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Always the Quiet Ones
Fantasy and reality clash in a twisted novel of psychological suspense, where a shared moment of female outrage changes one woman’s career overnight—and her life forever.
Beatrice “Bea” Ku is sure this is it. The moment she finally receives her hard-earned promotion at the Seattle law firm where the young Filipina American attorney has toiled for five years. She can’t wait to tell her parents—and Allegra, her annoyingly perfect childhood friend. So when her boss betrays her, again, promoting a male colleague instead, she’s so angry she could kill.
Bea tries to suppress that anger, just like her anxiety. But she’s branded “too emotional,” dredging up old memories from high school and her unhealthy coping mechanisms. Allegra and her husband, Caleb, Bea’s former crush, were largely responsible for getting Bea hooked. And her family and friends paid dearly.
Tired of all the gaslighting and toxic masculinity, and emboldened by liquid courage, Bea vows to change things. When a kindred spirit suggests a murder pact, she jokingly agrees. But nobody’s laughing when their deal turns out to be all too real…
Beatrice “Bea” Ku is sure this is it. The moment she finally receives her hard-earned promotion at the Seattle law firm where the young Filipina American attorney has toiled for five years. She can’t wait to tell her parents—and Allegra, her annoyingly perfect childhood friend. So when her boss betrays her, again, promoting a male colleague instead, she’s so angry she could kill.
Bea tries to suppress that anger, just like her anxiety. But she’s branded “too emotional,” dredging up old memories from high school and her unhealthy coping mechanisms. Allegra and her husband, Caleb, Bea’s former crush, were largely responsible for getting Bea hooked. And her family and friends paid dearly.
Tired of all the gaslighting and toxic masculinity, and emboldened by liquid courage, Bea vows to change things. When a kindred spirit suggests a murder pact, she jokingly agrees. But nobody’s laughing when their deal turns out to be all too real…
238 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 19, 2025
357 people are currently reading
6136 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
March 28, 2025
I'm surprised this hasn't gotten more attention. I was pleasantly surprised by "Always the Quiet Ones," a dark psychological thriller full of twists and turns.
Bea Ku, a corporate lawyer in Seattle, is at the end of her rope. She works for a misogynistic asshole who keeps passing her over for a promotion in an office full of men who think she needs to sleep her way to the top. She's simmering with rage and at the edge of spiraling out of control.
I don't know what corporate law is like but thankfully most law offices aren't like this, or at least it was an exaggerated version for dramatic effect. (I work as a legal assistant and found some of the depictions of lawyers to be stereotypical, but the author was a corporate lawyer so she knows her stuff.)
Bea's also hiding a past as a childhood delinquent, when she got wrapped up in an addiction to pills that had dangerous consequences.
Now she lives with her parents in a tight-knit but suffocating home. She's never had a serious relationship, and female friendship seems like a fairy tale.
Until she meets Kelli, another lawyer at a party. She vents about her horrible boss and Kelli jokes about killing their bosses. Until it's not a joke and Kelli's deadly serious.
Bea goes down a twisting spiral of thinking it's happening all over again and she can never escape her past.
At times the action could get a bit melodramatic for my taste, but overall I loved this and I was riveted from start to finish with this convoluted plot. Bea could often be unlikable and cold, addicted to succeeding at work at any cost, but I liked how she was flawed and morally grey, trapped by the mistakes of her youth. She was an interesting, complicated character and a case study in the question of whether people can actually change. I also appreciated the elements of her Filipina culture and her mother's lovely ginger tea. (But keep in mind this is not a cozy mystery. The stakes are high, this is very dark and Bea can never catch a breath)
A fun thriller that will keep you guessing, centered on female rage, corporate life, and revenge. Women supporting women shouldn't include murder pacts, Bea realizes too late.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advancd review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Bea Ku, a corporate lawyer in Seattle, is at the end of her rope. She works for a misogynistic asshole who keeps passing her over for a promotion in an office full of men who think she needs to sleep her way to the top. She's simmering with rage and at the edge of spiraling out of control.
I don't know what corporate law is like but thankfully most law offices aren't like this, or at least it was an exaggerated version for dramatic effect. (I work as a legal assistant and found some of the depictions of lawyers to be stereotypical, but the author was a corporate lawyer so she knows her stuff.)
Bea's also hiding a past as a childhood delinquent, when she got wrapped up in an addiction to pills that had dangerous consequences.
Now she lives with her parents in a tight-knit but suffocating home. She's never had a serious relationship, and female friendship seems like a fairy tale.
Until she meets Kelli, another lawyer at a party. She vents about her horrible boss and Kelli jokes about killing their bosses. Until it's not a joke and Kelli's deadly serious.
Bea goes down a twisting spiral of thinking it's happening all over again and she can never escape her past.
At times the action could get a bit melodramatic for my taste, but overall I loved this and I was riveted from start to finish with this convoluted plot. Bea could often be unlikable and cold, addicted to succeeding at work at any cost, but I liked how she was flawed and morally grey, trapped by the mistakes of her youth. She was an interesting, complicated character and a case study in the question of whether people can actually change. I also appreciated the elements of her Filipina culture and her mother's lovely ginger tea. (But keep in mind this is not a cozy mystery. The stakes are high, this is very dark and Bea can never catch a breath)
A fun thriller that will keep you guessing, centered on female rage, corporate life, and revenge. Women supporting women shouldn't include murder pacts, Bea realizes too late.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advancd review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 15, 2025
Book Title: Always the Quiet Ones
Author: Jamie Lee Sogn
Release Date: 08.19.2025
“I couldn’t stop thinking about Bea long after putting the book down.”
When I first heard about Always the Quiet Ones, I was captivated by the premise: a Filipina American lawyer, Bea Ku, blindsided by yet another missed promotion, finally snapping - not into tears, but into fury so tangible it pulses off the page. Jamie Lee Sogn didn’t just write a thriller; she wrote a mirror reflecting unspoken frustrations I’ve carried, and maybe you have too.
The book hits at gaslighting, workplace misogyny, cultural expectations, and mental health with a clarity that doesn’t feel preachy, only urgent. Bea's struggles felt real, painful, and powerful. Bea may not always fight back the way we want, but she survives herself in a world that assumes she won’t. That’s something rare and fierce.
Author: Jamie Lee Sogn
Release Date: 08.19.2025
“I couldn’t stop thinking about Bea long after putting the book down.”
When I first heard about Always the Quiet Ones, I was captivated by the premise: a Filipina American lawyer, Bea Ku, blindsided by yet another missed promotion, finally snapping - not into tears, but into fury so tangible it pulses off the page. Jamie Lee Sogn didn’t just write a thriller; she wrote a mirror reflecting unspoken frustrations I’ve carried, and maybe you have too.
The book hits at gaslighting, workplace misogyny, cultural expectations, and mental health with a clarity that doesn’t feel preachy, only urgent. Bea's struggles felt real, painful, and powerful. Bea may not always fight back the way we want, but she survives herself in a world that assumes she won’t. That’s something rare and fierce.
May 11, 2025
This was an intense read. It pulled me in from page one and never loosened its grip. Full of captivating suspense and a shocking ending.
August 30, 2025
When Beatrice “Bea” Ku is about to FINALLY get her promotion at her law firm, she is so excited. But once again she gets screwed over when her boss chooses a man for the position. She is FUMING. She meets Kelli, who has a plan for revenge against their bosses. This was intense, and suspenseful. It really had me invested and I couldn't wait to pick it back up each time. The pacing has its moments where it picks up, and moments of a slower pace, but what a great thriller. Definitely a worthwhile read!
Thank you to the publisher, author, netgalley and Suzy approved book tours for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher, author, netgalley and Suzy approved book tours for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
September 2, 2025
This book pulled me in right away. It’s unsettling, full of tension, and keeps you second-guessing every character. A sharp, binge-worthy thriller that sticks with you.
Thank you to Amazon Publishing for the gifted copy! ♥️
Thank you to Amazon Publishing for the gifted copy! ♥️
November 12, 2025
This was a really good, fun, thrilling time. A short little read, during the Halloween evenings.
It is a bit of ‘feminine rage’, ‘good for her’ and ‘women righting men’s wrong’ vibes. Can’t go wrong!
Bea is a kinda screwed up person, still hugely affected by events from her past. She is hard-working and smart and screwed over by rich old men in positions of power. When she clubs together with a new female friend, she doesn’t quite realise what kind of crazy she has got herself involved in.
Recommend for a quick and twisty, good time, thriller read.
Thank you to @netgalley and @lakeunionauthors for a digital copy of this book for reviewing.
3.5/5
It is a bit of ‘feminine rage’, ‘good for her’ and ‘women righting men’s wrong’ vibes. Can’t go wrong!
Bea is a kinda screwed up person, still hugely affected by events from her past. She is hard-working and smart and screwed over by rich old men in positions of power. When she clubs together with a new female friend, she doesn’t quite realise what kind of crazy she has got herself involved in.
Recommend for a quick and twisty, good time, thriller read.
Thank you to @netgalley and @lakeunionauthors for a digital copy of this book for reviewing.
3.5/5
May 22, 2025
Links: Instagram | Blog
I devoured this book in one sitting, and that alone already makes it an easy recommendation from me. Funny enough, I had no idea the author is half Filipino, just like the main character, Bea Ku. I don’t usually read blurbs or dive too much into author bios before reading, so that was a pleasant surprise. I always enjoy seeing Filipino culture and quirks pop up in any book, regardless of the genre. It adds a layer of familiarity that feels both comforting and exciting, especially when done right and I think Sogn really nailed that here.
The story revolves around Bea, a Filipina American who’s trying to climb the corporate ladder while battling a past she can’t quite outrun. She’s stuck in this cycle of trying to please her boss, hoping for a promotion that keeps slipping through her fingers. Right from the first chapter, there’s this creeping sense of mystery that hooks you.
Bea is such an intriguing character. From the very first chapter, there’s already a sense that she might be an unreliable narrator, and that just made me want to read faster to piece everything together. Sogn did a great job fleshing Bea out. She never felt overexplained or flat, just complex, real, and relatable. Her development over the course of the book felt natural, like getting to know someone layer by layer.
The writing style really won me over. It’s simple, clean, and very effective. The pacing is excellent. You just keep flipping pages, needing to know what happens next. It’s that kind of writing that doesn’t try too hard but delivers exactly what the story needs. Plot-wise, I was caught off guard by a few twists (in a good way), though I will admit some reveals landed a bit softer than expected. Still, the overall tension and mystery kept me fully engaged.
Overall, I’d definitely recommend this to any mystery lover. It’s a quick, satisfying read with just enough suspense to keep you guessing. Whether you’re in it for the mystery or just a good weekend read, Always The Quiet Ones is worth picking up.
I devoured this book in one sitting, and that alone already makes it an easy recommendation from me. Funny enough, I had no idea the author is half Filipino, just like the main character, Bea Ku. I don’t usually read blurbs or dive too much into author bios before reading, so that was a pleasant surprise. I always enjoy seeing Filipino culture and quirks pop up in any book, regardless of the genre. It adds a layer of familiarity that feels both comforting and exciting, especially when done right and I think Sogn really nailed that here.
The story revolves around Bea, a Filipina American who’s trying to climb the corporate ladder while battling a past she can’t quite outrun. She’s stuck in this cycle of trying to please her boss, hoping for a promotion that keeps slipping through her fingers. Right from the first chapter, there’s this creeping sense of mystery that hooks you.
Bea is such an intriguing character. From the very first chapter, there’s already a sense that she might be an unreliable narrator, and that just made me want to read faster to piece everything together. Sogn did a great job fleshing Bea out. She never felt overexplained or flat, just complex, real, and relatable. Her development over the course of the book felt natural, like getting to know someone layer by layer.
The writing style really won me over. It’s simple, clean, and very effective. The pacing is excellent. You just keep flipping pages, needing to know what happens next. It’s that kind of writing that doesn’t try too hard but delivers exactly what the story needs. Plot-wise, I was caught off guard by a few twists (in a good way), though I will admit some reveals landed a bit softer than expected. Still, the overall tension and mystery kept me fully engaged.
Overall, I’d definitely recommend this to any mystery lover. It’s a quick, satisfying read with just enough suspense to keep you guessing. Whether you’re in it for the mystery or just a good weekend read, Always The Quiet Ones is worth picking up.
September 25, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.5) soft 4
Always the Quiet Ones is a dark, twisty psychological suspense that dives headfirst into female rage, workplace toxicity, and the question of whether we can ever outrun our past.
Tropes & Themes
⚖️ Workplace misogyny / toxic corporate life
⚖️ Female rage turned dangerous
⚖️ Morally grey, unreliable narrator
⚖️ Addiction & past trauma resurfacing
⚖️ “Strangers become allies” pact
⚖️ Gaslighting & revenge
Bea Ku is a fascinating, messy protagonist. She’s angry, anxious, and morally complicated — not always likable, but definitely real. I loved how the book explored her identity as a Filipina American woman in a cutthroat law firm, and how those cultural details grounded her amidst all the chaos. The murder pact angle was both chilling and darkly funny, and it gave the story a sharp edge that pulled me through.
On the flip side, the pacing could be uneven — some parts dragged while others flew by — and a couple of twists landed softer than I hoped. Still, the tension was strong, the writing clean, and Bea’s voice compelling enough to keep me invested.
This isn’t a cozy thriller — it’s sharp, unsettling, and very much about what happens when rage boils over. I didn’t love every choice, but I admired how daring and layered it was. A solid psychological suspense that fans of morally grey characters will appreciate.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Always the Quiet Ones is a dark, twisty psychological suspense that dives headfirst into female rage, workplace toxicity, and the question of whether we can ever outrun our past.
Tropes & Themes
⚖️ Workplace misogyny / toxic corporate life
⚖️ Female rage turned dangerous
⚖️ Morally grey, unreliable narrator
⚖️ Addiction & past trauma resurfacing
⚖️ “Strangers become allies” pact
⚖️ Gaslighting & revenge
Bea Ku is a fascinating, messy protagonist. She’s angry, anxious, and morally complicated — not always likable, but definitely real. I loved how the book explored her identity as a Filipina American woman in a cutthroat law firm, and how those cultural details grounded her amidst all the chaos. The murder pact angle was both chilling and darkly funny, and it gave the story a sharp edge that pulled me through.
On the flip side, the pacing could be uneven — some parts dragged while others flew by — and a couple of twists landed softer than I hoped. Still, the tension was strong, the writing clean, and Bea’s voice compelling enough to keep me invested.
This isn’t a cozy thriller — it’s sharp, unsettling, and very much about what happens when rage boils over. I didn’t love every choice, but I admired how daring and layered it was. A solid psychological suspense that fans of morally grey characters will appreciate.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 11, 2025
Always the Quiet Ones by Jamie Lee Sogn is a twisty, simmering thriller about how much frustration a person can take before they snap. Bea has spent five years grinding at her Seattle law firm, only to watch a less-qualified male colleague get the promotion she’s earned. It’s not just this one betrayal, it's years of being called too emotional and pushed aside.
Old wounds resurface, especially the ones tied to Allegra, her picture-perfect childhood friend who helped steer Bea toward some pretty dark choices. So when a new acquaintance jokingly suggests a murder pact, Bea plays along until someone actually follows through!
Sharp, relatable, and a little wicked! Just remember: the quiet ones? They’re the ones you should be worried about!
⚡️Thank you Amazon and Jamie Lee Sogn for sharing this book with me!
Old wounds resurface, especially the ones tied to Allegra, her picture-perfect childhood friend who helped steer Bea toward some pretty dark choices. So when a new acquaintance jokingly suggests a murder pact, Bea plays along until someone actually follows through!
Sharp, relatable, and a little wicked! Just remember: the quiet ones? They’re the ones you should be worried about!
⚡️Thank you Amazon and Jamie Lee Sogn for sharing this book with me!
August 16, 2025
Always The Quiet Ones by Jamie Lee Sogn, Bea Ku is a Lawyer who lives with her parents and owes them so much for a pass incident that cost them everything. She is waiting to get a promotion her boss Landon has promised her for the past couple of years but when she arrives at work that day she learns the promotion went to Greg. She is upset but keeps her head down and does her job but not without vocalizing her disappointment and dismay which ultimately leads to her boss telling her she’s not getting a promotion because she is a bitch no one likes her etc he told her this at a club celebrating Greg’s promotion and landing a great client a big boon to the company something she was also taken off of thanks to Landon. Later that night she sees a woman she keeps running in to named Kelly. despite wanting to leave she’s hoping her and Kelly will become great friends this is why she decides to stay longer. They dance, drink, have a great time and now they’re on their way home this is when Kelly sees Landon he is drunk sitting in his car something he cannot possibly drive. When Kelly insists they must do the right thing despite Bea’s refusal they ultimately let him tag along in the Uber. When they arrived they leave be with no choice when they get to Landon‘s house and send the Uber on its way. They Tell her to come in for one night cap and then they will go home. Bea drinks a glass of wine and that is the last thing she remembers she wakes up in her bed at home confused and even as she on peels the layers to what happened her confusion will only grow because Landon soon found dead, and Kelly tells her OK now it’s your turn you have to kill for me? this is just the beginning of her problems and we haven’t even discussed Caleb and Aurora her childhood friends and that whole episode. I really enjoyed this book I liked Simon and to be honest I also liked Kelly at first. I thought this was a well put together story in which you can actually unlike a lot of books follow the clues there’s drama thrilling situations not to mention her fraught and checkered past. this is a neurotic journey that definitely pays off in the end with great twist not to mention the main character is definitely worth rooting for. There’s problems with her family her job her social life but that doesn’t mean she wants to give it up. This is a great book and definitely one I recommended those who love thrillers with likable characters great writing awesome twist all wrapped up into one great story. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #JamieLeeSong, #AlwaysTheQuietOnes,
September 9, 2025
Always The Quiet Ones by Jamie Lee Sogn (2025)
v+233-page Kindle Ebook story pages 1-231
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Featuring: Bibliography for Jamie Kee Sogn, Biracial Filipino MC, Lawyers, Pushover MC, Seattle, Washington; Family Dynamics, Workplace Setting, Boys Club Trope, Tagalog, Friendships, Sex, Drugs, Secrets, Crime
Rating as a movie: R for adult content
Songs for the soundtrack: “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⚖️😑💊
My thoughts: 🔖Page 51 of 233 Chapter 8 - I was hoping this would be a quick thrill, but it's kind of boring, and the MC is pitiful.
I saw this book in a Facebook ad and headed over to Kindle Unlimited to check it out. It looked interesting and was under 250 pages. When I added it to Goodreads I saw some positive reviews and one stated "I'm surprised this hasn't gotten more attention." Well, let me tell you, people are sleeping on it because it's slow, repetitive, uneventful, and anticlimactic. It definitely felt like the readers who enjoyed this story read a different book. I think my experience with complex psychological thrillers hindered my ability to enjoy this story, it was simple and relied heavily on the MC being simple for the plot to work. I understand you can be a genius and lack common sense but I just find this MC's combo hard to believe, and the big reveal was obvious.
Recommend to others: No, unless you have time to kill and enjoy slow burn with a clueless MC.
Memorable Quotes: My stomach sinks, and I pull up my inbox and swipe through the attached deck from Greg. I instantly spot some errors and groan. Even though I just want to go to bed early, I pull out my laptop and revise his work. This is the last time I have to do this, I think. Because tomorrow Granite will sign, and for real this time, I’m getting that promotion, just like Landon said. He promised.
v+233-page Kindle Ebook story pages 1-231
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Featuring: Bibliography for Jamie Kee Sogn, Biracial Filipino MC, Lawyers, Pushover MC, Seattle, Washington; Family Dynamics, Workplace Setting, Boys Club Trope, Tagalog, Friendships, Sex, Drugs, Secrets, Crime
Rating as a movie: R for adult content
Songs for the soundtrack: “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⚖️😑💊
My thoughts: 🔖Page 51 of 233 Chapter 8 - I was hoping this would be a quick thrill, but it's kind of boring, and the MC is pitiful.
I saw this book in a Facebook ad and headed over to Kindle Unlimited to check it out. It looked interesting and was under 250 pages. When I added it to Goodreads I saw some positive reviews and one stated "I'm surprised this hasn't gotten more attention." Well, let me tell you, people are sleeping on it because it's slow, repetitive, uneventful, and anticlimactic. It definitely felt like the readers who enjoyed this story read a different book. I think my experience with complex psychological thrillers hindered my ability to enjoy this story, it was simple and relied heavily on the MC being simple for the plot to work. I understand you can be a genius and lack common sense but I just find this MC's combo hard to believe, and the big reveal was obvious.
Recommend to others: No, unless you have time to kill and enjoy slow burn with a clueless MC.
Memorable Quotes: My stomach sinks, and I pull up my inbox and swipe through the attached deck from Greg. I instantly spot some errors and groan. Even though I just want to go to bed early, I pull out my laptop and revise his work. This is the last time I have to do this, I think. Because tomorrow Granite will sign, and for real this time, I’m getting that promotion, just like Landon said. He promised.
May 15, 2025
Being an immigrant is hard. Bea Ku had to follow the life map her Filipino mother laid out for her. It felt suffocating for an only child, but her mother was just being cautious, like many immigrants are. This strict parenting helped me understand Bea’s rebellious streak and why she didn’t confront Landon, her team leader, despite his mistreatment. As an Asian myself, I can relate—holding back often feels like second nature in the workplace. But this time, Bea was done with holding back. She finally stood up to Landon… and the next morning, he was found dead.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. The mystery behind Landon’s death was surprisingly gripping. But I wish the author had explored Bea’s immigrant family more deeply. Asian communities are usually portrayed as tightly knit and noisy when it comes to neighborhood relationships. Sogn hinted at this, but only briefly. When Bea got caught up in the murder investigation, her family and neighbors seemed to disappear from the narrative. Maybe Sogn wanted to highlight “the quiet ones,” like the title suggests—but honestly, I never saw Bea as particularly quiet. She was more of a lone wolf, but not in the way I expected.
I also hoped for more depth in her relationship with Caleb—her entire world as a teen. Their reunion after he married her best friend could’ve been a moment bursting with emotion, but it felt a bit flat. There was potential to make readers feel the heartbreak; I wish that had been pushed further.
Still, thumbs up for the mystery—I did not see that twist coming!
Overall, I enjoyed this book. The mystery behind Landon’s death was surprisingly gripping. But I wish the author had explored Bea’s immigrant family more deeply. Asian communities are usually portrayed as tightly knit and noisy when it comes to neighborhood relationships. Sogn hinted at this, but only briefly. When Bea got caught up in the murder investigation, her family and neighbors seemed to disappear from the narrative. Maybe Sogn wanted to highlight “the quiet ones,” like the title suggests—but honestly, I never saw Bea as particularly quiet. She was more of a lone wolf, but not in the way I expected.
I also hoped for more depth in her relationship with Caleb—her entire world as a teen. Their reunion after he married her best friend could’ve been a moment bursting with emotion, but it felt a bit flat. There was potential to make readers feel the heartbreak; I wish that had been pushed further.
Still, thumbs up for the mystery—I did not see that twist coming!
March 16, 2025
Jamie Lee Sogn delivers an exciting and emotionally charged thriller in Always the Quiet Ones, a gripping tale of guilt, deception, and survival. The story follows Bea, a successful lawyer whose past mistakes come back to haunt her in the most dangerous way. As a teenager, Bea caused a near-fatal car accident while high on drugs, but her boyfriend took the blame. Now, years later, she finds herself entangled in a sinister plot that threatens everything she has built. Sogn expertly weaves past and present together, creating a suspenseful and layered narrative that keeps the reader hooked.
Though the pacing slows slightly in some areas, the overall tension and mystery more than make up for it. Bea is a flawed yet compelling protagonist, and the psychological depth of her journey adds weight to the unfolding drama. With sharp writing, well-timed twists, and a satisfying conclusion, Always the Quiet Ones is a gripping read that will keep fans of psychological and legal thrillers thoroughly engaged.
Disclaimer: I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Though the pacing slows slightly in some areas, the overall tension and mystery more than make up for it. Bea is a flawed yet compelling protagonist, and the psychological depth of her journey adds weight to the unfolding drama. With sharp writing, well-timed twists, and a satisfying conclusion, Always the Quiet Ones is a gripping read that will keep fans of psychological and legal thrillers thoroughly engaged.
Disclaimer: I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 7, 2025
Fast-paced mystery
Good story about Bea, slaving away in a corporate office, pursuing a promotion that always slips out of reach. The daughter of Filipino immigrants, Bea works hard to make her way and help her family. Her boss, Landon is verbally abusive, and at a party celebrating the promotion of a guy who got credit for her work, Bea and Landon have a loud argument. That night, Landon dies, and the woman she shared a car with, stopping to drop Landon off, tells Bea that it was her fault he died. Unfortunately, Bea had had so much to drink at the party, her memory of the night is a blank. She does some deep investigation, though, and finds links to a long ago tragedy. Quite an interesting read.
Good story about Bea, slaving away in a corporate office, pursuing a promotion that always slips out of reach. The daughter of Filipino immigrants, Bea works hard to make her way and help her family. Her boss, Landon is verbally abusive, and at a party celebrating the promotion of a guy who got credit for her work, Bea and Landon have a loud argument. That night, Landon dies, and the woman she shared a car with, stopping to drop Landon off, tells Bea that it was her fault he died. Unfortunately, Bea had had so much to drink at the party, her memory of the night is a blank. She does some deep investigation, though, and finds links to a long ago tragedy. Quite an interesting read.
August 17, 2025
I wish the "female rage" had been more prominent; it was there in the beginning, along with the male led workplace and sexism, but it kind of fell flat as the story went on. It became more about Bea having an internal conflict and making stupid decisions.
The mystery was okay enough, though I think parts of it were pretty predictable. There were parts that were a little too corny for me (the ending), but overall it was fine.
Thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for the ARC!
The mystery was okay enough, though I think parts of it were pretty predictable. There were parts that were a little too corny for me (the ending), but overall it was fine.
Thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for the ARC!
August 11, 2025
Overall, I enjoyed this story. I am always a fan of Filipino representation and this did not disappoint in that aspect, particularly in the relationships between the women in her circle. The beginning drew me in and had me hooked but it kind of fell apart and got a little muddled in the middle. The end picked it and was interesting but got a little confusing. I wish there had been more exploration of the various relationships but what there was did a good job of explaining their ties to each other. This was a quick, enjoyable read.
I received a copy from #NetGalley and #BrilliancePublishing for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley and #BrilliancePublishing for an honest review.
November 11, 2025
3.5 stars.
A solid suspenseful murder mystery with Strangers on a Train vibes. I enjoyed the characters and the writing but felt the story could have used a bit more oomph. Somewhere around the middle part the story veered off track, with too much emphasis on Bea's relationship status and her feelings than on the blackmail and murder happening around her. The ending was a whirlwind and wrapped everything up nicely.
A solid suspenseful murder mystery with Strangers on a Train vibes. I enjoyed the characters and the writing but felt the story could have used a bit more oomph. Somewhere around the middle part the story veered off track, with too much emphasis on Bea's relationship status and her feelings than on the blackmail and murder happening around her. The ending was a whirlwind and wrapped everything up nicely.
August 13, 2025
This was such a solid weird girl thriller, the kind of story where you’re never quite sure if you can trust anyone, and I loved every minute of it. The characters were well done and easy to connect with, and the twist? It was twisty in the best way, keeping me hooked until the very end.
I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator really brought the story to life, excellent pacing, emotion, and tone.
This was an ARC from NetGalley, and I’m so glad I picked it up. If you like your thrillers a little offbeat, full of secrets, and packed with tension, definitely add this one to your list.
I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator really brought the story to life, excellent pacing, emotion, and tone.
This was an ARC from NetGalley, and I’m so glad I picked it up. If you like your thrillers a little offbeat, full of secrets, and packed with tension, definitely add this one to your list.
August 14, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC ✨️
While this audio had good premise, I found it hard to connect to any characters. I definitely found points of enjoyment however I was getting to the point where I was begging this to be over.
Repetitive, dragged out and nothing grabbed me.
2 🌟
While this audio had good premise, I found it hard to connect to any characters. I definitely found points of enjoyment however I was getting to the point where I was begging this to be over.
Repetitive, dragged out and nothing grabbed me.
2 🌟
December 11, 2025
3.75
This one was kinda intense!
Psych thriller that’s for sure
This one was kinda intense!
Psych thriller that’s for sure
September 16, 2025
You know when you watch a show or move dubbed and even if the words are there, it just feels weird? That’s how this reads. Also the plot has been ten million times and usually better.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC
August 13, 2025
I had so much fun with this book. It truly hooked me in from the jump. It was twisty in the best way and there were definitely many things I didn’t have figured out until they happened making it all the more fun.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishing team for this ARC!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishing team for this ARC!
December 29, 2025
This book was wildly smart and emotionally intense in the best way. Bea is such a layered, complicated character — and watching her unravel had me hooked. The mix of psychological suspense, female rage, and dark humor kept me flipping pages. I loved the commentary on workplace politics, mental health, and what happens when suppressed emotions finally explode. Unhinged in all the right ways.
What stood out most to me was its portrayal of female rage—not as a caricature, but as something complex, valid, and sometimes terrifying. Bea’s anger is born out of betrayal, isolation, and the relentless erosion of her self-worth. The story doesn’t shy away from showing how that rage can empower but also consume.
The toxic friendship dynamics are deliciously messy—loyalty and envy intertwine, and you’re never sure if the people in Bea’s life are allies or enemies. The blurred line between reality and fantasy adds a haunting psychological layer, making the suspense as much about Bea’s mind as it is about the mystery unfolding around her.
The writing is immersive, almost claustrophobic at times, pulling you directly into Bea’s spiraling thoughts. By the time I reached the twist ending, I was breathless—and left sitting in silence, replaying the entire book in my mind.
What stood out most to me was its portrayal of female rage—not as a caricature, but as something complex, valid, and sometimes terrifying. Bea’s anger is born out of betrayal, isolation, and the relentless erosion of her self-worth. The story doesn’t shy away from showing how that rage can empower but also consume.
The toxic friendship dynamics are deliciously messy—loyalty and envy intertwine, and you’re never sure if the people in Bea’s life are allies or enemies. The blurred line between reality and fantasy adds a haunting psychological layer, making the suspense as much about Bea’s mind as it is about the mystery unfolding around her.
The writing is immersive, almost claustrophobic at times, pulling you directly into Bea’s spiraling thoughts. By the time I reached the twist ending, I was breathless—and left sitting in silence, replaying the entire book in my mind.
June 18, 2025
Razor-sharp and impossible to put down, Always the Quiet Ones is a propulsive ride that simmers with quiet fury. Bea Ku plays by the rules—until the game turns on her. Overlooked, underestimated, and pushed to the edge, her unraveling is an unflinching exploration of female rage. In Jamie Lee Sogn’s fierce, tension-laced novel, Bea isn’t just unforgettable—she’s a reckoning. Cancel your plans—this one demands to be read in a single sitting.
November 4, 2025
Bea Ku, a hardworking and accomplished Filipina lawyer who has been passed over for promotion for five years, finds herself shortchanged once again when her colleague, lazy and incompetent Greg Farrell, whose work she checks and improves, is promoted over her. Her boss, Landor Laurie, is insufferable, misogynistic and chauvinistic, and overworks her, repeatedly gaslighting, shortchanging and demeaning her.
The loss hits Bea hard, reeling as she is from the picture-perfect lives that her teenage best friend Allegra and her husband Caleb Crown live. Her parents are constantly comparing her to Allegra, now an expectant mother. It is as if they haven’t forgiven her for messing up her life as a teenager by getting addicted to performance enhancement drugs.
At a party held to celebrate their firm's acquisition of new client Granite from rival, Saul group, Bea meets Kelli Stewart, a harried lawyer working at Saul group. One drink leads to another, and then Kelli suggests, “I’ll kill yours if you kill mine.” And Bea responds, “There’s an offer I can’t refuse.” Then Landor is found dead, and Bea's memory of what happened is fuzzy. She begins to fear that the new life she’s built for herself is about to come crashing down.
The book is written from the 1st person PoV of Bea.
WHAT I LIKED:
The book raises important questions about sexism, about the toxicity rampant in certain workplaces, especially in legal firms which often operate as old boys’ clubs. We also get a sense of the male ego that cannot bear rejection, and the sense of entitlement that some men carry about with them, which they feel is justified due to their position and gender.
The book also touches on the attitude and beliefs about single women, particularly if they aspire to senior positions, as well as the issues faced by immigrants in a country in which English supersedes all languages.
Landor Laurie steps inside Bea’s office, sits on her chair, and leans back with his feet propped up on the desktop. This one image was so colourful, giving us a clear idea of what the man was really like.
At first I didn’t like Bea much, but I warmed to her a little once the author started giving away bits of her history. We also get to see how annoying Bea’s mother can be, especially with reference to her fondness for Allegra.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE:
The story opens on the Monday morning on which Bea expects to get her promotion. Yet instead of getting to the point, it leads with unnecessary information about Bea's morning routine, the pills she takes etc. The pill addiction could have been worked in later.
In the first chapter, Bea tells her mother that she and her parents are the only ones to live in the house. It is annoying when the Main Character tells another character things they should know for our benefit. The descriptions of Bea and her mother were equally unnecessary.
I liked the first part of this book more than anything that followed. The author really showed us how badly Bea was being shortchanged at work, and I waited for her to take action. But that never happened. After Landor’s death, the pace completely goes off.
None of the characters were really likeable. Bea is good at her job, but she lacks common sense and makes a number of stupid decisions. Given her training as a lawyer, and she was supposedly a good one, her actions didn’t sit right. The detective, Judith Branson, was uninteresting, and Allegra was rather annoying.
The book was a slow burn. After Landor’s death, which we come to know of at the 29 pc mark, the investigation falls asleep, it seems. Nothing much happens. There's a slump. The next increase in pace takes place at the 66 pc mark, but not much happens even then. The action perks up only towards the end, but the so-called plot twist that Bea resorts to in order to save herself is something that she had suggested early on. So even that turned out to be a letdown.
WHAT DIDN’T WORK:
The whole Strangers on a Train premise wasn’t pulled off quite well.
The dynamic between Bea and Caleb wasn’t fully explored. They were thick as thieves as teenagers and there’s a hint of a romance that isn’t fully explored. So when they meet for the first time after nearly 20-odd years, I expected some kind of fireworks, some excitement, the barest hint of emotion. But it was so tame and flat.
The relationship between Bea and Simon seems to progress far too soon. I couldn’t see why Simon would choose to take the actions he did. His actions weren’t credible.
A minor quibble, but two partners at Bea's firm had alliterative names: Landor Laurie and Olivia Oxford, which seems made-up and takes us out of the story.
ALL SAID AND DONE: The premise of the overworked, competent working girl taking action to right things in her life carried promise, but that promise wasn’t quite fulfilled.
(I received a free copy of this book from the author and publisher for the purpose of writing this review.)
The loss hits Bea hard, reeling as she is from the picture-perfect lives that her teenage best friend Allegra and her husband Caleb Crown live. Her parents are constantly comparing her to Allegra, now an expectant mother. It is as if they haven’t forgiven her for messing up her life as a teenager by getting addicted to performance enhancement drugs.
At a party held to celebrate their firm's acquisition of new client Granite from rival, Saul group, Bea meets Kelli Stewart, a harried lawyer working at Saul group. One drink leads to another, and then Kelli suggests, “I’ll kill yours if you kill mine.” And Bea responds, “There’s an offer I can’t refuse.” Then Landor is found dead, and Bea's memory of what happened is fuzzy. She begins to fear that the new life she’s built for herself is about to come crashing down.
The book is written from the 1st person PoV of Bea.
WHAT I LIKED:
The book raises important questions about sexism, about the toxicity rampant in certain workplaces, especially in legal firms which often operate as old boys’ clubs. We also get a sense of the male ego that cannot bear rejection, and the sense of entitlement that some men carry about with them, which they feel is justified due to their position and gender.
The book also touches on the attitude and beliefs about single women, particularly if they aspire to senior positions, as well as the issues faced by immigrants in a country in which English supersedes all languages.
Landor Laurie steps inside Bea’s office, sits on her chair, and leans back with his feet propped up on the desktop. This one image was so colourful, giving us a clear idea of what the man was really like.
At first I didn’t like Bea much, but I warmed to her a little once the author started giving away bits of her history. We also get to see how annoying Bea’s mother can be, especially with reference to her fondness for Allegra.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE:
The story opens on the Monday morning on which Bea expects to get her promotion. Yet instead of getting to the point, it leads with unnecessary information about Bea's morning routine, the pills she takes etc. The pill addiction could have been worked in later.
In the first chapter, Bea tells her mother that she and her parents are the only ones to live in the house. It is annoying when the Main Character tells another character things they should know for our benefit. The descriptions of Bea and her mother were equally unnecessary.
I liked the first part of this book more than anything that followed. The author really showed us how badly Bea was being shortchanged at work, and I waited for her to take action. But that never happened. After Landor’s death, the pace completely goes off.
None of the characters were really likeable. Bea is good at her job, but she lacks common sense and makes a number of stupid decisions. Given her training as a lawyer, and she was supposedly a good one, her actions didn’t sit right. The detective, Judith Branson, was uninteresting, and Allegra was rather annoying.
The book was a slow burn. After Landor’s death, which we come to know of at the 29 pc mark, the investigation falls asleep, it seems. Nothing much happens. There's a slump. The next increase in pace takes place at the 66 pc mark, but not much happens even then. The action perks up only towards the end, but the so-called plot twist that Bea resorts to in order to save herself is something that she had suggested early on. So even that turned out to be a letdown.
WHAT DIDN’T WORK:
The whole Strangers on a Train premise wasn’t pulled off quite well.
The dynamic between Bea and Caleb wasn’t fully explored. They were thick as thieves as teenagers and there’s a hint of a romance that isn’t fully explored. So when they meet for the first time after nearly 20-odd years, I expected some kind of fireworks, some excitement, the barest hint of emotion. But it was so tame and flat.
The relationship between Bea and Simon seems to progress far too soon. I couldn’t see why Simon would choose to take the actions he did. His actions weren’t credible.
A minor quibble, but two partners at Bea's firm had alliterative names: Landor Laurie and Olivia Oxford, which seems made-up and takes us out of the story.
ALL SAID AND DONE: The premise of the overworked, competent working girl taking action to right things in her life carried promise, but that promise wasn’t quite fulfilled.
(I received a free copy of this book from the author and publisher for the purpose of writing this review.)
May 12, 2025
3.8 stars
Big thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book ♥
Beatrice ‘Bea’ Ku is a young, hard working lawyer who is finally promised her long-awaited promotion only to be caught completely off guard as her male colleague was promoted instead. Not the first time this has happened. But it will be the last. Bea finds herself locked into a deal after meeting a mysterious yet encaptivating stranger at a club where they “jokingly” make a promise to kill each other’s bosses.
After a relatively slow first half, the narrative really picks up in the second half making this hard to put down. The chapters are short but engrossing the entire time. I personally found this a little predictable, and had some thoughts about the plot in general, however, if you are after a short, high stakes, thriller, this is an easy read!
[SPOILERS BELOW]
I feel as though the entire Allegra / Caleb arc wasn’t useful to the plot. Sure it showed that she was struggling internally with her past but it didn’t feel connected to her current struggles? So much of the first half is setting up Bea’s past and something terrible that had happened, I really expected that to be more important within the second arc. It almost felt as though it could be scrapped entirely and we could focus more on Bea finding out the truth of her deal and discovering a way to ‘win’ against Kelli. (Also, what happened to Calebs business? Is it just okay in the end? Idk if I missed that or if it just isn’t mentioned again)
Simon was really just there to deliver the magic pills and then? Happily ever after I guess? This man must be a saint because if I was trauma dumping on the first date then admitted to being involved in a murder I think I would have called the police. To me, it felt as though it SHOULD have been Caleb to help, regardless if they went down the pill bottle route or not. He’s set up to not like police and is resourceful; personally, I feel as though it would be more meaningful if he helped set up the plan with Bea.
Unless I misunderstood, there’s a continuity error in Chapter 16. It starts with Bea saying she’ll go over to Kelli’s for dinner but Bea ends up going for drinks with Simon, and dinner isnt mentioned. Bea, a few days later, goes to that dinner with Kelli but in my head I thought she blew her off to meet up with Simon.
Kellis is very obviously suspicious throughout the entire novel, I wish our expectations were subverted or she was a red herring for something else to come into play.
Considering the plot revolved around Bea wanting a promotion, we never really saw if she got any official promotion. I guess it’s not really the point of the story, but I still feel for her character!
I really hope my long review and criticisms aren’t discouraging. I genuinely enjoyed the premise and I think the prose is beautiful, eloquent, and flowed really naturally. It was an incredibly easy read and I truly think the writing itself is a huge strength of Sogn. Ultimately, this book bodes well for the future of Sogn’s work. Other than some narrative issues, I genuinely feel as though Sogn will create exceptional work in the future! After checking GoodReads just now I’m noticing this is Sogn’s SECOND novel?? Definitely bright skies ahead, and congratulations for another soon to be published book!
Big thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book ♥
Beatrice ‘Bea’ Ku is a young, hard working lawyer who is finally promised her long-awaited promotion only to be caught completely off guard as her male colleague was promoted instead. Not the first time this has happened. But it will be the last. Bea finds herself locked into a deal after meeting a mysterious yet encaptivating stranger at a club where they “jokingly” make a promise to kill each other’s bosses.
After a relatively slow first half, the narrative really picks up in the second half making this hard to put down. The chapters are short but engrossing the entire time. I personally found this a little predictable, and had some thoughts about the plot in general, however, if you are after a short, high stakes, thriller, this is an easy read!
[SPOILERS BELOW]
I feel as though the entire Allegra / Caleb arc wasn’t useful to the plot. Sure it showed that she was struggling internally with her past but it didn’t feel connected to her current struggles? So much of the first half is setting up Bea’s past and something terrible that had happened, I really expected that to be more important within the second arc. It almost felt as though it could be scrapped entirely and we could focus more on Bea finding out the truth of her deal and discovering a way to ‘win’ against Kelli. (Also, what happened to Calebs business? Is it just okay in the end? Idk if I missed that or if it just isn’t mentioned again)
Simon was really just there to deliver the magic pills and then? Happily ever after I guess? This man must be a saint because if I was trauma dumping on the first date then admitted to being involved in a murder I think I would have called the police. To me, it felt as though it SHOULD have been Caleb to help, regardless if they went down the pill bottle route or not. He’s set up to not like police and is resourceful; personally, I feel as though it would be more meaningful if he helped set up the plan with Bea.
Unless I misunderstood, there’s a continuity error in Chapter 16. It starts with Bea saying she’ll go over to Kelli’s for dinner but Bea ends up going for drinks with Simon, and dinner isnt mentioned. Bea, a few days later, goes to that dinner with Kelli but in my head I thought she blew her off to meet up with Simon.
Kellis is very obviously suspicious throughout the entire novel, I wish our expectations were subverted or she was a red herring for something else to come into play.
Considering the plot revolved around Bea wanting a promotion, we never really saw if she got any official promotion. I guess it’s not really the point of the story, but I still feel for her character!
I really hope my long review and criticisms aren’t discouraging. I genuinely enjoyed the premise and I think the prose is beautiful, eloquent, and flowed really naturally. It was an incredibly easy read and I truly think the writing itself is a huge strength of Sogn. Ultimately, this book bodes well for the future of Sogn’s work. Other than some narrative issues, I genuinely feel as though Sogn will create exceptional work in the future! After checking GoodReads just now I’m noticing this is Sogn’s SECOND novel?? Definitely bright skies ahead, and congratulations for another soon to be published book!
August 20, 2025
✨ Initial Vibes
Picked this up because I love a “strangers on a train but make it feminist” setup, and I wasn’t disappointed. Expected murder and moral ambiguity. Got all that plus a quiet meditation on shame, girlhood, and the exhaustion of being everything everyone wants you to be.
📖 What It’s About
Bea, a high-achieving lawyer trying to keep her head down, drunkenly agrees to a murder swap with a stranger at a bar. The next day, her sexist boss is dead, and the stranger wants Bea to return the favor. But Bea’s been carrying guilt for years over a high school crash, the drugs she used to survive perfectionism, and the friend who took the blame. Now Kelli, the stranger with a fire-scarred past, is pulling Bea deeper into her web of justice, vengeance, and maybe something darker.
❤️ What I Loved
The core question: can the past ever be past?
The Bea flashbacks—teenage, high, hollow-eyed Bea is far more interesting than her grown-up self, which felt like an intentional and devastating contrast.
Bea isn’t plucky or inspirational. She’s passive, conflicted, and tired. And I LOVE when women in fiction get to be complicated and wrong.
Kelli is feral in the most compelling way. I wanted 50 more pages of her backstory.
The book nails that exhausting double-bind of womanhood: be smart, be successful, be excellent—but don’t be cold. Be nurturing. Be maternal. Smile more. “Work hard and get the degree!” they said. “You’re too career-focused. When are you having kids?” they also said. MAKE! UP! YOUR! MIND! (Bonus points for exploring this through the lens of family and cultural expectation, especially for Bea.)
💘 Romance Vibes
Simon is a 10/10 ride-or-die. We love a man who doesn’t panic when the woman he loves is in deep, scary shit. He just listens, backs her up, and lets her lead. Quiet men who don’t need to be the hero >>>>
🤨 What Didn’t Work (for me)
The pacing lagged in the beginning—it takes a minute to click.
Adult Bea sometimes felt more ghost than person, though that might’ve been the point.
The subplot with her old friend fizzled a bit, but it added emotional texture I still appreciated.
💭 Final Thoughts
This isn’t a twist-heavy thriller. It’s a quiet one. A story about guilt, complicity, revenge, and survival. A story about what it costs to be good and how easily goodness slips into performance. Read it if you love emotionally messy women, subtle social commentary, and thrillers that don’t flinch away from moral complexity.
🧠 Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Picked this up because I love a “strangers on a train but make it feminist” setup, and I wasn’t disappointed. Expected murder and moral ambiguity. Got all that plus a quiet meditation on shame, girlhood, and the exhaustion of being everything everyone wants you to be.
📖 What It’s About
Bea, a high-achieving lawyer trying to keep her head down, drunkenly agrees to a murder swap with a stranger at a bar. The next day, her sexist boss is dead, and the stranger wants Bea to return the favor. But Bea’s been carrying guilt for years over a high school crash, the drugs she used to survive perfectionism, and the friend who took the blame. Now Kelli, the stranger with a fire-scarred past, is pulling Bea deeper into her web of justice, vengeance, and maybe something darker.
❤️ What I Loved
The core question: can the past ever be past?
The Bea flashbacks—teenage, high, hollow-eyed Bea is far more interesting than her grown-up self, which felt like an intentional and devastating contrast.
Bea isn’t plucky or inspirational. She’s passive, conflicted, and tired. And I LOVE when women in fiction get to be complicated and wrong.
Kelli is feral in the most compelling way. I wanted 50 more pages of her backstory.
The book nails that exhausting double-bind of womanhood: be smart, be successful, be excellent—but don’t be cold. Be nurturing. Be maternal. Smile more. “Work hard and get the degree!” they said. “You’re too career-focused. When are you having kids?” they also said. MAKE! UP! YOUR! MIND! (Bonus points for exploring this through the lens of family and cultural expectation, especially for Bea.)
💘 Romance Vibes
Simon is a 10/10 ride-or-die. We love a man who doesn’t panic when the woman he loves is in deep, scary shit. He just listens, backs her up, and lets her lead. Quiet men who don’t need to be the hero >>>>
🤨 What Didn’t Work (for me)
The pacing lagged in the beginning—it takes a minute to click.
Adult Bea sometimes felt more ghost than person, though that might’ve been the point.
The subplot with her old friend fizzled a bit, but it added emotional texture I still appreciated.
💭 Final Thoughts
This isn’t a twist-heavy thriller. It’s a quiet one. A story about guilt, complicity, revenge, and survival. A story about what it costs to be good and how easily goodness slips into performance. Read it if you love emotionally messy women, subtle social commentary, and thrillers that don’t flinch away from moral complexity.
🧠 Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2025
Always the Quiet Ones by Jamie Lee Sogn is a razor-sharp psychological drama that doesn’t just ask you to sit with discomfort—it dares you to look it in the eye. From the beginning the tone is set for a raw, emotionally fraught journey through ambition, identity, and the murky gray areas of personal accountability.
We follow Bea, an ambitious, tightly wound lawyer grinding through a high-stakes legal world that feels all too real in its depiction of everyday sexism, racial microaggressions, and the quiet desperation of needing to prove yourself twice as hard. Bea’s voice is striking: dry, sharp, bitter, and often unreliable. She tells her story with a pointed edge, often reframing events in ways that protect her self-image, and as a reader, that makes the unraveling of her character deeply fascinating. You’re never quite sure if she’s being honest—with others, or even with herself.
Thematically, the book hits hard. It tackles the pressure of immigrant expectations, the toxicity of performative workplace equality, and the weight of unhealed mental health wounds. Bea is a complex portrait of burnout and resentment, and Sogn writes her with a clarity that is both brutal and empathetic. You don’t have to like Bea to understand her—and I think that’s what makes her character work so well.
The pacing is excellent throughout most of the book; there’s a slow-burning intensity that keeps you on edge without being overly dramatic. That said, the ending didn’t quite land for me. It felt slightly too clean compared to the rich, messy buildup. I was hoping for something a little more unresolved, more jagged, that reflected the layered emotional terrain we’d been navigating.
For readers who like:
- Intense, character-driven psychological dramas
- Flawed and unreliable female narrators
- Legal thrillers
Final Verdict
Jamie Lee Sogn delivers a debut that is as smart as it is scathing, as emotionally vulnerable as it is tough. Always the Quiet Ones isn’t a comforting read but it is a compelling one, and Bea’s voice lingers long after the last page. A strong, incisive exploration of what it costs to survive in spaces that were never built for you.
Grateful to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Jamie Lee Sogn for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
We follow Bea, an ambitious, tightly wound lawyer grinding through a high-stakes legal world that feels all too real in its depiction of everyday sexism, racial microaggressions, and the quiet desperation of needing to prove yourself twice as hard. Bea’s voice is striking: dry, sharp, bitter, and often unreliable. She tells her story with a pointed edge, often reframing events in ways that protect her self-image, and as a reader, that makes the unraveling of her character deeply fascinating. You’re never quite sure if she’s being honest—with others, or even with herself.
Thematically, the book hits hard. It tackles the pressure of immigrant expectations, the toxicity of performative workplace equality, and the weight of unhealed mental health wounds. Bea is a complex portrait of burnout and resentment, and Sogn writes her with a clarity that is both brutal and empathetic. You don’t have to like Bea to understand her—and I think that’s what makes her character work so well.
The pacing is excellent throughout most of the book; there’s a slow-burning intensity that keeps you on edge without being overly dramatic. That said, the ending didn’t quite land for me. It felt slightly too clean compared to the rich, messy buildup. I was hoping for something a little more unresolved, more jagged, that reflected the layered emotional terrain we’d been navigating.
For readers who like:
- Intense, character-driven psychological dramas
- Flawed and unreliable female narrators
- Legal thrillers
Final Verdict
Jamie Lee Sogn delivers a debut that is as smart as it is scathing, as emotionally vulnerable as it is tough. Always the Quiet Ones isn’t a comforting read but it is a compelling one, and Bea’s voice lingers long after the last page. A strong, incisive exploration of what it costs to survive in spaces that were never built for you.
Grateful to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Jamie Lee Sogn for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
March 30, 2025
Always the Quiet Ones is an intense, gripping read that immediately draws you in with its sharp writing and deeply complex protagonist. From the very first line—"It takes a lot of effort to live"—the book sets a raw, emotionally charged tone that holds throughout most of the story.
The book follows Bea, a fiercely ambitious lawyer navigating a male-dominated workplace while carrying the weight of past struggles. Her frustration, anger, and relentless drive are palpable, making her a fascinating yet flawed narrator. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Bea is not entirely reliable—she frames events in ways that absolve her of blame, adding an intriguing psychological layer to the narrative.
One of the book’s strongest aspects is how it explores themes of workplace sexism, immigrant family expectations, and mental health with nuance and intensity. Bea is not a perfect heroine—far from it—but that’s exactly what makes her so compelling. She is sharp, bitter, and sometimes selfish, yet never written in a way that diminishes her depth as a character. The writing is dry and precise, striking a balance between emotional connection and a stark, unfiltered portrayal of Bea’s reality.
The pacing is excellent for most of the book, with events unfolding in a way that feels both natural and suspenseful. However, for me the final chapters didn’t quite match the dark, layered complexity that had been built up until that point. The resolution felt a bit too simple compared to the emotional weight of the rest of the novel, which left me wanting a slightly different approach to the ending.
That said, Always the Quiet Ones is a thought-provoking, dark, and engaging read that challenges ideas of ambition, accountability, and what it truly means to succeed. I hope this book gets the recognition it deserves upon release—it certainly left a strong impression on me.
** Thank you to NetGalley, author Jamie Lee Sogn, and Lake Union Publishing for this advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
This is set to be published on 19th August, 2025!
The book follows Bea, a fiercely ambitious lawyer navigating a male-dominated workplace while carrying the weight of past struggles. Her frustration, anger, and relentless drive are palpable, making her a fascinating yet flawed narrator. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Bea is not entirely reliable—she frames events in ways that absolve her of blame, adding an intriguing psychological layer to the narrative.
One of the book’s strongest aspects is how it explores themes of workplace sexism, immigrant family expectations, and mental health with nuance and intensity. Bea is not a perfect heroine—far from it—but that’s exactly what makes her so compelling. She is sharp, bitter, and sometimes selfish, yet never written in a way that diminishes her depth as a character. The writing is dry and precise, striking a balance between emotional connection and a stark, unfiltered portrayal of Bea’s reality.
The pacing is excellent for most of the book, with events unfolding in a way that feels both natural and suspenseful. However, for me the final chapters didn’t quite match the dark, layered complexity that had been built up until that point. The resolution felt a bit too simple compared to the emotional weight of the rest of the novel, which left me wanting a slightly different approach to the ending.
That said, Always the Quiet Ones is a thought-provoking, dark, and engaging read that challenges ideas of ambition, accountability, and what it truly means to succeed. I hope this book gets the recognition it deserves upon release—it certainly left a strong impression on me.
** Thank you to NetGalley, author Jamie Lee Sogn, and Lake Union Publishing for this advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
This is set to be published on 19th August, 2025!
May 18, 2025
Review: Always the Quiet Ones by Jamie Lee Sogn
🌑 Overview
Jamie Lee Sogn’s Always the Quiet Ones is a spine-tingling psychological thriller that dissects the explosive consequences of suppressed rage and female solidarity. When a moment of collective fury among women spirals into a career-making—and life-shattering—incident for the protagonist, the novel plunges into a labyrinth of guilt, power, and the dangerous allure of revenge. Sogn crafts a narrative where fantasy and reality blur, leaving readers questioning who’s pulling the strings and who’s merely a pawn.
✨ Key Strengths
🧠 Psychological Depth – The protagonist’s unraveling psyche is rendered with chilling precision, making her descent into moral ambiguity utterly compelling.
⚡ High-Stakes Momentum – The plot thrums with tension, each chapter tightening the screws like a vise.
👁️ Exploration of Female Anger – A raw, timely examination of how society silences women—and what happens when they refuse to stay quiet.
🕵️♀️ Unpredictable Twists – Just when you think you’ve grasped the truth, Sogn yanks the rug away.
⚠️ Considerations
🗯️ Dense Introspection – Some readers might crave more action over internal monologues.
🌪️ Ambiguous Ending – While thematically fitting, it may frustrate those seeking tidy resolution.
⭐ Score Breakdown (0–5 Stars)
✍️ Prose & Voice → ★★★★ (4/5) (A match struck in a dark room—brief, brilliant, and burning.)
🎭 Character Complexity → ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
🌀 Plot Ingenuity → ★★★★ (4/5)
💣 Emotional Impact → ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Overall: ★★★★ (4/5)
A silent scream turned into a weapon.
🎯 Perfect For Fans Of
📚 The Push by Ashley Audrain or The Collective by Alison Gaylin
🔪 Stories where revenge simmers beneath polite facades
💥 Narratives that blur the line between justice and vengeance
🙏 Gratitude
Thank you to NetGalley and Jamie Lee Sogn for the advance copy. Always the Quiet Ones is a provocative, pulse-pounding reminder that the quietest voices often harbor the fiercest storms.
This is a book that will spark countless book club debates in 2025!
🌑 Overview
Jamie Lee Sogn’s Always the Quiet Ones is a spine-tingling psychological thriller that dissects the explosive consequences of suppressed rage and female solidarity. When a moment of collective fury among women spirals into a career-making—and life-shattering—incident for the protagonist, the novel plunges into a labyrinth of guilt, power, and the dangerous allure of revenge. Sogn crafts a narrative where fantasy and reality blur, leaving readers questioning who’s pulling the strings and who’s merely a pawn.
✨ Key Strengths
🧠 Psychological Depth – The protagonist’s unraveling psyche is rendered with chilling precision, making her descent into moral ambiguity utterly compelling.
⚡ High-Stakes Momentum – The plot thrums with tension, each chapter tightening the screws like a vise.
👁️ Exploration of Female Anger – A raw, timely examination of how society silences women—and what happens when they refuse to stay quiet.
🕵️♀️ Unpredictable Twists – Just when you think you’ve grasped the truth, Sogn yanks the rug away.
⚠️ Considerations
🗯️ Dense Introspection – Some readers might crave more action over internal monologues.
🌪️ Ambiguous Ending – While thematically fitting, it may frustrate those seeking tidy resolution.
⭐ Score Breakdown (0–5 Stars)
✍️ Prose & Voice → ★★★★ (4/5) (A match struck in a dark room—brief, brilliant, and burning.)
🎭 Character Complexity → ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
🌀 Plot Ingenuity → ★★★★ (4/5)
💣 Emotional Impact → ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Overall: ★★★★ (4/5)
A silent scream turned into a weapon.
🎯 Perfect For Fans Of
📚 The Push by Ashley Audrain or The Collective by Alison Gaylin
🔪 Stories where revenge simmers beneath polite facades
💥 Narratives that blur the line between justice and vengeance
🙏 Gratitude
Thank you to NetGalley and Jamie Lee Sogn for the advance copy. Always the Quiet Ones is a provocative, pulse-pounding reminder that the quietest voices often harbor the fiercest storms.
This is a book that will spark countless book club debates in 2025!
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