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You Belong to Me
The Substance meets Girl in Pieces, in this new YA psychological thriller exploring the dark secrets of the wellness and beauty world, brimming with sapphic romance, class exploration, and friendship clashes.
Frances Bean has always been content living life on the perimeter. Until she gets paired up for a class project with rich and popular Julia, daughter of famous wellness guru Deena Patterson. The "magic" skincare products, healing sound baths, and extravagant parties of Deena’s company DEEP never really interested Frances before, who wears the badge of goth outcast and bookworm proudly. But face time with the girl she has been crushing on for years is starting to give her a new outlook.
When Frances gets an exclusive invite to a DEEP event, she is blown away by the beauty and luxury of Julia’s world and the group's focus on empowering girls to be their most true selves surprisingly strikes a chord. Before long Frances finds herself invested in DEEP, a whirlwind romance with Julia, and a future that feels hopeful.
But when an infamous DEEP party takes a dark turn, Frances wonders if the allure of being a part of Julia’s life was actually just a deadly distraction…
*Includes a downloadable PDF of Resource material from the book
Frances Bean has always been content living life on the perimeter. Until she gets paired up for a class project with rich and popular Julia, daughter of famous wellness guru Deena Patterson. The "magic" skincare products, healing sound baths, and extravagant parties of Deena’s company DEEP never really interested Frances before, who wears the badge of goth outcast and bookworm proudly. But face time with the girl she has been crushing on for years is starting to give her a new outlook.
When Frances gets an exclusive invite to a DEEP event, she is blown away by the beauty and luxury of Julia’s world and the group's focus on empowering girls to be their most true selves surprisingly strikes a chord. Before long Frances finds herself invested in DEEP, a whirlwind romance with Julia, and a future that feels hopeful.
But when an infamous DEEP party takes a dark turn, Frances wonders if the allure of being a part of Julia’s life was actually just a deadly distraction…
*Includes a downloadable PDF of Resource material from the book
Audible Audio
First published April 15, 2025
24 people are currently reading
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About the author
Hayley Krischer
5 books207 followersHayley Krischer is the author of two young adult novels, SOMETHING HAPPENED TO ALI GREENLEAF and THE FALLING GIRLS. Her adult debut, WHERE ARE YOU, ECHO BLUE? comes out from Dutton July 16, 2024.
She has also written for many publications including The New York Times, Elle, Marie Claire, The New York Times Magazine and The Atlantic.
Hayley lives in New Jersey with her family.
She has also written for many publications including The New York Times, Elle, Marie Claire, The New York Times Magazine and The Atlantic.
Hayley lives in New Jersey with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
October 27, 2024
WTH! This is quite disturbing!
Really dark and I had to read the book flipping page after page until the last page. I really love the author’s writing!
I have read one of the author’s books two years ago and I absolutely loved it. Quite disturbing too but a realistic one with issues on SA.
Trigger warnings for SA.
This is the story of a girl who wants a perfect relationship with her crush. The crush happens to be the daughter of one of the most influential wellness guru. With their flawless group/followers, they are almost unreachable perfection.
With her being consumed in the unexpected perfect relationship, things darker and more disturbing surfaces becoming a threat to their relationship.
Read this book for the thrill and the most darkest secrets influential famous people hide.
I wish the best friends were a better part towards the end as it was in the first half.
The ending is really satisfying! Perfect for spooky nights and weekends.
I love the sapphic romance. The chemistry is amazing!
Thank you, G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, for the ARC.
Publication Date: 15th April, 2025
Really dark and I had to read the book flipping page after page until the last page. I really love the author’s writing!
I have read one of the author’s books two years ago and I absolutely loved it. Quite disturbing too but a realistic one with issues on SA.
Trigger warnings for SA.
This is the story of a girl who wants a perfect relationship with her crush. The crush happens to be the daughter of one of the most influential wellness guru. With their flawless group/followers, they are almost unreachable perfection.
With her being consumed in the unexpected perfect relationship, things darker and more disturbing surfaces becoming a threat to their relationship.
Read this book for the thrill and the most darkest secrets influential famous people hide.
I wish the best friends were a better part towards the end as it was in the first half.
The ending is really satisfying! Perfect for spooky nights and weekends.
I love the sapphic romance. The chemistry is amazing!
Thank you, G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, for the ARC.
Publication Date: 15th April, 2025
November 3, 2024
ARC for review. To be published April 15, 2025.
4 stars for this strong YA read.
Frances Bean (yep, she’s named after Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love’s daughter, and, yes, I immediately knew that. They don’t just hand out honorary degrees in Us Magazine to anyone, people!) is a teenage goth girl on scholarship at a fancy high school (such a trope. You’re either on scholarship at the fancy private school and the book’s hero or your parents are paying full freight and you’re the villain. I get that being poor is noble and all, but, damn, if you have to shell out all that money shouldn’t you have a chance at being the MC? Anyone? No? OK, my bad.)
She gets paired up with beautiful Julia, daughter of Deena Patterson, founder of Deep, a famous wellness line. This is perfect as Bean has a crush on Julia and it turns out that Julia feels the same. Oh, young love!
Julia invites Bean to Femme, the teen offshoot of Deep and Bean loves it and loves the sense of being a part of something. But eventually things take a dark turn and Bean doesn’t know who she can trust.
This is some quality YA right here and I enjoyed it. I hope it finds a wide audience.
4 stars for this strong YA read.
Frances Bean (yep, she’s named after Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love’s daughter, and, yes, I immediately knew that. They don’t just hand out honorary degrees in Us Magazine to anyone, people!) is a teenage goth girl on scholarship at a fancy high school (such a trope. You’re either on scholarship at the fancy private school and the book’s hero or your parents are paying full freight and you’re the villain. I get that being poor is noble and all, but, damn, if you have to shell out all that money shouldn’t you have a chance at being the MC? Anyone? No? OK, my bad.)
She gets paired up with beautiful Julia, daughter of Deena Patterson, founder of Deep, a famous wellness line. This is perfect as Bean has a crush on Julia and it turns out that Julia feels the same. Oh, young love!
Julia invites Bean to Femme, the teen offshoot of Deep and Bean loves it and loves the sense of being a part of something. But eventually things take a dark turn and Bean doesn’t know who she can trust.
This is some quality YA right here and I enjoyed it. I hope it finds a wide audience.
April 8, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
Book tagline: The Substance meets Girl in Pieces in this new YA psychological thriller exploring the dark secrets of the wellness and beauty world, brimming with sapphic romance, class exploration, and friendship clashes.
Admittedly, it took a few chapters before I was able to settle in and get comfortable with the characters. I wasn't sold on the romance as there were so many other heavy issues being tackled in this book. I have to say that it reminded me of other books, television shows, and movies that have tackled cult followings in the young adult genre. Because of this, I had a very good inkling of how many of the events were going to unfold. Therefore, I have to put it in the 3-star category since it wasn't a surprise to me. Future readers, fair warning, some of the content may be triggering for some readers.
I read it, but I am not sure that I would recommend this one. However, the author has captured my attention and I would be interested in reading more of their work.
#YouBelongtoMe #NetGalley
Expected Publication 15/04/25
Goodreads Review 07/04/25
Book tagline: The Substance meets Girl in Pieces in this new YA psychological thriller exploring the dark secrets of the wellness and beauty world, brimming with sapphic romance, class exploration, and friendship clashes.
Admittedly, it took a few chapters before I was able to settle in and get comfortable with the characters. I wasn't sold on the romance as there were so many other heavy issues being tackled in this book. I have to say that it reminded me of other books, television shows, and movies that have tackled cult followings in the young adult genre. Because of this, I had a very good inkling of how many of the events were going to unfold. Therefore, I have to put it in the 3-star category since it wasn't a surprise to me. Future readers, fair warning, some of the content may be triggering for some readers.
I read it, but I am not sure that I would recommend this one. However, the author has captured my attention and I would be interested in reading more of their work.
#YouBelongtoMe #NetGalley
Expected Publication 15/04/25
Goodreads Review 07/04/25
March 30, 2025
3.5
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for a honest review.
This book was really interesting and i was definitely kept entertained the entire time. It has some really interesting commentary on power dynamics and the beauty industry. Unfortunately there are few things that I wasn’t exactly the biggest fan of. For one the whole thing felt a little melodramatic. “Beans” other friend group are constantly talking about how different and edgy they are from the other girls and it comes across as kind of annoying. There is also a bit of insta love between two of the main characters and for plot purposes i understand why that relationship had to happen fast but it cause a lack of chemistry and care for their relationship. the plot itself was really interesting a little predictable but entertaining.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for a honest review.
This book was really interesting and i was definitely kept entertained the entire time. It has some really interesting commentary on power dynamics and the beauty industry. Unfortunately there are few things that I wasn’t exactly the biggest fan of. For one the whole thing felt a little melodramatic. “Beans” other friend group are constantly talking about how different and edgy they are from the other girls and it comes across as kind of annoying. There is also a bit of insta love between two of the main characters and for plot purposes i understand why that relationship had to happen fast but it cause a lack of chemistry and care for their relationship. the plot itself was really interesting a little predictable but entertaining.
May 28, 2025
2.75
Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this one. It took half the book before anything substantial happened and by that time I didn't really care anymore.
Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this one. It took half the book before anything substantial happened and by that time I didn't really care anymore.
February 4, 2025
Frances Bean and her group of friends are known in their school as the goth outsiders. But when Bean is paired to work on a school project with her crush Julia, the popular daughter of a famous wellness figure, she soon finds herself in a completely different world. What starts out as fun parties and product samples quickly turns more sinister and dangerous.
I enjoyed the concept of this book and showing the darker side of the wellness industry and how easy it can be for young or impressionable girls to be taken advantage of. I also thought it was really interesting to have the main character start out as an outsider, but show how she can still fall prey to mainstream influences that people might assume she has no interest in.
The book immediately starts with Bean being invited to a party by Julia and very quickly becoming involved with the wellness company and leaving her friends behind. I wish there was a little bit more time in the beginning of the book showing her and her friends before she starts changing. I felt like I wasn’t able to appreciate how much of a change she made since I barely got to see her as a character before the wellness cult part of the story happens. It just seemed like everything in this book was a bit rushed and I didn’t get the character development I would’ve liked. I can appreciate that things were probably happening quickly in the story to show how easy it is for people to fall under the influence of a cult. But it didn’t fully work for me as a narrative.
There are definitely parts of this book that are thrilling and suspenseful. It’s interesting seeing this type of cult story from a YA perspective. And I’m always going to be excited to read a sapphic thriller. While this didn’t become a new favorite, I do think it’s a quick and compelling read. It’s worth checking out if it sounds interesting to you.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I enjoyed the concept of this book and showing the darker side of the wellness industry and how easy it can be for young or impressionable girls to be taken advantage of. I also thought it was really interesting to have the main character start out as an outsider, but show how she can still fall prey to mainstream influences that people might assume she has no interest in.
The book immediately starts with Bean being invited to a party by Julia and very quickly becoming involved with the wellness company and leaving her friends behind. I wish there was a little bit more time in the beginning of the book showing her and her friends before she starts changing. I felt like I wasn’t able to appreciate how much of a change she made since I barely got to see her as a character before the wellness cult part of the story happens. It just seemed like everything in this book was a bit rushed and I didn’t get the character development I would’ve liked. I can appreciate that things were probably happening quickly in the story to show how easy it is for people to fall under the influence of a cult. But it didn’t fully work for me as a narrative.
There are definitely parts of this book that are thrilling and suspenseful. It’s interesting seeing this type of cult story from a YA perspective. And I’m always going to be excited to read a sapphic thriller. While this didn’t become a new favorite, I do think it’s a quick and compelling read. It’s worth checking out if it sounds interesting to you.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
March 1, 2025
Thanks to the G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers and Penguin Random for this early copy
Frances’s identity as a teacher’s kid never let her mix with other students. Until she found that her people had the same interests. Now, they are all outcasts but together. Everyone is content with their life. Then Julia, the daughter of a famous influencer/business owner, invited her to Femme, a gathering hosted by DEEP, a famous luxury skincare and wellness brand. Turned out Frances didn’t have much spin and quickly faded into Julia’s world, despite her friend’s warning and concerns. DEEP is all shiny on social media but reality is different and dark.
Frances came across as a doormat with no personality. It is that kind of book where words try to make you believe one thing because the characters are giving you nothing. Frances’s goth personality and skepticism towards DEEP and other students literally vanished too quickly, so her journey felt unconvincing to me. Instead of focusing on character growth, more pages were filled with decor of Julia’s house and details of how people were dressed up. Julia was just there like a cardboard. The same thing applies to Frances’s friends. The only emotions I felt throughout the book were boredom and frustration at Frances’s bad choices. I just couldn’t connect with anything. The story had the potential but the execution was lacking.
Frances’s identity as a teacher’s kid never let her mix with other students. Until she found that her people had the same interests. Now, they are all outcasts but together. Everyone is content with their life. Then Julia, the daughter of a famous influencer/business owner, invited her to Femme, a gathering hosted by DEEP, a famous luxury skincare and wellness brand. Turned out Frances didn’t have much spin and quickly faded into Julia’s world, despite her friend’s warning and concerns. DEEP is all shiny on social media but reality is different and dark.
Frances came across as a doormat with no personality. It is that kind of book where words try to make you believe one thing because the characters are giving you nothing. Frances’s goth personality and skepticism towards DEEP and other students literally vanished too quickly, so her journey felt unconvincing to me. Instead of focusing on character growth, more pages were filled with decor of Julia’s house and details of how people were dressed up. Julia was just there like a cardboard. The same thing applies to Frances’s friends. The only emotions I felt throughout the book were boredom and frustration at Frances’s bad choices. I just couldn’t connect with anything. The story had the potential but the execution was lacking.
August 25, 2025
Who hasn’t looked at a group of beautiful people who are all dressed the same and thought “Wow! They look like a cult!” I know I have. This book is that thought on paper. Buuuuuuuuuut make it a mystery with sapphic romance. Sounds good, right?
April 10, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
Frances Bean, a self proclaimed social outcast, gets pulled into the glamorous life of her longtime crush Julia after they’re partnered together for a class project. Julia is the daughter of a famous wellness guru who owns a multi-million dollar company called Deep. Known for their miracle cures, social media presence, and legendary parties, Deep has a loyal following despite its price tag. After Julia invites Bean to one of these parties she quickly becomes consumed by the company and its community. But as more sinister aspects of this lavish life come to light, Bean becomes concerned about the true motivation behind the brand.
Surprisingly, I don’t think I’ve ever read a book focused around a cult before. It was really interesting to see how someone like Bean slowly fell victim to the hive mind organization. How easy it was for Deep to prey on her sense of loneliness and her secret longing to belong. How her own memories and perceptions of herself became warped. This book comments on the exploitation of young girls and their trauma. Preying on girls from broken backgrounds to mold them into marketing tools and toys for their control.
I will always love a good doomed sapphic romance. Julia and Bean’s love story was an interesting addition to the story. If it wasn’t for Julia, Bean never would have gotten so entrenched in Deep. Not only because Julia invited her into it, but because Bean wanted to fit into her world and feel worthy enough to be with her. Her love and obsession with Julia blinded her to all the problems with Deep. But it was also what kept her slightly removed from it all because they had their own center of begin outside of Deep.
I do wish this book went a little harder. I wasn’t quite gripped by the spiral the story went down, I wanted to feel more tension and danger. I think it would have helped if we saw more of who Bean was before Deep. I really liked Ivy, Nico, and Brooks but wanted to see more of them. Their friend group was an interesting contrast to Deep. Both had a group aesthetic, Victorian goth vs earthy white. But the way they operated as groups was polar opposite. I wish that contrast was explored more to emphasize how you can belong to a community but maintain your individuality.
Frances Bean, a self proclaimed social outcast, gets pulled into the glamorous life of her longtime crush Julia after they’re partnered together for a class project. Julia is the daughter of a famous wellness guru who owns a multi-million dollar company called Deep. Known for their miracle cures, social media presence, and legendary parties, Deep has a loyal following despite its price tag. After Julia invites Bean to one of these parties she quickly becomes consumed by the company and its community. But as more sinister aspects of this lavish life come to light, Bean becomes concerned about the true motivation behind the brand.
Surprisingly, I don’t think I’ve ever read a book focused around a cult before. It was really interesting to see how someone like Bean slowly fell victim to the hive mind organization. How easy it was for Deep to prey on her sense of loneliness and her secret longing to belong. How her own memories and perceptions of herself became warped. This book comments on the exploitation of young girls and their trauma. Preying on girls from broken backgrounds to mold them into marketing tools and toys for their control.
I will always love a good doomed sapphic romance. Julia and Bean’s love story was an interesting addition to the story. If it wasn’t for Julia, Bean never would have gotten so entrenched in Deep. Not only because Julia invited her into it, but because Bean wanted to fit into her world and feel worthy enough to be with her. Her love and obsession with Julia blinded her to all the problems with Deep. But it was also what kept her slightly removed from it all because they had their own center of begin outside of Deep.
I do wish this book went a little harder. I wasn’t quite gripped by the spiral the story went down, I wanted to feel more tension and danger. I think it would have helped if we saw more of who Bean was before Deep. I really liked Ivy, Nico, and Brooks but wanted to see more of them. Their friend group was an interesting contrast to Deep. Both had a group aesthetic, Victorian goth vs earthy white. But the way they operated as groups was polar opposite. I wish that contrast was explored more to emphasize how you can belong to a community but maintain your individuality.
October 17, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
I really enjoyed this book! The writing was creative, the characters compelling, and the storyline exciting. This book takes your classic cult tropes and makes them engaging for a younger, more tech-savvy audience, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. One of my favorite parts that really enhanced my involvement in the story was the present tense first-person POV narration. It allowed the reader to solve the mystery along with Bean, while looking between the lines for things that our narrator may have missed or presented differently to us. When writing from a first-person POV, we as readers often expect our narrator to share the truth as the world sees it, and I love that Krischer's writing exemplifies that the truth we read is Bean's, no one else's.
I really enjoyed this book! The writing was creative, the characters compelling, and the storyline exciting. This book takes your classic cult tropes and makes them engaging for a younger, more tech-savvy audience, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. One of my favorite parts that really enhanced my involvement in the story was the present tense first-person POV narration. It allowed the reader to solve the mystery along with Bean, while looking between the lines for things that our narrator may have missed or presented differently to us. When writing from a first-person POV, we as readers often expect our narrator to share the truth as the world sees it, and I love that Krischer's writing exemplifies that the truth we read is Bean's, no one else's.
January 12, 2025
2.5 rounded up.
This sounded interesting but was disappointing (and frustrating). I didn’t like the forced plotting, stale dialogue, and heavy-handed moralizing. If the synopsis sounds good to you, try it out. If we don’t share pet peeves, you may like it more than me.
Energy: Faux. Shady. Sanctimonious.
🐺 Growls: Heavy-handed explanations and flat, cringey dialogue. The writing style isn’t bad, but the lines are. Everything felt forced and tell-not-show. It was hard to believe in the character interactions (especially the romance). The pacing drags for the first half, then glosses over a bunch of reveals in a rush near the end. The characters kept re-explaining the plot.
🐕 Howls: All the characters sounded alike with this dreamy, oddly formal way of talking (even those not involved in the wellness group). The main character was too much of a Poor Me, popular-but-doesn’t-realize-it caricature and kept randomly changing her beliefs and motivations to fit the needs of the plot. Awkward explanations and clunky moralizing (especially at the end…this read like a middle grade book with a moral message tying too hard to seem unintentional about it). The main character kept getting in the way of the story and she’s the only perspective – I wish we got the PoV of a friend or her girlfriend.
Scene: South Brent, New Jersey, USA
Perspective: A private high school student on scholarship with a group of misfit friends. They are crushing hard on the popular girl, whose mother owns is a semi-famous wellness influencer/CEO and are curious about attending her youth group.
Timeline: Current (2010s or 2020s).
🔥 Fuel: What are Julia's intentions in inviting a classmate to her mother’s wellness party? Is the wellness youth group toxic, dangerous, or helpful? Is Frances’ crush actually crushing back? Who can she trust in her girlfriend’s group and family?
📖 Cred: Plausible to suspended disbelief
Mood Reading Match-Up:
Victorian goth style. Dewey skin. White lace. Cushions. Parasol. Patchouli & lemon. Lymphatic drainage facials. Crystals.
• Linear timelines
• Tagging along, peering over shoulders, theorizing
• YA romantic suspense & drama
• Falling for the popular girl
• Plot-driven, reflective, simplistic writing style
• Behind closed doors of sketchy wellness youth group
• Blinded by love, I-can-change-for-them sapphic romance
• Mentor-protégé toxicity
• Red flags everywhere
• Moral exploration defining victims and perpetrators
Content Heads-Up: Adult/minor relationship, grooming (20-something with teens). Alcohol addiction (family history, parent; recovery-relapse, death). Alcohol use (underage). Cannabis use (gummy; underage). Cult. Drugging. Drug use (psychedelics). Emotional abuse. Loss of parent (as teen). Murder.
Rep: American. Jewish heritage. Hindi and Black peripheral characters. Cis. Lesbian. Gay. Hetero. Ghostly, dark, and tanned skin tones.
📚 Format: Advance Reader’s Copy from Penguin Group-Penguin Young Readers Group | G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, and NetGalley.
My musings 💖 powered by puppy snuggles 🐶
This sounded interesting but was disappointing (and frustrating). I didn’t like the forced plotting, stale dialogue, and heavy-handed moralizing. If the synopsis sounds good to you, try it out. If we don’t share pet peeves, you may like it more than me.
Energy: Faux. Shady. Sanctimonious.
🐺 Growls: Heavy-handed explanations and flat, cringey dialogue. The writing style isn’t bad, but the lines are. Everything felt forced and tell-not-show. It was hard to believe in the character interactions (especially the romance). The pacing drags for the first half, then glosses over a bunch of reveals in a rush near the end. The characters kept re-explaining the plot.
🐕 Howls: All the characters sounded alike with this dreamy, oddly formal way of talking (even those not involved in the wellness group). The main character was too much of a Poor Me, popular-but-doesn’t-realize-it caricature and kept randomly changing her beliefs and motivations to fit the needs of the plot. Awkward explanations and clunky moralizing (especially at the end…this read like a middle grade book with a moral message tying too hard to seem unintentional about it). The main character kept getting in the way of the story and she’s the only perspective – I wish we got the PoV of a friend or her girlfriend.
Scene: South Brent, New Jersey, USA
Perspective: A private high school student on scholarship with a group of misfit friends. They are crushing hard on the popular girl, whose mother owns is a semi-famous wellness influencer/CEO and are curious about attending her youth group.
Timeline: Current (2010s or 2020s).
🔥 Fuel: What are Julia's intentions in inviting a classmate to her mother’s wellness party? Is the wellness youth group toxic, dangerous, or helpful? Is Frances’ crush actually crushing back? Who can she trust in her girlfriend’s group and family?
📖 Cred: Plausible to suspended disbelief
Mood Reading Match-Up:
Victorian goth style. Dewey skin. White lace. Cushions. Parasol. Patchouli & lemon. Lymphatic drainage facials. Crystals.
• Linear timelines
• Tagging along, peering over shoulders, theorizing
• YA romantic suspense & drama
• Falling for the popular girl
• Plot-driven, reflective, simplistic writing style
• Behind closed doors of sketchy wellness youth group
• Blinded by love, I-can-change-for-them sapphic romance
• Mentor-protégé toxicity
• Red flags everywhere
• Moral exploration defining victims and perpetrators
Content Heads-Up: Adult/minor relationship, grooming (20-something with teens). Alcohol addiction (family history, parent; recovery-relapse, death). Alcohol use (underage). Cannabis use (gummy; underage). Cult. Drugging. Drug use (psychedelics). Emotional abuse. Loss of parent (as teen). Murder.
Rep: American. Jewish heritage. Hindi and Black peripheral characters. Cis. Lesbian. Gay. Hetero. Ghostly, dark, and tanned skin tones.
📚 Format: Advance Reader’s Copy from Penguin Group-Penguin Young Readers Group | G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, and NetGalley.
My musings 💖 powered by puppy snuggles 🐶
April 14, 2025
#ad mad love for my advance and finished copy @penguinteen #partner
& @prhaudio #partner for the ALC 🎧
🆈🅾🆄 🅱🅴🅻🅾🅽🅶 🆃🅾 🅼🅴
ʀᴇʟᴇᴀꜱᴇꜱ: ᴀᴘʀɪʟ 𝟣𝟧, 𝟤𝟢𝟤𝟧
✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
𝓑𝓮𝓪𝓾𝓽𝔂 𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓬𝓮𝓪𝓵𝓼 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓭𝓪𝓻𝓴𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝓼𝓮𝓬𝓻𝓮𝓽𝓼…
Get it and buckle-up because it’s a fun one! You Belong to Me by Hayley Krischer is an absolute blast of a read. It would make the perfect movie. The writing is sharp, witty, and makes it impossible to put this book down.
There’s an ominous feeling that follows throughout the entire story as you read. You know something is off but you don’t really know what it is.
I loved all the comparisons to women in the 1800’s. I got 80’s, Heathers, Stepford Wives, and Manson (cult) vibes from this book. All mixed into a modern story that is actually quite relatable.
Frances Bean Ellis “Bean” gets an exclusive invite to a Deep event. Girls like her don’t get invites like this. Her crush and English Lit partner, Julia Patterson, is the daughter of the woman who runs Deep and Femme, Deena Patterson. Wellness, beauty, everything girls like Bean aren’t usually a part of.
Deena has all the best products and everyone wants to be a part of her exclusive parties. As much as she wants to be inclusive - she’s not really. And you really wouldn’t want to be a part of these parties - if only you knew.
The audio, narrated by Gail Shalan, (who is just amazing at what she does) makes for the perfect listen. She’s one of the few narrators that I can see the story playing out in my mind.
Followed along with audio at 2x. Short chapters, fast-paced, quick and fun read. This book has all the perfecting makings for the type of book I love. All the stars.
#PenguinTeenPartner #YouBelongtoMe
& @prhaudio #partner for the ALC 🎧
🆈🅾🆄 🅱🅴🅻🅾🅽🅶 🆃🅾 🅼🅴
ʀᴇʟᴇᴀꜱᴇꜱ: ᴀᴘʀɪʟ 𝟣𝟧, 𝟤𝟢𝟤𝟧
✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
𝓑𝓮𝓪𝓾𝓽𝔂 𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓬𝓮𝓪𝓵𝓼 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓭𝓪𝓻𝓴𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝓼𝓮𝓬𝓻𝓮𝓽𝓼…
Get it and buckle-up because it’s a fun one! You Belong to Me by Hayley Krischer is an absolute blast of a read. It would make the perfect movie. The writing is sharp, witty, and makes it impossible to put this book down.
There’s an ominous feeling that follows throughout the entire story as you read. You know something is off but you don’t really know what it is.
I loved all the comparisons to women in the 1800’s. I got 80’s, Heathers, Stepford Wives, and Manson (cult) vibes from this book. All mixed into a modern story that is actually quite relatable.
Frances Bean Ellis “Bean” gets an exclusive invite to a Deep event. Girls like her don’t get invites like this. Her crush and English Lit partner, Julia Patterson, is the daughter of the woman who runs Deep and Femme, Deena Patterson. Wellness, beauty, everything girls like Bean aren’t usually a part of.
Deena has all the best products and everyone wants to be a part of her exclusive parties. As much as she wants to be inclusive - she’s not really. And you really wouldn’t want to be a part of these parties - if only you knew.
The audio, narrated by Gail Shalan, (who is just amazing at what she does) makes for the perfect listen. She’s one of the few narrators that I can see the story playing out in my mind.
Followed along with audio at 2x. Short chapters, fast-paced, quick and fun read. This book has all the perfecting makings for the type of book I love. All the stars.
#PenguinTeenPartner #YouBelongtoMe
August 2, 2025
3.5 Stars
Thank you to Penguin Young Readers group for the gifted ebook to read and review.
You Belong to Me by Hayley Krischer is a captivating commentary on social media influencers and the wellness industry. I think that the POV from sixteen year old Bean can be really impactful for teenagers today.
Thank you to Penguin Young Readers group for the gifted ebook to read and review.
You Belong to Me by Hayley Krischer is a captivating commentary on social media influencers and the wellness industry. I think that the POV from sixteen year old Bean can be really impactful for teenagers today.
March 21, 2025
You Belong To Me by Hayley Crisher, the book starts with Francis Bean Ellis (who is named after nirvana‘s lead singer Kurt Cobain‘s daughter,) receives an invitation to a Femme Party. she has a humongous crush on Julia Patterson the daughter of Dina Patterson, the owner of Deep who sponsors the parties full of girls and white that are fresh faced in nubile. Anyone who knows Francis knows she is the absolute antithesis of someone who would usually be invited but due to her newfound friendship with Julia she is. Francis’s core friend group consist of her best friend Ivy, Brooks and Nico which are also the opposite of what the Femme girls represent. she goes to the party and learns Julia likes her as much as she likes Julia and soon they’re spending lots of time together causing Francis to spend less time on the newspaper and her Goth friends. she couldn’t be happier and that first the parties are nothing like the rumors at school claim them to be but the deeper in she gets, the more they allow her to see. She even likes Kai who seems to be the spiritual guru who gives all the young girls private spiritual lessons and at first all his attention is focused on Francis who do to her own messed up relationship with her alcoholic dad, eats it all up. even when mail investors are invited to the all girl party he is there to stop one who tries to get two hanzy with Francis and she is grateful. however when one of the top Femme girls locks her in the bathroom at a party and is upset and tries to convince Francis of something that blows her mind she doesn’t know what to think but the next morning when her and Julia find the girl dead in the spa and they try to convince her it was a suicide Francis nose there’s something rotten in Deep, but who’s responsible and more importantly who can Francis trust? this book was so well written and I thought the author gave a great voice to teenage girls and their vanity and insecurity and equal measure. I thought the buildup to the story was done superbly it went by at a great pace and had me reading and turning the pages without stopping. I did not want to put this book down it was really good. I did think Ivy wanting to use with Francis told her as a desperate friend needing a friend in the newspaper article was so wrong and didn’t know how Ivy didn’t see that. I also want to give kudos to the author for the ending because I totally thought it was going one way and it seemed like the way it was written was more like real life and not using in a storybook so kudos to her. I definitely recommend this to those who like yeah mysteries and cult type stories they do discuss sexual assault but not in detail and only in a passing fashion so I don’t think it will cause triggers but everyone must decide for their self where that line is I totally recommend this book however it was so good! #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #HaleyKreischer,#youBelongToMe,
April 30, 2025
4.5/5 🌟
What if being unapologetically you might get you killed?
This slow burn YA thriller deep dives into the health and wellness world of Deep, a company promoting women’s wellness and beauty. But what you see barely scratches the surface.
There’s definitely a lot of buildup in this one but this cult thriller really grabs hold of you from the beginning. I couldn’t help but be pulled into some of the things talked about and kept having to remind myself that this is a cult and we should not be listening to the crazy cult people!
I really enjoyed the method of storytelling, trying to show the change of perception from how they act to people on the outside vs people on the inside.
Really solid story from start to finish and definitely recommend picking this one up!
What if being unapologetically you might get you killed?
This slow burn YA thriller deep dives into the health and wellness world of Deep, a company promoting women’s wellness and beauty. But what you see barely scratches the surface.
There’s definitely a lot of buildup in this one but this cult thriller really grabs hold of you from the beginning. I couldn’t help but be pulled into some of the things talked about and kept having to remind myself that this is a cult and we should not be listening to the crazy cult people!
I really enjoyed the method of storytelling, trying to show the change of perception from how they act to people on the outside vs people on the inside.
Really solid story from start to finish and definitely recommend picking this one up!
October 14, 2024
This book played right into my grievances with the wellness industry and their often cult like behaviour. I was a bit annoyed with Bean in the beginning and I felt like the resolution was a bit rushed and not as satisfying and vindictive as I would have liked, but this is a YA novel so I'm not that mad about it. I liked this more than I thought I would!
Read
December 10, 2024DNF. Not for me.
May 28, 2025
Really well done. A very damning critique of how intoxicating wellness culture and western-coopted spirituality can be, and had a nuance-filled epilogue to tie it together.
June 16, 2025
I was really on the fence at first, but I'm glad I stuck with it. I ended up freaking loving it!
October 24, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up because this book deserves it! A super fun and unpredictable YA thriller that had me on the edge of my seat! I think this book could’ve benefitted from like 100 more pages and some more context, but I really did enjoy it.
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC!
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC!
June 21, 2025
Hayley Krischer's latest young adult thriller, "You Belong to Me," serves as a masterful exploration of how easily vulnerability can be weaponized under the guise of empowerment. Following her acclaimed works "Something Happened to Ali Greenleaf" and "The Falling Girls," Krischer once again demonstrates her ability to craft psychologically complex narratives that resonate with contemporary anxieties while delivering genuine thrills.
The novel centers on Frances Bean Ellis, a self-proclaimed goth outcast whose world shifts dramatically when she's paired with Julia Patterson for a literature project. Julia, the daughter of wellness guru Deena Patterson, represents everything Frances has always observed from afar—privilege, beauty, and belonging. What begins as an unlikely academic partnership evolves into a romantic relationship that pulls Frances into the seductive world of DEEP, a wellness empire that promises transformation but delivers something far more sinister.
The Seductive Power of Belonging
Krischer excels at portraying the intoxicating nature of acceptance for someone who has always existed on society's margins. Frances's transformation from Victorian goth to white-linen-clad devotee feels both organic and alarming. The author captures the psychological mechanisms that make individuals susceptible to manipulation with frightening accuracy. Frances doesn't simply abandon her identity; she gradually allows it to be reshaped by those who promise her love and belonging.
The relationship between Frances and Julia serves as the emotional anchor of the narrative. Their connection feels genuine and tender, making Frances's gradual indoctrination all the more heartbreaking. Krischer avoids the trap of making their romance feel like a mere plot device, instead allowing it to develop with authentic complexity. Julia herself emerges as a tragic figure—not the typical mean girl villain, but a young woman equally trapped within her mother's manipulative empire.
Deena and Kai: The Faces of Modern Manipulation
The antagonists in "You Belong to Me" are particularly well-crafted because they embody the insidious nature of contemporary predatory behavior. Deena Patterson represents the wellness industrial complex at its most dangerous—a figure who weaponizes women's desires for health, beauty, and spiritual fulfillment for personal gain. Her character feels especially relevant in our current cultural moment, where wellness influencers wield enormous power over vulnerable audiences.
Kai Edwards, Deena's protégé and the son of a convicted sex trafficker, embodies toxic masculinity disguised as spiritual enlightenment. Krischer's portrayal of Kai is particularly effective because he doesn't present as an obvious villain. Instead, he appears as someone genuinely invested in helping damaged young women, making his eventual manipulation all the more chilling. The revelation of his true nature unfolds gradually, allowing readers to experience Frances's dawning horror alongside her.
The Gothic Atmosphere Meets Contemporary Horror
Krischer's background in writing psychological thrillers serves her well in creating an atmosphere of mounting dread. The white-on-white aesthetic of DEEP's world creates an almost supernatural sense of otherworldliness that contrasts sharply with Frances's original gothic sensibilities. This visual transformation mirrors Frances's psychological journey, with the pristine white serving as a kind of spiritual bleaching that erases her authentic self.
The author's use of literary references, particularly to "Jane Eyre," adds layers of meaning to the narrative. The parallels between Bertha Mason's imprisonment in Rochester's attic and the psychological imprisonment of DEEP's young women create a sophisticated commentary on how stories of female oppression echo across centuries. Frances's analysis of Bertha's madness as potentially manufactured rather than inherent proves prophetic regarding her own situation.
Friendship, Loyalty, and the Cost of Transformation
One of the novel's most heartbreaking elements is Frances's relationship with her core friend group—Ivy, Brooks, and Nico. These relationships feel authentic and lived-in, making Frances's gradual alienation from them particularly painful. Krischer doesn't present this as a simple case of choosing between old and new friends; instead, she explores how cult-like organizations systematically isolate individuals from their support systems.
The character of Ivy Cohen-Smith deserves particular mention. As an ambitious journalist investigating DEEP, she represents both Frances's past and a potential path to redemption. Their friendship feels genuine and complex, with Ivy's protective instincts conflicting with her journalistic integrity. The tension between personal loyalty and pursuing truth adds another layer of moral complexity to the narrative.
Technical Craftsmanship and Narrative Structure
Krischer's prose style adapts effectively to her protagonist's voice, beginning with the sardonic wit of a literary-minded teenager and gradually shifting as Frances becomes more deeply indoctrinated. This evolution in voice serves as another indicator of Frances's psychological transformation, making her journey feel visceral and immediate.
The pacing builds tension expertly, with early scenes of seductive beauty giving way to increasingly uncomfortable revelations. The author balances multiple plot threads—Frances's romance with Julia, her investigation into DEEP's true nature, and her deteriorating friendships—without losing narrative focus. The climactic sequences involving Harmony's death and its aftermath feel both shocking and inevitable.
Areas for Critical Consideration
While "You Belong to Me" succeeds as both a thriller and a social commentary, certain elements feel slightly underdeveloped. The connection to Antoine Gagnon, while thematically relevant, sometimes feels like an attempt to ground the fictional cult in real-world concerns that doesn't entirely succeed. Additionally, some of the supporting characters within DEEP could have benefited from more individualized development, as they occasionally blur together in their shared victimhood.
The novel's treatment of class dynamics, while present throughout, could have been explored more deeply. Frances's position as a scholarship student at an elite school creates interesting tensions that aren't always fully exploited for dramatic effect.
Final Verdict: A Disturbing and Essential Read
"You Belong to Me" succeeds as both entertainment and warning, delivering genuine thrills while offering meaningful commentary on contemporary culture. Krischer has crafted a novel that respects its young adult audience's intelligence while addressing serious themes of manipulation, identity, and the search for belonging.
The book's greatest strength lies in its refusal to provide easy answers or simple villains. Instead, it presents a complex web of relationships and motivations that mirror the messy reality of how people become entangled in harmful situations. Frances's journey toward self-discovery and eventual escape feels earned rather than convenient.
The novel centers on Frances Bean Ellis, a self-proclaimed goth outcast whose world shifts dramatically when she's paired with Julia Patterson for a literature project. Julia, the daughter of wellness guru Deena Patterson, represents everything Frances has always observed from afar—privilege, beauty, and belonging. What begins as an unlikely academic partnership evolves into a romantic relationship that pulls Frances into the seductive world of DEEP, a wellness empire that promises transformation but delivers something far more sinister.
The Seductive Power of Belonging
Krischer excels at portraying the intoxicating nature of acceptance for someone who has always existed on society's margins. Frances's transformation from Victorian goth to white-linen-clad devotee feels both organic and alarming. The author captures the psychological mechanisms that make individuals susceptible to manipulation with frightening accuracy. Frances doesn't simply abandon her identity; she gradually allows it to be reshaped by those who promise her love and belonging.
The relationship between Frances and Julia serves as the emotional anchor of the narrative. Their connection feels genuine and tender, making Frances's gradual indoctrination all the more heartbreaking. Krischer avoids the trap of making their romance feel like a mere plot device, instead allowing it to develop with authentic complexity. Julia herself emerges as a tragic figure—not the typical mean girl villain, but a young woman equally trapped within her mother's manipulative empire.
Deena and Kai: The Faces of Modern Manipulation
The antagonists in "You Belong to Me" are particularly well-crafted because they embody the insidious nature of contemporary predatory behavior. Deena Patterson represents the wellness industrial complex at its most dangerous—a figure who weaponizes women's desires for health, beauty, and spiritual fulfillment for personal gain. Her character feels especially relevant in our current cultural moment, where wellness influencers wield enormous power over vulnerable audiences.
Kai Edwards, Deena's protégé and the son of a convicted sex trafficker, embodies toxic masculinity disguised as spiritual enlightenment. Krischer's portrayal of Kai is particularly effective because he doesn't present as an obvious villain. Instead, he appears as someone genuinely invested in helping damaged young women, making his eventual manipulation all the more chilling. The revelation of his true nature unfolds gradually, allowing readers to experience Frances's dawning horror alongside her.
The Gothic Atmosphere Meets Contemporary Horror
Krischer's background in writing psychological thrillers serves her well in creating an atmosphere of mounting dread. The white-on-white aesthetic of DEEP's world creates an almost supernatural sense of otherworldliness that contrasts sharply with Frances's original gothic sensibilities. This visual transformation mirrors Frances's psychological journey, with the pristine white serving as a kind of spiritual bleaching that erases her authentic self.
The author's use of literary references, particularly to "Jane Eyre," adds layers of meaning to the narrative. The parallels between Bertha Mason's imprisonment in Rochester's attic and the psychological imprisonment of DEEP's young women create a sophisticated commentary on how stories of female oppression echo across centuries. Frances's analysis of Bertha's madness as potentially manufactured rather than inherent proves prophetic regarding her own situation.
Friendship, Loyalty, and the Cost of Transformation
One of the novel's most heartbreaking elements is Frances's relationship with her core friend group—Ivy, Brooks, and Nico. These relationships feel authentic and lived-in, making Frances's gradual alienation from them particularly painful. Krischer doesn't present this as a simple case of choosing between old and new friends; instead, she explores how cult-like organizations systematically isolate individuals from their support systems.
The character of Ivy Cohen-Smith deserves particular mention. As an ambitious journalist investigating DEEP, she represents both Frances's past and a potential path to redemption. Their friendship feels genuine and complex, with Ivy's protective instincts conflicting with her journalistic integrity. The tension between personal loyalty and pursuing truth adds another layer of moral complexity to the narrative.
Technical Craftsmanship and Narrative Structure
Krischer's prose style adapts effectively to her protagonist's voice, beginning with the sardonic wit of a literary-minded teenager and gradually shifting as Frances becomes more deeply indoctrinated. This evolution in voice serves as another indicator of Frances's psychological transformation, making her journey feel visceral and immediate.
The pacing builds tension expertly, with early scenes of seductive beauty giving way to increasingly uncomfortable revelations. The author balances multiple plot threads—Frances's romance with Julia, her investigation into DEEP's true nature, and her deteriorating friendships—without losing narrative focus. The climactic sequences involving Harmony's death and its aftermath feel both shocking and inevitable.
Areas for Critical Consideration
While "You Belong to Me" succeeds as both a thriller and a social commentary, certain elements feel slightly underdeveloped. The connection to Antoine Gagnon, while thematically relevant, sometimes feels like an attempt to ground the fictional cult in real-world concerns that doesn't entirely succeed. Additionally, some of the supporting characters within DEEP could have benefited from more individualized development, as they occasionally blur together in their shared victimhood.
The novel's treatment of class dynamics, while present throughout, could have been explored more deeply. Frances's position as a scholarship student at an elite school creates interesting tensions that aren't always fully exploited for dramatic effect.
Final Verdict: A Disturbing and Essential Read
"You Belong to Me" succeeds as both entertainment and warning, delivering genuine thrills while offering meaningful commentary on contemporary culture. Krischer has crafted a novel that respects its young adult audience's intelligence while addressing serious themes of manipulation, identity, and the search for belonging.
The book's greatest strength lies in its refusal to provide easy answers or simple villains. Instead, it presents a complex web of relationships and motivations that mirror the messy reality of how people become entangled in harmful situations. Frances's journey toward self-discovery and eventual escape feels earned rather than convenient.
July 17, 2024
This YA thriller has a lot of promising aspects, magic skin care products at the heart of a cult, a sapphic romance, and class exploration. The main character Bean gets invited to this exclusive club that feels like a secret society almost called Femme(kinda ironic) and starts dating Julia. Femme is like a gateway to a job at DEEP, they're given a bunch of free products that pretty much hook those young vulnerable girls in. I didn't really like the romance in this one, but I did like the friendships. I like how Bean's friends stayed there for her and didn't just turn their back when she started acting weird because it was clear she needed help.
February 16, 2025
Aaaand we’re back. This was way too slow and incredibly boring. It wasn’t creepy or nearly culty enough for this cover and description.
November 28, 2024
3.75⭐️
This took me a bit to figure out my rating because overall I enjoyed it but it was still a head scratcher at times.
I figured out what I didn’t like and it was because the book was so repetitive and predictable. It’s a YA mystery/ thriller but for most of it the suspense came in the form of waiting for something to happen. When it finally did even that was predictable as to what was going to happen and who did it.
That being said I enjoyed the romance insofar as the two teens get together and it is what it is. It doesn’t have all the entanglements of not being accepted or being bullied due to being gay etc. it just is. On the other hand the relationship really isn’t based on nothing. It’s more like “insta lust”. I would have loved to see why they actually should be together.
The rest of the book is very cult like with the lifestyle brand Deep and its hold on a community and the country at large. It was very reminiscent of the real life Goop.
It was interesting to see how the teens fell for the “company” and the lengths they would go-to to fit in.
I think this will be a very entertaining book for teens as well as acting as a warning for them as well.
I am thankful to have gotten an eARC for free from Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group to enjoy which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.
This comes out April 15th 2025.
My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.
⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again
This took me a bit to figure out my rating because overall I enjoyed it but it was still a head scratcher at times.
I figured out what I didn’t like and it was because the book was so repetitive and predictable. It’s a YA mystery/ thriller but for most of it the suspense came in the form of waiting for something to happen. When it finally did even that was predictable as to what was going to happen and who did it.
That being said I enjoyed the romance insofar as the two teens get together and it is what it is. It doesn’t have all the entanglements of not being accepted or being bullied due to being gay etc. it just is. On the other hand the relationship really isn’t based on nothing. It’s more like “insta lust”. I would have loved to see why they actually should be together.
The rest of the book is very cult like with the lifestyle brand Deep and its hold on a community and the country at large. It was very reminiscent of the real life Goop.
It was interesting to see how the teens fell for the “company” and the lengths they would go-to to fit in.
I think this will be a very entertaining book for teens as well as acting as a warning for them as well.
I am thankful to have gotten an eARC for free from Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group to enjoy which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.
This comes out April 15th 2025.
My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.
⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again
September 12, 2024
Ok if I'm being honest, I didn't want to like this book. I didn't. But I am haunted by this book. The portrayal of what it's like entering a cult was so real. How you so deeply get sucked into its grip until you find yourself under that manipulation. The way you let them start questioning yourself. Because I went through it too. Endured the manipulation that I wasn't praying enough, sinning too much, needed to forgive someone to get something I wanted, had to act and behave a certain way and be used until they were done with you. It was all a dreamlike experience until the holes come. And Bean's journey of finding the holes is riveting. The realistic aspects of what it's like to join a cult and abandon yourself in a vulnerable position is so real, and this book will show that in a raw way.
So why 3 stars? I'm not a fast-burn romance girl. I like the crush aspect, but they never really spent time knowing each other, which just wasn't developed well. For faith or religious readers, keep in mind this is an LGTBQ+ romance, so whether you are affirming or not, note that for what you need. Even that aside, fast burn romance isn't really my thing, and I found it lacking often. Like they were crushing on illusions of each other. Also, the ending was not a realistic way for a cult to come down. In reality, cults don't crash like that. The one I was in, despite the many of us that left and deconstructed and had to start over, still stands and brings thousands in. Or think about the FLDS, IBLP, or Hillsong. Documentaries came out of these places where abuse rums rampant. Yet, here, the abusers remain. I wish this book had a more realistic conclusion that focused more in-depth on the healing of the characters. We who survived that stuff need that process.
So why 3 stars? I'm not a fast-burn romance girl. I like the crush aspect, but they never really spent time knowing each other, which just wasn't developed well. For faith or religious readers, keep in mind this is an LGTBQ+ romance, so whether you are affirming or not, note that for what you need. Even that aside, fast burn romance isn't really my thing, and I found it lacking often. Like they were crushing on illusions of each other. Also, the ending was not a realistic way for a cult to come down. In reality, cults don't crash like that. The one I was in, despite the many of us that left and deconstructed and had to start over, still stands and brings thousands in. Or think about the FLDS, IBLP, or Hillsong. Documentaries came out of these places where abuse rums rampant. Yet, here, the abusers remain. I wish this book had a more realistic conclusion that focused more in-depth on the healing of the characters. We who survived that stuff need that process.
February 14, 2025
Stories about the dark side of the wellness industry seem to be a thing right now, such as the movie The Substance. I read Ling Ling Huang's Natural Beauty recently and really dug it, so when I saw this book that sounded like it was in a similar vein available to read on NetGalley, I immediately requested it.
Unlike the two aforementioned examples of this subgenre, which use horror and fantasy elements to comment on "wellness" being sold to us at a great price, this book is firmly grounded in reality and seems like it could have been plucked straight from the headlines. It is a really well written account of the main character getting sucked into a wellness guru's orbit yet finding something darker there than she bargained for.
The pacing is really snappy and I blew through it in two days because I wanted to see where it was going. Without spoiling anything, I particularly liked how the author situated the main character to be able to see through what was going on when no one else was able to. I liked the book so much I grabbed another one of the author's books from the library as soon as I was done.
Unlike the two aforementioned examples of this subgenre, which use horror and fantasy elements to comment on "wellness" being sold to us at a great price, this book is firmly grounded in reality and seems like it could have been plucked straight from the headlines. It is a really well written account of the main character getting sucked into a wellness guru's orbit yet finding something darker there than she bargained for.
The pacing is really snappy and I blew through it in two days because I wanted to see where it was going. Without spoiling anything, I particularly liked how the author situated the main character to be able to see through what was going on when no one else was able to. I liked the book so much I grabbed another one of the author's books from the library as soon as I was done.
February 22, 2025
You Belong to Me follows Frances Bean, an outsider perfectly content with avoiding the rich and popular at her school. Until Julia, daughter of the famous wellness guru who runs DEEP, takes notice of her. Suddenly, Bean is going to DEEP femme gatherings and falling for Julia. But one of those parties takes a dark turn and Bean is forced to reevaluate what is truly going on.
This was an interesting story with a sinister undertone woven throughout. It has a very cult-like vibe going on and I really liked when we finally got more into the creepy, sketchy stuff going on. I did wish there was more of a horror factor as a lot of the novel is Bean falling for Julia and growing apart from her friends. But I did appreciate the narrative and themes presented.
Bean is a good main character who goes through a lot over the course of the book. I enjoyed her arc and found it very realistic. I enjoyed how complicated and toxic her friendships and relationship with Julia was.
Overall, this is an interesting story that fans of beauty culture and cult-like vibe stories will enjoy.
Thank you to Penguin Teen and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
This was an interesting story with a sinister undertone woven throughout. It has a very cult-like vibe going on and I really liked when we finally got more into the creepy, sketchy stuff going on. I did wish there was more of a horror factor as a lot of the novel is Bean falling for Julia and growing apart from her friends. But I did appreciate the narrative and themes presented.
Bean is a good main character who goes through a lot over the course of the book. I enjoyed her arc and found it very realistic. I enjoyed how complicated and toxic her friendships and relationship with Julia was.
Overall, this is an interesting story that fans of beauty culture and cult-like vibe stories will enjoy.
Thank you to Penguin Teen and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
March 29, 2025
It took me a bit of time to really get invested in this. I could feel the groundwork being laid but it just felt a bit too slow at first. A lot of building up the romance, which was a major part of things so I get it to an extent, but it didn't do the pacing any favors.
The premise itself was really interesting, I love a good cult story and a wellness brand was the perfect set for it. It definitely had some moments that really grabbed me and hooked me, but overall it just ended up feeling a bit flat to me. None of the characters were particularly likable. While the main character Bean wasn’t completely intolerable, she still frustrated me a lot, as did her best friend. (And the wellness group, obviously, though they weren’t meant to be too well liked, I assume.)
The reveals felt rushed at the end, and some were a bit too ‘telling not showing.’ But I do think they were satisfying enough, in the sense that everything seemed to get wrapped up for the most part.
Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for the ARC.
The premise itself was really interesting, I love a good cult story and a wellness brand was the perfect set for it. It definitely had some moments that really grabbed me and hooked me, but overall it just ended up feeling a bit flat to me. None of the characters were particularly likable. While the main character Bean wasn’t completely intolerable, she still frustrated me a lot, as did her best friend. (And the wellness group, obviously, though they weren’t meant to be too well liked, I assume.)
The reveals felt rushed at the end, and some were a bit too ‘telling not showing.’ But I do think they were satisfying enough, in the sense that everything seemed to get wrapped up for the most part.
Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for the ARC.
April 19, 2025
If a book is about a cult, it’s a pretty safe bet that I’m going to enjoy reading it. This was a YA thriller based on a wellness empire named Deep, and how it essentially became a cult with teenage girls as followers. It was an intriguing story and kept me glued to the pages.
This is another book that I would’ve loved when I was younger. The main character is Bean, and she has a huge crush on Julia, one of her classmates who also happens to be the daughter of the owner of Deep. I’m always up for LGBTQ2S+ representation, so that was a plus right away.
I thought the author did a nice job writing Bean and Julia’s relationship. It was romantic but quickly turned ominous as they navigated the whole cult thing. The general vibe of the book was well done, and I think it was the perfect level of thriller for the YA genre.
Thank you to Penguin Teen Canada for my gifted copy!
This is another book that I would’ve loved when I was younger. The main character is Bean, and she has a huge crush on Julia, one of her classmates who also happens to be the daughter of the owner of Deep. I’m always up for LGBTQ2S+ representation, so that was a plus right away.
I thought the author did a nice job writing Bean and Julia’s relationship. It was romantic but quickly turned ominous as they navigated the whole cult thing. The general vibe of the book was well done, and I think it was the perfect level of thriller for the YA genre.
Thank you to Penguin Teen Canada for my gifted copy!
December 2, 2024
First off so many characters were involved, and I enjoyed them all! With so many different personalities, what couldn’t go wrong. I could not put this book down; I finished it in 3 days! The story is very relatable and who doesn’t love a story with cult like vibes!
I have always said that with today’s influence culture, younger girls are so much more vulnerable to wanting to fit in and we as adults do not do much to save them. Beauty standards are set to high, and they are untamable.
This book does do a great job at covering multiple topics though, status, right from wrong, how to handle adults, LGBTQ+, and just how much grooming goes in cults.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.
I have always said that with today’s influence culture, younger girls are so much more vulnerable to wanting to fit in and we as adults do not do much to save them. Beauty standards are set to high, and they are untamable.
This book does do a great job at covering multiple topics though, status, right from wrong, how to handle adults, LGBTQ+, and just how much grooming goes in cults.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.
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