How is Julie Soto doing this!?! Another amazing book
The Thrashers is eerie and creepy and so addictive.
If you like Karen M McManus One of us is lying you’ll most likely enjoy this.
High school drama but slightly darker than most people’s experience (I hope).
This book has you questioning who and what to believe and questioning where you’d have fit in.
I found myself liking the “bad guys” more than the “innocent” and distrusting of everyone and their intentions, you could feel the loneliness and questioning thoughts overtaking Jodie our main character.
I’m haunted by this- beginning middle and especially the end!!

I received this book as an ARC and provide an honest review

wow wow wow. julie soto what have you done to me? i could not put this book down, i kept turning page after page needing to know what happens next and wanting more!
the thriller atmosphere julie weaves into the thrashers is tense and eerie, it had me in a chokehold the whole time! i'll probably be thinking about it for months, it was SO good.
the friend group dynamics between the thrashers were written really well and i found myself torn between liking the characters and my trust issues screaming at me that i should not trust anyone. i loved how none of them were inherently ‘good’ or ‘bad’ which kept it very engaging and had me guessing how everyone fit into the story. i enjoyed how julie soto explores high school/friend group hierarchies and the pressure of fitting in.
i REALLY liked the paranormal elements and how you never knew whether something was actually paranormal or just a coincidence. besides making the characters paranoid, it made even me paranoid and i was questioning everything.
and the epilogue??? WHAT??? i'm seriously unwell. @julie soto save me from this agony and give us a sequel i'm begging on my knees
～thank you to harpercollins uk and netgalley for the arc!

This book was SO addicting, I literally could not stop myself from reading. Julie Soto managed to create complex, original and most of all flawed characters, i found myself doubting their actions and behaviours, I honestly couldn’t stand Emily at all, especially after what we find out at the end. What I liked however is that there weren’t characters who were all black and white, bad or good but rather different shades of gray; most of them did questionable things, some more than others for sure but i guess that the ending really decreased their “guilt” in my eyes.

ALSO can we talk about the romance aspect?? That epilogue is quite promising, i REALLY hope we’re gonna get another book about Jodi and another certain character (which i LOVED👀)

Overall i went into this book blind, not knowing what to expect since I don’t read thrillers that often, but I thoroughly enjoyed it! I wish that the author had given more importance to certain aspects or that they had been explained more carefully, they were kinda brushed off towards the end, especially the supernatural stuff, BUT i think there’s more to be explored about them if we ever get a spin-off so fingers crossed!!🤞🏻🤞🏻


Thanks so much to netgalley and HarperCollins Children’s for a free e-arc, all opinions are my own!

Julie Soto cannot miss, no matter the genre of book it seems. I found The Thrashers to be a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience, perfectly suited to a one nigh binge read. I loved how we got straight into the action - all five main characters getting taken in by the police - but still incorporated a kind of crawling, spine tingling pace as the mystery is pieced together and the Thrashr five are seemingly targetted by some otherworldly force. I really appreciated how real these characters felt - I mean that in the sense that they sounded like actual teenagers, just the right amount of pop-culture references to make things authentic not cheesey, I also mean that their actions were logical given the circumastance.
Murder mystery style stories with an "elite" friendgroup at the centre are kind of a dime a dozen, but this book truly felt like a fresh take.

this book was wild!!!!!! absolutely obsessed with the twists and the characters!!!! i have felt like jodi in the past so this hit home for me. the writing was truly phenomenal and the story telling!! also had the perfect amount of creepy vibes!!!

Only Julie Soto could make me pick up a book in a genre that wouldn't even normally blip on my TBR radar.

This Spooky YA Thriller hit all the right notes for me and I found myself procrastinating on finishing it because I JUST DIDN'T WANT IT TO END. It was a perfect balance of YA teen drama, crime, thriller and a dash of the supernatural. Things aren't black and white, everyone has secrets and it leaves you feeling unsettled and unsure to the very last word.

And that Epilogue? Holy heck I did not see that coming.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's for the opportunity to read this ARC

Thank you to the publisher for the earc!

You know I love YA crime/thriller so The Thrashers was a must read for me.

I think this book a first for me as I loved the story, but couldn’t stand any of the characters. I can’t explain why I didn’t like anyone, maybe this was the whole point of the book? To show that an elite group of friends aren’t perfect.

Characters flaws aside, the story was fantastic! It borders on paranormal, so if you don’t like that it might not be your next read.

4.5★

Oh my god! Julie Soto, I was unaware of your game! This is her first YA thriller, and it was totally not what I was expecting! I’ve read one other book by Julie, and that is “Not Another Love Song” which is a romance, so I didn’t know how this book would compare as they’re both wildly different.

But, I can say I loved this. The writing was so addictive that I read it in one sitting and stayed up until 1:20am to finish it. I just could not put it down. I was so eager to know what really happened and who was genuinely in the wrong. It was entertaining, relatable in some parts, also had some sweet scenes as well.

My favourite part about this book though was Julian Hollister and Jodi Dillon. I caught on immediately that it would be some type of rivals-to-lovers kinda relationship, and I was pleasantly surprised at how it turned out. Their chemistry and banter was so cute, and he really cared about her. I mean saving her from drowning and doing CPR? Driving two hours to pick her up immediately after she called? King. Their first kiss scene was adorable too.

That epilogue? Holy shit. That was insane and my jaw dropped. I need more. Seriously. It was a bit short so I definitely need more.

My only criticism (apart from needing more) is that the beginning WAS a bit slow and dragged on a bit. Other than that, this was a solid and intriguing read.

Julie, I fear you MUST write at least a novella about Jodi and Julian. I demand it. I need more of them, desperately.

Man, fuck Zach though.

The Thrashers kept me on the edge of my seat the ENTIRE time. And I applaud it.

Mystery/thrillers was the genre that got me into reading, and this story is literally WHY. It felt exhilarating, going through each of the characters' fears and being scared FOR them. (sometimes OF them)

They are the one, the only, the INFAMOUS thrashers. But who are they really?
They a group of friends that revolve their life around one person: Zack Thrasher. Are they perfect? No. Are they kind? Not really. In fact, sometimes they take someone under their wing, but toss them aside when bored of them. That's the definition of being 'thrashed'.
When Emily commits suicide, heads turn toward them as she spent most her school year chasing them down, trying to get Zack's attention.
Jodi has been friends with Zach since 2nd grade, but slowly their 2 became 5. And now she spends her time with people who couldn't be more different than her.

Jodi is literally every person who has felt excluded, and lower in status than everyone. She doesn’t want to face her insecurities, but they’re constantly there, nagging her just waiting to be mentioned.

I loved Julian so much. He cares deeply, but doesn't really show it.
Julie Soto is not afraid of giving me goosebumps and heart palpitations. She blends YA with eerie supernatural elements in the best cocktail of emotions.
This is a story you’ll want to binge all night.
(p.s I'm gonna need a sequel)
I'll be posting my review on Instagram closer to release.

This book- ohmygod! It was the perfect mix of Pretty Little Liars and the Naturals. The friendships and relationships were perfectly written. The feelings were felt! It had the best scenes with angst and hurt/comfort. Just everything about this book was perfection! I really hope this isn't a standalone because I would love to follow these characters to wherever life takes them.

This book reminded me a lot of 13 reasons why, in the best way.

The prologue had me instantly hooked, and from there I was fully in Julie Soto’s world. Her writing is so immersive I found it so easy to dip in and out of the story and still feel completely reconnected every time I picked it back up.

The pacing was spot on. Fas, engaging, and unpredictable in the best way. I genuinely had no idea where things were going, and that sense of mystery kept me gripped the entire time.

The teenage characters felt real. They were messy, complex, and well-rounded. I especially connected with Jodi, but I would have loved more development from Lucy, Hannah and Paige. Oh and the twist at the end with Julian was so good. He’s a dark, complex character and the path he follows is exactly what his arc needed.

I still can’t tell you if there were ghosts or not, and honestly, I kind of love that. That blurred line between real and imagined felt so authentic. Like, if that happened to you in real life, how would you ever really know if it was real or not? Spooky.

The book dives into some heavy topics like suicide, bullying, body shaming, child abuse & more and handles them with care. It didn’t feel preachy or sensationalised, just honest and empathetic.

A fast-paced, thought provoking, genre blending ride. I’ll be thinking about this one for a while. If you like teen drama meets thrillers you’ll love this.

Pretty little liars meets one of us is lying meets 13 reasons why in this YA thriller with a touch of paranormal thrown in.

It tackles some deep topics, and not just your usual high school issues (Alcoholism, Suicide, Bullying, Car accident, Drowning, Drug use). It's written in a way that is believable and connects you to the characters in the story.

Told in third person from Jodi's pov, the story follows five friends, known to the school as "The Thrashers" as the group centres around Zack Thrasher. We dive into the sensitive group dynamics, unraveling the hierarchies in high school. Jodi doesn't feel like she fits in with the group, the rest of the group is rich, privileged and beautiful, but she's been friends with Zack since second grade and she'll do anything to stay friends with him.

On prom night Emily Mills killed herself. Police think it's due to bullying by the Thrashers. Emily had been spending time with the group and the diary that she left behind highlighted how the way they treated her led to her suicide.

As the group faces the accusations against them, you see how it affects them as individuals and how they each cope with it. You start to see their characters change, their confident exteriors crack. I feel some developed more than others and some changed for the better, others for worse. It perfectly highlights the dark side of high school and how some, through desperation will do anything to be in the "popular" crowd.

Half way through, I thought I had this group figured out. I thought I knew what happened and how it was going to end. I was wrong!!

There's a romance subplot that I loved. I would love to see more of these two characters.

This book was addictive, I couldn't put it down! As this is set in their last year in high school I'm not sure if a sequel would be practical but I would instantly read anything else with these characters.

I cannot wait to see what else Julie Soto has in store!

The Thrashers by Julie Soto is an addictive and thrilling exploration of friendship, secrets, and the dangers of wanting to belong. At the heart of the story is Jodi Dillon, who finds herself reluctantly pulled into the elite group at New Helvetia High, the Thrashers. Despite being out of place among her wealthy and glamorous friends, including her childhood best friend Zack, Jodi becomes entangled in their world of attention and privilege.

Things take a dark turn when Emily Mills, a girl who desperately wanted to be part of the Thrashers, dies. As Emily's journal is discovered, the group’s secrets begin to unravel, and Jodi faces a moral dilemma—betray her friends or protect herself. With eerie messages and unsettling events escalating, it becomes clear that Emily isn’t quite gone, and her presence haunts the Thrashers.

Julie Soto does an exceptional job of creating complex, flawed characters who feel incredibly real, making readers question who they can trust and where their loyalties lie. The tension in the book is palpable, and the constant pull of conflicting emotions will have you hooked from start to finish. Soto’s portrayal of the messiness of teenage relationships and the desire for acceptance is both nostalgic and gripping. The Thrashers is a must-read for anyone who enjoys dark mysteries and character-driven stories with plenty of twists and turns.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Title: The Thrashers
Author: Julie Soto
Publication Date: May 08, 2025
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

'The Thrashers' follows Jodi, Julian, Lucy, Paige, and the infamous Zack Thrasher, an elite friend group at New Helvetia High, as they deal with the fallout of Emily Mills tragic suicide. When a detective discovers a copy of Emily's diary, rumors circulate that Zack and his friends have 'Thrashed' her to death. As detectives close in, Jodi must make the difficult decision to either protect herself or betray her friends.

This is Julie Soto's debut YA thriller, and she did not disappoint. The story had me hooked from page one and made it completely unputdownable. There is a perfect blend of mystery, suspense, and paranormal aspects throughout the book, along with a romantic subplot.

The morally questionable characters, complicated friendships, and family dynamics were spot on. When the layers of deceit come to light, it is difficult to sympathize with the characters, which makes the story a compelling read.

The ending is excellent, though I find it a bit too open-ended. I'm hoping for a sequel that delves into the potential outcomes of this conclusion for the characters and the events that transpired. The cliffhanger in the epilogue left me speechless.

Anyone who appreciates clever, captivating, and unputdownable thrillers should read 'The Thrashers'.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, Children's | Harper Fire for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Thrashers are what everyone calls the most elite friend group you could never hope to belong to, at New Helvetia High. Jodi isn't from money and doesn't have the easy confidence of the others but she finds herself one of them. So was Emily. But her suicide on prom night led the police to suspect her friends of bullying her and now the group must disband. Jodi feels unmoored and unsure if her friends were ever really that to begin with.

I've read such a number of YA thrillers centred around toxic friendship groups and school settings that I've longed for a break from them or something different delivered from the genre. This definitely delivered the latter!

Jodi was the perfect perspective, as she was both inside and on the sidelines of the Thrashers. She was ever unsure of her place there and so managed to notice things about them as her insecurities grew. This led to this book to start out with the reader also enamoured with the group before suspicions grew and were cast in every direction. I thought this quite a clever tactic and one I really enjoyed reading.

There were so many secrets kept and mysteries to be revealed here, meaning the storyline was quite a convoluted one. I enjoyed the twists and turns, that kept me both guessing and reading, and ensured this reader one I gravitate towards again.

First things first, thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins UK for this ARC!

My first YA novel for 2025, but hopefully not my last. Again, I am not the target audience, but I do enjoy those books now and then. And this one did remind me a lot of Pretty Little Liars, and I do love this show, so this is a plus as well.

This is a twisty and fast-paced story about a clique calling themselves 'Trashers', one of the Jodi, who only feels like she is a part of them because she is friends with Zack Thrasher, and Emily - Emily, who is dead. Thanks to Zack and his friends. And who has left behind a diary... a diary also filled with Jodi's secrets. But why? And could one of those secrets be the reason why Emily really had to die?

You all better go and pick this book up as soon as it is published. I promise you are not going to regret it!

What the actual hell did I just read?? 😱 I requested this book blindly because it had the name Julie Soto on the cover. Ever since I discovered her books and had the pleasure of meeting her in Amsterdam and Liverpool, I’ve been following her writing journey closely. Let me tell you, this book is nothing like her others, but in the best, most unhinged, twisty way 💀📚

If I had to describe it, I’d say it’s 13 Reasons Why meets Pretty Little Liars, packed with mystery, teen drama, and a thriller vibe that hooks you from page one from the first pages.

Jodi never asked to be a Thrasher, one of the high school elite. But being best friends with Zack Thrasher meant being part of the group whether she liked it or not. She’s not like the others, all talented, privileged, and magnetic, but she still benefits from the status, especially compared to her difficult home life.

Then Emily Mills, sweet and intense, takes her own life on prom night. When her diary surfaces claiming she was "Thrashed", bullied by Zack and the others, everything begins to unravel. The once untouchable Thrashers are suddenly arrested, isolated, and haunted by a string of terrifying incidents. Jodi starts to suspect the diary isn’t what it seems, especially when it starts revealing her own secrets twisted into lies. But why?

Emily may be gone, but she’s definitely not done 👁️

This story digs deep into the dark side of high school: the cliques, the power struggles, and how easy it is to look the other way. It also explores serious topics like suicide, bullying, alcoholism, and drug use. Please check the trigger warnings before diving in 🚨💔

What I loved the most? This book grabs you and does not let go. I was glued to my Kindle, spinning wild theories and getting it all wrong 🤯 The beginning took me a little time to settle into, but once it clicked, I was all in.

Huge thanks to Julie Soto, NetGalley, and HarperCollins UK for the ARC 🖤 I still need answers, a support group, and maybe a nap after that ending.

The Thrashers is fast-paced and easy to read. I would definitely recommend it to fans of 13 Reasons Why and Pretty Little Liars, as they would likely enjoy this book.

Thank you to Julie Soto, NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for providing me with the opportunity to read this.

This reminded me a lot of "13 reasons why" and somehow also of "Pretty little liars"!

Fast paced and easy read, it will keep you hooked to the very end. I was not really expecting that twist at the end and that epiloge... just wow!

Julie Soto cannot do wrong. She has become an auto-buy author for me and I'm sure people are gonna enjoy this book a lot!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A fun and enjoyable read, that gives the feeling of Karen McManus’ ‘one of us is lying’. It keeps you gripped and wanting to turn each page to find out the truth of what has happened to the characters to get them where they are.