Member Reviews

Right from the start, Zetas Till We Die begins with a strong and compelling premise. Reuniting a decade after the tragic death of one of their own, Zeta Phi Zeta sorority sisters must now face the release of her killer from prison. Despite this looming dark cloud hanging over the girl’s heads, Priscilla insists of the reunion – stating it’s what their sister, Lupe, would have wanted. As old tensions resurface and one of the sisters goes missing, Priscilla begins to dig deeper into what truly happened that night 10 years ago.

The use of flashbacks and multiple POV’s helps unravel the story with an effective pacing that keeps you intrigued throughout. I also enjoyed the mixed media involved with the use of trial transcripts. It lends an authenticity to the story and adds an additional layer to the characters.

Filled with enjoyable albeit sometimes predictable twists and turns, the tension and mystery behind this unique whodunit is palpable throughout. It’s an interesting dynamic to showcase the sisterhood and loyalty of the sorority with the deceit and betrayal of the truth. Overall, this is an engaging and well-written thriller that deeply delves into the secrets that bind people together.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

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4.5 stars rounded down. Absolutely loved this. Constant twists and turns that had me trying to beat the characters to solve the murders! These girls are all so messy and felt like an episode of the Kardashians. I couldn't put this book down once I started. The finale was very satisfying, and overall this was a great thriller
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the eARC!

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Thank you to Graydon House and Amber and Danielle Brown for this ARC.

In “Zetas Till We Die,” we have sorority sisters who experienced the death of one of their own ten years ago. Fast-forward to the present day, they are forced to confront old secrets and a messy web of deceit when the convicted college weirdo is released from prison on a technicality.

This book has relationship drama that could rival the plot of a Real Housewives episode. It features complicated relationships, old habits, and a subplot centered on the FMC’s marriage.

I absolutely loved the FMC, Priscilla, and how the plot was balanced between her relationship and marriage with the darker, more sinister storyline when one of her sorority sisters goes missing after a reunion party.

The beginning of this novel starts off super strong, with drama, social commentary, and a captivating premise. However, the middle section drags on a bit. Once you reach the second half, though, and some of the secrets start to come into the light, the pace barrels toward a thrilling climax that definitely kept me on edge.

Overall, “Zetas Till We Die” is a very dark thriller that explores themes of loyalty and betrayal. The intense atmosphere and intricate twists definitely made this one a fun read. I also thoroughly enjoyed exploring the concept of sisterhood and how one small secret can have devastating consequences. If you are looking for a dark thriller to read this fall, definitely try out “Zetas Till We Die.”

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Gripping from the very first page. This book will have you running back for more. Could not put this down even if I tried.

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Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review!

Zetas Till We Die intrigued me because of the cover, and then because of the plot. I enjoyed the premise, but there were many times the pacing felt slow. Many parts were interesting, like the dual timeline between when they were in college and then years later, when the 'killer' is released on a legal technicality.

Overall, the idea was good, but it fell a bit flat for me. Good characters, though, with development throughout the course of the book!

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Amber and Danielle Brown's Zeta’s Tip We Die is a gripping blend of suspense and drama that will resonate deeply with readers. The novel kicks off with a decade-long sorority reunion for the Zeta Phi Zeta sisters, who are reuniting under somber circumstances. Ten years have passed since the tragic death of one of their own, Lupe, and the release of her killer from prison ignites a mix of nostalgia and unease among the group.

Priscilla, the protagonist, insists on continuing with the reunion despite the dark cloud hanging over their gathering, believing that Lupe would have wanted it that way. The reunion, meant to rekindle old bonds and offer a sense of closure, quickly descends into chaos as old tensions resurface and new threats emerge. The narrative takes a darker turn when one of the sisters goes missing, prompting Priscilla to delve deeper into the events of that fateful night ten years ago.

While the novel starts with a strong, compelling premise and maintains a captivating blend of steamy drama and social commentary, it does experience a lull in pacing. The middle sections drag slightly, potentially testing the patience of readers. However, the story gains momentum in its latter half, culminating in a thrilling climax that will keep readers on edge.

Zeta’s Tip We Die is a dark, emotional read that explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the haunting impact of past secrets. Despite some pacing issues, the novel’s intense atmosphere and intricate plot twists make it a worthwhile read for fans of suspenseful and character-driven fiction.

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4⭐️
I am thankful to have gotten the eARC for free from Netgalley and Harlequin Pub so I can leave my voluntary review.

I loved the description of the book but had trouble with the execution which was disjointed at times. Something just wasn’t coming together for me during the first part of the book. That being said there was a lot that I liked about it and it took a turn for the better during the second half of the book.

It was a pretty good thriller with all that was going down. A little predictable but not fully. Sorry that is vague but it would give spoilers!
I liked the sisterhood the friends had all the years later despite some problematic relationships.

I think I would have liked one revelation to happen a little sooner as the ending seemed rushed and that part of the book was the strong part.

Things a great book for spooky season as it’s “thriller light. A palette cleanser in thriller form. It’s also a good introduction to thriller for young readers or those looking to get into thrillers. The sorority angle is a nice anchor that Greeks can identify with. So those who were in sorority life back in college will love the connection to it.

My rating for this book improved as I read it. So if you’re not feeling it at the beginning, push through and give it a little time.

The book comes out on Sept 10th 2024!

My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

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2.5⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an ARC of this book!

This was a very fitting read for the beginning of the school year (given the school setting). "Zetas Till We Die" is a multi-timeline novel that follows Priscilla, who 10 years after graduating college learns that the man who was accused of killing her sorority sister is being let out of prison. The other timelines follow Lupe, the victim, and notes from the trial after her death. When Priscilla decides to go to her college reunion and revisit the place and memories that remind her of her deceased friend, Priscilla is forced to reckon with the events surrounding Lupe's murder, Priscilla realizes there is more to this mystery than she originally thought.

I am indifferent about this novel, I did not love this book, nor did I hate it. I felt the story was pretty predictable and a classic thriller plot line. I do not see myself revisiting this book in the future, and I do not think the plot will stick with me. Overall, this book is enjoyable for what it is, but it is not a ground-breaking book.

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Just when you think you've figured out the killer, there's another twist in the story. It was enjoyable and thrilling ride. The Zetas are sisters that go through the fire for each other until a secret and a killer start tearing them apart. Don't pass up this weekend read, you won't regret it.

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ARC Review-- 4 ⭐

Publication Date-- Sept 10, 2024

We meet our main character Priscilla and her Zeta Phi Zeta sorority sisters as their 10 year reunion is approaching to which is she planning an epic party. We find out that one of the sisters was murdered their senior year and that the killer has been released from jail on a technicality. This upsets everyone, however they go on with the party. After the party, one of the sisters is missing and later winds up dead. This quickly turns into a "whodunit" style book as the sisters suspect everyone from each other to the killer of their beloved sister 10 years ago.

I honestly didn't expect this novel to go the way it did. I thought it would be much more YA than it was. I assumed this would be more set in college than the post-grad years, but regardless, I still enjoyed the book. It was a bit on the long side at 400 pages, but that did not deter me and by no means does it make it longer than necessary like some thrillers do. I believe this novel needed all 400 of those pages if not more. I feel like there could have been more detail and depth post the major twist, yet it wrapped up nicely.

I enjoyed Priscilla as the main character and I really liked the depth that was give to her characterization as well as the subplot given to her marriage and career--this added dimension to the novel and I really enjoyed the entire story.

Overall I would absolutely recommend picking this book up--a very good mystery thriller book with a lot of twists and turns and lies and betrayals.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, Graydon House, and the author for this opportunity to read this advanced reader copy.

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A wild ride! Priscilla is hosting the tenth reunionof her sorority sisters but it's also to remember Lupe, a soror who was murdered before graduation. Their testimony put away Travis. After the party a soror goes missing, and then two others die, and Travis has been released from prison, so are these events connected or something else is happening? Flash backs to the drama and horny times as college students from Lupe's perspective add to the narrative.

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Amber and Danielle Brown deliver their signature searing writing style, unexpected twists and turns, and keen social commentary in their third novel, ZETAS TILL WE DIE. Prissy is a smart main character who is easy to root for through the mystery and also her own personal issues. The dual timeline with Lupe's POV left even more mystery, answering just enough questions for me to feel satisfied but also keep going back for more. I was up late into the night reading this book, desperate to find out what happened, and the finale was devastating, twisted, sad, and triumphant all at the same time. I would recommend this to readers who love thrillers, and also character driven contemporaries.

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Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Unfortunately, I'm putting this one down at 25% and I may or may not pick it back up. For me, thrillers need to be a bit more fast paced. At about 100 pages in, I don't feel like much of anything has really happened and a lot of the writing has been repetitive. For instance, there has been a lot of thoughts from our main character about how she misses being intimate with her husband, which is fine because those are real issues that people have, but it is mentioned so often that it got stale really fast.

There is also a lot of talk about clothing and shoes and how rich they are, which is something I'm not really interested in. I assumed there would be some of this because they are in a sorority, and I know that fashion is important to some (not all) sororities. But again, not really my cup of tea.

Again, I think I just needed the story to move along more than it has at this point.

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Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“Zetas Till We Die” by Amber and Danielle Brown is a captivating mystery thriller that dives into the intertwined lives of several women bound by their past as sorority sisters in Zeta Phi Zeta. Set mainly in the present day with flashbacks as well as court transcripts, the story picks up a decade after a murder that rocked their college years and led to the conviction of a supposed killer. With his release on a technicality, the Zetas are forced to confront old secrets and navigate a tangled web of deceit, betrayal, and loyalty. If you enjoy books involving sorority drama, even though these characters are in their 30s, there is still definitely a lot of drama and secrets for the Zeta sisters.

The book is centered around Priscilla, a couple's therapist dealing with her own personal issues, which adds an intriguing layer to the story as there is a subplot centered around her husband and her career, which provide a compelling story thread that intersects with the main mystery. I actually enjoyed this subplot as it showed the repercussions of being a marriage counselor, and it definitely added a lot of tension to the story. Priscilla's character is well-developed and relatable, making her journey gripping and interesting, especially when showing how past traumas can linger and affect the present, such as with her own relationships with family and friends.

The authors skillfully use flashbacks and multiple perspectives to unfold the story, effectively taking readers back to the Zeta Phi Zeta's college days to provide context for the unfolding drama. Lupe's perspective, in particular, offers subtle hints about what truly happened the night of the murder, adding an extra layer to the story. I did find that some of the other Zeta members feel underdeveloped, leaving me wanting more insight into their stories and motives. I didn’t feel much emotion over these characters, even when things were ramping up towards the end of the story; I wanted more of their perspectives throughout. While the characters sometimes behave immaturely, particularly at the party scenes, this portrayal feels intentional, reflecting the idea that some people never truly outgrow their college personas. This adds a layer of realism to the story, even if it makes the characters occasionally frustrating.

The inclusion of trial transcripts between chapters is a clever touch that adds authenticity to the story, especially as this element helps to build suspense and keeps you questioning the truth until the very end as there are subtle hints regarding Lupe’s accused killer that makes you come in doubt as to what Priscilla believes happened that tragic night in the past.

The plot is filled with twists and turns, with red herrings scattered throughout to keep you guessing, though there were almost too many red herrings for my liking with so many different theories regarding the mystery that I found it a bit difficult to keep track on what was going on, who knew what, etc. I did find that the big twist regarding the killer was predictable, and I had guessed the truth early on in the book. Yet I still enjoyed the strong sense of tension and mystery throughout. The ending is somewhat somber, wrapping up various subplots neatly but leaving a lingering sense of melancholy.


Overall, “Zetas Till We Die” is an engaging and well-written thriller that explores the complexities of friendship, loyalty, and the secrets that bind people together. It's perfect for readers who enjoy a good whodunit with a strong focus on character development and emotional depth.

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It's been 10 years and there are still unresolved issues for the Zetas. Priscilla, who narrates most of this tale, is worried about the release of Travis, who allegedly murdered their sister. And rightly so since another sister has just gone missing. This moves back and forth in time and I'll bet you, like me, might miss some of the clues from the past. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. It's not deep, it's a little over the top in sports, but it is a page turner.

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This book was not what I expected it to be, but I still enjoyed it. I love the sorority sisters with a killer on the loose vibe, which this delivered, but in a different way than I expected as the storyline takes place 10 years post graduation. It is a fun who-dunnit mystery thriller with the added depth of dealing with loss and the complexities of relationships as they segue into adulthood. It takes place following the life of the main character years after her best friend was killed in their sorority house when the man convicted of killing her is released from prison and another of her sorority sisters goes missing the night of a reunion. It was definitely a quick read and one I did not want to put down at times. There was also plenty of cultural commentary and added perspective and I liked watching the side stories and the main characters relationship struggles unfold. It was a little predictable and I definitely saw the twist coming, but still a fun read. 3.5/5 stars. Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC!

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"At first, the tears don't come. All I feel is fear. Unadulterated fear."


Murder
Suspicious characters
Dark academia vibes
Whodunit
Twisty
Dual povs
Dual timeline

This one I was so excited for. I loved the name, and the synopsis, it just spoke to me.

My thought from the first 25% were: Kenan is sus, but so is Liam for that matter.
Dionne definitely oversteps her friendship boundaries , zeta or not. Now look where her constant outbursts have gotten the group?
And Val, like whered this girl pop out from, stealing all of Prissy's thunder like that?!

But as I got more invested, everyone is a suspect, and for good reason. Plus let's talk about the cops - like I hate when they never take a missing person report serious the first time but also the second?!?! until there's blood?!?!?!

Just when you thought it couldn't go on, twist...twist..twist. like what kind of real house wife drama were these people into?!

I definitely stayed up WAY to late to find out who was doing the killing, because #zetastilwedie

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A fun read but I had a hard time connecting with the characters. I will continue to read this duos books but this one wasn't my favorite this time.

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Always love a good sorority thriller!
This one was great!
Thanks NetGalley for the opportunity to read and to Amber & Danielle Brown!

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Overall I liked the book . It was pretty standard fare for a thriller book. It delivers on the red herrings and tense scenes.

It's been 10 years since one of the Zeta sisters was murdered. Her murderer has just been released from prison on a technicality and the sisters are gathered at Prissy's house to celebrate Lupe's life. Things go awry quickly when Prissy wakes up the next morning to the news one of her sisters didn't come home after the party. From here we dive into the mystery of finding the missing sister and unraveling ten years of secrets.
What I liked about the book
The characters were diverse, We had multiple representations here POC, LBGTQ+ and loner misunderstood persons.
I liked the dual timelines and different POV's
I liked the undercurrent of how well do we actually know someone? The title says Zetas Till We Die and we get to see that being "sisters' doesn't mean a person knows someone as well as they think. I enjoyed this aspect way more than the "mystery"
The main character's counseling job was interesting and I liked the scenes we got a glimpse of that.

What I liked a little less

I would have like a bit more character development. The main character Prissy felt a bit one dimensional and felt a bit apathetic to other characters. She was pretty self absorbed for someone who dedicates her life to counseling other people.
There was a situation that added nothing to the story other than to try to garner sympathy for the main character., but the emotion didn't come through on page.
The other sorority sisters were pretty much the same,, One has kids and she's pretty much reduced to that. Her whole personality. Plenty of people with kids have something going on other than being a parent.
All of the characters were described throughout the book the same from beginning to end. I don't know about anyone else, but I certainly wasn't the same person at 31 that I was at 21. Other than their careers they pretty much were the same women they were in college.

I did enjoy the book. It was a fine read and I think with a little tweaking this book could be amazing. It's got all the elements that make a good thriller. With some character development and pacing tweaks this would be a solid 4*.

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