For a romance author writing a thriller book I was unsure how it would go but this was AMAZING- this got me out of my reading slump 🫶🏻 I feel like I've fallen off of suburban thrillers because all the plots are so repetitive but this had such a fun & unique premise. The pacing on this was so well down, with every chapter that ended I wanted to keep going to find out what happened. I just had so much fun with this one. I devoured this in one sitting after work. Just a heads up this does involve some romance & spice which I personally liked but it may not be for everyone!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC.

Publication Date: 6/17/2025

Definitely a four star read. I really would recommend this to anyone looking for a good thriller or mystery book. Give 'Someone Knows' by Vi Keeland a chance.

This was a fast paced thriller with many twists along the way! The ending was unexpected, the characters kept my attention, and I couldn’t stop reading!

ARC provided by Atria/Emily Bestler Books in exchange for an honest review. Thank you very much!

24 hours later and I have now collected my thoughts to provide a more flushed out review — Someone Knows felt like a Freida McFadden book in that everything was happening with nothing happening at the same time.

This book had one too many twists and honestly, at the end of it, I didn't particularly think that the answers revealed were that compelling to make me want to pick up this book again.

A quick read but very forgettable compared to other thrillers I've read recently

A brilliantly plotted book that tells the story of Elizabeth, a successful college professor who finds her life unraveling when a student sends her excerpts from a novel they are writing that bares a striking resemblance to Elizabeth’s past - a past she’d rather forget, a past which still impacts her personal relationships now. Wonderfully twisty and well paced, I read this on one sitting and couldn’t put it down.
This is my first time to read a book from this author and it won’t be the last! Highly recommended

Elizabeth is a 37 year old college professor in New York, who left her hometown of Louisiana with no plans to return.
While grading creative writing papers, a story sent to her is eerily familiar to a past she has experienced. She must travel back to Louisiana to try to solve the mystery and at the same time deal with her neglectful, alcoholic mother, who is ill.
I REALLY enjoyed this. The twists threw me. I’ll be honest though, this would have been a SOLID 5 stars for me but the end. I would have much preferred if the ending part didn’t happen. I can’t give too much away here, but I did add it to my Goodreads and marked spoilers.
I do want to read more by this author because of this book and I would suggest it to others though!!!

This story took me on a rollercoaster of emotions, and I loved every second of it. The suspense was perfectly executed, keeping me on edge, and just when I thought I had things figured out, a twist would completely change everything. It was unpredictable in the best way possible, making it impossible to put down. I felt deeply invested in the characters and their struggles, which made every revelation hit even harder.

There were moments where I thought, "Maybe I’d change a thing or two," but in the end, that didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed it. The tension, the surprises, and the emotional depth made it a truly gripping experience. Even after finishing, I found myself thinking about it, replaying certain moments in my head. It’s the kind of story that lingers, and for me, that’s a sign of something truly special.

Reviewed for NetGalley:

College professor, Elizabeth has left her childhood, family, and friends behind to start fresh Up North. However, when she begins grading one of her online student's papers, she begins reading the story of a tragedy she thought she left behind.

Lots of twists and turns made for a fun and exciting read.

Someone Knows by Vi Keeland is a gripping romantic suspense novel that blends passion with mystery. The story follows two protagonists confronting dark secrets from their past, with plenty of twists to keep readers hooked. Keeland’s engaging writing and strong character chemistry make this a compelling read for fans of thrilling romance.

OH.MY.GOSH.

This was easily one of the best books I have read this year. Elizabeth is an English professor with a dark secret from her childhood that's coming back to haunt her. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time trying to guess what was going to happen. By the end of the book my jaw was on the floor. So many amazing twists that left you wondering what would happen next. Everytime I thought I knew what was going to happen, the story twisted again.

Thank you to the author and publisher for an ARC copy

As I was reading, I truly could not figure out “whodunnit.” Thrillers/Suspense novels are my favorite and I usually pick up on the breadcrumbs along the way. This was not the case, it was written so well that I truly did not figure it out.

The way my jaw DROPPED at the end of chapter 25! I could not put this book down, I read it in one sitting.

Someone Knows takes the reader on a gripping read unfolding a tale connecting the past and the present. There is excitement throughout as the past is revealed and the author sprinkles in some quite spicy scenes. This story had me guessing right up until the final sentence. 4 stars!

This was a decent read, I enjoyed it! It follows a college professor who murdered a man as a teen....but did she? There were a few twists, which I enjoyed as a thriller lover, and was genuinely surprised at the end. 3.75 stars, rounded up to 4. I recommend it if you like well paced thrillers!

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!

5 stars ⭐️ I’m still not over this book. This was probably the fastest I’ve ever read a psychological thriller. I couldn’t put it down!! 10/10 recommend!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Someone Knows delivers an addictive and gripping thriller that kept me perched on the edge of my seat. Every time I thought I had the mystery solved, a new revelation would flip my perspective entirely.

The story centers on Elizabeth, who is desperate to uncover who knows her darkest secret. With everyone around her a potential suspect, her past and present collide in a way that forces her to question everything she once believed.

I was completely captivated by Elizabeth’s journey—her relentless search for the truth and her struggle with deteriorating mental health. Each character had me second-guessing my theories, and that shocking ending left me reeling, questioning everything I had just read, and craving more.

English professor Elizabeth eagerly anticipates the start of each new semester teaching her creative writing seminar. At least until she reads chapter one of The Reckoning, a story about a high school senior who has an affair with her teacher. Someone knows what Elizabeth did twenty years ago, and her secret is about to be exposed, but who is the mystery student submitting the chapters? When she receives one of her assignments back, it eerily details a part of her life she’s kept secret for over 20 years—a suspenseful thriller filled with lost memories, dark twisty, double personalities, past lies, numerous suspects, and a frazzled main character. The story would have benefited from having one side character be the writer and the murderer.

Someone Knows by Vi Kreeland is a good, twisty, psychological thriller that keeps readers guessing. The characters are multi-dimensional and complex--no one has clear motives for their behavior and yet the reasons they do the things they do make sense (for the most part). In this book, Elizabeth is a college professor who starts receiving chapters of a book from one of her students--and the chapters tell the story of Elizabeth's darkest days. I had some guesses as to who the student was, and found myself rolling my eyes if it was the person I thought, so I was pleasantly surprised to find out it wasn't. After finishing the book, I wanted to reread it to see what clues I missed regarding the identity of the student, and to see if I could figure out how the student was able to discover so much about Elizabeth and her past.

Overall, a great thriller. Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for this ARC.

Someone Knows by Vi Keeland is a sexy, twisted, and fast-paced thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. Elizabeth, an English professor, receives anonymous chapters detailing a dark secret she buried twenty years ago. Is someone tormenting her, or is her past finally catching up?

The alternating timelines build tension as Elizabeth’s tragic history threatens her sanity .The plot is gripping, with a jaw-dropping twist in the middle and an ending that completely caught me off guard.

Dark themes like sexual abuse and physical abuse are present, so proceed with caution. But if you enjoy thrillers that keep you guessing, this one’s worth picking up. Looking forward to reading the next one by Vi Keeland.

I would like to thank Atria Books & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.

Someone Knows by Vi Keeland is a gripping and emotionally charged thriller that explores the weight of secrets and the consequences of buried truths. The story follows a protagonist whose seemingly stable life begins to unravel when a dark secret from the past resurfaces. Keeland’s writing is sharp and immersive, creating a steady undercurrent of tension that keeps you hooked from the first chapter.

The characters are well-developed, especially the protagonist, whose vulnerability and strength are portrayed with authenticity. Keeland does a great job of capturing the emotional fallout of betrayal and mistrust, making the personal stakes feel real. The supporting characters add complexity to the story, though some could have been explored more deeply. The twists are effective, and while a few are predictable, the emotional impact behind them keeps the story engaging.

The pacing is strong, with the right balance of suspense and emotional depth. The final act delivers a satisfying resolution, even if some plot threads feel slightly rushed. Someone Knows is a thoughtful and engaging thriller that blends psychological intrigue with emotional weight. A solid 4-star read—perfect for fans of suspenseful stories about secrets and redemption.