I will read anything Julie Soto writes. Will I love everything she writes? Maybe not.

I’m usually not into thrillers and suspense, but I had to give this one a shot. It’s giving 13 Reasons Why meets I Know What You Did Last Summer. I can’t say that’s a good thing. It got a little weird with all the paranormal themes that seemed to come out left field. I go back and forth over whether or not I even liked any of the characters. I’m not exactly sure what I was expecting, but I did really enjoy Julie’s writing as always. Curious to know if the ending means there might be a sequel or if we’re just left to wonder…

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press (Wednesday Books) for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

What is there to say? Julie Soto's first YA novel and she really knocked it out of the park for me. I wasn't sure what to expect - it's been a long time since I've read YA and a story about rich kids isn't usually my thing. However, I love Julie's other writing so I wanted to give this a shot. This was much better than I anticipated, and I already had high hopes! I didn't know there would be paranormal elements to the story but I was very into it, and my only wish was that it would be longer.

I do hope Julie continues with YA stories!

Julie Soto the woman that you are!! Ahhhh this everything I love in a young adult thriller! I read it in one sitting. Long term friendship/group dynamics, slowly unfurling a mystery, and a perfectly plotted story. I loved that this was a little spookier than a usual thriller so it had a little extra something that I ended up really enjoying. I thought the story was interesting, faced paced, and kept you hooked the whole time. I was satisfied with the twist and actually really loved the surprise epilogue at the end. Overall, loved it. So much fun!

Thank you to St. martins press and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

I'm not sure how I feel about this one! I really enjoyed the writing style, and the conclusion felt satisfying once I fully understood what was going on. However, the lack of explanation or elaboration around the paranormal elements just felt a little weird. I kept trying to figure out "whodunnit" as I didn't fully understand what was happening, and I feel like it just couldn't quite decide whether it was a thriller, mystery, or ghost story. But all that aside, this may just not be the book for me! Julie Soto is a very talented writer, and I am genuinely looking forward to trying more of her work. I encourage others to give The Thrashers a try if they enjoy YA thriller/paranormal stories.

A suspenseful, hard to put down, compelling book about the desire to find belonging and how far a person will go to achieve and keep it. Soto writes a honest depiction of a teenage girl overcoming her own insecurity with plot twists that keeps the reader on the edge of their seats. PS, the one page epilogue?? We need more please!

I loved this!!!! A fun YA thriller. This gave me pretty little liars/final destination vibes and I was spooked while reading. But it was so fun 😂 when I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it. I feel like the characters and story will stick with me!! 5 stars!

Wow! So not expecting to love this as much as I did as Im not much of a YA or Thriller reader. BUT! I love me some Julie Soto, and was thrilled to receive this arc from netgalley (much thanks!)

I felt like I was taken back in time High School where my insecurities were high and everything felt dramatic, including the infatuation I had with boys. I had some cringeworthy relatablity to some of the things said/done by these girls. The characters felt real, especially the yearning Jodi and her unrequited/untold crush on Erick. Granted,  there is plenty of actual drama in this story which kept me hooked on this book and read it within 48 hours. I enjoyed the at home scenes of Jodi and her father that played out and found that portion quite gripping.

All of the characters intrigued me and stakes felt high! I love love loved the supernatural aspects of the book and the epilogue had me giddy. I thought the bits of romance that were sprinkled were soooooo fun and left me wanting more!

There were a few things that had me scratching my head, like the (in my opinion) dated pop culture references like Hey Yah by Outkast and some girl wearing Fantasy perfume. I was so confused by that but it was just contained to a small portion of the book and I didn't feel anything out of place past that. Also, there were some things that resurface later on as mysteries unravel and just didn't seem realistic for our main character not to already know. However, it didn't take me out of the story, maybe just a little scoff of disbelief and then onward I went. The story telling is so fun/good I couldn't look away even with those little blips.

Would love to see these characters expanded on! So much more to say with this group and I am here for it!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub. Date: 5.6.25

Julie Soto never disappoints, and her debut YA thriller is no exception!

This book was a rollercoaster of emotions, twists, and turns. I’m still thinking about that epilogue!! 😱

Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

First of all, thank you for the ARC!

📌Pub Date May 06 2025

And thanks to my friend who sent me the link, which made me want to read the book.

I love these kinds of mystical stories, a group of teenagers, mysteries.

At times, I found it a bit boring and wanted to shake the heroine, but eventually, she came to her senses and spoke out, which I liked.

This is my first book by the author, and I enjoyed the easy style; I definitely want to read her future works.

In the last chapters, I was a bit nervous, waiting for a huge shocking moment, and there was indeed one, though the epilogue left me somewhat puzzled.

All the characters are different, with their own struggles, secrets, and pain; they are not perfect.

The story is told from the perspective of the FMC, which gives a sense of an unreliable narrator.

The ending left me with a feeling of an open conclusion and several questions.

I enjoyed reading this book with friends who also received the ARC; we noticed more details and explained to each other what we understood.

A group of teenagers, their acquaintance has taken her life, and someone among them is guilty, or not? Who is truly a friend, and how not to feel out of place?

They are called the Thrashers, and they are suspected of bullying that drove their friend, who doesn't want to leave them after her demise.

• Suicide
• Domestic violence
• A popular group of school kids
• Mysteries
• Secret texts
• Unrequited love
• Spirits

📓🛁🚙👗📱

The Thrashers is an electrifying mix of suspense, high school drama, and psychological tension that grips you from the very first page. With razor-sharp writing and an expertly woven mystery, this book keeps you on edge, making you question every character’s motives until the very end.

Jodi Dillon is the perfect protagonist—an outsider thrust into the elite world of New Helvetia High’s most exclusive friend group. The Thrashers are everything: wealthy, untouchable, and dangerously magnetic. But when Emily Mills dies under mysterious circumstances, Jodi finds herself caught in a web of secrets, lies, and eerie messages that suggest Emily’s presence isn’t gone for good.

Soto masterfully builds tension, balancing the glamour and recklessness of adolescence with the chilling reality of deception and betrayal. The characters are flawed, fascinating, and utterly compelling, making it impossible not to get emotionally invested.

“I never wanted her to die. I just wanted her to disappear.” “That’s the same thing to girls like us.”

The Thrashers was my first Julie Soto book and certainly will not be my last!! I absolutely adored this thriller novel. I went outside of my comfort zone and tried another new book genre and it did not disappoint! Also, that quote above hit so hard when I read it! This book was so deep and the message it sent was so powerful.

I loved Jodi and how she stood up to not only one but two important people in her life! I originally thought I’d lean toward loving one of the guys but by the end of the book I was rooting for the other!

The ending left me reeling and now I have so many questions. I always knew something was up but wasn’t quite expecting THAT!! Please tell me we’ll get a sequel because I need answers and to see a certain two characters get a happy ending!!

This book definitely gave me Pretty Little Liars and One of Us is Lying vibes, so if you loved either of those, then be sure to check this one out! Thank you so much to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books for an advanced copy! The Thrashers releases on May 6!

P.S. Julian made me cry by the end of the book. I genuinely feel bad for him and hope we get to see more of his story. When he was the only one who showed up to see the play and also when he drove 2 hours to come help Jodi when she got drunk were two scenes that made me smile! I never believed he did any of those things because he wanted to just get on her good side because she was to testify against him.

Everyone wants to be them.

The Thrashers are the most popular group at New Helvetia High. When a girl--who desperately wanted to be a Thrasher--dies, strange and terrifying things begin to happen to the group. And a recovered journal threatens their innocence in her death. This YA debut from Julie Soto is a non-stop thrilling story that will keep you on the edge of your seat, desperate to solve the mystery.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. It's been a while since a YA book captivated me like The Thrashers. The book gripped me from the first page. I love Julie Soto's writing and especially loved the way she told this story. A must read for young adults and adults who love the mystery/thriller genre.

I absolutely love Julie Soto, so I was excited to receive the ARC for The Thrashers and it did not disappoint! This is a YA (paranormal) Thriller. From the Prologue to the Epilogue, I was completely drawn into the world of The Thrashers with the first sentence. The story begins with Emily Mills, who so desperately wanted to be a Thrasher, committing suicide. The book is told from Jodi Dillon's perspective (third person point of view) as she navigates her life after Emily's death and questions what she knows about her friends/their dynamics as the results of the investigation of Emily's death is revealed to her.

And can I just say THE EPILOGUE. I can't stop thinking about that ending. 10/10 recommend this book.

If Julie writes it, I will read it.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

There’s a well-known group of five friends at school called the Thrashers, named after their leader’s last name. Emily desperately wanted to be one of them, but they refused to let her into their circle. Some time later, she takes her own life. As the investigation begins, The Thrashers find themselves at the center of it all.

This thriller is aimed at a teen audience, but it's so gripping and intense that adults will love it too.

The book hooked me from the very first pages. I kept coming up with different theories and guesses, yet the ending still caught me off guard! I didn’t see that coming, and even after finishing, I can’t stop thinking about it. The author didn’t provide direct answers to every question, which makes it a great book to read with someone and discuss certain moments.

There’s a small romantic subplot, and I was rooting for these characters so much that I’d love to read a sequel.

Julie Soto can do no wrong, and I’ll read anything she writes!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press (Wednesday Books) for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced copy.

4.5 stars!

It took me a bit to get into this book but once I was in, I couldn't put it down. This story definitely has some trigger warnings but overall I really enjoyed the story of Jodi and her friends (The Trashers) navigating the death of a classmate, kind of friend, Emily, and allegations in Emily's journal against the group including harassment, bullying and even rape. There were supernatural elements I didn't expect including seeing a medium and a ouija board séance that were different from other YA thrillers I've read. The crumbs of a little romance in this story was just delightful and had be smiling to balance out some of the more intense subject matter like alcoholism, abuse, and suicide. The ending just rocked my world and has me longing for a sequel. Julie Soto is a master in Dramione and romance and now she excels in YA too. I'll read anything she reads and you should too!

When I requested this ARC, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I fell in love with Julie Soto’s first two novels and basically decided I’d read anything she writes (still true!), so I hit request without even reading the synopsis. I am so glad I did! This book was nothing like I expected, and I mean that in the best way.

At first, The Thrashers gave me serious 13 Reasons Why vibes, so I thought I knew where things were headed, but I was totally wrong. This book was packed with twists and turns that I never saw coming, keeping me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Soto masterfully shifts perspectives, making readers see characters in an entirely new light by the end. My perspective on some of the characters changed dramatically, and that ending - incredible! I would absolutely pick up a sequel to find out what happens next.

My one critique is the way Jodi’s text messages from her friends are formatted. Having them written in the same paragraph as Jodi's narration or inner monologue made some sections difficult to follow, and I found myself rereading a few times to fully grasp what was happening. Separating them into their own lines would have made the reading experience smoother.

That said, I loved this book. Honestly, it might have just turned me into a thriller fan—it was that compelling!

Huge thanks to @juliesotowrites and @stmartinspress for the opportunity to read and review this ARC of The Thrashers! I was completely hooked from start to finish—such a thrilling ride! Can't wait for everyone to get their hands on this one.

A cross between Pretty Little Liars and that ‘80s movie The Heathers, Thrashers follows a group of five popular high schoolers known collectively as “Thrashers”, the last name of the group’s de facto leader.

While on the surface this is a thriller about the death of a classmate, Thrashers is really about high school cliques and the damage they inflict not just on those outside of the group, but also on those inside as they seek to maintain their status by any means necessary. Soto’s work is a poignant statement on bullying, ambivalence, and the damage of ignoring the effects our actions and words have on one another.

I’m a huge fan of Soto’s previous works and, while I preferred the others to this, that is likely because YA isn’t my #1 genre whereas contemporary romance is.

I hope we get a sequel after that epilogue!

Thanks for NetGalley for the ARC ♥️

My rating: (5) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely loved this book! I have to admit, at first, I planned to skip this book (I love watching teen dramas but rarely read them), but when I saw it on NetGalley, I just couldn't resist 😅 And I have no regrets! At first, I thought the book would be in the style of Elite, but it actually reminded me more of Pretty Little Liars and Thirteen Reasons Why. It's got that Before I Fall book/movie vibe.

It's the perfect pick for buddy reads or a book club—I can personally attest to that! (I read it with my friends who also got the ARC.) While it's aimed at a teen audience, I'm sure older readers will find it just as engaging.

The plot blends teenage drama, the intensity of a thrilling mystery, and a touch of the supernatural. I absolutely loved how the story unfolded, with its morally gray characters, unexpected twists, and a reference to Forget Me Not (was it really, or am I imagining things?).

I'm sure this book will stay on my mind for a while, and I can't wait for the next novel from Julie Soto!

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.

If this book doesn’t top all of the YA bestseller charts upon release I will be shocked.

The Thrashers is about a teen girl, Emily, who dies at her own hand and the popular group of kids are implicated in causing her death. Jodi Dillon, a member of that group that doesn’t exactly fit the mold, tries to find the real story behind the accusations that arise after Emily is gone. This book is a mystery thriller with so many twists and turns and even some paranormal vibes thrown in the mix. It was a fast, fun read and I quickly became invested… there is SO much going on in the book. Not only the current drama with Jodi’s friends, but Jodi also has past and present family drama and a surprising love interest to boot.

Fans of Julie Soto will eat this up, despite it being firmly YA. I will say that I wasn’t a fan of the epilogue although others may love it. Enjoy the ride because this book is a trip!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the chance to read an early copy.

I’ll admit that I was a little nervous going into this book, as it’s not my go-to genre. I’m too sensitive for anything too dark. However, Julie Soto is such a great writer that I knew I needed to read it.

The Thrashers did not disappoint! Julie Soto’s ability to tell a story is top notch! I spent the whole book engaged in what was happening, and trying to unravel the mystery with Jodi.

Thank you, NetGalley for the arc!