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Daphne Ann Post #1
Forewarned
For 15-year-old Daphne Ann Post, the summer of 1976 at Lake Carlson should be filled with new friendships and carefree late-night parties. But something darker lurks beneath the surface—her chilling premonition that someone is going to drown.
Wishing she could escape the shadow of her fractured family and her mother’s too-soon rebound relationship, Daphne reluctantly heads to the family lake house in Northern Indiana. The tension with her mother is thick—especially when Daphne is the only one who knows her mom's boyfriend is hiding a dangerous secret. But Daphne’s burden is far heavier than family drama. She harbors an unsettling gift—an ability to know the hidden truths of anyone she touches.
Last year that same intuition failed her when her best friend ignored Daphne’s warning before a tragic accident. Now everyone at school blames Daphne for what happened. Haunted by guilt, Daphne is determined to keep her ability a secret.
When she meets the Vaughans—cool, popular, and effortlessly perfect next-door neighbors—Daphne is drawn into their world, seduced by the thrill of fitting in. Over the summer, whispers of danger from the lake grow louder. Her intuition screams someone will die, and not even the haze of weed can numb her fear.
The clock is ticking. Daphne knows that to save a life, she’ll have to confront her darkest secret and risk losing everything she’s worked so hard for. Can she stop the inevitable without exposing her truth? Or will the lake claim a victim—this time, someone she loves?
Wishing she could escape the shadow of her fractured family and her mother’s too-soon rebound relationship, Daphne reluctantly heads to the family lake house in Northern Indiana. The tension with her mother is thick—especially when Daphne is the only one who knows her mom's boyfriend is hiding a dangerous secret. But Daphne’s burden is far heavier than family drama. She harbors an unsettling gift—an ability to know the hidden truths of anyone she touches.
Last year that same intuition failed her when her best friend ignored Daphne’s warning before a tragic accident. Now everyone at school blames Daphne for what happened. Haunted by guilt, Daphne is determined to keep her ability a secret.
When she meets the Vaughans—cool, popular, and effortlessly perfect next-door neighbors—Daphne is drawn into their world, seduced by the thrill of fitting in. Over the summer, whispers of danger from the lake grow louder. Her intuition screams someone will die, and not even the haze of weed can numb her fear.
The clock is ticking. Daphne knows that to save a life, she’ll have to confront her darkest secret and risk losing everything she’s worked so hard for. Can she stop the inevitable without exposing her truth? Or will the lake claim a victim—this time, someone she loves?
- GenresSuspenseComing Of Age
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2025
4 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Tracey S. Phillips
5 books74 followersTracey S. Phillips' manuscript, Fractured Girl, won a Hugh Holton award in 2018. The unagented debut, BEST KEPT SECRETS was released in 2019, published by Crooked Lane Books.
"The fact that we get to see a psychopathic mindset in a more intimate way, as well as identify with a protagonist who is authentic more than she is polished, adds an appealing humanity to this chilling thriller." -Five star Amazon review.
Tracey also writes romantic thriller under the pen-name, Karissa Knight. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and two small dogs.
Follow me on Bookbub for news about Morgan Jewell's next case! https://www.bookbub.com/profile/trace...
"The fact that we get to see a psychopathic mindset in a more intimate way, as well as identify with a protagonist who is authentic more than she is polished, adds an appealing humanity to this chilling thriller." -Five star Amazon review.
Tracey also writes romantic thriller under the pen-name, Karissa Knight. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and two small dogs.
Follow me on Bookbub for news about Morgan Jewell's next case! https://www.bookbub.com/profile/trace...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
June 29, 2025
₊⋆·˚🪸.‧𝟒.𝟎𝟓 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬₊˚🎶༉‧₊˚.
Forewarned was something very new for me because it was a paranormal thriller set in the 70s and with a mix of rich and poor world and a big differences between them.
Story was remaining me a bit of a book We Were Liars which i didn’t enjoy much but i liked this book far more because it wasn’t that confusing and weird as wwl and it was really fast paced it took me like two days to finish it which a bit surprised me.
I wouldn’t say it’s copying wwl story it’s definitely giving some similar vibes BUT if you didn’t like wwl i promise this one is better:) because we see characters growing, we see their falls and rises, their achievements and failures. There are three povs (from daphne, lara and mark) - the whole book is written like some kind of a diary and plot is happening through the summer. Summer of betrayals, new connections and old sorrows. Every single character has some secrets hidden deep inside him and every one of them is somehow broken.
Daphne was … honestly i don’t really know. On the one hand, she was brave kid who smoked joints with her rebellious neighbors (make sure you check tw!!) but on the other hand she was a quiet lonely pianist without friends. But seeing her getting out of her shell and starting to fight with herself and with the things she didn’t like, i was so proud of her and i really liked her character development and even though she did a lot of stupid things, aren’t teenagers doing stupid stuff all the time? It’s no excuse but it is what it is - and i think we all know that the hardest battles are against ourselves.
Our boy Mark definitely deserved better i was so sad because of his life story and goshhh he deserved better like the things he lived through??🥺 even though we get his pov he isn’t appearing in the story till like 25 - 30% of the book which might be a bit confusing but then it’s perfectly adding up.
Lara was a very interesting character, i’ll tell you that - like a classy 70’ model smoking lucky strikes while sipping vodka with gin or whatever and playing radio in the background while having party with her friends and uhm while she was seventeen but honestly she deserved freaking better. Maybe she acted mean and confident but inside her was a big pile of sadness and bitterness and anger that she was holding inside her and her only true friends were a bottle of alcohol and a weed.
The ending broke me. Not in the sobbing-at-three-am way but in a way where my heart crumbles a little. Summary? They deserved better. They all did🤧💔
PS please check trigger warnings before jumping into it<3
———
That was…. something - rtc🫠
———
Paranormal thriller? Green light, because description of this book is sounding amazing and because the story is set in 70’?? AND because a girl who has an ability to find out your deepest secrets by one touch? Say no.more.
Thank you to Netgalley and publisher BooksGoSocial for an arc💕
Forewarned was something very new for me because it was a paranormal thriller set in the 70s and with a mix of rich and poor world and a big differences between them.
Story was remaining me a bit of a book We Were Liars which i didn’t enjoy much but i liked this book far more because it wasn’t that confusing and weird as wwl and it was really fast paced it took me like two days to finish it which a bit surprised me.
I wouldn’t say it’s copying wwl story it’s definitely giving some similar vibes BUT if you didn’t like wwl i promise this one is better:) because we see characters growing, we see their falls and rises, their achievements and failures. There are three povs (from daphne, lara and mark) - the whole book is written like some kind of a diary and plot is happening through the summer. Summer of betrayals, new connections and old sorrows. Every single character has some secrets hidden deep inside him and every one of them is somehow broken.
Daphne was … honestly i don’t really know. On the one hand, she was brave kid who smoked joints with her rebellious neighbors (make sure you check tw!!) but on the other hand she was a quiet lonely pianist without friends. But seeing her getting out of her shell and starting to fight with herself and with the things she didn’t like, i was so proud of her and i really liked her character development and even though she did a lot of stupid things, aren’t teenagers doing stupid stuff all the time? It’s no excuse but it is what it is - and i think we all know that the hardest battles are against ourselves.
Our boy Mark definitely deserved better i was so sad because of his life story and goshhh he deserved better like the things he lived through??🥺 even though we get his pov he isn’t appearing in the story till like 25 - 30% of the book which might be a bit confusing but then it’s perfectly adding up.
Lara was a very interesting character, i’ll tell you that - like a classy 70’ model smoking lucky strikes while sipping vodka with gin or whatever and playing radio in the background while having party with her friends and uhm while she was seventeen but honestly she deserved freaking better. Maybe she acted mean and confident but inside her was a big pile of sadness and bitterness and anger that she was holding inside her and her only true friends were a bottle of alcohol and a weed.
The ending broke me. Not in the sobbing-at-three-am way but in a way where my heart crumbles a little. Summary? They deserved better. They all did🤧💔
PS please check trigger warnings before jumping into it<3
———
That was…. something - rtc🫠
———
Paranormal thriller? Green light, because description of this book is sounding amazing and because the story is set in 70’?? AND because a girl who has an ability to find out your deepest secrets by one touch? Say no.more.
Thank you to Netgalley and publisher BooksGoSocial for an arc💕
July 30, 2025
⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⭒ ⭒
2.75 stars, but only because I’m generous and I feel bad)
ꨄ︎ I feel like when I started this book, I was already disinterested but not in the kind of way that ruins the reading experience, more in the “I genuinely don’t care what’s happening” kind of way. Still, I kept hoping it was one of those books where the beginning drags, but then you hit a page-turner moment that makes you need to keep reading.
Yeah… that never came.
ꨄ︎ This book is supposed to be a paranormal suspense-thriller or something. But baby, I was not thrilled. There was zero suspense because right from one of her first visions we know [Redacted] is going to die. So then the only thing left was to see how he would die… and even that was underwhelming.
ꨄ︎ And honestly? I’m glad he died. Like, genuinely happy. Because that boy was going to grow up into a menace. He literally tried to assault Daphne and we’re just… supposed to forgive him? Because he supposedly saved her life? Oh absolutely not. Nope. That boy was already dangerous. The way the book tried to low-key redeem him was Bizarre. I’m so happy he’s gone. Good riddance.
ꨄ︎ Truthfully, the whole book just fell flat. It felt like “Did I really just read from beginning to end for this?” Yes, I got some minor satisfaction from his death, but nothing changed. Nothing happened.
ꨄ︎ Also I hated the way Daphne just kept going on and on about her mom, the divorce, her dad, blah blah blah.
And I think we’re supposed to get that her mom cheated? But the way it was done made me dislike Daphne more than anything. Because that reveal came so late in the book that I already disliked Daphne for hating her mom so aggressively with zero real explanation.
ꨄ︎ I wanted a deeper exploration of the mom-dad situation. Instead, I got “Dad this, Dad that, Dad this” and honestly? It made me roll my eyes. Your dad barely even shows up in the book, and yet he’s all you ever talk about. Like, be serious.
ꨄ︎ Anyway, the book wasn’t bad-bad. I feel like giving it 2 stars would be mean because the writing wasn’t awful. The plot just didn’t land. It didn’t excite me. It didn’t move me. It didn’t do anything. I finished it and just… moved on. Flatline.
Thank you to NetGalley, Book Sirens, BooksGoSocial and the author for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are mine.
2.75 stars, but only because I’m generous and I feel bad)
ꨄ︎ I feel like when I started this book, I was already disinterested but not in the kind of way that ruins the reading experience, more in the “I genuinely don’t care what’s happening” kind of way. Still, I kept hoping it was one of those books where the beginning drags, but then you hit a page-turner moment that makes you need to keep reading.
Yeah… that never came.
ꨄ︎ This book is supposed to be a paranormal suspense-thriller or something. But baby, I was not thrilled. There was zero suspense because right from one of her first visions we know [Redacted] is going to die. So then the only thing left was to see how he would die… and even that was underwhelming.
ꨄ︎ And honestly? I’m glad he died. Like, genuinely happy. Because that boy was going to grow up into a menace. He literally tried to assault Daphne and we’re just… supposed to forgive him? Because he supposedly saved her life? Oh absolutely not. Nope. That boy was already dangerous. The way the book tried to low-key redeem him was Bizarre. I’m so happy he’s gone. Good riddance.
ꨄ︎ Truthfully, the whole book just fell flat. It felt like “Did I really just read from beginning to end for this?” Yes, I got some minor satisfaction from his death, but nothing changed. Nothing happened.
ꨄ︎ Also I hated the way Daphne just kept going on and on about her mom, the divorce, her dad, blah blah blah.
And I think we’re supposed to get that her mom cheated? But the way it was done made me dislike Daphne more than anything. Because that reveal came so late in the book that I already disliked Daphne for hating her mom so aggressively with zero real explanation.
ꨄ︎ I wanted a deeper exploration of the mom-dad situation. Instead, I got “Dad this, Dad that, Dad this” and honestly? It made me roll my eyes. Your dad barely even shows up in the book, and yet he’s all you ever talk about. Like, be serious.
ꨄ︎ Anyway, the book wasn’t bad-bad. I feel like giving it 2 stars would be mean because the writing wasn’t awful. The plot just didn’t land. It didn’t excite me. It didn’t move me. It didn’t do anything. I finished it and just… moved on. Flatline.
Thank you to NetGalley, Book Sirens, BooksGoSocial and the author for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are mine.
July 19, 2025
over all enjoyed this! I read it in a matter of a couple days and it kept my interest the whole way through. I loved Daphnes and Lara. I would have loved to hear more about mark. I loved the summer of 76 vibe, everyone just having fun. I really liked how everything came together at the end. I was still thinking about Beth and the ring so I'm glad that was wrapped up pretty well at the end. I think grandma needs a story.
thank you netgalley for allowing me to read this.
thank you netgalley for allowing me to read this.
July 27, 2025
This just didn't hit for me. It wasn't a bad book but it just didn't give me anything. It was just too slow and didn't have any real page turner moments.
October 17, 2025
AUDIOBOOK & EBOOK REVIEW. Set in 1976, FOREWARNED places readers deep into what seems to be an idyllic Indiana lakeside summer getaway. But just a scratch at the surface, and it’s clear it’s far from ideal. Several subplots keep us curious and engaged and anxiously awaiting for what’s promised in the book’s description.
More than anything, FOREWARNED is a coming-of-age story with a splash of paranormal. It’s a summer-long snapshot of the lives of messed-up and misguided teens and their dysfunctional families – and all the associated drama surrounding that. FOREWARNED is a juicy read that unfolds much like a daytime TV drama. Think of an HBO’d version of One Life to Live or As the World Turns but with profanity-slinging sexualized primary characters, ages fifteen to twenty-four years old, using and abusing drugs and alcohol. Like I said, juicy, right? Yet, that’s also what makes FOREWARNED one of these books that I struggle to blanket-recommend for young adults. (I’d categorize it as mature young adult / new adult and older.)
Author Tracey S. Phillips shines in writing descriptive and evocative scenes that make the reader feel the sense of time and place and mood. Though the issues and problems depicted sadly span the ages, the 1976 touches accurately remind readers that FOREWARNED is not a modern book. For those of us who grew up in the ‘70s, the blasts from the past bring sentimental smiles: the freedom of roaming around, needing a dime for a phone call, hanging out at the A&W, playing Ouija, listening to Casey Kasem on the radio, the introduction of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, and the country’s bicentennial celebration. For younger readers, the blasts from the past will likely be jaw-dropping and lead to Google searches and Amazon purchases.
In addition to crafting authentic depictions of scene, Phillips writes realistic characters to love and loathe (I’m talking to you, Tony. GRRR! ICKKK!). Though it seems like FOREWARNED will be Daphne’s story, there are just as many chapters told from Lara’s point of view, and a few from the oldest in this otherwise teen group, twenty-four-year-old Mark. Daphne is the most intriguing of characters and seems a bit of an old soul in how she speaks and thinks. For example, she says things like, it “warmed my buttocks,” which is odd-speak for a fifteen-year-old who hangs out with the fast kids. Yet, as she’s thinking through piano concertos, it also strangely fits. Add to this that Daphne has the gift of clairvoyance (which definitely takes a back seat to the kids-gone-wild plotline) and is riddled with anxiety and anger, she’s fascinating. Fascinating for entirely different reasons is Lara, and watching her make horrible choices and desperately needing attention and affection is like watching a trainwreck. The addition of Mark to the story allows the author to bring yet another subplot to the mix. Through it all, there’s an underlayer of dread that drags on readers as we just know none of this can turn out well.
ABOUT THE NARRATION: I intended to read FOREWARNED only with my ears because I love audiobooks, but those narrated by the author, like this one, usually have another layer of authenticity. My listening preference didn’t sync with the very slow, steady pace of narration, and I had a hard time finding the right speed to work. I ended up at 1.5x, which made the faster-talking teenagers sound even more natural. However, I discovered an audiobook glitch that left out a significant portion of the book, so I switched to the eBook. I did see a sprinkling of typos and errors in the eBook, which is distracting for me, so I went back and forth between formats, and I’m glad I did. For one, I think the author became more comfortable with her audiobook narration, and the caliber of her delivery was greatly improved and enjoyable by mid-point, making listening at 1.5x perfect. But also, had I just stuck with the eBook, I would have missed hearing the wonderful “End Credits” where the author herself performs Chopin's “Trois Nouvelles Études," No. 1! I slowed the listening speed back to 1x for that, and then the audiobook referenced a playlist, and that information sent me back to the eBook. There readers find the “FOREWARNED Soundtrack,” which ranges from Hall and Oates, The Who, and Steely Dan to Beethoven and Chopin. BONUS: The eBook has a hyperlink to an Amazon Music Playlist. Score!
Though the countdown to an eerie ending is slow in coming around, with just less than twenty percent left, the suspense really starts building and like flies on the wall, we can’t stop watching the stories unravel. Some questions are answered and some situations are neatly or messily resolved, but there are also some loose threads hanging about, along with new information that could take Daphne’s life in a new direction. With FOREWARNED’s subtitle being “A Daphne Ann Post Novel,” I’m guessing there will be future installments where lingering questions are answered and new adventures await. I’ll be there for it.
This full book review and more special features on Hall Ways Blog.
“I can’t drink; quaaludes are the only things that stay down.”
More than anything, FOREWARNED is a coming-of-age story with a splash of paranormal. It’s a summer-long snapshot of the lives of messed-up and misguided teens and their dysfunctional families – and all the associated drama surrounding that. FOREWARNED is a juicy read that unfolds much like a daytime TV drama. Think of an HBO’d version of One Life to Live or As the World Turns but with profanity-slinging sexualized primary characters, ages fifteen to twenty-four years old, using and abusing drugs and alcohol. Like I said, juicy, right? Yet, that’s also what makes FOREWARNED one of these books that I struggle to blanket-recommend for young adults. (I’d categorize it as mature young adult / new adult and older.)
“Icy dread laced with a sense of danger crept up my arms.”
Author Tracey S. Phillips shines in writing descriptive and evocative scenes that make the reader feel the sense of time and place and mood. Though the issues and problems depicted sadly span the ages, the 1976 touches accurately remind readers that FOREWARNED is not a modern book. For those of us who grew up in the ‘70s, the blasts from the past bring sentimental smiles: the freedom of roaming around, needing a dime for a phone call, hanging out at the A&W, playing Ouija, listening to Casey Kasem on the radio, the introduction of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, and the country’s bicentennial celebration. For younger readers, the blasts from the past will likely be jaw-dropping and lead to Google searches and Amazon purchases.
In addition to crafting authentic depictions of scene, Phillips writes realistic characters to love and loathe (I’m talking to you, Tony. GRRR! ICKKK!). Though it seems like FOREWARNED will be Daphne’s story, there are just as many chapters told from Lara’s point of view, and a few from the oldest in this otherwise teen group, twenty-four-year-old Mark. Daphne is the most intriguing of characters and seems a bit of an old soul in how she speaks and thinks. For example, she says things like, it “warmed my buttocks,” which is odd-speak for a fifteen-year-old who hangs out with the fast kids. Yet, as she’s thinking through piano concertos, it also strangely fits. Add to this that Daphne has the gift of clairvoyance (which definitely takes a back seat to the kids-gone-wild plotline) and is riddled with anxiety and anger, she’s fascinating. Fascinating for entirely different reasons is Lara, and watching her make horrible choices and desperately needing attention and affection is like watching a trainwreck. The addition of Mark to the story allows the author to bring yet another subplot to the mix. Through it all, there’s an underlayer of dread that drags on readers as we just know none of this can turn out well.
ABOUT THE NARRATION: I intended to read FOREWARNED only with my ears because I love audiobooks, but those narrated by the author, like this one, usually have another layer of authenticity. My listening preference didn’t sync with the very slow, steady pace of narration, and I had a hard time finding the right speed to work. I ended up at 1.5x, which made the faster-talking teenagers sound even more natural. However, I discovered an audiobook glitch that left out a significant portion of the book, so I switched to the eBook. I did see a sprinkling of typos and errors in the eBook, which is distracting for me, so I went back and forth between formats, and I’m glad I did. For one, I think the author became more comfortable with her audiobook narration, and the caliber of her delivery was greatly improved and enjoyable by mid-point, making listening at 1.5x perfect. But also, had I just stuck with the eBook, I would have missed hearing the wonderful “End Credits” where the author herself performs Chopin's “Trois Nouvelles Études," No. 1! I slowed the listening speed back to 1x for that, and then the audiobook referenced a playlist, and that information sent me back to the eBook. There readers find the “FOREWARNED Soundtrack,” which ranges from Hall and Oates, The Who, and Steely Dan to Beethoven and Chopin. BONUS: The eBook has a hyperlink to an Amazon Music Playlist. Score!
Though the countdown to an eerie ending is slow in coming around, with just less than twenty percent left, the suspense really starts building and like flies on the wall, we can’t stop watching the stories unravel. Some questions are answered and some situations are neatly or messily resolved, but there are also some loose threads hanging about, along with new information that could take Daphne’s life in a new direction. With FOREWARNED’s subtitle being “A Daphne Ann Post Novel,” I’m guessing there will be future installments where lingering questions are answered and new adventures await. I’ll be there for it.
This full book review and more special features on Hall Ways Blog.
October 7, 2025
Suspenseful, twisty paranormal summer thriller!
Forewarned by Tracey S. Phillips is a suspense-laden thriller perfect for closing out summer reading and transitioning to fall’s spookier reads. It’s the summer of 1976, and 15-year-old Daphne Ann Post, her younger brother Brandon, and her recently divorced mother return to her grandmother’s lake house outside Carlson, Indiana, just like they do every year for vacation. However, young Daphne harbors a secret gift: she receives premonitions of danger and sees visions of tragedies about to happen, simply by touching someone. And this summer, the feelings are everywhere.
Despite her terrible gift, Daphne is a typical teenager of the time, experiencing all the emotions of seeing her parents’ marriage collapse and her family change. In her case, the dissolution comes on the heels of her mother’s actions and choices, and Daphne is feeling rage and impotence at being unable to preserve her family as it was.Making her situation doubly difficult is her lack of a social safety net. Her former best friend, Ruth, turned on her during the previous school year when Daphne had revealed a premonition that Ruth was about to have an accident and get hurt. When Ruth ignored her warning and was injured, she blamed Daphne for the accident even happening, sharing a much-embellished story to their classmates who, in turn, shunned Daphne for the rest of the year.
The sad and bitter teenager continually vents her anger and frustrations at her mother, and she’s lonely and ripe for trouble, especially when the summer kids move in next door to her grandmother’s Victorian cottage. It was hard watching her engage in forbidden activities, but her experiences ultimately led to growth in her character.The story unfolds from three points of view: Daphne’s, Lara, the girl next door, and Mark Walters, a young man returning home to Carlson after a number of years away. But while the summer lakeside setting is idyllic for lazing around and basking in doing nothing, the author slowly ratchets up the tension, starting with small things like the dark, spooky cedar closet that holds childhood nightmares for Daphne, or the individuals who give off creepy vibes or the off-hand comments from family members that make you pause and wonder what’s going on there.
As storylines intersect, the tension continues to build, and I often wanted to reach out and stop a character from taking their next move as I worried how this was all going to work out. The 1970s time frame was a nice touch, and I enjoyed the mention of random objects typical of the period, such as Dr. Scholl’s sandals or the yellow, long-corded telephone that could reach into the next room.I recommend FOREWARNED to readers of young adult domestic and paranormal thrillers and suspense.
June 26, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and the author for an ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
I honestly have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, I really enjoyed getting to know Daphne, and how she learned to stand up for herself, but on the other hand, there were a few things I didn't like. There was a political topic that was suddenly brought up, and I don't know, I'm someone who doesn't want to read about politics. Moving on, I actually didn't mind the ending.
One small thing that bothered me was that we never learn the real reason behind the divorce. And Daphne constantly blames her mom for it, but was it really her mom's fault? To me, it seemed obvious that it was, but I was also hoping for more of an explanation.
Another thing I didn't like was how forgiving Daphne was towards a certain someone she meets. I won't say who, but what he almost did to her was gross. And then he tried to pin the blame on her.
Overall, I liked the paranormal elements tied into this. I didn't mind Daphne as much since she just wanted to fit in. I didn't mind Lara that much either, given her family situation. Mostly with her father. For the things I didn't like, it didn't entirely take away from my enjoyment while reading. The suspense was good, and it was a quick read.
I honestly have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, I really enjoyed getting to know Daphne, and how she learned to stand up for herself, but on the other hand, there were a few things I didn't like. There was a political topic that was suddenly brought up, and I don't know, I'm someone who doesn't want to read about politics. Moving on, I actually didn't mind the ending.
One small thing that bothered me was that we never learn the real reason behind the divorce. And Daphne constantly blames her mom for it, but was it really her mom's fault? To me, it seemed obvious that it was, but I was also hoping for more of an explanation.
Another thing I didn't like was how forgiving Daphne was towards a certain someone she meets. I won't say who, but what he almost did to her was gross. And then he tried to pin the blame on her.
Overall, I liked the paranormal elements tied into this. I didn't mind Daphne as much since she just wanted to fit in. I didn't mind Lara that much either, given her family situation. Mostly with her father. For the things I didn't like, it didn't entirely take away from my enjoyment while reading. The suspense was good, and it was a quick read.
June 27, 2025
Forewarned is a coming of age, suspenseful thriller set in the 70s that will leave you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what’s gonna happen next. I enjoyed this book and didn’t want to put it down. 15 year old Daphne is vacationing with her mom and family at a family lake home for the summer. It seems like the perfect vacation but Daphne has a “gift” if you wanna call it that. But to her she feels it’s more of a curse. She has premonitions of the future when she touches people. What’s supposed to be a nice summer getaway is about to take a tragic turn. She has a premonition that someone will drown at the lake this summer. Can Daphne stop this tragic event from happening? Or will she lose some close to her? Read to find out. You definitely won’t be disappointed. I cannot wait to read more books written by Tracey! Happy reading! 📖
July 16, 2025
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC
This was a nostalgic trip back to the 70s with some great music choices, Dr. Shoal sandals, classic candy, and a great storyline to wrap it up. I enjoyed each character's role and how it all came together for a really good ending. This had all the feels of creepy, coming of age, and lots of twists. I'm adding this as another top pick of my 2025 reading list!!!
This was a nostalgic trip back to the 70s with some great music choices, Dr. Shoal sandals, classic candy, and a great storyline to wrap it up. I enjoyed each character's role and how it all came together for a really good ending. This had all the feels of creepy, coming of age, and lots of twists. I'm adding this as another top pick of my 2025 reading list!!!
July 2, 2025
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC. This was an easy read not exactly in my wheelhouse. I saw it described as a paranormal thriller or drama which I would call accurate (more drama than thriller). It was an easy read and easy to follow! I liked the multi-view point style of the book so you get more feel into each individuals motivations. There were some holes in the plot that maybe were left or lightly alluded to, but didn’t take away from the story. An interesting twist at the end which is always welcome.
August 26, 2025
Thank you, Hidden Gems Books, for letting me read this early.
I loved the plot setting for this...70s! The plot itself was great. The first chapter really hooks you in. I do feel like the build-up does take a while to get too. Overall, I enjoyed reading this and would recommend this to everyone.
I loved the plot setting for this...70s! The plot itself was great. The first chapter really hooks you in. I do feel like the build-up does take a while to get too. Overall, I enjoyed reading this and would recommend this to everyone.
August 17, 2025
If I could give this book 10 stars I would. This book kept me on the edge of my seat, and I could not put it down.
This story centers mostly around a young girl named Daphne. Her parents are recently divorced due to her mother's infidelity, and they are on their annual summer vacation to a lake during the summer of 1976.
The book is written in three perspectives: Daphne, Lara and Mark. These three couldn't be more different. Daphnes mom comes from money but they themselves don't have any; Laras parents are rich with her mom being a socialite and her dad a judge and Mark is an ex-con back in town after being put away by Laras dad.
Daphne is summering in a house next door to one that Laras family is renting. Lara and her two brothers quickly make friends with Daphne. Mark ends up part of the group after hooking up with Lara, in an attempt at revenge for her dad putting him away and Lara looking for a "townie" to make dad pay attention.
What Daphne doesn't let on is how she has the ability to touch someone and see things. Like premonitions. It happened one winter with her now ex-best-friend. She wanted to go ice skating, but Daphne saw her get hurt and tried to warn her. It didn't end well. Now she's seeing them all around her and she's scared of what going to happen. Can Daphne figure out her premonitions before it's too late and someone dies, maybe even her?
I truly enjoyed this book. A little more backstory on her powers would have been nice and I could have done without the political commentary on a situation with Lara, but overall, this was a great, quick read. The characters were really well written and the time and place the book is set was really great. I found myself crying at the end of the book and felt like I wasn't quite ready for it to end. I received this book free from Booksirens for an honest review.
This story centers mostly around a young girl named Daphne. Her parents are recently divorced due to her mother's infidelity, and they are on their annual summer vacation to a lake during the summer of 1976.
The book is written in three perspectives: Daphne, Lara and Mark. These three couldn't be more different. Daphnes mom comes from money but they themselves don't have any; Laras parents are rich with her mom being a socialite and her dad a judge and Mark is an ex-con back in town after being put away by Laras dad.
Daphne is summering in a house next door to one that Laras family is renting. Lara and her two brothers quickly make friends with Daphne. Mark ends up part of the group after hooking up with Lara, in an attempt at revenge for her dad putting him away and Lara looking for a "townie" to make dad pay attention.
What Daphne doesn't let on is how she has the ability to touch someone and see things. Like premonitions. It happened one winter with her now ex-best-friend. She wanted to go ice skating, but Daphne saw her get hurt and tried to warn her. It didn't end well. Now she's seeing them all around her and she's scared of what going to happen. Can Daphne figure out her premonitions before it's too late and someone dies, maybe even her?
I truly enjoyed this book. A little more backstory on her powers would have been nice and I could have done without the political commentary on a situation with Lara, but overall, this was a great, quick read. The characters were really well written and the time and place the book is set was really great. I found myself crying at the end of the book and felt like I wasn't quite ready for it to end. I received this book free from Booksirens for an honest review.
November 9, 2025
📚Forewarned
✍🏻Tracey Phillips
Blurb:
For 15-year-old Daphne Ann Post, the summer of 1976 at Lake Carlson should be filled with new friendships and carefree late-night parties. But something darker lurks beneath the surface—her chilling premonition that someone is going to drown.
Wishing she could escape the shadow of her fractured family and her mother’s too-soon rebound relationship, Daphne reluctantly heads to the family lake house in Northern Indiana. The tension with her mother is thick—especially when Daphne is the only one who knows her mom's boyfriend is hiding a dangerous secret. But Daphne’s burden is far heavier than family drama. She harbors an unsettling gift—an ability to know the hidden truths of anyone she touches.
Last year that same intuition failed her when her best friend ignored Daphne’s warning before a tragic accident. Now everyone at school blames Daphne for what happened. Haunted by guilt, Daphne is determined to keep her ability a secret.
When she meets the Vaughans—cool, popular, and effortlessly perfect next-door neighbors—Daphne is drawn into their world, seduced by the thrill of fitting in. Over the summer, whispers of danger from the lake grow louder. Her intuition screams someone will die, and not even the haze of weed can numb her fear.
The clock is ticking. Daphne knows that to save a life, she’ll have to confront her darkest secret and risk losing everything she’s worked so hard for. Can she stop the inevitable without exposing her truth? Or will the lake claim a victim—this time, someone she loves?
My Thoughts:
Forewarned is a coming of age, suspenseful thriller set in the 70s that will leave you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what’s gonna happen next. I enjoyed this book and didn’t want to put it down. 15 year old Daphne is vacationing with her mom and family at a family lake home for the summer. It seems like the perfect vacation but Daphne has a “gift” if you wanna call it that. But to her she feels it’s more of a curse. She has premonitions of the future when she touches people. What’s supposed to be a nice summer getaway is about to take a tragic turn. She has a premonition that someone will drown at the lake this summer. Can Daphne stop this tragic event from happening? Or will she lose some close to her? Read to find out. You definitely won’t be disappointed. I cannot wait to read more books by Tracey Phillips. I recommend "Forewarned" to readers of young adult domestic and paranormal thrillers and suspense.
Thanks NetGalley, 3 Elements Publishing and Author Tracey Phillips for the complimentary copy of "Forewarned" I am leaving a voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#3ElementsPublishing
#TraceyPhilliips
#Forewarned
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✍🏻Tracey Phillips
Blurb:
For 15-year-old Daphne Ann Post, the summer of 1976 at Lake Carlson should be filled with new friendships and carefree late-night parties. But something darker lurks beneath the surface—her chilling premonition that someone is going to drown.
Wishing she could escape the shadow of her fractured family and her mother’s too-soon rebound relationship, Daphne reluctantly heads to the family lake house in Northern Indiana. The tension with her mother is thick—especially when Daphne is the only one who knows her mom's boyfriend is hiding a dangerous secret. But Daphne’s burden is far heavier than family drama. She harbors an unsettling gift—an ability to know the hidden truths of anyone she touches.
Last year that same intuition failed her when her best friend ignored Daphne’s warning before a tragic accident. Now everyone at school blames Daphne for what happened. Haunted by guilt, Daphne is determined to keep her ability a secret.
When she meets the Vaughans—cool, popular, and effortlessly perfect next-door neighbors—Daphne is drawn into their world, seduced by the thrill of fitting in. Over the summer, whispers of danger from the lake grow louder. Her intuition screams someone will die, and not even the haze of weed can numb her fear.
The clock is ticking. Daphne knows that to save a life, she’ll have to confront her darkest secret and risk losing everything she’s worked so hard for. Can she stop the inevitable without exposing her truth? Or will the lake claim a victim—this time, someone she loves?
My Thoughts:
Forewarned is a coming of age, suspenseful thriller set in the 70s that will leave you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what’s gonna happen next. I enjoyed this book and didn’t want to put it down. 15 year old Daphne is vacationing with her mom and family at a family lake home for the summer. It seems like the perfect vacation but Daphne has a “gift” if you wanna call it that. But to her she feels it’s more of a curse. She has premonitions of the future when she touches people. What’s supposed to be a nice summer getaway is about to take a tragic turn. She has a premonition that someone will drown at the lake this summer. Can Daphne stop this tragic event from happening? Or will she lose some close to her? Read to find out. You definitely won’t be disappointed. I cannot wait to read more books by Tracey Phillips. I recommend "Forewarned" to readers of young adult domestic and paranormal thrillers and suspense.
Thanks NetGalley, 3 Elements Publishing and Author Tracey Phillips for the complimentary copy of "Forewarned" I am leaving a voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#3ElementsPublishing
#TraceyPhilliips
#Forewarned
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 9, 2025
I received Forewarned as a free ARC copy. I am reviewing this book voluntarily
I give Forewarned a three out of five stars because of what happened past about 60% of the book as well as the accurate 1976 product placement. The story itself is a very slow suspenseful novel, and I really did not like the payoff at the end, but it wasn't bad. Some chapters are in First Person, some are in Third Person. The Third Person chapters act like they are meant to be in First Person (i.e. Third Person Limited). I take little issue with the swapping perspectives. That was fine.
My main issue lies in the First Person sections. The main character, Daphne, is a fifteen-year old girl, but none of the First Person sections read like a fifteen-year-old girl. They read like a well read and a well educated person who was telling a story from a long time ago, but, with the additions of the other characters' perspectives --Lara and Mark-- it just doesn't sit right. There are points where I can tell I am watching from Daphne's point of view, and I am right there with her, a budding pianist with a gift/curse having a huge crush on the neighbor. There are other times that I'm reading a chapter, drinking my tea with my cat, and, all of a sudden, my immersion is ruined by a verb that is there solely to prevent an adverb. This happened frequently enough that I put this book down multiple times while I was reading it because I did not want to finish the book. If this book was completely written in Third Person Limited, these issues would not be there for me.
Overall, it is a solid read. It is well polished, but until the later parts of the book, the raw feelings I would expect from this kind of writing is only there from Lara and Mark, and not as much from Daphne, who should be the star of the show. Daphne really shines near the end, but before then, she's boring. Lara and Mark though are star players from the jump. I loved them. They are absolutely the highlights of the story. I absolutely adored Mark, and I felt every last one of Lara's emotions.
I will definitely give other books by this author a read, as the story is there, even if the main character isn't.
TLDR: Two thumbs way way up for the supporting cast in this slow suspenseful novel. Wish I could say the same for the Main Character.
I give Forewarned a three out of five stars because of what happened past about 60% of the book as well as the accurate 1976 product placement. The story itself is a very slow suspenseful novel, and I really did not like the payoff at the end, but it wasn't bad. Some chapters are in First Person, some are in Third Person. The Third Person chapters act like they are meant to be in First Person (i.e. Third Person Limited). I take little issue with the swapping perspectives. That was fine.
My main issue lies in the First Person sections. The main character, Daphne, is a fifteen-year old girl, but none of the First Person sections read like a fifteen-year-old girl. They read like a well read and a well educated person who was telling a story from a long time ago, but, with the additions of the other characters' perspectives --Lara and Mark-- it just doesn't sit right. There are points where I can tell I am watching from Daphne's point of view, and I am right there with her, a budding pianist with a gift/curse having a huge crush on the neighbor. There are other times that I'm reading a chapter, drinking my tea with my cat, and, all of a sudden, my immersion is ruined by a verb that is there solely to prevent an adverb. This happened frequently enough that I put this book down multiple times while I was reading it because I did not want to finish the book. If this book was completely written in Third Person Limited, these issues would not be there for me.
Overall, it is a solid read. It is well polished, but until the later parts of the book, the raw feelings I would expect from this kind of writing is only there from Lara and Mark, and not as much from Daphne, who should be the star of the show. Daphne really shines near the end, but before then, she's boring. Lara and Mark though are star players from the jump. I loved them. They are absolutely the highlights of the story. I absolutely adored Mark, and I felt every last one of Lara's emotions.
I will definitely give other books by this author a read, as the story is there, even if the main character isn't.
TLDR: Two thumbs way way up for the supporting cast in this slow suspenseful novel. Wish I could say the same for the Main Character.
November 23, 2025
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
🕵️ Tracey Phillips’ Forewarned is a tense, character-driven thriller that deepens the world of Daphne Ann Post, blending psychological suspense with the precision of a procedural. It’s a novel that thrives on atmosphere and emotional stakes, pulling readers into a story where intuition, danger, and hidden truths collide.
🌒This novel is steeped in unease, with everyday settings—homes, offices, and city streets—transformed into landscapes of suspicion.
Phillips’ prose is crisp and immersive, balancing investigative detail with moments of raw vulnerability.
The tone is urgent yet reflective, ensuring the suspense feels grounded in human emotion rather than spectacle alone.
👤 Daphne Ann Post emerges as a layered protagonist, her instincts and determination tested against threats that blur personal and professional boundaries.
Phillips avoids caricature, instead presenting allies and suspects with ambiguity, making trust a precarious commodity.
Relationships are volatile, charged with loyalty, betrayal, and secrecy, heightening the tension at every turn.
🔍 Forewarning and intuition form the novel’s core, asking whether instinct can be trusted when lives are at stake.
The story interrogates truth, deception, and resilience, showing how hidden motives corrode even the closest bonds.
Phillips explores the fragility of perception, suggesting that survival often depends on seeing what others refuse to acknowledge.
🎧 The structure mirrors Daphne’s fractured state of mind, weaving present-day suspense with fragments of memory and insight.
Phillips employs shifting perspectives and subtle foreshadowing, heightening psychological complexity while sustaining momentum.
Dialogue is sharp and revealing, often carrying double meanings that amplify paranoia and mistrust.
⭐ Forewarned is a gripping, psychologically rich thriller that lingers long after the final page. Tracey Phillips delivers a story that is as much about the emotional cost of survival as it is about the mechanics of suspense, leaving readers unsettled, reflective, and eager to follow Daphne Ann Post into her next case.
🕵️ Tracey Phillips’ Forewarned is a tense, character-driven thriller that deepens the world of Daphne Ann Post, blending psychological suspense with the precision of a procedural. It’s a novel that thrives on atmosphere and emotional stakes, pulling readers into a story where intuition, danger, and hidden truths collide.
🌒This novel is steeped in unease, with everyday settings—homes, offices, and city streets—transformed into landscapes of suspicion.
Phillips’ prose is crisp and immersive, balancing investigative detail with moments of raw vulnerability.
The tone is urgent yet reflective, ensuring the suspense feels grounded in human emotion rather than spectacle alone.
👤 Daphne Ann Post emerges as a layered protagonist, her instincts and determination tested against threats that blur personal and professional boundaries.
Phillips avoids caricature, instead presenting allies and suspects with ambiguity, making trust a precarious commodity.
Relationships are volatile, charged with loyalty, betrayal, and secrecy, heightening the tension at every turn.
🔍 Forewarning and intuition form the novel’s core, asking whether instinct can be trusted when lives are at stake.
The story interrogates truth, deception, and resilience, showing how hidden motives corrode even the closest bonds.
Phillips explores the fragility of perception, suggesting that survival often depends on seeing what others refuse to acknowledge.
🎧 The structure mirrors Daphne’s fractured state of mind, weaving present-day suspense with fragments of memory and insight.
Phillips employs shifting perspectives and subtle foreshadowing, heightening psychological complexity while sustaining momentum.
Dialogue is sharp and revealing, often carrying double meanings that amplify paranoia and mistrust.
⭐ Forewarned is a gripping, psychologically rich thriller that lingers long after the final page. Tracey Phillips delivers a story that is as much about the emotional cost of survival as it is about the mechanics of suspense, leaving readers unsettled, reflective, and eager to follow Daphne Ann Post into her next case.
August 29, 2025
"The moment stretches out as if held by a fermata. I didn't-couldn't- pull away."
"What did it take for someone to want to kill another person? How angry did they have to be?"
A young 15 year old girl with the power of premonition and a deep love for playing classical music spends yet another summer at the lake with her family. This year, it isn't exactly music to her ears. This year feels different, off, dark. She knows something is destined to happen at the lake this year, she just doesn't know what it is or if she can stop it.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the opportunity to read and review this amazing book. I really enjoyed it! My opinions on this piece are strictly my own. While this book did have a fair amount of triggers listed- drug and alcohol abuse, underage consumption, death and a few others-I didn't mind. I love a good mystery/thriller and really enjoy novels that have multi pov like this one. I really enjoyed Daphne's character, and how during her struggles and growth she is able to articulate various components of musical terminology to really drive home the point of her feelings throughout the novel. It really emphasized the deep feelings of how the story was unfolding. I also enjoyed her internalized struggle with her gifts, while slightly sad and at times hard to read, she really kept trying to lean into them despite feeling traumatized by a past encounter involving them However the Vaughan's-the quintessential an cliche family of wasps with 3 kids struggling with familial and societal expectations against their own wants, kind of overall were just not very interesting themselves. Though their presence in the storyline at times made things interesting for Daphne, giving her new experiences to explore and therefore further developing her character. There was so much to love about this story, the ending honestly being my favorite.
"What did it take for someone to want to kill another person? How angry did they have to be?"
A young 15 year old girl with the power of premonition and a deep love for playing classical music spends yet another summer at the lake with her family. This year, it isn't exactly music to her ears. This year feels different, off, dark. She knows something is destined to happen at the lake this year, she just doesn't know what it is or if she can stop it.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the opportunity to read and review this amazing book. I really enjoyed it! My opinions on this piece are strictly my own. While this book did have a fair amount of triggers listed- drug and alcohol abuse, underage consumption, death and a few others-I didn't mind. I love a good mystery/thriller and really enjoy novels that have multi pov like this one. I really enjoyed Daphne's character, and how during her struggles and growth she is able to articulate various components of musical terminology to really drive home the point of her feelings throughout the novel. It really emphasized the deep feelings of how the story was unfolding. I also enjoyed her internalized struggle with her gifts, while slightly sad and at times hard to read, she really kept trying to lean into them despite feeling traumatized by a past encounter involving them However the Vaughan's-the quintessential an cliche family of wasps with 3 kids struggling with familial and societal expectations against their own wants, kind of overall were just not very interesting themselves. Though their presence in the storyline at times made things interesting for Daphne, giving her new experiences to explore and therefore further developing her character. There was so much to love about this story, the ending honestly being my favorite.
October 8, 2025
MY THOUGHTS -
A great coming-of-age story. 15 yr. old Daphne, has the unique ability of knowing things or seeing things when she touches people. Sometimes these are things that you want to know, and other times… Not so much! But she doesn't get to choose. Then she has the decision to make. Does she tell/warn them? Will they believe her or will they think she is crazy? Will it even help? Or are some things just destined to happen?
I liked Daphne. She reminded me of me when I was that age. And not so much in a good way lol but anyway, I could connect with her on a deeper level! All of the characters were great. Two more main characters, Lara who was sassy, manipulative, and thought she knew everything (doesn't every teen think that) and yet, you feel for her. Mark, who was older, 27 I think? I didn't like him at first but then I grew to like him and really respected him towards the end. There was also Lara's brothers who took a more backseat in the book, but were still important to the story. I thought the author did a great job with all of them, the good and the bad. To me, they were all very believable.
I loved that this book took place in the 1970's! That is exactly when I was that age. The author got so many things right. I really felt like I was back in time to my teenage years. Ahh the good old days of Roe v Wade and freedom of choice!
This book gets VERY intense, a little scary, and sad during the last third of the book. A few shocking things happen, but... a great ending! It certainly had me at the edge of that seat!
I would definitely read another book by this author.
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Partners in Crime Tours. Thank You!
A great coming-of-age story. 15 yr. old Daphne, has the unique ability of knowing things or seeing things when she touches people. Sometimes these are things that you want to know, and other times… Not so much! But she doesn't get to choose. Then she has the decision to make. Does she tell/warn them? Will they believe her or will they think she is crazy? Will it even help? Or are some things just destined to happen?
I liked Daphne. She reminded me of me when I was that age. And not so much in a good way lol but anyway, I could connect with her on a deeper level! All of the characters were great. Two more main characters, Lara who was sassy, manipulative, and thought she knew everything (doesn't every teen think that) and yet, you feel for her. Mark, who was older, 27 I think? I didn't like him at first but then I grew to like him and really respected him towards the end. There was also Lara's brothers who took a more backseat in the book, but were still important to the story. I thought the author did a great job with all of them, the good and the bad. To me, they were all very believable.
I loved that this book took place in the 1970's! That is exactly when I was that age. The author got so many things right. I really felt like I was back in time to my teenage years. Ahh the good old days of Roe v Wade and freedom of choice!
This book gets VERY intense, a little scary, and sad during the last third of the book. A few shocking things happen, but... a great ending! It certainly had me at the edge of that seat!
I would definitely read another book by this author.
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Partners in Crime Tours. Thank You!
August 2, 2025
Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll
Despite being a slow reader, I could not put this book down and did not want it to end. Fifteen-year-old Daphne Ann Post, who finds her only safe solace in playing classical piano, spends the summer with her family at her grandmother’s Victorian home on Lake Carlson, Indiana. The girl feels coming-of-age angst in the rebellious summer of 1976, complicated by her parents’ breakup, her mom's creepy new boyfriend, and Daphne’s ongoing, frightening premonitions of death. Can she prevent multiple tragedies without appearing “a freak”?
Bored as she awaits a new piano to arrive from her grandmother, Daphne spirals downward into underage drinking, smoking, and drugs at the Vaughan family cabin next door, seeking acceptance from its three older, "cool" kids, who are not spared from serious trouble. Additionally, most of the adults are feckless. I wanted to grab their shoulders and shake some responsibility into them!
Phillips skillfully gathers all this tension to ratchet up the danger, including her illustrations of the skull in the lakeweeds that wrap around swimmers’ legs. Readers will also relish how the author colors the plot, characters, and settings with her musical prowess, using rock tunes and etudes to evoke emotions and the sinister surroundings. She even includes a book soundtrack and playlist link. Thank you, Tracey Phillips, for not letting this intense, brilliantly written story languish in a desk drawer! I live in hope for more Daphne Ann Post novels.
Despite being a slow reader, I could not put this book down and did not want it to end. Fifteen-year-old Daphne Ann Post, who finds her only safe solace in playing classical piano, spends the summer with her family at her grandmother’s Victorian home on Lake Carlson, Indiana. The girl feels coming-of-age angst in the rebellious summer of 1976, complicated by her parents’ breakup, her mom's creepy new boyfriend, and Daphne’s ongoing, frightening premonitions of death. Can she prevent multiple tragedies without appearing “a freak”?
Bored as she awaits a new piano to arrive from her grandmother, Daphne spirals downward into underage drinking, smoking, and drugs at the Vaughan family cabin next door, seeking acceptance from its three older, "cool" kids, who are not spared from serious trouble. Additionally, most of the adults are feckless. I wanted to grab their shoulders and shake some responsibility into them!
Phillips skillfully gathers all this tension to ratchet up the danger, including her illustrations of the skull in the lakeweeds that wrap around swimmers’ legs. Readers will also relish how the author colors the plot, characters, and settings with her musical prowess, using rock tunes and etudes to evoke emotions and the sinister surroundings. She even includes a book soundtrack and playlist link. Thank you, Tracey Phillips, for not letting this intense, brilliantly written story languish in a desk drawer! I live in hope for more Daphne Ann Post novels.
August 26, 2025
15-year-old Daphne Ann Post has a secret. She has premonitions of when horrible things are about to happen. It has happened before with a friend, and backfired spectacularly, but now, during her summer break, she knows someone is going to drown. Forewarned tells the story of her summer break, new friendship, readjusting to life after her parents’ divorce, and dealing with that eerie feeling.
This was a very difficult book to rate. Although described as a mystery or thriller novel, I'm not sure if it works as either. To me, Forewarned is a good snapshot into the life of troubled teenagers; the paranormal stuff and the mystery of who is going to drown is something that happens in the background.
Lara, Lewis, and Philip are complex characters rebelling against the high expectations of their parents. Mark is deeply troubled, indecisive on the desire to get revenge on the prosecutor who put him in jail. And finally, Daphne, who is lonely and will do anything to make friends, even changing her entire personality.
I almost wish this book didn't include the paranormal stuff and focused on the interpersonal relations between the characters. On all of the questionable decision teenagers don't stop to consider and their lasting consequences on their lives.
I would have rated Forewarned 2 stars as a paranormal mystery novel and 4 stars as a book about troubled teens, so I am averaging them out into a 3-star rating.
Thank you to NetGalley, Tracey Phillips, and BooksGoSocial for the advanced copy. This review is left voluntarily and honestly.
This was a very difficult book to rate. Although described as a mystery or thriller novel, I'm not sure if it works as either. To me, Forewarned is a good snapshot into the life of troubled teenagers; the paranormal stuff and the mystery of who is going to drown is something that happens in the background.
Lara, Lewis, and Philip are complex characters rebelling against the high expectations of their parents. Mark is deeply troubled, indecisive on the desire to get revenge on the prosecutor who put him in jail. And finally, Daphne, who is lonely and will do anything to make friends, even changing her entire personality.
I almost wish this book didn't include the paranormal stuff and focused on the interpersonal relations between the characters. On all of the questionable decision teenagers don't stop to consider and their lasting consequences on their lives.
I would have rated Forewarned 2 stars as a paranormal mystery novel and 4 stars as a book about troubled teens, so I am averaging them out into a 3-star rating.
Thank you to NetGalley, Tracey Phillips, and BooksGoSocial for the advanced copy. This review is left voluntarily and honestly.
September 9, 2025
I received an arc of Forewarned by Tracey S. Phillips off the Read Now section of NetGalley. I’d consider the book to be classified as a thriller with a touch of paranormal or magical realism to it. What I liked was that the story took place during the year 1976. The year of the Bicentennial. It centers around two families, but mainly their teenage children. Both families are summering at the lake, one owning an old Victorian lakehouse and the wealthier more prominent family staying in a cottage next door. Daphne who comes from a broken family because her mother decided to divorce her father wants to become friends with Lana and Lewis who are somewhat snobby in my opinion. Throughout the story Daphne continues to get really bad vibes like something terrible is going to happen. It doesn’t come out until much later that she is psychic, a gift that she shares with her grandmother. This story centers around the 2 different classes of families, the effects that divorce has on their children along with drugs, alcohol use and unwanted pregnancy. Typical teenage issues. What I also liked was the mention of music that I remember being very popular at that time and other mentions that brought back so many great memories for me. I thought it was an entertaining read and I believe other readers will enjoy it too. I’d like to thank Three Elements Publishing and NetGalley for the arc to read and review. I’m giving this book a 4 star rating.
September 22, 2025
Forewarned is a twisty thriller, mixing suspense with a touch of the supernatural, which makes the story feel different from a lot of other thrillers out there. The main character is easy to root for, flawed but strong, and I really enjoyed following her journey.
This story takes place in the mid-70s in Indiana at a lake-side cottage. Daphne, a 15-year old girl, and her family spend every summer there but this summer, Daphne becomes friends with the neighbours, a group of wealthy elites, and she experiences a summer like she has never had before.
The writing is sharp, and the tension builds nicely, though it did take me longer to get into the story. I wasn't hooked right away. There were a couple of spots where I wished things had been fleshed out a little more, like Daphne's past. That’s the reason I gave it four stars instead of five. Still, it’s a gripping read that I did enjoy.
If you like thrillers with a paranormal twist and characters you can connect with, this is definitely one to add to your list.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This story takes place in the mid-70s in Indiana at a lake-side cottage. Daphne, a 15-year old girl, and her family spend every summer there but this summer, Daphne becomes friends with the neighbours, a group of wealthy elites, and she experiences a summer like she has never had before.
The writing is sharp, and the tension builds nicely, though it did take me longer to get into the story. I wasn't hooked right away. There were a couple of spots where I wished things had been fleshed out a little more, like Daphne's past. That’s the reason I gave it four stars instead of five. Still, it’s a gripping read that I did enjoy.
If you like thrillers with a paranormal twist and characters you can connect with, this is definitely one to add to your list.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 26, 2025
Forewarned by Tracey S. Phillips is definitely for fans of Holly Jackson! The book starts off like any other YA novel. The story is full of dread, anger, worry, and more. A young teenager and her brother are taken away for the summer to visit their cousins. The girl misses her dad and is angry at her mom for taking her away. She also lost her old friends and wants to fit in aka to not being a weirdo. But already, her spidery ultra senses are alerted and she knows someone will die, how and when not disclosed yet. I loved the dark shadow of suspense and intrigue hanging onto every page. Daphne must learn how to adapt to just being herself and learn to deal with her secret power. Dread increases as I dug further into this epic read. I love crime and mystery reads especially at the YA level. There are just so much more interesting. Tracey S. Phillips clearly writes in a way that pulls readers deep into her fictional world and into the lives of her characters. I highly recommend this to all crime fiction and suspense fans!
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
July 31, 2025
This was one of those books I kept hoping would get better. I went in with low expectations, — not in the “this is going to be bad” way, more like ”Let’s see where this takes us” way. Still, I held out hope for that moment where things click and it turns into a page-turner.
Unfortunately… that moment never came.
This is pitched as a paranormal suspense-thriller, but I didn’t feel the suspense or the thrill. From vert early on, we already know who dies, so any mystery is gone immediately. The only question left is how he’ll die, and even that felt underwhelming.
The emotional arcs also didn’t land for me. Daphne’s constant focus on her dad, while vilifying her mom, became tiring — especially when the actual explanation for their divorce came so late that it didn’t reframe anything, it just made me more frustrated with her. I wanted a deeper exploration of the family dynamics.
The story just fell flat overall. I didn’t hate it, I didn’t love it, didn’t move me, and didn’t leave an impression.
Thank you to NetGalley, and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately… that moment never came.
This is pitched as a paranormal suspense-thriller, but I didn’t feel the suspense or the thrill. From vert early on, we already know who dies, so any mystery is gone immediately. The only question left is how he’ll die, and even that felt underwhelming.
The emotional arcs also didn’t land for me. Daphne’s constant focus on her dad, while vilifying her mom, became tiring — especially when the actual explanation for their divorce came so late that it didn’t reframe anything, it just made me more frustrated with her. I wanted a deeper exploration of the family dynamics.
The story just fell flat overall. I didn’t hate it, I didn’t love it, didn’t move me, and didn’t leave an impression.
Thank you to NetGalley, and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2025
"Forewarned" is a captivating paranormal coming-of-age thriller that drew me in from the very first chapter. I recently had the pleasure of reviewing the audiobook version of this story. I generally prefer audiobooks over Kindle or print editions because the narrators bring the characters to life, allowing me to connect with their emotions on a deeper level. The author, who also served as the narrator, did an excellent job portraying the various characters and their feelings.
The protagonist, Daphne, grows up in the 1970s. During a vacation, she has an eventful summer with the family next door, the Vaughans. Daphne is no ordinary teenager; she possesses a special gift that allows her to see the future when she touches someone. The story is filled with secrets, emotions, friendships, and hardships. It is told from the perspectives of Daphne, Laura, and Mark, which enhances the narrative flow. The ending is suspenseful, intense, and unpredictable, leaving some unanswered questions about Daphne and her future endeavors.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
The protagonist, Daphne, grows up in the 1970s. During a vacation, she has an eventful summer with the family next door, the Vaughans. Daphne is no ordinary teenager; she possesses a special gift that allows her to see the future when she touches someone. The story is filled with secrets, emotions, friendships, and hardships. It is told from the perspectives of Daphne, Laura, and Mark, which enhances the narrative flow. The ending is suspenseful, intense, and unpredictable, leaving some unanswered questions about Daphne and her future endeavors.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
April 8, 2025
Forewarned is yet another home run by author Tracey Phillips. I found myself in the backseat of a car driving through the woods, racing to see who would spot the lake first on the way to Auntie Beth’s. Author Phillips weaves a brilliant story for the ages, one I can picture being told by generation after generation around a fire. She is a skilled writer and an extraordinary storyteller. From the very beginning of the book, fifteen-year-old Daphne captures your heart and pulls you into her world. The characters come to life, becoming people you know and care about – you are right there with them. You will cheer, laugh, and sometimes choke up with tears. I didn’t want the story to end, but I don’t think I’m giving anything away by saying the conclusion will leave you with a satisfied smile - “Come. Walk with me…and I’ll tell you a story.” Bravo to author Tracey Phillips.
– Nick Chiarkas is the author of the award-winning novels Weepers and Nunzio’s Way
– Nick Chiarkas is the author of the award-winning novels Weepers and Nunzio’s Way
July 7, 2025
Thank you to Net Galley, the publishers, and the author for the arc for my honest review.
4/5 stars It's first person pov with three character(Daphne, Lara, and Mark povs)
Forewarned is a paranormal thriller that's set in the 70s. There is a mix of social classes as they all spend their summer at the lake. Daphne has a supernatural gift where she can see your future in flashes. How does Daphne figure our her life knowing that she can find out your deepest secrets with just one touch? Mark just got out of prison and trying to get his life back on track. Lara and Daphne are neighbors for the summer.
I found it a little harder to really start caring for the characters personally because of the mulitple povs and my brain just wanted to know how they would all connect. But once I got into the story, it was hard to put the book down. The ending was heartbreaking and very well written.
4/5 stars It's first person pov with three character(Daphne, Lara, and Mark povs)
Forewarned is a paranormal thriller that's set in the 70s. There is a mix of social classes as they all spend their summer at the lake. Daphne has a supernatural gift where she can see your future in flashes. How does Daphne figure our her life knowing that she can find out your deepest secrets with just one touch? Mark just got out of prison and trying to get his life back on track. Lara and Daphne are neighbors for the summer.
I found it a little harder to really start caring for the characters personally because of the mulitple povs and my brain just wanted to know how they would all connect. But once I got into the story, it was hard to put the book down. The ending was heartbreaking and very well written.
September 2, 2025
Forewarned, by Tracey Phillips, is an outstanding suspense novel that can be read by both teens and adults. It is the first novel Phillips has written with Daphne Ann Post as the main character. Seventeen-year-old Daphne is on vacation with her family on a lake in Indiana in 1976. She is a dedicated classical piano player and also has some psychic gifts she keeps secret from the world. Next door, some wealthy kids have moved in for the summer and Daphne is attracted to their glamour and sophistication. But she foresees the death of one of them and must prevent it. In trying to do so she learns of family secrets and tragedies while cultivating her extra sensory perception. The family relationships are well developed with distinct characterizations and the plot speeds along. I did not guess the ending. This coming-of-age story is haunting and the details grounded me in a time that was both more innocent and dangerous. I loved the book and hope that it leads to a sequel.
September 10, 2025
3 Star Review
The setup for this story is compelling—a summer by the lake in 1976, a teenage girl with an unsettling gift, and the ominous sense that tragedy is waiting just beneath the surface. Daphne Ann Post is a character weighed down by guilt and secrets, and her struggle to fit in while fearing another death should have made for a gripping read.
Unfortunately, while the premise held a lot of promise, the execution fell short for me. The pacing dragged in places, and the tension that should have built steadily toward the climax often felt uneven. The lake setting was atmospheric, and I did appreciate the eerie undertones and hints of danger, but the plot never fully delivered on the suspense I was hoping for.
Overall, it’s an intriguing concept with some good character depth, but for me, the story felt flat where it could have been truly chilling and immersive.
I received this as an ARC leaving this review voluntarily
The setup for this story is compelling—a summer by the lake in 1976, a teenage girl with an unsettling gift, and the ominous sense that tragedy is waiting just beneath the surface. Daphne Ann Post is a character weighed down by guilt and secrets, and her struggle to fit in while fearing another death should have made for a gripping read.
Unfortunately, while the premise held a lot of promise, the execution fell short for me. The pacing dragged in places, and the tension that should have built steadily toward the climax often felt uneven. The lake setting was atmospheric, and I did appreciate the eerie undertones and hints of danger, but the plot never fully delivered on the suspense I was hoping for.
Overall, it’s an intriguing concept with some good character depth, but for me, the story felt flat where it could have been truly chilling and immersive.
I received this as an ARC leaving this review voluntarily
April 21, 2025
Forewarned by Tracey S. Phillips takes me back to my teen years in the 1970s when, like the main character Daphne, I anticipated my coming of age with desire and uncertainty. Phillips captures the era in photographic perfection: summer vacation on a quiet lake, innocence, temptation, and an untested time of sexuality and experimentation. Daphne longs for popularity, and to win it, she will take risks that change her forever, even as she grapples with forces she cannot control that make her feel freakish. I cared about the supporting characters as much as Daphne, a tribute to Phillips’s ability to bring each one to life with precision and care. Whether the 1970s are familiar to readers or not, the dramatic story of Forewarned captivates and connects readers to memories of being young, vulnerable, and longing for life to begin.
May 21, 2025
This is a suspenseful, moody thriller set in 1976 at Lake Carlson in Northern Indiana. From the first page this is a compelling read, and I was quickly immersed in a rich and painfully accurate description of the life of the rich and not so rich in this summer tourist town.
Daphne is a 15-year-old with the ability to know things others don't and from the moment she returns to the family cottage, she knows that something bad will happen before the summer is done.
The tension in Forewarned is taut and Phillips does a brilliant job of ratcheting it up as the story unfolds. By the end I couldn't stop thinking about the book and how it would end.
I highly recommend this for anyone who likes to step into the paranormal and think about what life would be like if you knew things that others didn't.
Daphne is a 15-year-old with the ability to know things others don't and from the moment she returns to the family cottage, she knows that something bad will happen before the summer is done.
The tension in Forewarned is taut and Phillips does a brilliant job of ratcheting it up as the story unfolds. By the end I couldn't stop thinking about the book and how it would end.
I highly recommend this for anyone who likes to step into the paranormal and think about what life would be like if you knew things that others didn't.
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