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This Stays Between Us
Margot McGovern’s homage to 90s horror films and final girls will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Four girls share a cabin on their school retreat – in an abandoned town where the ghost of Smiling Jack is known to haunt the isolated campers.
Shelley is the new girl with her own haunted past.
Mack made things awkward by kissing her best friend.
Priya thinks she’s ready to take the next step with her boyfriend.
Raffi has a flair for drama, and convinces them all to hold a seance.
But when you call on the darkness, sometimes the darkness replies . . .
'Powerful, heartbreaking, hair-raising and absolutely terrifying. This feminist ode to the 90s slasher films is twisty, clever and frightening from beginning to end.' AMY DOAK, bestselling author of Eleanor Jones is Not a Murderer
Four girls share a cabin on their school retreat – in an abandoned town where the ghost of Smiling Jack is known to haunt the isolated campers.
Shelley is the new girl with her own haunted past.
Mack made things awkward by kissing her best friend.
Priya thinks she’s ready to take the next step with her boyfriend.
Raffi has a flair for drama, and convinces them all to hold a seance.
But when you call on the darkness, sometimes the darkness replies . . .
'Powerful, heartbreaking, hair-raising and absolutely terrifying. This feminist ode to the 90s slasher films is twisty, clever and frightening from beginning to end.' AMY DOAK, bestselling author of Eleanor Jones is Not a Murderer
336 pages, Paperback
First published March 4, 2025
17 people are currently reading
716 people want to read
About the author
Margot McGovern
8 books85 followersMargot McGovern lives in Adelaide and has a creative writing PhD from Flinders University. Her debut novel, Neverland, was shortlisted for the Text Prize and the Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature.
Her second novel, This Stays Between Us, will be published in March 2025.
Margot's short horror fiction has appeared in issues of The Dark and the Aurealis-Award-shortlisted anthology Hometown Haunts: #LoveOzYA Horror Tales.
You can find Margot on Instagram: @margot.mcgovern
Her second novel, This Stays Between Us, will be published in March 2025.
Margot's short horror fiction has appeared in issues of The Dark and the Aurealis-Award-shortlisted anthology Hometown Haunts: #LoveOzYA Horror Tales.
You can find Margot on Instagram: @margot.mcgovern
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
March 5, 2025
This was such a surprising one for me because its so outside my normal genres but I ATE it up!
Okay, so you know how every school camp has that one ghost story that gets passed down to freak out the younger kids? This book is that story, but on steroids.
Four girls, one school camp, a séance (because obviously), and a local ghost legend—Smiling Jack—who, spoiler alert, does not bring friendly Devon Sawa Casper vibes. I am a huge chicken when it comes to scary stuff, like, jump-at-my-own-shadow, still-avoid-mirrors-in-the-dark-because-of-Bloody-Mary level of scaredy cat. And even though this is YA horror (so, theoretically, mild on the terror scale), it still had me nervously checking my surroundings like Smiling Jack was going to be peeping through my window.
I also adored the writing style—it pulled me in immediately, and before I knew it I had devoured the entire thing in one sitting. I'd never read anything in this genre and this book just captivated me. It was like an old-school slasher, mixed with nostalgic Aussie kid references.
Would this be scary for hardcore horror fans? Potentially not. But if you're looking to dip your toes into a new genre or want a bit of a lighter horror read this one is a great pick! Read it in the dark for maximum effect. (Or don’t, if you’re like me and have an overactive imagination. No shame.)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars, a creepy, fun, nostalgic thrill ride!
Thank you to Penguin Australia for the advanced copy!
Okay, so you know how every school camp has that one ghost story that gets passed down to freak out the younger kids? This book is that story, but on steroids.
Four girls, one school camp, a séance (because obviously), and a local ghost legend—Smiling Jack—who, spoiler alert, does not bring friendly Devon Sawa Casper vibes. I am a huge chicken when it comes to scary stuff, like, jump-at-my-own-shadow, still-avoid-mirrors-in-the-dark-because-of-Bloody-Mary level of scaredy cat. And even though this is YA horror (so, theoretically, mild on the terror scale), it still had me nervously checking my surroundings like Smiling Jack was going to be peeping through my window.
I also adored the writing style—it pulled me in immediately, and before I knew it I had devoured the entire thing in one sitting. I'd never read anything in this genre and this book just captivated me. It was like an old-school slasher, mixed with nostalgic Aussie kid references.
Would this be scary for hardcore horror fans? Potentially not. But if you're looking to dip your toes into a new genre or want a bit of a lighter horror read this one is a great pick! Read it in the dark for maximum effect. (Or don’t, if you’re like me and have an overactive imagination. No shame.)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars, a creepy, fun, nostalgic thrill ride!
Thank you to Penguin Australia for the advanced copy!
Want to read
May 29, 2025The cover is divine
Read
May 18, 2025slay
let's go queer horror
I swear I have one taste of autumn and I immediately lock in for the spooks
Disclaimer: I work for Penguin, my opinions are my own
let's go queer horror
I swear I have one taste of autumn and I immediately lock in for the spooks
Disclaimer: I work for Penguin, my opinions are my own
February 28, 2025
This book is so friggin’ awesome I just had to sing its praises before I went onto anything else…..
When they say that this is a homage to 90s horror films and final girls that will keep you on the edge of your seat, they weren’t lying. As a lover of 80s and 90s horror and slasher films, this brought it all back.
From the very beginning it takes you on a journey as four schoolgirls, and the rest of their year group with a couple of teachers, head off for a school retreat. All the usual stereotypical school types are in attendance….the jocks, idiots, academics, cool kids, loners and more….you know the types, they’re at every school and always have been.
Three of the four girls, Mack, Priya and Raffi, are longtime friends, and Shelley is new but is the fourth occupant of the cabin.
Now let’s take a group of high school students to an abandoned, isolated town that has a legend of a ghost called Smiling Jack, put them all into cabins with no supervision, well a couple of teachers in a cabin quite a distance away, and expect them to behave and not get into trouble or up to anything they shouldn’t…..what could possibly go wrong? 🤣
Margot’s description of the location gave it a life of its own, creating the chilling and intense atmosphere that takes this story to an entirely new level, especially when the tale progresses and the terrifying and hair-raising moments come at the girls hard and fast.
As with all good stories, it also touches on the deeper side of the girls, their lives, personalities, what they have been through and are dealing with. This seems to endear you more to them as this book grabs hold of you and refuses to let go until you have seen it through for better or worse.
I honestly can’t recommend this book enough, and I am positive that the YA readers that it is aimed at, will love it. I’m also betting that there are quite a lot of adults readers that will love it as well. I know I did.
Thank you Better Reading and Penguin Books Australia for my #gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date | 4 March 2025 | 15+ years
#BRPreview
#thisstaysbetweenus
#margotmcgovern
#finalgirlsrule
#penguinbooksaustralia
When they say that this is a homage to 90s horror films and final girls that will keep you on the edge of your seat, they weren’t lying. As a lover of 80s and 90s horror and slasher films, this brought it all back.
From the very beginning it takes you on a journey as four schoolgirls, and the rest of their year group with a couple of teachers, head off for a school retreat. All the usual stereotypical school types are in attendance….the jocks, idiots, academics, cool kids, loners and more….you know the types, they’re at every school and always have been.
Three of the four girls, Mack, Priya and Raffi, are longtime friends, and Shelley is new but is the fourth occupant of the cabin.
Now let’s take a group of high school students to an abandoned, isolated town that has a legend of a ghost called Smiling Jack, put them all into cabins with no supervision, well a couple of teachers in a cabin quite a distance away, and expect them to behave and not get into trouble or up to anything they shouldn’t…..what could possibly go wrong? 🤣
Margot’s description of the location gave it a life of its own, creating the chilling and intense atmosphere that takes this story to an entirely new level, especially when the tale progresses and the terrifying and hair-raising moments come at the girls hard and fast.
As with all good stories, it also touches on the deeper side of the girls, their lives, personalities, what they have been through and are dealing with. This seems to endear you more to them as this book grabs hold of you and refuses to let go until you have seen it through for better or worse.
I honestly can’t recommend this book enough, and I am positive that the YA readers that it is aimed at, will love it. I’m also betting that there are quite a lot of adults readers that will love it as well. I know I did.
Thank you Better Reading and Penguin Books Australia for my #gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date | 4 March 2025 | 15+ years
#BRPreview
#thisstaysbetweenus
#margotmcgovern
#finalgirlsrule
#penguinbooksaustralia
July 19, 2025
Yeah. I’m not a big fan of this one.
June 16, 2025
so fun and spooky, i really need to read more horror based in Aus.
loved all the horror movie homages and references. I’m a big fan of a self aware MC that’s watched too many horror movies and is trying smart their way out of the cliches.
Overall a really solid and spooky book that had me regretting reading it at night. Will definitely be keeping an eye out for whatever McGovern does next!
loved all the horror movie homages and references. I’m a big fan of a self aware MC that’s watched too many horror movies and is trying smart their way out of the cliches.
Overall a really solid and spooky book that had me regretting reading it at night. Will definitely be keeping an eye out for whatever McGovern does next!
November 21, 2024
Terrifying. Sickening. Fucking incredible.
January 4, 2025
Creepy and satisfying.
March 17, 2025
This is not my usual type of read but I was GRIPPED start to finish, was hard to put it down
December 5, 2025
Actual Rating: 2.5
I did not enjoy nearly as much as I hoped I would. I understand the need for feminism in books, especially YA. I really do. But this book wasn’t just feminist, it was literally anti-male. I don’t understand why every single male in this book was a villain and all the girls were innocent victims in every situation, regardless of how they acted. Are we going to ignore the fact that non consensual kissing is also SA just because it was from a girl? Also why are we glorifying murder? This was supposed to be a horror-thriller but there was nothing scary or thrilling about it. It was way too character based and the ending made absolutely no sense. Also can we not call this a homage to old horror movies because the references felt way too forced and generic.
I did not enjoy nearly as much as I hoped I would. I understand the need for feminism in books, especially YA. I really do. But this book wasn’t just feminist, it was literally anti-male. I don’t understand why every single male in this book was a villain and all the girls were innocent victims in every situation, regardless of how they acted. Are we going to ignore the fact that non consensual kissing is also SA just because it was from a girl? Also why are we glorifying murder? This was supposed to be a horror-thriller but there was nothing scary or thrilling about it. It was way too character based and the ending made absolutely no sense. Also can we not call this a homage to old horror movies because the references felt way too forced and generic.
April 16, 2025
This could have gone in several directions, which was my main issue with the book. It takes over 100 pages to get creepy or address the main Big Bad. Meanwhile the four lead girls slowly move from interchangeable to having a single distinguishing character trait. What could’ve been an interesting exploration or trauma with a horror bent move through a couple deliciously tense set pieces before landing on an undercooked ending simply dropped at the reader’s feet as a means to a finish.
October 21, 2025
Booksta Link✨
Trigger Warnings: Sexual Assault, Trauma, Horror, Gore
This Stays Between Us by Margot McGovern is a thrilling, haunting, and bloody YA horror — the perfect October read for fans of 90s–2000s slasher films and anyone who loves a good Final Girl story (or in this case, four). Beyond the screams and shadows, what truly stole my heart were the strong female characters and the powerful theme of women’s strength in the face of trauma. Above all, this novel feels like a love letter to the masters of horror — both on screen and on the page.
Set over a single weekend on an eleventh-grade school trip, This Stays Between Us unfolds through the perspectives of four girls — Shelly, Mack, Priya, and Raffi — each hiding their own secrets and pain. McGovern’s writing is beautifully cinematic, pulling you into scenes that feel like they’re straight out of a horror film. The imagery is vivid and unsettling — flickering lights, shifting shadows, and that uneasy sense of being watched — all those classic horror elements that make your pulse race and have you double-checking the dark corners of your room.
The tension builds slowly but deliberately toward a chilling climax — the confrontation with the ghost of Smiling Jack — and the final reveal genuinely caught me off guard. It’s the kind of twist that stays with you, haunting you long after you’ve finished reading.
What truly made this book shine, though, were the four protagonists. Shelly, the new girl haunted by a traumatic past she can’t outrun. Mack, the confident, headstrong rugby player whose heartache complicates everything. Raffi, the drama lover and horror enthusiast who instigates the séance that starts it all. Priya, who begins as my least favourite but grew to become my absolute standout — her arc hit hard and left a lasting impression. Each girl is distinct, flawed, and deeply human, and together they create a raw, emotional portrayal of friendship, fear, and survival.
One of the most striking aspects of This Stays Between Us is its unflinching look at assault, consent, and the way women are treated when they dare to speak out. McGovern tackles these themes with honesty and fury, giving readers both catharsis and consequence — it’s powerful, empowering, and handled with care.
I usually dislike overt pop culture references in fiction, but here, McGovern uses them perfectly. The nods to horror classics — even a mention of Fear Street by R.L. Stine — feel intentional and nostalgic, adding the same meta-humour that Scream did for horror movies. It fits the tone, grounding the story while celebrating the genre that inspired it.
I devoured this book in a single sitting and could easily do it again. This Stays Between Us is eerie, emotional, and utterly addictive — a chilling and empowering horror that honours its genre roots while carving out something entirely its own. The perfect read for October.
Trigger Warnings: Sexual Assault, Trauma, Horror, Gore
This Stays Between Us by Margot McGovern is a thrilling, haunting, and bloody YA horror — the perfect October read for fans of 90s–2000s slasher films and anyone who loves a good Final Girl story (or in this case, four). Beyond the screams and shadows, what truly stole my heart were the strong female characters and the powerful theme of women’s strength in the face of trauma. Above all, this novel feels like a love letter to the masters of horror — both on screen and on the page.
Set over a single weekend on an eleventh-grade school trip, This Stays Between Us unfolds through the perspectives of four girls — Shelly, Mack, Priya, and Raffi — each hiding their own secrets and pain. McGovern’s writing is beautifully cinematic, pulling you into scenes that feel like they’re straight out of a horror film. The imagery is vivid and unsettling — flickering lights, shifting shadows, and that uneasy sense of being watched — all those classic horror elements that make your pulse race and have you double-checking the dark corners of your room.
The tension builds slowly but deliberately toward a chilling climax — the confrontation with the ghost of Smiling Jack — and the final reveal genuinely caught me off guard. It’s the kind of twist that stays with you, haunting you long after you’ve finished reading.
What truly made this book shine, though, were the four protagonists. Shelly, the new girl haunted by a traumatic past she can’t outrun. Mack, the confident, headstrong rugby player whose heartache complicates everything. Raffi, the drama lover and horror enthusiast who instigates the séance that starts it all. Priya, who begins as my least favourite but grew to become my absolute standout — her arc hit hard and left a lasting impression. Each girl is distinct, flawed, and deeply human, and together they create a raw, emotional portrayal of friendship, fear, and survival.
One of the most striking aspects of This Stays Between Us is its unflinching look at assault, consent, and the way women are treated when they dare to speak out. McGovern tackles these themes with honesty and fury, giving readers both catharsis and consequence — it’s powerful, empowering, and handled with care.
I usually dislike overt pop culture references in fiction, but here, McGovern uses them perfectly. The nods to horror classics — even a mention of Fear Street by R.L. Stine — feel intentional and nostalgic, adding the same meta-humour that Scream did for horror movies. It fits the tone, grounding the story while celebrating the genre that inspired it.
I devoured this book in a single sitting and could easily do it again. This Stays Between Us is eerie, emotional, and utterly addictive — a chilling and empowering horror that honours its genre roots while carving out something entirely its own. The perfect read for October.
May 26, 2025
Content warnings: rape, stalking, blood, sexual assault, violence, misogyny, alcohol, toxic relationship
This was surprisingly creepy from start to finish. I can't say I expected this to have quite such a focus on sexual assault and misogyny OR that I expected this to be set at an abandoned South Australian gold mining town turned school camp. But both things worked brilliantly and this really did feel like a feminist horror movie in book form.
This was surprisingly creepy from start to finish. I can't say I expected this to have quite such a focus on sexual assault and misogyny OR that I expected this to be set at an abandoned South Australian gold mining town turned school camp. But both things worked brilliantly and this really did feel like a feminist horror movie in book form.
March 23, 2025
Why the heck was I reading this before bed? I loved this! And I like these girls (although, there were a couple of times I got Raffi and Priya confused). I loved the stories about Smiling Jack, especially the one with the surfers and the photo. Wonderful scary stuff.
December 16, 2025
- set in australia
- queer (wlw)
- thriller, paranormal and mystery elements
- overall likeable characters (sorry priya I didn’t really fw you)
- good overarching message relating to sexual assault and it’s greater impacts
- queer (wlw)
- thriller, paranormal and mystery elements
- overall likeable characters (sorry priya I didn’t really fw you)
- good overarching message relating to sexual assault and it’s greater impacts
March 17, 2025
Was an interesting read. Teenagers taking on the world.
May 18, 2025
Margot McGovern’s This Stays Between Us is a true feminist homage to 90s horror, featuring not one but four powerful final girls.
Four girls share a cabin on their school camp, set in an abandoned town where Smiling Jack is said to haunt isolated campers. Shelley is new but has a haunted past. Mack made things awkward by kissing her best friend. Priya’s ready to take the next step with her boyfriend. And Raffi convinces them all to hold a séance. But when you call on the darkness, sometimes the darkness replies . . .
I may be just slightly biased because this book is set in my home state (Let’s go South Aussies!), but I have to say this one became an instant favourite. An isolated school camp, female friendships, sapphic romance, kiss-ass girls who fight back: what more could possibly go into a perfect slasher?
The girls were individually so well written that they were easy to fall for. The threat to their lives became more intense as you delved into their pasts and secrets, ultimately making the story addictive with the need to know who will survive. The opening pages, starting with the all too familiar and relatable fear of every girl on the planet, was perfect for opening the discussion of how women’s stories and bodies are treated in the horror genre.
The Australian landscape was also a flawless location for a terrifying chase. There is literally nowhere to hide. It’s just dirt and knee-high foliage. McGovern’s depiction of the bushlands was frightening yet somehow nostalgic all at once. I could feel the dirt coating my shoes, the sunburn already setting on my shoulders. The only negative thing I could say is that it needed more. I wanted to know more about Shelley, more about the haunting of Smiling Jack. I feel like his conclusion came too quickly.
The last sentence was a pure work of art. One of those sentences that makes you hold the book to your chest and smile when you finish reading it.
I’d recommend this to every girl with a beating heart; this book could be enough to make it stop for good.
Four girls share a cabin on their school camp, set in an abandoned town where Smiling Jack is said to haunt isolated campers. Shelley is new but has a haunted past. Mack made things awkward by kissing her best friend. Priya’s ready to take the next step with her boyfriend. And Raffi convinces them all to hold a séance. But when you call on the darkness, sometimes the darkness replies . . .
I may be just slightly biased because this book is set in my home state (Let’s go South Aussies!), but I have to say this one became an instant favourite. An isolated school camp, female friendships, sapphic romance, kiss-ass girls who fight back: what more could possibly go into a perfect slasher?
The girls were individually so well written that they were easy to fall for. The threat to their lives became more intense as you delved into their pasts and secrets, ultimately making the story addictive with the need to know who will survive. The opening pages, starting with the all too familiar and relatable fear of every girl on the planet, was perfect for opening the discussion of how women’s stories and bodies are treated in the horror genre.
The Australian landscape was also a flawless location for a terrifying chase. There is literally nowhere to hide. It’s just dirt and knee-high foliage. McGovern’s depiction of the bushlands was frightening yet somehow nostalgic all at once. I could feel the dirt coating my shoes, the sunburn already setting on my shoulders. The only negative thing I could say is that it needed more. I wanted to know more about Shelley, more about the haunting of Smiling Jack. I feel like his conclusion came too quickly.
The last sentence was a pure work of art. One of those sentences that makes you hold the book to your chest and smile when you finish reading it.
I’d recommend this to every girl with a beating heart; this book could be enough to make it stop for good.
Want to read
September 5, 2023‘Neverland’ is one of my fav #loveozya releases of ALL TIME, so I am absolutely ecstatic that McGovern is releasing more YA fiction. Will be counting down the days!
April 14, 2025
The writing had a middle grade feel but some of the content was older teen.
March 3, 2025
Hello, yes - it is my ritual as literary agent (and once I get a moment to catch my breath amidst the whirlwind of book releases) to celebrate the authors I represent, and their books that I played a *teeny tiny* role in bringing to the world.
Margot McGovern is one of the very first authors I ever signed to the agency in ... 2017? And I've been one of her biggest fans, ever since. Her debut YA novel Neverland came out in 2018, and in-between then and now and her second novel Margot has; grown her family, contributed short-stories to anthologies, led countless workshops and teen writing groups, and - most interestingly - she went away for 7-years and really honed in on the Horror genre being her passion.
I fully endorsed this immersion because; 1.) Margot is one of the most talented genre writers I've ever met and I trust her creatively, implicitly and, 2.) Horror is also one of my favourite genres!
What Margot went away and cooked up is - in my opinion - one of the BEST young adult horror novels I've ever read and could be part of the explosion of the genre across the board that I've been seeing coming for a while now (and that tends to happen when the world gets this scary, we turn to the "comfort" of the hypothetical to reason out and test our mettle.)
The trick with Horror YA though, is you can't pull too many punches. Kids who want this genre (and there's SO MANY who do!) want to be scared. They want to be on the right-side of terrified. Like in YA crime & mystery; you can't really give kids seeking out that genre a novel that refuses to kill people or begin without a terrible crime. It's one of the rules & conventions of the *genre* - so, yes, This Stays Between Us is scary. But it's nothing that teens can't handle, and it's horror with metaphor (from the opening scene, you'll understand the terrors of girlhood and the unique placement of female bodies within the horror space which will open up big conversations about how we treat women's stories and women's bodies - GAH, it's so good and layered!)
Margot has written a YA horror that is smartly terrifying, and appropriately scary but more importantly; it's thought-provoking, filled with analogy and metaphor and when you come down from the adrenaline-rush read you'll want to go back and admire how she manages to thread that needle of commercial thriller, with a point and meaningful messaging that teens will definitely delight in sinking their teeth into.
Margot McGovern is one of the very first authors I ever signed to the agency in ... 2017? And I've been one of her biggest fans, ever since. Her debut YA novel Neverland came out in 2018, and in-between then and now and her second novel Margot has; grown her family, contributed short-stories to anthologies, led countless workshops and teen writing groups, and - most interestingly - she went away for 7-years and really honed in on the Horror genre being her passion.
I fully endorsed this immersion because; 1.) Margot is one of the most talented genre writers I've ever met and I trust her creatively, implicitly and, 2.) Horror is also one of my favourite genres!
What Margot went away and cooked up is - in my opinion - one of the BEST young adult horror novels I've ever read and could be part of the explosion of the genre across the board that I've been seeing coming for a while now (and that tends to happen when the world gets this scary, we turn to the "comfort" of the hypothetical to reason out and test our mettle.)
The trick with Horror YA though, is you can't pull too many punches. Kids who want this genre (and there's SO MANY who do!) want to be scared. They want to be on the right-side of terrified. Like in YA crime & mystery; you can't really give kids seeking out that genre a novel that refuses to kill people or begin without a terrible crime. It's one of the rules & conventions of the *genre* - so, yes, This Stays Between Us is scary. But it's nothing that teens can't handle, and it's horror with metaphor (from the opening scene, you'll understand the terrors of girlhood and the unique placement of female bodies within the horror space which will open up big conversations about how we treat women's stories and women's bodies - GAH, it's so good and layered!)
Margot has written a YA horror that is smartly terrifying, and appropriately scary but more importantly; it's thought-provoking, filled with analogy and metaphor and when you come down from the adrenaline-rush read you'll want to go back and admire how she manages to thread that needle of commercial thriller, with a point and meaningful messaging that teens will definitely delight in sinking their teeth into.
November 16, 2025
This was a feminist horror novel.
Girl power. But how important female friendships are, and the power females have when it comes to danger and protecting themselves and their friends.
Men are the monsters that women must protect themselves from, it shouldn’t be necessary but it is.
I liked all the characters. Raffi was the horror fan. She knew the rules that slasher films follow. Mack was the caring sidekick. Priya I didn’t like, I understood her character, but she was annoying and selfish. I wanted more of Shelley.
I didn’t like the fact that supernatural powers were just randomly thrown in, but I understood the message behind them and that I liked. Shelley wasn’t a monster but when faced with danger by men she attacked. It shouldn’t be necessary for her to become a monster to survive but that’s the unfortunate reality.
Yes, there are content warnings at the start but it did not mention sexual assault at all. That needed to be listed as a major trigger.
This was more than just a horror novel. But there were some scary scenes, ones that gave me the heebie-jeebies, there were scenes that grossed me out.
This was a novel of friendships and what women especially do to protect those friends.
I loved the fact that it was set in South Australia and was based on a real town with an abandoned mine town that was turned into a camping ground. After hearing Margot talk about the book and how it was a real camp her school sent her on and her experiences at the place, made me love it so much more.
Also why the hell is a school putting teenagers into an old mining town for camp?
I did love the horror slash vibes in an isolated old bush town. I could just picture myself in the dark bush with the girls.
The description of the town was just perfect and it gave that town its own voice and atmosphere which was creepy and just added to the story.
Powerful themes of the strengths of women when faced with trauma and danger.
Also a big theme on how women are treated when they speak out. Shelley was bullied when she spoke out about her SA. Girls from previous years who had stayed at the camps were shut down when they talked about their experiences with Smiling Jack.
4
Girl power. But how important female friendships are, and the power females have when it comes to danger and protecting themselves and their friends.
Men are the monsters that women must protect themselves from, it shouldn’t be necessary but it is.
I liked all the characters. Raffi was the horror fan. She knew the rules that slasher films follow. Mack was the caring sidekick. Priya I didn’t like, I understood her character, but she was annoying and selfish. I wanted more of Shelley.
I didn’t like the fact that supernatural powers were just randomly thrown in, but I understood the message behind them and that I liked. Shelley wasn’t a monster but when faced with danger by men she attacked. It shouldn’t be necessary for her to become a monster to survive but that’s the unfortunate reality.
Yes, there are content warnings at the start but it did not mention sexual assault at all. That needed to be listed as a major trigger.
This was more than just a horror novel. But there were some scary scenes, ones that gave me the heebie-jeebies, there were scenes that grossed me out.
This was a novel of friendships and what women especially do to protect those friends.
I loved the fact that it was set in South Australia and was based on a real town with an abandoned mine town that was turned into a camping ground. After hearing Margot talk about the book and how it was a real camp her school sent her on and her experiences at the place, made me love it so much more.
Also why the hell is a school putting teenagers into an old mining town for camp?
I did love the horror slash vibes in an isolated old bush town. I could just picture myself in the dark bush with the girls.
The description of the town was just perfect and it gave that town its own voice and atmosphere which was creepy and just added to the story.
Powerful themes of the strengths of women when faced with trauma and danger.
Also a big theme on how women are treated when they speak out. Shelley was bullied when she spoke out about her SA. Girls from previous years who had stayed at the camps were shut down when they talked about their experiences with Smiling Jack.
4
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2025
Four teenage girls on a school camp in the middle of the woods with limited adult supervision and a ghostly tale of a guy called, Smiling Jack, who is known to haunt the campsite. Creepy or what?!
I avoid horror movies at the best of times, and I don’t mind admitting that this story freaked me out! I was tense for most of the read and as much as I tried to work out the outcome, I could not. Instead, I only read the book during day-time hours and tried not to let it keep me awake at night with every creak of my bouse.
McGovern has created four female teenage characters that are completely intriguing, all for different reasons. Mack, Priya and Raffi are all friends and have been for years, along with the new girl Shelley, Each have their own secrets, and each have their own reasons for keeping those secrets. As the three friends try to befriend the new girl, someone … or something … begins to haunt and torment the girls. Is it the ghost of Smiling Jack returned to terrorise them? Or worse. Is it somebody they know? Readers will be kept wondering and remain completely tense until the dramatic conclusion.
Whilst this book is ultimately one designed to scare and entertain, it also addresses the uncomfortable and concerning subject of sexual consent. It does so in a way that sadly, is very possible for any young person to find themselves in such a situation. It also addresses the subject of sexuality and the prejudices that can come into effect for anyone trying to understand their own sexuality. Both important topics where opportunities for further discussion have been created from the storylines within this book.
This Stays Between Us is creepy, entertaining and oh so very scary for a lone reader on a dark and spooky night. It is suitable for a 14+ readership.
I avoid horror movies at the best of times, and I don’t mind admitting that this story freaked me out! I was tense for most of the read and as much as I tried to work out the outcome, I could not. Instead, I only read the book during day-time hours and tried not to let it keep me awake at night with every creak of my bouse.
McGovern has created four female teenage characters that are completely intriguing, all for different reasons. Mack, Priya and Raffi are all friends and have been for years, along with the new girl Shelley, Each have their own secrets, and each have their own reasons for keeping those secrets. As the three friends try to befriend the new girl, someone … or something … begins to haunt and torment the girls. Is it the ghost of Smiling Jack returned to terrorise them? Or worse. Is it somebody they know? Readers will be kept wondering and remain completely tense until the dramatic conclusion.
Whilst this book is ultimately one designed to scare and entertain, it also addresses the uncomfortable and concerning subject of sexual consent. It does so in a way that sadly, is very possible for any young person to find themselves in such a situation. It also addresses the subject of sexuality and the prejudices that can come into effect for anyone trying to understand their own sexuality. Both important topics where opportunities for further discussion have been created from the storylines within this book.
This Stays Between Us is creepy, entertaining and oh so very scary for a lone reader on a dark and spooky night. It is suitable for a 14+ readership.
August 6, 2025
This was a great example of YA horror - doesn't get too caught up on the gore factor but focuses more on building tension. I can see why this book is described as an homage to horror - we've got the school camp setting (no parents, Camp Crystal Lake vibes), a teen party scene (Scream and many other horror films), questionable friends / boyfriends, plus some seance / ghost references. For someone who rewatches horror movies for the nostalgia, this was a great combination.
Our girls have got so much going on - Mack and Raffi and their will they, won't they post kiss awkwardness, Shelley the new girl (Carrie, anyone?), Priya wanting to take things to the next level with her boyfriend (teen movie feels) but there is a depth to it all as well, family worries, boy / girl troubles, a healthy dose of angst.
The killer, Smiling Jack, is stalking the girls and there are various reference to some of my favourite horror movies throughout, which I loved. Of course no one notices or believes what's happening to them and they're forced to try and deal with the situation on their own.
After a slow start for me (having other books on the go), I read the second half in a single day and stayed up past my bedtime to finish it, I devoured it! This book blends slasher horror with teen girl angst and some heavier themes to make a great read. I really enjoyed it and would definitely read this author again.
Our girls have got so much going on - Mack and Raffi and their will they, won't they post kiss awkwardness, Shelley the new girl (Carrie, anyone?), Priya wanting to take things to the next level with her boyfriend (teen movie feels) but there is a depth to it all as well, family worries, boy / girl troubles, a healthy dose of angst.
The killer, Smiling Jack, is stalking the girls and there are various reference to some of my favourite horror movies throughout, which I loved. Of course no one notices or believes what's happening to them and they're forced to try and deal with the situation on their own.
After a slow start for me (having other books on the go), I read the second half in a single day and stayed up past my bedtime to finish it, I devoured it! This book blends slasher horror with teen girl angst and some heavier themes to make a great read. I really enjoyed it and would definitely read this author again.
March 3, 2025
Get ready for a wild, spine chilling ride with This Stays Between Us! It’s a thrilling mix of Scream and The Craft, packed with suspense that’ll keep you up at night. Margot McGovern brings 90’s horror back with a fresh twist, making this a must read for anyone craving a good scare.
Four girls, Priya, Raffi, Mack, and Shelley are at a Year 11 retreat in a remote cabin. Priya’s planning a little secret rendezvous with her boyfriend at the boys’ cabin, Mack and Raffi are awkward after a kiss, and Shelley, the new girl is unwell and acting weird. Oh, and there’s a ghost, Smiling Jack, who’s legendary around these parts. Every school camp has one. Raffi, ever the drama queen, decides to summon him with a séance.
What starts as a prank quickly turns into a fight for survival as the girls face creepy supernatural forces and the dark secrets they’ve been hiding from each other. Is it the ghost wreaking havoc, or something even darker at play?
Set in a haunting Australian town, This Stays Between Us perfectly mixes teen drama with terrifying twists and turns. If you’re into suspenseful thrillers that leave you guessing, this one’s for you!
Big thanks to Better Reading and Penguin Books for the advance reader copy!
Four girls, Priya, Raffi, Mack, and Shelley are at a Year 11 retreat in a remote cabin. Priya’s planning a little secret rendezvous with her boyfriend at the boys’ cabin, Mack and Raffi are awkward after a kiss, and Shelley, the new girl is unwell and acting weird. Oh, and there’s a ghost, Smiling Jack, who’s legendary around these parts. Every school camp has one. Raffi, ever the drama queen, decides to summon him with a séance.
What starts as a prank quickly turns into a fight for survival as the girls face creepy supernatural forces and the dark secrets they’ve been hiding from each other. Is it the ghost wreaking havoc, or something even darker at play?
Set in a haunting Australian town, This Stays Between Us perfectly mixes teen drama with terrifying twists and turns. If you’re into suspenseful thrillers that leave you guessing, this one’s for you!
Big thanks to Better Reading and Penguin Books for the advance reader copy!
February 16, 2025
This book had a constant haunting mood and atmosphere that made reading it at night-time quite a hair-raising experience, but I absolutely loved it. Each of the characters and their different stories immediately pull you into the narrative and make you want to just keep reading. When I read the synopsis of this book I thought it would simply be a mystery, but it had a much darker tone than I was expecting, and some parts genuinely terrified me. Although I felt that some chapters were a little drawn out and could have been shortened, the author definitely has a way of building a tense and chilling atmosphere that immerses you in the story.
But something that made this book stand out from other YA thrillers is how it used a traditional horror story to explore very much real themes such as sexual abuse, and use the story to empower young girls to be strong and resilient, which I thought was very powerful.
Overall, this book is a chilling page-turner that will keep you up at night but also make you aware of very important issues.
Thank you to Better Reading Australia and Penguin Books for the copy of this book!
But something that made this book stand out from other YA thrillers is how it used a traditional horror story to explore very much real themes such as sexual abuse, and use the story to empower young girls to be strong and resilient, which I thought was very powerful.
Overall, this book is a chilling page-turner that will keep you up at night but also make you aware of very important issues.
Thank you to Better Reading Australia and Penguin Books for the copy of this book!
December 12, 2025
Just like you stepped out of a classic horror flick ! 'This Stays Between Us serves up all those 'Don't Do It ! moments that all our favourite horror movies serve up.
A school retreat, 4 girls, a cabin in the middle of an abandoned town and a ghost know as Smiling Jack, haunting campers - what could go wrong !!!
Shelley - the new girls with a dark past, Mack - turning things upside down by kissing her best friend, Priya - in love with her seemingly perfect boyfriend and ready to take it to the next level and Raffi - the creative and dramatic one, who convinces the others to hold a seance in the creepy backdrop of Baynton, an abandoned mining town in the middle of a national park.
Follow the story told from the perspective of each of the girls and see through their eyes - fear, betrayal, love and friendship.
But even if it is meant to be a bit of fun - when you call out to the darkness, sometimes it answers back 😱😱😱
Easy read - for lovers of the classic 90's horror flick and those who love their heart racing just that little faster...
A school retreat, 4 girls, a cabin in the middle of an abandoned town and a ghost know as Smiling Jack, haunting campers - what could go wrong !!!
Shelley - the new girls with a dark past, Mack - turning things upside down by kissing her best friend, Priya - in love with her seemingly perfect boyfriend and ready to take it to the next level and Raffi - the creative and dramatic one, who convinces the others to hold a seance in the creepy backdrop of Baynton, an abandoned mining town in the middle of a national park.
Follow the story told from the perspective of each of the girls and see through their eyes - fear, betrayal, love and friendship.
But even if it is meant to be a bit of fun - when you call out to the darkness, sometimes it answers back 😱😱😱
Easy read - for lovers of the classic 90's horror flick and those who love their heart racing just that little faster...
July 22, 2025
This Stays Between Us is probably the creepiest horror I’ve read in a while—and it’s YA! I was hooked from the start.
I absolutely loved the eerie Australian ghost town setting. Having visited similar places while traveling, it felt especially real and immersive. The tension and apprehension were palpable—I could feel what the characters were feeling and clearly picture every chilling moment.
What really added to the experience was the September 2000 setting. The high school days nostalgia with all the music, movie, and pop culture references—it felt like being transported back in time. The 90s era horror movie vibes were the cherry on top, making the whole story feel like a lost teen slasher film in book form.
Atmospheric and unsettling - this one really left a mark.
I absolutely loved the eerie Australian ghost town setting. Having visited similar places while traveling, it felt especially real and immersive. The tension and apprehension were palpable—I could feel what the characters were feeling and clearly picture every chilling moment.
What really added to the experience was the September 2000 setting. The high school days nostalgia with all the music, movie, and pop culture references—it felt like being transported back in time. The 90s era horror movie vibes were the cherry on top, making the whole story feel like a lost teen slasher film in book form.
Atmospheric and unsettling - this one really left a mark.
April 4, 2025
I love a book with Aussie references, especially to ones from when I was growing up! This book was funny, relatable, cringey and so loveable. Something that really stuck out for me was Margot’s writing style!! The spooky atmosphere was perfectly described, even giving me goosebumps at times!
I went on lots of school camps growing up and remember staying at a very haunted Quarantine station that also house the first crematorium in the southern hemisphere. This book had me getting flashbacks to this camp and ahhhhhh I felt so creeped out🤣
Thank you to Penguin Teen Aus for sending me a physical copy to read and review!
I went on lots of school camps growing up and remember staying at a very haunted Quarantine station that also house the first crematorium in the southern hemisphere. This book had me getting flashbacks to this camp and ahhhhhh I felt so creeped out🤣
Thank you to Penguin Teen Aus for sending me a physical copy to read and review!
April 16, 2025
DO NOT READ THIS BOOK AT NIGHT!!!
This book is totally terrifying and made me scared to sleep. I kid you not I was so paranoid while reading this that when there was a noise outside or in my room I literally jumped. Definitely recommend if you like horror. It scared me a bit too much and was pretty much my first horror book. I loved the characters and how they were already facing their personal monsters along with the real one. Having it set in 2000 felt unnecessary since it didn’t really effect the plot other than them using walkmens and the acceptance of gays, but was a nice touch.3/5 stars. Great book just too scary for me!
This book is totally terrifying and made me scared to sleep. I kid you not I was so paranoid while reading this that when there was a noise outside or in my room I literally jumped. Definitely recommend if you like horror. It scared me a bit too much and was pretty much my first horror book. I loved the characters and how they were already facing their personal monsters along with the real one. Having it set in 2000 felt unnecessary since it didn’t really effect the plot other than them using walkmens and the acceptance of gays, but was a nice touch.3/5 stars. Great book just too scary for me!
April 29, 2025
Ok. So, I came into this thinking ummmmm.... might not be appropriate for me.... I was kinda right. BUT OH MY GOSHH. Ok, this was done amazingly, the creepy parts about someone being in the bed with them, in the shower, (this guys a perv) was awesome. She made him phsycotic and i was totally here for it. The reason i didnt give it 5 stars was because of a couple things. There was some sexual abuse and r@pe that kinda just trauma dumped, and didnt rlly add to the plotline, also the unexplained mystery of how that girl could just like, rip ppl to shreds and not know. I still rlly liked this book, but there was some loose ends that needed to me tied up.
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