What do you think?
What I Told My Friends
High Hill Manor has hidden a secret for decades. Now it will finally be revealed.
Chloe Carter is the new girl. After leaving her previous school in a whirl of vicious rumours, she desperately needs a new start.
But things don’t go as Chloe had hoped. Head girl Emily Ashbourne has it out for Chloe from the beginning.
When Emily falls from the school belltower – in suspicious circumstances – the whole school comes under scrutiny, including Chloe. But it is Mr Aides, the much-loved music teacher, who is arrested for Emily’s murder.
Twenty years later, Chloe greets Mr Aides at the gates on the day of his release. She is ready to reveal all. But the truth may not be what she thinks it is and when people close to the events of that fateful day wind up dead, Chloe realises that the truth might cause more harm than good…
A dark academia thriller perfect for fans of When We Were Silent, The Four, The Trial and My Dark Vanessa.
Chloe Carter is the new girl. After leaving her previous school in a whirl of vicious rumours, she desperately needs a new start.
But things don’t go as Chloe had hoped. Head girl Emily Ashbourne has it out for Chloe from the beginning.
When Emily falls from the school belltower – in suspicious circumstances – the whole school comes under scrutiny, including Chloe. But it is Mr Aides, the much-loved music teacher, who is arrested for Emily’s murder.
Twenty years later, Chloe greets Mr Aides at the gates on the day of his release. She is ready to reveal all. But the truth may not be what she thinks it is and when people close to the events of that fateful day wind up dead, Chloe realises that the truth might cause more harm than good…
A dark academia thriller perfect for fans of When We Were Silent, The Four, The Trial and My Dark Vanessa.
352 pages, Paperback
First published February 26, 2026
About the author
Alice Leigh
4 books6 followersAlice Leigh is a writer and novelist who has written for the Guardian and the Daily Mail. She is British but lives in Limassol, Cyprus, with her husband and their children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
February 3, 2026
A story that had a lot of promise but sadly didn’t execute the vision very well. I think the first quarter of the book set a great tone, opening with a death certainly felt influenced by The Secret History and the jumping of time between chapters held similar structure to If We Were Villains. But the story lost itself.
I love the school setting and the teen girl drama, which although was laid on a little thick, still rang true for young girls. The secrets of our main character, Chloe, kept me curious but as I read on I realised that the twists and turns weren’t unraveling but breaking off like pieces of paper. I think if this story had stuck to one core big unveiling it could have been developed easier but because there were SO many moments in the second half of ‘and another thing’, it became flimsy.
Unfortunately I couldn’t get past the undeveloped characters or plot. I think this book tried too hard to be ‘a new dark academia hit’.
[GIFTED - thankyou to the publisher for gifting me a proof in exchange for my honest review]
I love the school setting and the teen girl drama, which although was laid on a little thick, still rang true for young girls. The secrets of our main character, Chloe, kept me curious but as I read on I realised that the twists and turns weren’t unraveling but breaking off like pieces of paper. I think if this story had stuck to one core big unveiling it could have been developed easier but because there were SO many moments in the second half of ‘and another thing’, it became flimsy.
Unfortunately I couldn’t get past the undeveloped characters or plot. I think this book tried too hard to be ‘a new dark academia hit’.
[GIFTED - thankyou to the publisher for gifting me a proof in exchange for my honest review]
November 10, 2025
What I Told My Friends is one of those thrillers that draws you in because of the setting and the decades-old secret, and keeps you reading because you want to know how far someone is willing to go to tell the truth — and at what cost. If you enjoy mysteries where past and present collide, this will satisfy. If you’re looking for something radically new or outside the boarding-school-secret framework, maybe less so — but it’s still a well-crafted entry in the genre.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy for an honest review.
March 29, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ I enjoyed the setting and premise of the book with the dark academia vibes, particularly the first half, but then it felt like a lot then happened in the second half quite rapidly. I didn’t expect the some of the twists so was kept on my toes but it could I would have followed it more with a little less going on
November 12, 2025
3.75 ⭐️
What I Told My Friends simmers with the kind of tension that builds slowly, quietly, and then refuses to let go. This dark-academia thriller drops you right into High Hill Manor, an elite boarding school where the polished halls hide plenty of buried secrets. When head girl Emily is found dead and a beloved teacher is sent to prison, the truth gets shoved deep—until decades later, when Chloe, now an adult, finally decides she’s ready to talk about what really happened.
This was my first read by Alice Leigh, and I really liked the atmosphere she created. She leans hard into those moody school vibes—the whispers, the hierarchies, the little moments of unease, and it works. The dual-timeline structure adds a lot too, letting the story slowly peel back the layers of guilt, friendship, and the long-term fallout of one tragic night. Her writing style is clean, steady, and more character-driven than twist-driven, giving the whole book a quiet but persistent slow-burn feel.
That said, there were a few things that didn’t hit perfectly for me. Some of the dark-academia tropes felt familiar, and the pacing in the school timeline can drag a bit. A few side characters didn’t get the depth I was hoping for, and the emotional connection took a while to build. If you’re expecting big jaw-dropping twists, this one leans more subtle than shocking.
But overall, I enjoyed the tension, the atmosphere, and the way the story sits in the lingering mess of the past. This is the kind of story that starts as a whisper and ends as a revelation, pulling you deeper than you expect. And what stays with me most is how deeply the past can root itself—no matter how hard you try to leave it behind. I’m definitely looking forward to reading more of Leigh’s work.
Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.
What I Told My Friends simmers with the kind of tension that builds slowly, quietly, and then refuses to let go. This dark-academia thriller drops you right into High Hill Manor, an elite boarding school where the polished halls hide plenty of buried secrets. When head girl Emily is found dead and a beloved teacher is sent to prison, the truth gets shoved deep—until decades later, when Chloe, now an adult, finally decides she’s ready to talk about what really happened.
This was my first read by Alice Leigh, and I really liked the atmosphere she created. She leans hard into those moody school vibes—the whispers, the hierarchies, the little moments of unease, and it works. The dual-timeline structure adds a lot too, letting the story slowly peel back the layers of guilt, friendship, and the long-term fallout of one tragic night. Her writing style is clean, steady, and more character-driven than twist-driven, giving the whole book a quiet but persistent slow-burn feel.
That said, there were a few things that didn’t hit perfectly for me. Some of the dark-academia tropes felt familiar, and the pacing in the school timeline can drag a bit. A few side characters didn’t get the depth I was hoping for, and the emotional connection took a while to build. If you’re expecting big jaw-dropping twists, this one leans more subtle than shocking.
But overall, I enjoyed the tension, the atmosphere, and the way the story sits in the lingering mess of the past. This is the kind of story that starts as a whisper and ends as a revelation, pulling you deeper than you expect. And what stays with me most is how deeply the past can root itself—no matter how hard you try to leave it behind. I’m definitely looking forward to reading more of Leigh’s work.
Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.
March 13, 2026
A dark academia novel focused on Chloe, who leaves her school to attend a prestigious private school on a music scholarship. She hides some secrets and some of her fellow students aren’t making life easy for her - until one of them ends up dead at the bottom of the Bell Tower.
The story is told in two different timeline, the time at the school and 20 years later. There are a lot of different strands to this story keeping things interesting. It’s easy to read and follow even with the time changes.
And interesting storyline and a good read overall but for me it was missing that little bit of extra. It felt very YA in the school parts, which in some way makes sense, and I was waiting for a big reveal or something. There was a bit of that at the end though I did guess most of it. The story kind of just meanders along. I would also have liked a bit more from our main character and some of the themes in the narrative.
Overall a good read though that is worth a read if it wounds interesting to you!
The story is told in two different timeline, the time at the school and 20 years later. There are a lot of different strands to this story keeping things interesting. It’s easy to read and follow even with the time changes.
And interesting storyline and a good read overall but for me it was missing that little bit of extra. It felt very YA in the school parts, which in some way makes sense, and I was waiting for a big reveal or something. There was a bit of that at the end though I did guess most of it. The story kind of just meanders along. I would also have liked a bit more from our main character and some of the themes in the narrative.
Overall a good read though that is worth a read if it wounds interesting to you!
December 22, 2025
When Chloe Carter is offered a scholarship at High Hill Manor, a prestigious boarding school, her parents cannot believe it. Only Chloe knows the scholarship has been arranged to avoid repercussions over her relationship with her teacher.
Upon her arrival at High Hill it takes time for Chloe to fit in. People do little to welcome her. Some - notably head girl, Emily - make it very difficult for her. Only the Head’s daughter, Iris, looks out for her.
It is only when Emily’s body is discovered that people start asking questions. Chloe lies to the police as she believes she’s protecting her friend. It is Chloe’s new music teacher, Mr Aides, who ends up in prison.
Twenty years on Chloe remains haunted by the events of her school year. Someone appears to know the truth, and Chloe fears what they will do to stop it coming out.
This was an interesting idea. The pacing around the school events dragged a little. I also felt the resolution seemed rather improbable. Anyway, thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this before publication.
Upon her arrival at High Hill it takes time for Chloe to fit in. People do little to welcome her. Some - notably head girl, Emily - make it very difficult for her. Only the Head’s daughter, Iris, looks out for her.
It is only when Emily’s body is discovered that people start asking questions. Chloe lies to the police as she believes she’s protecting her friend. It is Chloe’s new music teacher, Mr Aides, who ends up in prison.
Twenty years on Chloe remains haunted by the events of her school year. Someone appears to know the truth, and Chloe fears what they will do to stop it coming out.
This was an interesting idea. The pacing around the school events dragged a little. I also felt the resolution seemed rather improbable. Anyway, thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this before publication.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Utterly Enthralling!
Chloe’s musical scholarship to High Hill Manor was supposed to be an escape, but the prestigious school is a pressure cooker of secrets and lies. Alice Leigh expertly captures the messy, visceral reality of teenage angst and the reckless actions that feel monumental at seventeen, and become devastating in adulthood. Told through a dual timeline, the story highlights how the well intentioned mistakes of youth often carry a lifelong price tag.
Chloe is a beautifully flawed protagonist, haunted by her conscience as she realises the past doesn’t stay buried.
As the jigsaw puzzle pieces together, she’s forced to confront lingering demons and an ending that hits with unexpected force.
For fans of slow-burning thrillers with raw, emotional depth, this is a haunting must-read.
My thanks to Netgalley and Canelo Crime for the ARC. This is my own opinion.
Expected release date 26 February.
Chloe’s musical scholarship to High Hill Manor was supposed to be an escape, but the prestigious school is a pressure cooker of secrets and lies. Alice Leigh expertly captures the messy, visceral reality of teenage angst and the reckless actions that feel monumental at seventeen, and become devastating in adulthood. Told through a dual timeline, the story highlights how the well intentioned mistakes of youth often carry a lifelong price tag.
Chloe is a beautifully flawed protagonist, haunted by her conscience as she realises the past doesn’t stay buried.
As the jigsaw puzzle pieces together, she’s forced to confront lingering demons and an ending that hits with unexpected force.
For fans of slow-burning thrillers with raw, emotional depth, this is a haunting must-read.
My thanks to Netgalley and Canelo Crime for the ARC. This is my own opinion.
Expected release date 26 February.
November 9, 2025
Thank you to Alice Leigh and Net Gallery for an ARC of ‘What I Told My Friends’ in return for my honest review.
A dark and emotive academia thriller, where a web of secrets and lies begin to unravel 20 years later.
It’s been a good while since I’ve picked up any form of thriller, so I took a chance and went into this blind. I ended up totally immersed in this book and couldn’t help but inhale it, completely blind sided to the plot twist at the end.
The book is split into past and present, showing how truly the FMCs past shapes her future. The FMCs story is raw, and painful diving into a lot of traumatic themes she has experienced throughout childhood and also continues to experience 20 years later relating to this.
Themes were heavy and deeply emotional, yet handled with care. Check your trigger warnings for these emotive themes.
A dark and emotive academia thriller, where a web of secrets and lies begin to unravel 20 years later.
It’s been a good while since I’ve picked up any form of thriller, so I took a chance and went into this blind. I ended up totally immersed in this book and couldn’t help but inhale it, completely blind sided to the plot twist at the end.
The book is split into past and present, showing how truly the FMCs past shapes her future. The FMCs story is raw, and painful diving into a lot of traumatic themes she has experienced throughout childhood and also continues to experience 20 years later relating to this.
Themes were heavy and deeply emotional, yet handled with care. Check your trigger warnings for these emotive themes.
February 21, 2026
This was a really interesting read and surprisingly, I didn’t guess the plot twists!
What I told my friends is a brilliant dark academia thriller with great character choices, fab scene building and unexpected turns.
I felt it was a lot deeper than other thrillers I’ve read and you really got to know about all the characters and high hill, it felt quite gossip girly thriller-esque
Definitely a great read for the autumn months and it really embraces the private girl high school drama without it being YA which was great.
What I told my friends is a brilliant dark academia thriller with great character choices, fab scene building and unexpected turns.
I felt it was a lot deeper than other thrillers I’ve read and you really got to know about all the characters and high hill, it felt quite gossip girly thriller-esque
Definitely a great read for the autumn months and it really embraces the private girl high school drama without it being YA which was great.
February 28, 2026
What I Told My Friends by Alice Leigh
This is a beautifully written dark academia novel that’s atmospheric with great character development.
The dual timeline is slow burn and dramatic, which builds tension.
I didn’t gel with the characters as much as I was hoping to and the slow burn of this book lost me for a little while in the middle but I got back on track soon after.
If you like YA Mean Girl/Pretty Little Liars vibes I think you’ll enjoy this one.
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This is a beautifully written dark academia novel that’s atmospheric with great character development.
The dual timeline is slow burn and dramatic, which builds tension.
I didn’t gel with the characters as much as I was hoping to and the slow burn of this book lost me for a little while in the middle but I got back on track soon after.
If you like YA Mean Girl/Pretty Little Liars vibes I think you’ll enjoy this one.
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December 14, 2025
3.75⭐️
Thank you to publishers and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book
Chloe left her last school in disgrace, and needs to keep her head down and make it through her last year of education, but when Emily the head girl at High Hill Manor falls to her death, secrets Chloe has tried so hard to bury start to come to light
This dark thriller is set across two timelines, Chloe’s time at High Hill Manor and twenty years later when the man Chloe helped to accuse is released from prison. The twists in the story keep you hooked from start to finish, and as secrets come to light Chloe discovers that things aren’t always as they appear
Thank you to publishers and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book
Chloe left her last school in disgrace, and needs to keep her head down and make it through her last year of education, but when Emily the head girl at High Hill Manor falls to her death, secrets Chloe has tried so hard to bury start to come to light
This dark thriller is set across two timelines, Chloe’s time at High Hill Manor and twenty years later when the man Chloe helped to accuse is released from prison. The twists in the story keep you hooked from start to finish, and as secrets come to light Chloe discovers that things aren’t always as they appear
December 12, 2025
Spoilers ahead!
Thank you Net Galley and Canelo for this ARC version of What I Told My Friends by Alice Leigh in exchange for my honest review of the book. I devoured this in just a couple of days.
Chloe Carter goes to High Hill with a secret, one that sits heavy on her and impacts everything that happens to her from there on out. She is failed by grown ups all around her, and she craves the attention of her friends. But then Emily, the school prefect and mean girl, ends up dead and decisions in the aftermath affect everyone else for life.
I thought Alice Leigh had a great writing style and I take my hat off to her for how she wrote the grief that the main character was feeling, and the loss of her innocence. The author addresses the sensitive topic with great care of more than one teacher exploiting Chloe. The portrayal serves as an essential part of the narrative and Chloe’s decisions. It has a big impact on the overall book. I think for me, the way Alice wrote about that was what I admired most about this book and her writing.
I really enjoyed the relationship between Chloe with both Iris and Stan and the exploration of the attraction to the twins. I wanted more of this. I do feel like Stan needs more subtle hints to who he really is beside Iris saying at the beach she needs to get to Stan before Emily does as the boats come in, and the conversation the parents have in the kitchen that Chloe overhears. I needed a bit more to fully believe his villainous side.
Overall, I liked the story that Alice told. She handled it maturely and was very poetic in places. She had a deep knowledge of both her main characters feelings and trauma, and the subject matters that were brought to life.
I do feel Emily was maybe a bit cliche as the “mean girl” and there are many Emily’s out there in so many books set in schools, but otherwise it was a great read. I would also say that it is a little too convenient that Baxter got out of jail just one week before Simon. I understand why it was done but feel like he could have gotten out a month or two earlier and still kept the plot lines.
I did really enjoy the ending of the book. I’d rate this book 4/5 stars and recommend it to lovers of YA thrillers!
Thank you Net Galley and Canelo for this ARC version of What I Told My Friends by Alice Leigh in exchange for my honest review of the book. I devoured this in just a couple of days.
Chloe Carter goes to High Hill with a secret, one that sits heavy on her and impacts everything that happens to her from there on out. She is failed by grown ups all around her, and she craves the attention of her friends. But then Emily, the school prefect and mean girl, ends up dead and decisions in the aftermath affect everyone else for life.
I thought Alice Leigh had a great writing style and I take my hat off to her for how she wrote the grief that the main character was feeling, and the loss of her innocence. The author addresses the sensitive topic with great care of more than one teacher exploiting Chloe. The portrayal serves as an essential part of the narrative and Chloe’s decisions. It has a big impact on the overall book. I think for me, the way Alice wrote about that was what I admired most about this book and her writing.
I really enjoyed the relationship between Chloe with both Iris and Stan and the exploration of the attraction to the twins. I wanted more of this. I do feel like Stan needs more subtle hints to who he really is beside Iris saying at the beach she needs to get to Stan before Emily does as the boats come in, and the conversation the parents have in the kitchen that Chloe overhears. I needed a bit more to fully believe his villainous side.
Overall, I liked the story that Alice told. She handled it maturely and was very poetic in places. She had a deep knowledge of both her main characters feelings and trauma, and the subject matters that were brought to life.
I do feel Emily was maybe a bit cliche as the “mean girl” and there are many Emily’s out there in so many books set in schools, but otherwise it was a great read. I would also say that it is a little too convenient that Baxter got out of jail just one week before Simon. I understand why it was done but feel like he could have gotten out a month or two earlier and still kept the plot lines.
I did really enjoy the ending of the book. I’d rate this book 4/5 stars and recommend it to lovers of YA thrillers!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2026
This book gave me Cruel Intentions meets Mean Girls and His and Hers vibes. It was an enjoyable suspenseful read and I’d definitely recommend it for fast paced thriller readers!
In the opening paragraph of the book there has been a murder, Emily Ashbourne Head Girl, has been thrown from the bell tower of High Hill school, an all girls private school. My attention was instantly captured. I wanted to know what had happened.
We then flash forward twenty years to the present day where a prisoner, Simon Aides is being released after serving a twenty year sentence for murder.
Initially I was confused with the timelines switching backwards and forwards from the event in 2005 to the present day however as the story developed and the time line was focused more on the events in 2005, I was able to gain an understanding of what happened leading up to the body of Emily Ashbourne being found and the multiple potential suspects that would’ve had a motive to kill her. I found the switch up between time lines a really effective way of piecing together what happened then and why events are happening now.
It was at times an uncomfortable read with the mean girls vibe of Emily (prior to her murder) and how she seemed to like trying to humiliate other girls by exerting her power as Head Girl.
The friendships between some of the other teenage girls was strong, the girls are loyal too each other, so loyal that they misjudged events badly in 2005 which led to constant regret and hiding from the truth of what really happened. I felt really sorry for the main FMC Chloe who seemed so lost and stuck in her regret of the past that she hadn’t been able to move on properly due to her guilt and remorse. She was easily manipulated by all those around her, it seemed like all she was ever searching for was love and approval which often led to her making bad choices.
This is a fast paced thriller which really reels you in. I did guess part of the twist in the end but there were so many layers, it wasn’t at all predictable, the majority of the twists I really didn’t see coming at all.
Thanks to @noveltours for my slot on the tour and @canelo for an advance copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
In the opening paragraph of the book there has been a murder, Emily Ashbourne Head Girl, has been thrown from the bell tower of High Hill school, an all girls private school. My attention was instantly captured. I wanted to know what had happened.
We then flash forward twenty years to the present day where a prisoner, Simon Aides is being released after serving a twenty year sentence for murder.
Initially I was confused with the timelines switching backwards and forwards from the event in 2005 to the present day however as the story developed and the time line was focused more on the events in 2005, I was able to gain an understanding of what happened leading up to the body of Emily Ashbourne being found and the multiple potential suspects that would’ve had a motive to kill her. I found the switch up between time lines a really effective way of piecing together what happened then and why events are happening now.
It was at times an uncomfortable read with the mean girls vibe of Emily (prior to her murder) and how she seemed to like trying to humiliate other girls by exerting her power as Head Girl.
The friendships between some of the other teenage girls was strong, the girls are loyal too each other, so loyal that they misjudged events badly in 2005 which led to constant regret and hiding from the truth of what really happened. I felt really sorry for the main FMC Chloe who seemed so lost and stuck in her regret of the past that she hadn’t been able to move on properly due to her guilt and remorse. She was easily manipulated by all those around her, it seemed like all she was ever searching for was love and approval which often led to her making bad choices.
This is a fast paced thriller which really reels you in. I did guess part of the twist in the end but there were so many layers, it wasn’t at all predictable, the majority of the twists I really didn’t see coming at all.
Thanks to @noveltours for my slot on the tour and @canelo for an advance copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
August 19, 2026
Review of Advanced Copy received from NetGalley
What I Told My Friends
By: Alice Leigh
Publisher: Canelo
Pub Date: February 26, 2026
Mystery
Thriller
🌟🌟🌟🌟
What I Told My Friends is a dark-academia thriller that builds tension slowly beneath the polished halls of High Hill Manor, an elite boarding school where secrets are buried deep.
When head girl Emily Asbourne is found dead beneath the bell tower, Chloe Carter finds herself caught in a web of lies that will follow her for decades. Twenty years later, the man Chloe helped send to prison is released, and someone seems determined to keep the truth about that night buried.
Chloe arrived at High Hill after leaving her previous school in disgrace. She is determined to keep her head down and make it through her final year, but fitting in isn’t easy. Emily makes things especially difficult, while Iris, the Head’s daughter, is one of the few people who looks out for her. When Emily dies, Chloe lies to the police because she believes she is protecting a friend. Her decision has consequences that follow her long after she leaves the school.
I really enjoyed the atmosphere Leigh created. High Hill Manor has that classic dark-academia feel moody, secretive, and filled with whispers and an underlying sense of unease. The dual timelines work well, gradually revealing the guilt, friendships, and consequences surrounding Emily’s death.
What worked for me:
● Atmospheric dark-academia setting
● Dual timelines that slowly reveal the truth
● Strong focus on characters, guilt, and lasting consequences
● Clean, steady writing
● A quiet, slow-burn tension that keeps you reading
What didn’t work as well:
● The school timeline felt a bit slow at times.
● I wanted more depth from a few of the supporting characters.
● If you’re expecting big, shocking twists, this is more about a slow and steady reveal.
Overall, I enjoyed the characters, atmosphere, and exploration of how deeply the past can stay with us. This is a story that starts quietly and gradually draws you into its secrets. Looking forward to reading more from Alice Leigh.
Thank you NetGalley and Canelo Publishing for the advanced ARC in exchange for review.
#WhatIToldMyFriends, #AliceLeigh, #NetGalley, #CaneloPublishing, #Mystery, #Thriller
What I Told My Friends
By: Alice Leigh
Publisher: Canelo
Pub Date: February 26, 2026
Mystery
Thriller
🌟🌟🌟🌟
What I Told My Friends is a dark-academia thriller that builds tension slowly beneath the polished halls of High Hill Manor, an elite boarding school where secrets are buried deep.
When head girl Emily Asbourne is found dead beneath the bell tower, Chloe Carter finds herself caught in a web of lies that will follow her for decades. Twenty years later, the man Chloe helped send to prison is released, and someone seems determined to keep the truth about that night buried.
Chloe arrived at High Hill after leaving her previous school in disgrace. She is determined to keep her head down and make it through her final year, but fitting in isn’t easy. Emily makes things especially difficult, while Iris, the Head’s daughter, is one of the few people who looks out for her. When Emily dies, Chloe lies to the police because she believes she is protecting a friend. Her decision has consequences that follow her long after she leaves the school.
I really enjoyed the atmosphere Leigh created. High Hill Manor has that classic dark-academia feel moody, secretive, and filled with whispers and an underlying sense of unease. The dual timelines work well, gradually revealing the guilt, friendships, and consequences surrounding Emily’s death.
What worked for me:
● Atmospheric dark-academia setting
● Dual timelines that slowly reveal the truth
● Strong focus on characters, guilt, and lasting consequences
● Clean, steady writing
● A quiet, slow-burn tension that keeps you reading
What didn’t work as well:
● The school timeline felt a bit slow at times.
● I wanted more depth from a few of the supporting characters.
● If you’re expecting big, shocking twists, this is more about a slow and steady reveal.
Overall, I enjoyed the characters, atmosphere, and exploration of how deeply the past can stay with us. This is a story that starts quietly and gradually draws you into its secrets. Looking forward to reading more from Alice Leigh.
Thank you NetGalley and Canelo Publishing for the advanced ARC in exchange for review.
#WhatIToldMyFriends, #AliceLeigh, #NetGalley, #CaneloPublishing, #Mystery, #Thriller
August 14, 2026
As a fellow teen of the early 00s, WHAT I TOLD MY FRIENDS felt like Alice Leigh truly wrote what she knew. I'm old enough that I actually saw Busted perform live on stage so to see them namechecked by the characters was a real nostalgia bomb. Leigh's cultural touchstones were on point in general: the fashion, the celebrity gossip, the passing reference to the funeral of the Queen mum.
The 00s attitude to 'sex scandals' in school was depressingly accurate too. This was an era were Disney made teen actresses publicly apologize when their nude photographs were leaked. Upskirting was something you had to take into account when choosing an outfit or you'd be blamed for not being sensibly dressed. No one in 2005 was calling a student/teacher relationship what it was: abuse. WHAT I TOLD MY FRIENDS captured that generational failure in safeguarding young women and how it reverberated through the lives of those who were blamed for being taken advantage of.
As satisfying as a 'cutting her hair in the bathroom and now she's a revenge beast' story arc can be, I appreciated that twenty years after the trauma Chloe went through, she's still grappling with what happened. Moreover, the reaction of the present day cops, unable to grasp why, as a teen, Chloe didn't come forward with what was going on underscored the twenty year gap in attitudes really well.
While I loved how immersive the setting was, I found the writing inconsistent overall. The story covers a long time period and the pacing struggled to keep up; some sections dragged out the monotony of years and in others we had multiple twists in a matter of pages. I wasn't the biggest fan of pairing a deftly handled story of sexual abuse with a comparatively over the top murder-mystery. Personally, I found it too tonally jarring. There were also some editing flubs, like all the sections being labelled Before instead of alternating Before and After as intended that made the book feel sloppy.
If MY DARK VANESSA meets WHEN WE WERE VILLAINS appeals to you, then you might enjoy this!
Thank you to Jonathan Ball Publishers for providing me with a copy for review.
The 00s attitude to 'sex scandals' in school was depressingly accurate too. This was an era were Disney made teen actresses publicly apologize when their nude photographs were leaked. Upskirting was something you had to take into account when choosing an outfit or you'd be blamed for not being sensibly dressed. No one in 2005 was calling a student/teacher relationship what it was: abuse. WHAT I TOLD MY FRIENDS captured that generational failure in safeguarding young women and how it reverberated through the lives of those who were blamed for being taken advantage of.
As satisfying as a 'cutting her hair in the bathroom and now she's a revenge beast' story arc can be, I appreciated that twenty years after the trauma Chloe went through, she's still grappling with what happened. Moreover, the reaction of the present day cops, unable to grasp why, as a teen, Chloe didn't come forward with what was going on underscored the twenty year gap in attitudes really well.
While I loved how immersive the setting was, I found the writing inconsistent overall. The story covers a long time period and the pacing struggled to keep up; some sections dragged out the monotony of years and in others we had multiple twists in a matter of pages. I wasn't the biggest fan of pairing a deftly handled story of sexual abuse with a comparatively over the top murder-mystery. Personally, I found it too tonally jarring. There were also some editing flubs, like all the sections being labelled Before instead of alternating Before and After as intended that made the book feel sloppy.
If MY DARK VANESSA meets WHEN WE WERE VILLAINS appeals to you, then you might enjoy this!
Thank you to Jonathan Ball Publishers for providing me with a copy for review.
September 20, 2026
What I Told My Friends by @aliceleighauthor
Publisher @canelo_co
I won this book in a giveaway hosted by Alice herself over on TikTok 📚 she kindly signed it and added in her other book too. And, they came all the way from Limassol, Cyprus 🇨🇾
I read this in two days. Which is really good going for me lately. We follow Chloe Carter who has moved to a new school, which reminded me of the stereotypical boarding posh schools you see in films.
But, Chloe didn't move here because she wanted to, there is a secret that even her parents didn't know as to why she moved.
Not long after starting, head girl Emily is found on the ground below the bell tower. But, is Chloe involved? Does she know what happened?
This story is steeped in mystery. We don't know who to believe and there are a lot of accusations flying around the place. These boarding school kids are not very saintly, I'll tell you that for a fact.
Now, I really didn't like Chloe 🙈 her character just annoyed me. She seemed to cry at a drop of a hat. Yet the things she got up to didn't scream of being a naive young girl. But, I rolled with it.
As the story develops and the lies and secrets start to unravel, it all gets really clever and dark. There are quite a few characters to keep track of. And a past and present narrative, which we all know I love.
Thank you again to Alice for my copy.
#whatitoldmyfriends #bookishthoughts #bookreviewers
Publisher @canelo_co
I won this book in a giveaway hosted by Alice herself over on TikTok 📚 she kindly signed it and added in her other book too. And, they came all the way from Limassol, Cyprus 🇨🇾
I read this in two days. Which is really good going for me lately. We follow Chloe Carter who has moved to a new school, which reminded me of the stereotypical boarding posh schools you see in films.
But, Chloe didn't move here because she wanted to, there is a secret that even her parents didn't know as to why she moved.
Not long after starting, head girl Emily is found on the ground below the bell tower. But, is Chloe involved? Does she know what happened?
This story is steeped in mystery. We don't know who to believe and there are a lot of accusations flying around the place. These boarding school kids are not very saintly, I'll tell you that for a fact.
Now, I really didn't like Chloe 🙈 her character just annoyed me. She seemed to cry at a drop of a hat. Yet the things she got up to didn't scream of being a naive young girl. But, I rolled with it.
As the story develops and the lies and secrets start to unravel, it all gets really clever and dark. There are quite a few characters to keep track of. And a past and present narrative, which we all know I love.
Thank you again to Alice for my copy.
#whatitoldmyfriends #bookishthoughts #bookreviewers
October 30, 2025
High Hill Manor holds its secrets close — and Alice Leigh knows just how to coax them out. What I Told My Friends is a dark academia thriller wrapped in emotional complexity, where memory and motive blur beneath the ivy-covered walls of a prestigious boarding school.
The story opens with tragedy: Emily Asbourne, the head girl, found dead beneath the belltower. Two decades later, Chloe Carter — once a student, now a woman with unfinished business — returns to greet the man accused of the crime. What follows is not just a reckoning, but a quiet unraveling of guilt, grief, and the stories we tell to survive.
Leigh’s prose is elegant and restrained, with a rhythm that mirrors the claustrophobia of its setting. The manor itself feels like a character — watching, waiting, whispering. Chloe’s voice is compelling: wounded but sharp, haunted yet determined. There’s a tenderness beneath the tension, a sense that truth is not just something to uncover, but something to carry.
This is a thriller for readers who crave atmosphere over adrenaline, character over chaos. It lingers like fog on stone — quiet, unsettling, and beautifully wrought.
With thanks to Alice Leigh, the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.
The story opens with tragedy: Emily Asbourne, the head girl, found dead beneath the belltower. Two decades later, Chloe Carter — once a student, now a woman with unfinished business — returns to greet the man accused of the crime. What follows is not just a reckoning, but a quiet unraveling of guilt, grief, and the stories we tell to survive.
Leigh’s prose is elegant and restrained, with a rhythm that mirrors the claustrophobia of its setting. The manor itself feels like a character — watching, waiting, whispering. Chloe’s voice is compelling: wounded but sharp, haunted yet determined. There’s a tenderness beneath the tension, a sense that truth is not just something to uncover, but something to carry.
This is a thriller for readers who crave atmosphere over adrenaline, character over chaos. It lingers like fog on stone — quiet, unsettling, and beautifully wrought.
With thanks to Alice Leigh, the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.
November 6, 2025
Thank you Calelo for this book!!
WHAT DID I JUST READ?! Holy mother of plot twists 🤯
I cannot explain how much I am now obsessed with this book, I was hooked from the very first chapter and that’s saying something as thrillers aren’t my go to book!
Claire has certainly been through it with her close group of people around her! I honestly could work out who was behind it all!! My thought process the whole time kept getting chucked out the window because something else would happen to stop me thinking of a certain someone but then later we’d get something to think them again!!
Honestly.. pat yourself on the back Alice! I couldn’t even imagine writing this as my head would of been a puzzle 👏🏼
THE ENDING. NO FUCKER WAS SAFE!!
I will say.. maybe the last few chapters I did start to suspect who it was but I was still not 100% until we did find out.
I really enjoyed the “before” aspect as it helped build the story and give us so much detail which I loved!! Poor Claire has lost so many people in her life, but I’m glad in the end she’s got back to playing the piano.
Honesty nothing below a 5 star for this book. I came home early to finish this book as couldn’t stop thinking about it with only 10 chapters left.
WHAT DID I JUST READ?! Holy mother of plot twists 🤯
I cannot explain how much I am now obsessed with this book, I was hooked from the very first chapter and that’s saying something as thrillers aren’t my go to book!
Claire has certainly been through it with her close group of people around her! I honestly could work out who was behind it all!! My thought process the whole time kept getting chucked out the window because something else would happen to stop me thinking of a certain someone but then later we’d get something to think them again!!
Honestly.. pat yourself on the back Alice! I couldn’t even imagine writing this as my head would of been a puzzle 👏🏼
THE ENDING. NO FUCKER WAS SAFE!!
I will say.. maybe the last few chapters I did start to suspect who it was but I was still not 100% until we did find out.
I really enjoyed the “before” aspect as it helped build the story and give us so much detail which I loved!! Poor Claire has lost so many people in her life, but I’m glad in the end she’s got back to playing the piano.
Honesty nothing below a 5 star for this book. I came home early to finish this book as couldn’t stop thinking about it with only 10 chapters left.
November 7, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and of course Alice for the opportunity to read this powerful book.
⭐ 4.8 stars
TW: suicide, cutting, rape, grooming, abuse
Well damn. Talk about a twist. This book is an absolute whirlwind. I really enjoyed it and honestly couldn’t help but devour it. The writing style drew me in right away. There’s a great balance of dialogue and I liked that some of the heavier moments weren’t described in unnecessary detail.
I loved that it’s all told from Chloe’s POV, showing both her Before and After. The story is split into two parts which works perfectly to show how deeply her past shapes her present. Chloe’s character feels like a confused teen still trapped inside an adult body, someone whose trauma was forced onto her before she even had the tools to process it. The book even mentions how certain experiences can affect you when your brain isn’t fully developed yet, and I think it captures that idea brilliantly.
Chloe’s story is raw and painful. She’s a young girl who was groomed and abused, carrying a trauma bond to one of her abusers, while also dealing with the lifelong scars of witnessing her parent’s suicide attempt at a young age. It’s dark, heavy, and deeply emotional but handled with care.
⭐ 4.8 stars
TW: suicide, cutting, rape, grooming, abuse
Well damn. Talk about a twist. This book is an absolute whirlwind. I really enjoyed it and honestly couldn’t help but devour it. The writing style drew me in right away. There’s a great balance of dialogue and I liked that some of the heavier moments weren’t described in unnecessary detail.
I loved that it’s all told from Chloe’s POV, showing both her Before and After. The story is split into two parts which works perfectly to show how deeply her past shapes her present. Chloe’s character feels like a confused teen still trapped inside an adult body, someone whose trauma was forced onto her before she even had the tools to process it. The book even mentions how certain experiences can affect you when your brain isn’t fully developed yet, and I think it captures that idea brilliantly.
Chloe’s story is raw and painful. She’s a young girl who was groomed and abused, carrying a trauma bond to one of her abusers, while also dealing with the lifelong scars of witnessing her parent’s suicide attempt at a young age. It’s dark, heavy, and deeply emotional but handled with care.
December 3, 2025
What I Told My Friends has a dual timeline, and the kind of setting I love (an old school complete with a bell tower!). This, along with the decades-old well-kept secret trope are factors that keep you reading, if only to find out what actually happened to Emily. How far is someone willing to go to prevent the truth from coming out, and who is that someone (or someones)?
The characters are rather slimy for the most part, Emily, Constantine, Fran, Simon.... I rather liked Iris, although her actions were questionable from start to finish. There are very few likeable people here, and what really comes home to me is the age-old conundrum: what would you do to protect a friend, and once that decision has been made, can you deal with the consequences? Turns out not so much. One teeny-tiny loose end starts to unravel, and so many unexpected things come to light, a toppling of a world of secrets built on lies.
This is a good enough read to pass the time, and if you enjoy mysteries where the present is snarled up in the past, you'll likely enjoy it. There is nothing radically new or particularly captivating, but it is still a well-crafted and enjoyable entry into the dark academia stable.
Three and a half stars.
The characters are rather slimy for the most part, Emily, Constantine, Fran, Simon.... I rather liked Iris, although her actions were questionable from start to finish. There are very few likeable people here, and what really comes home to me is the age-old conundrum: what would you do to protect a friend, and once that decision has been made, can you deal with the consequences? Turns out not so much. One teeny-tiny loose end starts to unravel, and so many unexpected things come to light, a toppling of a world of secrets built on lies.
This is a good enough read to pass the time, and if you enjoy mysteries where the present is snarled up in the past, you'll likely enjoy it. There is nothing radically new or particularly captivating, but it is still a well-crafted and enjoyable entry into the dark academia stable.
Three and a half stars.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What I Told My Friends by Alice Leigh is a dark, claustrophobic academia thriller set in a remote boarding school, High Hill Manor—and wow, what a ride! Something in this book completely sucked me in from the start and kept my attention throughout.
The story explores the complicated relationships between students and teachers, the overstepping of boundaries, and the dark side of private schools, for example, how much easier it is to obtain illegal substances compared with mainstream schools.
I loved the "before-and-after" timelines, which fed us necessary details one by one while keeping the suspense and mystery alive.
Chloe is a fantastic main character; it was fascinating to witness her navigate a new environment where people seemed to hate her without reason, and the author did an amazing job of showing her growth from the past to the present. The twists were excellent, and the ending had my mouth hanging wide open!
I couldn't help but think of My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell while reading, as it highlights that long-lasting trauma is never black-and-white. It is complex, complicated, and dark—one of those books that makes you think long after you finish. It earns 5 thoughtful stars.
The story explores the complicated relationships between students and teachers, the overstepping of boundaries, and the dark side of private schools, for example, how much easier it is to obtain illegal substances compared with mainstream schools.
I loved the "before-and-after" timelines, which fed us necessary details one by one while keeping the suspense and mystery alive.
Chloe is a fantastic main character; it was fascinating to witness her navigate a new environment where people seemed to hate her without reason, and the author did an amazing job of showing her growth from the past to the present. The twists were excellent, and the ending had my mouth hanging wide open!
I couldn't help but think of My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell while reading, as it highlights that long-lasting trauma is never black-and-white. It is complex, complicated, and dark—one of those books that makes you think long after you finish. It earns 5 thoughtful stars.
March 3, 2026
In her final year, Chloe Carter arrives at High Hill Manor boarding school on a scholarship, desperate for a fresh start after her life spiralled out of control in London. 😬
But when Emily - a student disliked by many is found dead beneath the bell tower, a scandal tears through the school. Everyone becomes a suspect, including Chloe, who clashed with Emily from the very beginning. 😱
A music teacher, Mr Aides, is charged with Emily’s murder and sentenced to prison, the case seemingly closed. 🥺
Two decades later, Mr Aides is released and Chloe is there to greet him. As long-buried secrets begin to surface, the truth threatens to unravel everything. And this time, the cost is far greater than anyone could have imagined. 🫣
Packed with shocking twists, revenge, buried secrets, deception, and murder, this dark academia thriller is a must-read - brimming with tension, an irresistible slow burn, and beautifully layered drama. 🤯🤔
I absolutely devoured ‘What I Told My Friends’ and I’ve already preordered Alice’s second book, ‘Then She Lied’, out in July! I cannot wait! 😍
A massive thank you to Alice and Novel Tour for the gifted copy and for the opportunity to be part of this tour in exchange for my honest review. Truly grateful. ♥️
But when Emily - a student disliked by many is found dead beneath the bell tower, a scandal tears through the school. Everyone becomes a suspect, including Chloe, who clashed with Emily from the very beginning. 😱
A music teacher, Mr Aides, is charged with Emily’s murder and sentenced to prison, the case seemingly closed. 🥺
Two decades later, Mr Aides is released and Chloe is there to greet him. As long-buried secrets begin to surface, the truth threatens to unravel everything. And this time, the cost is far greater than anyone could have imagined. 🫣
Packed with shocking twists, revenge, buried secrets, deception, and murder, this dark academia thriller is a must-read - brimming with tension, an irresistible slow burn, and beautifully layered drama. 🤯🤔
I absolutely devoured ‘What I Told My Friends’ and I’ve already preordered Alice’s second book, ‘Then She Lied’, out in July! I cannot wait! 😍
A massive thank you to Alice and Novel Tour for the gifted copy and for the opportunity to be part of this tour in exchange for my honest review. Truly grateful. ♥️
October 25, 2025
@canelo_co and @netgalley thanks you for the e arc opportunity for an honest review.
Your not the only one with secrets, Chloe.
Professor Simon Aides to Chloe.
Buried secrets and past come up in your present and your life not turning the way you want. Don't you know, secrets and lies don't stay hidden for long. Not when the truth, wants justice.
This dark academia thriller, was just that it shocked me down to my core. I was completely blindsided and didn't know what to expect but the twist and turns of events was just so damn good.
All I can say to the ending was that I was gob smacked, with who the person done the murders.
And Chloe you suffered a lot, you had confusion all your life with your past and self identity and not knowing who you are but your love for music, or playing piano is and will always be in your DNA.
The guilt will always way away at you where ever you go
And professor Simon Aides, just complex. Very complex.
This is a dark moody vibe, a page turner, and murderously danger ⚡. Don't trust anyone. I loved it.
Releases February 26, 2026
Your not the only one with secrets, Chloe.
Professor Simon Aides to Chloe.
Buried secrets and past come up in your present and your life not turning the way you want. Don't you know, secrets and lies don't stay hidden for long. Not when the truth, wants justice.
This dark academia thriller, was just that it shocked me down to my core. I was completely blindsided and didn't know what to expect but the twist and turns of events was just so damn good.
All I can say to the ending was that I was gob smacked, with who the person done the murders.
And Chloe you suffered a lot, you had confusion all your life with your past and self identity and not knowing who you are but your love for music, or playing piano is and will always be in your DNA.
The guilt will always way away at you where ever you go
And professor Simon Aides, just complex. Very complex.
This is a dark moody vibe, a page turner, and murderously danger ⚡. Don't trust anyone. I loved it.
Releases February 26, 2026
October 31, 2025
Review of ‘What I Told My Friends’ by Alice Leigh, due to be published on 26 February 2026 by Canelo.
When Chloe gets a scholarship place at High Hill Manor she hopes for a fresh start and to leave the secrets of her last school behind her. Tragedy strikes when a few days after term begins, Head Girl Emily Ashbourne is found dead at the bottom of the bell tower, with everyone falling under suspicion. A Music Teacher is tried and found guilty of her murder, but the events of that day still haunt Chloe.
Two decades later, Chloe meets her former teacher Mr Aides on the day of his release, and secrets are bubbling to the surface, ready to be told.
The book is told in the ‘before’ which is set back in 2005 when the death occurred and ‘after’ set in 2025 when Mr Aides is released.
A dark, twisted academic thriller. Characters are well developed, written in a way that makes you think twice about what they know and what they stand to gain by pushing a narrative in a particular direction. The ending took me completely by surprise as it was not an angle that had occurred to me at all. A recommended thriller.
When Chloe gets a scholarship place at High Hill Manor she hopes for a fresh start and to leave the secrets of her last school behind her. Tragedy strikes when a few days after term begins, Head Girl Emily Ashbourne is found dead at the bottom of the bell tower, with everyone falling under suspicion. A Music Teacher is tried and found guilty of her murder, but the events of that day still haunt Chloe.
Two decades later, Chloe meets her former teacher Mr Aides on the day of his release, and secrets are bubbling to the surface, ready to be told.
The book is told in the ‘before’ which is set back in 2005 when the death occurred and ‘after’ set in 2025 when Mr Aides is released.
A dark, twisted academic thriller. Characters are well developed, written in a way that makes you think twice about what they know and what they stand to gain by pushing a narrative in a particular direction. The ending took me completely by surprise as it was not an angle that had occurred to me at all. A recommended thriller.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What I Told My Friends is dark academia with a gothic elite school setting. That's what drew my attention, but most of the characters grated on my nerves with inappropriate behavior, choices, and messes.
In 2005, Chloe, a musical genius, was taken by her parents to High Hill Manor. At sevventeen, she was excited to gain independence and freedom. But at what cost? Her first week was riddled with catty students, creepy staff, and a disconcerting teacher. And why did her window only open a crack? Later, murder comes knocking and her supposed connection served to ostracize her.
In the present day, Chloe met her old music teacher at the prison the day he was released for serving time for murder. They had a lot to discuss about that time frame and the intervening years. Secrets bubbled to the surface.
The setting and atmosphere are fantastic and the writing is gorgeous. However, I didn't click with any of the main characters and didn't like the direction a few situations went. As I wasn't rooting for anyone, I wasn't engaged at an emotional level. Sadly, this novel wasn't for me but it may work beautifully for other readers.
In 2005, Chloe, a musical genius, was taken by her parents to High Hill Manor. At sevventeen, she was excited to gain independence and freedom. But at what cost? Her first week was riddled with catty students, creepy staff, and a disconcerting teacher. And why did her window only open a crack? Later, murder comes knocking and her supposed connection served to ostracize her.
In the present day, Chloe met her old music teacher at the prison the day he was released for serving time for murder. They had a lot to discuss about that time frame and the intervening years. Secrets bubbled to the surface.
The setting and atmosphere are fantastic and the writing is gorgeous. However, I didn't click with any of the main characters and didn't like the direction a few situations went. As I wasn't rooting for anyone, I wasn't engaged at an emotional level. Sadly, this novel wasn't for me but it may work beautifully for other readers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
What I Told My Friends is a dark academia thriller based around deception, secrets, revenge & murder.
The story is dual timeline, alternating between the present which starts outside what we soon learn is a prison. Then the past, 20 years ago based in the prestigious boarding school High Hill Manor, it even boasts a fancy bell tower.
The premise is intriguing, it's creepy, atmospheric, multi layered & the school setting is a fantastic backdrop for such a dark thriller.
Chloe was a superb MC, it was engaging witnessing her navigate her new life in this brand new environment, thats so different from her life before.
Iris was also a brilliant character, although I felt she was a little suspicious from the start however I really liked her & Chloes budding relationship.
The author did a great job exploring the goings on at boarding schools, & exploring the relationships between students & teachers & how lines can be blurred & boundaries crossed.
A rather complex thriller that kept me thinking long after I closed the book, with an ending that shocked me completely.
Thank you to Novel Tours, Alice Leigh & Canelo for a copy of the book.
The story is dual timeline, alternating between the present which starts outside what we soon learn is a prison. Then the past, 20 years ago based in the prestigious boarding school High Hill Manor, it even boasts a fancy bell tower.
The premise is intriguing, it's creepy, atmospheric, multi layered & the school setting is a fantastic backdrop for such a dark thriller.
Chloe was a superb MC, it was engaging witnessing her navigate her new life in this brand new environment, thats so different from her life before.
Iris was also a brilliant character, although I felt she was a little suspicious from the start however I really liked her & Chloes budding relationship.
The author did a great job exploring the goings on at boarding schools, & exploring the relationships between students & teachers & how lines can be blurred & boundaries crossed.
A rather complex thriller that kept me thinking long after I closed the book, with an ending that shocked me completely.
Thank you to Novel Tours, Alice Leigh & Canelo for a copy of the book.
March 1, 2026
Ok ok, first when I heard about this all I saw was 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 and I thought yes that’s definitely a bit of me 😮💨 well it hit hard, I’m so gutted I’ve finished it to be honest lol.
It drew me in from the get go which begins in the present and then constantly flashes back to when Chloe was a new student at High Hill Manor. I love the back and forth of timelines it kept me on my edge wondering where it was going, thought I had cracked it to be honest and I only did a little bit!
Chloe for decades has held secrets and these have affected everyone involved but someone doesn’t want her to tell, a release from prison, an attack, murder ooo boy I was kept on my toes. There was also very strong hard hitting plots in the book so please read your trigger warnings. But Alice wrote so well about them I felt it was done properly. I won’t lie the ending had me gutted as I was praying a certain somebody would turn up but no :( so I’ll make my own assumptions on that 🤭 🥹
This is a very fast paced, quick page turning, engaging, heart racing book so if you’re looking for something to fly by and keep you entertained between the pages then trust me you will adore this!!
It drew me in from the get go which begins in the present and then constantly flashes back to when Chloe was a new student at High Hill Manor. I love the back and forth of timelines it kept me on my edge wondering where it was going, thought I had cracked it to be honest and I only did a little bit!
Chloe for decades has held secrets and these have affected everyone involved but someone doesn’t want her to tell, a release from prison, an attack, murder ooo boy I was kept on my toes. There was also very strong hard hitting plots in the book so please read your trigger warnings. But Alice wrote so well about them I felt it was done properly. I won’t lie the ending had me gutted as I was praying a certain somebody would turn up but no :( so I’ll make my own assumptions on that 🤭 🥹
This is a very fast paced, quick page turning, engaging, heart racing book so if you’re looking for something to fly by and keep you entertained between the pages then trust me you will adore this!!
June 4, 2026
Wow, these English schoolgirls! Chloe begins her final year of schooling at a private school, on a music scholarship. Her murky background, however, reveals an illicit encounter with a teacher at her old public school, where she is encouraged to leave. The new college, though, is just as seamy and riddled with questionable behaviour as her last one. The head prefect, a nasty girl named Emily, is found one day dead after falling from a bell tower. This is found to be murder. A youngish male teacher, Aides, is found guilty, spending the next twenty years in prison, for a crime he did not commit, but during which, we find later, he is paid a bit of money to keep quiet.
The novel is split into two timelines, the first and majority is during Chloe’s school time. The later time is when Aides is released, but brutal killings and assaults continue to take place. This novel has the usual twists and turns, some of which I found intriguing, some of which were fairly unbelievable. I counted seven deaths in all, five of them murders, the rest suicides or natural deaths. And of course, a denouement where our heroine is captured and has to escape. Whew! So, an okay novel, without being great.
The novel is split into two timelines, the first and majority is during Chloe’s school time. The later time is when Aides is released, but brutal killings and assaults continue to take place. This novel has the usual twists and turns, some of which I found intriguing, some of which were fairly unbelievable. I counted seven deaths in all, five of them murders, the rest suicides or natural deaths. And of course, a denouement where our heroine is captured and has to escape. Whew! So, an okay novel, without being great.
November 4, 2025
3.5
3.5 * What I Told My Friends by Alice Leigh is a fast paced novel following Chloe, who is working to uncover what really happened years ago at the boarding school she attended. While I didn’t mind the book, I did have a few minor critiques. Being told through dual timelines, you got Chloe’s current perspective as well as her time spent at the school as a teenager. Given that so much of the book was written from the past timeline, it felt a little YA, which made me wonder if it was indeed a YA novel I was reading. I do think the genre could be a little more clear going in so people know what they’re getting into. I also felt that the only character who felt very developed was Chloe. As the main character I would expect her to have the most character development , but I do feel that some of the supporting characters could have been developed I bit more. Overall the book was interesting, more of a slow reveal than an intense page turner, but it was a pretty good story. I would definitely consider reading more from this author.
Thank you NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy.
3.5 * What I Told My Friends by Alice Leigh is a fast paced novel following Chloe, who is working to uncover what really happened years ago at the boarding school she attended. While I didn’t mind the book, I did have a few minor critiques. Being told through dual timelines, you got Chloe’s current perspective as well as her time spent at the school as a teenager. Given that so much of the book was written from the past timeline, it felt a little YA, which made me wonder if it was indeed a YA novel I was reading. I do think the genre could be a little more clear going in so people know what they’re getting into. I also felt that the only character who felt very developed was Chloe. As the main character I would expect her to have the most character development , but I do feel that some of the supporting characters could have been developed I bit more. Overall the book was interesting, more of a slow reveal than an intense page turner, but it was a pretty good story. I would definitely consider reading more from this author.
Thank you NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy.
November 18, 2025
3.5/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
When Chloe transfers schools to the elite boarding school High Hill Manor, she's worried that not only will she not fit in as a scholarship kid, but that the reason she left her last school will follow her. She quickly impresses her new music teacher with her remarkable piano playing and makes friends with Iris, the headmasters daughter. Soon after starting, a fellow classmate is murdered, the groundskeeper goes missing, and her music teacher starts to pay a bit closer attention. This book has dual timelines also showing Chloe 20 years later, still dealing with the aftermath of her time at High Hill Manor.
I liked the way that Leigh switched back and forth between current day without making it feel jarring. The twists and turns kept me guessing as well, and the ending was perfect. This is a rare book where I didn't even particularly like the main character, but I still found it impossible to put down. I'm already debating rereading it.
TW: cutting, self harm, grooming, sa,
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
When Chloe transfers schools to the elite boarding school High Hill Manor, she's worried that not only will she not fit in as a scholarship kid, but that the reason she left her last school will follow her. She quickly impresses her new music teacher with her remarkable piano playing and makes friends with Iris, the headmasters daughter. Soon after starting, a fellow classmate is murdered, the groundskeeper goes missing, and her music teacher starts to pay a bit closer attention. This book has dual timelines also showing Chloe 20 years later, still dealing with the aftermath of her time at High Hill Manor.
I liked the way that Leigh switched back and forth between current day without making it feel jarring. The twists and turns kept me guessing as well, and the ending was perfect. This is a rare book where I didn't even particularly like the main character, but I still found it impossible to put down. I'm already debating rereading it.
TW: cutting, self harm, grooming, sa,
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