YA Debut thriller is like Anna K meets One of Us Is Lying

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Looking for your next summer binge read? How about a YA thriller with secrets galore? Jessica Goodman’s debut mystery/thriller, They Wish They Were Us, focuses on a Long Island prep school and a three year old murder case that could destroy everything. This August 4th release includes swirling secrets in an Anna K meets One of Us Is Lying-esque plot.
I absolutely adored the setting of a prep school on Long Island (since that’s where I grew up) and how opulent and perfect everything seems from the outside but the demons and secrets that lurk underneath. The seemingly pristine reputation of the school and the students in it slowly cracks as more rumors swirl and skeletons come out of closets (but not literally!).
This book strays more on the YA side of thriller/mystery. The novel focuses more on the inner workings of Gold Coast Prep and the people who go there rather than follow the twisty path to discovering the truth behind Shaila’s murder. Goodman really dives deep into teen culture and how popularity and status can bring people together or drive them apart. The peek into the teenage mind is fascinating and makes for a fabulous YA read! However, as the mystery of whodunnit gets tossed around, Goodman will have you second guessing the things that Jill thought to be true and will have you reading until the very last line.
They Wish They Were Us is dark, twisty, and just as enjoyable as any other YA thrillers! With a second book and TV show adaptation in the works, you’ll definitely want to jump on the bandwagon and take a peek at the lives of Gold Coast Prep’s finest.