I really wanted to like this one, but I needed to really force myself to power through at times. I liked the whole "friends with a secret" trope, but the time shifts felt abrupt at times and I found myself getting characters confused because they didn't have strong enough personalities to easily tell them apart. The ending had a nice twist and I'd read something else my Trench as I think she has great ideas, but the execution of this one just didn't work for me. Thank you for the ARC!

This is a twisted read. Friendships, secrets, murder, revenge. I was given an advanced reader copy by NetGalley and I am freely sharing my review.

I liked the idea of the book but too many flashes back and forth and too many POVs. This one was just okay for me, although I liked the characters.

This was realllllly good. I love a "everyone has secrets" thriller. The end was quite shocking!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Take a Dramamine before you read this book as you will have motion sickness from not only all of the POV changes, but also all the back and forth going from “Then” to “Now”! However, I did like all the characters (as well as the ones I was not supposed to like). 3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️!

Thank you to both #NetGalley and Crown Publishing/Crown for providing me an advance copy of Virginia Trench's debut #mysterythriller, Our Secrets Were Safe, in exchange for an honest review.

#OurSecretsWereSafe is touted as a propulsive thriller, but is perhaps better ingested as an adult parody of books in or adjacent to the genre that were popular throughout the early aughts, namely, #GossipGirls, #PrettyLittleLiars, and #Private. Readers may also recognize influence from more recent novels, such as #BigLittleLies, #OneofUsIsLying, and #TellMeLies. In short, approach this novel as breezy entertainment that pokes fun at the trope and you will not be disappointed.

The story is told from the perspectives of the three main characters, and alternates between the past and present--the present being 2019, and the past circa 2009-2010 for the girls' college years, along with some vague references to high school. Don't worry about the years as much as the chapter headings "Then" and "Now" for plot purposes since most of the story feels as if it is set in the 90s (e.g., the number of times cigarette smoking is mentioned.)

Which leads me to one of my two major gripes with this novel. To say the setting is disorienting, would be an understatement. The descriptions of NYC and New England are painful to say the least. The passages read like someone watched a 90s movie that featured these locations and cobbled together scenes after a single viewing. Basically, there is no sense of place.

The second of my two gripes is that the characters are primarily one note. Readers can usually forgive this issue in thrillers where there is a complicated, yet riveting, plotline that offsets the weaker character components. In this instance, the characters and their motives are crucial to unraveling the mystery. Even as I write this review, I'm still trying to determine why Sophia was so angry, other than the patently obvious--I don't buy it. Though it seems other readers did, so that is only one opinion.

I won't go into the intricate details I noted for the other two, but it feels as if Brooke and Caroline are nearly the same person until the latter half of the novel when Brooke's actions and reactions no longer support what the reader has already been told about her upbringing. Additionally, Caroline would not have done or referenced some of the things she did as a the CEO of a tech company. Again, only one readers' opinion.

Overall, I think there is a solid story here that can be tweaked before the publication date. The meat of the story is intriguing and the writing is technically strong, with some great similes and quips. Looking forward to reading the final version come publication day. 3.5 Stars, rounded up.

I loved the decade-old secrets and the (partial) academic setting of Our Secrets Were Safe. Based on the premise, I assumed it's exactly the kind of book I can't put down. And it might have been, had the beginning held my attention more. The first few chapters felt so focused on internal monologue and scene-setting that it felt like the plot wasn't really moving. Additionally, many of the characters came off as one-dimensional or stereotypes, which didn't encourage me to keep reading. Based on the glowing reviews from other readers, I'm confident a lot of other people will really enjoy this book — it just isn't right for me.

This was fantastic!!

The story follows a group of friends as they are forced to revisit a dark time in their lives. Sofia's been gone for ten years, but someone wants to dig up the truth and spill all their deepest, darkest, secrets.

This gave me Pretty Little Liar feels and kept me on my toes the whole time! The twists were great, the writing was smooth; it was all-around enjoyable. Well done! Virginia Trench will be on my radar for any future publications from here on out.

Virginia Trench's debut novel delivers everything I look for in a thriller—college and childhood friends, wealth and jealousy, flashbacks, double-crosses, psychological twists, and social media stalking. What sets Trench's work apart is the seamless integration of all these elements. Nothing feels forced or overly polished. Instead, she weaves them together naturally, creating a truly immersive experience.

Trench has crafted complex psychological backgrounds for her characters, which adds authenticity and depth to the story. She effortlessly bridges the characters' pasts to their present-day challenges—navigating careers, dealing with corporate pressures, and grappling with the pervasive influence of social media, all while adding the compelling layer of sexism in the workplace. The information about these issues is meticulously detailed, adding a dimension that many female readers will particularly appreciate. This nuanced approach gives the novel an elevated level of interest and relatability.

The book is set ten years after college, and through flashbacks, we learn about a tragic event that continues to haunt the main characters. Sofia was killed in a car accident, and her friends Brooke and Caroline were also in the vehicle. As the story unfolds, we see Brooke and Caroline navigating their successes in life, while also delving into the struggles of Caroline's brother, Leo, who has been battling to stay sober. The plot becomes increasingly tense with the presence of a stalker who has begun harassing the group of friends.

The stalker's messages eerily reference the accident, claiming to be from Sofia herself. What really happened that night? Has Sofia somehow returned, or is someone playing a cruel game? Trench keeps the reader guessing until the very end, masterfully blending suspense with psychological complexity. This is a gripping read that will keep you turning the pages, making it a standout thriller for fans of character-driven mysteries with unexpected twists.

#VirginiaTrench #Thriller #DebutNovel #PsychologicalThriller #Suspense #BookReview
#crownpublishing #oursecretsweresafe #virginiatrench

This was such a strong thriller novel and had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed from the genre. The overall feel worked with the story being told and was hooked from the first page. Virginia Trench wrote this perfectly and was glad it was so well written. The characters had that realism that I was looking for and was glad I got to read this.