amarachireadss's review
3.5
Overall I ended up enjoying this book. It's a YA mystery, and it did take a while before I was interested and invested in the plot and the characters. The main character Lauren is the new girl in town, and she is troubled after what she did in her previous school relating to someone being killed. She starts a situationship with Robbie who is the rich boy in their school. She finds out that Robbie and his brother have ex-girlfriends who both died under suspicious circumstances and everything in town thinks they did it. Lauren starts investigating the murders, and there is so drama, drugs, romance, parties, and complex high school students. The main character is very troubled, she annoyed at times especially with how she talked with her mom who was trying to help. These are high school students so I expect them to act like that lol. The twist was a good one I had started to guess who the murder was, but the way it came about and was wrapped up was interesting. If you like YA murder mysteries with complex characters, you should read this. Thank you to the publisher for this arc.
cover2covertx's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was a fun one & I'm always a sucker for a fun title. This book followed a classic YA mystery/thriller plot but with some very interesting twists and turns. We have Lauren O'Brian, the new girl in town with a secret who moves across the country right before starting a senior year. And then we have the love interest- Robbie Crestmont, one of two Crestmonts each with their own bad reputation surrounding the mysterious deaths of their girlfriends.
This story pretty much immediately captures your attention. It's been marketed for fans of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, and the author knows their audience well because the pacing and suspense of this book really has a similar flow to AGGGTM. I've read a few different YA mystery/thrillers that claimed to be a good read alike and fell short, but this one definitely has similar vibes AND can stand on its own! I was genuinely stumped about who the killer might be for quite awhile, even though I had my theories. The author leaves the perfect amount of breadcrumbs behind in the story without over-saturating the plot. I will say my favorite parts about this book are the side characters (especially John I liked what he added to the story) and the twists at the end. There's great closure & a satisfying ending. The author also switches POVs at the very end briefly which usually annoys me TO NO END but it was done SO incredibly well- it was worth it & added to the story for sure.
The only thing that keeps this book from 5 stars for me was some of the pacing at the end of the story. During a big climactic part, I felt like it was a bit rushed. I even had to flip back a few pages and re-read to make sure I didn't accidentally skip a page.
All in all, this is a solid 4 star read for me and I will definitely be looking out for more books from this author in the future!
This story pretty much immediately captures your attention. It's been marketed for fans of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, and the author knows their audience well because the pacing and suspense of this book really has a similar flow to AGGGTM. I've read a few different YA mystery/thrillers that claimed to be a good read alike and fell short, but this one definitely has similar vibes AND can stand on its own! I was genuinely stumped about who the killer might be for quite awhile, even though I had my theories. The author leaves the perfect amount of breadcrumbs behind in the story without over-saturating the plot. I will say my favorite parts about this book are the side characters (especially John I liked what he added to the story) and the twists at the end.
The only thing that keeps this book from 5 stars for me was some of the pacing at the end of the story.
All in all, this is a solid 4 star read for me and I will definitely be looking out for more books from this author in the future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Alcohol, Body horror, Drug use, Drug abuse, Suicide, and Sexual content
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
thestoryshire's review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
commaflirting's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the ARC!
The One That Got Away With Murder is like Pretty Little Liars, but darker.
This book was intriguing from page one. One of my favorite things about it was how the characters were introduced, you never got any background about them until they were cleared of murder (or unless Lauren, John, and Robbie were trying to determine if they were guilty). The (extremely complex) characters unfold with the plot, like an SVU episode (a show that has kept us on our toes for 2 decades now, so I'd say that's good company to have).
I only gave the book 4 stars though because I was left a little unsatisfied. It seems like all of the "villains" got off lightly. Is coach really preying after younger girls? And nothing else escalated put of the Donovan situation? Those two aren't that important for us to know, given that the book was supposed to be realistic and the reality is that not all of these situations get revealed to the public, but I'm nosy. My main dislike was the lack of motivation on Mark's part. During the overview of Mark's actions, he states that Lauren "was the chosen one" that he picked back in California, then a few paragraphs later, he states that Lauren would've lived had she not revealed Ainsley's drug habit. WHAT made Lauren so intriguing to him? And why did he get the urge to even kill Victoria in the first place?
Overall, this was one of the better books that I've read all year. I love when a character suffers, though I felt really really bad for Robbie by the end of the book.
The One That Got Away With Murder is like Pretty Little Liars, but darker.
I only gave the book 4 stars though because I was left a little unsatisfied. It seems like all of the "villains" got off lightly. Is coach really preying after younger girls? And nothing else escalated put of the Donovan situation? Those two aren't that important for us to know, given that the book was supposed to be realistic and the reality is that not all of these situations get revealed to the public, but I'm nosy. My main dislike was the lack of motivation on Mark's part. During the overview of Mark's actions, he states that Lauren "was the chosen one" that he picked back in California, then a few paragraphs later, he states that Lauren would've lived had she not revealed Ainsley's drug habit. WHAT made Lauren so intriguing to him? And why did he get the urge to even kill Victoria in the first place?
Overall, this was one of the better books that I've read all year. I love when a character suffers, though I felt really really bad for Robbie by the end of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Addiction, Murder, Suicide, and Sexual harassment
alicehenry's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
2.25/5
this book was captivating, and it got me intrigued in the plot. to be honest, i briefly knew what this book was about, but i was also going into it blind.
however, the plot twist was kind of predictable to me, or is it because i've read too many mystery books? the ending was too abrupt in my opinion. there was no proper motive given by the author, and i'm not sure why everything that happened, well, happened. there was closure about lauren's past, which i'm grateful for too. i thought it was very interesting to close with her backstory.
the characters also felt a bit bland to me. the development in the relationship between robbie and lauren wasn't what i expected. i didn't feel any chemistry between them, to say the least.
overall, i think that the plot was really interesting, but it could have done better.
thank you netgalley and the publisher for this arc !!
this book was captivating, and it got me intrigued in the plot. to be honest, i briefly knew what this book was about, but i was also going into it blind.
however, the plot twist was kind of predictable to me, or is it because i've read too many mystery books?
the characters also felt a bit bland to me. the development in the relationship between robbie and lauren wasn't what i expected. i didn't feel any chemistry between them, to say the least.
overall, i think that the plot was really interesting, but it could have done better.
thank you netgalley and the publisher for this arc !!
jenniahw's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book gave me exactly what I hoped for when I read its description. The story of Lauren's life is one filled with a personal trauma that no one, especially a teenager, should deal with. And because of what was happening a dangerous incident sends her away from her home in California to small town life like she's never experienced. Though it's clear that she's still suffering from everything that's happened, I can't imagine how she was hanging on so well. Her coping tactics are less harmful than more full fledge adults, but it's clear that she would still do well to find a therapist that's a good fit for her.
And then you have Robbie, a teenager who has also gone through too much for his age and struggling with it on a level that is also admirable, even if he sacrifices a lot of what he loves in his grief and need to distance himself because the the accusations laid at the feet of his brother and him.
These are two kids who are really just trying to navigate life post tragedy and they fall into each other.
Seeing them both fall - and Lauren fight it - was interesting in the setting of uncertainty that comes with a murder mystery, especially when the body count jumps to three. The way Lauren falls into finding the truth feels like a way to give her something else to focus on and to validate or invalidate how she feels about Robbie. I mean you can stop yourself from having the nicety of a boyfriend and continue punishing yourself for what turned out worse than intended when he's a girlfriend murderer with a brother who may also be one. But her sticking it out and being unafraid to hold on to the belief that her first instinct that Robbie and Trevor could be innocent brings about the answers of families and friends of those gone and show her that she deserve that closure. Deserves to move on and be happy.
I love this book and I love these characters! I would read more about them and I'll definitely reread all about that. Though if there was more I'd definitely hope for a little less traumatizing. They deserve a break like no other.
**MILD SPOILER**
My only "issue" with this story is that I wanted more from her mother. Lauren makes it clear that she's the time to change or adjust herself so that she meshes well with the boyfriend she has. And while it may have just been annoying before, it's led to something that puts her kid in a bad situation. I don't blame her for that, because there is no way to guess such a thing, my problem instead lies within the way I don't think she was apologetic enough. Not about what this led to, but about the way she was barely giving her child who went through something terrible back home and is in her last year of high school, last year living home, the attention she deserved. Like who goes to dinner before your kid's senior night and then thinks that announcing a proposal is a good way to make her less upset with you, especially when you haven't made up for your last fight? She's also someone who needs therapy.
I'm thankful to have received this arc via NetGalley.
And then you have Robbie, a teenager who has also gone through too much for his age and struggling with it on a level that is also admirable, even if he sacrifices a lot of what he loves in his grief and need to distance himself because the the accusations laid at the feet of his brother and him.
These are two kids who are really just trying to navigate life post tragedy and they fall into each other.
Seeing them both fall - and Lauren fight it - was interesting in the setting of uncertainty that comes with a murder mystery, especially when the body count jumps to three. The way Lauren falls into finding the truth feels like a way to give her something else to focus on and to validate or invalidate how she feels about Robbie. I mean you can stop yourself from having the nicety of a boyfriend and continue punishing yourself for what turned out worse than intended when he's a girlfriend murderer with a brother who may also be one. But her sticking it out and being unafraid to hold on to the belief that her first instinct that Robbie and Trevor could be innocent brings about the answers of families and friends of those gone and show her that she deserve that closure. Deserves to move on and be happy.
I love this book and I love these characters! I would read more about them and I'll definitely reread all about that. Though if there was more I'd definitely hope for a little less traumatizing. They deserve a break like no other.
**MILD SPOILER**
I'm thankful to have received this arc via NetGalley.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, and Drug use
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, and Suicide
Minor: Eating disorder, Sexual assault, and Adult/minor relationship
heathermarie08's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thanks to NetGalley, I received an electronic copy of this ARC book in exchange for my honest review.
This debut by Trish Lundy is a young adult thriller that kept me guessing the entire time. It was a fast paced read with short chapters. You aren't sure who to like, who to despise or who to root for but I found myself wanting the main characters to be safe and have a happy ending. I strongly recommend you read this book to find out if that happened.
This book is well written and thought out, leaving you on the edge of your seat. If you are a fan of Holly Jackson and "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder" I think you will enjoy this book as well.
This debut by Trish Lundy is a young adult thriller that kept me guessing the entire time. It was a fast paced read with short chapters. You aren't sure who to like, who to despise or who to root for but I found myself wanting the main characters to be safe and have a happy ending. I strongly recommend you read this book to find out if that happened.
This book is well written and thought out, leaving you on the edge of your seat. If you are a fan of Holly Jackson and "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder" I think you will enjoy this book as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death, Murder, and Bullying
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Suicide
Minor: Eating disorder, Adult/minor relationship, and Vomit
smixter88's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Thank you to NetGalley, MacMillan Children's Publishing Group and Trish Laundry for providing me with this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The beginning of this book did suck me in. It's not as mysterious as I thought it would be given the synopsis and title. I can say her writing is beautiful. She writes like someone would think, and for me that makes it more personal. Towards the middle of the book, it just fell off for me. I struggled, but pushed myself to get to the end. I did guess the ending, but I'm ok with that. That doesn't ruin a book for me. It has a Gossip Girl with a splash of Mean Girls, but with murder feel to it. I'm glad there was closure in the end, BUT we never really understand the motive. It just feels a little thrown in there. I needed more information on the who and the why.
⭐️ could have been a DNF 10/10 don't recommend
⭐️⭐️ It was meh
⭐️⭐️⭐️ it was good
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ really liked it. Doesn't live rent free but comes to visit every now and then.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Obsessed! It will live rent free in my head forever and always
The beginning of this book did suck me in. It's not as mysterious as I thought it would be given the synopsis and title. I can say her writing is beautiful. She writes like someone would think, and for me that makes it more personal. Towards the middle of the book, it just fell off for me. I struggled, but pushed myself to get to the end. I did guess the ending, but I'm ok with that. That doesn't ruin a book for me. It has a Gossip Girl with a splash of Mean Girls, but with murder feel to it. I'm glad there was closure in the end, BUT we never really understand the motive. It just feels a little thrown in there. I needed more information on the who and the why.
⭐️ could have been a DNF 10/10 don't recommend
⭐️⭐️ It was meh
⭐️⭐️⭐️ it was good
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ really liked it. Doesn't live rent free but comes to visit every now and then.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Obsessed! It will live rent free in my head forever and always
kaitlynisliterate's review against another edition
3.75
A very compelling debut novel!
YA female main characters are usually very hit or miss for me and I have to say, I really liked Lauren. I felt like she had a really clear internal voice and acted her age, even if that resulted in some more than questionable decisions. I especially liked how Lauren and Robbie’s relationship did not take over the whole book. Their focus was appropriately on the actual murders taking place around them.
I really appreciated how there was always more than 1 viable suspect until the very end. Some murder mysteries make identifying the real killer too obvious by spending a lot of time developing a random minor character, which can only be for the purpose of a big plot twist reveal.
The author mostly avoided using Gen Z references that won’t age well (though I’ve never seen music described as alt-J-esque). However, there are some YA tropes that I personally don’t like. For example, there’s a Gossip Girl type Instagram account that posts rumours/gossip about the students.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.