Huzzah! A YA thriller where I, for once, had no clue who the dang killer was! Looking back some clues I missed seem like a DUH now but I think Chelsea did an exceptionally well job with this one.
This curse starting beyond what Mrs Blackmore says that fateful night and continuing with each no loss of life.
This curse and the lore of this place spans decades and each person seemingly unrelated to the other making it more believable that something supernatural is abound.
Great read from start to finish, worth of a binge read!

"We Were Warned" is a YA thriller written by Chelsea Ichaso. Eden is a senior in high school, dealing with the fallout of her father stealing money from her friends' parents' business and leaving his family. She's trying to earn money, so she agrees to help another student film a documentary style video about a local urban legend, where students who visit a run down resort have been murdered. When the student she is helping ends up dead, Eden is thrown into the mystery along with some of her former friends. Will they be able to stop the deaths and figure out what is going on? A recommended purchase for YA thriller collections.

Fairport Village is known for its curse that has claimed the lives of three local people before Eden and her "boss" Henry decide to investigate the local legend. This decision leads to the death of two more teenagers from the town. as Eden and her classmates try to figure out what lead to the deaths of the fellow students, there's a mysterious figure in a cloak that has started following them around town. Something wants them dead, that's for sure.

This was a fantastic read with good pacing that kept my interest from start to finish. While the book feels like it's going to be a horror or supernatural storyline--especially with this cloaked figure that appears every now and then -- this is actually a mystery. The main and secondary characters were pretty well developed.

Given the current controversy over the content of library books, I feel like I should point out that beer is mentioned in the beginning of the book, during the beach party scene. There is also some swearing at the end of the book. That's not enough to keep me from purchasing this book for my school library, but we all face different circumstances at this time.

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“We Were Warned” by Chelsea Ichaso delivers a suspenseful YA thriller that blends small-town legend with teenage drama and mystery. Set in the town of Fairport, haunted by a curse stemming from the tragic story of a mother who allegedly murdered her son, the book follows Eden, an outsider who is pulled into a twisted investigation when a classmate’s death reignites fear and suspicion in her community. While working on a documentary about the case, Eden and her estranged friends are stalked by an unknown figure, leaving them to wonder if they’re being haunted by a ghost or pursued by a more earthly, malevolent force. This book does feature some bullying as well as some death scenes, including what seemed to be a suicide, so be aware of these content warnings before going into the book.

Ichaso’s writing is taut and engaging, skillfully building tension as Eden, already reeling from her father's criminal scandal, becomes entangled in the town’s sinister lore. As bodies start piling up, Eden realizes that the curse may not be just a story—and that her own family might hold disturbing secrets connected to it. The pace of “We Were Warned” is relentless, with each chapter bringing new clues, suspects, and hair-raising twists that keep you on edge, though the middle does meander a bit with some subplots needing more exploration. The mystery unravels in a satisfying way, with revelations that are difficult to predict, thanks to cleverly placed red herrings and suspenseful plot twists.

The romance between Eden and Caleb adds emotional depth, though it veers into familiar territory with misunderstandings and stereotypical high school dynamics. It starts off as almost a bully romance where Caleb, while never directly bullying Eden, was still friends with her bullies. However, Caleb and Eden’s relationship is mainly filled with misunderstandings, which are fortunately resolved quickly. Some characters, like the jealous “mean girl” who earns a bit of a redemption arc, was pretty trope-laden and one-dimensional, but they contribute to the story’s atmosphere. Eden’s journey with Caleb provides moments of tension and relief from the darker mystery at hand, even if some elements lean into YA clichés.

The supernatural elements, reminiscent of “The Ring” with the supposed curse, add a creepy layer as Eden and her friends are pursued through the eerie, beachy landscape of Fairport. The book’s mix of horror and mystery keeps you guessing about whether paranormal forces are at play, adding to its unsettling tone. The final reveal was a bit of a stretch, but Ichaso was still able to effectively craft an atmosphere that feels immersive and spine-chilling.

“We Were Warned” is a fast-paced, thoroughly entertaining read with a well-woven mystery. Fans of Ichaso’s work, as well as YA thrillers with supernatural twists, will enjoy this atmospheric and twist-filled novel, where no secret stays buried for long.

We Were Warned bynew to me author C. Ichaso is a ya thriller, published by Sourcebooks Fire.
Reading the blurb I was intrigued, thought lets give the book a try and hours later I was breathlessly readingf the last chapter.
A story that grips the reader with both jhands, doesn't let go and stays days after finishing this novel.
I recommend the book, 5 stars.
Blurb: Everyone knows the legend of Fairport twenty years ago, atragedy closed the place down. This year, the ruins will be bulldozed at last.
All her life, Eden Stafford has heard the lore about the abandoned beach resort at the edge of ever since the murder there, anyone who sets foot on the property is cursed, It's more than just a over the years, two high school students who explored the ruins of Fairport Village.
Eden is no stranger to notoriety, having endured a family scandal that's made her a target at school. So when she reluctantly attends an overnight party at the ruins, she's on edge—not because of some legend, but because the clique that has made her life hell for years is there, too, including Caleb Durham, the worst of them all.
Yet out of all the things Eden expected to happen that night, finding another student at Fairport Village wasn't one of them.
Though it is ruled an accident, Eden knows she saw something suspicious at the ruins—and Caleb and her other mates did too. Now they're all being followed by a stranger, and to save themselves, they must work together to uncover the truth about Fairport Village. But after all that's happened, can Eden really trust Caleb and his friends? Or will they leave her alone?

Book:
WE WERE WARNED by Chelsea Ichaso
Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebook for the Earc (March 4)

Review:
5⭐
Chelsea Ichaso never seems to disappoint, and with each new book comes a thrilling tale begging to be solved. WE WERE WARNED was no stranger to that.
Eden is the outcast, having been abandoned by her friends after her father steals money and disappears. When one of her classmates dies at Fairport Village, it seems that the curse behind the lore of the place is started. Eden finds herself wrapped up in a game of cat and mouse with her nemesis's. She must do what it takes not to lose her head while figuring out the whodunit.
Throughout the entirety of WE WERE WARNED, I was utterly hooked and kept telling myself one more chapter---which turned into two, then three, the half the book. Because each new chapter brought something new: a new thrill, suspect, threat---I has to know more. As the plot thickened, I was trying to wrap my head around the whodunit. I kept thinking it had to be [Redacted], because it was something so out of the blue that it couldn't be possible. When the group was closer to cracking the mystery, I was sure they had everything figured out. Then came one of the many plot twists. That whodunit revelation had be flabbergasted. They were never on my radar. And the when it seemed like everything was solved, there were more plot twists as the ending neared. Safe to say, WE WERE WARNED was a thrilling mystery that was so woven together, that it was near impossible to unwind, it when it seemed like everything was in place, it knotted back up. 10/10 would recommend this gripping thriller.

WE WERE WARNED by Chelsea Ichaso
⭐️ rating: 7/10

read if you like:
👻 ghosts and supernatural
🥶 cold cases
👩🏻 high school dramas

summary:
This book follows Eden Stafford, a high school student, who heads to Fairport Village, an abandoned beach resort with a haunted past, to help a classmate film a documentary before the resort is demolished. The ruins are home to the death of two high school students, when they take the life of another while Eden is there. Once they leave, Eden knows there was someone else there with them — someone who is now following her. Is she able to reconnect with her estranged classmates to figure out what happened at the resort, before it puts their lives in danger too?

I’ll admit — I am not a fan of the supernatural and/or ghosts or anything of the sort. While there aren’t any actual ghosts in this, it feels like it tiptoes around the supernatural. It certainly is not realistic (although I guess how many thrillers really are?) but the story keeps moving quickly to keep the reader engaged. There is also an interesting B-plot storyline, with Eden’s father, who swindled from his business partners, the parents of her former friends, and then disappeared. These former friends, who now are trying to solve the mystery with Eden, are hardly as loyal as Eden wishes they were. The way this storyline plays out is interesting, and does make the book a little more realistic!

I did love her first book better, but this is a good quick read!! Thanks to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for the ARC. Check this book out when it releases on March 4!

It's a good YA book about a cursed town, people dying and high school students trying to be detectives. I thought it was a very good read if you like some mystery and a detective story with a good plot

I really enjoyed her last book, the summer she went missing, so I was super excited to get the release of her new book.

This book did not disappoint.

The story of his a high school girl who goes to an overnight camp in an old abandoned resort, that is allegedly cursed. She is not convinced but when her and three former friends of hers see " the ghost" of the previous owner and then her friend dies by falling off a building, she's not so skeptical anymore.

This follows her and her former friends as they slowly get picked off by the spirit. The twists and turns are great. Fingers get pointed in all directions, including at her and her former crush and all their parents because of some bad blood history between them all.

I really appreciate the suspense, the character development, and her style of writing. For a young adult book. This is super interesting and I will definitely recommend this to my students that also enjoy books by Holly Jackson.

Thank you netgalley for this Arc and exchange for an honest review

This is my favorite of Chelsea's books so far. It felt original, had me guessing even when I thought I'd figured it out and kept me super interested. This a great YA mystery!!

spookily atmospheric, filled with some pretty fun shadows. a lot of the hidden factors aren't all that hidden if it makes sense, but it was nice. 4 stars. would recommend.

First, thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for this ARC copy!

I am surely not the typical audience for young adult thrillers, giving my age, but I still do enjoy reading them in between. We Were Warned is already my third book from Chelsea Ichaso after Dead Girls Can't Tell Secrets and The Summer She Went Missing, and damn, it was a wild ride again! It really gave me some Halloween vibes with the killings, the curse and all the abandoned buildings, which is a plus because I do love Halloween and settings with a creepy atmosphere.

Managed to read the book in almost one sitting, yet again. At some points, I thought I would have figured out a few things, but I was always wrong and at the end, my jaw was on the floor (I might just let keep laying there at this point, really). The protagonists were all teenagers, of course, and yet I did not feel like it would bother me while reading. It was even cute, in some scenes (yes I am always in for some cute stuff, even in a thiller).

What else can I say? Chelsea Ichaso, you did it again! Looking forward to your next one!

Trigger warnings: bullying, murder, assault, stalking, suicide.

Fairport village, where twenty years ago a murder closed the place down. The place was cursed and since then two more people have died there. Now the village is supposed to be bulldozed and before that the seniors wants to throw a party. Finding a dead student wasn´t supposed to happen...

This YA murder mystery has a village, a curse, high school "detectives", a little love, a lot of hate, and a bit of sadness. I really enjoyed reading this book and would never have guessed the outcome. However, I found some parts of the plot were left unfinished and untold.

I rated this book 3 stars.

Chelsea Ichaso does not disappoint. She has once again created an entertaining teen mystery with plenty of drama, intrigue and character dynamics. We Were Warned is well written and perfectly paced. The outcomes of the mysteries are not predictable and it is not obvious as to whether or not supernatural elements are at play. All is revealed in the concluding pages except for a few details which left me enough to ponder on.

THIS BOOK. Seriously, this book!! I loved it. A fantastic mystery/thriller, that had so many twists. I guessed part of it, but much of the book completely took me by surprise and I loved every minute. THAT ENDING. Ugh, this whole thing was so well written. If you love a good YA thriller/mystery, you have got to read this book. I highly recommend it!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Thanks Sourcebooks Fire and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. Two Chelsea Ichaso books in 2025! Mrs. Blackmore started Fairport Village and the. 25 years ago it was shut down because of the murder. The resort was believed to be cursed, anyone that sets foot on the land will die. This year the seniors are throwing a party there. Even though, since the original murder, two others have died there. Eden has spent the last 10 years being tormented by her ex-friends. Including Caleb who she might have had a crush on. And why because of something her father did, a father see hasn’t seen or heard from in those 10 years. So she’s reluctant to go to the party, especially with the curse, but she needs the money that Henry is paying her. When she ends up at one of the bungalows with Caleb and his friends they’re in trouble when they see Mrs. Blackmore. Then someone dies and they are being followed. Are they being followed by a ghost or is someone out to get them? Can she trust Caleb and the others? Can the figure out who’s after them before someone else dies? Another mystery that I couldn’t put down! Captivating, enthralling, and will have you hooked! Multiple mysteries in this one each as exciting as the next!

Chelsea Ichaso speaks to my soul and never misses!

Eden, along with the entire town of Fairport, has heard the story of the mother who murdered her son twenty years ago. Since then, people have been found dead in the same beachy area where the mother went feral. While helping with a documentary about the case and happenings in Fairport, another student ends up dead. Soon, it becomes a pattern and Eden and her ex-friends are being followed. But are they being stalked by a ghost or something more sinister? How far does the legend reach and what is the truth? She better figure it out soon before she’s next.

This was creepy, spooky and had a hint of paranormal which had me racing to the finish line! Murder, town lore and amateur sleuths galore! This was fast paced and intriguing. The plot was pretty solid, minus a few that had me scratching my head, but overall this was a fun read!

Another page-turner from Chelsea Ichaso!
I've read and enjoyed several books from this author. I appreciate how each of her Thrillers grab a hold of your attention from start to finish. They are packed full of twists and turns.

"We Were Warned" definitely lived up to my expectations, it was eerie and atmospheric and the storyline keep me guessing. I love when Thrillers have me wondering whether I should be trying to solve the Mystery through a rational mindset or exploring Supernatural options.

I'd definitely recommend this one to anyone who enjoys reading YA Thrillers and as always I look forward to reading more from this author in the future!

Thank you Chelsea Ichaso, Net Galley and Sourcebooks Fire for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Chelsea Ichaso really wrote this well and I was engaged from the first page and was hooked from that point. I enjoyed getting to know the legend and how everyone worked in this universe. It was everything that I wanted and enjoyed the overall feel of this.

We Were Warned is a spooky and atmospheric read! The plot is incredibly layered with murders, the ongoing fallout from an embezzlement scam, and teenage angst, all woven against the backdrop of small town lore.

Read if you love:
- Friends to enemies to lovers
- Creepy small town legends
- Abandoned resorts
- Murder mysteries
- Teenage detectives

We Were Warned is sure to keep you reading late into the night! Easily my favorite YA novel by Chelsea Ichaso to date.

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.