A fascinatingly twisty read! The delivery of the then and now POVs from different characters had me constantly coming up with new theories of who was actually to blame for the murder. I loved that all the characters had layers and dirty laundry so it wasn’t immediately obvious how the crime had played out.

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

This Stays Between Us is a twisty, tension-filled thriller that dives into the secrets we keep and the lies we tell to protect them. Sara Ochs delivers sharp writing, layered characters, and just enough misdirection to keep you second-guessing everyone. The dynamics between the characters feel personal and messy in all the right ways, making the emotional stakes hit hard. It’s a fast-paced, addictive read that knows exactly when to turn up the pressure.

Wow—what a fantastic thriller! I was completely hooked. The use of a dual timeline was masterfully done, smoothly transitioning between Claire’s present-day perspective and Phoebe’s in the past leading up to the murder. This narrative style gave the story real depth, letting us connect with Phoebe even though she’s already gone in the current timeline. It added layers to the mystery and kept me guessing throughout.

I’ll be honest—I was initially underwhelmed when the killer was revealed. But then—bam—that final twist flipped everything on its head. It was shocking, satisfying, and wrapped the story up perfectly.

If you're into smart, suspenseful thrillers with unexpected turns, This Stays Between Us is a must-read!

This book was an absolute delight to read! It had everything I look for — engaging writing, memorable characters, and a story that stayed with me long after I turned the last page. The author’s voice is distinct and compelling, making it easy to get lost in the world they created, no matter the genre.

I'm incredibly grateful to the publisher for the early copy. It was such a joy to read this in advance, and I can’t wait for more readers to experience it. Highly recommend!

This was a quick read for me.
I like how the setting was in Australia and it was described so I could actually picture the different landscapes and such.
It follows a group of students who went to the Australia for school ten years ago. One of them disappears and then ten years later they are back in Australia with news about the one who disappeared….

I liked the then and now POVs so we could get a feel of the girls and how it all it panned out.
It did have some twists and turns to this book and some unlikeable characters. Everyone has dirty secrets that they wanna hide from the group
I did find some of the book a little boring in the middle and there was some added things that I didn’t think that needed to be added.

This does have the short chapters and I was say id classify this as popcorn thriller.

At the end the story does come together and tie everything in. I personally don’t think the epilogue was necessary for the ending.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher and author for letting have this ARC for review . The book is expected to be published July 15, 2025.

This thriller had me hooked from page one. The suspense was perfectly paced, with just enough twists to keep me guessing without feeling overdone. The characters were sharp, and the stakes kept rising in all the right ways. If you're a fan of fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat reads, this one is a must!

This Stays Between Us by Sara Ochs pulled me in from the very first page. I loved the use of multiple points of view and how the story skillfully weaves between past and present—it added so much depth and kept the suspense building. The mystery had me hooked, constantly trying to piece together what happened and who was behind it. The characters felt real and compelling, and the vivid descriptions of the Australian setting made everything come alive. A tense, addictive read that I couldn’t put down!

I really enjoyed the setting and plot of this story; however I couldn't connect with the characters. I enjoyed the multi-POV and suspense, however it felt a bit slow and didn't pick up until the end. I definitely predicted the end a bit but still enjoyed the reveal and the writing throughout the book! Overall enjoyed and would be a great summer read!

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher and author for letting have this ARC for review . The book is expected to be published July 15, 2025.

Now, after a binge on romantasy, it was a nice refreshing dip into a thriller/who-done-it, especially with one done so well. There are two points of view and two timelines explored in the book (two timelines of then and now-not alternate reality timelines) and the chapters are fairly short and not too drawn on to lose my attention.

The book started out strong, as it was very clear on someone's guilt right out of the gates; but what really happened and all the motives around it are hinted and teased at through this book and I just ate it up as the reveals happened bit by bit. My suspicions kept shifting slightly because I also felt that everyone was just a little bit terrible.

I adored who atmospheric this book was and how diverse the students are. Sara captured the insecurities of (some) youth finding themselves and trying to fit in; the adventure and pettiness people have at that age and then the realization that the people you thought you knew so well when you were younger are so different when you reconnect later as 'mature' adults (if you want to consider ten years past college age mature)

This was my first book by the author and based on the story and quality of it, I will definitelyl be reading more of Sara Ochs works.


The ARC indicates that any typos/errors would be fixed before publication but I did highlight an error of 'trying to drawing' should likely be 'trying to draw' about halfway through the book.

Overall, this was a really strong who-dunnit thriller, with a strong premise and gripping plot twists the whole way through, right to the very last page. From the first few chapters you could tell this was going to be a strong book, both POVs were extremely interesting and they flipped back and forth at the right times to keep you hooked. Very well executed and had me on the edge of my seat throughout.

Claire and Phoebe were both interesting and complex characters, who really helped to build a strong investment in their stories along the way. The side characters and locations they were in were also fleshed out really well, making you feel like you were there with them. Perfectly executed, honestly. Maybe the conclusion came out of nowhere a little, but the revelations along the way made it a truly fun read.

Somehow this was my first read from Ochs but will not be my last. This was dynamite. I loved the setting (Australian outback), the band of likeable characters, and the near constant plot development that culminates in a pretty excellent conclusion. I found myself really invested in the characters and feeling for them deeply (Pheobe…. IYKYK). And the epilogue? WOW. Definitely recommend picking this up if you like a vacation-esque who dun it!

I really enjoyed this one! It’s got that “dark secrets from the past” vibe I love, mixed with a moody Australian setting that totally pulled me in. Claire’s guilt over what happened to Phoebe had me hooked from the start — but just when I thought I knew what was going on, the story threw another twist. I liked how the characters had all changed since college, and watching their past and present lives collide was super compelling. It’s tense, atmospheric, and just the right amount of messy. If you liked The Resort, you’ll probably be into this too.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of This Stays Between Us by Sara Ochs.

This started out as a very suspenseful story with the added plus of taking place in varied scenic locations in Australia. The descriptions of the areas traveled too were done in a way that I could envision actualy being there.

Beyond that though it was pretty similar to others in the genre. Definitely a solid book and entertaining but nothing revolutionary.

A twisty thriller set in the Australian Outback., following the group whose college trip ended very badly while they come together again for the first time while it seems that their past isn't done with them yet.

While I definitely enjoyed this book, I did not need the extra twist at the end.

**Spoiler** After we find out that the main character was not, in fact, the killer, We find out that she still condemned the other girl to. her death by locking her in the mine, I found that this "twist" undermined the whole rest of the story. It basically negated the redemption arc out FMC had been on for the whole of the novel.

This book was a slow burn and very enjoyable. It was hard to put down and I found myself trying to pick it back up any chance I got. I did not guess all of the twists which is always a bonus for thrillers. It reminded me a bit of the book We Were Never Here with the college kids behaving badly and deadly consequences.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

I really enjoyed this book..

Great twisty going on in there.

Wonderful second book! keep them coming.

Pretty standard formula thriller for 2025 – a whole cast of characters with shady actions, an unreliable narrator, red herrings at every turn, big twist at the end where SURPRISE! the narrator who was guilt ridden at accidentally killing her friend actually IS evil and did it with full intention of doing so! SURPRISSSSEEEE! Never could’ve seen it coming. I enjoyed this fine, I was just whelmed.

A very quick popcorn thriller about Claire and her group of friends that did a program abroad. Everyone has their secret in the group but a murderer? 10 years later the group is called back to australia as the investigation began after the remains of their friend has been found. Who killed Phoebe?

It was quick read of a who done it troop. I wasn’t the biggest fan as the writing style isn’t for me and I didn’t enjoy the main character or any of the side characters. They were no development in them and the plot and how it concluded seem to develop as you go along. Basically everything happened for convenience which I didn’t enjoy as much.

I did however loved the dual POVs.

This book was decent kept me turning the pages because I had to see this book through !!! I would recommend to my friends and book buddies !!