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Sometimes They Die
Jordan has never quite fit in. He lives with a crippling fear of doors, he has this cringing need to bury dead things, and his friendship with Jaylene Cooper died a slow, painful death after he refused to date her.
When he’s given the advice to find someone normal to copy, it’s a no brainer for Jordan to choose Chase. Chase is popular, knows about Jordan’s quirks, and has a girlfriend. He’s also Jaylene’s brother. But there’s a big problem. The more time Jordan spends with Chase the more he realizes he doesn’t want to be like Chase, he wants to kiss him.
But his new feelings are the least of his worries. There’s a killer loose. And when the bodies start dropping, one with a similar scar as his own, Jordan becomes the prime suspect. As he begins to unravel the crime, it becomes clear that he’s not the only one with secrets. Haunted by a past he doesn’t remember, Jordan has to face what lies behind the door before he becomes the next victim.
When he’s given the advice to find someone normal to copy, it’s a no brainer for Jordan to choose Chase. Chase is popular, knows about Jordan’s quirks, and has a girlfriend. He’s also Jaylene’s brother. But there’s a big problem. The more time Jordan spends with Chase the more he realizes he doesn’t want to be like Chase, he wants to kiss him.
But his new feelings are the least of his worries. There’s a killer loose. And when the bodies start dropping, one with a similar scar as his own, Jordan becomes the prime suspect. As he begins to unravel the crime, it becomes clear that he’s not the only one with secrets. Haunted by a past he doesn’t remember, Jordan has to face what lies behind the door before he becomes the next victim.
- GenresThriller
259 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 25, 2025
1 person is currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Arroyo
9 books67 followersElizabeth is the Latinx author of speculative fiction & contemporary romance novels for teens.
Before she started writing, Elizabeth got her undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. She then went on to work in foster care programs, mental health facilities, and youth organizations within the Latinx Community, providing services to youth and families.
She now spends her time writing romance, binge watching anime, and spending time with her family.
Elizabeth currently resides in Chicago.
Before she started writing, Elizabeth got her undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. She then went on to work in foster care programs, mental health facilities, and youth organizations within the Latinx Community, providing services to youth and families.
She now spends her time writing romance, binge watching anime, and spending time with her family.
Elizabeth currently resides in Chicago.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 28, 2025
⭐️ 5 stars ⭐️
🎵𝚂𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝙼𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑 — 𝙳𝚊𝚖𝚊𝚐𝚎𝚍 𝚋𝚢 𝙾𝚌𝚝𝚘𝚋𝚎𝚛 𝙴𝚗𝚍𝚜🎵
// I'm so damaged
I can't be saved
My dreams were made and gone to waste
I was damaged
From a young age
I wish my past could be erased //
Wow. Just wow. This was something else.
Not what I was expecting when I found it on Gay Romance Reviews, but I’m not mad about it.
Sometimes They Die was a young adult queer psychological thriller/mystery.
A raw, dark, gutting story of a teenager trying to be normal, but uncovering secrets from his past instead. A story of trauma and how it impacts you. And also some teenage romance.
THE FEELS. Eeee, I felt like a teenager again.
This was like if an episode of Criminal Minds merged with a YA queer romance, and honestly those are some of my favorite things so no surprise that I loved it.
It was emotional, it was suspenseful and twisty, it was tense, but it was also sweet and full of first love moments that just make your heart want to burst.
I loved everything about this, from the characters to the setting, the dark plot line and the immersive writing.
A book that will remain with me for a long while. Love when the unexpected ones turn out to be amazing.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
{This is where my usual Content Warnings list would be, but to avoid big plot spoilers I won’t add them. If you have triggers, please take care of yourself, and feel free to message me for the list.}
🎵𝚂𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝙼𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑 — 𝙳𝚊𝚖𝚊𝚐𝚎𝚍 𝚋𝚢 𝙾𝚌𝚝𝚘𝚋𝚎𝚛 𝙴𝚗𝚍𝚜🎵
// I'm so damaged
I can't be saved
My dreams were made and gone to waste
I was damaged
From a young age
I wish my past could be erased //
Though death never seems fair, everyone’s ticket eventually has to be punched.
Wow. Just wow. This was something else.
Not what I was expecting when I found it on Gay Romance Reviews, but I’m not mad about it.
If this was normal, I wanted no part in it. I felt the sting of tears close, and I hated them. I hated feeling. Feelings sucked.
Sometimes They Die was a young adult queer psychological thriller/mystery.
A raw, dark, gutting story of a teenager trying to be normal, but uncovering secrets from his past instead. A story of trauma and how it impacts you. And also some teenage romance.
“So what was it about her that you didn’t like?”
“She wasn’t you”
THE FEELS. Eeee, I felt like a teenager again.
This was like if an episode of Criminal Minds merged with a YA queer romance, and honestly those are some of my favorite things so no surprise that I loved it.
It was emotional, it was suspenseful and twisty, it was tense, but it was also sweet and full of first love moments that just make your heart want to burst.
I loved everything about this, from the characters to the setting, the dark plot line and the immersive writing.
A book that will remain with me for a long while. Love when the unexpected ones turn out to be amazing.
Death led me to Chase Cooper and for the first time, I looked forward to what life held for me. I hoped it was more kisses.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
{This is where my usual Content Warnings list would be, but to avoid big plot spoilers I won’t add them. If you have triggers, please take care of yourself, and feel free to message me for the list.}
July 23, 2025
Welp, not my favourite. It triggered me in ways that I didn't expect, and I'm not talking about the contents with the TWs, I'm talking about the whole party scene, LITERALLY MY WORST NIGHTMARE, or the moments where Jordan and Chase were talking and Jordan missed a social cue or said something that came out wrong, NIGHTMAAAAAAAAREEEEE. I'm a REALLY socially anxious person plus neurodivergent so I HATED THAT. I have very low tolerance for cringe and scenes like that; I would've finished this book like two weeks ago if it wasn't for the mini breaks i had to get, because I reaaaaally understand Jordan and feel so much for him. Poor baby needs to be protected.
I honestly hate the teens in this book, like i know there's trauma and all but damn dude, how can you be so evil, cynical, and cruel; LIKE HOW DO YOU NOT HAVE AN OUNCE OF EMPATHY WTF. And I'm not talking about the killer or the bullies, but about the rest. Even Chase; i really don't like him. But again, teenagers, with heavy trauma to boost and repressed feelings, obviously he's going to be an asshole. I'm not blaming him nor the author because I think it's a pretty accurate representation of how some people are at that age, I'm just blaming me for picking up a YA book. Yeah, with this I think I will leave behind YA again for a long time.
The story was descent. The pacing took me a long time to get used to, but I liked the writing. Really didn't love the romance, but it has its cute moments for sure. The identity of the killer was not something I was expecting, and it makes me so freaking angry because it was pretty obvious and I usually catch them so fast. Point for you, Arroyo.
Some things didn't end up being fully developed for me though. The bullies; what did the bullies have to do with anything? I thought they obviously had something to do with the case??????? Or at least they knew something???? maybe i missed something and they were just bad people, like half of the people in this book lol.
And I thought the Jaylene ending was kinda underwhelming? like i was expecting that but idk i wanted to know more, with more details, maybe get to read the scene of the conversation with the Coopers addressing the issues? again idk i just feel it lacks something.
LOVE SM LIAM HE'S MY FAVOURITE HOPE HE WILL FOREVER BE HAPPY and yeah I ship him with Riley, that was a wonderful surprise, but they both deserve to be happy after all of THAT.
Anyway, a stressful read but not bad. Just not really for me.
I honestly hate the teens in this book, like i know there's trauma and all but damn dude, how can you be so evil, cynical, and cruel; LIKE HOW DO YOU NOT HAVE AN OUNCE OF EMPATHY WTF. And I'm not talking about the killer or the bullies, but about the rest. Even Chase; i really don't like him. But again, teenagers, with heavy trauma to boost and repressed feelings, obviously he's going to be an asshole. I'm not blaming him nor the author because I think it's a pretty accurate representation of how some people are at that age, I'm just blaming me for picking up a YA book. Yeah, with this I think I will leave behind YA again for a long time.
The story was descent. The pacing took me a long time to get used to, but I liked the writing. Really didn't love the romance, but it has its cute moments for sure. The identity of the killer was not something I was expecting, and it makes me so freaking angry because it was pretty obvious and I usually catch them so fast. Point for you, Arroyo.
Some things didn't end up being fully developed for me though. The bullies; what did the bullies have to do with anything? I thought they obviously had something to do with the case??????? Or at least they knew something???? maybe i missed something and they were just bad people, like half of the people in this book lol.
And I thought the Jaylene ending was kinda underwhelming? like i was expecting that but idk i wanted to know more, with more details, maybe get to read the scene of the conversation with the Coopers addressing the issues? again idk i just feel it lacks something.
LOVE SM LIAM HE'S MY FAVOURITE HOPE HE WILL FOREVER BE HAPPY and yeah I ship him with Riley, that was a wonderful surprise, but they both deserve to be happy after all of THAT.
Anyway, a stressful read but not bad. Just not really for me.
May 30, 2025
What an incredible read! Sometimes They Die is a gripping, emotionally charged psychological suspense thriller that completely pulled me in. Elizabeth Arroyo has created a haunting and unforgettable story with a plot full of twists and characters that burrow deep under your skin.
From the very first page, I was drawn into Jordan's world. He’s a character unlike any I’ve encountered—struggling with crippling fears, strange compulsions, and a painful, fractured past. His emotional depth and vulnerability made him instantly relatable, even as his experiences took him into dark and unsettling places. I couldn’t help but fall a little bit in love with all the characters, especially Jordan, Chase, and the mysterious FBI agent. Their relationships are layered and complex, adding rich emotional weight to the suspense.
Jordan’s desire to "copy someone normal" and his choice of Chase—a confident, well-liked guy who also happens to be his ex-best friend's brother—was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Their evolving connection is tender and authentic, especially as Jordan begins to realize that he doesn’t just admire Chase… he wants more. The tension between self-discovery and survival is beautifully handled.
And just when the emotional stakes are high, Arroyo raises the suspense. A killer is on the loose, bodies are turning up, and Jordan finds himself at the center of it all. The pacing is relentless, the mystery is chilling, and the psychological depth is genuinely compelling.
Haunted by a past he doesn’t remember and hunted for reasons he can’t fully understand, Jordan’s journey to uncover the truth—and face what lies behind the door—is both terrifying and powerful.
This book isn’t just a thriller—it’s an exploration of identity, trauma, and love in the most unexpected places. It left me shaken, moved, and completely satisfied. Highly recommended for fans of psychological thrillers with real heart.
From the very first page, I was drawn into Jordan's world. He’s a character unlike any I’ve encountered—struggling with crippling fears, strange compulsions, and a painful, fractured past. His emotional depth and vulnerability made him instantly relatable, even as his experiences took him into dark and unsettling places. I couldn’t help but fall a little bit in love with all the characters, especially Jordan, Chase, and the mysterious FBI agent. Their relationships are layered and complex, adding rich emotional weight to the suspense.
Jordan’s desire to "copy someone normal" and his choice of Chase—a confident, well-liked guy who also happens to be his ex-best friend's brother—was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Their evolving connection is tender and authentic, especially as Jordan begins to realize that he doesn’t just admire Chase… he wants more. The tension between self-discovery and survival is beautifully handled.
And just when the emotional stakes are high, Arroyo raises the suspense. A killer is on the loose, bodies are turning up, and Jordan finds himself at the center of it all. The pacing is relentless, the mystery is chilling, and the psychological depth is genuinely compelling.
Haunted by a past he doesn’t remember and hunted for reasons he can’t fully understand, Jordan’s journey to uncover the truth—and face what lies behind the door—is both terrifying and powerful.
This book isn’t just a thriller—it’s an exploration of identity, trauma, and love in the most unexpected places. It left me shaken, moved, and completely satisfied. Highly recommended for fans of psychological thrillers with real heart.
July 25, 2025
A Joyfully Jay review.
5 stars
Sometimes They Die is a contemporary thriller-horror story by author Elizabeth Arroyo. It is set in rural Montana and features an eclectic cast of Jordan and his high school peers, as well as parental and other authority figures.
First, I thought Jordan was a delightful narrator. Jordan speaks without filters, not to hurt or alienate those around him, but to answer honestly.
Second, I thought the introduction of Jordan’s past/memories/hallucinations was very interesting.
From start to finish, I thought Sometimes They Die was an extremely exciting and entertaining read. The author does a fantastic job incorporating so many different characters into the story.
Read Camille's review in its entirety here.
5 stars
Sometimes They Die is a contemporary thriller-horror story by author Elizabeth Arroyo. It is set in rural Montana and features an eclectic cast of Jordan and his high school peers, as well as parental and other authority figures.
First, I thought Jordan was a delightful narrator. Jordan speaks without filters, not to hurt or alienate those around him, but to answer honestly.
Second, I thought the introduction of Jordan’s past/memories/hallucinations was very interesting.
From start to finish, I thought Sometimes They Die was an extremely exciting and entertaining read. The author does a fantastic job incorporating so many different characters into the story.
Read Camille's review in its entirety here.
June 11, 2025
Wow what a ride!
It’s been a while since I read a YA Novel and liked it this much! The plot was so intriguing.
A coming of age story with a lot of mystery and suspense, everything that Jordan had to go through not once but twice when he started to remember was incredibly hard.
While we’re told Jordan is “a psycho” he’s a very likable character, his inner struggles with his feelings, sexuality and a past he can’t remember but hunts him, make him such an interesting character. He is very smart and while still making mistakes as any teen would he’s a lot more calculated.
The plot moves on very smoothly and keeps us guessing what Jordan is going to remember next.
It’s been a while since I read a YA Novel and liked it this much! The plot was so intriguing.
A coming of age story with a lot of mystery and suspense, everything that Jordan had to go through not once but twice when he started to remember was incredibly hard.
While we’re told Jordan is “a psycho” he’s a very likable character, his inner struggles with his feelings, sexuality and a past he can’t remember but hunts him, make him such an interesting character. He is very smart and while still making mistakes as any teen would he’s a lot more calculated.
The plot moves on very smoothly and keeps us guessing what Jordan is going to remember next.
June 19, 2025
I think this is a truly special book. Yes, there are some grammatical and spelling errors that I hope will be fixed before publication, but honestly, this book is too important not to rave about.
We get to see the inner workings of the mind of a character made fun of as a "psycho," in a way that shows empathy and insight to the wide spectrum of individuals who have experienced trauma or may display some anti-social symptoms without forcing one definitive viewpoint on the issue.
I can't go into the story in depth because it needs to be read blind, but please trust me when I say, this is a book to read. It was fantastic and, although YA, had mature themes handled in a great way.
We get to see the inner workings of the mind of a character made fun of as a "psycho," in a way that shows empathy and insight to the wide spectrum of individuals who have experienced trauma or may display some anti-social symptoms without forcing one definitive viewpoint on the issue.
I can't go into the story in depth because it needs to be read blind, but please trust me when I say, this is a book to read. It was fantastic and, although YA, had mature themes handled in a great way.
June 7, 2025
Jordan and Chase ❤️
5 stars ⭐️
Omfg!! What a story!!! I loved it, it was incredible! I'm not even going to touch on the plot line, it's one that you must read to understand.....plus any spoilers would be an injustice to such a riveting story. All you need to know it was mysterious, quirky, dangerous, thrilling and the ending was so freaking heartwarming. I would absolutely recommend, there are so many twists and turns....it was addictive!!!
* I received an ARC from GRR, this my open and honest review *
5 stars ⭐️
Omfg!! What a story!!! I loved it, it was incredible! I'm not even going to touch on the plot line, it's one that you must read to understand.....plus any spoilers would be an injustice to such a riveting story. All you need to know it was mysterious, quirky, dangerous, thrilling and the ending was so freaking heartwarming. I would absolutely recommend, there are so many twists and turns....it was addictive!!!
* I received an ARC from GRR, this my open and honest review *
July 28, 2025
3.75 stars rounded up to 4. This is one of those books I didn't expect much from but ended up super invested. I picked it up because of the thriller element, and the overall idea was a really good one. I couldn't put it down.
The plot follows Jordan, a young guy with a small group of friends and sort of an outcast at highschool. He doesn't feel like other people his age and he yearns to be "normal". He believes copying Chase, his ex best friend's brother, would lead him to that since he's popular and behaves like a tipical guy. His sudden strange thoughts coupled with a possible serial killer on the loose won't let that happen so easily, and soon Jordan will have to find a way to stop everything before he becomes the next victim.
One of the things that worked for the story, besides how it's easy to follow and inrtiguing from the start, is the mystery. I think the author did well in leaving hints through the entire book to let the reader piece them together. I love a thriller where the game is to guess who's the killer and how the protagonist will fight agaisnt them, so it delivered well in that aspect.
Another great thing was the self-discovery theme. I liked how Jordan's desire to be "normal" wasn't only related to his trauma, but to his sexuality as well. His journey of confronting what he was scared of was organic and satisfying. I also liked that his phobia of being afraid of doors can be interpreted in more than one way: afraid of not fitting in, afraid of his past, afraid of rejection (homophobia and his feelings towards those be cares about - from that reveal and the boy be likes).
The romance subplot was the third element that worked out very well for me. I love a typical popular and outcast pairing. I really liked that Chase wasn't a flat character and he actually was fleshed out, considering he isn't nor has the perfect life. The chemistry he had with Jordan was incredible since the start. I also liked that the climax between both happened slowly and the book actually built up good tension. Despite making me feel like pulling my hair out because of these two being so close of figuring things out many times, I love it when a book causes that type of reaction on me.
Now onto the things I would've wanted to happen differently: (1) the execution of some scenes and (2) the resolution of the thriller part. About the first one, I felt like some scenarios changed into another very fast and at times there wasn't a proper transition. For the second one, while I loved the general plot idea, near the end some of the reveals felt a bit sloppy and events happened really fast. I believe everything would've been told better with more pages. Thankfully, the ending was a nice one, I just wished it we had more time for it to sink in.
Ultimately, this was an interesting YA thriller paired up with the theme of coming to terms with sexuality that delivers in its premise and has an overall satisfying resolution.
-I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
Tags: first person pov, YA, thriller, lgbt themes, violence, mystery,
The plot follows Jordan, a young guy with a small group of friends and sort of an outcast at highschool. He doesn't feel like other people his age and he yearns to be "normal". He believes copying Chase, his ex best friend's brother, would lead him to that since he's popular and behaves like a tipical guy. His sudden strange thoughts coupled with a possible serial killer on the loose won't let that happen so easily, and soon Jordan will have to find a way to stop everything before he becomes the next victim.
One of the things that worked for the story, besides how it's easy to follow and inrtiguing from the start, is the mystery. I think the author did well in leaving hints through the entire book to let the reader piece them together. I love a thriller where the game is to guess who's the killer and how the protagonist will fight agaisnt them, so it delivered well in that aspect.
Another great thing was the self-discovery theme. I liked how Jordan's desire to be "normal" wasn't only related to his trauma, but to his sexuality as well. His journey of confronting what he was scared of was organic and satisfying. I also liked that his phobia of being afraid of doors can be interpreted in more than one way: afraid of not fitting in, afraid of his past, afraid of rejection (homophobia and his feelings towards those be cares about - from that reveal and the boy be likes).
The romance subplot was the third element that worked out very well for me. I love a typical popular and outcast pairing. I really liked that Chase wasn't a flat character and he actually was fleshed out, considering he isn't nor has the perfect life. The chemistry he had with Jordan was incredible since the start. I also liked that the climax between both happened slowly and the book actually built up good tension. Despite making me feel like pulling my hair out because of these two being so close of figuring things out many times, I love it when a book causes that type of reaction on me.
Now onto the things I would've wanted to happen differently: (1) the execution of some scenes and (2) the resolution of the thriller part. About the first one, I felt like some scenarios changed into another very fast and at times there wasn't a proper transition. For the second one, while I loved the general plot idea, near the end some of the reveals felt a bit sloppy and events happened really fast. I believe everything would've been told better with more pages. Thankfully, the ending was a nice one, I just wished it we had more time for it to sink in.
Ultimately, this was an interesting YA thriller paired up with the theme of coming to terms with sexuality that delivers in its premise and has an overall satisfying resolution.
-I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
Tags: first person pov, YA, thriller, lgbt themes, violence, mystery,
July 28, 2025
This book was such a ride—dark, unsettling, and strangely emotional in all the right ways. Sometimes They Die blends psychological thriller with queer coming-of-age, and the result is something that sticks with you long after the last page.
The main character, Jordan, is not your typical teen protagonist. He has some deeply rooted fears and odd behaviors (like an intense fear of doors and a need to bury dead things), which immediately set the tone for how different and isolated his world is. He’s awkward, kind of broken, and trying to navigate a life that doesn’t make a lot of sense—not even to him.
When he decides to copy someone "normal" to fit in, he picks Chase, Jaylene’s brother. (Jaylene used to be his best friend, but things fell apart when he wouldn't date her.) Chase is confident, popular, and seems to have everything Jordan doesn’t. But the more time Jordan spends with him, the more complicated things get... especially when Jordan realizes he might have feelings for him.
And just when you think you’ve figured out what kind of story this is, the murders start. People are dying, and one of the victims even has the same strange scar as Jordan. Naturally, suspicion turns toward him—and honestly, even he’s not sure if he’s innocent. As he digs deeper into the killings and his missing memories, everything starts to unravel in the most chilling, heartbreaking way.
What I liked about this book is how it balances the psychological tension with raw emotion. Jordan is a character you want to protect, even when you’re not sure if you should. The writing does a great job of putting you inside his head, where everything feels just slightly off-kilter. It’s eerie, intense, and surprisingly tender in moments.
If you’re into unreliable narrators, queer stories that don’t center on romance but still explore identity, or thrillers that mess with your head a bit, this is worth picking up. Just go in expecting to be a little uncomfortable, in the best way.
The main character, Jordan, is not your typical teen protagonist. He has some deeply rooted fears and odd behaviors (like an intense fear of doors and a need to bury dead things), which immediately set the tone for how different and isolated his world is. He’s awkward, kind of broken, and trying to navigate a life that doesn’t make a lot of sense—not even to him.
When he decides to copy someone "normal" to fit in, he picks Chase, Jaylene’s brother. (Jaylene used to be his best friend, but things fell apart when he wouldn't date her.) Chase is confident, popular, and seems to have everything Jordan doesn’t. But the more time Jordan spends with him, the more complicated things get... especially when Jordan realizes he might have feelings for him.
And just when you think you’ve figured out what kind of story this is, the murders start. People are dying, and one of the victims even has the same strange scar as Jordan. Naturally, suspicion turns toward him—and honestly, even he’s not sure if he’s innocent. As he digs deeper into the killings and his missing memories, everything starts to unravel in the most chilling, heartbreaking way.
What I liked about this book is how it balances the psychological tension with raw emotion. Jordan is a character you want to protect, even when you’re not sure if you should. The writing does a great job of putting you inside his head, where everything feels just slightly off-kilter. It’s eerie, intense, and surprisingly tender in moments.
If you’re into unreliable narrators, queer stories that don’t center on romance but still explore identity, or thrillers that mess with your head a bit, this is worth picking up. Just go in expecting to be a little uncomfortable, in the best way.
July 26, 2025
I loved this book! Yes, it deals with some serious subjects such as mental illness, kidnapping of children, and murder, but I still enjoyed all the twists and turns in it. This is a dark book due to the subject matter but the relationship between the the two MC's is not a dark romance and there are episodes of humor sprinkled throughout. Jordan is a foster care child who lives with his foster mother in a small town. He doesn't really remember his past and is on medications for his mental health. Heals has a debilitating fear of closed doors that is explained as the book progresses. He has recently lost his best friend, Jaylene Cooper, after telling her that he does not want to be her boyfriend. He just wants to be a normal teenager and fit in. He decides to stop taking his medication without telling anyone and to emulate the behavior of his secret crush and his ex best friend's brother, Chase Cooper. However, once he is off of his medication, Jordan begins having flashbacks of his childhood ,and the trauma he went thru at the hands of serial killers who kidnapped young children and forced them to aid them in their horrible crimes. Jordan and Chase grow closer and become more than friends. However, their happy ending is threatened when someone begins killing off the children who were rescued after the killers were apprehended. As I said, I really enjoyed all the twists in the book and I was bit surprised at who the killer was. This book deals with how violent crimes can affect both the victims and the victims' loved ones. I look forwards to reading more by this author.
July 26, 2025
Thrilling, scary, passionate gay high school romance
This book is classified as a teen or young adult LGBTQ+ romance, but I suggest the teen or young adult be very mature for their age to read this book. It is indeed thrilling and suspenseful but some parts can be disconcerting. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The mystery was well-plotted; the author had me guessing until the end about what was happening. Fascinating glimpse at the angsty world of high schoolers and their liaisons; getting together, breaking up etc. Some of this part was very realistic. As old as I am I remember events being similar to my high school days. This book becomes much scarier when young people begin to die.
When Jordan’s long-time friend Jaylene breaks up with him, even though to him, they were strictly friends, his quest to become normal begins. He eyes Jaylene’s brother Chase as his example of normalness. Decides to study him but the more he does, the more he realizes he like-likes Chase but Chase has a girlfriend. The reasons Jordan and his community see him as strange are cleverly revealed piece-by-piece. Who Jordan is could get him killed! I gave it four stars because I had a little problem with a timeline.
There are kidnappings, murders, scary events, psychological problems beyond the teen angst dealt with in this book. I found it thrilling for a young adult gay romance. I volunteered to review an ARC of this book through Gay Romance Reviews and it comes highly recommended for the right person. Again, I loved it!
This book is classified as a teen or young adult LGBTQ+ romance, but I suggest the teen or young adult be very mature for their age to read this book. It is indeed thrilling and suspenseful but some parts can be disconcerting. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The mystery was well-plotted; the author had me guessing until the end about what was happening. Fascinating glimpse at the angsty world of high schoolers and their liaisons; getting together, breaking up etc. Some of this part was very realistic. As old as I am I remember events being similar to my high school days. This book becomes much scarier when young people begin to die.
When Jordan’s long-time friend Jaylene breaks up with him, even though to him, they were strictly friends, his quest to become normal begins. He eyes Jaylene’s brother Chase as his example of normalness. Decides to study him but the more he does, the more he realizes he like-likes Chase but Chase has a girlfriend. The reasons Jordan and his community see him as strange are cleverly revealed piece-by-piece. Who Jordan is could get him killed! I gave it four stars because I had a little problem with a timeline.
There are kidnappings, murders, scary events, psychological problems beyond the teen angst dealt with in this book. I found it thrilling for a young adult gay romance. I volunteered to review an ARC of this book through Gay Romance Reviews and it comes highly recommended for the right person. Again, I loved it!
July 15, 2025
Elizabeth Arroyo’s Sometimes They Die is a book that immediately caught my attention. There were so many elements that tick my boxes – the promise of mystery, of romance, of coming of age – and I went in with very high hopes. Unfortunately, Sometimes They Die ended up being a mixed read for me.
I will be honest and say my rating of Sometimes They Die is a rounded up two-point-five-star rating. I spent most of the book with it as a three-star rating, yet it dipped toward the end. The fact the story had me hooked for most of the book, however, is the reason why I rounded my rating up. That said, a big part of me did consider rounding it down because everything happened far too quickly and easily in the end. There were so many interesting elements that could have come together and been explored with a lot of depth, yet everything felt rushed. It was as though the focus was not decided upon, which meant nothing was explored as fully as it should have been. Due to this, I was left unsatisfied by the conclusion. I wanted so much more from it and feel there was plenty of space for the story to give each of the elements the required attention. Despite my disappointment in how easily things came together, it was an addictive read that had me powering through the pages.
All in all, this was a story that had a lot of potential. Unfortunately, for me, there was not the level of exploration later in the story to give it the depth required for me to love it in the way I had hoped.
I will be honest and say my rating of Sometimes They Die is a rounded up two-point-five-star rating. I spent most of the book with it as a three-star rating, yet it dipped toward the end. The fact the story had me hooked for most of the book, however, is the reason why I rounded my rating up. That said, a big part of me did consider rounding it down because everything happened far too quickly and easily in the end. There were so many interesting elements that could have come together and been explored with a lot of depth, yet everything felt rushed. It was as though the focus was not decided upon, which meant nothing was explored as fully as it should have been. Due to this, I was left unsatisfied by the conclusion. I wanted so much more from it and feel there was plenty of space for the story to give each of the elements the required attention. Despite my disappointment in how easily things came together, it was an addictive read that had me powering through the pages.
All in all, this was a story that had a lot of potential. Unfortunately, for me, there was not the level of exploration later in the story to give it the depth required for me to love it in the way I had hoped.
June 1, 2025
What's normal?
I've been sitting here thinking about what I wanted to write for this review. The premise of this book grabbed my attention right away. However, the beginning of the book was a little slow for me. Part of that is the building it needed to help ground you. Some of the transitions between places are also a little abrupt - one paragraph to the next would have you moving between time and locations.
All that being said, about half-way through the book, I got so absorbed in what was happening that I couldn't put it down. The pace and action picked up and more of the story unfolded. I was hooked. I really ended up enjoying where the story took us and how it all came to a conclusion. Be patient, it's so worth it!
I've been sitting here thinking about what I wanted to write for this review. The premise of this book grabbed my attention right away. However, the beginning of the book was a little slow for me. Part of that is the building it needed to help ground you. Some of the transitions between places are also a little abrupt - one paragraph to the next would have you moving between time and locations.
All that being said, about half-way through the book, I got so absorbed in what was happening that I couldn't put it down. The pace and action picked up and more of the story unfolded. I was hooked. I really ended up enjoying where the story took us and how it all came to a conclusion. Be patient, it's so worth it!
June 9, 2025
Jordan is not your ordinary teenager… he is a mess, and he knows it. There are many secrets in his past his memory does not want him to remember. But then, he does not seem to be the only one who is keeping terrible secrets…
This was sooo good! I had me hooked from the start. I loved the delightfully complicated characters, all of them with issues and hidden motives… The main characters, Jordan and Chase, are really fascinating, but so are the secondary ones surrounding them.. The pace is fast, the plot is twisted and unfolds smoothly… I loved every single bit of it. My only complaint is that it ended too soon…I really would have liked more!
I received an ARC and this is my voluntary review
This was sooo good! I had me hooked from the start. I loved the delightfully complicated characters, all of them with issues and hidden motives… The main characters, Jordan and Chase, are really fascinating, but so are the secondary ones surrounding them.. The pace is fast, the plot is twisted and unfolds smoothly… I loved every single bit of it. My only complaint is that it ended too soon…I really would have liked more!
I received an ARC and this is my voluntary review
July 24, 2025
I liked Jordan's quirky behaviour, his attempt to become normal and his lack of ability in telling lies.
There's plenty of people to keep you engaged with, all viewed through Jordan's eyes and his limited understanding of the world, shadowed by his fears, nightmares and failing memory.
The mystery runs through the book. Who is the children he hears, what happened, is someone after him or is it all in his head?
And for someone that haven't had his first kiss yet, can he handle so much attention for both girls and the even more confusing boys?
It was good, it kept me reading and I wanted it more fleshed out, there's so much we didn't get to know truly. I hope Liam will have a book of his own.
There's plenty of people to keep you engaged with, all viewed through Jordan's eyes and his limited understanding of the world, shadowed by his fears, nightmares and failing memory.
The mystery runs through the book. Who is the children he hears, what happened, is someone after him or is it all in his head?
And for someone that haven't had his first kiss yet, can he handle so much attention for both girls and the even more confusing boys?
It was good, it kept me reading and I wanted it more fleshed out, there's so much we didn't get to know truly. I hope Liam will have a book of his own.
July 27, 2025
I couldn't decide between a 3 and a 4 rating, but ultimately went with a 4 because this book hooked me and I did not figure who the killer was. Honestly, there was a lot about this book that really ticked me off, but I can't really give it away without giving away spoilers: the relationship between Jaylene and Chase, for one; the bullies and how they just are allowed to behave without repercussions is another.
I don't think Chase deserves Jordan. I think what Liam and Jordan have is special. But that's just my opinion, shared trauma and all that. Overall, I enjoyed this book and although it wasn't one that kept me on the edge of my seat, it held my interest and it was something different I hadn't read before.
I don't think Chase deserves Jordan. I think what Liam and Jordan have is special. But that's just my opinion, shared trauma and all that. Overall, I enjoyed this book and although it wasn't one that kept me on the edge of my seat, it held my interest and it was something different I hadn't read before.
July 28, 2025
What is normal?
How does one define being normal?
For Jordan it wasn’t just a question it was his life. He had fears he didn’t understand and he couldn’t fully understand empathy and other emotions.
For Chase it was what he could do to find someone who held him with love and safety unlike at home.
The story, the characters and the locations were so beautifully woven and full of wonder. Nothing was not important and the twists and turns kept you turning the page until the end appears.
This book deals a lot with psychological pain and what comes with traumatic events like the death of a parent or kidnappings.
The emotional impact is off the charts while the sweet moments of teenage love are majestically woven in.
How does one define being normal?
For Jordan it wasn’t just a question it was his life. He had fears he didn’t understand and he couldn’t fully understand empathy and other emotions.
For Chase it was what he could do to find someone who held him with love and safety unlike at home.
The story, the characters and the locations were so beautifully woven and full of wonder. Nothing was not important and the twists and turns kept you turning the page until the end appears.
This book deals a lot with psychological pain and what comes with traumatic events like the death of a parent or kidnappings.
The emotional impact is off the charts while the sweet moments of teenage love are majestically woven in.
May 29, 2025
I'm rounding up to four stars because I thought this book was ambitious and interesting. And I hope at least some/most of the innumerable spelling and grammar errors will get fixed before publication. That said, this story felt to me like it needed more developmental work before it would be ready for prime time. Maybe it's inevitable that a book about a teenager who suffered horrific trauma as a young child and repressed most of his memories will be confusing, but for me, the confusion went beyond the POV character to other aspects of the plot.
My thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for an advance copy of this book.
My thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for an advance copy of this book.
July 26, 2025
A new to me author, that wont stay new to me. I WILL be doing a catch up on every book Ive missed. If this story is an indictation of the writing.
I loved this book. Normally I hate 1 person pov stories, but to be fair, this book needed it. There were twists and turns I didnt see coming, with all the characters. Yes Jordan is the main character and while we are to believe he doesnt have emotions, we find thats not correct. So much happened too this 16 year old, its easy to forget his age. While I wanna gush about the story, I cant cos Id give too much away. But, Chases story is heartbreaking too.
I loved this book. Normally I hate 1 person pov stories, but to be fair, this book needed it. There were twists and turns I didnt see coming, with all the characters. Yes Jordan is the main character and while we are to believe he doesnt have emotions, we find thats not correct. So much happened too this 16 year old, its easy to forget his age. While I wanna gush about the story, I cant cos Id give too much away. But, Chases story is heartbreaking too.
July 28, 2025
WOW !! very suspenseful psychological thriller with teens.......and there are really messed up teens there !! Not really a romantic story - there is a romantic thread but the main thing is how Jordan tries to be normal while dealing with a whole suitcase full of personal issues and teenage angst... and truly, who's to say what is normal (loved those parts of the story !!!). Totally sucked me in with plenty of twists.....well written and well paced story. Definitely not for the faint of heart - deals with some heavy topics. There are some inconsistencies/jumps in the storyline .... but I still couldn't put the book down. Overall 3.5/5 stars.
August 3, 2025
In intense YA novel that I'm really glad I went into pretty much totally blind because the author has some real surprises in the story. The characters run the gamut from a few I felt great sympathy for to those that brought back some memories of just how cruel young people of this age can be - some intentionally and some through total ignorance. It's been a while since I read YA and it's clear the books have continued to get better and better with more depth and creativity in telling darker stories.
July 27, 2025
What a great read! Tragic. Enthralling. Jordan is a man with a painful past. His fears crippling his feelings and how he reacts to those around him. He struggles with his feelings and how he deals with those around him.
The story unfolds as his best friend dies and he decides to act ‘normal’ and goes off his meds with leads to flashbacks and remembering his past.
A book I will remember and will read again to see points missed.
The story unfolds as his best friend dies and he decides to act ‘normal’ and goes off his meds with leads to flashbacks and remembering his past.
A book I will remember and will read again to see points missed.
July 27, 2025
An interesting dark thriller romance. The MC tells his perspective of trying to survive high school while having mental flashes of violence and fears of being locked behind doors. Turns out his flashes and this town are holding deep secrets. Students start getting murdered and everyone is pointing fingers.
Along the way our MC goes cold turkey on his trauma drug cocktail and figures out he has feelings for someone he's close to.
This was a nice divergence from my regular spicey reads.
Along the way our MC goes cold turkey on his trauma drug cocktail and figures out he has feelings for someone he's close to.
This was a nice divergence from my regular spicey reads.
August 12, 2025
Left by his mother at six, and taken in by his foster mom, Jordan was never like the other teens but when murders start happening in White Falls, memories of his childhood start flooding back. This is a very dark themed book and may not be to everyone’s taste so make sure to read trigger warnings before reading. Though dark this book has characters that are deep and realistic. Jordqn also finds comfort in the arms of his former friends' brother Chase.
June 21, 2025
4.3
This book has it all, romance, plot twists, mystery and trauma, it's a book that completely envelops you into the plot and I loved that it had a well thought out and deep story along with the romance which really added a depth to the experience of reading this book. If you want crime story with mm romance this is definitely a great recommendation.
This book has it all, romance, plot twists, mystery and trauma, it's a book that completely envelops you into the plot and I loved that it had a well thought out and deep story along with the romance which really added a depth to the experience of reading this book. If you want crime story with mm romance this is definitely a great recommendation.
July 12, 2025
This one kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time! I loved Jordan's inner voice, as heartbreaking as it could be at times, thinking he was a psychopath and needed to be "normal" to fit in. But he's facing so much more than just trying to be normal as he starts to deal with the past trauma and his own identity.
August 16, 2025
Won’t lie book was a bit of slow burn and I disliked the other characters the main character associated with. I also had to remind myself that teens do dumb stuff because facepalming was an occurring thing lol. Nonetheless I liked the suspense and the ways things unraveled throughout the story definitely enjoyed every last bit of it. 7.5/10 🎭
July 26, 2025
Emotionally compelling psychological thriller.
Jordan is very no frills or filter.
He's also dealing with a heavy load of repressed trauma that slowly starts bubbling up throughout the story.
We get to witness the aftermath of that and boy is it a wild ride.
Jordan is very no frills or filter.
He's also dealing with a heavy load of repressed trauma that slowly starts bubbling up throughout the story.
We get to witness the aftermath of that and boy is it a wild ride.
August 3, 2025
This book was so good. I was really pleasantly surprised because it’s not something I read everyday. It definitely had me hooked and second guessing myself the whole way through. Go in blind. It’s the best way to do it.
July 8, 2025
THIS LITERALLY DREW ME IN AND KEPT ME ON MY TOES!!
OH WOW, this was a thrilling and electric read. The characters are terrible and such a good read!
OH WOW, this was a thrilling and electric read. The characters are terrible and such a good read!
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