Member Reviews
**Book Review: This Stays Between Us by Sarah Ochs**
**Rating: 5/5**
I absolutely loved every minute of *This Stays Between Us*! From the moment I started reading, I was completely captivated by the intricate web of secrets and suspense that Ochs masterfully weaves throughout the narrative.
The reunion of old friends—who once embarked on a daring foreign adventure—immediately drew me in. I was enthralled by the way the author reconnected these characters, each harboring their own hidden truths, and how their past suddenly collided with a shocking present when a dead body surfaced.
What truly made this book unforgettable for me was the perfect balance of pacing and tension. Every chapter left me eager for more, and the clever character introductions deepened my connection to the story. The bone-chilling secrets and unexpected twists kept my heart racing and my mind buzzing with anticipation.
The final chapter was an absolute revelation—it completely blew my mind and left me in awe of the insane plot twist. It’s rare to find a book that not only meets but exceeds your expectations in every possible way, and *This Stays Between Us* did just that.
In short, this book is a thrilling rollercoaster ride of suspense and emotion, and I couldn’t have been more thrilled by the experience. Highly recommended to anyone who loves a story packed with mystery and unforgettable twists!
Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.
I very much enjoyed this book. The writing was great and the characters were well developed. I hope to read more from this author in the future.
Sarah Ochs delivers another gripping thriller with This Stays Between Us, a tense and twisty follow-up to The Resort. This time, she takes readers on a dark and dangerous study abroad trip to Australia—one that ends in a tragedy no one has truly left behind.
Ten years ago, Claire and her best friend, Phoebe, joined a group of students for what was supposed to be the adventure of a lifetime. But what started as sun-soaked travels and late-night parties quickly spiraled into something more sinister, culminating in Phoebe’s mysterious disappearance. Now, a decade later, Phoebe’s remains have been found, forcing Claire and her former classmates to return to the scene of the crime. But Claire isn’t just searching for answers—she’s hiding a terrible truth. Because she knows what really happened that night. And she’ll do anything to keep it buried.
Ochs masterfully builds tension as the narrative flips between past and present, revealing the tangled web of jealousy, betrayal, and hidden agendas that led to that fateful night. The shifting group dynamics, the slow unraveling of trust, and the oppressive atmosphere of a foreign landscape all add to the suspense, making this a read that keeps you second-guessing everyone’s motives—including Claire’s.
With shades of Lucy Foley’s locked-room mysteries and the social drama of Society of Lies, This Stays Between Us is a sharp, compulsive thriller that keeps the tension simmering until its final, chilling moments. If you love messy friendships, unreliable narrators, and dark secrets that refuse to stay buried, this one belongs on your TBR.