Dear Julie Soto,

Lawyer up. I'm suing you for emotional distress. The ending of this book left me emotionally, spiritually, and mentally distraught. How dare you? *Countess Luann voice* How could you do this to me, question mark. Demonic. But also, so well-written. Your vision, your mind. I'll read anything you write forever.

This one's for the LoVe lovers. The Veronica Mars fans. The book follows Jodi Dillon, a somewhat average lower-class girl who finds herself one of "The Thrashers," with the rich and popular clique at her school: Zack Thrasher, Lucy Reed, Paige Montgomery, and Julian Hollister. After their junior prom, a classmate, Emily Mills, committed suicide. Two of her final words: "The Thrashers." At the start of their senior year, a detective starts digging into the circumstances surrounding her death. The Thrashers start receiving mysterious text messages. And freak dangerous accidents start happening whenever the clique gathers. As the investigation starts heating up, Jodi struggles to unravel the secrets kept by and among the group and she struggles with her own guilt about Emily Mills' death.

Honestly this book is so good it makes me sick. I'm still distraught. Julian Hollister....*stares out the window forlornly* Like....is there going to be another book? Please? She (me) is begging.

out of context spoilers below...

FREE HIM! HE'S INNOCENT! HE DID NOTHING WRONG!!!!!!

5⭐

Thank you Julie Soto, St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑻𝑯𝑹𝑨𝑺𝑯𝑬𝑹𝑺 by Julie Soto takes place a few months after Emily Mills commits suicide and "The Thrashers", a popular friends group of five are labelled as Emily's former bullies, but as evidence is unravelled and discovered for the court case, Jodi learns that both her friends and Emily’s journal are not as truthful as she was lead to believe . . .

Julie Soto delivered on the YA thriller about rich cliquey kids. The mystery was very well done and some parts genuinely scared me while reading. Some things I could predict but some things still kept me on my toes and hooked to read this book in one sitting.

The mix of supernatural and paranormal aspects with real life mysteries was super fun to read about and terrifying at times.

The mystery aspect of the book has me hooked in its entirety and I could not stop theorising and anticipating what would come next. Sometimes, I would second-guess myself and be completely mind-blown.

I loved all the characters in the book. They were very well planned and developed, all of them having a role to play -- even if it was small. The friend group might not have been what everyone would have expected but I think they were some kind of found family in their own ways.

The overall story was well planned and plotted. The mystery was compelling and the jaw-dropping twists left me wanting for more. The last few chapters were a rollercoaster of emotions and that goddamn Epilogue is still haunting me.

I can't wait for the sequel!

AHHHHH LITERALLY ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF 2025!!!! I usually don’t read young adult mystery novels but I really ate this up! I didn’t know what to except before reading, but it literally blew my mind.

The suspense, the secrets, the drama and the slow burn…. Perfection!!! Once I started reading this book, I couldn’t stop because I needed to know what happens the next chapter! Everything that kept happening throughout the book, the secrets and the incidents made the storyline juicier.

Ahhhh the end of the book had me screaming😭😭 I really need to read what happens next! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Julie Soto never disappoints. I have read 2 of her books and this one was a little different considering it was YA compared to the romance ones I’ve read but it was a stunning read nonetheless. You’re immersed in this world of being a kid who feels left out and wants to fit in despite the situations that arise. Jodi was a complex character that you can’t help but understand how she’s feeling because we all at some point felt that impostor syndrome (maybe not that exact situation but you get the gist) overall I enjoyed this book

Content Warning: death, accidents, injuries, weed, drinking, suicide, alcoholism, mentions of physical abuse

+ I am loving how Julie Soto (one of my new favorite/must-read authors) has been branching out! I am hooked and ready to read all of it. I could not put this down. In this YA thriller, we meet a group of five friends called The Thrashers. They didn’t name themselves but it’s a reputation people at school gave them. This story is dark! It centers around a suicide and bullying, and brings up some good questions too. There is weed use and lots of underage drinking, plus the issue of alcoholism by an adult and abuse. This story is multi-layered and complicated.

+ Jodi is the only one of the Thrashers who isn’t wealthy or easily popular. She got lucky that she was best friends with Zack Thrasher in the second grade. He is like a beacon to everyone. All the girls want to be with him and all the boys want to be him or hang out with him, but he keeps an exclusive friend group with Jodi, Julian, Lucy, and Paige – Jodi being the most average of them all. This creates insecurities among the friends, mostly we see it in Jodi but later you see it in Julian and Paige. I like how the author explored the feelings one can have of being left out in a friend group – wondering what your place is in the group and if anyone actually cares.

+ A classmate of theirs, a girl named Emily, who latched onto their group and tried to become a Thrasher committed suicide. And now the Thrashers are under a microscope and some people are turning on them. Emily left a journal and what she writes about this friend group implicates them in her suicide. Is the journal real? Did Emily lie or is Jodi’s best friends lying? Who is telling the truth or are they leaving her out?

+ I was reading this late into the night, after midnight, and there were some parts that gave me slight chills. Emily was creepy but was her ghost/spirit really haunting them? Also the characters are all very unique, which I enjoyed. They are all morally gray also which makes my feelings about certain characters so complicated.

~ The ending! What was that? It’s very unexpected, and leaves me questions but also…can we get a book two? Haha, I mean I can see something happening for book two!

~ These friends, were always making their world revolve around Zack and I was questioning like…what makes him SO special besides him being super charming, nice, and drop dead gorgeous? For all of them to either be in love with him, want him, or jealous of him making other friends or dating other girls was wild to me.

Final Thoughts:

I read this in one night so I enjoyed this a lot. I loved the morally gray, complicated characters and their dynamic even though they are close and “best-friends”. Even in a friend group you can feel alone and outcasted and Jodi portrayed those insecurities very well. I was hooked to the drama happening in this friend group and seeing how everything played out. Learning about Emily and the “hauntings” was also creepy so overall, I think this was a great YA thriller and that ending. I don’t know what it means, but I want more! I can’t wait to read her fantasy debut this year also!

Thank you for the ARC copy.

This book is Heather‘s, meets 13 reasons why. Loved the peer dynamics and the characters. The book kept me guessing the whole time. A great YA thriller, perfect length. I will keep reading Julie Soto for sure!

Julie Soto, queen of all genres, does NOT MISS! The Thrashers was an electrifying, edge-of-your-seat read that hooked me from page one. The perfect blend of mystery, suspense, supernatural chills, and just the right amount of romance this book delivered everything!

Jodi Dillon has always been on the outskirts of the Thrashers—Julian, Lucy, Paige, and the enigmatic Zack Thrasher. They’re rich, magnetic, and the center of attention. But Zack’s been her best friend forever, and that’s enough to keep her in the group until Emily Mills dies, and the whispers begin. When Emily’s journal surfaces and the police close in, Jodi is faced with an impossible decision: stay loyal or save herself. But as she digs deeper, the terrifying truth becomes harder to escape. The real question, though, is whether Emily is truly gone.
I was completely obsessed with this story. The mystery surrounding Emily’s death had me second-guessing everything, and the supernatural elements gave me actual chills. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, the twists kept coming. And that end?! I’m still thinking about it.
Jodi’s character growth was a highlight for me. Watching her relationships with the Thrashers—and her understanding of herself evolve was incredibly satisfying. Soto has a gift for making every scene feel alive, and her storytelling is truly a chef’s kiss.
The Thrashers kept me second-guessing and left me haunted long after I turned the last page. If you love thrillers that are smart, atmospheric, and utterly unputdownable, The Thrashers is a MUST-READ.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-Arc.

As a longtime Julie Soto fangirl and a lover of thrillers, I knew I was going to love this book—but this surpassed love and moved straight into obsession. I read this in one sitting and did not remotely care that I stayed up until 2am to finish it. This story was everything I loved about Veronica Mars: the grit, the social dynamics, the mystery, the romance! And the paranormal element added intrigue and value I hadn’t at all expected, but genuinely enjoyed. THE EPILOGUE! I am still thinking about that epilogue. The story is gripping, the characters are so morally ambiguous, the slow burn is SLOW in all the best ways, and I found myself having no idea what to expect from anyone or anything. One of my favorite reads in a long time.

Julie Soto’s The Thrashers is an electrifying YA thriller that pulls you into a world of high school hierarchies and dark secrets from the very first page. Centered on Jodi Dillon, the novel unravels the toxic dynamics of an elite friend group as they grapple with a tragic loss that shakes their very foundation. The blend of paranormal hints with raw, relatable teen drama creates a suspenseful atmosphere that is both eerie and deeply engaging. Just when you think you've figured out the mystery, unexpected twists force you to question every character’s loyalty and motive. Overall, The Thrashers is a must-read for anyone craving a smart, emotionally charged narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the final revelation.

“The Thrashers” by Julie Soto is undoubtedly one of my favorite reads this month. This captivating YA thriller masterfully weaves together a paranormal mystery with deep character development, making it a must-read for any fan of the genre. The story follows Jodi Dillon as she navigates the complexities of her elite friend group, the Thrashers, amidst the haunting aftermath of a classmate’s tragic death. Soto’s writing is atmospheric and suspenseful, keeping you hooked from start to finish. The blend of mystery, supernatural elements, and relatable teenage insecurities creates a thrilling narrative that will leave you eager for more. Highly recommended for YA enthusiasts!

i really enjoyed this one - finished it in 24 hours! i love a good rich kid drama story. i was captivated the whole time and on the edge of my seat waiting to find out what happened next.

the thrashers are the popular, elite kids of the school. everyone wants to be one, including emily mills, a girl who committed suicide recently. jodi, the main protagonist, had a complex relationship with her. emily thought they were best friends but jodi felt differently. the rest of the thrashers did not like her, and are later suspects in her suicide.

it was very interesting to watch this unravel. jodi questions everything, including her relationship to who best friends. the ending was shocking honestly, kind of sick and twisted. there was a romance subplot that i thoroughly enjoyed as well. this story is great for anyone seeking a gripping, fast paced thriller.

posting on socials closer to release day!

The Thrashers is a challenging, mysterious, and emotional journey of the popular 'Thrasher' group at Helvetia High. This book is fast-paced and character driven. The character development from the beginning of the book compared to the end is INSANE -- even more so because these kids are high schoolers going through a major life event that even some adults can't handle. All characters in this story, even those who you don't want to like, are loveable. You can't help but root for these young individuals who haven't even gotten to experience the best part of life yet. An EASY 5 stars to the QUEEN of adult romance, romantasy, and now YA Thriller as well!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really fun one - ghosts + teen drama. Who is telling the truth? Perfect for fans of Simone St James and Pretty Little Liars!

Highly recommended

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

THE THRASHERS by Julie Soto
Thank you Netgalley and WednesdayBooks for the earc (May6)

THE THRASHERS that's what Jodie, Paige, Lucy, Julien, and Zack are called. When a wanna-be member dies, the group is thrown into a whirlwind of disaster and mishaps as they are seemingly linked to Emily's death.
This book. I absolutely loved it. I would say I devoured it, but it was different than that. I binged this. I kept telling myself one more chapter and before I knew it, the book and investigation were nearing the end.
THE THRASHERS was an exhilarating read. It was full of everything a great book has: mystery, secrets, lies. Let me tell you: this book did not fall short in any of those categories. It was like a cacophony of sound, except for it wasn't sound it, well, drama.
This book was über thrilling, and my mind continually raced to figure out if there was really a whodunit or of "the Thrashers" were dragged into the scheme as one last ditch effort to stay in their lives.
As the revelations unfolded, I was shocked. Not in a "I didn't see that coming" type of way. It was more of a "OMG, when will these characters realize that there's no hiding? " Not to spoiled anything, but I was so rooting for Jodi and [Redacted], and I couldn't wait for Jodi to realize that [Redacted] was on her side.
This book wowed me, especially coming from an author whose books aren't YA thriller. If Julie Soto writes another mystery/thriller count me in.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely loved one of this authors books so I was very excited to see she wrote a thriller as well. Sadly, this book didn't hook me the same way as her other book. The plot itself was slow moving for a thriller. There was a lot more focus on high school drama life, drinking and parties more than mystery elements which was unfortunate. The ending was very lackluster for me and confusing...especially the epilogue...not even sure what happened there.... I don't want to say too much for spoilers.

This is directed mostly towards more YA readers, but I think that adults will thoroughly enjoy this as well! Julie Soto has once again made another great read. I have loved her previous works and was so excited about this book. The Thrashers is a thriller with a bit of mystery and a lot of teenage drama. Not to mention really good unexpected twists and turns throughout. Can't wait to read more by Julie Soto!

4.5 Stars

Having only experienced the romance side of Soto's writing, I had no idea what to expect with the 180 to a YA thriller, but I should've known to trust her skills!

Soto's impeccable character work is one of the best parts of this story—Jodi and her dynamic with the rest of the Thrashers is heartbreakingly pulled apart and examined as she learns who her friends really are and who she herself wants to be. Soto also made me care for the character who gave me the most ick at the start of the book, which was quite the feat! I was also impressed with how realistic the romantic dynamics were portrayed and that they never felt heavy-handed, rushed, or forced.

I was absolutely hooked and needed to know what was happening. The thriller aspects were very well done and chilling, I could hardly put it down! I do wish the ending had a little more drama thrown in and I'm not completely sold on the supernatural elements throughout, but the last chapter! If Soto returns to these characters, I will happily be picking up any future books!

High school drama perfect for anyone. It reminded me of high school movies from the 80s with a modern update. Couldn’t put it down and the ending was *chefs kiss*. I will always read Julie Soto and she did not disappoint.

Where to begin! Well, we all know Julie Soto is known for romance and to hear of her doing a YA Thriller, well I had no idea what to expect and was a bit nervous. Boy was I proved to be wrong about my nervousness! The first 10 pages in had me HOOKED, the characters within this popular friend group which we are made known of being The Thrashers and our MC Jodi. You get to see how she’s an outcast but is know by one of the Thrasher’s most popular boy in the group. To summarize this book without ruining anything for potential readers, you have Emily who is obsessed with this friend group knows as The Thrashers and will do just about anything to be in this group. We get introduced to Zack Thrasher (the leader of this group) who ends up stringing Emily along and from there it becomes a bit of a mess! As one can expect with popular friend groups in high school, now I will leave this review at this but just know there are tons of twists and turns but it is worth the read!! I would say this gave me vibes of the Fear Street series and I LOVED that series growing up. So please do yourself a favor and get on this read as soon as it comes out!! Please check the trigger warnings going into this book because there are some self un-aliving parts.

This book has me on the edge of my seat through this whole story! It was a wild ride! Every time I thought I knew what was going to happen it went into a different direction.