Change of Plans

 

Sarah Dessen is back, and yes, she still knows exactly how to break your heart gently.

Thank you to Simon Audio for the gifted early listen.

Sarah Dessen has been writing YA for over two decades, and Change of Plans, her first book in nearly seven years, proves  she hasn’t lost a step.

Finley has always been comfortable in someone else’s shadow, coasting along in the wake of her magnetic boyfriend Colin. Then a last-minute trip to a family vacation home she never knew existed changes everything. Colin breaks up with her over a video call. She throws her phone in a lake. And for the first time, Finley suddenly has no roadmap. 

As a former librarian who book-talked Dessen’s novels more times than I can count, this one hit me right in the nostalgia. All the hallmarks are here: a smart, strong main character, a sweet love interest, family drama, and that pitch-perfect voice that captures being on the edge of adulthood. It’s incredibly satisfying watching Finley step out of Colin’s shadow and into herself. 

The extended family that Finlay falls into including her aunts, cousins, and the found-family crew at the Egg adds warmth and charm. And Ben is top tier book boyfriend material department. 

My one quibble: the reason behind her mom’s long estrangement from her family felt a little thin. I wanted more depth to Finley and her mom’s dynamic. The emotional setup was there. It just needed a little more space to grow. 

Narrator Mirai absolutely nails the performance. She balances teenage excitement with an undercurrent of self-doubt. The heartbreak, the worry, the self-discovery all feels real. This is a great audiobook pick. 

A warm, feel-good coming-of-age story with found family at its heart. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Change of Plans publishes May 5.

If you liked this review, you might be interested in Superfan, another coming of age story. 

About the Author

Sarah Dessen is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of over a dozen novels for teens, including The Truth About Forever, Just Listen, and This Lullaby. Her work has been published in over thirty countries and sold millions of copies worldwide. She is the recipient of the 2017 Margaret A. Edwards Award from the American Library Association for outstanding contribution to young adult literature.

The Fall of Iris Henley

 

I just flew through the audiobook The Fall of Iris Henley by Jennifer Graham. This YA thriller had me hooked from the first chapter.

Iris seems to have it all. She's smart, popular, and the head cheerleader. She's finally piecing her life back together after the devastating murder-suicide deaths of her boyfriend Rocky and former best friend Lynette. But when an anonymous social media post accuses Iris of killing them, her carefully rebuilt world crumbles. Vicious rumors spread through school like wildfire. Gossip consumes the entire town. After all, who doesn't love watching the girl at the top of the pyramid fall?

Graham weaves in classic YA elements—sibling rivalry, love triangles, mean girl drama, questionable decisions, social media chaos, an inept police investigation, and parents who are nowhere to be found when you need them. But somehow it all works together to create this propulsive, twist-filled story about grief, reputation, and how quickly public opinion can turn.

The pacing keeps you turning pages (or in my case, unable to stop listening). Eva Kaminsky's narration is chef's kiss. She captures teenage heartbreak, raw grief, and mounting fear perfectly. You feel every emotion right alongside Iris as her life spirals.

This is a bingeable, tension-packed thriller that explores how easily a life can be destroyed by lies and how hard it is to prove your innocence when everyone wants to believe you're guilty.

Thank you Macmillan Audio or the gifted early listen! The Fall of Iris Henley is out today. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

QOTD: Could you survive being at the center of a viral rumor?

#audiobookreview #thrillerbooks #yathriller #macaudio2025#thatssohighschool 

They Call Her Regret

 

What if the scariest thing isn’t a monster—but your own regret?

They Call Her Regret by Channelle Desamours is a creepy, smartly layered YA mystery. The audiobook pulls you straight into the uneasy world of high school senior Simone, a sharp, feisty narrator who’s holding far more inside than she lets on.

Simone keeps parts of herself hidden from everyone—her dad, her best friend Kira, even from herself at times. When tragedy strikes, Simone is forced to make a deal that could lead to more tragedy & regret. 

What makes this story work so well is how real the characters feel. The teenage characters sound like actual teenagers—messy, funny, defensive, & vulnerable. That authenticity isn’t an accident. The author teaches high school science & clearly understands how teens talk & think. The dialogue never feels forced or try-hard. 

The atmosphere is where this one really shines. It’s more creeping dread than jump-scare gore. There’s an unsettling undercurrent running through the entire book—an “is this really happening?” kind of chill. Readers who want something scary but not bloody will be right at home here. It’s eerie without tipping into slasher territory.

There are also mysteries layered throughout-some obvious, others simmering in the background. A touch of romance slips in, but never hijacks the story. It adds texture without overwhelming the central tension.

The narration by Kristolyn Lloyd is excellent. She really captures Simone’s mix of confidence & anxiety, and her pacing keeps the tension constant. The eerie moments are scary without being overdone.

This book explores guilt, identity, friendship, & the ripple effects of the choices we make. It asks what regret can do to a person—and whether facing the truth is more terrifying than avoiding it.

I genuinely enjoyed this one. If you’re looking for a book that delivers chills without buckets of blood, this is an easy recommendation. Just don’t be surprised if every doll suddenly looks suspicious.

Thanks Macmillan Audio for the gifted early listen. Out 2/17 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

QOTD: Do you prefer your scary reads creepy and atmospheric or full-on slasher?

#yathriller #yafiction

#creepyreads #macaudio2025 

#bookstagram

About the Author 

Channelle Desamours is a high school science teacher from Atlanta, Georgia who loves writing tales about magical Black girls. When she’s not napping to recover from her five a.m. writing sessions, she can be found building tiny homes on The Sims 4 or tending to her house plants. Needy Little Things is her debut novel.

Beth Is Dead

 

What if Little Women opened with a murder? Forget the scarlet fever. In this timeline, the tragedy is far more sinister.

In Beth Is Dead, Katie Bernet takes the beloved bones of Little Women and transplants them into a high-stakes contemporary mystery. When Beth March is found murdered on New Year’s morning, her sisters don't just mourn. They act.

Even before the tragedy, the March family was already reeling. Their father, an author, published a controversial book detailing his daughters' private lives. The fallout was immediate. Robert became a target of cancel culture, and the girls were thrust into a harsh, unasked-for spotlight. Between the public vitriol and physical threats, Robert was forced into hiding, leaving the family fractured and vulnerable long before the first drop of blood was spilled.

Bernet does a fantastic job modernizing the March girls while keeping their core spirits intact. Meg is a focused pre-med student, Jo is the headstrong writer we adore, and Amy is a "wild child" artist with a sharp edge. The plot centers on a web of suspects that includes everyone from Meg’s boyfriend, to their missing father, to the sisters themselves. It explores deep themes of sisterhood, the weight of grief, and the secrets we keep within a family.

For a debut novel, this is incredibly polished. The pacing is tight and it’s filled with emotion. While I easily guessed the killer and their motive, it didn't take away from my enjoyment. This book is less about a shocking twist and more about the heart and the character dynamics that made the original so enduring. It’s an impressive, seamless update to a classic.

The full-cast narration by Caitlin Kelly, Emily Tremaine, Ferdelle Capistrano, and Piper Goodeve is excellent. Having distinct voices for each sister is essential for a story with four teenage protagonists. They perfectly capture the balance between the sisters' classic roots and their modern struggles.

This is an interesting, heart-filled take on a classic that fans of the original novel or movie adaptations will love.

Many thanks to Simon Audio for the complimentary listening copy! Beth Is Dead is available now. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

QOTD: Which classic would you actually want to see turned into a mystery?

#yamystery

#littlewomenretelling

#audiobooklover

#bookstagrammystery

#simonaudio

About the Author

Katie Bernet lives in Dallas, Texas. As one of three sisters, she’s a diehard fan of Little Women. Beth Is Dead is her debut novel.

Oxford Blood

 

Dark academia, secret societies, and murder at Oxford? Yes, please. 

Oxford Blood by Rachael Davis-Featherstone is an entertaining, binge-able YA thriller that leans hard into the dark academia vibes readers are absolutely devouring right now. And it works.

Eva arrives at Oxford for interview week. She’s trying to win a coveted spot at the most exclusive and academically rigorous college Oxford has to offer. When her boyfriend George dies under mysterious circumstances, she quickly finds herself tangled in a dangerous web of secret societies, power games, and buried truths. What starts as an elite academic dream spirals into something far more sinister, where knowledge is currency and loyalty comes at a steep cost. After all, the unofficial school motto is slay or be slain. 

The Oxford setting is incredibly atmospheric with its ancient buildings, intellectual elitism, and a constant sense that history is watching. Eva is a standout protagonist. She’s smart, headstrong, and genuinely brave, not reckless-for-plot-convenience brave.

The story thoughtfully weaves in social justice themes including race, class, and privilege without feeling preachy or bolted on. These elements feel organic to Eva’s character and the world she’s navigating. If you love dark academia with teeth, this absolutely scratches that itch.

On audio, narrator Dédé Davi does a wonderful job bringing the tension, emotion, and personalities to life, keeping the pace tight and the stakes clear.

This is a great pick for fans of smart YA thrillers that mix suspense with social commentary.

Huge thanks to Macmillan Audio for the early listen. Oxford Blood is out today.

Dark academia fans, this one’s worth queuing up. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

QOTD: Are you a dark academia reader because of the vibes or despite the danger?

#darkacademia #macaudio2025 

#audiobookreview

#yathriller#bookstagramthriller

bookstagram | thriller | book reviews | bookish community | book recommendations 

About the Author 

Rachael Davis-Featherstone  is a mixed-raced, Black-British, multi-award-nominated author, literary agent, and cofounder of Creative Roots Studio, which helps writers and illustrators build sustainable careers. She grew up in a low-income, single-parent family and studied mathematics at Oxford University before receiving a master’s in English literature at Surrey University. Rachael has published more than twenty books, ranging from picture books to commercial fiction, and her works have been translated into seven languages. I Am NOT a Prince, illustrated by Beatrix Hatcher, was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize. Rachael was also longlisted for the Diverse Book Awards and shortlisted for the Inclusive Books for Children Awards. Rachael champions diversity in literature and was a judge for the inaugural Jericho Prize.

Final Cut

 

Author: Olivia Worley

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Publication date: October 28, 2025

Happy Tuesday bookish pals! Thank you Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the DRC of Final Cut by Olivia Worley. It comes out October 28. 

Final Cut follows recent high school grad & aspiring actress Haze as she goes back to her small hometown of Pine Springs. She’s landed the lead role in a low budget horror movie shooting there. Haze hasn’t lived there since she was three years old - when the Pine Springs massacre occurred. Her father, a popular high school teacher, was convicted of murdering five students. Haze soon finds herself in a real life horror movie when strange things start happening and cast members begin to die. Here’s the summary from the publisher.

This was such a fun romp! It has all the slasher movie tropes - the final girl, a budding romance, a masked killer, creepy characters, and teens making tons of impulsive bad decisions. It also has enough twists and turns to go along with the mystery aspect of the plot to keep you guessing. The characters are typical of a teen slasher. There’s the determined final girl, the cute guy who might be hiding secrets of his own, the sassy sidekick, and the nerdy guy. The plot moves along at a quick pace and it’s got enough slasher scenes to keep any horror fan happy. This is an all round entertaining and engaging story that will hook you with the likable characters, creepy atmospheric setting, witty dialogue, and jump scares galore. The novel is aimed at teen readers, but older readers who love slashers will enjoy it too. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you were cast in a slasher movie what character trope would you be? The final girl? The sassy sidekick? The slasher?

About the Author

Olivia Worley is an author born and raised in New Orleans. A graduate of Northwestern University, she now lives in New York City, where she spends her time writing thrillers, overanalyzing episodes of The Bachelor, and hoping someone will romanticize her for reading on the subway.

Polybius

 

Author: Collin Armstrong 

Narrator: Rachanee Lumayno

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Year: 2025

Happy Friday! Any fun plans for the weekend? Thank you Simon & Schuster Audio for the gifted audiobook. Appreciate it!

Polybius by Collin Armstrong is based on an urban legend about a video game created by the government for psychological warfare. Here’s the synopsis from the publisher: 

October, 1982. Forced to move to the quiet seaside town of Tasker Bay by her mother, the only thing on high schooler Andi’s mind is saving up enough money to return to her old stomping grounds in Silicon Valley. Her self-taught skills with all things electronic make her a perfect fit for a job at the dingy local arcade where she can tune out from life and bankroll her eventual escape.

Pining over the distant and aloof Andi is Ro, the son of Tasker Bay’s sheriff, who begins spending more time at the arcade. Despite promising herself she wouldn’t get attached to anyone in town, Andi finds herself opening up to the thoughtful, like-minded Ro.

When Polybius—a new bleeding-edge game of unknown origin arrives—the shop is suddenly overwhelmed with players fighting for time on the machine. Seemingly overnight, a virus-like epidemic grips Tasker Bay while a violent coastal storm rolls in, isolating it from the outside world. People begin experiencing fits of anger, paranoia, and hallucinations—no one can be trusted. After a grisly act of violence goes unsolved, the town descends into chaos. Is the arrival of this mysterious game and the disorder in Tasker Bay a coincidence? Convinced the dire situation is somehow linked to Polybius, Andi and Ro desperately search for clues that might stop the spread before they, too, begin experiencing side effects…

This was a really absorbing story and it pulled me right in. It’s a good mashup of science fiction, mystery, and horror. I enjoyed Rachanee Lumayno’s narration. She did excellent work bringing the characters and story to life. 

This is a YA novel. I liked Andi and Ro, teenage main characters. They’re smart and brave. I loved that Andi is a STEM girl. She’s a wiz with technology & hardware. She’s good at it and doesn’t hide her skills. The 1980s setting was a vibe with video games at arcades & very rudimentary online chat forums. I definitely recommend this book to readers, both teens and adults) who enjoy video games, horror stories, or who just want an exciting and absorbing story. Polybius is out now. 

#polybius #collinarmstrong #simonaudio #audiobook #audiobookreview #sciencefiction #horrorfiction #urbanlegend #mysterybooks #debutnovel #2025debut 

About the Author

Collin Armstrong has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade developing, writing, and producing material for outlets including 20th Century Fox TV, ABC Family, Bleecker Street, Viaplay, Discovery, and the LA Times Studios. Polybius is his first novel. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and children.