Reviews with content warning for Self harm - One of Us Is Lying

Bronwyn gives Rachel Berry vibes and not in a good way. The whole romance between her and Nate was sorta annoying, and the plot didn’t take any risks at any point.

Spoiler

I think I found out the main mystery before the book, but still wasn’t particularly surprising, and seemed like a bit of a cop out. Whilst the characters technically have flaws, the book doesn’t seem to be willing to let them be bad people. For example, Bronwyn cheated but shes under so much pressure, Addy cheated but Jakes a #badguy and it was once, Cooper cheated but its bc he was hiding his sexuality, and tbh Nate being a drug dealer isn’t really a flaw IMO. He’s a businessman <3 That being said he really pisses me off, I think just because of the romance. Nothing wrong with it, I just found Addy and Cooper so much more interesting, and didn’t really want a romance when I was expecting a murder mystery.

That being said, Addy gave Quinn Fabray vibes in a very good way, and the book was a pretty fun read.

Also

Spoiler

Cooper, Dave Karofsky called n he wants his storyline back. Joking but I refuse to believe people didn’t see this coming from the first time we see him texting someone and their gender isn’t mentioned. That being said, Cooper is my second favourite after Addy.

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av0ncor3's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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elspethmigliore's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-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

3.75

This was pretty good!! I enjoyed the buildup a lot and I loved how the characters ended up becoming really close by the end of the story. I wasn't really shocked with the plot-twists, because it felt kind of obvious. But still, it was really good and a great read.

would most likely reread, but not definitely ☑️

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vickeyreads's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

I LOVED this book!!! You would not be able to guess twist in this story! I loved every character in the book (hated a few however).
I loved reading each of the varied perspectives. The beginning reminded me of The Breakfast Club which I enjoyed. As both relate to people from different cliches coming together. That is all I have to say about the book that is spoiler free. If you haven’t read it I 100% recommend that you should read it (even if you do get spoiled but I recommend staying away from spoilers still).

SPOILERS BELOW:

Spoiler

one criticism I had was when Addy cheated on Jake and reflects about it I wish they depict her to show more remorse and moral guilt about her actions I feel as tho, that those character moments of agony are crucial to making her a more well rounded character. Instead her cheating was brushed off because of Jake’s rage and his actions. That he almost kills her and freaks out on her when she admits to him.
Another criticism I had was Mr. Avery wasn’t questioned enough or suspected enough for Simon’s murder imo. Being the only teacher in the room at the time of Simon’s Death, wouldn’t that make him more suspicious. Though I do not feel as strongly about this criticism.

The book is overall very well done and compelling for anyone to read. Those are my thoughts.

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thedeepestheart's review against another edition

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mysterious

3.5

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jannetommo's review against another edition

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mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

0.5

Total waste of time and Money

Spoiler

the way Metal illness is written is just horible not to start of Coopers sexuality

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classicpseudonym's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

again, writing this immediately after finishing the book so i don't forget anything so i'm still sort of in shock. i read two can keep a secret by mcmanus a few years ago so i've had this on my to read ever since (but never particularly wanted to read it until i didn't have time to find another option at the library). but woah that was definitely something.

i feel like i was more hooked than i'm willing to admit because this was a typical ya book about high school and murder (except by peanut oil i guess), but i still wanted to read on even though this doesn't exactly align with my book tastes. and the build-up of everything was pretty well executed, so props to mcmanus on a thrilling debut.

on the other hand, i'm looking back immediately after and i feel like i didn't really get anything out of it? if that makes sense. i wasn't a big fan of the hold that romance and relationships had on the plot and the book overall, but that's just how high school is portrayed in general, and i'm not a big romance person so i'm probably just biased. me saying "i didn't get anything out of it" isn't to say that the psychological themes and the perspectives/narration of each of the characters wasn't interesting, but i just feel like i wouldn't want to read this book again. like the case with two can keep a secret (which i don't remember anything about, then again its been years) i don't think i'd remember anything about the book besides the ending (which will haunt me even though i felt it coming) in a few months.

Spoiler

now that i'm thinking about it, simon's character is going to haunt me for the rest of my life. from the reference to the omniscent narrator at the beginning of the book, to the way he planned on dictating "his story" even from the grave... chilling. god.

so if you want fast paced, thrilling, and haunting in a ya sort of way read, i'd recommend. there are a lot a lot of trigger warnings though, so i'd recommend that people keep that in mind if they read. if you tend to stay away from ya thriller/mystery books like i do, maybe still give it a read if you're bored because i feel like it's decently well done, but it wasn't my favorite book personally and it might not be yours either. then again, i think it's just because i think too much and i gravitate towards books that are really deep and get my mind all jumbled on the issues of society. but that's a me problem. pretty good book overall though.

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