Only the Pretty Ones

by Niki Keith

The truth is more dangerous than the lies.

Everly wants to forget about her ex. She hopes that Finn, the mysterious new guy, can mend her broken heart, but he barely acknowledges her existence. So when she discovers Finn’s interest in online dating, she creates a fake profile to draw him in.

But the profile catches the attention of the serial killer terrorizing their small town. He knows Everly isn’t who she claims to be. And now the game is

Everly must catch him before he catches her.

This gripping thriller will captivate true crime fans until a shocking conclusion reveals an unforgettable culprit.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery

326 pages, Paperback

Published September 10, 2024

About the author

**Niki Keith does NOT use Goodreads. You can reach her via email at twistythrillers@nikikeith.com.

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Niki Keith writes twisty young adult thrillers about broken teens doing bad things for all the right reasons.

When she isn’t murdering fictional characters, she’s cuddling with her affectionate love-biting kitty, pondering what to read next in her TBR pile.

Visit nikikeith.com to download The Perfect Ride & The Perfect Daughter for free!

Reviews

[Jessica Scachetti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually go for the mystery thriller genre without the romance, as I'm all about love stories, but the synopsis of this book had me sold. I didn't even read the reviews before diving in. The writing is exemplary, and the story kept me engaged. I binged it in under 48 hours. Lovely twist. I did not see that coming. Would make a great movie! Can't wait to read more by this author!

[☆ Driti ☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free from the author and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.

THIS. BOOK. OH MY GOD. Oh how much I love a morally grey book...

The moment I saw the words "thriller" and "fans of Holly Jackson will love it" and "ARC readers required", I knew this was the perfect book for me. And I'm so glad I did it! This book was so intriguing that I completed it in one sitting. The writing style made the book so easy to read, like I can't describe it but I enjoyed it thouroughly! I also loved how it was in first-person, giving us the thoughts and feelings of Everly, the FMC.

For the first time, I truly understood the meaning of fear.

Coming to the plot itself. I loved how it provides a direction about what was going to happen next but then A COMPLETE PLOT TWIST shocks the readers. For example, the book makes sure that we understand that Lani was going to get killed by the Trophy Killer and then leds us to think that Finn killed her. But sweet, innocent Benjamin was the Trophy Killer, the mom the murderer of her OWN child and a liar too. THAT WAS JUST A BIG PLOT TWIST! I love how all these characters are morally grey, leaving the readers in a dilemma on who is right and who is wrong.

“The truth is more dangerous than the lies, Everly.”

The characters are so well-written, especially Everly and Chance (I SHIP THEM HARD BRO). Mad respect to Chance though. Sloane (Ev's mom) is so annoying and such a good actor, her bratty personality is reflect well in Niki Keith's choice of words. Even that police person, Abernathy, he is such a racist person and Lou, a self=obessed freak. What I mean to say in this paragraph is that the charcters are so diverse and well-written, I thouroughly enjoyed freaking out when they did some stupid decisions and actions.

"Your choices destroyed an innocent man's life. And look where it has led us."

Overall, I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH! I would 100% recommend this to anyone who is looking for a quick read filled with mystery, thriller and plot twists. Especially to the true crime lovers out there, this is the perfect book for you! Thank you so much Niki Keith for the ARC and I enjoyed your book a lot!

[✿ Druti ✿ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for free from the author in return for a voluntary review.

Pictures have their own secret language. They can tell a story without even using words.

I am in this group on Goodreads where authors ask for readers like us to review their books and this is where I saw the words "Perfect for Holly Jackson readers" and I was like sign me up as I loved some of Holly Jackson's books like the huge hit the "AGGGTM" Series. I am happy to have signed up for this ARC as I loved this book.

All I did was rip open wounds that were trying to heal.

Let's move on to the plot, The plot was not at all predictable. For example, the book makes us think that Lani will be killed by the Trophy Killer, making us believe that Finn is the killer while all along it was innocent Ben who was so kind and sweet. Then the final plot is the mother killing her child Lani and lying about it!

It felt as if my heart had grown sharp nails and was trying to claw its way out of my chest.

The characters are wonderfully described and shown, I liked Every and Chance (Who I ship together Hehe). Sloane (Eve's mom) is such an actor maybe she should have been an actor instead of being a lawyer. Even that police person, Abernathy, is such a racist person and acts as if he will solve the case and Lou, is selfish and is a freak. I loved all the characters, how they were written well, and the funny, dumb, and bad or good choices they made.

“The truth is more dangerous than the lies, Everly.”

I loved this book a lot and would recommend it if anyone would like a quick read with thriller, mystery, and contemporary romance. Thank you so much Niki Keith for writing such an interesting and wonderful book.

[Bookaholic__Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

What would happen if you created an online profile using a photo that isn't yours? What if the person it attracts knows you aren't who you say you are? That would be pretty embarrassing. But what if they were dangerous? What if the person is a serial killer?

This book was fantastic. I can honestly say I thought I knew where this book was headed, and I was completely in shock when I discovered I was wrong. I

Seriously... That ending!!

ALSO...can we please take a moment to appreciate this gorgeous cover?! 😍

If you enjoy YA thrillers, I definitely suggest grabbing this one.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so lucky to be chosen as an ARC reader for this book. I was immediately intrigued because this book was labeled as a "thriller" and "fans of Holly Jackson would love it". Well Niki wasn't wrong. This book kept me captivated and guessing the whole time. The shocking twists had my mind blown. I thought halfway through the book I had figured out the story,but I was wrong. This book is well written and flows smoothly. I am already looking forward to reading more books by this author!

[Alexia Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

what the heck did I just read lol

[Chantelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review: "Only the Pretty Ones" by Niki Keith

Niki Keith’s "Only the Pretty Ones" is a heart-pounding thriller that artfully combines themes of obsession, deception, and survival. From the outset, the novel plunges readers into the life of Everly, a young woman desperate to escape the shadow of her past and the heartache left by her ex. When she becomes enamored with Finn, the elusive new guy in town, her attempts to capture his attention spiral into a dark and dangerous game that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Keith’s portrayal of Everly is both relatable and complex. Her vulnerability and longing for connection resonate deeply, making her initial decision to create a fake online dating profile understandable, albeit misguided. As the plot unfolds, the stakes escalate dramatically when Everly unwittingly attracts the attention of a serial killer haunting their small town. This twist not only heightens the tension but also propels Everly into a deadly cat-and-mouse chase that tests her resourcefulness and resilience.

The pacing of "Only the Pretty Ones" is relentless, with each chapter driving the suspense higher. Keith expertly crafts a sense of urgency as Everly navigates the treacherous waters of her double life while trying to uncover the truth behind the killer’s motives. The suspense is palpable, and just when you think you’ve figured it out, Keith delivers shocking twists that keep you guessing until the very last page.

Keith’s writing style is sharp and engaging, effectively capturing the small-town atmosphere and the underlying dread that permeates it. The supporting characters, from Everly's friends to Finn himself, add depth to the narrative and keep readers questioning who can be trusted. The exploration of themes like identity and the consequences of deception is woven seamlessly into the plot, making the stakes feel all the more real.

The unexpected ending is a standout moment, delivering a shocking revelation that leaves a lasting impact. It challenges perceptions of who we are and how far we will go to protect ourselves and those we care about.

Overall, "Only the Pretty Ones" is a captivating thriller that will appeal to fans of psychological suspense and true crime alike. Niki Keith has crafted a taut narrative filled with intrigue, making it impossible to put down. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions as you dive into this expertly plotted tale—one that will keep you questioning the nature of truth and deception long after you turn the final page. Highly recommended!

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the author as an ARC reader.

Only the Pretty Ones is a YA, thriller novel that had me hanging on to the edge of my seat within a few chapters. YA novels are not typically in my stack, but the blurb caught my attention and I couldn’t pass this one up.

We follow along in 16 year old Everly’s POV, as a heartbroken teenager working her summer away to save up for a car. Cue flirting with the cool, mysterious newcomer in the diner. A tumultuous game of cat and mouse ensues as there is a serial killer on the loose and he’s set his sights on Everly.

Every time that I thought I had the plot figured out, I got thrown so far off course! I really enjoyed Niki’s writing style, and the way she brought this story to life. There was no giant cliffhanger, even though I definitely could see a sequel following Everly.

Five stars for the fact that it was enthralling, and unpredictable.

[Jennifer Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE Niki Keith! She is an amazing author! I’ve read everything she has put out so far, and will continue to do so! Her books will grab you and keep you engaged and turning the pages as fast as you can! I’ve read them in one sitting because they were so good this one is too! Phenomenal job! Entertainment with twists! Love it!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[H. R. Frankline · Rating 4 out of 5]

(spoilers...? maybe? idk)

i loved the ending, like so much
the fact you found out who the killer was but yet not what happened afterwards. amazingly written and jaw dropping bro

[Heather Botero · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book club book, I’m not sure if the person who selected this book knew the target audience was 14-17. Just not for me, I do think that if there was a real person narrating the book it would have been more enjoyable.

[Lisbeth Ivies · Rating 2 out of 5]

A beautiful cover and evocative title were what initially piqued my interest in reading Only the Pretty Ones. I was further intrigued by the premise that promised this to be a much more modern type of serial killer. I shudder to think how much more prolific some of the murderers operating in the 70s, 80s, and 90s could have been with something like dating apps being available back then. The moral grayness of a character catfishing as their sister then landing themselves into hot water because of that decision also pulled me in. Yet, My expectations for what the novel would be didn't quite match what I thought it was. And as beautiful as that cover remains, it doesn't really match any of the crimes therein.

The technical quality of the writing is better than most novels I'd review this low. Other than a few typos/errors scattered through, the author does well to deliver an emotional heft to some scenes, and descriptions can easily create mental pictures. However, the meat of the story, especially through the lens of crime fiction, just isn't where it needed to be. The characters are quick to throw around monikers like serial killers and copycat killers, but the criminals and crimes depicted in the novel don't match those terms even by looser definitions. We don't even know until the very end how many victims there were of the newer killer. The natural build up of tension or fear in a small community ravaged by these killings isn't there, and not just because of the statement being made about the community or how it reacts to different ethnicities of victims. Even through the lens of the main character who knows much more than the people at large do, reactions aren't consistent with what I would expect. The few times there is an attempt for more emotion or stakes, things feel forced and artificial because of the void present in the rest.

Emotional whiplash describes a lot of what I felt from the main character. Crushes and the newest accusation of who she thinks the culprit is come fast and hard, with little to no consideration for what came previously. Even a personal tragedy early on in the novel seems to have no real import other than to be a talking point with other characters, the loss only really showing in dialogue and not in the rest. Motivations for many of the characters felt missing or just suffered from a lack of build up, and I quite often kept asking myself...but, why?

I struggle with giant leaps of intuition being what drives the plot forward in crime or mystery fiction, particularly when the character repeatedly shows bad judgment in previous guesses. I'm also in the school of thought that twists are exciting but should have that trail of breadcrumbs to make them worthwhile. With this one, it didn't necessarily come out of left field. Yet, I found myself asking the same question again...but, why?

Despite those sentiments, I do still believe some readers will enjoy Only the Pretty Ones as long as they go in with the right expectations. Readers looking for something with crime or mystery as the focus and a well-executed plot to match should keep searching. This one is lighter on the sleuthing and heavier on the teen angst.

[JD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many thanks to the author, Niki Keith, for providing me with a free ARC. This review is voluntary

Everly is our main protagonist, and in the beginning aspects of the book we're shown the throes of her teenage life. It wasn't bad enough her ex broke up with her, but now he's bringing his new partner around for a date to the diner where Everly works. Completely hostile. While trying to escape the mental gymnastics brought on by her ex, something catches her eye: a new guy. His name is Finn, and Ev shifts her attention, but her advances are met without notice. Ev does creep around a little bit on a dating app to see if Finn is on there - to her surprise, he is. She knows it's a bad idea, but goes ahead anyway with creating a fake profile so she can get the in, to talk to him. What Ev doesn't know is that the fake profile she created was also noticed, by someone else, who has more sinister intentions for this small town. Something a bit more deadly.

This was a pretty easy/fun read. The characters are relatable in their own ways. Everly is our main focus, and while a supporting cast of characters are present, and important in their own ways, this journey is through the perspective of Everly, and her journey after making this fake profile. The attention she attracts from the serial killer having noticed this profile upends her life, and we witness her attempts at not only tracking down the identity of the serial killer, but also her having to live her life as a teenager, among these new, dreadful environmental factors.

The author did a wonderful job at writing a character that relied on the hope she had inside. From the beginning, we learn about Everly's inquisitive nature, and although that does sometimes get her in trouble because she's allowing emotion to dictate her path, we also see how she never gives up on the instinct she carries with her, or this hope. Great job all around, and an amazing addition to YA thriller/mystery.

[Mackenzie Grier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m still in shock as I write this review. The POV from a naive teenager, thinking she knows best and her actions will save the world without consequence, doing the very things our parents warn us not to do… wow does it make for a good mystery.

In the beginning, it took a bit for the story to get started, but when it did there was no calming down again; the story is packed-full of mysteries you have to try and decipher. I read through the last half of the story very quickly because it pulled me in and I needed to know “who dunnit”.

I wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy this book because of how Everly catfished Finn at the start, it was a dirty move to me and I was in
disbelief that the opening of the story was a teenager acting this way. I kept commenting, “Don’t do it, Everly. This is not how you try and get a date from this guy. He won’t respond well to your tricks”. I felt a connection to Everly because she is confused and lonely and seemed like she had no one on her side to comfort her and guide her through life. No one is perfect and and the things she did, she did to try and get justice for all the victims.

I had mixed feelings about Finn, my judgement jumped all over the place. He was intriguing at first but then he was a bit suspicious. However, when Everly was suspicious of him over and over again, what was really going on was Everly’s grief and guilt was making her see him in only a suspicious light, because she knew that she did something wrong and because he was connected he was the only person it could be in her eyes.

This book is full of twists and turns that make you dizzy trying to figure things out.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Danelle✍🏽 Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only The Pretty Ones by Niki Keith is a thriller about a young girl who uncovers a horrible secret about the town she lives in. Years ago, the town was terrorized by a serial killer who preyed on young women, but he'd been apprehended and the people have long since moved on. Until his copycat starts terrorizing the town all over again. However, this one targets only girls with a particular skin tone, accentuating the town's already racist attitude, and when Everly’s half-sister Lani goes missing, Everly decides to take matters into her own hands. However, what Everly discovers is much darker than she could have thought possible. Much much darker…

Only The Pretty Ones was a deeply personal and bittersweet experience. Niki highlights the negative and biased view people of color face, and I absolutely love that Niki brings this prejudiced view to everyone's attention. The storyline is impactful, and I completely lost myself in the little town of Graybury and its complicated residents. I felt drawn to Everly because of her tenacity and obvious devotion to the victims, although I did not agree with everything she did; however, no one is perfect, and that made Everly even more relatable. I liked Lani especially, as she was someone whose thirst for justice and equality made her stand out. I thoroughly enjoyed Only The Pretty Ones and recommend it to fans of her two previous thrillers, Crushed and Keep Your Friends Close.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow.

“Wow” is kind of the only work I can use to describe this book. It was a short read, which is mainly the only reason I finished it at all. The story has holes, a lot of them, but it’s a teen book, I’m not expecting a super fleshed out cop murder mystery type of story. Also, as someone who grew up in a small town like the main character, it was weird to me how she had no friends, and I felt like she should have known the deputy character since they were so close in age, did they not go to school together? Maybe the author just didn’t want to expand the character list any more than it was to avoid the confusion of too many names? The ending was… an ending. I felt like it could have been fleshed out more, give us the justice we spent all that time reading for, but it just… well, ended. For a shorter read to just pass time, it’s fine. I’m giving three stars because it feels like an early novel, and the author could be leagues ahead of this now in their career, and giving it one or two would feel overly harsh. Last note: this isn’t a criticism of the book itself, but I recommend just reading it over the audible version, the narrator was hard to listen to and the emotions weren’t there. They also changed words (small things, like instead of saying “Uh-huh.” in a seemingly bored/dismissive way like the character says in the book they say “That’s right!” in a weird perky way that’s jarring to listen to given the circumstances.)

[Sarah Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart was in my throat throughout reading this whole book. Oh my! I felt like I was the MFC in this book and I'm freaking out. The way the author does this book oh my, I read some horror books about serial killers and stuff like that and I've never felt like this before. They like take you into the book and I'm freaking out with everything that's happening! I literally was thinking throughout the whole book who is the murderer. Who is doing this to the minorities? I had so many questions throughout this whole book.

Like I had three suspects in mind for a very long time. And honest truth I feel bad for two of them because they didn't even do anything but to me they did. But man when you find out who the actual murderer is and then the twist at the end of that book. I'm literally gobsmacked right now. This author did such a great job on this serial killer mystery book. But I didn't expect half of that too even happen. This is the first book I've ever read from this author and she had me on the edge literally having many heart attacks trying to figure out what was going on. If you love serial killers, murder mysteries that keep you on the edge you guys need to read this book. It's a quick read but holy moly how good it is!

[Samanthasue218 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read via ARC -Kindle. Thank you book sirens and Niki Keith for this book to review.
No spoilers

I absolutely enjoy a good YA book, and I really enjoy Niki Keith’s books. This book had such a great thrill. I read this book so fast and enjoyed it, I just wish the ending wasn’t so rushed. I also did not want it to end as I enjoyed the characters and the thrill so much. I definitely agree that if you like Holly Jackson, you will enjoy this book and others from this author. I definitely did not think the twist was going to be what it was. This was such a great book to read after AGGGTM to bring me back to those feelings, and I could not wait to read this one right after when I got this ARC.

Would I recommend? YES, if you love a good quick thriller, mystery, and YA book with a hint of romance, you will enjoy this!

[Between The Covers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read! I read it in one sitting. It has its sad moments and times that will make you angry, but it was so good! It grabbed my attention quickly. I had thought I had the killer figured out but I was so wrong on that in a way. I wish it was longer but I'm glad it turned out the way it did at the end. Everly is a 16-year-old girl who is just trying to forget her ex, with distant parents who only care about rising to the top and a sister who loves her dearly and studies journalism. Her sister comes back home to investigate the murders of young women of color. It's Everly who, in the end, solves the cases. Not backing down and determined to find out the truth behind it all even when it comes knocking at her door.

[Katrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a tough one to rate. I really enjoyed the story, and it held my attention all the way to the end. My issue with this book is that the ending was very rushed— even though everything was revealed and there were a couple of unexpected plot twists, I still have some questions. I do appreciate that the author didn’t tell us what happens after Sloane’s arrest— I think it ended at exactly the right point in the story. We just got there a lot faster than I was expecting! There were also quite a few spelling and grammatical errors which I found distracting. For example, the word “conscious” was used several times when I believe the author intended to write “conscience.” Overall, I’d recommend this book for anyone who is a fan of mysteries and true crime stories. 3.5 stars

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite books are when the endings surprise you. I was shocked when I read the last chapter. Didn’t see that coming.

There’s a killer in Everly’s town and she is going to find out who it is. This killer murdered her sister and she’ll stop at nothing to find him.

Throughout most of the book, Everly thinks it’s this guy Finn who she catfished pretending to be her sister. She doesn’t listen to the police and does what she wants to try and solve the murders, but the killer is now taunting Everly.

There are a lot of twists and turns and it’s a good book. A fast read, but a good read and the ending will shock you!

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.


As soon as I seen readers of Holly Jackson will love I had to read this! This is a YA thriller that was a super easy quick read. I flew through these pages needing to know how it all worked out.

The author does a great job of getting you hooked and holding that suspense to keep you intrigued. The twists were unexpected & really made me love this book even more. I'm the type of person that constantly theorizes throughout the book & when I thought I had it figured out I was wrong.

I will definitely be looking forward to more books by this author!

[Books With Babes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is YA thriller/mystery (think Natasha Preston) and it was phenomenal!
Ev was easy to relate to, having suffered a traumatic and tragic loss at a young age myself, i feel like her perspective was so well written.
Ev is 16, and makes a fake dating profile using her older sisters picture, and it quickly goes wrong, and Ev is left reeling from guilt and anger and tries to find the serial 💀 on her own, feeling like the department isn’t doing enough.
I did NOT expect this book to turn out the way it did!
i don’t feel like there’s much more i can say without giving away too much plot, but if you enjoy this genre it is well worth the read!

[Kaley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book left me staring at the end thinking “holy crap”.  It took me on the most enjoyable “who done it” rollercoaster.  Each twist and turn had me bracing for the reveal that would ultimately come out of nowhere. I really liked how this book dove into the frustrations people deal with when a loved one goes missing and the hoops you have to jump through just to have the situation looked into. The author also explored the unfortunate truth that BIPOC victims don’t get the necessary publicity when crimes are committed against them.  Niki Keith is a new author to me and she has soared to the top of my thriller list.

[Adele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another intense Niki Keith thriller!

I did figure out one truth before the reveal but did not see either of those end twists coming. And I was way off on who I thought the Trophy Killer was. I was also convinced TK was collecting body parts to Dr. Frankenstein his perfect girl, so way off in motive, too! I’m glad I was wrong on all of it—made the reveal that much more enjoyable.

I did feel the ending was a little abrupt, but other than that, a fast, entertaining read. I look forward to the next one!

[PlotTwist_Addict · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everly wants to forget about her ex and her heartbreak. She takes a likening to Finn the mysterious new guy in town but he barely acknowledge her. She just wants to get to know him better using fake only dating profile to get his attention.

Only she gets more attention that she was looking for in the murder mystery that is full of suspense all around. When you think you got it figured out you’re wrong, another twist comes and you’re back to the guessing game. Nothing about this book is predictable. And I loved every minute of it of it. The ending came out of no where but it was so good

[Susan Belman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent book! It had me hooked right away, and kept me guessing the entire way through. I had my own ideas as to who the “Trophy Killer” was and was blown away when I was completely wrong (and felt bad for my incorrect accusations). Giving it 4 starts, only because there was a bit about 60% in where it dragged just a bit, and I wanted to get to the point, which it finally did. This is my 1st book by this author, but I will be on the lookout for more.

[Hannah Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly frustrating main protagonist

This is well written, and there were whole chunks that read well. I gave up at 60% however because Everly, the main character, just kept doing really stupid, unrealistic, improbable things. She's like a poster child of 'how to die in a movie/ episode of CSI'.

The book was well written apart from the main character. I'd have liked to see how the story developed.

[₊⋆ Nyxia ☾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I’m kinda mind blown at this book.
It’s a YA thriller and so intense.
It’s dark, twisted, there’s suspense and mystery.
If you like true crime, you’ll like this…tracking down a serial killer, what could go wrong?

I couldn’t put it down. I thought I knew where it was going..and nope. So many twists!

If you want an intense, fast paced thriller…pick this one up! ♡

[Shania Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

This is a great YA novel! The main character is only 17 and she really reads that way. She is making irrational decisions because she's only a teenager. I love seeing real characters who act their age and not like an older version who knows better. The plot had me in a chokehold and I never knew what was coming next!