And Then We Screamed

by Holly Bourne

The mind-blowing new novel full of mystery, conspiracy and dark secrets from bestselling Holly Bourne, for fans of Kathleen Glasgow and e. lockhart

Everything was perfect in the small town of Maple Lakes...until the cheerleaders started screaming.

Clover wishes something would happen in her boring high school - so she can spend more time with her crush Brody, covering it for the school newspaper. But she never wished for this...

When cheerleader Abigail starts screaming in the middle of an exam, people laugh. But as more girls start breaking into uncontrollable screaming fits, it's clear something is seriously wrong. The authorities don't have a clue what's happening - so it's up to Clover and Brody to investigate. What they discover is a darkness beneath the perfect veneer of Maple Lakes - and it is spreading fast.

Genres: Young Adult, Horror, Mystery, Thriller

384 pages, Unknown Binding

First published September 10, 2026

About the author

Holly started her writing career as a news journalist, where she was nominated for Best Print Journalist of the Year. She then spent six years working as an editor, a relationship advisor, and general ‘agony aunt’ for a youth charity – helping young people with their relationships and mental health.

Inspired by what she saw, she started writing teen fiction, including the best-selling, award-winning ‘Spinster Club’ series which helps educate teenagers about feminism. When she turned thirty, Holly wrote her first adult novel, 'How Do You Like Me Now?', examining the intensified pressures on women once they hit that landmark.

Alongside her writing, Holly has a keen interest in women’s rights and is an advocate for reducing the stigma of mental health problems. She’s helped create online apps that teach young people about sexual consent, works with Women’s Aid to spread awareness of abusive relationships, and runs Rethink’s mental health book club.

Reviews

[Medollga · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Wow... honestly, i didn't expect this story to be this impactful and meaningful 💔

I went into it expecting some YA thriller, but it's actually not that. It's a tale as old as times and it made me so angry on behalf of all womanhood. But that was the point.

[Jasmine Nicholson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holly just does female rage in teen girls so well

[Tracy Hager · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars for the first 2/3 but a 5 for the ending and the vital message. Really well done. Can’t wait to see what my Thrillseekers think.

[cursedb · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual, no one writes teenagers quite like Holly Bourne. She captures their minds, conversations, friendships, and romantic relationships so naturally that I genuinely felt like I was watching a movie rather than reading a book. This one felt a little different from what I’ve read from her before, blending mystery, abuse, romance, and even some lighthearted humor. I really liked how all of these elements came together without making the story feel too heavy. The reason behind the mysterious incident was both heartbreaking and disturbing, especially because of how real it felt. The plot completely hooked me, and I ended up finishing the whole thing in one day. But what impressed me most was still the portrayal of teenagers. Their thoughts, the way they talk to each other, and the way their romantic relationships develop all felt incredibly authentic. Definitely one of Holly Bourne’s best books for me.

[Gayleeee Middleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powerful. I wish Holly Bourne had been writing when I was a young person & so, so, glad she’s here now.

[Anna Suwald · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

Chani so so so empfehle!!!

Mer hät z'Gfühl es gaht fast chli lang aber es macht halt Sinn, wiil ja ebe niemert gwüsst hät was mit de Meitli los isch. D Iidrück und d Gfühl vo de Teenager werdet super beschriebe. Ich bin glaub genau so gsie wie die vor 2-3 Jahr.

Es isch mitriisend, berüehrend, beunruhigend, eifach super!!

S Endi gseht mer wükli ned gseh cho und nimmt eine richtig mit. Wie d Meitli nachher demit umgönd isch so schön irgendwie z'gseh au wenns mega schlimm isch.

Wichtigs Thema für alli Teenager verpackt inere super Gschicht!

Stichwort:

herbstig
Highschool
Vergewaltigung
Journalismus
Teenage-Love
Obsession
medizinisch
Psychologie

[Monica · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

At first I thought this story would be a YA thriller/mystery but it was actually an incredibly important story and message. Check trigger warning before reading but incredible message to portray in a story and should be read by all young women.

[Declan McBrearty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this knowing nothing about it. From first page I was hooked and NEEDED to know what was going on. I shed a tear at the end, discusses a very important subject very well.

[Bookworm Express Kwan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve said it before and I’m saying it again: I really want to be Holly Bourne when I grow up. Never mind that I’ll probably never grow up - but Holly’s work is important, urgent, informative, and highly readable. And Then We Screamed shows yet again that no one does it like Holly Bourne.

In a small and quiet town, a cheerleader starts to scream, and soon Maple Lakes finds itself being the epicenter of involuntary screamers.

I loved the mystery, loved the set up with the interview snippets to progress the story, and I absolutely admire how Holly Bourne found yet another angle to draw attention to real-life issues. Her work should be mandatory for young readers - especially for teens, because I know her books will save lives.

[Abby May · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review

4⭐️

“They would never believe it. Because what would it cost them if they do?”

The story follows Clover, a high school student who dreams of something exciting happening in her sleepy town so she and her crush, Brody, can investigate it for the school newspaper. When cheerleaders begin suffering from terrifying, uncontrollable screaming fits, Clover and Brody set out to uncover the truth, only to discover a much darker secret lurking beneath Maple Lakes' perfect image.

I found the premise really intriguing, and while I wasn't completely gripped from the start, I was definitely interested to see where the story was heading. There were so many possible explanations for the mysterious screaming that I found myself constantly trying to guess what was really going on.

—————- mild spoilers—————————-
Once the truth was revealed, though, I was completely hooked. The explanation was both fascinating and genuinely upsetting, and it's one of those reveals that stays with you long after you've finished reading. I had to sit with it for a while afterwards, and I think I'm still processing it.

I’m not sure I liked the romance subplot and how that was written but I do think the story needed a subplot with low stakes so the overall book probably benefitted from having those “lighter” breaks from the main story.

The middle section felt a little slow at times, but the final 30% more than made up for it with everything that follows after the reveal and I ended up really enjoying the book.



Big thank you to NetGalley and Usborne Publishing for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

[Karen Barber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holly Bourne does it again! Yes, it takes a while for things to fall into place, and the nature of the plot means it seems a little repetitive, but this is a book that adds fuel to the fire for anyone who’s angered by the misogyny that seems to pervade elements of our modern world.
Our key characters are Brody and Clover, students on the periphery of the social circles who are desperate to write for their school newspaper. When cheerleader Abigail suddenly starts screaming in the middle of an exam nobody knows what to do. She’s sent for tests and nothing seems to be out of the ordinary…but she randomly starts screaming. It doesn’t take long before other girls start to exhibit the same behaviours.
Before we know it the town is in uproar. Media interest in the town booms and nobody feels safe. Brady and Clover are determined to try and work out what’s happening. The phenomenon spreads, and - eventually - we learn the cause…and realise just how easy it would be for this to be stopped.
This will make you angry. It will get some people thinking. Will it change the root cause? I don’t think so, but even a slight change would be a huge step forward.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this before publication.

[bookedupnurse · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Throughout history, girls have found another language to let out what they need to say’.

Five years ago, the small town of Maple Lakes effectively sealed itself off from the rest of the world following an outbreak of inexplicable screaming amongst its teenage girls. Finally, a documentary crew are granted permission to interview those involved in the events as well as try to attempt to understand what went on during the months of screaming.

When cheerleader, or ‘Patient Zero’, Abigail, begins screaming in the middle of an exam, blank eyed and vacant, rumours spread that she is stressed, attention seeking or under the influence. Several days later, another Cheerleader is affected. The town shouts its copy-cat behaviour.

But then things begin to escalate. The screaming begins to affect others. Non-cheerleaders. It can no longer be masked as merely ‘cheerleader hysteria’. Is it a viral illness? Contamination of some sort?

The authorities and adults have no clue what is happening with ‘The Screamers’. Censorship of press, hesitation to investigate and suspicion of cause, including a government cover-up, forces a small town and this mystery into the world’s media.

As dark secrets rise to the surface, everyone is stunned at what has happened in the sleepy town. How will they manage the disclosures?

Wow! HB writes about teenagers like no one else, and while this book does feel aimed at a younger audience, the important message and real-life issues are the same and as powerful for all. Her reading should be mandatory for all younger adults!

This is a slow burn, with the final third really speeding up. I had no clue where this was going so was intrigued to see how this would play out. It is character-focused, heartbreaking and extremely thought-provoking. The documentary-style storytelling was so well presented and I loved the multiple POV and dual timeline that ran parallel.

It is hard to discuss themes within the book as this will ruin the story for potential readers, but HBs writing around difficult topics is impactful whilst remaining sensitive. What I loved was the extracts of information from medical experts around the phenomenon occurring within Maple Lakes. The understanding of womanhood, psychology and portrayal of teenagers post-Covid has been carried out so effortlessly.

With thanks to Holly Bourne, NetGalley and Usbourne books for this ARC, in return for an honest review.

[Dakota · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

A bit slow to get into but once it got going, it was a really riveting tale. It reminded me a lot of a good girls guide to murder in the writing style.
And I love that it’s shining a light on the most dangerous issue facing women today and isn’t shying away from it

[Leora Taratula-Lyons · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great page turner with a powerful message.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an important story that I couldn’t put it down.

[Amy Armstrong · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

What a read! This one isn’t my typical read but was a pick for book club this month which did not disappoint. The book definitely gave me some GGGTM vibes at the beginning and kept me guessing throughout. Since Abigail first screamed I was trying to read between every line to figure out the cause. This book touches on sensitive topics, specifically violence against women, and does so in a way that I think is so important to show younger readers with Holly typically bring a YA author. The metaphorical representation of girls ‘copying eachother and wanting attention’ when the screaming breaks out as well as the dismissal from the school and community is sadly such a reality for so many women and girls out there, which is why representation such as this can be so important!! I especially loved the way that Brody finding out the reality of what was happening was written. Prior to reading this I saw a review which said ‘Holly does feminine rage in teenage girls so well’ and I couldn’t agree more. The take home is really that we should all scream a little more!

[Kayleigh {K-Books} · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

And Then We Screamed Review on K-Books Blog
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I’ve been a big Holly Bourne fan for a long time. I remember picking up Soulmates, Holly’s debut back when it first released, and I’ve loved seeing her grow more and more popular for her wonderful YA books. I’ve read and loved so many of them, and I was so excited to hear that her new YA novel would be more on the thriller/mystery side than just a contemporary. As someone who loves a thriller, I couldn’t wait. I had such high hopes for this book, and it met every one of those expectations. This book was fantastic. I couldn’t put it down.

And Then We Screamed is set in a small town in the USA who find themselves at the centre of a bizarre scandal. Some of their female students are going into ‘screaming fits’ where their eyes glaze over, they scream and collapse. When they come to, they have no memory of the scream. The students who work for the school newspaper are determined to find out what is happening, why the girls are screaming and how to stop it. But when their principal forbids any talk of what is happening, they go to desperate measures to uncover the truth.

And Then We Screamed is the first Holly Bourne book I’ve read that has not been set in the UK. I don’t know if she has done this before, as admittedly I haven’t read every single one of her books, but for me it was the first one set in the USA that I’ve read, so that was something really different for me. I think this was really refreshing and it was nice to get a British author’s take on a USA high school experience. I found it really refreshing, and it felt really authentic which was fantastic. I really loved that the book was wrote on a mix of prose and interviews (after the events of the book). It really kept me fully engaged and dying to know what was going to happen.

I really loved the concept of this book. It was so intriguing to me. I honestly couldn’t figure out what was going on for the longest time throughout this book. I sped through it as I really couldn’t wait to get to the bottom of the screaming and figure out what was the underlying cause. Was it something more spooky and supernatural? Or more mundane? I had so many theories throughout the book, and while I had an inkling of the cause, I definitely didn’t guess everything that was revealed at the end. Want to know what it was? Well, you’ll just have to read this fantastic book and find out. You’ll get no spoilers from me!

As with every Holly Bourne book there are feminist tones threaded throughout, and I really loved the messages that were given in this one. I can’t say a lot because it will definitely spoil the twist, but what I can say is that there is a big element of the book that focuses on girls just not being believed. These girls are not remembering the screams, and as more and more girls become afflicted with the screaming, there’s a lot of discourse about it not being real and girls just attention seeking. I felt like this was such an important rhetoric to explore in a YA book like this. After finishing the book, I felt like the whole thing was just so powerful and impactful in it’s message, I truly believe everyone should read this book. It should absolutely be required reading for every teen,

And Then We Screamed was so different to what I was expecting, in the best way possible. I was so surprised and I truly loved every moment of it. It was emotional, and hard hitting in places, with female friendship and relationships at the centre of it. I really enjoyed every moment of this book and I would highly recommend this book to everyone. Pick this one up. You won’t be disappointed.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

An intriguing premise and tackles disturbing issues around girls’ experiences of being dismissed and denied agency. However, the slow pacing and repetitive investigation make the journey to the revelation less compelling than its subject deserves. An okay read, but it hasn’t encouraged me to seek out more of Bourne’s work.

[Diane Lawlor · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Beth Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not putting a spoiler warning on this. This book is visceral and important but deals with an traumatic subject.

It's important to be forewarned. Despite this I think every year 10 tutor group in the UK should be reading this book.

Holly Bourne is a master of her craft. This is a real, visceral, and shattering novel that deftly, compassionately, but unflinchingly handles the topic of violence against women and girls, the social and cultural mindsets that allow it to fester and spread and the perpetrators get away unchallenged and unchanged whilst the victims are left traumatised with physiological impacts that get passed down generationally. This is not Spoiler so much as a trigger warning.

The story begins as a creepy mystery when head Cheerleader Abigail starts screaming, blank eyed and vacant gazed in the middle of an exam.
At first it's a weird novelty. One that leaves doctors baffled.

Then it starts to spread. Girl after girl screaming.

Clover and her school newspaper colleague Brody - who Clover also has a massive crush on - decide to investigate when it becomes clear the adults have no idea what's happening or how to treat it.

The story is told through the lens of a documentary with talking heads with various people, inc. Screamers, local officials, and medical experts, and a few fringe weirdos but the vast majority is from the perspectives of Clover and Brody. Bourne does a brilliant job of both perspectives particularly the slow creeping realisation of what life as a girl is like in this world for Brody; as well as really evoking the emotions, trauma, and terror for Clover first that she might become a screamer as well as drip feeding the fear and shame of her trauma before the big reveal.

Holly covers the horrific acts perpetrated against Clover, Abigail and the other Screamers with true empathy and respect that doesn't revel in the act itself making it suitable for anyone including those who have trauma. It makes you feel seen and heard rather than raking up the violence and trauma. However I speak as someone who has had half a lifetime to contend with and been through a lot of therapy for what I went through so be aware.

And Then We Screamed is outstanding.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a huge fan of Holly Bourne! Her writing is so powerful and thought provoking. This book is no different. I loved the character development and how the story has you wondering what is going on along with the characters. I couldn’t put it down.

When I saw this book I thought it seemed a little different to Holly’s other books I’d read with the mystery/thriller aspect. I did not expect it to be this good!

As with Holly’s books, check the trigger warning, but don’t let that put you off, her work is really empowering!

I’d recommend Holly’s books to every teenager and adult, 100%!

Thank you to NetGalley, Usborne Publishing and Holly Bourne for the ARC and opportunity to read and review!

[Sifa Poulton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the publisher in preparation for a UKYASpotlight interview. It has not affected my opinions.

I have been meaning to read Holly Bourne's YA novels for years - in the contemporary space, she's a massive name when it comes to books that really grapple with issues facing girls. I couldn't have picked a better novel to start with. I will say, check out the trigger warnings before going in, as it deals with traumatic events, but if you can safely read it, do.

AND THEN WE SCREAMED is a stunning novel about fear and rage. There is the incredible mystery of what is going on with the screamers - and how far it will spread. The book really taps into the fear that spreads with such situations, evoking a claustrophobic sense of panic in the school that makes your test feel tight at times. It's a masterclass in evoking a strong, effective atmospheric.

Yes, it's a Holly Bourne book and so you can probably guess what's causing the screams (or maybe not? Might depend on how aware you are of her body of work) but this doesn't affect the tension of the book at all. For me, the tension was really about how bad it was going to get before anyone was willing and able to connect the dots, to be honest about what it was.

Clover's perspective really helps here. She is terrified it will happen to her, the blank-eyed screaming. It means it's personal from the start for the reader, a visceral fear. There is a scream in her throat and it gives an urgency to finding out what is happening, the uncomfortable feeling that something is wrong and inevitably going to get worse.

Brody's perspective gives a more zoomed out view, initially, as he's not at risk in the same way, it appears. He lets us see the town fracturing and then amps up the tension as he falls for Clover and so it becomes personal for him, adding an extra layer of fear. It's also really nice to see a "realisation arc" - he slowly begins to understand some of what life is like for girls. It's something fiction needs, to help people who don't have someone they can sympathise with go through the journey for them - and to react in a mature, healthy way.

The book also explores both the help and harm social media can do. It brings attention, which is both good and bad. You have all the theories, which makes it feel so realistic. There are those who buy into conspiracies - and believe it no matter what. I did like that there was a brief discussion of why this might be (someone outside the community to blame, something that didn't force a change of world view). There are those who go into more spiritual reasons - and it does explore the real harm these can do. I did appreciate that, through Abigail, we get a more measured religious perspective; the religious characters are not all awful.

While most of the book is told from Clover and Brody's perspectives, there are also extracts of interviews and news broadcasts. This helps show the wider story, seeing through so many other eyes and their views on it all. It helps you understand the decisions being made - even if many (particularly by the school!) are hard to defend in the moment!

[Insert Name Here · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holly Bourne has built a reputation for writing about girls who are angry for very good reasons. In And Then We Screamed, she takes the unexplained outbreaks that have historically affected groups of women and asks a terrifying question: what happens when nobody understands what's happening - but everyone still wants someone to blame?
📚 Pre-Reading Thoughts
Holly Bourne's books often explore the ways society responds to teenage girls, especially when those girls refuse to quietly accept what's happening around them. I was intrigued to see how she would approach a story built around such a strange and unsettling phenomenon.

📖 Post-Reading
As I thought...

This is a difficult book to discuss without giving too much away, because the reason behind the screaming is central to the story. What I can say is that Bourne uses the mystery to explore much bigger questions about fear, belief and power.
The historical inspiration is fascinating, particularly the strange "plagues" and unexplained events that have appeared throughout history. Bourne captures the terror of living through something you cannot understand.
The reactions around the girls are just as important as the screaming itself. The novel explores how quickly communities can move from concern to suspicion when faced with something they cannot explain.
It surprised me by...

How much space it gives the uncertainty. This is not a fast-paced thriller where every chapter brings a new revelation; it is a slower, more unsettling examination of what it feels like when the world stops making sense.
How much anger sits beneath the story. Holly Bourne is clearly furious about the ways women's experiences have historically been dismissed, and that frustration gives the book its power.
This is a challenging read, but a worthwhile one. In a perfect world, this would be the kind of novel discussed in classrooms - not just because of the story itself, but because of the conversations it encourages about history, society and whose voices we choose to believe.

🌈 Vibe Check
Colour Palette: storm clouds, silver grey, frost white
Soundtrack: footsteps in an empty corridor, the hum of fluorescent lights, silence before a storm
Season: winter
Mood: unsettling, thoughtful, quietly furious
Scent: cold air, old books, rain on pavement
🃏 Tarot Pull
The Moon

The Moon represents uncertainty, hidden truths and the fear of what we cannot yet understand. It asks us to trust intuition when the world around us is offering incomplete answers - and reminds us that things hidden in darkness still exist.

[Elli (Kindig Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently enjoyed listening to the podcast ‘Hysterical’, which focuses on the true story of a medical outbreak in New York where young women developed tics, spasms and vocal outbursts overnight. When I saw the premise for ‘And Then We Screamed’, it reminded me of this case, and I was intrigued to read more.

Clover and Brody live in Maple Lakes, a town where nothing much happens apart from the annual leaf drop. However, when a cheerleader drops to the floor and starts to scream, it starts a chain reaction that begins to spread throughout the school and beyond…

And Then We Screamed begins as snippet interviews with the key characters for a documentary in a date in the far future, and then splits into two perspectives in flashback – school paper journalist Brody and his friend and photographer Clover. The narrative mainly continues with these two perspectives but occasionally intercuts with the documentary interviews, which kept tension high and ramped up the pace, particularly when they pointed out that what Brody or Clover were planning on doing was actually a big mistake in hindsight. I was hooked throughout and finished it in just a few sittings.

I don’t want to give any spoilers for this book, and I do think it’s better to just go in blind to it. I really enjoyed Clover’s perspective in particular, as she battles with an illness that may be contagious and is scared to catch it but also wants to help what is happening in any way she can. I spent a lot of the book trying to guess if it was going to go down the paranormal route or not. The outcome of the book was perfect – it’s a powerful commentary on society in general and I really felt for all of characters involved – it genuinely becomes quite moving.

Overall, And Then We Screamed is a gripping thriller with a powerful message at its heart. Thank you to NetGalley & Usborne Publishing for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For more of my reviews check out Kindig Blog

[Katy Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hysteria? Contemporary Crucible-esque small town news story.

The first girl to Scream is, probably not coincidentally, named after the girl at the centre of Arthur Miller's Crucible play. And the first place the brain goes is - is it hytseria? For attention? To make a point? Especially as other's seem to quickly follow Abigail, the Reverend's daughter's example.

Small town. High school. Teen girls. Suddenly screaming - in exams. In lessons. In corridors. None can explain it, or even remember it.

The book narrates through Brody and Clover, two students diarising and reporting on the events for the school newspaper, Brody seeing it a way to get the scoop he needs for journalist school. Clover a talented photographer who is happy to be near Brody but who is deathly worried about the spread of the screams and if she will be next, desperate to find out the cause. This is mixed in with after-the-event reporting with key witnesses - teachers, other students - like witness statements, giving it a sense of foreboding and seriousness.

I always 'enjoy', if that's the right word, a Holly Bourne novel. She covers themes that contemporary readers have in their minds, even if they aren't aware of it. She brings to the fore problems in society that need to be brought there, with flair and tact.

We are aware there are events we aren't aware of, behind the scenes and the made-up teen faces. We watch the small town problem explode to the horror of the Head, the teachers and parents, and to the students themselves, some hiding from the problem, some trying to confront it.

The eventual disclosure and understanding of the screaming may be rooted in the real world, as you'd expect, but it's still moving and has historical precedence.

Not my favourite Bourne title, but an important subject and will hit home with many.

For ages 13 and above.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.

[Farah G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clover is a bright, sparky young girl who feels bored to death living in the idyllic small town of Maple Lakes. With her role in the high school newspaper and her secret crush on her attractive classmate Brody - who is planning an ambitious career in journalism, and is equally keen to find a story worth writing about in his college essay - being the only interesting things in her life, Clover constantly wishes that something exciting would happen in their lives.

But what neither Clover nor Brody bargain for is the mayhem that is unleashed in their picturesque town when one of the cheerleaders at the school (who also happens to be the local pastor's picture-perfect daughter) suddenly begins to scream for no apparent reason. As more and more girls in the high school begin to display similar symptoms, the authorities become as desperate to identify a cure as they are determined to make light of the phenomenon, because they are afraid of scaring away tourists. Not that they need to worry about the latter, since the screamer scare actually brings any number of media professionals, podcasters, conspiracy theorists and sensation seekers to the locality, generating more revenue than the regular tourists...

But what really lies behind the screaming epidemic? While I was reading the book, I had a sudden moment of dismay that I had accidentally picked up a horror story rather than a mystery. But as it turned out, the author explained the mysterious situation of the "screamers" in a way that resolved the questions raised in a very believable way. In the process, she also made some very important points about the world we live in...

This is one of those rare books that you know that you will be thinking about for a while. Highly recommended - it gets 4.5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Rachel Sargeant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clover takes a job on the school newspaper to get closer to Brody, the crush of her life. Unfortunately, Brody’s only passion is to find a killer story that will get him onto the best university journalism course.

One day, Abigail, star cheerleader and all-round golden girl, starts screaming. When more girls scream, Brody finds his story.

I thought immediately of the 2011/2 real-life case of mostly teenage girls – starting with cheerleaders – at a high school in Le Roy, New York who developed severe tics. The educational, environmental and medical responses to the screaming in Holly Bourne’s novel follow closely how the real-life situation evolved. However, although the diagnosis was comparable, I don’t think a root cause was identified.
Rather than a twisty thriller, And Then We Screamed is an exploration of an important theme. Many readers will work out what’s causing the screams early on and will root for Clover and Brody as they unravel the mystery and face profound and personal issues of right and wrong.

I liked the extra momentum of the interviews with the wider cast of characters and science experts years later. I learned a lot I didn’t know about screaming.

The voices of the protagonists seemed younger than seventeen but I’m guessing that’s because the readership is likely to be younger teens. I was surprised that two characters willingly put themselves in physical proximity to another one as this seemed at odds with their backstories. However, the author does a good job of justifying this in dialogue towards the end of the book.

This is a page-turning read that shines a light on a shocking issue in an accessible way and it speaks to young readers about how to take back personal power after suffering trauma.

This is an independent review of an early copy. With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity.

[Beth England · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very easy 5 stars from me. I went into this expecting a fun YA thriller, but what Holly has created here is something truly special and deeply thought provoking, and I have a feeling it will stick with me for a long time. This is a good time to note that this recommendation comes with an additional recommendation to check the trigger warnings before reading. Whilst it’s an incredible read, please check that it’s right for you 🫶🏻

A popular cheerleader starts randomly screaming one day in the middle of a midterm exam. Funny right? It’s definitely not funny when the same thing starts happening to other girls in the school. Day by day more and more ‘screamers’ start appearing and authorities have no clue what is causing this outbreak. Two students, Clover and Brody, refuse to be silenced and work together to both speak out about and solve this case.

This book is told in two different ways. It starts documentary style (imagine a classic Netflix interview type documentary) and then jumps back to the time of the screaming and is told from Brody and Clovers POVs, with the interview snippets woven in as the story progresses. I personally loved this style. I found it soooo engaging and easy to read.

The book started with fun thriller vibes and I really enjoyed it. It was addictive and fast paced, and I couldn’t put the book down. As it progressed it became clear that there was a powerful underlying message, and I then enjoyed it even more. It was so well researched, and Holly did a fantastic job of carefully balancing the plot with the important messaging.

I adored so many of the characters in this book. Who knew we’d end up rooting for a popular queen bee cheerleader?! I adored Clover, and loved the romance side plot. Genuinely I cannot fault this book. I’ll be recommending it to everyone and binging Holly’s complete works.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC!

This one's a tough one. It was pretty easy to read, but I felt like it went on for so long, even though it wasn't.

I also got the wrong idea about what this book is about. I thought it was a horror and kept expecting some horror reason for why the girls were screaming. Instead, it's rooted in some very real, horrible circumstances.

I felt the final reveal was fine, but, as with real life, it felt a little... lacking. I can't explain much because it would spoil it, but anyone who reads it will hopefully understand when I say the ending was: sad, but not surprising.

Clover was fine as an FMC, though it felt like she was mostly just 'I love Brody' and let a lot of things happen around her. Brody (ironically) had more personality; he had a clear drive as to what he wanted to do, and it kind of felt like Clover was just being dragged along for the right.

This is one of those hard books to review, because you can't do it without spoiling the plot, and I don't want to do that.

Overall, though, I found it to be enjoyable and a bit thought-provoking, if sad in parts.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holly Bourne is a true legend of our time and we must protect her at all costs. An ultimate auto-buy author for me, ‘And Then We Screamed’ is just further proof of why.

What would you do if someone just started screaming? And that person was the most popular for you knew? Oh, and you were in the middle of school? What about if more and more girls started screaming? Well, that’s what’s happened to Clover and Brody. And with the school and town trying to shut things down, it’s up to them to understand why these girls are screaming, and how to make the stop.

‘And Then We Screamed’ is another poignant and perfectly crafted novel that hooks you in from the start and frankly leaves you wanting to scream. Bourne has such a talent for highlighting just how messed up the world is in such a way that you don’t fully realise what’s about to hit you until it’s too late.

I’m in my thirties and adore both Bourne’s adult and YA novels, and I really wish I had her to read when I was younger.

This is a must read for all (ok, maybe teen and above) ages.

Thank you NetGalley and Usborne Publishing for the ARC.