I was really looking forward to reading this book, but sadly, I was not happy when I finished. This review may get a bit spoilery, so skip it if you want to read the book. The premise of the book is that there is a popular group called The Thrashers in the local high school. Emily desperately wants to be a part of the group. When she dies, the Thrashers are blamed for it after the police read her journal. Of course, there is more to her death and the truth in the end is a direction that I couldn't get behind.

Suicide as a form as revenge is not a likable plotline. All of the teens in this book were horrible, even Jodi. She made some really poor decisions. Of course the golden boy Zach gets away with his crime and Julian, the only semi-likable character, gets the worst ending. It made me want to through my book across the room. I really would not recommend this book.

2⭐️

*Sadly, a minority review*

The Thrashers…The Thrashers…The Thrashers…Where in the world do I begin???

To be frank, I have no idea who Julie Soto is as an author. Upon reading this book, I found out that she is a Romance Author. So, one can color me surprise that she has decided to not only write a thriller/murder mystery novel but also decided to make her debut in the YA genre this year. Good for her. And while I do believe that Julie Soto is a wonderful writer, I might have to make this my one and only book that I read by her (unless she makes a sequel for this particular book).

I am aware that my ARC review is past the publication date. So, yes, I’ve had time to skim both ARC reviews and post publication date reviews and I’ve come to discover that it’s the 4 and 5⭐️ reviews that motivated me to push this one forward. It’s the 4 and 5⭐️ reviews that keep reminding me of how books are the one thing that carry a subjective quality. It’s the 4 and 5⭐️reviews that have me saying “I am so glad that someone liked this book because I did not!!!”

Ugh. I am so disappointed right now. This book only gets good towards the last few chapters, which helped me bump this up from a 1 ⭐️ to a 2 ⭐️. I am the type of reader who needs more than the last 20% of a book to keep me entertained.

When I first read the title of this book, I thought that I was going to be reading about some popular, rich siblings whose last name is Thrasher (definitely not the case). When I saw the cover, I thought I was going to be reading a dark academia book where a murder takes place and these Thrasher siblings are to blame (again, there are no Thrasher siblings and there really isn’t a murder). After finishing the Prologue, I thought I was going to be staying up late to devour a book where our main character (Jodi Dillon) was going to turn into a detective and spend this whole book trying to solve the “so-called” murder. All my expectations went out the window after I finished Chapter 2. No way is an adult cop allowed to bully a 17 year old girl all because said cop may or may not have been bullied by the popular crowd during her high school career. No way can cops use name calling and play on a teenager’s insecurities just to get information out of said teenager. And there definitely is no way that cops can just call up the media and think it’s okay to ruin 5 high schoolers lives without truly having all of the facts about a crime/case. Officer Chelsea Harding and her cop buddies will go down as some of the WORST written law enforcement officers in a YA murder mystery novel.

And let’s not get me started on the main character and her 4 “friends” (Zachary Thrasher; Lucy Reed; Paige Montgomery; and Julian Hollister). No one had a personality. These characters were hated just because some of their classmates were miserable and had nothing better to do with their own lives. To be honest, all 5 of these characters were all teenagers who smoke and drank “under” the bleachers. They were teenagers whose parents were absent at the worst times in their lives. They were teenagers who were awful not just towards themselves/each other but also towards others who dared to get too close. And while I wasn’t a fan of none of the characters in this book, I will say that the female friendships were done with taste. Then we soon had to add Emily Mills (the alleged victim) into the picture, which only made these characters, as a groups, worse. I don’t know how I am supposed to feel about Emily. This girl lied a lot, was too nosy for her own good, was obsessed with both Zachary Thrasher and Jodi Dillon, kept weird little journals, and motivated her sister to be weird too. Emily Mills made me so uncomfortable that I wanted to DNF this after I encountered her 2nd journal entry.

Ugh. And the romance subplot was just gross. A BULLY-TO-LOVER RELATIONSHIP IS NOT ROMANTIC!!! There is no way in this world that a male bully can be forgiven quickly after spending 3 years humiliating the girl he so-called “loves.” Nope. Nope. Nope.

Yes. This book is binge worthy, attention grabbing, and the audiobook narrators are perfect. However, the book, itself, is juvenile (at best), annoying (at worst), problematic (at the center), and makes me truly thankful to have survived high school when I did!!!

Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for granting my request for an Advance Reader’s Copy of this book in exchange for my honest and personal opinion!!!

The Thrashers are THE clique to be in, and no one is REALLY in apart from Zack, Julian, Lucy, Paige, and Jodi. Jodi has never really felt like she's fit in, but she's been best friends with Zack for forever. Enter Emily Mills. Emily is obsessive and tiresome and tries her hardest to be part of the group, especially concerning Zack, but when she commits suicide on prom night, everything The Thrashers thought they had is taken away. Rumors and theories abound...how much were the Thrashers involved, why did Emily do it, why does the group feel like they're being haunted? The Thrashers is a captivating thrill-ride with a touch of the supernatural, and I could not put it down.

I had forgotten how much I liked YA thrillers, and this just brought it back, baby. I will now be reading through more of the YA thrillers that have been sitting on my shelf unread, and I do sincerely wish that there will be a followup to this novel. Soto sure can genre-swap.

This a YA thriller very much like all YA thrillers, but the writing and the story are strong. The relationship drama, the romantic subplot, the pure amount of angst through this book, in the most ominous and spooky supernatural way, and the thrill of the whodunnit were executed perfectly. I did have quite a bit of suspicion who was behind the little twist at the end, but I'm not sure it was really supposed to be a mystery to the reader, more to the characters; there was definitely an amount of dramatic irony, even though we are in Jodi's head, who is a character who really does have the least amount of information and has to uncover a lot throughout the story.

This was such a deep dive into teenage social dynamics and high school cliques, and even though we were reading about the popular group that we all love to hate, Soto made me care about every single one these characters, while simultaneously yelling at them for acting the way they did. Love reading those morally ambiguous and flawed characters that the author makes you love regardless.

I was definitely expecting there to be a bit more romantic plotline given Soto is mainly a romance writer, but given it's YA, also not surprising. The subplot of romance was really well done, I was definitely rooting for a certain couple...but the TWIST at the end made me seriously question.

The conclusion wrapped up nicely, and there was a jaw-dropping twist on the very last pages that has made me desperate for more... although it wasn't a cliffhanger. It definitely could segue into another story, or it was a VERY interesting way to make the reader imagine the story through a whole new lens. It has definitely made me want to reread and reexamine. If you like YA thrillers, this is definitely one to pick up!

*I received this eARC from NetGalley and am providing an honest review.*

I couldn’t put this book down! The pacing was fantastic. It definitely has a Pretty Little Liars vibe to the story and that held my interest and kept me turning the pages.

The main character, Jodi felt real and I felt like I knew her and understood her actions and motivations.

I will say I was expecting some huge mind blowing plot twist, and there is one, it is not super huge. The ending has me wondering if we’ll see more of these characters.

While The Thrashers was intriguing, it just barely missed the mark of being spectacular. Everything felt either way over the top or just barely believable. It gave PLL vibes and was fun to read, but fell a bit flat overall.

Thank you to the publisher for an eARC of the book.

Themes/Tropes: Paranormal, Unreliable- like everyone, HS Cliques, Small Town, Bullying
Please check your CW/Triggers for this book- Alcoholism, Suicide

This book sucked me in and I did not want to put it down. Jodi Dillon is one of the Thrashers, which is THE friend group to be in, but be careful because you might get "Thrashed".

I was not able to figure out where this one was going to go- it was creepy, it was a chaotic high school, and it kind of made me think of Pretty Little Liars which I loved. Jodie has been besties with Zac Thrasher since they were little- he's the popular boy in school that everyone wants to date, but when Emily get's Thrashed- she takes her own life.

I honestly really liked Julian... I don't know if I was supposed to, but oh well. He and Jodi's relationship was so weird, but it was also good- like did he actually care about her- I think so?? Zac was quite self absorbed-and I did like Lucy and Paige, I do wish we had gotten a little more about them. though.

Emily... man... this character was a lot. That's all I will say... you'll just have to read the book to find out more.

But I have read Julie's other two books and loved them, while this is not her typical genre I cannot wait to read more YA Thrillers by her because this one might be set up for a book 2??? Maybe???

This was genuinely so enjoyable. I loved the mystery, I loved the character relationships and honestly need another book in this world maybe some months in the future because I will be sat

I LOVE JULIE SOTO!!! and this debut ya thriller was no exception to how i feel about her. excited for her other releases this year as well!

YA thrillers have my whole heart, I love that the stakes are high but never too high. This was such a rollercoaster of a book!!!! I could not stop reading!!! I loved the nods to Mean Girls (intentional or not) and watching the group try to get to the bottom of who may be haunting them! The snippets of the Thrashers having a regular senior year and the drama and dynamics that come with that were sprinkled in at just the right spots!!

I have read Julie Soto books before so I was not sure what to expect from her for a YA thriller but this pleasantly surprised me! I had a lot of fun and really enjoyed the friend group and thought this wrapped up well in the end. I like how she writes with references that are relevant like mentioning Taylor Swift and the eras tour. Feel like this was similar vibes to other YA books in this genre I have enjoyed like A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder or the Truly Devious series.

I'll read anything Julie Soto writes; I'm obsessed with her adult romances, and this YA thriller is no different. Soto is so good at writing complex, fully fleshed-out characters. Everyone has secrets, and uncovering them is so juicy and exciting.

Julie Soto did not come to play with her YA thriller debut—this book had me completely hooked from page one. The tension, the secrets, the tangled web of friendships—I tore through it in one sitting. The group dynamics were so layered and realistic; every character felt raw, flawed, and unpredictable in the best way. Watching their relationships shift under pressure was equal parts fascinating and emotionally charged.

The paranormal element snuck up on me in such a cool, unexpected way—it added an eerie edge that gave me serious Pretty Little Liars nostalgia. And even though I guessed how things might wrap up, the execution still hit hard, and that final epilogue? Absolutely unhinged—in the most satisfying way. If you love high school thrillers with drama, messy loyalty, and just the right dose of creepy, this one is worth every page.

Huge thanks to NetGalley for the eARC—this was such a sharp, twisty read, and I really hope Julie dives deeper into this genre.

This one was not good. I’m so sorry friends.

There were definitely some slower parts in this book. The middle bit kind of plateaued for me. This book was extremely predictable. For a "thriller" it didn't have any moments that really made me gasp or feel surprised. All of the plot points were things that I guessed or expected from the very beginning. That predictability kind of took away from my overall enjoyment of the book. The only part that was truly unexpected was the epilogue.

I also hated the characters? This would not have been an immediate negative towards the book because most of the characters were written to be unlikeable. The characters didn't have to necessarily be likeable or even "good," and I think that was the point. However, I think the author DID want the readers to like Julian. He was written in a way that made him "appeal" to the readers. But he was not likeable to me whatsoever. All of the things he did for Jodi because he liked her still did not build up his character or address his bullying of Emily enough for me to change my mind. I feel like this theme was similar with a lot of characters. The author never really tackled the extreme bullying which ultimately ended in someone taking their life. In spite of it being a HUGE plot point for the story, it truly felt like an afterthought to the romance and whatever else was in the book. I know a lot of people would disagree, but I'm so sorry I did not like anyone at all. I had an extremely hard time reading this book.

Despite my critiques on this book, I will say that the open ending was unexpected! It left the book open for another book or to leave a little suspense for the readers. If the author does decide to write another book. However, if she does decided to co tibie this story, I don’t think I’ll be reading any more. It was quite challenging to read this story to begin with.

Content Warnings: Suicide, Bullying, Death of a parent, drug/alcohol use, toxic friendships

4.5 Star Rating

Jodi is in love with the golden boy Zach Thrasher and always has been. They're childhood best friends so being in the The Thrasher clique is a given, or is it? Julian, Lucy, Paige, Zach and Jodi may seem the same but one of these things is not like the other, especially after Emily dies. Friendships are tested as the police continue to investigate Emily's death.

Something this book did incredibly well was demonstrate the insecurity in toxic friendships. But really toxic friendships in general. Were you invited to the party cause they liked you? or was making fun of you meant to be the entertainment?

I'd been having trouble finishing books lately but this one kept me engaged enough to keep turning the pages. Not surprising, since Julie Soto is an auto-buy author for me.

If you like stories that leave you questioning everything and trusting no one, then this one is for you.

The audiobook was great too!

Holy smokes, Julie Soto’s talent is incredible. She really can write a phenomenal and addictive story no matter the genre. The Thrashers is one that will appeal to readers of all ages in my opinion. The characters are realistically morally grey and hard not to root for. The mystery is nail bitingly tense, with secrets and skeletons and accusations flying. Absolutely loved this wild ride & definitely want more!!!

Thank you to Wednesday Books for the gifted ebook to read and review.

I consumed this book in one day. As soon as I started it I knew that I wouldn’t be able to put it down. Julie Soto’s writing is absolutely captivating. Her characters are complicated- we love them and we hate them. The drama is intoxicating and thrilling. The Thrashers is a great choice for those like me who loved Pretty Little Liars and Gossip Girl.

Julie Soto is seriously becoming one of my favorite authors. The Thrashers was seriously so good. I was hooked from the first page. I’ve recently been getting into YA thrillers and so far, this is the absolute best I’ve read.
The Thrashers is very fast paced with well fleshed out characters and one of the twistiest plots I’ve ever read. I’m seriously hoping there’s a second book because after that ending, I feel like there’s a lot more story to tell. Hands down, one of my favorite books this year. Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC!

The Thrashers is a phenomenal YA thriller that will have you questioning everything, everyone and gasping from the adrenaline.

This book starts with a death, a journal and a million questions. Someone will be incriminated, coming together to figure out what comes next and feel the presence of the dead…are they being haunted for what they know or what they did?
This was a quick, engaging and deeply twisted read that has you hanging on to your next breath! Morally grey characters who weaving such a complex and engaging plot line that you’ll never guess what’s coming next. There is some light romance to break the tension, but truly an amazing read for all ages and a perfect balance of paranormal, mystery & cast of characters you won’t forget.

I'm honestly not much of a thriller girly but if Julie Soto writes it, beat believe i am going to read it! I was literally hooked from the beginning and was up VERY late finishing it lmao the tension, angsts and the mystery really had me hooked. I just know the audiobook is phenomenal so I will be doing a reread!

I enjoyed The Thrashers immensely. The plot was engaging, and the vibes were immaculate. If you like thrillers that remind you summer, and the best of the best vives of the 90s-2000s, this is the book for you! Hoping we get to continue the Thrashers story, because I believe there is more to tell! Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday books for providing me with this ARC!