2/10/24: 4.25 ⭐ Thank you to Delacorte Press and Holly Jackson for the ARC!

Okay, wow. I jumped on the Holly Jackson bandwagon pretty late in the game (circa this summer), but quickly found the hype was super deserved. I devoured the entire Good Girl's Guide to Murder series in like a week and promptly had no idea what to do with myself. Luckily, I was able to get my hands on the ARC, and here we are! I only sacrificed a good night's sleep to read it.

The Reappearance of Rachel Price centers around eighteen-year-old Annabel "Bel" Price, whose mother vanished into thin air when she was little, never to be seen again. Fast forward to Bel's senior year, her family has agreed to film a documentary chronicling the cold case, a decision Bel decidedly resents. She plans to make pretty much everyone involved go through hell when she's around, but everything changes when Rachel shows up after sixteen years and threatens to destroy Bel's hard-won peace. What follows is a suspenseful, thrilling novel that was so addictive I literally could not stop reading until I'd finished the book. Did I hate myself in the morning for it? Not even. I was on a mission.

In true Holly Jackson Fashion, RRR is chock full of twists and turns that will leave you second-guessing any theory you manage to come up with. The pace was fast, the tone was sharp, and the cast was highly entertaining. It reminded me a bit of Knives Out with how the family functioned and interacted with one another, which made the story even more enjoyable. There is so much humor packed within these pages, and I think it often goes unnoticed because the mystery aspect is so outstanding, but Holly Jackson nailed the comedic moments every time. It was a pleasant surprise because GGGTM had a very different (re: darker) tone. That combined with the INSANE plot (genuinely how did she cook this up in there?? Holly Jackson you are so big brain) made this a wild ride that I highly recommend to anyone with a pulse and/or need to see the Grumpy x Sunshine trope play out in the middle of a documentary and cold case investigation. Seriously, Bel and Ash were ADORABLE.

Ultimately, this is a story about family—not the kind you are born into, but the kind you choose; the topics RRR covers are equal parts heavy, relatable, and captivating all at once. (Like I said, I literally could not stop reading.) Bel is such an interesting main character, and I love that, kind of like in GGGTM, she is a complex female character who doesn't strive for perfection, but rather leans into her flaws. It's easy to fall into the kind of cycle Bel does, and Holly Jackson portrayed her development and characterization so well. The reader's connection with Jackson's scathing, cynical protagonist drives the emotional core of the story and adds so much nuance to the backstory that is slowly shared with readers. Like, maybe it's because I too am a raging bitch most of the time but I just understand her, okay? She's just a girl!!!!

Overall, I give this almost 4.5 stars. The only reason I took so much off the rating was (I hate to say it) the trademark Holly Jackson ending, which is to say, highly entertaining and somewhat impossible to execute in real life. Hopefully, this gets as much hype as her other stuff because it deserves all of it and more! We need more murder girls!!!!!

Holly Jackson does not disappoint. I loved this book. A YA mystery that is fun and easy to read, but also still has so much thought and plot! I read Holly's AGGGTM series and was so stoked to read this one. Such a fun read with so many twists. Kept me soooo engaged the whole time. Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for this ARC!

I've been reading Holly Jackson books since the first Good Girl's Guide to Murder was released and she is a fantastic author so I was thrilled when I heard about this book and read what it was about. Once again, Jackson has managed to write another amazing young adult murder mystery novel. One thing I really love about her books is that she doesn't shy away from tough topics within them outside of the murder investigations. The characters feel real and you really care about them. I have also seen her grow as an author through her books because in the first two Good Girl's books, I was able to figure out and guess majority of what was going to happen. In this novel, I was truly surprised and did not see the ending coming. I would and will 1o/10 recommend these to my teens in the library.

This is the story about Bel whose mother, Rachel Price, disappeared when she was only 2 years old. A documentary is being made on that disappearance and suddenly her lost mother reappears. But things are weird with Rachel around. Where was she for the last sixteen years? Bel is sure her mother is lying.

I was so invested in the story, I was completely hooked from the first few pages. There is suspense present which made me want to keep reading and find out what happened.

Even though I saw the two plot twists coming from the behaviours of the characters and the things said, but despite that, the ending was explosive in my opinion and also very touching

All in all, I loved reading this book and I also loved how the story wrapped up. Highly recommend this book.

I'm pretty picky these days about what books capture and keep my interest till the very end, and hands down, this is one of the best YA I've read in a while. I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a book of this genre so much. Respectfully, Holly Jackson has a league of their own,

EXCUSE ME! This is what a good who done it mystery. Literally could not put it down. Even though it was slightly predictable it was still so gripping! I ate it up! Finished within 4 hours!

another holly jackson serve. im addicted to everything she writes and she didn't disappoint. this book was so frustrating sometimes, but in a good way. i finished this within a day and was on the edge of my seat

4.5⭐️
thank you to netgalley, the author, and random house children’s for providing me with an arc!
i didn’t want to ever stop reading this book. it had me on the edge of my seat the entire time and that’s what i love about every one of this authors books! there was so many clues and puzzles i tried so hard to put together but i couldn’t, and i was blown away by the way things always came together. i thought the pacing of this story was perfect. i was suspicious of all of the characters at one point but i came to love the main three at the ending.

3/5 Stars
*ARC Review*

Holly Jackson is quickly becoming a master of the thriller genre, and I've enjoyed all her books so far with A Good Girl's Guide to Murder being one of my all time favorite thrillers. Unfortunately, The Reappearance of Rachel Price was a weaker entry for Jackson with a generally unlikable protagonist and a convoluted ending.


Let's start by talking about our main character Bel who seemed to drastically change her mind about everything and everyone every other page. A big part of Bel's character is her firm belief that she was abandoned by Rachel, which feels strange given Rachel is suspected to be dead or kidnapped? It just doesn't fit that Bel would despise her mother as opposed to whoever took her, and then refuse to accept anyone in her life for fear that they would also leave under mysterious circumstances? It just immediately put me off Bel as an unreasonable and abrasive character who had no real reason to distrust her mother's return. This bleeds into Bel's investigation into her mother's reappearance, as she seems to change her entire opinion about everyone on a dime because of the smallest piece of circumstantial evidence. She swings her beliefs about the truth so often it's off-putting. Her attitude towards her mother eventually makes sense given what happens throughout the book, but it's still hard to root for Bel when it feels like she's not being even slightly rational.


I still really enjoyed the action and mystery of the novel, and Jackson's writing is still high quality. The book kept me interested right up until the end, and the mystery did build to a surprising conclusion which I initially enjoyed. I liked the truth reveal, and it felt like a nice departure from the expected. My problem with the ending came with the resolution to the conflict. No spoilers till the books is released, but it just felt like people would ask more questions? It just felt a little too easy and like some of the side characters in particular weren't responding to what happened in a way normal people would. It just kind of deflated all of the great mystery that led to that moment, which was a disappointment.


Holly Jackson is still a great thriller writer, this one just wasn't for me. Still, it's a nice and fast paced mystery read for fans of the genre. I just think I would recommend every other Holly Jackson book before I mentioned this one.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an early copy of this book. All comments are my own.

This was such a fun and fast-paced read. Holly Jackson truly never disappoints.

Although I felt that this book was a bit predictable; I still had a great time reading it. The characters were well rounded and interesting. The plot was well put together and really held my attention.

I can’t wait to see what Holly writes next.

4 stars!

Another out of the park novel by Holly Jackson. "The Reappearance of Rachel Price" is a twisty YA mystery novel following Bel and the rest of the Price family as they participate in a true crime documentary about Rachel Price, Bel's mother. 16 years after her disappearance, Rachel mysteriously appears back into the Price's lives, but Bel doesn't have a good feeling about her. Similarly to Holly Jackson's other novels, our main character is spunky and incredibly intuitive. I love how Holly Jackson uses the east coast as the setting in all of her books. It blows my mind that she hasn't even stepped foot in New England, but knows enough about the surrounding and the culture. I can't wait for the next one!

The premise of this book is super interesting. Mom disappears for 16 years and then just magically returns. This author has such a good way of hooking you into the story..

I found myself enjoying trying to work through the twists, but not enjoying the main character Bel. She was so negative, jumped to wild conclusions, and was mean to everyone because she wanted to be the one to push people away. I get her having an icier attitude towards a life that was very unfair to her. But it kind of just made you want to root against her.

Now the ending of the book… I think the twist was good, but the conclusion as a whole was so unrealistic. Lots of real life factors that were brushed over to try and wrap up the story.

This was still fun to read and appreciate NetGalley and Random House for giving me this advanced copy to review!

I don't know how Holly Jackson does it! Here, we have another tense and heart-stopping thriller that keeps you guessing to the very end. What I love about Jackson's writing and stories is that you get more than just a mystery but also what you can call a human story, where the main characters go through a complete transition, and you can't blame them, especially with what they went through. I also like the true crime "inspired" plot, which we will continue seeing this trend in mysteries and thrillers. But rest assured, she adds a refreshing take to it and won't make it tiresome for readers, whether or not they are a fan of the genre.⁠
⁠
You will have a hard time putting this one down. With this latest page-turner, intricately plotted but with tense and engaging writing, Jackson has another winner with a story with a twist you will not see coming.

- review: ★★★☆☆ -

thank you delacorte press for giving me a copy to read and review!

i’ve been in a massive mystery mood (ha that alliteration) so i was really excited to pick this up. the story follows a teenaged girl named bel, whose family decides to be part of a documentary about her missing mother. tensions soon arise, and especially skyrockets when bel’s mother, rachel price, finally makes a reappearance after more than a decade.

there was definitely potential in this plot and i was very interested from the get go. this was something new that holly jackson was bringing to the table. it kept me on my toes, but it wasn’t long before i decided to take a seat.

while my interest level at the start was extremely high, it soon began to dip the longer the book went. it also did not help that none of the characters were were likeable unfortunately. i simply did not like bel and found myself missing hj’s other female leads.

(additionally, i counted the number of times the word “fuck” appears in this book and i kid you not, there were more than 100 mentions.) i don’t mind cursing in books and honestly, it’s a natural word to use in a conversation. but multiply that word by more than a 100 and include “coronavirus” in the book? i just wanted the book to end.

if the book was slightly shorter, i definitely think that i would enjoy it. half of the page time was simply bel moving from place to place and it felt extremely repetitive. the conversations were also pretty boring and don’t really add to the plot.

however, i must say that were holly jackson truly shines is her endings. the ending was definitely mind-blowing and even though some parts were predictable, there were many other aspects that i did not expect to happen. i wanted to give this 4 ★ just for that conclusion, but felt it was over-generous due to my floundering interest in the first 80% of the book.

overall, this wasn’t a bad read. however, i don’t see myself rereading this and i’ll probably forget the plot within a few months time. five survive still remains my favourite book by the author bc that? that was phenomenal.

Actual rating 2.5

This took until the reappearance of Rachel until the story picked up speed which was a plus. I really tried to like the plot of Rachel reappearing after 16 years, but I did not like Bel since she was brash, self-centered, and exceptionally disrespectful to those around her whether they were younger, her age, or elderly. If Bel had been written differently, I would have added a star to my rating. The unraveling of the disappearance of Rachel was a disappointment since the big reveals did not make any sense. I guessed one reveal from the start, but the others were plain ludicrous. I was left with many more questions about the drama-filled Price family by the time the book ended. Thank you NetGalley for an ARC.

The start to this book was a little slow- I had to push to get to the good part, which started around 20% in. There were lots of twists and it held my interest from there on. The ending was a little iffy, but overall a worthwhile read.

In this captivating read, the author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through a blend of richly developed characters and a meticulously crafted plot, the book offers a unique exploration of its central themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the story's depth and complexity. The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with thoughtful reflection, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. The author's ability to evoke emotion and create a vivid, immersive world is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for an exceptional literary experience.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.

Bel Price has grown up believing that her mother abandoned her on the side of the road when she was 2. No one knows what happened to the mysterious Rachel Price. Now, at 18 she is participating in a documentary about her mom’s case. This digs up a lot of old memories that Bel doesn’t even have, and doesn’t wish to relive.

Until Rachel shows up out of nowhere, and has her whole family acting weird. Bel knows Rachel is lying, but seems to be the only one questioning it.


Holly Jackson is genius. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder has stuck with me for years and is often the bar I use when evaluating other mystery books. But this, might just have it beat.

There were so many times that I felt like I might have had a handle on what had happened. But boy was I wrong. I fell right into all of the traps set, and trusted all of the wrong people (as per usual). I will definitely be purchasing copies to keep in my classroom library after release date. I can think of so many students that would get pulled right into this chaos.

Holly Jackson is great at suspense, and I felt a lot of it at the beginning of the book .Rachel's return was creepy and unpredictable. I had no idea where the book was going. Jackson's writing is snappy and fast-paced. While this wasn't my favorite of her works, her writing is what pulled me through it regardless.
I did not like the ending of this book - it felt like it would have needed a sequel to do what it was suddenly trying to do in the last 90% of the book. It was a similar flip of the script that we saw in the last GGGTM book, but much more rushed and unbelievable.
Not my favorite of hers, but I'll still read anything Jackson writes.

The Goodreads review:
Nooooo i love holly jackson but im sorry this took a total nosedive at about 80% and so many things happened right at the very end i couldnt suspend belief for any of it

Still a huge holly jackson fan and will continue to read anything she writes but i did not like this lol

THE QUEEN OF YA MYSTERIES STRIKES AGAIN

just finished this and oh my goodness this was amazing bell has such a character development through the book I love her relationship with her cousin and how much you can see the bond between them

Also the romance sub plot 🤌 so good

The plot twists here were crazy (very holly Jackson) throughout this book more kept changing which kept me invested
All in all a great book

I received an ARC version of this book

Thank you Holly Jackson for letting me do this it's for sure one of your best