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The Glennmare Girls
We were sent to Glennmare Academy. An elite boarding school on a windswept island off the coast of Seattle where the unruly daughters of affluent East Coast families are exiled.
Kitty, Bernie, Coretta, Diane, Jolie. We’re more like sisters than roommates. Even if Kitty is gone.
At Glennmare, each bed is filled with a teenage girl who wears ribbons in her hair, a nod to innocence we lost long ago. When we were sent out into the world, away from home, to fend to for ourselves.
If we start telling the truth about what happened that night we might just break down. What could we say about our twenty-five-year-old teacher who quotes obscure poetry and works in the stables, but who understands each of us so perfectly?
We are teenage girls with the belief in a power other people don’t understand. The power of hands held tight and secrets whispered in the dead of night.
But why isn’t she back yet? Kitty should be back by now, shouldn’t she?
Kitty, Bernie, Coretta, Diane, Jolie. We’re more like sisters than roommates. Even if Kitty is gone.
At Glennmare, each bed is filled with a teenage girl who wears ribbons in her hair, a nod to innocence we lost long ago. When we were sent out into the world, away from home, to fend to for ourselves.
If we start telling the truth about what happened that night we might just break down. What could we say about our twenty-five-year-old teacher who quotes obscure poetry and works in the stables, but who understands each of us so perfectly?
We are teenage girls with the belief in a power other people don’t understand. The power of hands held tight and secrets whispered in the dead of night.
But why isn’t she back yet? Kitty should be back by now, shouldn’t she?
260 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 18, 2023
214 people are currently reading
649 people want to read
About the author
Anya Mora
28 books322 followersAnya Mora relies on her experience as a wife and mother to form her creative expression. Her novels, while leaning toward the dark, ultimately reflect light, courage, and her innate belief that love rewards the brave.
You can discover more about the author at https://anyamora.com
You can discover more about the author at https://anyamora.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
December 26, 2023
Glennmare Academy is an elite boarding school on a windswept island off the coast of Seattle where the rich send their unmanageable daughters. Wells Halifax, the literature professor, has fallen from a horse and lost his memory of the past six months. At the same time, one of the students has disappeared and everyone is worried about her.
More people seem to be impressed by the book cover than by the book itself but it's definitely a very attractive cover. The story is told from multiple points of view including the girls, the cook, the detectives, the professor and his friends but I actually didn't have too much trouble keeping everybody straight. The story was a little on the slow side but I enjoyed reading it, made easier by the nice short chapters. For once I'm wishing that the book was a little longer as I would've liked some of the characters expanded upon. I'm interested in reading other works by this author. I'd rate this a 3.5 but I'm rounding up since I liked it more than some 3-star books I've read.
TW: Stepsibling relationship, possible grooming (but who's grooming whom?!), mentions of self-harm and suicide.
Thanks to Joffe Books via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: December 18, 2023
More people seem to be impressed by the book cover than by the book itself but it's definitely a very attractive cover. The story is told from multiple points of view including the girls, the cook, the detectives, the professor and his friends but I actually didn't have too much trouble keeping everybody straight. The story was a little on the slow side but I enjoyed reading it, made easier by the nice short chapters. For once I'm wishing that the book was a little longer as I would've liked some of the characters expanded upon. I'm interested in reading other works by this author. I'd rate this a 3.5 but I'm rounding up since I liked it more than some 3-star books I've read.
TW: Stepsibling relationship, possible grooming (but who's grooming whom?!), mentions of self-harm and suicide.
Thanks to Joffe Books via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: December 18, 2023
December 20, 2023
3.5 stars. i very much enjoyed the mystery at the heart of this book and, whilst i thought the multiple povs would be somewhat confusing, they ended up setting a really nice pace that had me hooked throughout.
December 1, 2023
[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
The Glennmare Girls releases December 18, 2023
Located on an island off of Seattle, Glennmare Academy is a place for the unruly daughters of affluent East Coast families and abides by a no-technology way of teaching.
Told through multiple pov’s (one of which has no memory of the last six months), we unravel the mystery of a missing girl from Glennmare.
This is an academic mystery with strong themes including a stepsibling relationship, teacher/student dynamics, and mentions of SA, self-harm (cutting), eating disorder, bipolar disorder, and suicide.
The short chapters and remote setting had me hooked. I’m usually hit or miss with academic based reads, but this one was really enticing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
The Glennmare Girls releases December 18, 2023
Located on an island off of Seattle, Glennmare Academy is a place for the unruly daughters of affluent East Coast families and abides by a no-technology way of teaching.
Told through multiple pov’s (one of which has no memory of the last six months), we unravel the mystery of a missing girl from Glennmare.
This is an academic mystery with strong themes including a stepsibling relationship, teacher/student dynamics, and mentions of SA, self-harm (cutting), eating disorder, bipolar disorder, and suicide.
The short chapters and remote setting had me hooked. I’m usually hit or miss with academic based reads, but this one was really enticing.
June 7, 2024
Trying too hard to be dark academia. Kind of gross overall in the portrayal of teenagers girls, sexual abuse, and mental health. Also animal abuse is kind of done.
January 29, 2024
2.5 Stars
Not a huge fan of all the separate POV'S but liked the twists.
Not a huge fan of all the separate POV'S but liked the twists.
January 11, 2024
3.25/5 stars! It is always disappointing when the cover is the best part of a story. I couldn't quite figure out if this book was supposed to be YA or Dark Academia. The themes seemed to wash together and it was confusing to follow at times. Overall, it felt too dark to be YA, so I guess it would be a dark academia mystery. It was ok and I didn't hate it, but it could have been so much better with editing to make the concept more clear.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review
December 1, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe books for a free copy of this book to review. All opinions are mine.
There are so many twists and turns in The Glennmare Girls, I think I got a little whiplash.
While I found most of the characters to be wholly unlikeable, the plot really propelled me through this book, and I could not stop reading.
There are so many twists and turns in The Glennmare Girls, I think I got a little whiplash.
While I found most of the characters to be wholly unlikeable, the plot really propelled me through this book, and I could not stop reading.
December 3, 2023
Okay.. 3.5 ⭐️
Where to begin? It kept me interested, and wanting more.. but it was still a slow burn. I felt like there were a few events that kept getting brought up, so I’m gonna give trigger warnings for animal abuse, and grooming.
The end twist, was one I definitely did not see coming. I also had a love/hate relationship with all of the different POVs. It set a scene, and the whole book takes place over 4 days and it seemed so much longer.
All in all, kept my attention and I didn’t see the twist so it was one I would recommend.
Where to begin? It kept me interested, and wanting more.. but it was still a slow burn. I felt like there were a few events that kept getting brought up, so I’m gonna give trigger warnings for animal abuse, and grooming.
The end twist, was one I definitely did not see coming. I also had a love/hate relationship with all of the different POVs. It set a scene, and the whole book takes place over 4 days and it seemed so much longer.
All in all, kept my attention and I didn’t see the twist so it was one I would recommend.
December 3, 2023
This book does include descriptions of self-harm, suicide, mild gore, bestiality, inappropriate familial relations, and inappropriate student/teacher relations. Just a head's up for other readers.
Alright, let's start with what I liked about this novel. I actually really enjoyed the core mystery and the multiple POV storyline. It felt like a fast-paced investigation. The author did a very good job of making the stakes feel very real, and I was invested in what happened. It was a very quick read, and honestly, I didn't expect the ending, which was nice.
Now for the bad. The worst thing about this book is it felt like the author used an AI generator or picked out plot points from a hat. Every other page, a character was making a startling revelation about their lives FOR NO REASON. I get that maybe it was to build motive or place red herrings, but it honestly just seemed bonkers. All the characters that are directly involved with the school (the headmaster, Johanna the cook, the girls, Wells, Tippy, and Freddy) are incredibly unlikeable. I was kind of hoping they would all kill each other or the school would explode. The plot had so many weird character revelations that this honestly could have happened. At one point, I genuinely thought that Johanna might blow the school up because of how unappreciated she felt.
This book also has some irresponsible descriptions of mental health. One of the characters is diagnosed bipolar and stops taking their medication. The description of the manic episode that follows is what I would consider to be a Hollywood description of a manic episode and villainizes the very real risks of suddenly stopping medication. Not to mention that the character that stops taking the medication is depicted as being manipulative, controlling, obsessive, and delusional. It wasn't necessary to add a mental illness to the mix and is actually (in my opinion) a very harmful depiction of a mental illness.
I haven't even touched on the semi-incestuous relationship. Freddy and Tippy are step-siblings that have slept together multiple times. Sure, their parents didn't get married until they were teenagers. And Freddy had a crush on Tippy before she was his stepsister. But it's still icky that after being related by marriage for over a decade they start sleeping together. It also didn't add to the plot. They didn't need to be related at all. The only thing it added to the story was it was gross.
While the main plot was interesting, there was way too much going on for me to like this book. It's a no for me, dog.
Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for the ARC.
Alright, let's start with what I liked about this novel. I actually really enjoyed the core mystery and the multiple POV storyline. It felt like a fast-paced investigation. The author did a very good job of making the stakes feel very real, and I was invested in what happened. It was a very quick read, and honestly, I didn't expect the ending, which was nice.
Now for the bad. The worst thing about this book is it felt like the author used an AI generator or picked out plot points from a hat. Every other page, a character was making a startling revelation about their lives FOR NO REASON. I get that maybe it was to build motive or place red herrings, but it honestly just seemed bonkers. All the characters that are directly involved with the school (the headmaster, Johanna the cook, the girls, Wells, Tippy, and Freddy) are incredibly unlikeable. I was kind of hoping they would all kill each other or the school would explode. The plot had so many weird character revelations that this honestly could have happened. At one point, I genuinely thought that Johanna might blow the school up because of how unappreciated she felt.
This book also has some irresponsible descriptions of mental health. One of the characters is diagnosed bipolar and stops taking their medication. The description of the manic episode that follows is what I would consider to be a Hollywood description of a manic episode and villainizes the very real risks of suddenly stopping medication. Not to mention that the character that stops taking the medication is depicted as being manipulative, controlling, obsessive, and delusional. It wasn't necessary to add a mental illness to the mix and is actually (in my opinion) a very harmful depiction of a mental illness.
I haven't even touched on the semi-incestuous relationship. Freddy and Tippy are step-siblings that have slept together multiple times. Sure, their parents didn't get married until they were teenagers. And Freddy had a crush on Tippy before she was his stepsister. But it's still icky that after being related by marriage for over a decade they start sleeping together. It also didn't add to the plot. They didn't need to be related at all. The only thing it added to the story was it was gross.
While the main plot was interesting, there was way too much going on for me to like this book. It's a no for me, dog.
Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for the ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2024
What did I just read?
I picked this one up because 1) the cover was gorgeous and 2) I'm always intrigued by a mystery that takes place at a secluded all-girls school. However... this one was just weird in a way that was more laughable than interesting.
Maybe it would have been better in a visual media format, but when a chapter was told from the perspective of all the girls as one combined force, I rolled my eyes. Speaking in "we"s and plurals was so silly to me.
And then we never actually really know what happens at the end? No spoilers, but it's kind of left as a "choose how you think this happened" sort of story. For a story that already only has like 250 pages to it, I don't care enough about the story or the characters to feel more strongly one way or another.
AND AN ACTUAL SPOILER - WHY WERE WE SO FOCUSED ON TILLY/TIBBY/WHATEVER HER NAME WAS AND FREDDIE BEING STEPSIBLINGS? I hate when books try to make it super taboo that teens who met before their parents did and had a connection, then become step siblings because their parents got married AFTER THESE TEENS ALREADY HAD CRUSHES ON EACH OTHER, are romantically involved. They are not biologically related. They were not raised as siblings - THIS IS NOT INC*ST! But the author made it super weird and uncomfy in the book so that made me feel gross all over.
Overall... not worth your time.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I picked this one up because 1) the cover was gorgeous and 2) I'm always intrigued by a mystery that takes place at a secluded all-girls school. However... this one was just weird in a way that was more laughable than interesting.
Maybe it would have been better in a visual media format, but when a chapter was told from the perspective of all the girls as one combined force, I rolled my eyes. Speaking in "we"s and plurals was so silly to me.
And then we never actually really know what happens at the end? No spoilers, but it's kind of left as a "choose how you think this happened" sort of story. For a story that already only has like 250 pages to it, I don't care enough about the story or the characters to feel more strongly one way or another.
AND AN ACTUAL SPOILER - WHY WERE WE SO FOCUSED ON TILLY/TIBBY/WHATEVER HER NAME WAS AND FREDDIE BEING STEPSIBLINGS? I hate when books try to make it super taboo that teens who met before their parents did and had a connection, then become step siblings because their parents got married AFTER THESE TEENS ALREADY HAD CRUSHES ON EACH OTHER, are romantically involved. They are not biologically related. They were not raised as siblings - THIS IS NOT INC*ST! But the author made it super weird and uncomfy in the book so that made me feel gross all over.
Overall... not worth your time.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 7, 2023
The atmosphere surrounding this story is immersive, we travel to an old and creepy school with very strange girls while we unravel the mystery of Glennmare told through the multiple pov’s of the characters.
This book is full of suspense and so many twists that I read it in one sitting. Every time I thought I knew what was going to happen I discovered that I didn’t. I felt like this was a dark academia with a touch of slow burn and a very good mystery.
It was the first Anya Mora book I read, and I can say it was fantastic and I now want to read more of this author. I was wanting more the whole book and I definitely had a surprise at the ending.
Thank you, NetGalley & the publisher, for approving me to read this arc and write this review.
This book is full of suspense and so many twists that I read it in one sitting. Every time I thought I knew what was going to happen I discovered that I didn’t. I felt like this was a dark academia with a touch of slow burn and a very good mystery.
It was the first Anya Mora book I read, and I can say it was fantastic and I now want to read more of this author. I was wanting more the whole book and I definitely had a surprise at the ending.
Thank you, NetGalley & the publisher, for approving me to read this arc and write this review.
December 2, 2023
I read this book within 24 hours, because I was dying to know how it ended. About 75% of the way through, I figured out whodunit, and I have to say, I was disappointed. It seemed a bit lackluster to me, especially the reasoning. I was hoping for a big surprise that would have shocked me. I also found the chapters for The Girls to be really strange.
I'm glad everything was all wrapped up, and there were no loose ends. I always hate when thrillers leave you with questions. This book left me with none!
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc!
I'm glad everything was all wrapped up, and there were no loose ends. I always hate when thrillers leave you with questions. This book left me with none!
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc!
July 21, 2024
As some of my book club girlies like to say... this one was whackadoodle. It had some cool concepts and I loved the setting, but then it got bat shit crazy and a bit weird!
December 2, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for the eARC.
What an interesting read, so different! I.liked the chapters featuring the many characters, with their take on the case of the missing girl as the story goes to the surprising ending.
None of the characters are particularly likeable, except the two.police officers. But that didn't matter at all, the book was great, I loved it!
What an interesting read, so different! I.liked the chapters featuring the many characters, with their take on the case of the missing girl as the story goes to the surprising ending.
None of the characters are particularly likeable, except the two.police officers. But that didn't matter at all, the book was great, I loved it!
December 1, 2023
"Need something stronger?"
"I do," Freddy says, walking to the kitchen. he returns with a bottle of scotch.....
Need something stronger? Ummmm......yep, yep I do. Something that will wash away the emotions, the images, the terrible anxiety....something stronger, yes, precisely what the moment calls for.
What the heck?!?!? What the actual heck did I just read?? Was I even prepared for this? Maybe? Maybe I thought the book would be an interesting thriller, a mystery. I mean a missing girl on a remote island, at an elite and prestigious school for written off trust-fund girls. But what the actual heck did I just read??????!!!!!!!!
Rating this book for me is difficult. First off - the subject matter on the surface is a mystery surrounding a missing girl - possibly a murder. But there is so much more tucked in here and themes explored that are disturbing. How far does one go for a person they love, to prove loyalty to friends. When do healthy bonds become trauma bonds. When is too far, too far. When lines are drawn in sand are they too easily moved? Suicide, murder, old rites that date back hundreds of years, sex, unwanted pregnancies, betrayals, blackmail, love triangles, obsessions, and so much more. There are honestly parts of this book I want to erase from my mind. However, that being said - it is a psychological thriller and that is precisely what this author skillfully pulled off.
Warning - if you pick this book up you will not want to put it down. At just under 300 pages it is easy to finish in a weekend - and the anxiety it causes will drive you to finish it is quickly as possible!!
First off - this book is one of the most unique uses of multiple POV I have seen in a long bit. EVERY character has at least one chapter from their POV. And while this might seem overwhelming as you read that - it is essential to the story. IF this story had been told from a limited amount of POV instead of each character the tension would have been lost. The anxiety of the situations, the gravity of the lies and secrets, the intricacy of the woven relationships would have been lost. So to this - Kudos, Anya Mora. And - The most disturbing POV comes at the very end!! I just want to wipe my brain free of the entire second half of this book!
Now the story. Well, many stories, woven into one. All interlocking, overlapping a wonderfully woven tapestry of anguish, hurt, loss, betrayal, friendships, loyalty, coming of age, losing ones way and those who help us find our way. A story of hidden things, secrets among friends, things that maybe are best left forgotten.
A young teacher with no memory following a horse accident? (or was it an accident at all really). A headmaster of a school who has his own secrets. A cook who spies on everyone, imagines herself as a mother figure and confidante. A group of girls that want to step back into town and are controlled by one girl who is larger than life. And - a missing girl - the leader of the group of girls. A single father dectective and his partner.
Everyone has secrets, everyone has a past they want to outrun, or leave behind. Everyone has hopes for something better.......but how one gets to the better matters. And what one does in the past sets in motion things that can't be avoided. But can a person ever see that in the moment? "I don't want to think about it," she says. "I just...want to back to before." - But can this ever truly happen. Because, the truth usually is that secrets, dark secrets, tend to destroy, to eat away at the fabric of life. "We could have told the police, the teachers, {her} parents - told them everything. We didn't. We held our secrets close to our chests out of loyalty. out of fear"
"Maybe if we hadn't spent so many months separated from the rest of the world or if we hadn't been living at Glennmare without families we wouldn't have agreed. But we were living in distinctly unique universe where bonds strengthened faster, deeper and more fully than in the real world." And this sets the scene for a story that is so twisted - and honestly gross in many aspects - and yet this is at the end of the book. Isolation from reality is a recipe for disaster if it the isolation is filled with broken, hurting people seeking ways to change their own reality. It's a setting for the writing of stories that should be left alone when .... "as a child I always wanted to be someone else. Wanted a different life, I never acted without selfish ambition...>"
I just reviewed THE GLENNMARE GIRLS by Anya Mora. #THEGLENNMAREGIRLS #NetGalley
QUOTES
"Enjoy the view for as long as you can," Baker says, her burger box in hand. "Soon the tide will change and it will never look like this again."
Besides, we're just girls. GIRLS! What do we know anyways except how to french-braid hair and draw heart eyes on our feelings?!
We don't actually love him. It was the idea of him. OF someone choosing us.
Our hearts are equally broken, we've picked up the shards. But I don't want to fight with pieces of glass.
Our hearts are equally broken, we've picked up the shards. But I don't want to fight with pieces of glass.
The sad truth is most girls are lost. And by the time they are found, it's too late.
My back burns. I want the water to wash away my sins, scour out my horrific thougths.
....and I close my eyes, praying that what is behind this screen is anything other than the desperate truth. But the truth is inescapable, and it always catches up.
I can't say that aloud, of course; some things are too private to tell even your closest friends. Some desires to forbidden. - Wells' POV
The girls began sobbing as they realized that there were limits to what one would do for the person they loved.
"We could have told the police, the teachers, {her} parents - told them everything. We didn't. We held our secrets close to our chests out of loyalty. out of fear"
Maybe if we hadn't spent so many months separated from the rest of the world or if we hadn't been living at Glennmare without families we wouldn't have agreed. But we were living in distinctly unique universe where bonds strengthened faster, deeper and more fully than in the real world."
It is shocking the things you will do when you love someone. We were willing to clean up Kitt's mess, even if it meant the blood was on our hands.
we buried the sacrifice in the well with tear-streaked eyes and hands shaking and hearts ripped out.
"I do," Freddy says, walking to the kitchen. he returns with a bottle of scotch.....
Need something stronger? Ummmm......yep, yep I do. Something that will wash away the emotions, the images, the terrible anxiety....something stronger, yes, precisely what the moment calls for.
What the heck?!?!? What the actual heck did I just read?? Was I even prepared for this? Maybe? Maybe I thought the book would be an interesting thriller, a mystery. I mean a missing girl on a remote island, at an elite and prestigious school for written off trust-fund girls. But what the actual heck did I just read??????!!!!!!!!
Rating this book for me is difficult. First off - the subject matter on the surface is a mystery surrounding a missing girl - possibly a murder. But there is so much more tucked in here and themes explored that are disturbing. How far does one go for a person they love, to prove loyalty to friends. When do healthy bonds become trauma bonds. When is too far, too far. When lines are drawn in sand are they too easily moved? Suicide, murder, old rites that date back hundreds of years, sex, unwanted pregnancies, betrayals, blackmail, love triangles, obsessions, and so much more. There are honestly parts of this book I want to erase from my mind. However, that being said - it is a psychological thriller and that is precisely what this author skillfully pulled off.
Warning - if you pick this book up you will not want to put it down. At just under 300 pages it is easy to finish in a weekend - and the anxiety it causes will drive you to finish it is quickly as possible!!
First off - this book is one of the most unique uses of multiple POV I have seen in a long bit. EVERY character has at least one chapter from their POV. And while this might seem overwhelming as you read that - it is essential to the story. IF this story had been told from a limited amount of POV instead of each character the tension would have been lost. The anxiety of the situations, the gravity of the lies and secrets, the intricacy of the woven relationships would have been lost. So to this - Kudos, Anya Mora. And - The most disturbing POV comes at the very end!! I just want to wipe my brain free of the entire second half of this book!
Now the story. Well, many stories, woven into one. All interlocking, overlapping a wonderfully woven tapestry of anguish, hurt, loss, betrayal, friendships, loyalty, coming of age, losing ones way and those who help us find our way. A story of hidden things, secrets among friends, things that maybe are best left forgotten.
A young teacher with no memory following a horse accident? (or was it an accident at all really). A headmaster of a school who has his own secrets. A cook who spies on everyone, imagines herself as a mother figure and confidante. A group of girls that want to step back into town and are controlled by one girl who is larger than life. And - a missing girl - the leader of the group of girls. A single father dectective and his partner.
Everyone has secrets, everyone has a past they want to outrun, or leave behind. Everyone has hopes for something better.......but how one gets to the better matters. And what one does in the past sets in motion things that can't be avoided. But can a person ever see that in the moment? "I don't want to think about it," she says. "I just...want to back to before." - But can this ever truly happen. Because, the truth usually is that secrets, dark secrets, tend to destroy, to eat away at the fabric of life. "We could have told the police, the teachers, {her} parents - told them everything. We didn't. We held our secrets close to our chests out of loyalty. out of fear"
"Maybe if we hadn't spent so many months separated from the rest of the world or if we hadn't been living at Glennmare without families we wouldn't have agreed. But we were living in distinctly unique universe where bonds strengthened faster, deeper and more fully than in the real world." And this sets the scene for a story that is so twisted - and honestly gross in many aspects - and yet this is at the end of the book. Isolation from reality is a recipe for disaster if it the isolation is filled with broken, hurting people seeking ways to change their own reality. It's a setting for the writing of stories that should be left alone when .... "as a child I always wanted to be someone else. Wanted a different life, I never acted without selfish ambition...>"
I just reviewed THE GLENNMARE GIRLS by Anya Mora. #THEGLENNMAREGIRLS #NetGalley
QUOTES
"Enjoy the view for as long as you can," Baker says, her burger box in hand. "Soon the tide will change and it will never look like this again."
Besides, we're just girls. GIRLS! What do we know anyways except how to french-braid hair and draw heart eyes on our feelings?!
We don't actually love him. It was the idea of him. OF someone choosing us.
Our hearts are equally broken, we've picked up the shards. But I don't want to fight with pieces of glass.
Our hearts are equally broken, we've picked up the shards. But I don't want to fight with pieces of glass.
The sad truth is most girls are lost. And by the time they are found, it's too late.
My back burns. I want the water to wash away my sins, scour out my horrific thougths.
....and I close my eyes, praying that what is behind this screen is anything other than the desperate truth. But the truth is inescapable, and it always catches up.
I can't say that aloud, of course; some things are too private to tell even your closest friends. Some desires to forbidden. - Wells' POV
The girls began sobbing as they realized that there were limits to what one would do for the person they loved.
"We could have told the police, the teachers, {her} parents - told them everything. We didn't. We held our secrets close to our chests out of loyalty. out of fear"
Maybe if we hadn't spent so many months separated from the rest of the world or if we hadn't been living at Glennmare without families we wouldn't have agreed. But we were living in distinctly unique universe where bonds strengthened faster, deeper and more fully than in the real world."
It is shocking the things you will do when you love someone. We were willing to clean up Kitt's mess, even if it meant the blood was on our hands.
we buried the sacrifice in the well with tear-streaked eyes and hands shaking and hearts ripped out.
March 5, 2024
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A lot of twists and turns in this book. I like the dark and mysterious theme.
Sometimes it’s a bit difficult with all the point of views.
But it’s fast paced and not to long, making it a good book.
I would definitely read a book by this author again.
A lot of twists and turns in this book. I like the dark and mysterious theme.
Sometimes it’s a bit difficult with all the point of views.
But it’s fast paced and not to long, making it a good book.
I would definitely read a book by this author again.
December 26, 2024
I enjoyed the witchy vibes of this book. The storyline was entertaining and interesting.
January 8, 2024
One Night, A missing School Girl, A Handsome Teacher with No Memory. Toxic Friends
Wells Halifax
Tippy Brimble
Frederick Rooper
Friends who met all at Yale .
Tippy and Frederick, both from wealthy backgrounds, have know each other since they were five years old.
For Frederick Rooper he has loved Tippy all his life.
It’s unfortunate that their parents decided to marry making them stepbrother, and sister.
However this does not stop the longing Frederick feels.
But!
Things are about to get awkward as they adopt scholarship kid, Well Halifax into their little group.
What Wells lacks in finances, he make up for in his tall, dark, brooding looks and, charismatic persona.
Wells, draws people to him.
He is knowledgeable, and is able to “ own the room” he enters.
He is also has his personality faults, and is a liar.
As much as Frederick adores Wells friendship, he is also becomes aware of a connection between Tippy and him.
A connection that turns into a short lived, but passionate relationship, for while, before It all falls apart as the three become intermingled as Tippy ends up sleeping with Frederick, and the three have a falling out.
Wells has had enough, taking up a teaching’s position at an exclusive school on the isolated Whidbey Island in Puget Sound, a stretch of land ten miles across and thirty-seven miles long, ninety minutes from Seattle.
A school that has barred all forms of modern communications.
So, no phones or computers.
Believing this allows the students to focus on themselves.
One group of girls ends up taking this to a new level as they decide to abandon the modern as they walk around dressed in long skirts, coats and scarves.
Their leader is eighteen year old Katherine ( Kitty ) Calloway.
Kitty is every bit as enigmatic as her Irish Lit, teacher, Well Halifax, and it’s not long before these two become the focus of the school.
Faculty and student alike, as gossip abounds.
Of course, gossip and reality are very different, with the truth lying somewhere in between.
Then, one night, Kitty disappears.
The very same night Wells is found thrown from his horse, with severe head injuries and no memory of the past six months.
Thus, prompting his Yale friends, Tippy and Frederick, to come to his aide, arriving on the Island.
However, once these three are back in each other company, with two knowing the reasons they became estranged, it all becomes a little awkward as heart get stomped on all over again.
In the meantime Well’s memories are slowly returning revealing some shocking secrets around Kitty’s disappearance, and also involving ancient rituals
What a page turner!…😳
Told from multiple characters POV’s, including the Investigating officers, as we follow a linear timeline into the disappearance of Kitty.
( until the last part where we are given Kitty’s POV )
It’s intriguing as we follow the group of four remaining girls and their absolute devotion to Kitty as they try to exist at the school without their friends guidances
While desperately trying to locate their friend..
The same devotion is shone upon Wells by Frederick and Tippy.
As he was the one constant in their little group that held the friends together.
As the girls try to recover Wells’s memories, the ugly truth about what happened on the night of Kitty’s disappearance is finally exposed.
How many more victims will there be before that happens ?
Loved this book.
What an interesting insight into the lives of these of characters.
Wells Halifax
Tippy Brimble
Frederick Rooper
Friends who met all at Yale .
Tippy and Frederick, both from wealthy backgrounds, have know each other since they were five years old.
For Frederick Rooper he has loved Tippy all his life.
It’s unfortunate that their parents decided to marry making them stepbrother, and sister.
However this does not stop the longing Frederick feels.
But!
Things are about to get awkward as they adopt scholarship kid, Well Halifax into their little group.
What Wells lacks in finances, he make up for in his tall, dark, brooding looks and, charismatic persona.
Wells, draws people to him.
He is knowledgeable, and is able to “ own the room” he enters.
He is also has his personality faults, and is a liar.
As much as Frederick adores Wells friendship, he is also becomes aware of a connection between Tippy and him.
A connection that turns into a short lived, but passionate relationship, for while, before It all falls apart as the three become intermingled as Tippy ends up sleeping with Frederick, and the three have a falling out.
Wells has had enough, taking up a teaching’s position at an exclusive school on the isolated Whidbey Island in Puget Sound, a stretch of land ten miles across and thirty-seven miles long, ninety minutes from Seattle.
A school that has barred all forms of modern communications.
So, no phones or computers.
Believing this allows the students to focus on themselves.
One group of girls ends up taking this to a new level as they decide to abandon the modern as they walk around dressed in long skirts, coats and scarves.
Their leader is eighteen year old Katherine ( Kitty ) Calloway.
Kitty is every bit as enigmatic as her Irish Lit, teacher, Well Halifax, and it’s not long before these two become the focus of the school.
Faculty and student alike, as gossip abounds.
Of course, gossip and reality are very different, with the truth lying somewhere in between.
Then, one night, Kitty disappears.
The very same night Wells is found thrown from his horse, with severe head injuries and no memory of the past six months.
Thus, prompting his Yale friends, Tippy and Frederick, to come to his aide, arriving on the Island.
However, once these three are back in each other company, with two knowing the reasons they became estranged, it all becomes a little awkward as heart get stomped on all over again.
In the meantime Well’s memories are slowly returning revealing some shocking secrets around Kitty’s disappearance, and also involving ancient rituals
What a page turner!…😳
Told from multiple characters POV’s, including the Investigating officers, as we follow a linear timeline into the disappearance of Kitty.
( until the last part where we are given Kitty’s POV )
It’s intriguing as we follow the group of four remaining girls and their absolute devotion to Kitty as they try to exist at the school without their friends guidances
While desperately trying to locate their friend..
The same devotion is shone upon Wells by Frederick and Tippy.
As he was the one constant in their little group that held the friends together.
As the girls try to recover Wells’s memories, the ugly truth about what happened on the night of Kitty’s disappearance is finally exposed.
How many more victims will there be before that happens ?
Loved this book.
What an interesting insight into the lives of these of characters.
December 13, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for the ARC of this book.
"The Glennmare Girls" by Anya Mora is a psychological thriller that immerses readers in the intriguing lives of five teenage girls at Glennmare Academy, an elite boarding school on a windswept island off the coast of Seattle. Kitty, Bernie, Coretta, Diane, and Jolie form a tight-knit sisterhood amidst the challenges of their privileged but isolating environment. The novel deftly explores the complexities of their relationships, highlighting the blurred lines between friendship, loyalty, and the dangers of obsession.
Mora's storytelling is captivating as she introduces the mysterious literature professor, Wells Halifax, who becomes a central figure in the girls' lives. The author skillfully navigates the narrative, intertwining elements of manipulation and secrecy that keep the readers guessing about the true nature of the characters and their relationships. The use of Glennmare Academy as a backdrop adds an atmospheric quality, creating an eerie setting for the unfolding drama.
The disappearance of Kitty becomes the catalyst for the novel's suspenseful twists and turns. As the remaining girls grapple with the aftermath and the weight of a dark secret, the tension escalates. Mora expertly builds anticipation, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to unravel the mysteries that shroud the characters.
Anya Mora's writing style is both evocative and enthralling, drawing readers into the psychological depths of the characters. The exploration of teenage friendships, the power dynamics between students and teachers, and the consequences of hidden truths adds layers of complexity to the narrative. The novel's shocking ending delivers a powerful impact, leaving readers breathless and contemplating the intricacies of the story long after the final pages.
In summary, "The Glennmare Girls" is a meticulously crafted psychological thriller that seamlessly blends elements of friendship, loyalty, manipulation, and obsession. Anya Mora's storytelling prowess shines through, making this novel a compelling and unforgettable read for fans of the genre.
"The Glennmare Girls" by Anya Mora is a psychological thriller that immerses readers in the intriguing lives of five teenage girls at Glennmare Academy, an elite boarding school on a windswept island off the coast of Seattle. Kitty, Bernie, Coretta, Diane, and Jolie form a tight-knit sisterhood amidst the challenges of their privileged but isolating environment. The novel deftly explores the complexities of their relationships, highlighting the blurred lines between friendship, loyalty, and the dangers of obsession.
Mora's storytelling is captivating as she introduces the mysterious literature professor, Wells Halifax, who becomes a central figure in the girls' lives. The author skillfully navigates the narrative, intertwining elements of manipulation and secrecy that keep the readers guessing about the true nature of the characters and their relationships. The use of Glennmare Academy as a backdrop adds an atmospheric quality, creating an eerie setting for the unfolding drama.
The disappearance of Kitty becomes the catalyst for the novel's suspenseful twists and turns. As the remaining girls grapple with the aftermath and the weight of a dark secret, the tension escalates. Mora expertly builds anticipation, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to unravel the mysteries that shroud the characters.
Anya Mora's writing style is both evocative and enthralling, drawing readers into the psychological depths of the characters. The exploration of teenage friendships, the power dynamics between students and teachers, and the consequences of hidden truths adds layers of complexity to the narrative. The novel's shocking ending delivers a powerful impact, leaving readers breathless and contemplating the intricacies of the story long after the final pages.
In summary, "The Glennmare Girls" is a meticulously crafted psychological thriller that seamlessly blends elements of friendship, loyalty, manipulation, and obsession. Anya Mora's storytelling prowess shines through, making this novel a compelling and unforgettable read for fans of the genre.
February 4, 2024
Located on an island close to Seattle, Glennmare Academy is a strange place for unruly young women of affluent East Coast families that is stringent with its no-technology teaching.
The young women who attend are isolated. They immerse themselves in their studies and friendships to a toxic degree.
One of the most popular among the cohort is Kitty Calloway. She’s a girl who leaves a lasting impression on everyone she meets – but she’s now gone missing.
On the same night, her literature teacher, Wells Halifax, is found on the remote elite boarding school’s beach unconscious. Once awoken, he has no recollection of the last six months and his close friends are quick to travel to his aid.
Everyone at Glennmare Academy is shocked by the turn of events and detectives and staff are left suspicious of the night’s happenings.
Surely her tight-knit friendship group knows more than they are letting on and just how close was Mr Halifiax to his students?
Told cleverly in multiple narratives, The Glennmare Girls by Anya Mora slowly builds suspense with many different points of view. Its short and snappy chapters ensure a great pacing.
The main characters are well-developed. However, more insight into some secondary characters and their interesting backstories would have been appreciated.
Despite this, there’s lots of clever detail throughout alongside twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end.
Please note, difficult themes include: sexual assault self-harm, eating disorders, mental health, grooming and animal abuse.
*Thank you to NetGalley for the complimentary copy of this book, all views are my own*
The young women who attend are isolated. They immerse themselves in their studies and friendships to a toxic degree.
One of the most popular among the cohort is Kitty Calloway. She’s a girl who leaves a lasting impression on everyone she meets – but she’s now gone missing.
On the same night, her literature teacher, Wells Halifax, is found on the remote elite boarding school’s beach unconscious. Once awoken, he has no recollection of the last six months and his close friends are quick to travel to his aid.
Everyone at Glennmare Academy is shocked by the turn of events and detectives and staff are left suspicious of the night’s happenings.
Surely her tight-knit friendship group knows more than they are letting on and just how close was Mr Halifiax to his students?
Told cleverly in multiple narratives, The Glennmare Girls by Anya Mora slowly builds suspense with many different points of view. Its short and snappy chapters ensure a great pacing.
The main characters are well-developed. However, more insight into some secondary characters and their interesting backstories would have been appreciated.
Despite this, there’s lots of clever detail throughout alongside twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end.
Please note, difficult themes include: sexual assault self-harm, eating disorders, mental health, grooming and animal abuse.
Read the original The Glennmare Girls by Anya Mora book review on The LDN Gal
*Thank you to NetGalley for the complimentary copy of this book, all views are my own*
January 10, 2025
This is certainly entertaining and I liked the central mystery, but this book has a lot of issues, mostly surrounding a really problematic depiction of mental health.
The premise for this was good and the pacing excellent, and I thought the mystery of the missing girl was well structured. So too was the Luddite school and the students who embraced the idea of existing in another time. It’s a well-rendered portrait of teenage girls in that respect, and how this idea of moving backward in time and dressing the part might appeal.
But the rest of the portrayal of teenage girls here is a pretty serious problem. It’s not just that this level of coercion and something akin to mass hysteria is unrealistic and over dramatic. I could give that part up to “for entertainment’s sake,” at least when it comes to Kitty’s acolytes and their relationship with their teacher.
But the way Kitty’s mental illness is depicted here is really irresponsible. To suggest that her actions were the result of being bipolar and off her meds for a short time is a serious misunderstanding of mental illness, and furthers the demonization of someone suffering from this condition. What really bothers me about it was that there was no reason to even include mental illness in Kitty’s character. She could simply have been a manipulator and a bad person. It would have made a better story anyway.
There’s also some ick to this (the step siblings, the teacher’s thoughts about his students), though these are mild in comparison to some other depictions of this kind of stuff, and also probably closer to reality (ironic considering the wildly inaccurate portrait of mental illness) that the more dramatic versions of this we often see in mystery/thrillers set at girls schools.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
The premise for this was good and the pacing excellent, and I thought the mystery of the missing girl was well structured. So too was the Luddite school and the students who embraced the idea of existing in another time. It’s a well-rendered portrait of teenage girls in that respect, and how this idea of moving backward in time and dressing the part might appeal.
But the rest of the portrayal of teenage girls here is a pretty serious problem. It’s not just that this level of coercion and something akin to mass hysteria is unrealistic and over dramatic. I could give that part up to “for entertainment’s sake,” at least when it comes to Kitty’s acolytes and their relationship with their teacher.
But the way Kitty’s mental illness is depicted here is really irresponsible. To suggest that her actions were the result of being bipolar and off her meds for a short time is a serious misunderstanding of mental illness, and furthers the demonization of someone suffering from this condition. What really bothers me about it was that there was no reason to even include mental illness in Kitty’s character. She could simply have been a manipulator and a bad person. It would have made a better story anyway.
There’s also some ick to this (the step siblings, the teacher’s thoughts about his students), though these are mild in comparison to some other depictions of this kind of stuff, and also probably closer to reality (ironic considering the wildly inaccurate portrait of mental illness) that the more dramatic versions of this we often see in mystery/thrillers set at girls schools.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
February 13, 2024
No quotes because ARC, 3.5 stars because this was a tricky read for me.
One Line Review: A group of girls, shrouded away from society on a small island and a teacher with hidden secrets. When one of the girls goes missing, no one seems to want to talk. Will detectives be able to figure out where she is before the worst of everyone’s fears becomes reality?
Synopsis: Kitty and her friends have a bond unbroken, in a world that seems to exist for only them. Glennmare Academy and their teacher Wells Halifax has changed them for the better, or so they believe, and the girls develop what most would call an unhealthy attachment to him. When Kitty goes missing, and Wells is found on the shoreline with no memories, detective on the island are on a race against the clock to try and figure out who is telling the truth, and why too many seem to be covering something up. The truths that emerge are darker than they could’ve imagined…
My Thoughts: Oh man, there are some warnings to be stated regarding topics in this book (i.e. animal abuse, inappropriate relationships, self-harm etc.) To say I was caught off guard in discovering what two large parts of this plot were an understatement. Heed the warning, if you have any issues about descriptive animal abuse/ritualistic slaughter, reconsider reading this. That warning aside, this book does a great job of pulling you in to the point where you feel as though you cannot be pulled away. I am not completely in love with the writing style, because you must be able to recollect about a dozen characters, as the author switches back and forth between each chapter. I will say, that as the book progressed, it does get a lot easier to read!
One Line Review: A group of girls, shrouded away from society on a small island and a teacher with hidden secrets. When one of the girls goes missing, no one seems to want to talk. Will detectives be able to figure out where she is before the worst of everyone’s fears becomes reality?
Synopsis: Kitty and her friends have a bond unbroken, in a world that seems to exist for only them. Glennmare Academy and their teacher Wells Halifax has changed them for the better, or so they believe, and the girls develop what most would call an unhealthy attachment to him. When Kitty goes missing, and Wells is found on the shoreline with no memories, detective on the island are on a race against the clock to try and figure out who is telling the truth, and why too many seem to be covering something up. The truths that emerge are darker than they could’ve imagined…
My Thoughts: Oh man, there are some warnings to be stated regarding topics in this book (i.e. animal abuse, inappropriate relationships, self-harm etc.) To say I was caught off guard in discovering what two large parts of this plot were an understatement. Heed the warning, if you have any issues about descriptive animal abuse/ritualistic slaughter, reconsider reading this. That warning aside, this book does a great job of pulling you in to the point where you feel as though you cannot be pulled away. I am not completely in love with the writing style, because you must be able to recollect about a dozen characters, as the author switches back and forth between each chapter. I will say, that as the book progressed, it does get a lot easier to read!
November 30, 2023
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.
This book was absolutely crazy. Just when you think things are about to calm down in this story, some crazy new plot twist is introduced. I read this story in literally one day because it was so entertaining and gripping. I NEEDED to know what happened.
Basically the story line follows three adult friends that are in a weird love triangle, one of which works at a boarding school. All of these friends have boundary issues in one way or another which gets them in trouble. Said boarding school doesn't allow any technology which lets their students get into trouble as well. With both of these components, some real demented stuff happens.
I loved how the perspectives changed between every character in this story. It gave a great insight into each aspect of the plot because there was SO much going on. This also really helped get connected to the characters since they all played a huge part in the storyline. There really aren't any "side characters". For me this really felt like solving one of those murder mystery games. Except there was no way that I was going to be able to solve this with all of the plot twists. Truly a great thriller/mystery vibe.
My only real criticism is that there should be a trigger warning on this bad boy. So many messed up things happen that this may not be for everyone.
This book was absolutely crazy. Just when you think things are about to calm down in this story, some crazy new plot twist is introduced. I read this story in literally one day because it was so entertaining and gripping. I NEEDED to know what happened.
Basically the story line follows three adult friends that are in a weird love triangle, one of which works at a boarding school. All of these friends have boundary issues in one way or another which gets them in trouble. Said boarding school doesn't allow any technology which lets their students get into trouble as well. With both of these components, some real demented stuff happens.
I loved how the perspectives changed between every character in this story. It gave a great insight into each aspect of the plot because there was SO much going on. This also really helped get connected to the characters since they all played a huge part in the storyline. There really aren't any "side characters". For me this really felt like solving one of those murder mystery games. Except there was no way that I was going to be able to solve this with all of the plot twists. Truly a great thriller/mystery vibe.
My only real criticism is that there should be a trigger warning on this bad boy. So many messed up things happen that this may not be for everyone.
Read
February 1, 2024The Glennmare Girls by Anya Mora: A Book Review
By Michele Marsh
What is the limit you would go to for the person you love? This is one of the main questions answered in this book that centers around five teenage girls, sequestered at an elite and gothic twist on a all girls’ reformative boarding school.
Kitty, Bernie, Jolie, Carissa, Diane are the closest of friends, more like sisters, really. So they are devastated when one of there own vanishes inexplicably and someone needs to pay the price, or will they all pay it?
”Is it a burden to follow our friend unwaveringly? Is there such a thing as too much? Too much passion? Desire?”
But unmistably they are forced to share a secret that could rip their perfect worlds apart at the seams, just like the seams of the vintage clothing they wear to fit their personas. Their are two interlopers in their mist, and their perfect world may be frozen from time but not from tragedy. When things start to go awry, the charade falls away and the ugly truth is revealed. An accident. A disappearance. What is the difference between the truth and the fiction these girls have written for themselves?
Anya Mora writes a refreshing new throwback on the gothic tale with just a hint of the contemporary detective novel thrown in. It’s intirguing and titilating, and made me just want more.
By Michele Marsh
What is the limit you would go to for the person you love? This is one of the main questions answered in this book that centers around five teenage girls, sequestered at an elite and gothic twist on a all girls’ reformative boarding school.
Kitty, Bernie, Jolie, Carissa, Diane are the closest of friends, more like sisters, really. So they are devastated when one of there own vanishes inexplicably and someone needs to pay the price, or will they all pay it?
”Is it a burden to follow our friend unwaveringly? Is there such a thing as too much? Too much passion? Desire?”
But unmistably they are forced to share a secret that could rip their perfect worlds apart at the seams, just like the seams of the vintage clothing they wear to fit their personas. Their are two interlopers in their mist, and their perfect world may be frozen from time but not from tragedy. When things start to go awry, the charade falls away and the ugly truth is revealed. An accident. A disappearance. What is the difference between the truth and the fiction these girls have written for themselves?
Anya Mora writes a refreshing new throwback on the gothic tale with just a hint of the contemporary detective novel thrown in. It’s intirguing and titilating, and made me just want more.
December 7, 2023
*trigger warning- self harm, abuse,grooming etc
Glennmare is an exclusive school. It is rather unusual as it is on an island and there is no wifi or internet and no computers, everything being done the old fashioned way which means no distractions. A girl has gone missing but it is found that she takes herself off at times but this time she has been gone too long. The girls enjoy horse riding and are very accomplished. One of the teachers was out with them the day Kitty disappeared and he came off, sustaining a concussion and now can't remember what happened. Where is Kitty and what is the truth around Glennmare?
A tale of mystery and secrets and a school that doesn't follow the rules. Of staff taking advantage and doing as they like. This is quite raw and dark at times and a little unsettling, but then it's fiction and can take you anywhere in your head, which makes the reader think at times. Each chapter is told from different character perspectives and are quite short which keeps the plot moving nicely. A well told tale, one beautifully described with a stunning cover. A dark and mysterious read.
For more reviews please follow me on Twitter or Threads @nickisbookblog
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December 14, 2023
***I received an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review
Kitty, Bernie, Coretta, Diane, & Jolie, were all best friends - they met at Glennmare Academy. an elite boarding school on an island off the coast of Seattle. Glennmare was a place where the unruly daughters of affluent East Coast families were exiled. Those five girls were obsessed with their twenty-five-year-old teacher who quoted obscure poetry and worked in the stables, but also understands each of them so perfectly. Now one of those girls is missing, and the teacher was found with a head injury so severe, he has no memory of the past few months. So where is their friend? And what will he say when he begins to remember?
This book is told in the alternating viewpoints of the various cast of characters, including the detectives investigating the case. As Will struggles to regain his memory, there are clues that are popping up all over his cabin which seem to point the finger at him. The cook seems to know more than she is letting on. The other girls seem to know more than they are willing to say, as well, and they seem desperate for Will to regain his memory. This will keep you guessing right up until the end.
Kitty, Bernie, Coretta, Diane, & Jolie, were all best friends - they met at Glennmare Academy. an elite boarding school on an island off the coast of Seattle. Glennmare was a place where the unruly daughters of affluent East Coast families were exiled. Those five girls were obsessed with their twenty-five-year-old teacher who quoted obscure poetry and worked in the stables, but also understands each of them so perfectly. Now one of those girls is missing, and the teacher was found with a head injury so severe, he has no memory of the past few months. So where is their friend? And what will he say when he begins to remember?
This book is told in the alternating viewpoints of the various cast of characters, including the detectives investigating the case. As Will struggles to regain his memory, there are clues that are popping up all over his cabin which seem to point the finger at him. The cook seems to know more than she is letting on. The other girls seem to know more than they are willing to say, as well, and they seem desperate for Will to regain his memory. This will keep you guessing right up until the end.
December 16, 2023
This book surprised me with its twists, multi POV which led the story in various directions and the characters who you never knew if you could trust.
I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery thriller, it had suspense and many questions to try and figure out what happened to Katherine.
The story gives you characters that hold more secrets than you initially think. I had no idea what the outcome would be and that was exciting, some thrillers you can guess at some point what might happen, but this really did give me no clue. The school was multi layered it felt very gothic and cult like in its abandonment of outside connections to shelter the girls and have them focus on their studies.
At points I was shocked, the boundaries of relationships are really tested in this story and I thoroughly disliked some characters including the victims. This story is a powerful reminder how manipulation and obsession mixed with desire and misplaced trust can go so wrong. I will say though I loved the detective and his partner quite a bit, their interactions had depth and humour.
I really do look forward to reading more from this author!
I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery thriller, it had suspense and many questions to try and figure out what happened to Katherine.
The story gives you characters that hold more secrets than you initially think. I had no idea what the outcome would be and that was exciting, some thrillers you can guess at some point what might happen, but this really did give me no clue. The school was multi layered it felt very gothic and cult like in its abandonment of outside connections to shelter the girls and have them focus on their studies.
At points I was shocked, the boundaries of relationships are really tested in this story and I thoroughly disliked some characters including the victims. This story is a powerful reminder how manipulation and obsession mixed with desire and misplaced trust can go so wrong. I will say though I loved the detective and his partner quite a bit, their interactions had depth and humour.
I really do look forward to reading more from this author!
December 21, 2023
First and foremost, lets take a step back and just admire this stunning cover...
The Glennmare Girls
I requested this one based on just the cover alone but when I read the description, I knew right there, this was a must read.
There is nothing more dangerous than a cattle of school girls...
This book is all consuming. Clear your schedule, put up your feet and grab your coffee/wine, depending on the time.
Check out this teaser :
Kitty Calloway is a beautiful, sweet girl — she’s everyone’s favorite. Kitty Calloway is a dangerous manipulator. Kitty Calloway is gone.
At Glennmare Academy, an elite boarding school off the coast of Seattle, five girls develop an unhealthy infatuation. Their twenty-five-year-old literature professor, Wells Halifax, has changed their lives. And they will do anything for him.
Then one of the girls goes missing. And Wells Halifax is found unconscious on the beach after a riding accident. He remembers nothing of that fateful night.
But the four remaining girls remember everything. They have sworn to keep their friend’s secrets — even if it kills them.
But is Kitty Calloway worth protecting?
The Glennmare Girls
I requested this one based on just the cover alone but when I read the description, I knew right there, this was a must read.
There is nothing more dangerous than a cattle of school girls...
This book is all consuming. Clear your schedule, put up your feet and grab your coffee/wine, depending on the time.
Check out this teaser :
Kitty Calloway is a beautiful, sweet girl — she’s everyone’s favorite. Kitty Calloway is a dangerous manipulator. Kitty Calloway is gone.
At Glennmare Academy, an elite boarding school off the coast of Seattle, five girls develop an unhealthy infatuation. Their twenty-five-year-old literature professor, Wells Halifax, has changed their lives. And they will do anything for him.
Then one of the girls goes missing. And Wells Halifax is found unconscious on the beach after a riding accident. He remembers nothing of that fateful night.
But the four remaining girls remember everything. They have sworn to keep their friend’s secrets — even if it kills them.
But is Kitty Calloway worth protecting?
May 12, 2025
I really, really, really wanted to like this book. I love dark academia, and I truly do want to find more books to sit alongside Secret History, If We Were Villains, These Violent Delights, and Babel. This one did not. The dark academia elements were underwhelming, as were all the characters. I know others may have qualms with the POV shifts, but I did not inherently. The story was focused and paced decently despite the several shifts, and I was never confused. That said, there wasn’t any kind of emotional impact for the descent into darkness, because nobody got developed. When a character does a profound action, it doesn’t mean a lot because she has only appeared in two other chapters. You don’t need a single POV to have a well developed character, but this was a cast who needed it. This was a wonderful plot that was told at the wrong time in the story and with the wrong people. It could have benefited so much from show-not-tell, but alas, it did not. Did I enjoy reading it? Well enough. Would I recommend it? Maybe. Will I ever put it on my shelf? No.
December 11, 2023
3.5 stars rounded down - I received an arc of this book and while I really enjoyed the overall plot and the twists at the end of the book, there were some issues in the writing that led me to not enjoy it as much as I thought I would.
I usually love multiple POV’s but this book had way too many and some had very little character development. Some chapters had singular POV’s from one of Kitty’s roommates while other chapters had them as a collective POV. By the end of the book, I still don’t really have any details to distinguish each of the roommates. It felt like an area that should have been developed more if they were all going to be identified and sometimes given their own chapters.
There were also a few sub-plots that felt a little unnecessary to the over-arching story. Overall, I enjoyed the story but the above issues lead to it being a lot longer than it really needed to be and a little hard to get through as a reader.
I usually love multiple POV’s but this book had way too many and some had very little character development. Some chapters had singular POV’s from one of Kitty’s roommates while other chapters had them as a collective POV. By the end of the book, I still don’t really have any details to distinguish each of the roommates. It felt like an area that should have been developed more if they were all going to be identified and sometimes given their own chapters.
There were also a few sub-plots that felt a little unnecessary to the over-arching story. Overall, I enjoyed the story but the above issues lead to it being a lot longer than it really needed to be and a little hard to get through as a reader.
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