2.5⭐️ As someone who really enjoys YA thrillers, I was really excited to read this. The synopsis sounded like something I would really enjoy. Unfortunately, I just feel like it didn’t completely hit the mark for me. There are certain tropes that I don’t love in thriller’s, and this one had a lot of those in it so I just knew it wasn’t going to be a favorite for me. I found it entertaining at times, but also felt like the plot was a bit all over the place and didn’t have a lot of direction. The ending also felt pretty lackluster to me.

This is my first book by Julie Soto, and I could not put it down. It had so much suspense and some super natural elements thrown in there. And then the ending🤯

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced e-copy of the book. I cannot wait to recommend this book to my students once it is released.

👍 Julie Soto fans rejoice! 🎉 This YA thriller delivers:

🔥 Fast-paced and addicting storyline
🕵️‍♀️ Intriguing mystery, ghostly elements, and dark secrets
👻 Haunting epilogue that will leave you eager for discussion

📝 Key themes:

🏫 High school hierarchies, bullying, and friendships
👀 Young adults behaving badly, with a touch of the supernatural
💥 Jaw-dropping situations, chilling moments, and suspenseful drama

🤔 Note: A lot of characters to keep track of, with a somewhat predictable twist.

👍 Verdict: A good time, despite some mixed feelings! 📊 Rating: 🌟 3.75/5 stars

👉 Recommended for fans of YA thrillers, supernatural elements, and suspenseful drama.

📚 Release date: May 6th (St. Martin's Press)
Thank you Netgalley for the eARC 😊

👉 Get ready for a thrilling ride with "The Thrashers"! 🚀

This book was a fast read. I finished in two days and didnt want to put it down. Definitely for those who like Good Girls Guide to Murder and Kara Thomas. That said it felt like the ghost line wasn’t fully committed to at times. I don’t personally love a ghost story so I was excited by the possibility her sister was much more involved. But not so much. Overall the book was well written and engaging, I think it just lost a bit of the impact by trying to do too many things and not giving them enough time (will they won’t they, Oliver, the mom).

I’d highly recommend including trigger warnings in the front of this book for sexual assault, suicide, and domestic violence.

Talk about an unreliable narrator and morally grey characters!

I really enjoyed this, even though it’s pretty different from what I usually read. I don’t often pick up YA, and I don’t often pick up thrillers, but this messy, twisty teen drama about a clique of rich kids completely hooked me.

The Thrashers takes place a few months after Emily Mills dies by suicide on prom night. In the aftermath, a popular friend group of five—dubbed “The Thrashers”—are labeled as Emily’s bullies, making them the prime suspects in both the public eye and the law’s. But as new evidence emerges and long-buried truths come to light, our main character, Jodi, realizes that both her friends’ testimonies and Emily’s story aren’t as truthful as she once believed.

What kept me turning the pages was the creeping realization that we’re getting all our information through an unreliable narrator. Even Jodi doesn’t know the full story about her closest friends, leaving us in the unsettling position of sympathizing with potential bullies (because, well, they’re her best friends). It’s disorienting in the best way, making every revelation hit even harder.

I also loved that no one in this book was truly guilty or innocent. Every character had a part to play, including Emily, and there’s not a single “perfect” person in the entire story. The book dives deep into the dynamics of friendship, the toxicity of high school hierarchy, and how even seemingly innocent words or actions can leave lasting damage. At the same time, it explores obsession, stalking, self-destruction, and how far people will go to protect the narratives they tell themselves.

On top of all that, I was surprised by how fun this was—it’s fast-paced, gripping, a little eerie (with some paranormal/supernatural elements), and even has a romance subplot that I absolutely ate up.

Now, my one random gripe: Please stop over-describing what teenagers are wearing. I don’t know exactly when this book was supposed to take place, but when all the girls wore Converse to homecoming, it immediately dated the setting to at least the early 2010s. Which, fine, maybe that was the intention—but since the book didn’t make it explicit, it took me out of the story a bit. Could’ve been easily avoided by just…not describing clothes in that much detail.

Overall, though, this was an absolute ride, and I’m so glad I picked it up.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC!

A YA thriller that will absolutely keep you on the edge of your seat. Julie Soto's writing and world-building are immaculate. You won't want to miss this one!

Fans of gossip girl and 13 reasons why will love this, it's a YA thriller will ALL the drama, completely addictive reading I LOVED this

or fans of 13 Reasons and One of Us is Lying.. this is for YOU! I love a good YA drama thriller and Julie Soto does it beautifully. Thrashers has you wondering who is reliable, what is real, and who is going to get Thrashed next

I inhaled this in one sitting it was so good! The pacing was perfect and the friendship dynamics constantly shifting and changing as more information was brought to light and more things were happening was so interesting and fun. The supernatural elements added a lot to the story. Turning straight to the acknowledgments after that Epilogue was traumatic af I need a sequel!!!

Some of the plot twists were easy to guess but it is YA so I get it. Lucy and Paige were pretty one dimensional but they weren’t super important to the story so it didn’t take away much.

The intrigue was so good- I hope Julie Soto writes more thrillers in the future!

As someone who loves summer horror movies, highschool mysteries, and teenagers making dumb mistakes, this book was 100% my cup of tea from start to finish!

Set after the suicide of junior Emily Mills, the "Thrashers," a group of 5 close knit friends are caught in a tangled web of lies, mystery, and hidden secrets which points to them being the cause.

Jodi Dillon is stuck in the middle between feeling like she doesn't belong and trying to protect her friends. The decisions she makes leads us as readers closer and closer to solving the mystery of what truly happened to Emily.

Jodi is such a loveable main character. Her perspective really brings out the best parts of this book. She is a relatable teen that feels a lot of things even we adults feel in our own daily lives. She has her own secrets and traumas she keeps from her closest friends.

I read this book in one day, which usually never happens for me! I was hooked from chapter one. With a mix of all my favorite things, it was hard to put this down. The imagery and callbacks and references were to die for.

The relationships that develop, the secrets that are exposed, everything leads to a mystery that has you on the edge of your seat, trying to figure out. I 100% will be reading this again!


Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to review this book!

This is not my usual genre, but I'm a Julie Soto devotee, so when I spotted it on NetGalley I couldn't resist. I am so glad I did. I didn't read this book so much as I consumed it. I kept saying, "just one more chapter" until suddenly there were no chapters left and I was staring bleary-eyed at the acknowledgement page. The writing pulls you in and won't let go.

I think what struck me most was how perfectly Soto captures that crushing feeling of being on the outside looking in. The painful "I'm the awkward one who isn't bringing anything to the table" sensation that hits so hard. Even twenty years removed from high school, the feeling is memorable. Jodi was just so achingly relatable.

The creepy elements are woven in so seamlessly that they felt like a natural extension of the story instead of shock-value additions.

And THAT ENDING. OH. MY. GOD. I won't spoil it for anyone, but damn.

Thank you to Wednesday Books|St. Martins Press, NetGalley For this arc!

Wow what an incredible book! The ending literally left me speechless. I loved the mixture of drama and mystery all set in a high school setting. I read this book so quickly!! There’s also some supernatural elements that I found to be interesting too!

I recently had the pleasure of reading an ARC of “The Trashers” by Julie Soto, and it was an exhilarating and unforgettable experience. Soto has crafted a unique and compelling story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

The novel follows the story of Mia, a young woman who inherits her late uncle’s struggling trash collection business. As she navigates the challenges of running the company, she discovers a hidden world of corruption and intrigue within the waste management industry. With the help of her quirky and loyal team, Mia must uncover the truth and fight to save the business, all while dealing with personal struggles and unexpected romance.

Soto’s writing is sharp and engaging, drawing the reader into the world of the characters and making every moment feel vivid and real. The characters are well-developed and relatable, each with their own quirks and complexities that add depth to the story.

One of the standout aspects of this book is Soto’s ability to blend humor with serious themes. The story tackles issues such as environmental sustainability, corporate greed, and personal growth, all while maintaining a lighthearted and witty tone that keeps the reader hooked. The pacing is perfect, with just the right balance of action, drama, and introspection.

“The Trashers” is a refreshing and original read that will leave you thinking long after you’ve turned the last page. Julie Soto has proven herself to be a talented storyteller with a unique voice, and I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and thought-provoking read. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!

I literally devoured this book in hours! It was so fast paced , addictive and the tension in it was just chefs kiss. While I was reading it, I couldn’t help but think about Heathers which is one of my favorite movies! I loooved the dark academia vibes, the toxic friendships and the twists along the way. Also that ending, Julie come on!! We need a second book ASAP

This is a YA thriller from an author who is an auto-buy for me. I love all the California references in her books, you really feel like you’re there!

The story is about the popular group in high school and the people who want to fit in. The nickname students gave to Zack Thrasher and his friends was Thrashers and Emily Mills wants to be one. When she dies tragically, the Thrashers are accused of being involved and that’s when things heat up. This is a really unique story that will keep you on your toes!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Thrashers
By Julie Soto

@juliesotowrites has once again proven why she is an auto buy author for me! I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of The Thrashers from @netgalley and when I tell you I DEVOURED this story, I mean I read it in the car in 4 hours! I could not put it down...

The Thrashers is a story about the popular high school group and the people who want to fit in. Emily Mills was that girl who wanted to be the newest Thrasher... The nickname students gave to Zack Thrasher and his friends. When Emily dies tragically and the Thrashers are accused of being involved and strange things start happening, it's up to Jodi, Zack, Lucy, Paige, and Julian to figure out what's going on.

Books that take place in Sacramento are quickly becoming favorites, and Julie's books are at the top of the list. It's always so fun to recognize the names of places and the geography in the stories. It immerses me more into the story. Reading The Thrashers was almost like being there with the group, even though I never would have been a Thrasher in high school. And it was nice to read that in Julie's Soto's version of Sacramento, Burr's is still open and serving its tasty food!

#sacramento #netgalley #juliesoto #thethrashers #books #reader

This was such a fun teenage drama mixed with a supernatural mystery! I also loved the subplot of tension filled romance between two of the characters. I really enjoyed following these characters as their navigating the aftermath of a previous “thrasher’s” suicid. It was an addicting, fast pace read that you want to binge in one sitting!

I love Julie Soto’s writing and the way she tells her stories. Since she has only released romance novels I was a little skeptical about a YA thriller but I thoroughly enjoyed it! The ending I thought could have been more intricate but it was an overall satisfying ending!

4 ⭐️

4.5⭐️!!!

I was hooked throughout the book!! The only thing I struggled with was the ending, I needed more of the epilogue 😭😭

Sign me up for any books written by Julie 🫡 I’m obsessed


Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!!!

The Thrashers was a really great YA mystery/thriller book, and I had an absolute blast reading it! I was hooked from the very beginning, and basically read the entire thing in one day because I just couldn't put it down. I had to know what happened next. And honestly, I never truly knew where the story was going to go, right up the very end.

And the ending!! Wow, my jaw DROPPED at the very last page--kudos to Julie Soto for that one!

I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for an engrossing and engaging mystery, one that leaves you unsure who's version of the story you should actually trust.

Woooow!
First of all if you haven't pre-ordered this book, go do that right now kthanks
Second of all, I will read anything and everything written by Julie Soto

I loved everything about this book! Thriller/mystery books will ALWAYS have my heart. The fact that Julie can just jump into this genre so seamlessly is amazing. I was on the edge of my seat from the very beginning. I got major "I know What You Did Last Summer" and "Final Destination" vibes from this which for a 90's girly is EVERYTHING.

I thought that conclusion was great BUT I would love more haha I NEED MORE

Big thanks to netgalley for the opportunity to experience this world!