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Secrets Don't Stay Buried
How far would you go to keep a secret?
Lennon Larkin wants a run-of-the-mill college experience, but that’s not what she’s in for. Set to start her freshman year at a local university for deaf and hard of hearing students, Lennon’s chances at normal are yanked out from under her after a prank on her nemesis goes wrong. As the skeleton in her closet is picked apart bone by bone, someone inches closer to a long-buried the private photos of her that were shared without her consent. When her roommate is killed in the crossfire, Lennon and her friends hatch a plan to unmask the killer's identity—but could someone close to her be behind the plot against her? Maybe it’s the boy she’s held a grudge against since her sophomore year of high school, or one of her new allies. Worst of all, it might be the girl across the hall that Lennon’s falling for.
Lennon Larkin wants a run-of-the-mill college experience, but that’s not what she’s in for. Set to start her freshman year at a local university for deaf and hard of hearing students, Lennon’s chances at normal are yanked out from under her after a prank on her nemesis goes wrong. As the skeleton in her closet is picked apart bone by bone, someone inches closer to a long-buried the private photos of her that were shared without her consent. When her roommate is killed in the crossfire, Lennon and her friends hatch a plan to unmask the killer's identity—but could someone close to her be behind the plot against her? Maybe it’s the boy she’s held a grudge against since her sophomore year of high school, or one of her new allies. Worst of all, it might be the girl across the hall that Lennon’s falling for.
- GenresDisability
473 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 5, 2025
8 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
April 5, 2025
In Secrets Don’t Stay Buried, college freshman Lennon Larkin is subjected to unnerving text messages following a prank against her former tormentor. Stalking escalates to murder and Lennon and her friends attempt to unmask the culprit amidst several suspects.
Secrets Don’t Stay Buried is a YA mystery/throller that also tackles a difficult topic in a sensitive fashion. Lennon is a nuanced character who struggles with her past and decisions that she made, while attempting to forge ahead academically, socially and romantically despite her misgivings.
Secrets Don’t Stay Buried is one of the first novels that I’ve read where most of the characters are deaf or hard of hearing and I really appreciated reading about some of the nuances of ASL and the experiences of Lennon and her friends as they navigated their daily lives at school and with their families.
The pacing of the novel is fairly quick, though the jumps in time were slightly confusing. Some of the successful shenanigans the students engaged in came across as slightly unrealistic, but given how the novel is slightly remniscent of a televised mystery, I was willing to suspend my belief.
The motivations of the antagonist were also understandable, though not justifiable and the reveal in the conclusion left me curious.
Thank you to J. D. Mills for providing access to this ebook. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
Secrets Don’t Stay Buried is a YA mystery/throller that also tackles a difficult topic in a sensitive fashion. Lennon is a nuanced character who struggles with her past and decisions that she made, while attempting to forge ahead academically, socially and romantically despite her misgivings.
Secrets Don’t Stay Buried is one of the first novels that I’ve read where most of the characters are deaf or hard of hearing and I really appreciated reading about some of the nuances of ASL and the experiences of Lennon and her friends as they navigated their daily lives at school and with their families.
The pacing of the novel is fairly quick, though the jumps in time were slightly confusing. Some of the successful shenanigans the students engaged in came across as slightly unrealistic, but given how the novel is slightly remniscent of a televised mystery, I was willing to suspend my belief.
The motivations of the antagonist were also understandable, though not justifiable and the reveal in the conclusion left me curious.
Thank you to J. D. Mills for providing access to this ebook. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
October 22, 2024
It was so interesting to read a story about the deaf community that gave the same energy as Pretty Little Liars. I loved the representation and the story was entertaining and gripped me from start to finish.
I was on my toes trying to determine who was the villain and I loved the conclusion.
This is just the type of fast paced, well represented book I’ve been waiting to see in the YA space
I was on my toes trying to determine who was the villain and I loved the conclusion.
This is just the type of fast paced, well represented book I’ve been waiting to see in the YA space
March 19, 2025
"Every page is full of queer love, feminist rage, and glimpses into the lives of college students who view their deafness as an integral part of them, while not being all of who they are."
Lennon wants to experience college as any university student, of hearing or not. Finding her roommate dead was not on her Bingo card.
Throughout the book you have Lennon who is being stalked by someone who has it out for her, because of the secret she holds dear. Being new in college is hard enough, but add in this added element and it makes it even harder. Lennon and her friends all bond together and search for her roommates killer, could it be the unknown number that keeps texting and posting photos all over the dorms or is it her ex? Was her roommate killed because of a mistaken identity or was it wrong place wrong time!?
All in all it was a great YA murder mystery with deaf, queer and feminist students. It was a great change of pace to what I normally read
Lennon wants to experience college as any university student, of hearing or not. Finding her roommate dead was not on her Bingo card.
Throughout the book you have Lennon who is being stalked by someone who has it out for her, because of the secret she holds dear. Being new in college is hard enough, but add in this added element and it makes it even harder. Lennon and her friends all bond together and search for her roommates killer, could it be the unknown number that keeps texting and posting photos all over the dorms or is it her ex? Was her roommate killed because of a mistaken identity or was it wrong place wrong time!?
All in all it was a great YA murder mystery with deaf, queer and feminist students. It was a great change of pace to what I normally read
November 2, 2024
I received an ARC for this book.
It was a great reading, especially as this was a debut for this author. I really enjoyed the hard of hearing aspect. My mum is deaf and this was highly relatable.
I believe this this highlighted a lot of issues teenagers/ young adults have today and looked back at when I was younger and the same problems did occur.
I enjoyed the suspense that the book had, and it was a slow burn. I enjoyed trying to figure it out as the book went on, I had guessed correctly for a change, but I never would have guessed the double cross at the end.
I look forward to seeing what this author writes next.
It was a great reading, especially as this was a debut for this author. I really enjoyed the hard of hearing aspect. My mum is deaf and this was highly relatable.
I believe this this highlighted a lot of issues teenagers/ young adults have today and looked back at when I was younger and the same problems did occur.
I enjoyed the suspense that the book had, and it was a slow burn. I enjoyed trying to figure it out as the book went on, I had guessed correctly for a change, but I never would have guessed the double cross at the end.
I look forward to seeing what this author writes next.
March 1, 2025
Thank you to JD Mills for the review copy!
Representation: Deaf and Queer MC, multiple deaf and queer ensemble
Lennon is looking forward to having the typical boring college experience at a local university for Deaf and hard of hearing students, but that immediately goes sideways. Someone is digging for the skeleton in her closet, and every day, they’re getting closer to her biggest secret that she thought she left behind in high school. Lennon doesn’t know who she can trust, especially after her roommate dies. The pressure closes in on her, and she has to work fast before it’s too late.
Rating: 4/5 When I started reading, I was immediately hooked. I enjoyed the time jump right at the beginning, we start in the present when her roommate’s died, then jump back to before everything started. The second time jump back to the present was a little unclear, but that was pretty minor in my opinion. As a Deaf queer person, I really appreciated the range of representation in this, including the various ways deaf people choose to communicate and live their lives. I personally will never be satisfied with how ASL is presented in written English, but that’s just a language modality thing, and I enjoyed all the dialogue in this. I would certainly love to see this as a movie or a limited series! If you’re someone who really enjoys thrillers or mysteries, the plot may be a little predictable, and you might be able to guess whodunit. However, that didn’t take away from my enjoyment at all. It was written well, in a way that kept my attention. I enjoyed all the character dynamics and how they played off each other, flaws and all. The romance in this was there, but it’s definitely more of a slow-burn and not a major part of the book. The focus is almost entirely on the secrets, murder, etc. I do see some areas where non-deaf/non-signers might get lost due to cultural and language differences, but I like that little challenge for other readers. Deaf people are constantly adjusting to and accommodating the mainstream, you can adapt to our community for once. I would recommend this book to people who want to learn a little about Deaf culture, and enjoy thrillers. I look forward to more work from JD Mills!
Representation: Deaf and Queer MC, multiple deaf and queer ensemble
Lennon is looking forward to having the typical boring college experience at a local university for Deaf and hard of hearing students, but that immediately goes sideways. Someone is digging for the skeleton in her closet, and every day, they’re getting closer to her biggest secret that she thought she left behind in high school. Lennon doesn’t know who she can trust, especially after her roommate dies. The pressure closes in on her, and she has to work fast before it’s too late.
Rating: 4/5 When I started reading, I was immediately hooked. I enjoyed the time jump right at the beginning, we start in the present when her roommate’s died, then jump back to before everything started. The second time jump back to the present was a little unclear, but that was pretty minor in my opinion. As a Deaf queer person, I really appreciated the range of representation in this, including the various ways deaf people choose to communicate and live their lives. I personally will never be satisfied with how ASL is presented in written English, but that’s just a language modality thing, and I enjoyed all the dialogue in this. I would certainly love to see this as a movie or a limited series! If you’re someone who really enjoys thrillers or mysteries, the plot may be a little predictable, and you might be able to guess whodunit. However, that didn’t take away from my enjoyment at all. It was written well, in a way that kept my attention. I enjoyed all the character dynamics and how they played off each other, flaws and all. The romance in this was there, but it’s definitely more of a slow-burn and not a major part of the book. The focus is almost entirely on the secrets, murder, etc. I do see some areas where non-deaf/non-signers might get lost due to cultural and language differences, but I like that little challenge for other readers. Deaf people are constantly adjusting to and accommodating the mainstream, you can adapt to our community for once. I would recommend this book to people who want to learn a little about Deaf culture, and enjoy thrillers. I look forward to more work from JD Mills!
November 8, 2024
I received an ARC of this in return for an honest review.
The first thing I want to touch upon is Lennon our protagonist is deaf, which I found a nice touch and a point of view I was excited to explore, imagining the uniqueness of this and the added difficulty it would bring to the writing, The author did a good job early on before seemingly abandoning it, there are large portions of the book where it seems to be simply forgotten. Lennon (and everyone she encouters) just seems to communicate without her disability ever being an issue or even addressed. It would have been nice to even get one scene where she doesn't know what's going on or feels vulnerable because of her disability. I also felt the book plodded along and just wasn't very engaging. Then we get to our final set piece and I don't know what happened but at the end of page 271 and the start of page 272 it feels like we're missing a section of the story, It's extremely disjointed and confusing but by then I was checked out anyway.
The first thing I want to touch upon is Lennon our protagonist is deaf, which I found a nice touch and a point of view I was excited to explore, imagining the uniqueness of this and the added difficulty it would bring to the writing, The author did a good job early on before seemingly abandoning it, there are large portions of the book where it seems to be simply forgotten. Lennon (and everyone she encouters) just seems to communicate without her disability ever being an issue or even addressed. It would have been nice to even get one scene where she doesn't know what's going on or feels vulnerable because of her disability. I also felt the book plodded along and just wasn't very engaging. Then we get to our final set piece and I don't know what happened but at the end of page 271 and the start of page 272 it feels like we're missing a section of the story, It's extremely disjointed and confusing but by then I was checked out anyway.
February 5, 2025
ARC REVIEW
I was fortunately given an ARC a while ago to review this book and I only got around to reading it now. Completely my fault.
This book is a young adult whodunit mystery thriller following Lennon and the creepy texts she's getting while she tries to make a fresh start at university.
I love that most of this book's characters are all hard of hearing. This gives the book more depth and makes it unique from other whodunit novels out there. Lennon's frustration with often not being accommodated by her family is quite heartbreaking and I felt that to my soul.
I also love the writing and how everything just flows. It makes for quite an easy read. But maybe a little too easy sometimes.
I find the pacing to be too fast to properly feel the suspense. The events of the book never really sunk in in a satisfying way for me. And unfortunately, I immediately knew who the culprits were early on. So the constant shifting of suspects just makes me want to rip my hair out sometimes.
I think if I were in my teens, I would've been all over this book, alas, the YA genre doesn't always vibe for me. Also, I find it infuriating that Lennon and the crew think that they could play detective better than the police.
Speaking of the crew, I like them enough. But I wanted to see more of their personalities aside from being Lennon's friend.
My favorite scene of the book was the big reveal. Despite already knowing who they were, the villain confrontation scene was very gripping and entertaining. I couldn't put the book down for a second!
I was overall immersed in the story and the world JD Mills created. Though I found the suspense lacking and wish the author let the story breathe between scenes, this was a good read overall.
I was fortunately given an ARC a while ago to review this book and I only got around to reading it now. Completely my fault.
This book is a young adult whodunit mystery thriller following Lennon and the creepy texts she's getting while she tries to make a fresh start at university.
I love that most of this book's characters are all hard of hearing. This gives the book more depth and makes it unique from other whodunit novels out there. Lennon's frustration with often not being accommodated by her family is quite heartbreaking and I felt that to my soul.
I also love the writing and how everything just flows. It makes for quite an easy read. But maybe a little too easy sometimes.
I find the pacing to be too fast to properly feel the suspense. The events of the book never really sunk in in a satisfying way for me. And unfortunately, I immediately knew who the culprits were early on. So the constant shifting of suspects just makes me want to rip my hair out sometimes.
I think if I were in my teens, I would've been all over this book, alas, the YA genre doesn't always vibe for me. Also, I find it infuriating that Lennon and the crew think that they could play detective better than the police.
Speaking of the crew, I like them enough. But I wanted to see more of their personalities aside from being Lennon's friend.
My favorite scene of the book was the big reveal. Despite already knowing who they were, the villain confrontation scene was very gripping and entertaining. I couldn't put the book down for a second!
I was overall immersed in the story and the world JD Mills created. Though I found the suspense lacking and wish the author let the story breathe between scenes, this was a good read overall.
December 4, 2024
Here’s a secret I can’t keep buried: I’m ready for the sequel!
I received a copy of this in return for an honest review. First, I have to say that this is the authors debut novel, for a first novel this really blew me away and I’m so grateful to have been chosen!
I was really intrigued by the idea of the main character being Deaf and the use of ASL. Diverse stories are my favourite, and I love attempting to experience other peoples lives through stories. JD Mills did exactly this for me! For people who don’t know ASL, I think it would have been fun to include a few interactive images inside so people could learn to sign along with journey of the story. Sometimes having that visual really reminds the reader to appreciate the author in every way.
I enjoyed the smooth, fast pace the story flowed. I did feel that some parts were either rushed or in the wrong sequence of events, but to me that’s all preference and not anything to do with the authors ability to write a good story.
If you’re looking for a fresh, new but nostalgic read, then pick this up. I felt transported into a new era of Pretty Little Liars, if Jenna was Deaf not blind and she had her own little clique this would be it.
Thank you again, I’ll be waiting for more 👀
I received a copy of this in return for an honest review. First, I have to say that this is the authors debut novel, for a first novel this really blew me away and I’m so grateful to have been chosen!
I was really intrigued by the idea of the main character being Deaf and the use of ASL. Diverse stories are my favourite, and I love attempting to experience other peoples lives through stories. JD Mills did exactly this for me! For people who don’t know ASL, I think it would have been fun to include a few interactive images inside so people could learn to sign along with journey of the story. Sometimes having that visual really reminds the reader to appreciate the author in every way.
I enjoyed the smooth, fast pace the story flowed. I did feel that some parts were either rushed or in the wrong sequence of events, but to me that’s all preference and not anything to do with the authors ability to write a good story.
If you’re looking for a fresh, new but nostalgic read, then pick this up. I felt transported into a new era of Pretty Little Liars, if Jenna was Deaf not blind and she had her own little clique this would be it.
Thank you again, I’ll be waiting for more 👀
December 9, 2024
✨ARC review!✨
I received Secrets Don’t Stay Buried by J.D. Mills in exchange for an honest review. Here are my thoughts 💭
First I want to mention, beyond the gripping twists and turns, what truly sets this book apart is its thoughtful inclusion of diverse characters and its authentic portrayal of American Sign Language (ASL). The representation feels genuine and adds a layer to the story, displaying the challenges and beauty of communication in a way for people to learn more about Deaf culture and sign language. I really enjoyed the snippets of Deaf culture woven into the story, including ASL idioms (train gone sorry) and vocabulary like SODA (sibling of a deaf adult). I use ASL in my daily routine at work as I work at a school somewhat similar to the setting in the story so I really resonated with that aspect.
The mystery itself is well paced and gave me Pretty Little Liars vibes. While I would have loved to see certain subplots explored in more depth, the overall story is entertaining and kept me guessing till the end.
I recommend to anyone who loves a great mystery infused with inclusivity and heart. J.D. Mills does an excellent job weaving together representation and suspense, making this a story that truly stands out. 🖤🤟
I received Secrets Don’t Stay Buried by J.D. Mills in exchange for an honest review. Here are my thoughts 💭
First I want to mention, beyond the gripping twists and turns, what truly sets this book apart is its thoughtful inclusion of diverse characters and its authentic portrayal of American Sign Language (ASL). The representation feels genuine and adds a layer to the story, displaying the challenges and beauty of communication in a way for people to learn more about Deaf culture and sign language. I really enjoyed the snippets of Deaf culture woven into the story, including ASL idioms (train gone sorry) and vocabulary like SODA (sibling of a deaf adult). I use ASL in my daily routine at work as I work at a school somewhat similar to the setting in the story so I really resonated with that aspect.
The mystery itself is well paced and gave me Pretty Little Liars vibes. While I would have loved to see certain subplots explored in more depth, the overall story is entertaining and kept me guessing till the end.
I recommend to anyone who loves a great mystery infused with inclusivity and heart. J.D. Mills does an excellent job weaving together representation and suspense, making this a story that truly stands out. 🖤🤟
March 27, 2025
I received an arc copy of this book.
I struggled to find time to read this ARC so I am late at posting my review, but I did enjoy the story once I started!!
I loved the representation of deaf and hard of hearing individuals in this book. I also loved learning the nuances of ASL and I felt like I was a part of that world throughout the story. The italicized dialogue was there to show that the characters were speaking in ASL and that was all very interesting for me. There was also great representation of BIPOC and LGBTQ individuals as well.
The authors writing was impressive for a debut and everything flowed together beautifully.
I did feel that the middle drug on a little and the dialogue of the group was a little immature at times, but they are college students so that was to be expected.
There were a few time jumps that felt abrupt, but it didn’t take away from the overall experience and enjoyment of the story.
I enjoyed this mystery and loved every character and felt they all brought a different perspective to the friend group.
If you are looking for a good whodunnit, keep your eyes out for Secrets Don’t Stay Buried coming out April 5, 2025.
I struggled to find time to read this ARC so I am late at posting my review, but I did enjoy the story once I started!!
I loved the representation of deaf and hard of hearing individuals in this book. I also loved learning the nuances of ASL and I felt like I was a part of that world throughout the story. The italicized dialogue was there to show that the characters were speaking in ASL and that was all very interesting for me. There was also great representation of BIPOC and LGBTQ individuals as well.
The authors writing was impressive for a debut and everything flowed together beautifully.
I did feel that the middle drug on a little and the dialogue of the group was a little immature at times, but they are college students so that was to be expected.
There were a few time jumps that felt abrupt, but it didn’t take away from the overall experience and enjoyment of the story.
I enjoyed this mystery and loved every character and felt they all brought a different perspective to the friend group.
If you are looking for a good whodunnit, keep your eyes out for Secrets Don’t Stay Buried coming out April 5, 2025.
November 11, 2024
This one is different from my usual reads with it being a YA novel. I think if I was younger I would have probably rated it higher but I just don’t believe I fit the demographic the author is appealing to. It is written well and it’s descriptive, so it really paints a picture while you’re reading. I also think it was really awesome to include the deaf community, it is the first book I’ve read to include them. My only real complaints are the chapters are too long for my liking, I prefer shorter ones. I also think the plot got a little lost towards the end which made it feel a bit rushed. I thought maybe I skipped a page at one point. Overall, it’s a well written debut novel that stumped me all the way to the end.
December 13, 2024
———Secrets Don’t Stay Buried by J. D. Mills———
While this book feels short (only 19 chapters), it was a non-stop thrill that I didn’t want to put down! I loved the inclusivity the author used (LGBT+, BIPOC, and Deaf characters) and I loved that the author made it so easy to distinguish when characters were using American Sign Language vs speaking English. When they were using ASL the conversation was italicized, when they were speaking English the conversation was normal print. Definitely a wonderful read and I cannot recommend it enough!
Thank you for allowing me to get this as an Advanced Reader Copy and congrats on your debut novel!
While this book feels short (only 19 chapters), it was a non-stop thrill that I didn’t want to put down! I loved the inclusivity the author used (LGBT+, BIPOC, and Deaf characters) and I loved that the author made it so easy to distinguish when characters were using American Sign Language vs speaking English. When they were using ASL the conversation was italicized, when they were speaking English the conversation was normal print. Definitely a wonderful read and I cannot recommend it enough!
Thank you for allowing me to get this as an Advanced Reader Copy and congrats on your debut novel!
November 18, 2024
Congrats on your debut J.D. Mills!!
I love seeing strong disability representation in books. It's so huge for readers to have the opportunity to see themselves in stories and be able to relate.
What a fantastic cast of characters and the setting, a university for deaf and hard of hearing students, was one I hadn't had the pleasure of reading before.
I would absolutely recommend!!
Add this to your TBR - Secrets Don't Stay Buried is out April, 2025!
My thanks to the author for this gifted copy!! I'm excited to see what they come up with next.
I love seeing strong disability representation in books. It's so huge for readers to have the opportunity to see themselves in stories and be able to relate.
What a fantastic cast of characters and the setting, a university for deaf and hard of hearing students, was one I hadn't had the pleasure of reading before.
I would absolutely recommend!!
Add this to your TBR - Secrets Don't Stay Buried is out April, 2025!
My thanks to the author for this gifted copy!! I'm excited to see what they come up with next.
October 31, 2024
As a huge fan of murder mysteries, I found Secrets Don't Stay Buried by J.D. Mills to be an absolutely gripping read. The suspense was built so well—it kept me guessing, and every time I thought I had it figured out, a new twist threw me off track. I loved how the tension just kept building throughout, making it almost impossible to put down.
One of the coolest parts about this book is the use of ASL (American Sign Language). It was such a unique touch that made the story stand out from other thrillers. It wasn’t just thrown in there either; it felt natural and added a layer to the story that I didn’t expect but really appreciated.
The writing style was also impressive, especially for a debut. The way everything unraveled kept me engaged right until the end. The only thing that didn’t quite meet my expectations was the ending itself. After so much buildup and intense drama, the conclusion felt a bit rushed. I was hoping for a reveal that was a little more eerie and impactful—it wrapped up quickly compared to the slower, suspenseful pace that came before.
That said, this was still a fantastic read overall. If you love mysteries that keep you on edge and offer something a little different, Secrets Don’t Stay Buried is definitely worth picking up. I’m excited to see what J.D. Mills writes next!
One of the coolest parts about this book is the use of ASL (American Sign Language). It was such a unique touch that made the story stand out from other thrillers. It wasn’t just thrown in there either; it felt natural and added a layer to the story that I didn’t expect but really appreciated.
The writing style was also impressive, especially for a debut. The way everything unraveled kept me engaged right until the end. The only thing that didn’t quite meet my expectations was the ending itself. After so much buildup and intense drama, the conclusion felt a bit rushed. I was hoping for a reveal that was a little more eerie and impactful—it wrapped up quickly compared to the slower, suspenseful pace that came before.
That said, this was still a fantastic read overall. If you love mysteries that keep you on edge and offer something a little different, Secrets Don’t Stay Buried is definitely worth picking up. I’m excited to see what J.D. Mills writes next!
October 26, 2024
This book was so well-written, especially for a debut author! I loved their prose.
What I loved most about this book was how relatable the characters were. For their ages, I could easily put myself in their shoes and their decision making. That was refreshing when a lot of books I typically read feel like overreaction to a situation the MCs are presented in.
Lennon and her friends made for a fun read, and all of the steps they took were logical. Maybe my own age (mid 30s) made me yell a little bit about the communication issues, but when putting myself in their shoes, I likely would have made the same decisions.
The Deaf/HOH own-voice rep was SO important. I think this was the best part of the book, IMO. As someone with a degree in Disability Advocacy, and with disabilities of my own (not in this community), I think it's extremely important to discuss real-life implications of being a part of multiple communities and understanding code switching. This book was incredible at explaining ASL to the reader who may not understand it, while also staying true to the Deaf/HOH community.
My only criticism of this book likely isn't a criticism at all. I'm a pretty good guesser. I knew how it would end pretty early on, though I will say, some of it surprised me.
Overall, I think this was an excellent first novel and I can't wait to read more from Mills as they progress in their career. This is definitely a must read.
I received an ARC for this book. Thank you to J.D. Mills for reaching out and offering a copy.
What I loved most about this book was how relatable the characters were. For their ages, I could easily put myself in their shoes and their decision making. That was refreshing when a lot of books I typically read feel like overreaction to a situation the MCs are presented in.
Lennon and her friends made for a fun read, and all of the steps they took were logical. Maybe my own age (mid 30s) made me yell a little bit about the communication issues, but when putting myself in their shoes, I likely would have made the same decisions.
The Deaf/HOH own-voice rep was SO important. I think this was the best part of the book, IMO. As someone with a degree in Disability Advocacy, and with disabilities of my own (not in this community), I think it's extremely important to discuss real-life implications of being a part of multiple communities and understanding code switching. This book was incredible at explaining ASL to the reader who may not understand it, while also staying true to the Deaf/HOH community.
My only criticism of this book likely isn't a criticism at all. I'm a pretty good guesser. I knew how it would end pretty early on, though I will say, some of it surprised me.
Overall, I think this was an excellent first novel and I can't wait to read more from Mills as they progress in their career. This is definitely a must read.
I received an ARC for this book. Thank you to J.D. Mills for reaching out and offering a copy.
October 30, 2024
This was a good book for being an author's debut! After reading the summary of the book, I was excited to crack it open. We have sapphic love, amazing representation of the Deaf & HOH community, and of course, mysterious text messages that threaten to bring secrets to light. This book kept me on my toes.
There were scenes that left me a little confused; there were some time jumps I wasn't expecting, and the ending scenes were a little confusing.
What I loved most about the book was the characters. I fell in love with everyone in the group, flaws and all. I felt Lennon's pain and anxiety, Fin's assertive personality, Felix's protectiveness. It's safe to say, it was hard to put this book down. I'm already awaiting the next book!
There were scenes that left me a little confused; there were some time jumps I wasn't expecting, and the ending scenes were a little confusing.
What I loved most about the book was the characters. I fell in love with everyone in the group, flaws and all. I felt Lennon's pain and anxiety, Fin's assertive personality, Felix's protectiveness. It's safe to say, it was hard to put this book down. I'm already awaiting the next book!
January 16, 2025
Arc Review of Secrets Don’t Stay Buried.
Lennon Larkin is a strong main character who is freshly graduated and attending college for deaf and heard hearing students. When a prank played on her enemy turns her life upside. Lennon and her friends team together to figure out the mystery of who the ghost is that is sending them super mysterious and threatening texts.
This is a YA mystery/thriller novel. If you loved A Good Girls Guide to Murder then you’ll love this!
I love the diversity of characters throughout. The writing was perfectly descriptive and I felt like I could imagine all of the characters personalities. It also kept me in the edge of my seat the entire time. It is a suspenseful read that left me wanting more. The ending was not what I was expected and threw me for a loop!
I highly recommend this book if you love a good mystery/suspenseful read.
Thank you again to J.D. Mills for sending me an e-book copy of your debut novel. I loved it!
Lennon Larkin is a strong main character who is freshly graduated and attending college for deaf and heard hearing students. When a prank played on her enemy turns her life upside. Lennon and her friends team together to figure out the mystery of who the ghost is that is sending them super mysterious and threatening texts.
This is a YA mystery/thriller novel. If you loved A Good Girls Guide to Murder then you’ll love this!
I love the diversity of characters throughout. The writing was perfectly descriptive and I felt like I could imagine all of the characters personalities. It also kept me in the edge of my seat the entire time. It is a suspenseful read that left me wanting more. The ending was not what I was expected and threw me for a loop!
I highly recommend this book if you love a good mystery/suspenseful read.
Thank you again to J.D. Mills for sending me an e-book copy of your debut novel. I loved it!
January 7, 2025
Book Review of Secrets Don’t Stay Buried
I was lucky enough to get an ARC to review, and I’m so glad I did. It’s always nice to read something that feels so relatable—not just to me but to my community too. From the very beginning, I felt like I was right there with the gang, caught up in their world.
There were moments that took me back to my younger self, stirring up old memories ways I hadn’t thought about for long time. The suspense had me hooked, and the storyline kept building—then bam, it was over. I’ll admit, the ending felt a little too quick for me. Just when things got really intense, I wanted more.
Still, it was a great read, and I loved how much I connected with it. It’s exciting, heartfelt, and definitely worth picking up if you’re looking for a story and lens into new community you’re not familiar with. You’ll learn a couple of things along the way.
I was lucky enough to get an ARC to review, and I’m so glad I did. It’s always nice to read something that feels so relatable—not just to me but to my community too. From the very beginning, I felt like I was right there with the gang, caught up in their world.
There were moments that took me back to my younger self, stirring up old memories ways I hadn’t thought about for long time. The suspense had me hooked, and the storyline kept building—then bam, it was over. I’ll admit, the ending felt a little too quick for me. Just when things got really intense, I wanted more.
Still, it was a great read, and I loved how much I connected with it. It’s exciting, heartfelt, and definitely worth picking up if you’re looking for a story and lens into new community you’re not familiar with. You’ll learn a couple of things along the way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2024
SECRETS DON'T STAY BURIED is a suspenseful debut by author J. B. Mills. It follows a hard-of-hearing college student (Lennon) whose roommate (Bronya) is murdered. But the killer killed the wrong girl.
Probably the biggest mystery to me is why revenge-driven stories featuring teenagers and twenty-somethings are such a big draw, but I found myself continuing to turn pages as quickly as I could . . . only to arrive at the end and discover it's not over.
I received an advance reader copy from the author through BookSirens, for which I thank them. All opinions are mine.
Probably the biggest mystery to me is why revenge-driven stories featuring teenagers and twenty-somethings are such a big draw, but I found myself continuing to turn pages as quickly as I could . . . only to arrive at the end and discover it's not over.
I received an advance reader copy from the author through BookSirens, for which I thank them. All opinions are mine.
August 6, 2025
Format: E-Book
Genre: YA, Thriller
*Thank you to J.D. Mills for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thoughts and opinions are my own.
I loved the overall experience of this book! I very much enjoyed the ride and vibes. The murder mystery aspect with a sprinkle of who dunnit, makes it very clear why readers are saying this book is the perfect cross between Pretty Little Liars & A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder.
I absolutely love when a book references pop-culture, especially when it’s movies, tv shows or artists that I am familiar with. I feel like it adds another layer to how much I relate to the read. I also adored the dedication! A cute and feel good dedication makes my heart all warm and fuzzy!
The story is set in Lennon’s (FMC) POV, it felt natural to learn and understand her hearing loss, and to experience the world as she sees it. It was beautiful to see her differences as a beacon of light in her story rather than a downfall. I loved how the majority of the dialogue was in italics as the characters mainly communicate in ASL. We also get representation of different LGBTQ+ relationships and characters.
I found the characters and their individual qualities flowed very well throughout the book. I do wish the murder mystery/whodunnit situation was paced a little better. I found the conclusion was a little abrupt. Overall, I had a great time and really enjoyed the experience of the book.
Genre: YA, Thriller
*Thank you to J.D. Mills for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thoughts and opinions are my own.
I loved the overall experience of this book! I very much enjoyed the ride and vibes. The murder mystery aspect with a sprinkle of who dunnit, makes it very clear why readers are saying this book is the perfect cross between Pretty Little Liars & A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder.
I absolutely love when a book references pop-culture, especially when it’s movies, tv shows or artists that I am familiar with. I feel like it adds another layer to how much I relate to the read. I also adored the dedication! A cute and feel good dedication makes my heart all warm and fuzzy!
The story is set in Lennon’s (FMC) POV, it felt natural to learn and understand her hearing loss, and to experience the world as she sees it. It was beautiful to see her differences as a beacon of light in her story rather than a downfall. I loved how the majority of the dialogue was in italics as the characters mainly communicate in ASL. We also get representation of different LGBTQ+ relationships and characters.
I found the characters and their individual qualities flowed very well throughout the book. I do wish the murder mystery/whodunnit situation was paced a little better. I found the conclusion was a little abrupt. Overall, I had a great time and really enjoyed the experience of the book.
November 25, 2024
I received an ARC of this book in return for an honest review:
I was really excited to dive into a book featuring ASL and a deaf main character, as this was my first time reading a story with such representation. While the representation was great and gave me some insight into what it might feel like to navigate the world with such a disability, I found the use of ASL in this book a bit confusing at times. It was treated much like regular dialogue, which is fine, but there were moments where the characters seemed to be doing hands-on tasks while also signing. I struggled to understand how that was physically possible, and I think a bit more explanation or clarity could have helped. For example, there’s a scene where the FMC is driving while supposedly signing to her friend, and another moment where someone is holding a weapon yet also signing simultaneously. These small details pulled me out of the story because I was trying to reconcile how these actions were happening rather than focusing on the plot.
Another element that disrupted the flow for me was the unexpected time jumps, especially the second one. The first time jump made sense and did a good job of thrusting the reader into the action and plot, so I didn’t mind it too much. However, the second jump felt abrupt and a bit premature; the past timeline didn’t feel fully resolved before we were suddenly back in the present. It left me feeling like the story was missing some connective tissue.
I’ll also briefly touch on the YA tone of the book, which felt a bit too young for my personal taste. This didn’t affect my rating since it’s a genre-specific aspect, but some of the dramatics and juvenile behavior didn’t resonate with me. That said, the book does capture the experience of being a young adult and starting college, with all the challenges of being away from home for the first time. For readers who enjoy YA, I imagine this wouldn’t be an issue at all.
What I really enjoyed about this book was the constant “whodunit” mystery and the creepy, faceless stalker element that kept the characters—and me—on edge. I had no idea who the culprit was until the reveal, and I loved being surprised. One of the characters they suspected wasn’t even on my radar, which was a fun twist. I also appreciated the writing style for what this book was aiming to be, and I especially liked the side characters, particularly Felix, the FMC’s older brother.
Overall, I think this story would have worked better for me as a Netflix show or something similar because I enjoyed the plot and the characters. However, my unfamiliarity with ASL, on top of what I felt was a lack of explanation for it at times, and the YA tone made it harder for me to stay fully immersed while reading. That said, if you’re a fan of YA thrillers/mystery and are looking for diverse representation, I’d still recommend giving this one a try!
I was really excited to dive into a book featuring ASL and a deaf main character, as this was my first time reading a story with such representation. While the representation was great and gave me some insight into what it might feel like to navigate the world with such a disability, I found the use of ASL in this book a bit confusing at times. It was treated much like regular dialogue, which is fine, but there were moments where the characters seemed to be doing hands-on tasks while also signing. I struggled to understand how that was physically possible, and I think a bit more explanation or clarity could have helped. For example, there’s a scene where the FMC is driving while supposedly signing to her friend, and another moment where someone is holding a weapon yet also signing simultaneously. These small details pulled me out of the story because I was trying to reconcile how these actions were happening rather than focusing on the plot.
Another element that disrupted the flow for me was the unexpected time jumps, especially the second one. The first time jump made sense and did a good job of thrusting the reader into the action and plot, so I didn’t mind it too much. However, the second jump felt abrupt and a bit premature; the past timeline didn’t feel fully resolved before we were suddenly back in the present. It left me feeling like the story was missing some connective tissue.
I’ll also briefly touch on the YA tone of the book, which felt a bit too young for my personal taste. This didn’t affect my rating since it’s a genre-specific aspect, but some of the dramatics and juvenile behavior didn’t resonate with me. That said, the book does capture the experience of being a young adult and starting college, with all the challenges of being away from home for the first time. For readers who enjoy YA, I imagine this wouldn’t be an issue at all.
What I really enjoyed about this book was the constant “whodunit” mystery and the creepy, faceless stalker element that kept the characters—and me—on edge. I had no idea who the culprit was until the reveal, and I loved being surprised. One of the characters they suspected wasn’t even on my radar, which was a fun twist. I also appreciated the writing style for what this book was aiming to be, and I especially liked the side characters, particularly Felix, the FMC’s older brother.
Overall, I think this story would have worked better for me as a Netflix show or something similar because I enjoyed the plot and the characters. However, my unfamiliarity with ASL, on top of what I felt was a lack of explanation for it at times, and the YA tone made it harder for me to stay fully immersed while reading. That said, if you’re a fan of YA thrillers/mystery and are looking for diverse representation, I’d still recommend giving this one a try!
March 31, 2025
“I knew we’d be the best friends for the rest of our lives.” - Lennon Larkin
Woah!
If, like me, you scare easily, don't make the same mistake I did and read this book in the middle of the night. I don't think I'm going to sleep easily for a few days.
J.D. has written an absolutely terrifying novel and I couldn't stop reading it.
I was hooked from page one, needing to know more about Lennon and who murdered her roommate.
One thing that was new to me in this book was having a narrator who was hard of hearing. Lennon goes to a college for the deaf and hard of hearing, and so all her friends communicate with sign language. I really enjoyed this, as it gave Lennon an additional sense of determination.
I loved Lennon's friend group, it is only small but from the minute they find out about Bronya's death and the threats Lennon has been receiving they all jump ready to help Lennon uncover the truth. I liked watching their friendship grow throughout the book and would have loved to see a little more of them.
I also loved how there is romance but it is very much an underlining layer in the book, Lennon's crush on Tayen is super cute and has some great moments but it doesn't overshadow the thriller element of the book like I worried it might.
I liked that the book had a few laugh-out-loud moments, when it was getting a little tense and I was starting to look over my shoulder Finley would say something truly daft I'd the moment would relax. Not for long though.
The only thing I would note is that the book has a rather confusing timeline. Taking place in (What I assume) the past and present, but we don't know what time we are reading about. Bronya makes many appearances right after the characters have just spoken about her death.
This made it a little hard to understand around. I would also have preferred a little more explanation at the beginning of the book. We go from Lennon right after she finds Bryona dead, to Lennon and Finley going to a party.
Other than those two things this book was a fun yet terrifying read.
Woah!
If, like me, you scare easily, don't make the same mistake I did and read this book in the middle of the night. I don't think I'm going to sleep easily for a few days.
J.D. has written an absolutely terrifying novel and I couldn't stop reading it.
I was hooked from page one, needing to know more about Lennon and who murdered her roommate.
One thing that was new to me in this book was having a narrator who was hard of hearing. Lennon goes to a college for the deaf and hard of hearing, and so all her friends communicate with sign language. I really enjoyed this, as it gave Lennon an additional sense of determination.
I loved Lennon's friend group, it is only small but from the minute they find out about Bronya's death and the threats Lennon has been receiving they all jump ready to help Lennon uncover the truth. I liked watching their friendship grow throughout the book and would have loved to see a little more of them.
I also loved how there is romance but it is very much an underlining layer in the book, Lennon's crush on Tayen is super cute and has some great moments but it doesn't overshadow the thriller element of the book like I worried it might.
I liked that the book had a few laugh-out-loud moments, when it was getting a little tense and I was starting to look over my shoulder Finley would say something truly daft I'd the moment would relax. Not for long though.
The only thing I would note is that the book has a rather confusing timeline. Taking place in (What I assume) the past and present, but we don't know what time we are reading about. Bronya makes many appearances right after the characters have just spoken about her death.
This made it a little hard to understand around. I would also have preferred a little more explanation at the beginning of the book. We go from Lennon right after she finds Bryona dead, to Lennon and Finley going to a party.
Other than those two things this book was a fun yet terrifying read.
March 12, 2025
Rounded up from 3.5 stars
This book had a great first line: “THE LAST THING I expected to see outside my dorm tonight was a dead body.” - it hooked me right away! I was also interested based on the description - and LOVE to support indie & first time authors! I received this book for free as an ARC.
This book is a YA thriller/ murder mystery that takes place in a college setting. Lennon is a college freshman whose roommate is murdered their first semester of school. Told mainly through flashback to the weeks leading up to the murder - follow along with Lennon as she and her friends to try and unravel the mystery of who did it (and why!). But not everything is what it seems, and Lennon never knows who she can/cannot trust...
Things I loved: This book includes people with hearing impairment/ who are deaf. These characters are the main characters in this story and their disability is highlighted throughout and is part of the plot. This book also features characters who are queer and gender diverse. They are integrated into the story seamlessly and their identity is not part of the plot.
Triggers: This book includes descriptions of death/murder including mention of blood. It also includes mentions of a person sharing photographs of women that were taken or shared without their permission. This is a recurring theme in the book and is mentioned often. There are also mentions of specific struggles of people with hearing impairments.
Favorite Quotes: “What happens if he tires to make a move on you?” Finley sighed. “then I guess I’ll have to take one for the team”
“I look haggard, the teenaged-girl equivalent of a bicycle that was left out in the rain for a week.”
“If it looks like a duck, and it quacks like a duck, it’s Forensic Files”
I also learned some new words while reading this and was glad to be reading on my kindle so I could look up definitions and save them for later. New words: Sobriquet, Malaphor, Muzzy.
My reason for not giving this a higher rating - there was a lot packed into the book and it was a bit all over the place with trying to trick the reader into thinking who the killer was and the time jumps from past to present weren't obvious (may have been ARC formatting, but I was confused sometimes).
Who would love this book: Crime junkies, people who like thrillers that are a bit more predictable, young adults (aka the intended audience!).
This book had a great first line: “THE LAST THING I expected to see outside my dorm tonight was a dead body.” - it hooked me right away! I was also interested based on the description - and LOVE to support indie & first time authors! I received this book for free as an ARC.
This book is a YA thriller/ murder mystery that takes place in a college setting. Lennon is a college freshman whose roommate is murdered their first semester of school. Told mainly through flashback to the weeks leading up to the murder - follow along with Lennon as she and her friends to try and unravel the mystery of who did it (and why!). But not everything is what it seems, and Lennon never knows who she can/cannot trust...
Things I loved: This book includes people with hearing impairment/ who are deaf. These characters are the main characters in this story and their disability is highlighted throughout and is part of the plot. This book also features characters who are queer and gender diverse. They are integrated into the story seamlessly and their identity is not part of the plot.
Triggers: This book includes descriptions of death/murder including mention of blood. It also includes mentions of a person sharing photographs of women that were taken or shared without their permission. This is a recurring theme in the book and is mentioned often. There are also mentions of specific struggles of people with hearing impairments.
Favorite Quotes: “What happens if he tires to make a move on you?” Finley sighed. “then I guess I’ll have to take one for the team”
“I look haggard, the teenaged-girl equivalent of a bicycle that was left out in the rain for a week.”
“If it looks like a duck, and it quacks like a duck, it’s Forensic Files”
I also learned some new words while reading this and was glad to be reading on my kindle so I could look up definitions and save them for later. New words: Sobriquet, Malaphor, Muzzy.
My reason for not giving this a higher rating - there was a lot packed into the book and it was a bit all over the place with trying to trick the reader into thinking who the killer was and the time jumps from past to present weren't obvious (may have been ARC formatting, but I was confused sometimes).
Who would love this book: Crime junkies, people who like thrillers that are a bit more predictable, young adults (aka the intended audience!).
February 14, 2025
[Actual Rating would be 3.5 ⭐️]
Secrets Don’t Stay Buried
J.D. Mills
“Friends don’t keep secrets”
••••••••••
Thank you, J.D. Mills, for allowing me the opportunity to read an ARC of your debut novel, Secrets Don’t Stay Buried.
This YA mystery, following college freshman Lennon, will leave you at the edge of your seat as “The Ghost” begins targeting her and those around her.
Threatening text messages, flyers, and incriminating evidence begin popping up around Lennon, leading her to believe events from high school and a prank gone wrong are following her to college…events she was hoping to leave in the past.
Secrets Don’t Stay Buried is filled with queer representation, diversity, individuals of the Deaf Community, and tackles some difficult subjects. Subjects that J.D. Mills does a wondering job bringing awareness to; educating her young-adult readers while also bringing comfort to those who may have found themselves in similar situations.
I found myself hooked after the first chapter; constantly questioning each character and their possible motive. I appreciated the fact that at times, Mills gave you a morsel of suspense through revealed clues and didn’t make you wait the whole book before following through with a larger reveal. There were times I felt Lennon’s emotions and actions were underwhelming relating to the situations at hand. Other times, the timeline felt choppy and disconnected after a number of scenes
Overall, I found myself invested and engaged in the plot; I was impressed with J.D. Mills’ writing, inclusivity, and overall story in her debut novel!
••••••••••
Secrets Don’t Stay Buried
J.D. Mills
“Friends don’t keep secrets”
••••••••••
Thank you, J.D. Mills, for allowing me the opportunity to read an ARC of your debut novel, Secrets Don’t Stay Buried.
This YA mystery, following college freshman Lennon, will leave you at the edge of your seat as “The Ghost” begins targeting her and those around her.
Threatening text messages, flyers, and incriminating evidence begin popping up around Lennon, leading her to believe events from high school and a prank gone wrong are following her to college…events she was hoping to leave in the past.
Secrets Don’t Stay Buried is filled with queer representation, diversity, individuals of the Deaf Community, and tackles some difficult subjects. Subjects that J.D. Mills does a wondering job bringing awareness to; educating her young-adult readers while also bringing comfort to those who may have found themselves in similar situations.
I found myself hooked after the first chapter; constantly questioning each character and their possible motive. I appreciated the fact that at times, Mills gave you a morsel of suspense through revealed clues and didn’t make you wait the whole book before following through with a larger reveal. There were times I felt Lennon’s emotions and actions were underwhelming relating to the situations at hand. Other times, the timeline felt choppy and disconnected after a number of scenes
Overall, I found myself invested and engaged in the plot; I was impressed with J.D. Mills’ writing, inclusivity, and overall story in her debut novel!
••••••••••
March 26, 2025
" 'Seems like we both owe our younger selves some grace for the mistakes we've made...' 'No... We owe them justice.' "
✨️Thank you, J.D. Mills for a copy of Secrets Don't Stay Buried in exchange for an honest review!✨️
This is J.D. Mills' debut novel! I don't think I have read a book with so much diversity at once. Secrets Don't Stay Buried doesn't just entertain; it also engages and teaches about the Deaf/Hard of Hearing (HoH) community and the difficulties they face in everyday life. Upon reading the synopsis, I was curious to see how the author would translate sign language to paper, but they did an amazing job describing the signs comprehensively. The characters were outstandingly relatable and really came to life. I heavily identified with Len and her struggle with overthinking.
This novel had very few issues. I found some subplots confusing, but none impeded the main storyline. The time jumps were very abrupt; I wish a date stamp or something similar had been implemented. Also, in my opinion, the book would have been easier to read with shorter chapters.
In spite of this, the twists and turns really take you for a ride. I was right with the characters, trying to figure out who the culprit was! The book ends on a cliffhanger, so if that indicates there will be a sequel... sign me up!
J.D. Mills is definitely an author I'm going to keep on my radar. Hopefully, I can read more of their ARCs in the future!
P.S. Chapter 11 had me SQUEALING!!!! 🤭🤭
" 'But if we get arrested, you're never hearing the end of this.' " "I won't be hearing anything anyway, but go off, Felix."-Lennon
✨️Thank you, J.D. Mills for a copy of Secrets Don't Stay Buried in exchange for an honest review!✨️
This is J.D. Mills' debut novel! I don't think I have read a book with so much diversity at once. Secrets Don't Stay Buried doesn't just entertain; it also engages and teaches about the Deaf/Hard of Hearing (HoH) community and the difficulties they face in everyday life. Upon reading the synopsis, I was curious to see how the author would translate sign language to paper, but they did an amazing job describing the signs comprehensively. The characters were outstandingly relatable and really came to life. I heavily identified with Len and her struggle with overthinking.
This novel had very few issues. I found some subplots confusing, but none impeded the main storyline. The time jumps were very abrupt; I wish a date stamp or something similar had been implemented. Also, in my opinion, the book would have been easier to read with shorter chapters.
In spite of this, the twists and turns really take you for a ride. I was right with the characters, trying to figure out who the culprit was! The book ends on a cliffhanger, so if that indicates there will be a sequel... sign me up!
J.D. Mills is definitely an author I'm going to keep on my radar. Hopefully, I can read more of their ARCs in the future!
P.S. Chapter 11 had me SQUEALING!!!! 🤭🤭
" 'But if we get arrested, you're never hearing the end of this.' " "I won't be hearing anything anyway, but go off, Felix."-Lennon
March 6, 2025
🩸 ᖇEᐯIEᗯ 🩸
𝙎𝙀𝘾𝙍𝙀𝙏𝙎 𝘿𝙊𝙉’𝙏 𝙎𝙏𝘼𝙔 𝘽𝙐𝙍𝙄𝙀𝘿
𝙹.𝙳. 𝙼𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚜
I just want to THANK J.D. Mills for this amazing story! I want to also THANK YOU for the representation of the Deaf, HOH & hearing impaired & the use of ASL! Being someone who was born with profound severe hearing loss in both ears & someone who wears hearing aids… this book touches me in ways I never knew it could. & showing the challenges we face in our everyday lives. The representation is so strong & to see myself & others in her story. She does a great job explaining all these disabilities, especially ASL, to a reader who may not know much about us. You’ve left an imprint in my heart! J.D. Mills does an awesome job at putting together the representation of the Deaf, HOH & hearing impaired and a mystery with suspense in her plot. This book was very well written & love her writing style.
This story is full of twists & turns & it’ll have you on the edge of your seat. The plot was well paced & it’ll grip you & have you engaged from the first page till the last. It was a very entertaining read & I was guessing till the end. All the characters were well written as well & a great group. & the characters are very relatable. I love the setting of the plot & where it takes place. I loved the whole creepy messages Lennon was getting & it was an unknown number… it gave me Pretty Little Liar Vibes. I ABSOLUTELY RECOMMEND! Don’t walk, run!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝙎𝙀𝘾𝙍𝙀𝙏𝙎 𝘿𝙊𝙉’𝙏 𝙎𝙏𝘼𝙔 𝘽𝙐𝙍𝙄𝙀𝘿
𝙹.𝙳. 𝙼𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚜
I just want to THANK J.D. Mills for this amazing story! I want to also THANK YOU for the representation of the Deaf, HOH & hearing impaired & the use of ASL! Being someone who was born with profound severe hearing loss in both ears & someone who wears hearing aids… this book touches me in ways I never knew it could. & showing the challenges we face in our everyday lives. The representation is so strong & to see myself & others in her story. She does a great job explaining all these disabilities, especially ASL, to a reader who may not know much about us. You’ve left an imprint in my heart! J.D. Mills does an awesome job at putting together the representation of the Deaf, HOH & hearing impaired and a mystery with suspense in her plot. This book was very well written & love her writing style.
This story is full of twists & turns & it’ll have you on the edge of your seat. The plot was well paced & it’ll grip you & have you engaged from the first page till the last. It was a very entertaining read & I was guessing till the end. All the characters were well written as well & a great group. & the characters are very relatable. I love the setting of the plot & where it takes place. I loved the whole creepy messages Lennon was getting & it was an unknown number… it gave me Pretty Little Liar Vibes. I ABSOLUTELY RECOMMEND! Don’t walk, run!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 5, 2025
🔪 Disability rep
🩸 LGBTQ+ rep
🔪 Pretty Little Liars Vibes
🩸 Whodunnit
🔪 Female Revenge
This is such a wonderful debut!
While I don't regularly read books in the thriller genre, I enjoyed this page-turning YA thriller.
Lennon is just trying to put the past behind her, but unfortunately, that past keeps on coming back to haunt her. Can her friend group figure out who keeps sending threatening texts and unearthing memories/trauma that she would prefer to forget?
With vibes similar to Pretty Little Liars, this book is such a fun YA whodunnit. With its diverse cast of characters (including deafness/hearing loss, lgtbq+ and non-binary rep), it feels well-rounded and modern.
One of the things I appreciated most about this story is that our protagonist's disability doesn't define her. Instead of focusing on how Lennon's hearing loss sets her back, the story amplifies how Lennon and her friends are all unique individuals who face different obstacles. The representation is so well articulated and feels very natural while still drawing attention to how we can better accommodate people who struggle with hearing loss and impairment.
I did find the conclusion a little fast-paced, and while it was unpredictable, the reasoning felt just a little far-fetched to me. However, I had a great time overall and loved the development and writing. J.D. Mills has done a fantastic job with this story, and I'm looking forward to future developments.
𝓣𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓴 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓽𝓸 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓪𝓾𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓻 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓰𝓲𝓯𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓐𝓡𝓒 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓫𝓸𝓸𝓴. 𝓐𝓵𝓵 𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓯𝓮𝓮𝓭𝓫𝓪𝓬𝓴 𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓽𝓪𝓲𝓷𝓮𝓭 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓶𝔂 𝓸𝔀𝓷.
🩸 LGBTQ+ rep
🔪 Pretty Little Liars Vibes
🩸 Whodunnit
🔪 Female Revenge
This is such a wonderful debut!
While I don't regularly read books in the thriller genre, I enjoyed this page-turning YA thriller.
Lennon is just trying to put the past behind her, but unfortunately, that past keeps on coming back to haunt her. Can her friend group figure out who keeps sending threatening texts and unearthing memories/trauma that she would prefer to forget?
With vibes similar to Pretty Little Liars, this book is such a fun YA whodunnit. With its diverse cast of characters (including deafness/hearing loss, lgtbq+ and non-binary rep), it feels well-rounded and modern.
One of the things I appreciated most about this story is that our protagonist's disability doesn't define her. Instead of focusing on how Lennon's hearing loss sets her back, the story amplifies how Lennon and her friends are all unique individuals who face different obstacles. The representation is so well articulated and feels very natural while still drawing attention to how we can better accommodate people who struggle with hearing loss and impairment.
I did find the conclusion a little fast-paced, and while it was unpredictable, the reasoning felt just a little far-fetched to me. However, I had a great time overall and loved the development and writing. J.D. Mills has done a fantastic job with this story, and I'm looking forward to future developments.
𝓣𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓴 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓽𝓸 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓪𝓾𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓻 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓰𝓲𝓯𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓐𝓡𝓒 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓫𝓸𝓸𝓴. 𝓐𝓵𝓵 𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓯𝓮𝓮𝓭𝓫𝓪𝓬𝓴 𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓽𝓪𝓲𝓷𝓮𝓭 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓶𝔂 𝓸𝔀𝓷.
April 29, 2025
This is such a good debut into YA. This story has a great way of showing you the difficulties someone can have when family doesn't take the time to do the work. It's also a great story about trusting yourself and your intuition. I found myself thinking I knew who the villain was but then I was kinda proven wrong. I’m from a time when Scooby-doo was all over so I love of a good mystery. I think the premise is good. I love the story being told from a deaf/hearing-impaired person’s perspective. It forced me to consider things that the audibly impaired adolescents go through. I won’t lie, I was frustrated with Lennon initially because I felt like if she just said something to someone sooner, her issues with Rider could’ve been handled. However, the more I read I understood. When you’re differently abled at pivotal times in your development, you can feel like a burden and surmise that your problems would be easier solved alone.
I don’t want to give too much away but I think the author does great keeping suspense and connecting some dots. I admit that as I was trying to figure out who the killer was I chose everyone but the right person. I think the story could’ve been 5 stars if it were just a bit darker but I think that speaks more to preference than author ability.
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I don’t want to give too much away but I think the author does great keeping suspense and connecting some dots. I admit that as I was trying to figure out who the killer was I chose everyone but the right person. I think the story could’ve been 5 stars if it were just a bit darker but I think that speaks more to preference than author ability.
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 29, 2025
I was provided an ARC for this debut novel, yall know I love me a good thriller. I went into this blind other than knowing it was a YA thriller. I was intrigued with the premise of our main character being deaf and thought this added a whole new element. Lennon, our MC has a secret and is receiving threatening texts who want to expose said secret. I was drawn in from the get go and liked Finleys (the best friend) banter and soon found myself trying to figure out who was behind these texts. Unfortunately, this began to drag for me, there wasn’t any real suspense built and the little there was, well it disappeared rather quickly. My biggest cover was the writing seemed a bit all over the place as we’d skip around with no real transition. It felt like pieces of the story were missing several times as I continued. There is a romance subplot to this which I did welcome and was looking forward to develop, but also felt it was missing something. I did suspect a reveal but not another twist which is always good to catch us by surprise! Perhaps I would have enjoyed this more if I was the target demographic but this was still a good debut novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2025
I was contacted by the author and recieved an ARC of this book. I wasn't too sure how I would like it since it's not the type of books I usually read (and I told her as much), but I was pleasently surprised.
I enjoyed the general vibes of the book, which reminded me of Pretty Little Liars. The texts, the tension, the constant suspicions and ingrigue…
I also loved the deaf community being a main part of the story, as most of the characters are deaf, hard of hearing or have a family member who is. It also didn't feel foreced into the story. It was introduced seamlessly and felt very natural and organic all throughout the book.
Although I felt like the beginning was a little slow, I soon got hooked into the story and wanted to know more. It contrasted with the ending, though, which felt a little rushed in comparison. But overall it wasn't a main issue for me. I thought the writing was good and the style too, especially for it being a debut novel.
I enjoyed this read and I think I would have enjoyed it even more a few years ago. So I would definitely recommend it, especially to a YA audience.
I enjoyed the general vibes of the book, which reminded me of Pretty Little Liars. The texts, the tension, the constant suspicions and ingrigue…
I also loved the deaf community being a main part of the story, as most of the characters are deaf, hard of hearing or have a family member who is. It also didn't feel foreced into the story. It was introduced seamlessly and felt very natural and organic all throughout the book.
Although I felt like the beginning was a little slow, I soon got hooked into the story and wanted to know more. It contrasted with the ending, though, which felt a little rushed in comparison. But overall it wasn't a main issue for me. I thought the writing was good and the style too, especially for it being a debut novel.
I enjoyed this read and I think I would have enjoyed it even more a few years ago. So I would definitely recommend it, especially to a YA audience.
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