I'm typically not a big fan of YA novels but Julie Soto wrote an exceptional supernatural, dramatic YA thriller with The Thrashers.

The friend group was both fantastic and terrible. There was so much going on and it was absolutely wild but I enjoyed this book so much!

This was very Pretty Little Liars but I was here for it.

Thanks to NetGalley & St Martin's Press for an advance copy!

I loved this! A modern day Pretty Little Liars meets Gone Girl that had me captivated right away and kept me wondering what was going to happen the whole time.

A gripping read that kept me guessing. I didn't want to put it down because there was always something new and intriguing.
Thank you netgalley for an advanced copy. My opinions are my own.

This book was a wild ride. I was not expecting it to be so dark and twisty. I find most YAs fluffy, not this one, I was on the edge of my seat for most of it. There were so many major things going on. I did have some of the bigger points figured out fairly early on, but that was ok, it was still such an intriguing story. I want to know where it goes from here!
Very Pretty Little Liars esc, in the best way.

This was my first Julie Soto read, and honestly I wish I
would've read her worked sooner! This YA thriller kept me
hooked from start to finish! I loved every second! The twists and turns in this book were perfectly executed and kept me guessing the entire time! Will definitely be recommending this book to everyone!

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for approving me for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The premise of this book really drew me in. I love thrillers and was excited to read a book by this author for the first time. However, the story did not live up to my expectations. The characters were somewhat hollow, and the delivery throughout the book felt very dry. This made it hard for me to focus, and I found myself rereading the same sentences multiple times. I didn't feel any thrill or real suspense while reading this book, which is quite disappointing considering the premise.

The book has supernatural elements and a side romance, all thrown into a thriller plot, but they felt as though they did not complement each other well. And don't get me started on the ending. I saw it coming from a mile away, leaving the story on a lackluster note.

Overall, it's not a bad first thriller book, but it's also not for me.
3.5/5⭐️

The one genre I'm not a fan of is thrillers/mysteries. I've read a couple in my life and am usually underwhelmed. But goddamn did I love this book. It's part thriller, part mystery, part suspense, and MAYBE part paranormal? I devoured this. Could not put it down. I have read Julie Soto's fanfics online but this was my first trad published book of hers. I just love the way she writes. This book constantly had me second guessing every character's intentions. Did they do this horrible thing? Is it all being fabricated? Who can you actually trust? I absolutely recommend this book. Extra bonus: Can be read by a wide range of ages. This is a YA book. I'd feel comfortable with my 12 year old reading it. But as a 41 year old, I loved it as well.

Full disclosure, Julie Soto is my top 5 favorite authors, and this book did not disappoint! Julie can do no wrong, and I’ll read anything she writes.
The plot, characters and writing were all absolutely phenomenal 10/10!!

I was SO BEYOND excited to get this early and it did not let me down. It was so fun to see Julie switch gears and write a teen slasher and I loved it SO MUCH.
If you are a thriller lover like me and grew up loving Heathers. friday the 13th, or carrie…
This is your next read

4 stars what an fantastic thriller by Soto and had a really fun engaging mystery that was also a car crash i couldn't look away from.

4.5 stars for The Thrashers! It kept me on the edge of my seat the WHOLE TIME!!!!!! The relationships, the supernatural, the nostalgia of high school?!!?? Julie Soto you have written a masterpiece!

Now, into the good stuff! The plot: INSANE. I was absolutely riveted and my attention was HELD. I don't think I've read a thriller quite like this one. The atmosphere was completely different when you work with teens as opposed to adults and I found it intriguing. The way that teenagers perceive relationships and friendships is so much different than adults, so seeing this tragedy and how it got to that point was a fast change of pace from 'normal' thrillers.

I LOVED how unreliable our narrator, Jodi, was throughout the book. Julie Soto, this was a brush of genius! The more you read the more you find out and it is absolutely brilliant. I'm in awe of the way that Julian was written. He was so dynamic and you never knew what was going to come out of his mouth next....heheheh. Every single one of the Thrashers was so complex and we got so much from the characters, even with limited 1 on 1 interactions.

This book had so many layers that it's just a true testament to Julie Soto's writing. She's brilliant! It was so fast paced, filled with drama, and girlllllll, the things that happen. I absolutely need more from the romance that happened in this book....like hello? Can we get more?! The ending had my jaw dropped. The Thrashers is definitely up there on my list of Julie Soto's books....dare I say a new favorite?

I feel like this might be better suited as a New Adult thriller than a Young Adult thriller because of the themes that it carries. Regardless, it was a dang good book!

Big thank you to St. Martins Press and Wednesday Books for the e-arc!

This book was a time.

I mean this in the best way. It kept you on the edge of your seat the entire time. From the texts to the hauntings and the near deaths. OMG. Who is it?? What is it?? What is happening??

This group of friends went through it and hopefully learned some lessons. Like seriously Zack, looking at you.

I have the biggest love/hate for Julian because yes everything he did was awful BUT I feel like of everyone he grew the most from it. His future has the most potential to have change and make better for himself.

BUT THE ENDING! WHAT?! I need follow up 😭😭😭

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review.

I couldn’t stop reading this one! And now I can’t stop thinking about it. I wish I had read it with a book club because I want to dive in and discuss all the characters and the plot. Each twist. And that ending! Definitely a book that with stick with me.

The five friends, Jodi, Zack, Julian, Paige, and Lucy are the alphas of their high school. They’ve been nicknamed The Thrashers. Everyone wants to be their friend. And a lucky few get the chance to hang out. But those others never last. They get cut off or “thrashed.” Jodi knows they’re not mean people though. They aren’t trying to hurt anyone. When Emily gets thrashed and commits suicide, her diary blames the Thrashers. And her parents press charges. But Jodi is sure they were nothing but kind to Emily, weren’t they? Who is lying? Emily? Or her friends? And why do creepy things keep happening to them all?

The mystery in this one kept me reading. And I was never sure from page to page if I liked or believed any of the characters. The more I got to know them, the less sure I was of anything! All the teens were fascinating and compelling and complex. And I couldn’t look away. There was tension and some paranormal activity. It’s high school drama times 10!

I’m very excited to add a copy of this one to my shelf. When you read it, let’s discuss!

Thank you to @Netgalley @macmillanusa and @wednesdaybooks for the chance to review this ARC.

Stories are told, but what’s the truth? Social status is written in stone—but does everyone really belong? Unrequited love and the inability to see past your own perspective. The Thrashers follows a tight-knit, inseparable group that also happens to be drowning—without even realizing it.

I’m not surprised—Julie Soto has completely enthralled me again. I received this book as an ARC and kept putting off reading it, only to finally pick it up and read it in one session. I couldn’t put it down.

I didn’t know what I was getting myself into, but this book had me nervous. I’m a baby when it comes to scary stuff, and I just know I’m not going to be able to sleep tonight.

This friend group was like a shining trophy—perfect on the outside, the kind of group everyone wanted to be part of—but they were actually rotting from the inside out. Beneath the surface was toxicity, obsession, and the kind of quiet harm that spreads before anyone notices.

I went in blind and had no idea where this story was headed. This book explores themes of tragedy, obsession, lies and deceit, human nature, insecurity, and so much more. It’s haunting, emotional, and completely consuming.

Can I please get a Jodi and Julian novella, I’m begging??

I devoured this in 48 hours because let’s be real, if Julie Soto writes it, I’m canceling all plans and diving in. I’ve read her other two books (both romances), so I knew she had game… but 3 for 3?? Keep it up, Julie. Seriously.

While it started out a tad bit slow, once it picked up, I was hooked and couldn't stop reading. I was throwing out theories left and right, convinced I had it all figured out, and then that ending hit. I did not see it coming. And don’t even get me started on that epilogue. WHAT THE FREAK. My jaw dropped. I’m still spiraling. It’s one of those stories where not everything is spelled out for you, which I actually loved. It makes it such a good book to buddy read or talk about after, there’s so much to unpack.

Also… Julian and Jodi. I caught the rivals-to-lovers vibe early and was so here for it. The banter? Adorable. The way he showed up for her? Swoon. I need more of their story like yesterday.

10/10 would recommend. Especially if you need a twisty, binge-y YA thriller with a side of swoon.

Thank you Julie, St. Martin’s Press, and Wednesday Books for the eARC via Netgalley!

3.5 pretty good YA mystery! lots of twists and turns. i do wish the characters were more developed individually. it felt like we only got to know Jodi for real. the plot was also semi predictable. overall great debut YA mystery by Soto!

This book was similar to other books I’ve read, so I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy it, but I did! I liked how the friend group was all very popular people who maybe wouldn’t have been friends with the main character, but still obviously cared about her and were actually her friends, which is rare to see in a book like this. It was refreshing.

This book was an easy read and a lot of fun, kept my interest the whole time. I really enjoyed all of the characters, all with distinct personalities. It gives a strong 13 reasons why vibe (so please check TW) with also a little bit of the Riverdale campy-ness mixed in. I was disappointed in the ending, not sure what I expected but I didn't get the shock value I anticipated from a thriller.

OOOOKAY JULIE 🔥 I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump this month, and decided to switch things up and pick up a thriller. And WOW, did The Thrashers deliver 👏🏻 it had me in an absolute chokehold. I was hooked from the very beginning and I could not put it down. This is a “just one more chapter and suddenly it’s 3am” kind of thriller, and I absolutely loved it.

Fast-paced, utterly addictive, and dripping with drama and tension, The Thrashers was masterfully written. The characters were flawed and complex, each of them dealing with their own struggles, fears, and secrets that keep you guessing. The plot was enticing and full of twists and turns, and some of the events were downright eerie. I really loved the supernatural elements woven into this story. And I had a few new fears unlocked along the way.. lol. Its giving Final Destination.

And the epilogue alone deserves 5 stars. It was absolutely bone-chillingly genius! And I did not see it coming at all. I’m curious to see if there’s more to this story up Julie’s sleeve..? (please).

This might also be the first thriller to make me cry? Some moments hit so hard in the feels for me and I got super emo, and I thought Jodi was extremely relatable and I loved her. And that slow burn romance budding throughout? Oh, SO here for it. And I want MORE OF IT. Please, I’m begging for a even a crumb more!

If you’re looking for a fast-paced, tense, and bingeable thriller, this is THE ONE. Fans of Pretty Little Liars and 13 Reasons Why will eat this up. It also gave a bit of Euphoria vibes imo.. (come on, try to picture anyone other than Jacob Elordi as Zack).

I loved both of Julie’s romances, and I will now always read her thrillers—seriously, Julie, I NEED more! I mean, who else could have me on the edge of my seat, squealing and kicking my feet, AND in tears while reading a damn thriller? I’ll wait 💅🏼

I want to preface this review with the fact that I am and always will be a massive Julie Soto fan. She could write the phonebook and throw it at my face and I would say thank you.

Anyway, I read The Thrashers in one sitting. I quite literally could not put it down. I normally am not one to read Young Adult mystery/thriller type books but I think Julie may have converted me.

The Thrashers gives Pretty Little Liars x Heathers vibes - the secrets between friends, the quiet competition, the almost backstabbing - it took me right back to high school with all of the drama.

The group dynamic between Jodi, Lucy, Paige, Julian, and Zack is so stressful (in a good way). You can tell they all care for one another but are blinded by their own teenage insecurities and desires. Jodi is the main FMC and I adore her. Jodi's self esteem and insecurities surrounding what people think of her are realistic and relatable to most teenage girls that I've known (including myself). The fear of being secretly disliked and left out constantly nagging her in the back of her mind and the belief that you're the only one who feels that way is almost unbearably accurate.

The story begins with a teenage girl named Emily dying and we essentially see the fallout of that (a la Thirteen Reasons Why in a way). The Thrashers are the epitome of 'love to hate them' in their high school - peers want to be them while simultaneously wanting them to fall from grace.

There was a lot more paranormal vibes than I anticipated which added a layer of intensity to the plot - you're constantly wondering if what is happening is real or simply imagined by a group of stressed out teens.

Overall I really adored the book and I am BEGGING the publisher to allow Julie to write more in this world (ideally a sequel starting right where we left off because HELLO that ending)

**SPOILERS BELOW, DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE NOT FINISHED THE BOOK**

Seriously, spoilers for the plot are below. Don't ruin it for yourself.



I am unsure how I feel about the ending with Julian and Emily - I feel like I need a lot more detail and story to truly understand what Julian was/is going through given his role in Emily's death. But, I also am confused about why exactly Jodi is so okay with Julian being locked up while honestly they all played a role in Emily's delusions. But, speaking of her delusions, we learn that Hannah and her orchestrated the "attempt" and it wasn't supposed to work and was all a manipulation tactic. Obviously, Emily does die and the "plan" failed - but I feel like Julian being locked up for the things he's locked up for while everyone else gets off scot free is pretty crap. I really hope another book is coming that will shed some light on the situation because I can't say that I truly understand the direction it all went in.

Also, I need more Jolian like right now.