with the consequences of her mother's disappearance 16 years ago. Things have finally settled into a somewhat normal existence, but a documentary team wants to tell their story. They are in the middle of filming when her mother reappears. Rachel is back. Where has she been all this time? Her story is vague and suspect to Bel. Bel and a junior cameraman begin their own investigation.

Things really amp up a week after Rachel returns. The story really takes off from there and keeps the tension and energy high until the dramatic conclusion. One of my few complaints about this novel is the slowness at the beginning. It felt like it took a while for the story to move anywhere. There was quite a bit of set up that needed to happen that as a reader, you don't recognize as important until later.

I love that Jackson's protagonists are kind of a mess. In Bel's case, she pushes people away before they can abandon her. These character flaws add nuance and wholeness to the characters making for a better rounded story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.

At once terrifying and engaging, The Reappearance of Rachel Price is a mastery of suspense without the inclusion of gore or overly horrific elements. I couldn’t help but stayed glued to the story for hours on end and continue thinking through all the theories well after putting down the book. A must read for teens and adults alike.

Wow. Wow wow wow. I am so hard to please when it comes to thriller/mystery books and this one blew my mind. I was hooked immediately and consumed this book as fast as life (a a little bit of neglect of responsibilities) would allow. Bel’s character was just the right amount of hard and earnest to be very likable. The mystery of what happened to her mom unfolded so well. After finishing, I kept connecting dots of hints that had been dropped throughout the book! I loved it. Most books like this lose me in the end when it is all wrapped up with a bow and I start seeing plot holes. Not this one! So thankful that NetGalley let me have early access to this. Besides swearing, there’s nothing to warn you about, which is great! Most thrillers have some element of yuck but this one avoided it. I highly recommend!

I was such a fan of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder that I was ecstatic to receive an ARC of Holly Jackson's latest. I was hooked from the very beginning and needing to know more about the disappearance and REappearance of Rachel Price. Every few pages I was changing my mind about who was involved in the disappearance and it kept me guessing until the very end. The only part I wasn't too into was the B plot romance; the story was strong enough without it! The pacing of this book was excellent and I highly recommend for anyone in the mood for a quick, addictive thriller.

The Reappearance of Rachel Price follows teenager Bel Price as a film crew shoots a documentary about her mother’s disappearance when she was just two years old. Shockingly, her mother, Rachel Price, returns just after they begin filming.

This is my first Holly Jackson experience. I have the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder box set, but I haven’t read it yet. I thought it was super well written. Holly is definitely a master at pulling you into the story and crafting a suspenseful and twisty plot. I was surprised by a large majority of the reveals.

That said, Bel was unfortunately just eminently unlikeable. She was rude, condescending, arrogant, and downright stupid at times. In one instance, she literally just finds out her uncle is seemingly involved in her mother’s original disappearance and her immediate reaction is “I’ll make him talk.” And she seriously proceeds to go to his home ALONE and confront him. This isn’t even a one time occurrence. She reads like an impulsive 12 year old, not an older teenager about to graduate and go to college.

The end was also just too well tied up for my taste. You are already asked to suspend a healthy amount of disbelief throughout, but the end is so utterly unrealistic that it all ties into a nice little bow. No one the wiser. Happy endings for Bel and Rachel abound.

And if you thought Bel needed deep DEEP therapy in the beginning, it’s nothing compared to the therapy they all need now.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

WOW…. OMG… THAT WAS WILD!

A Good Girls Guide to Murder is one of my favorite series ever and I loved Five Survive, so I had very high expectations for this book and I think this book may have actually surpassed all of my expectations. It was fantastic. Once I started it I literally could not put it down. I was up so late reading it and just had to know what was really going on the whole time I was reading. If you are looking for a book to hook you right away, leave you feeling uneasy the whole time, and that is super fast paced and filled with twists, I would definitely recommend this one! I mean I read it in two days and I would not have believed you if you told me how long this book actually was because I was flying through it.

One of the twists in this book I was able to slightly guess at one point, but then other things happened and I totally changed my mind and was developing other theories, so I was still caught off guard in the end and totally surprised. I was also soooo off base with the reasoning behind the theory and what was going on and the story was told so well that even if I had truly figured it out I still feel like I would have been so surprised and still so engaged in the story. There were just so many layers and levels to everything happening that there is no way anyone will guess everything and figure it all out before it is revealed. No matter what, you will be surprised by something. This book gave me all of the feelings that I strive and hope for when reading a thriller.

I was also so glad because this book actually had a happy ending (well as happy as an ending as there could be for this story lol). I also loved that while this story was action packed and full of mystery that there were some other themes that were explored as well. It really explored the ideas of motherhood, true crime and it’s real effects, trust, complicated family dynamics, and lies.

I would absolutely recommend this book to everyone and I think it’s one that people of all ages can really immerse themselves in and enjoy. This is also a great book that I would even recommend to people who want to get into reading for the first time or back into it after a while because of the fast paced and easy to read nature. Or if you are looking for a book to get you out of a slump, pick up this one!

p.s. this book would make a FANTASTIC movie…

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the eARC.

I tore through this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and really thought Bel was such a well written and real character. I didn’t expect the end twist and really enjoyed it. I do feel like some pieces of important info were never shared - but it didn’t stop me from loving my time with this book.

4.5/5 stars for me.

"The Reappearance of Rachel Price" by Holly Jackson is a riveting and atmospheric thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page. With its intricate plot, compelling characters, and twists aplenty, this novel delivers an unforgettable reading experience that will leave readers guessing until the very end.

The story follows protagonist Anna, a troubled teenager grappling with the sudden disappearance of her best friend, Rachel Price. When Rachel mysteriously reappears after a year of being missing, Anna is both relieved and suspicious. As she delves deeper into Rachel's disappearance and subsequent return, Anna uncovers a web of secrets and lies that threaten to unravel everything she thought she knew about her friend and their small town.

Holly Jackson's writing is taut and suspenseful, ratcheting up the tension with each chapter and keeping readers guessing as to the true nature of Rachel's disappearance. The pacing is brisk, with twists and turns that will leave readers breathless and eager to uncover the truth alongside Anna.

One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its portrayal of complex and multifaceted characters. From Anna's inner turmoil and guilt over Rachel's disappearance to Rachel's enigmatic return and the secrets she holds close to her chest, the characters are richly drawn and compellingly flawed. Jackson explores themes of friendship, betrayal, and the darkness that lurks beneath the surface of small-town life with nuance and depth, adding layers of complexity to the narrative.

While "The Reappearance of Rachel Price" may follow some familiar tropes of the thriller genre, including the classic missing person storyline, Jackson injects enough originality and depth into the narrative to keep readers hooked from start to finish. The novel's atmospheric setting, evocative prose, and well-crafted plot make it a standout in the crowded landscape of YA thrillers.

Overall, "The Reappearance of Rachel Price" is a gripping and suspenseful novel that will appeal to fans of the genre and newcomers alike. With its compelling characters, twisty plot, and atmospheric setting, this book is sure to leave readers eagerly anticipating Holly Jackson's next literary offering.

What I Loved:
✨Bel (our MC): She’s smart, snarky, not afraid to drop an f-bomb, and a bit of an unreliable narrator since she can't remember events from her childhood. I eagerly came along for her relentless pursuit of the truth.
✨Mystery: A perfectly paced page-turner fueled by family drama with good red herrings and lots of twists. I loved the clues Jackson left along the way! I speculated that certain scenes, objects, and conversations seemed important. But couldn't quite put the puzzle pieces together. What an ending!!! 😱❤️
✨Narration: The narrator, Amoss, did an excellent job with the narration, especially when it came to capturing the character of Bel. In addition, Amoss also included accents for some of the side characters, which really added to the overall experience. I was so engrossed in the story that I became frustrated when my AirPods died. Why can't these have a longer battery life!?!? 😂 I highly recommend this format; it's truly enjoyable!

AGGGTM is a fan-favorite on booksta, but dare I say I liked TRORP better? Despite the book's length of 430 pages, I binged the book for over 24 hours, alternating between the print and audio versions due to my AirPods dying - yes, I'm repeating my frustration! I'm confident this one will top my 2024 YA Thriller list!

3.75 stars
Holly Jackson is back with an all-new mystery! Annabel, or Bel for short, has never known her mother. Rachel Price disappeared when Bel was two years old. Her case gained national attention. Now, 16 years later a documentary is being made. Questions are being asked, reenactments are happening, and Bel is having a difficult time dealing. The documentary is well underway when Rachel Price suddenly reappears leaving everyone with more questions than ever.
The Reappearance of Rachel Price was a serious book with laughable moments that helped to break up the tension. I did see one of the main twists coming early on but that had no effect on my enjoyment of the book. I had so many theories about what actually happened. I was totally immersed into this book. The writing quality, details, and characters all played a part in reeling me in. I really liked the topic of Bel and her feelings of abandonment and how it affected her now in present time. She was fiercely protective of those around her and truly admirable.
With that said, is this my new favorite Holly Jackson book? No. The pacing was a little slow at times, especially towards the beginning. I also felt that there was some repetitiveness. The ending forced me to suspend disbelief because it was a wild time for sure. I’m happy I read this, and I did like it overall. If you like true crime, I definitely recommend giving it a try.

Trademark Holly Jackson in the absolute best way. I loved the protagonist and her gritty determination to find the truth. As someone who almost always guesses the twist ending, this one took me completely by surprise. I loved it.

I enjoyed this book. It is very character-driven and the main character is flawed, per usual, but it's a good story nonetheless. The resolution was a bit rushed and absolutely unbelievable, but it wrapped it all up nicely. There are several plot twists, and while there are some you can see coming, I was pleasantly surprised to be blindsided a few times. Bel, in my opinion, is extremely unlikeable, but has a few redeeming qualities. The amount of times I wanted to scream, "Just shut up, Bel, and let people speak; you might actually get some answers" were many. If you enjoy character-driven mysteries with female protagonists, you will likely enjoy The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson.

If you loved A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, you’re going to love Jackson’s newest! In fact, I think Rachel Price is even better! It’s twistier and is still fast paced with amazing relatable characters.

Rachel Price disappeared 16 years ago. One day she was there, and the next her car was found on the side of the road with Annabel, Bel, still in the back seat. Now, Bel and her family have agreed to do a documentary about it. What they remember and what it would be like if she came back. From the title, we know she does! But the way the family said they would act and the way they do are wildly different and Bel is determined to figure out why. And the family secrets seem to have no end!

I enjoyed this one so much! The main characters are real and relatable and even the minor characters have the depth they need to not just be props. I was stumped the whole book and didn't know what the truth was until Bel found out herself. I liked the documentary crew on this too, as they fed the reader information in such a way that made the past events feel new and relevant, not like they were just catching the reader up on things. Adult me found the ending a little unbelievable, but I’m not the target audience! And YA me wouldn’t have a problem with it. So I’m going with it! I will absolutely be recommending this to my students and making sure the librarian gets it for our library!

Thank you Netgalley and Delacorte Press for an advance digital copy. All opinions are mine.

I really wanted to absolutely love this book, but it started off a bit too slow for me and I struggled a bit getting into it because of that. Once it picked up it in the last part of the book, it was hard to set down. It also seemed like Bel was unsure about her mom even before she returned, a bit too much in my opinion.

Bel's mom Rachel vanished 16 years ago, and Bel was found in the back of the car with Rachel nowhere in sight. During those 16 years, Bel and her Dad have become very close and its become the team of the two of them. Rachel re-appears, and Bel knew right away something wasn't adding up and she needed to find out the truth. Bel became obsessed with finding out just what happened and who was involved.
What really happened? Who would have done something like this?