chanciep's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
fudanshi's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kal517's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Bullying and Grief
Minor: Animal death
megan_kiwi's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
sn_07's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
okcryptid's review against another edition
5.0
Heart-pounding and fun YA thriller. If you enjoyed Maureen Johnson's Truly Devious, this is right up the same alley. The red herrings are woven so skillfully that it almost works to the book's detriment. Around 75% I thought I had it all figured out and was ready to finish on a solid three stars... but then the twists come at you real fast. Love it when that happens!
perusinghannah's review against another edition
4.0
(7.7/10) - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Keep This to Yourself is a refreshingly well-structured YA mystery that I enjoyed more than I thought I would.
We follow Mac, who's best friend Connor was murdered the year before, the last victim of a serial killer that was never identified and is assumed to have long moved on from the seaside town. However, when Mac discovers a note from Connor nearly a year later in which he lets Mac know he's on to something and to meet him at the location that became his murder scene, Mac starts questioning what exactly happened.
What I appreciated most about this book is that the choices Mac makes are level-headed and logical. The number of times I've groaned "omg, go to the police" reading YA mystery thrillers is vast, so it was a breath of fresh air to actually see a main character hand over evidence. Of course, the story isn't as simple as that, but it's made up out of more than a string of ridiculously poor decisions.
While the first half of the book was slightly uneventful, it did a good job building up the story and letting it gradually intensify. I also did not guess the plot twists, which is always a bonus, especially when they make absolute sense.
Where the book fell short for me was with the lack of development of secondary characters, who all seemed rather flat - especially the love interest. I fully appreciated the LGBTQIA+ rep, but I wish the relationship didn't feel so clunky.
Other than that, a strong read!
Keep This to Yourself is a refreshingly well-structured YA mystery that I enjoyed more than I thought I would.
We follow Mac, who's best friend Connor was murdered the year before, the last victim of a serial killer that was never identified and is assumed to have long moved on from the seaside town. However, when Mac discovers a note from Connor nearly a year later in which he lets Mac know he's on to something and to meet him at the location that became his murder scene, Mac starts questioning what exactly happened.
What I appreciated most about this book is that the choices Mac makes are level-headed and logical. The number of times I've groaned "omg, go to the police" reading YA mystery thrillers is vast, so it was a breath of fresh air to actually see a main character hand over evidence. Of course, the story isn't as simple as that, but it's made up out of more than a string of ridiculously poor decisions.
While the first half of the book was slightly uneventful, it did a good job building up the story and letting it gradually intensify. I also did not guess the plot twists, which is always a bonus, especially when they make absolute sense.
Where the book fell short for me was with the lack of development of secondary characters, who all seemed rather flat - especially the love interest. I fully appreciated the LGBTQIA+ rep, but I wish the relationship didn't feel so clunky.
Other than that, a strong read!