Sundown Girls

by L.S. Stratton

A YA thriller about a Black teen whose family vacation to a town with a terrifying history becomes a desperate search for two missing girls and a fight for survival.

When sixteen-year-old Naomi Stoakes and her family head to a secluded cabin in the Shenandoah Valley for summer vacation they don’t know the small, mountainous town of Sparksburg, Virginia has a dark and twisted past. But when they arrive, Naomi can’t shake the feeling that something about Sparksburg just isn’t right. When she learns Sparksburg had once been a Sundown Town—a town where Blacks weren’t allowed after sunset lest they be murdered—well Naomi’s unease starts to make sense.

As Naomi digs more into Sparksburg’s violent origins, she finds herself haunted by the ghost of a girl, appearing nightly outside her window. Then she learns of two girls who’ve recently gone missing and suspects the past may still be present in Sparksburg and beneath the quaint façade of this tourist town is a palpable danger.

When Naomi decides to track the disappearance of the two girls herself and confronts the ghost of another, she become suspicious of a local man who has kindled fear in Naomi more than once. When she learns he has a connection to one of the missing girls, Naomi is certain he’s responsible for the disappearances.

When no one believes her, Naomi takes matters into her own hands. But to save the missing girls, she’ll have to finally face her own past trauma as a “missing girl”, and risk losing everything she loves.

Genres: Young Adult, Thriller, Mystery, Horror, Mystery Thriller, Paranormal, Horror Thriller

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 27, 2026

About the author

L.S. Stratton is an NAACP Image Award-nominated author and former crime newspaper reporter who has written more than a dozen books under different pen names in just about every genre from thrillers to romance to historical fiction. She currently lives in Maryland with her husband, their daughter, and their tuxedo cat.

Reviews

[Papillon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this novel. All my thoughts and opinions are my own.

Real rating: 4.25 stars

This was a nice read that kept me interested from start to finish. Although the culprit(s) were obvious and there was no surprise whatsoever in that regard, I still enjoyed my time here. I think this is a great YA novel.

[Reading_Utopia! · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sundown Girls
by: L.S. Stratton
Pub Date. Jan 27, 2026

I seriously can't begin to express how obsessed I am with L.S. Stratton! From Not So Perfect Strangers to Do What Godmother Says and In Deadly Company, every single book has blown my mind. And now, Sundown Girls?! This YA thriller is next-level amazing!

Diving into books without any prior knowledge is an exhilarating adventure, and this review will offer just a glimpse of that thrill. Meet sixteen-year-old Naomi Stoakes, who embarks on a family vacation to a town steeped in a dark, chilling history. Once a Sundown Town, this place harbored dark secrets—black individuals were forced to leave by nightfall or face dire consequences.

Upon arrival, Naomi senses an unsettling atmosphere, but the rest of her family is blissfully blind to it. As a fan of dark thrillers, I thought this young adult tale would be a breeze… but I was SO wrong! Sundown Girls is an epic mashup of horror, paranormal vibes, psychological thrills, complete with multiple trigger warnings — I am literally buzzing from this reading experience! Mark your calendars for January 2026; you will not want to miss out on this spine-tingling adventure!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Lay Tonic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reading the author and I think I am hooked on the writing alone. The sundown towns in history are scary to me and having the history behind what they are and what could happen engulfed in the story made it interesting to put in the book. It mixed in some thriller, mystery, and horror and managing to keep the grasp of all of the topics to keep the plot flowing. I think I really hated the parents for not being able to just listen in knowing that she has been through what she went through previously. I loved how the ending came and this way she could get the closure she needs so she can live the life she deserves. The character building was phenomenal and in the end, everyone started to trust and believe that she was not crazy.

Thank you, Netgalley for the early read. This was above expectations.

[Fizah(Books tales by me) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual Rating 3.25

Thanks to the Nancy Paulsen Books and Penguin Teens for this early copy
I went into Sundown Girls with pretty high expectations because the premise sounded so unique: a family trip in the mountains, a town with a dark past, missing girls, and a main character still healing from her own trauma. It had all the right ingredients for a great story on paper.

The story started a bit slow, not much happened plot-wise, though the buildup and character introductions were there, so it made sense.  Once the mystery picked up, especially in the last quarter, I  was more invested.

Naomi’s character could have been really great, but it felt short in execution. I wanted to feel empathy for her, but some of her choices made that hard. Still, watching her process her trauma and rebuild her relationship with her parents was one of the stronger parts of the book. I also liked how the story blended history, mystery, and a touch of the paranormal.

I did feel the story tried to do a little too much. The three main threads (past kidnapping, town history, and missing girls) sounded great, but never fully connected, which was a pity. Some plot points also felt rushed or underdeveloped, and a few things were left hanging by the end. The highlight of the book was the history, and I rarely learn something important from a YA book, let alone from a mystery. So kudos to that.

Overall, it is an engaging YA mystery with meaningful themes and a strong emotional theme. It didn’t fully deliver on its potential, but I still enjoyed it. 

[Rosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Girl?! Is this YA splatterpunk? This is so dark and good. A YA horror, mystery paranormal psychological thriller!!!! Lots of triggers in this one. Missing girls, racism, mental health, child abduction

[Ladiami · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was definitely a YA read as Naomi (or Cam) perfectly captured the essence of a teenager trying to navigate fear, trauma, and independence. The mother in me was yelling at every dumb decision she made, even though I understood why she acted the way she did. Her parents frustrated me too at times, especially when they refused to believe her. That dynamic felt painfully realistic and added to the tension.

Naomi’s past trauma gave her character so much depth. I really felt for her as she tried to adjust to her “new” family after being pulled away from the only home she’d ever known. That inner conflict, mixed with the eerie mystery surrounding Sparksburg, made the story even more gripping. The town’s dark history and Naomi’s determination to uncover the truth kept me turning pages late into the night.

Overall, this was an excellent creepy, emotional, and thought-provoking read. It blended supernatural elements with real-world issues of race and belonging in a way that felt both haunting and meaningful. L.S. Stratton did a fantastic job crafting a story that was as chilling as it was powerful.

Thanks Netgalley and Penguin Young Readers Group | Nancy Paulsen Books for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.

[CourtneyRenee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the title, the subject matter and the pacing of this book. You hear about Sundown towns all the time and this book gave a peak into the underbelly of one and although it is fiction, truth still remains that there's a level of sinisterness lying just beneath the surface. I also enjoyed the side story of our main character and how her life intertwined with the events in the town.

thank you to Netgalley and PenguinKids for this ARC.

[Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from Penguin Teen Canada in exchange for an honest review.

4.5⭐️ rounded up

This story was really gripping. The writing was very engaging, and it was hard to put down.

This book starts with Naomi who has been recently reunited with her family after getting abducted as a child and being returned when she turned 15. There are a lot of layers to this book, including navigating trying to fit into her “new” family, having a new boyfriend, and also vacationing at a previous sundown town where she is seeing ghosts and young girls are going missing.

I think the one drawback for me is that I wish the ending hadn’t wrapped as quickly as it did. We get the climax of the story and resolution within 60 pages of the ending. However, overall, I really liked the story itself and seeing Naomi deal with her interpersonal issues and learning about sundown towns in general.

[Liv · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually don’t read much YA but I enjoyed this one and how it played out. The background of Naomi/Camryn was interesting and just seeing her navigate through that. On top of figuring stuff out in the town they went on vacation was interesting to see as well. Loves the dynamic between the family and Naomi as well and just figuring out her feelings and what actually was going on too. Thank you net galley and Nancy Paulsen books for the e arc!

[Asia C · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

Sundown Town was really good overall, even though the first half dragged a bit for me. Not much was happening plot-wise, but it did allow time to really get to know the main character and her background. The last 25% of the story completely pulled me in, and the ending was emotional for me. I was genuinely happy with how it all wrapped up.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy!

[Kate Hergott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sundown Girls is a fast paced, unflinching story about historical horrors and their impact on the lives of those in the present. The tension of Naomi trying to merge into a family that wasn't her family for the first 15 years of her life was immediately compelling, and the events Naomi digs into ratcheted up the suspense even more.

Fans of YA that explore the challenging parts of American history will devour this one!

Thanks to Penguin Young Readers and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[enrisel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. 4.5 ⭐️
Glad I was able to read this during spooky season. It was a perfect paranormal mystery book to snuggle into.
It’s got family drama, ghosts, and murder mystery with a really good ending. I was just hoping it stayed more towards the sundown story when it came to the girls abducted. But it was a still a great story.

[Yolanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

This is my second read by L. S. Stratton and I really enjoyed Not So Perfect Strangers, so I was excited to pick up this ARC as soon as I heard about it. As someone living in Texas, I hear a lot about the history of sundown towns, and I liked how the book incorporated those real life elements.

I did find it slow in the beginning, and it was a struggle to stay interested. The first half did not have a lot going on, but around the seventy five percent mark it finally takes off, and that is when it really held my interest.

The parents were a little annoying, and I felt like everyone could have been more understanding of Naomi’s journey and the trauma she is dealing with. Naomi was determined to solve a murder, but some of her actions felt a bit unrealistic for a teenager, especially the risky situations she put herself in. I also felt the title and the plot did not fully match. I expected something totally different based on the title. Something was missing for me overall.

It wrapped up well, but the execution could have been stronger.

My rating is 3.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Chloe]

This was fantastic. It's the kind of book I wanted to inhale whole, with it's historical potency that seeps into modern times through both reality and the supernatural.

[Serena Mancini · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the concept of the plot; however, the execution fell short. It felt a bit overcomplicated and incomplete at times. It would have benefited from focusing solely on the sundown concept.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really interesting book. The premise really drew me in, and as more and more of the story unfolds--and we about our MC and her background--the present day narrative really adds to the story. I was really invested in the characters' interpersonal relationships; seeing the conflict with our MC's name, her relationship with her siblings, and trying to balance this entirely new dynamic with her parents all while still having really complex (and loving) feelings towards the person who raised (and kidnapped) her, I found these elements really added a great amount of emotional depth. And as the overall mystery of the book was being built, I found that these conflicts created a really natural divide between Naomi and the rest of her family that made her isolation (and her choice to keep so much to herself) much more believable. And the relationship between her and Khalil had a really grounded build as, for her, this was an opportunity for a fresh start--to be seen as exactly who she wanted to be. So many of these elements were really well established and earned. I thought so much of the conflicts in this story built really well and, while I had several theories and guesses along the way, nothing ever felt stagnant or too obvious. I loved tying tin the emotional and historical elements of the story (regarding the sundown town) and seeing how deep and corrupt these town roots can be. And seeing Naomi feel so determined (possible trauma response) to fight for these girls while still trying to find her own place and understanding in family all blended together in a really balanced and emotional way.
I also really appreciated the growth and healing that we experience by the end of the book and the way that the characters all sort of start to really work through the grief and trauma and move towards healing. There is an emotional payoff that I think was really necessary for the story and I was really glad to see it.

I will say, I grew increasingly frustrated with the family and how they interacted with Naomi. One thing that really bothered me was their insistence on calling her Camryn. I was very curious if her therapist encouraged this, but there seemed to be no acknowledgment for what Naomi wanted (or needed) for her own recovery, but rather just her family trying to throw her back into Camryn's life. I wanted to see/feel more from the mom and sister. There was a lot of consideration for how her mom felt, but it didn't always feel earned. And the sister was so antagonistic, and I couldn't really understand why.
I also thought the story would dig even deeper into the Sundown town elements of the story
I will say, one thing I really appreciated about this book (which might just be a me thing) is that Naomi did go to the police for help and did follow appropriate avenues. Her being shut down by everyone around her, while she knew she was on to something and couldn't leave those girls to suffer alone, felt so believable and I really appreciated the sort of levelheadedness she had to go to the cops and try to get help before, ultimately, deciding that she had to continue in her own way.
**SPOILER ALERT**
I was surprised that so much of the story boiled down to a few corrupt people trying to cover up crimes instead of exploring more of the story with the ghost girl and the entire town's history of murdering people. I was a lot more invested in her story and the tons of unmarked graves that were uncovered.
I also found the ultimate reveal to be a tad underwhelming ONLY because the culprit was a rather forgettable character in contrast to a lot of the other, menacing, people we meet along the way.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group | Nancy Paulsen Books for providing me with a digital review copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

[LittleBookLoves · Rating 3 out of 5]

**This review has spoilers, so proceed with caution**


𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 3.5 stars

𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀:
The cover of Sundown Girls is what initially caught my attention, but the plot being centered around a Sundown town and a secret history was interesting. This is definitely a YA story with the main character, Naomi ("Camryn"), exploring her identity and reconciling her past with present revelations. The story follows her on a family vacation to Virginia, where she learns about the area's mysterious past and begins investigating what's happened to missing girls.

𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄:
We are told very early on that Naomi was kidnapped at birth and that her real name is Camryn. The story opens with her having been reunited with her biological family for at least a year, but struggling to adjust to Andre and Dawn being her biological parents and having difficulty thinking of them with these titles, especially thinking of Dawn as her mother. I thought the author did a good job of describing this internal conflict for Naomi throughout the story, as well as showing her challenges and growth with learning to lean on her family's help. Something I had an issue with was Andre and Dawn's persistence in calling her Camryn and referring to themselves as "mom" and "dad," which read more as a lack of consideration for how difficult this was for Naomi. I understand that it was difficult for them as her birth parents, but they're adults--she was a child--and there didn't seem to be much effort on their end to support her with that adjustment and recovery. It read as if they were trying to force the connection or as if they were obvlivious to how she felt. That was just strange for me as I read the story. There seemed to be so much empathy for Dawn and very little for Naomi. It also wasn't clear why her sister, Maya, was so rude and antagonistic towards her.

I thought the author did a good job of introducing the mystery of the missing girls in the town. The element of the ghost girl was an interesting addition to the story. However, it fell flat for me. I believe it is because it wasn't explored well in the story and didn't add much to the overall story. It was also interesting to have the main character be a former missing girl, even though she spent 15 years not knowing that she was missing, searching for other missing girls. There were times when this flowed well, and it was intricately woven together, and at other times, it made the story feel like there was just a lot going on. I will say that, for the most part, as she investigated, she seemed to follow appropriate protocols to report things to adults and the police. Unfortunately, she was dismissed quite a bit. The story illustrated her perseverance in addition to her finding her voice.

A big disappointment was the basis of the story, which is that it takes place in a sundown town. We have her and Khalil talking about the history of the area as a Sundown town, but other exploration and brevity for the setting was lost in the mix of everything else. For it to be such an important factor, it fell flat, in my opinion. There was so much that could have been incorporated, but the story focused so much on a select few corrupt people covering up crimes. I genuinely feel that the ghost girl and Sundown town elements could've been removed, and not much of the story would've changed. For a mystery story, the main culprit was also underwhelming because so many other characters were given more attention and development that it was "meh" that this was the bad guy.

Overall, this was a good YA mystery with some creative elements. I mostly enjoyed the story and believe others will, too.


Thank you, NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group | Nancy Paulsen Books, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Nicole Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Nancy Paulson Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“Sundown Girls” is a chilling and emotionally resonant YA thriller that balances personal trauma, paranormal mystery, and a haunting reflection on America’s racist past. L.S. Stratton roots the story in the fictional town of Sparksburg, which was once a sundown town, where echoes of real historical violence reverberate through the present. Though fictionalized, the town’s history mirrors events that truly occurred across the United States, giving the story a weight that lingers long after the last page.

At the center of the story is Naomi, who is still raw from the life-upending revelation that the woman she believed was her mother actually kidnapped her as a baby. Returned to her biological family after fifteen years, Naomi now occupies an in-between space where she is caught between identities, names, and loyalties. Her love for the only mother she knew complicates her grief, while her biological parents struggle to understand how to support her without erasing who she was. Stratton handles this emotional tug-of-war with nuance, especially the painful realism of parents who want to help but often fail to listen. Naomi’s isolation feels authentic, especially as she copes with being called “Camryn,” a name she no longer fully recognizes.

A family vacation to rural Virginia becomes the catalyst for Naomi’s unraveling and rebuilding. Sparksburg is supposed to be a peaceful getaway, but the town is steeped in dark history and even darker secrets. Naomi begins to sense a supernatural presence tied to generations of racial violence and unexplained disappearances. She can see and smell the dead, which creates a powerful metaphor for how the past refuses to stay buried. When local girls start going missing, Naomi’s determination sharpens; as someone who was once a missing girl herself, she cannot ignore the parallels.

Naomi’s choices often feel painfully teenage. She withholds information, investigates alone, takes dangerous risks, but these decisions make sense through the lens of trauma, mistrust, and her desperate need for agency. Even if you want to yell at her (and her family), her actions feel authentic to a fifteen-year-old trying to reclaim control over her life. Her relationship with Khalil, a compassionate boy with more green flags than red, offers her a glimpse of what it means to be seen on her own terms. Though their romance develops quickly, it never overshadows the mystery and instead gives Naomi space to rediscover herself.

The mystery is layered and urgent, but not without flaws. While the supernatural elements create tension and atmosphere, I did wish the town’s history had been explored more deeply. And although the final reveal is undeniably surprising, the killer’s identity arrives with little foreshadowing, making the twist feel abrupt compared to the otherwise meticulous buildup. Still, the emotional payoff lands: missing girls are acknowledged, long-buried crimes come to light, and Naomi finally begins to heal alongside her family.

What “Sundown Girls” delivers most effectively is feeling: fear, frustration, grief, and ultimately hope. Stratton excels at showing how trauma can make someone both fragile and fiercely determined and how the past, whether personal or historical, always demands to be reckoned with.

Overall, “Sundown Girls” is messy in the way real healing is messy; it’s full of missteps, painful truths, and moments of hard-won clarity. Those who crave character-driven mysteries with heart, history, and a touch of the supernatural will find this story unforgettable.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and Nancy Paulsen Books for the ebook.

📝 Short Summary
Sundown Girls is a tense, unsettling YA horror story that pulls you into a dangerous situation where survival, fear, and control collide. As the story unfolds, everything connects in a way that keeps the tension high and the stakes personal, especially for a girl who is trying to navigate danger while no one around her seems to truly listen.

Review
I’m not usually a huge YA reader, but this book kept me interested from start to finish. It had that gritty edge that made it feel darker than I expected, and honestly, that worked for me. If someone wants to call it splatterpunk, sure, because it definitely leans into discomfort and horror in a way that doesn’t feel watered down.

This was my first time reading L.S. Stratton, and I really enjoyed the way everything fit together. The story felt well thought out, and even though I figured out where things were going, it didn’t take away from the experience. I still wanted to keep reading to see how it all played out and how the characters would get through what they were facing.

Naomi really stuck with me. I felt bad for her the entire time. She was dealing with so much, and the lack of support from her parents made everything feel even heavier. They were honestly extremely annoying, and that frustration added to the tension because it made her situation feel more isolating and real. Watching her try to navigate fear, danger, and being dismissed by the people who were supposed to protect her made the story hit harder.

What I appreciated most was how the book didn’t lose itself along the way. Everything connected, the pacing stayed solid, and the horror elements didn’t feel random. Even when I had things figured out, I still thought it was a good read because the journey mattered just as much as the outcome.

Overall, this book surprised me. It pulled me in, kept me engaged, and delivered a dark, uncomfortable story that worked well within the YA space while still pushing into more intense territory. I’m glad this was my first experience with this author, and I’d absolutely read more.

✅ Would I Recommend It?
Yes. Especially if you like YA horror that leans darker, keeps the tension high, and doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable moments.

[Ivoree Malcom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sundown Girls by L.S. Stratton marks a powerful shift for a seasoned author stepping into YA—& she did that effortlessly. This may be her first young adult novel, but it reads with confidence, emotional depth, & purpose.

Naomi’s backstory immediately pulls you in & gives very much Kamiyah Mobley. Abducted as an infant & returned to her biological parents at 15, Naomi—originally named Camryn—is struggling to find her footing back “home.” The single mother who raised her since infancy is in the slammer for abducting her. However, Naomi still misses her "mother" something fierce, that grief shows up in her slipping grades, strained family dynamics, & overall sense of displacement.

In an attempt to reconnect, Naomi’s parents plan a summer family trip meant to foster bonding. Almost immediately, things take a turn. Naomi meets fine-ass Khalil early on (& yes, he becomes pivotal), but once they arrive in what’s clearly a sundown town, the vibes are off. Naomi smells something foul the moment they pull in, & from there, everything spirals.

A missing woman. A racist pickup truck nearly running them down. A vacation neighbor & her family disappearing. & on top of it all—Naomi is seeing ghosts in the middle of the night.

Once Elly goes missing, Naomi fully steps into her Black Nancy Drew era, giving Veronica Mars meets Melinda from Ghost Whisperer. The trauma of her own disappearance connects her deeply to the missing girls, & her need to bring them home becomes personal. Fate, however, has other plans.

The story is layered with suspense, emotional intelligence, & just enough supernatural elements to keep the tension high. The soft romance between Naomi & Khalil is beautifully done—supportive, grounding, & honestly life-saving in ways that matter.

While I would have loved for the story to be tied more directly to real historical events—to nudge it on into the historical fiction category—the narrative still delivers impact. Sundown Girls proves to be an age-appropriate, thought-provoking read that centers emotional intelligence, empathy, & resilience.

Highly recommended for YA readers—& adults too

*I received an advance review copy for free & I am leaving this review voluntarily.*

#ThankGodForARCs

[Charessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Simon Teen for the complimentary advanced copy for the To Be Reviewed program, and to NetGalley for the supplementary eGalley for me to finish reading.

Just in case, if you are planning to read this, you should be warned that there are fairly graphic depictions of death, lynchings, and other racially motivated violence in this, along with racist rhetoric, as this is set below the Mason-Dixon Line where a small town has never quite gotten over its history as a sundown town.

That said, what a way to introduce the subject to readers! I've lived most of my life in an area historically home to sundown towns and unfortunately the sentiments and attitudes in this story aren't at all far from our own reality. I think (sadly) that a lot of kids are going to relate on Naomi's level and can use this story to help come to terms with such an awful past that's informing an awful present. It can also name the vibes and crap attitudes towards them in certain states and towns and validate those bad feelings they get when visiting them.

Naomi, our main character, is both self-aware and self-sabotaging as she has to work out where she actually fits into her new life as the daughter of a family from which she'd been kidnapped when she was less than a year old. Add in the ghosts of those who went "missing" in Sparksburg trying to get her attention to what's happening in the town, she's forced to go back and forth between reckless teenager and reluctant hero. It doesn't help that everyone keeps dismissing her concerns and writing her behavior off as simply the trauma of her kidnapping and return to her birth family. This causes her to take matters into her own hands, which ultimately gets her into worse trouble.

I can assure you that while there are some tragic things that are revealed to have happened to some characters, this story does have a happy ending. I think some of the climax was a bit disappointing, but that happy ending helped smooth over that disappointment. I think anyone who is a fan of thrillers with happy endings will like this one.

[lexx t · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sundown Girls does not believe in a gentle beginning. It throws you straight into confusion and fear, immediately letting you know that something is wrong, not just with what happened to Naomi, but with the place she has been taken to. From the start, there is a lingering unease around identity, memory, and who gets to decide the truth. That tension kept me locked in, especially as Naomi tries to reconcile who she believes she is with what everyone else insists she must be.

The town itself is where this story really shines. It carries that quiet, curated small town energy that feels welcoming until you look too closely. There is a constant sense that everyone is in on something, and the deeper Naomi digs, the heavier that realization becomes. I loved how the author layers in history and folklore, making the setting feel alive and complicit rather than just a backdrop. It gave the story an unsettling, almost ritualistic atmosphere that never fully lets you relax.

Naomi is a compelling lead, particularly in how she questions her own instincts while still refusing to fully surrender to the narrative being pushed onto her. The gaslighting she experiences adds a sharp psychological edge, and the relationships she forms, especially with Khalil, offer moments of warmth and grounding amid the chaos. His connection to the town’s past adds depth and raises the stakes without overpowering the emotional core of Naomi’s journey.

While the story is strong in concept and mood, the pacing toward the end felt a bit rushed for me. I wanted more time spent on certain explanations and more emotional weight behind Naomi’s past, which felt hinted at but not fully explored. Even so, the blend of mystery, supernatural elements, and historical commentary makes The Sundown Girls a solid and unsettling read. I finished it with questions, lingering unease, and the feeling that this town’s darkness runs far deeper than it first appears.

[Prof. Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

💫 NetGalley ARC Review 💫

L.S. Stratton has done it again! With Sundown Girls, she has solidified her spot as one of my favorite thriller authors. First, with the phenomenal Do What Godmother Says, and now this gripping YA tale, her consistency in delivering high-stakes, resonant stories is unmatched.

A Thriller that Centers Black Strength

What I appreciate most about Stratton's work is her commitment to writing Black girls and women as the main characters and making them incredibly strong, despite the traumas and challenges they've faced. Naomi Stoakes is a protagonist you instantly root for—a teen whose family vacation turns into a terrifying search for the truth in a town with a horrific history. Her journey to overcome her own past trauma as a "missing girl" while fighting to save others makes her a deeply compelling and complex hero.

Stratton's writing style is what makes these books so addictive. It's easy to follow and not overly fluffed. She doesn't waste time, but instead, she trickles clues in throughout the journey. You have to pay attention; you either pick up on the subtle hints about Sparksburg's violent "Sundown Town" past and the present danger, or you don't. But rest assured, by the time you hit the final pages, you WILL know the truth—and the reveal is utterly satisfying. The way the ghost story intersects with the modern disappearances is brilliant, keeping the tension palpable from start to finish.

Sundown Girls is a fantastic, tense YA thriller that successfully blends historical darkness with a modern-day mystery and a supernatural touch. The palpable danger, the unsettling local man, and Naomi's brave decision to take matters into her own hands make this an unputdownable read. I pray Stratton keeps writing in this genre because it fits her so well. Highly, highly recommend!

[Chalon J · Rating 5 out of 5]

An advance copy of this book was provided to me for free by the publisher.

Layered, reflective, and impossible to put down, Sundown Girls by L.S. Stratton is a chilling thriller that kept me guessing until the final reveal. Naomi travels with her family to the Shenandoahs in hopes that the trip will help mend their strained relationship, but the picturesque setting quickly reveals a darker history. When Naomi learns their vacation spot was once a sundown town, and that two girls have recently gone missing, she can’t ignore the warning signs. Determined to uncover the truth, she begins investigating and stumbles upon secrets the town has worked hard to keep buried.

One of the most powerful elements of this novel is how it interrogates whose lives are valued when people go missing. Stratton thoughtfully examines the disparity in urgency, attention, and care given to victims based on race, identity, and perceived worth, exposing the chilling consequences of that neglect. As Naomi searches for answers, encountering eerie apparitions, buried histories, and unsettling truths, the mystery deepens into a broader exploration of belonging, exclusion, and inherited trauma.

Naomi’s growth over the course of the story was especially compelling. She holds fast to her sense of justice and truth while learning how to lean on and trust her family, even when doing so feels uncomfortable. The historical reality of sundown towns anchors the narrative, heightening the tension and making the stakes feel urgent and painfully real. Stratton’s blending of history, suspense, and emotional depth creates a story that lingers long after the final page.

✨ If you enjoy thrillers that blend social commentary with escalating suspense, Sundown Girls should be on your reading list.

Star Rating: 4.5 (rounded up due to limitations on this platform)

[NIKKI · Rating 3 out of 5]

𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀 𝗕𝘆 𝗟.𝗦. 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗻

Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Format : E Arc
Pub Date : OUT NOW

𝖶𝗁𝖾𝗇 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗌𝗎𝗇 𝗀𝗈𝖾𝗌 𝖽𝗈𝗐𝗇 𝗂𝗇 𝖺 𝗌𝗎𝗇𝖽𝗈𝗐𝗇 𝗍𝗈𝗐𝗇 𝖻𝖾 𝗐𝗂𝗌𝖾 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖻𝖾𝗐𝖺𝗋𝖾. 𝖶𝗁𝖾𝗇 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗌𝗎𝗇 𝗀𝗈𝖾𝗌 𝖽𝗈𝗐𝗇 𝗂𝗇 𝖺 𝗌𝗎𝗇𝖽𝗈𝗐𝗇 𝗍𝗈𝗐𝗇 𝖬𝖺𝗄𝖾 𝗌𝗎𝗋𝖾 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝖺𝗋𝖾 𝗌𝖼𝖺𝗋𝖼𝖾. 𝖥𝗈𝗋 𝗐𝗁𝖾𝗇 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗌𝗎𝗇 𝗀𝗈𝖾𝗌 𝖽𝗈𝗐𝗇 𝗂𝗇 𝖺 𝗌𝗎𝗇𝖽𝗈𝗐𝗇 𝗍𝗈𝗐𝗇,𝖮𝗇𝗅𝗒 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖿𝗈𝗈𝗅𝗁𝖺𝗋𝖽𝗒 𝗌𝗍𝖺𝗒 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋𝖾.
- 𝖿𝗋𝗈𝗆 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗂𝗇𝗍𝗋𝗈𝖽𝗎𝖼𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇 𝗈𝖿 “𝗌𝗉𝖺𝗋𝗄𝗌𝖻𝗎𝗋𝗀: 𝖠 𝖽𝖺𝗋𝗄 𝗁𝗂𝗌𝗍𝗈𝗋𝗒 𝗈𝖿 𝖺 𝗌𝗎𝗇𝖽𝗈𝗐𝗇 𝗍𝗈𝗐𝗇” 𝖡𝗒 𝖩𝗈𝗌𝗁𝗎𝖺 𝖤𝗅𝗅𝗂𝗇𝗀𝗍𝗈𝗇

This was a fun, YA horror with a compelling storyline following Naomi (Cam) as her parents decide to vacation in a sundown town.. unbeknownst to them.

This was the first book I have read by this author and I enjoyed her writing style and the way everything flowed cohesively together. This story started out as a slow burn and while I can’t normally read those my attention only wavered a few times throughout.

The main issue I had was the fact there wasn’t enough of a storyline surrounding the towns racism… there were little words and heated moments with POC and Sparksburg. Which I know sounds weird but that was kind of the premise of the story.

The one other part that bothered me was how cruel Naomi’s sister, Maya was toward her and the whole situation. I can be empathetic and understand where she is coming from but in the beginning I was SO bothered by how her parents allowed her to be so hateful and lash out given the circumstances.

Overall I enjoyed the book and the premise was really strong. I feel it’s important to write/read these types of stories and while there wasn’t heavy themes of injustice there was enough to make the reader feel something.

The ending was left open however with some unanswered questions and I’m still thinking about it. But take this review how you will. Read this book.. or don’t 😅 but I think you should! Hehe

Thank you Netgalley & Penguin Teen for the ARC. All thoughts are my own

[Ebony Essence · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 -Thank you NetGalley, L. S. Stratton, and Penguin young readers group.

For this to be the authors first YA novel she did a really good job. This was an enjoyable solid read with multiple layers, plotting, and characters. Love the pacing of this mystery because it kept my attention had me trying to figure out everything going on in the book. Touching on sundown towns and everything our ancestors had gone through is something to be taught and learned forever.

L. S. did amazing with the two different names for the main character because it was easy to keep up with. This families history with Naomi was well thought out in my opinion. The parents never wanting to let go. The siblings that don’t seem to care enough to understand or hurt that she seems to be getting all the attention. Then Naomi, herself, still showing love and respect for her “Mom” through that notebook and her actions. In some way not realizing the full trauma. Something was stolen from everyone and getting to a sense of normal just seemed out of reach. However, this was wrapped up beautifully. Loved the talk towards the end with Naomi and Dawn. It’s like they see each other and the young romance between Naomi and Khalil was cute.

Can’t wait to see what else this author has in store for her readers.

[Shakella "The Singing Bibliophile" Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

L.S Stratton is an author that I have come to enjoy. The way she writes is easy to follow, her books are moderately paced, and the stage is perfectly set. The storyline is solid. This story has a bit of real-world telling; there were and are still sundown towns, and there was a girl a few years ago whose story is similar to that of the main female character, Naomi.

Naomi, a young lady with a very interesting past, is headed on vacation with her family to help them relax a bit and settle into their new normal. While on this vacation, Naomi begins to see things that set her on an adventure to solve a mystery that will heal her family and many others. This book combines historical facts with paranormal imagery, family trauma, a sweet, realistic budding romance appropriate for the characters' age bracket, and a sweet dog named Bear.

The relationship between Naomi and Kahlil could have been the story of my sister and her boyfriend. The conflict between Naomi and Maya, her older sister was believable, the the emotions felt by Dawn and Andre, Naomi's parents, and Naomi herself were believable. I can go on about this book. Ugh, there are so many sweet spots. The relationship that blossomed between Naomi and Khalil, the way it unfolded, the conversations and banter, her meeting his family, and his grandmother. I enjoyed it.

I don't want to give the book away. I would recommend adding this to your TBR.

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Young Readers Group/Nancy Paulsen Books, and L.S. Stratton for the ARC of this novel, and for allowing me to review my honest reading experience.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 2 out of 5]

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - NOT RECOMMENDED
Kidnapped as a toddler, 16yo Camryn (or Naomi, as she thinks of herself) has been restored to her birth family for 18 months. She still, however, yearns for the life and the woman that she calls Mom - the woman who kidnapped and raised her. In an effort of family bonding, the Stoakes family heads to a winter cabin vacation outside a small Virginia town. THe town, however, has a recent history of being a “sundown” town - where black people like Naomi and her family were not allowed to stay after dark - found within the town limits and you will get what is coming to you. Naomi has started seeing a ghost and she is sure it is of a girl who was killed by a townsman. Plus, two other girls have disappeared recently. Naomi has already been kidnapped once.
I was unimpressed for many reasons. Camryn is an unsympathetic character. She has had 18 months to realize that her kidnapper is not the benevolent mom that they posed as, but she refuses to work with her therapist to sort this all out. Camryn even writes in her journal to her absent Mom. Plus she insists on throwing herself into increasingly dangerous confrontations, even willfully involving a boy she met on the trip without his consent. I sympathize more with Camryn’s birth family, who have been nothing but kind to her. It shouldn’t take a near death experience for anyone to realize when they are being shown love. There are other problems that I won’t continue to detail.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

For most of her life, Naomi lived with someone who was not really her mother, a result of a kidnapping when Naomi was a baby. Now reunited with her birth family, fifteen-year-old Camryn (Naomi’s birth name) is struggling to fit in with a life she has never known. To help bond, the family rents a house in Sparksburg, Virginia, where the relaxation and fresh air will hopefully bring them closer together. But what they find in Sparksburg is a dark relic of the past, a sundown town whose residents may not yet be ready to welcome new visitors. This thought-provoking novel blends the paranormal with real American history to create a story that is frightening on several levels. Brief chapters propel the narrative, which unfolds from Naomi’s perspective to unite readers with the very real and complicated feelings battling within her. With several red herrings and a town that might be more sinister than it appears, the intensity of the novel increases with each passing scene. As readers begin to question everything that is happening around Naomi, they will also recognize the parallels between the ghostly figures in Naomi’s surroundings and the ghosts residing in America’s past. Though there are moments that divert readers from the more spine-chilling plot points, the mounting tension in the novel will keep readers curious until the end. Good for fans of Get Out, this book examines themes of family, history, and danger in tangible and memorable ways. It is a good addition to library collections for mature young adult readers.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sundown Girls is a YA Horror about a Black teen whose life has recently been flipped on it's head and she's still trying to find her balance. While still trying to hold on to her identity and trying to find a place in her new to her family said family takes a vacation in a cabin in an isolated town in West Virginia. From the beginning the vibes are off in this too perfect little town that seems to be stuck in the past and that's not including the fact that there's no people of color living there.

Like the description says this story definitely has Jordan Peele vibes to it and I was totally here for that aspect. I really enjoyed our main character Naomi, her backstory (which holy crap it's crazy) , and her perceptiveness. I found the dynamic she had with her family interesting and their struggles realistic. I adored the blossoming young love between her and Khalil . The pacing, the story and the [paranormal aspects.

I think one of the biggest things holding me back from giving it a higher rating is the parents parenting style. As a mom to a sixteen year old myself, I would never in a million years let her go off with a boy she met at a gas station no matter how nice he seemed. Umm you don't know him at all and you're just going to let her go galivanting around somewhere you don't live with a rando. Nope no way lol I understand not wanting to smoother her after what she went through but at the same time don't do that in a completely knew place where you don't know anyone.