I was given this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

My first thought was: what if someone turned Gwenyth Paltrow’s trial/Goop-iverse into fiction? But maybe that would be more fair if this was in Deena’s POV. I was intrigued by and enjoyed the plot. What’s going on in this town? What’s up with that group of girls? This is far from the stereotypical high school clique story. It’s a cult documentary thrown into Gossip Girl. But it took waaaaay too long to get there. I felt like you were tossed into Julia’s mind without any context and without teasing the drama and the mystery. It took until halfway through the book to get to the point where the mystery started to unfurl and things began to get suspenseful but it was still too easy to put down. I almost wish the twists and intrigue that happened towards the middle and end were planted at the beginning and then the author would have to walk us back to how we got there. Instead, it was like, why am I wondering around and around in this field and then hours later, oh! There’s a body. How’d it get there? Still an interesting story and some interesting characters but I wasn’t invested in the characters much and this was too easy to keep putting down and walking away from. I wanted to be madly flipping through the pages and boycotting sleep. I think the potential was there for that though and I loved the queer aspect. This also shed very important light on human rights issues like human trafficking and underage grooming and targeting vulnerable populations to take advantage of them

The premise—health and beauty cult mixed with a little high-school romance. This book had a ton of potential, but it didn’t really live up to what I was hoping for. The whole cult/self-image idea could’ve been super interesting, but the dialogue felt a little forced and flat. Instead of feeling like natural conversations, it often came off as a bit too scripted. That made it harder to connect with the characters and their relationships. It definitely has that "Cultish" creepy-thriller-vibe that kept my attention, but there were moments when I wasn’t fully invested. On the plus side, the mystery of what’s going on behind the scenes at DEEP was intriguing, and I definitely kept reading to figure it out. There are a lot of twists and turns that kept me hooked, and the ending was actually pretty satisfying. If you’re in the mood for a quick, high-tension mystery, this could be a fun read.

*** I think it’s also important to remember that the characters are high schoolers, so their decisions and actions totally reflect that! While the concept had a lot of promise, I just wished the story and characters had more depth. Overall, it’s a decent read if you're looking for something suspenseful with a few surprises.

3.5 stars, rounded up.

Frances Bean, named after, yes, that Frances Bean, is invited to join one of the most exclusive groups at her ultra wealthy high school, by none other than her crush, Julia, the founder of Deep, a wellness brand that is famous, not only for its products, but it’s lifestyle. But immediately there are, ahem, white flags. All of the employees seem a little too committed to the cause. And while Frances feels relaxed, and at home while at headquarters and at the events, the group seems to be pulling her away from her other friends. Things come to ahead eventually, and Frances Beanis forced to make some tough decisions before they are made for her.

I liked this book, it had all the elements of a “groupthink,” creepy thriller that kept my attention throughout, but I can’t say that I was completely drawn in at any point in time. Frances Bean was a great character, but Julia and Frances Bean‘s core friend group kind of rubbed me the wrong way at points. Maybe that’s what soured the book a little for me.

But the central plot of what exactly is going on behind the scenes at Deep is very intriguing so I definitely kept reading to try to unravel that. And it’s really a very good book just for that mystery which I did not guess. The ending was really satisfying and I would recommend that if you were looking for a good high-tension suspenseful mystery, this could be a quick fix for you. There’s lots of little twists and turns throughout which kept my attention throughout.

I think the key is to remember that most of the characters are high-school aged, and they definitely act like it, and make decisions based on that behavior.

But like I said, it’s a great mystery with an intriguing premise, as the description says definitely one that evoked “Nine Perfect Strangers” for me.

It had so much potential, especially with its intriguing premise—a health and beauty cult combined with a sapphic romance—but unfortunately, it didn’t live up to expectations. The concept of exploring a cult’s influence in the world of beauty and self-image could have been fascinating, but the execution falls flat.

One of the major issues is the "show, don't tell" problem. The main character, Frances, is described as being completely opposite to the ideals of the Femme cult—goth, rebellious, and indifferent to her appearance—but this is told to us rather than demonstrated in a way that feels genuine or compelling. Instead of experiencing Frances’s struggle or seeing her rejection of the cult’s ideals, we’re just told about her opposition to it. So when she suddenly becomes drawn to the cult, it feels unearned and the emotional stakes fall flat.

The dialogue and narration also felt flat and forced. Rather than feeling like natural interactions between characters, everything came across as overly caricatured or overly scripted. It’s hard to get invested in a romance or any of the relationships when the dialogue isn’t giving the characters room to feel real. I think the concept itself could have been really interesting, especially if the cult’s dynamics were explored more deeply and the character development had more depth.

4/ 5 stars
What was put in this book. I started it thinking of I'll just read a few chapters. Nah this was straight crack. I couldn't put it down.

Frances Bean, is known to be a goth in her school. However when paired with her crush who is equally infatuated with her for an English project. She is thrusted into a world of White clothes, wellness parties that everyone is dying to be apart of.

This book definitely is on the darker side of YA and shows the vulnerability of younger people with how they can be taken advantage of in the makeup/health industry. I enjoyed the perspective of looking at it from an outsiders view before being thrown into the cult like beliefs. Not to mention the queer rep and it's a sapphic thriller.

The pacing of this book felt rather fast in spots and I wish we got to spend more time fleshing out some of the side characters.

TW: SA, Alcohol Addiction, Adult/Minor relationship, cult, drug use, emotional abuse.

wow, what a rollercoaster.

at times predictable, the story is still edge-of-your-seat suspenseful. it had me staying up late into the night to finish it - i was sucked in to the glitz and glamor and grit and grime of DEEP. truly, a wild ride.

I am not a cosmetics person, and the way this was headed seemed like I just would not enjoy it even though I usually love YA thrillers. The writing is good, and I love the idea of a girl getting involved in something because of a cute girl.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

I really wanted to like this since I loved The Substance but I really couldn't get into it. I don't know if I've run my course with YA and just not into it as much as I used to be a few years ago. However, I can see a younger crowd (who it's actually aimed at) resonating and liking this.

This book wasn’t for me. Overall, it was fine but nothing spectacular that stood out to me. It was very evident that it was written from a YA audience and was slow to start and a bit predictable. I can see a younger audience enjoying this a bit more!

This book was a pleasant surprise.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, as it was a quick read and a good time.

ɨ ʀɛċօʍɛռɖ tɦɨs օռɛ ʄօʀ ɛʋɛʀʏօռɛ ʝʊst ʟɨҡɛ ʍɛ ɨts a ʟօʋɛʀ օʄ tɦɛ աօʀʟɖ օʄ ɮɛaʊtʏ
ɨts a ʄasċɨռatɨռɢ աɛʟʟ ċօռstʀʊċtɛɖ ɮօօҡ ɨ աɨʟʟ ċɛʀtaɨռʟʏ ʀɛċօʍɛռɖ ʄօʀ sօʍɛ ɮօօҡstatɦʀɨʟʟɛʀs ɢʀaʍʍɛʀs ɨ ɖօ ʄօʟʟօա aռɖ ʟɨҡɛ ʟɨҡɛ ɮօռɛċɦɨʟʟɨռɢ ʄօʀ ɛxaʍքʟɛ
tɦɨs ɮօօҡ ɖɨɖ ɦօօҡɛɖ ʍɛ tɦɛ ċօʋɛʀ ɨts ʄasċɨռatɨռɢ tɦɛ tɛռsɨօռ ɨts օռ tɦɛ քɛʀʄɛċt % ռօt օɮʋɨօʊs ɮʊt ʏɛt stɨʟʟ tɛռsɛ ɛռօʊɢɦ tօ ҡɛɛք ʏօʊ ɢʊɛssɨռɢ "աɦօ ɖɨɖ tɦɨs?" tɦɛ աɦօʟɛ ɮօօҡ ċɛʀtaɨռʟʏ
ɨ sʊʀɛʟʏ աɨʟʟ ʄօʟʟօա tɦɛ aʊtɦօʀ ʄʀօʍ ռօա օռ ɨɢ aռɖ ʀɛaɖ օtɦɛʀ ʄʊtʊʀɛ tɦʀɨʟʟɛʀs ċօʍɨռɢ
ʟօʋɛɖ it

"You Belong to Me" initially lures you in with the promise of a classic "outsider finds acceptance" narrative, dipped in the glossy veneer of wealth and wellness culture. Frances Bean, the self-proclaimed goth bookworm, is a relatable protagonist, comfortably existing on the fringes until Julia Patterson, the epitome of popularity and privilege, shatters her carefully constructed world.

The author expertly crafts the allure of DEEP, Deena Patterson's wellness empire. The descriptions of luxurious parties, "magical" products, and the promise of self-empowerment are intoxicating, mirroring the real-world appeal of similar influencer-driven brands. You can almost feel Frances's initial skepticism melt away as she's drawn into Julia's orbit. The burgeoning romance between Frances and Julia is sweet and believable, fueling the reader's investment in Frances's newfound happiness.

However, the narrative skillfully shifts from a dreamy romance to a suspenseful thriller. The "dark turn" at the DEEP party is a pivotal moment, forcing Frances (and the reader) to question the true nature of the seemingly perfect world she's entered. The book effectively explores themes of manipulation, the seductive power of belonging, and the dangers of blind trust.

While the story is compelling, some readers might find the pacing slightly uneven. The initial build-up is slow and deliberate, focusing on Frances's internal struggles and her growing attraction to Julia. The transition to the suspenseful climax, while impactful, feels somewhat abrupt.

Despite this minor critique, "You Belong to Me" is a thought-provoking read that will resonate with young adult readers. It tackles relevant issues surrounding social media, influencer culture, and the pressure to conform, all while delivering a captivating story of romance and suspense. The book leaves you pondering the true cost of belonging and the importance of staying true to yourself, even when faced with the most alluring temptations. If you're looking for a YA thriller with a touch of romance and a dark undercurrent, "You Belong to Me" is definitely worth picking up.

That stunning cover immediately grabbed me and set the perfect tone for this book. It explores teen girlhood and complexities, harmful wellness culture, and class, all wrapped up in a quick, easy read. The writing style is simple but effective, making it really feel like a teenagers tone of voice and point of view. In the past few years there seems to have been an uptick in books that interrogate the wellness space and it’s really interesting to see that in a young adult novel as well.

You Belong to Me follows Frances Bean, an outsider perfectly content with avoiding the rich and popular at her school. Until Julia, daughter of the famous wellness guru who runs DEEP, takes notice of her. Suddenly, Bean is going to DEEP femme gatherings and falling for Julia. But one of those parties takes a dark turn and Bean is forced to reevaluate what is truly going on.

This was an interesting story with a sinister undertone woven throughout. It has a very cult-like vibe going on and I really liked when we finally got more into the creepy, sketchy stuff going on. I did wish there was more of a horror factor as a lot of the novel is Bean falling for Julia and growing apart from her friends. But I did appreciate the narrative and themes presented.

Bean is a good main character who goes through a lot over the course of the book. I enjoyed her arc and found it very realistic. I enjoyed how complicated and toxic her friendships and relationship with Julia was.

Overall, this is an interesting story that fans of beauty culture and cult-like vibe stories will enjoy.

Thank you to Penguin Teen and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

First, I want to thank Netgalley and Penguin Random House for giving me the opportunity to read You Belong to Me by Haley Krischer. This opinion is solely mine. This book is not one that I would normally choose to read, but I'm glad I was given the chance to read it. The story follows Frances "Bean" and the lore of beauty, wellness, and love. Bean was always an outcast with her very small group of other misfit friends. That is until Julia starts talking to her. Julia's mom is the owner and guru of Deep, a beauty and wellness health line. Bean gets drawn into the glamor of "Deep Life," that is, until someone ends up dead at one of the parties. The book explores a lot of different hard topics (abuse, childhood trauma, drugs, alcohol). It was a decent read, 3 stars, and I would recommend it to others who are interested.

Hayley Krischer always demonstrates such an acute understanding of teenage social dynamics which then translates to a thriller plot, and this book is no different. You Belong to Me follows Frances as she becomes involved with Julia, the daughter of a wellness businesswoman. Their relationship evolves from casual to platonic to romantic, which also aligns with Frances being pulled into Julia's mom's company, Deep. Deep felt pretty cult-y to me pretty early on, but it was still interesting to read about Frances descending into it.

I think that Krischer handled Frances's and Julia's relationship very well, having them bond over legitimate shared experiences (like their lack of a father figure) and having genuine positive interactions while also making it clear that their relationship is unhealthy, especially since I was in an unhealthy relationship as a teenager and wish I had been taught about healthy relationships. We see how Deep (and Julia) changes Frances's personality and her relationships with both her mom and her existing friend group, who are toxic in their own ways too which added a nice nuance to the story (since I think it'd be very easy for Krischer to depict them as benevolent and acting solely in Frances's best interest). Of course, this being a thriller there is an unexpected death which adds even more intrigue to the story.

Lots of characters right off the bat.


Lgbtqia+
Young love and beauty products


Slow burn into the beauty world and what people may be hiding behind to find purpose and fit in.

Major cult vibes


Very namaste and wellness talk, also explaining away why things cost so much because of how they're made, feels alot like brainwashing
Along with drugs and alcohol and creepy investors. This book is a wide eyed look into the dark side of wellness


So taken aback by the amount of pressure they instill in keeping their perfect personality intact


I don't think ive really ever read a cult book before but this is something else

Such a fast paced thrill, I read it in one sitting. Lovebombed by your first girlfriend so hard you accidentally join a cult, classic teenage lesbian shenanigans. To me it was like if Lottie Matthew’s wellness cult in Yellowjackets ran a sex-driven Goop.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

Stories about the dark side of the wellness industry seem to be a thing right now, such as the movie The Substance. I read Ling Ling Huang's Natural Beauty recently and really dug it, so when I saw this book that sounded like it was in a similar vein available to read on NetGalley, I immediately requested it.

Unlike the two aforementioned examples of this subgenre, which use horror and fantasy elements to comment on "wellness" being sold to us at a great price, this book is firmly grounded in reality and seems like it could have been plucked straight from the headlines. It is a really well written account of the main character getting sucked into a wellness guru's orbit yet finding something darker there than she bargained for.

The pacing is really snappy and I blew through it in two days because I wanted to see where it was going. Without spoiling anything, I particularly liked how the author situated the main character to be able to see through what was going on when no one else was able to. I liked the book so much I grabbed another one of the author's books from the library as soon as I was done.

Bonus points for the Heathers reference. If it wasn’t for the fast pacing of this book I probably would’ve DNFed it. I wanted so badly to love Bean. I mean an gothy teen named after Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love’s child, how could you not? But unfortunately she was annoying and the entire story was utterly predictable.