Read Between the Lies

by Jesse Q. Sutanto, Mindy Kaling (Introduction)

“Read Between the Lies is a dark, delicious takedown of cancel culture and the publishing industry—I read it in two sittings because I had to stop midway and go google my own name. Highly recommend.” —Mindy Kaling

In this claustrophobic psychological suspense from USA Today bestselling author Jesse Q. Sutanto, the line between victim and villain blurs with every chapter. Because in the end, everyone has their own version of the truth—but only one will make it onto the page.

Fern’s dream of becoming a published author is finally coming true. After years of rejection, her debut novel has sold, and she’s ready to join the supportive online community of fellow debuts. But when she discovers her high school bully, Haven, has landed a major book deal and will be debuting alongside her, old wounds reopen.

As the pandemic forces everyone online, tensions escalate in their writing community. While Haven seems to succeed effortlessly, Fern watches her own career crumble. Yet beneath their polished personas lies a darker truth about their shared past—one involving a lost friend, Dani, and secrets neither wants revealed.

Fern isn’t the same person Haven bullied all those years ago. She’s learned that the best revenge stories aren’t written—they’re lived. And she’s been plotting this one for years.

What begins as online rivalry escalates into dangerous obsession. Because neither woman is telling the whole truth about what really happened to Dani…or about who’s the real victim in this story.

Genres: Mystery Thriller, Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Books About Books, Ebooks, Adult

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 1, 2026

About the author

Jesse Q Sutanto grew up shuttling back and forth between Jakarta and Singapore and sees both cities as her homes. She has a Masters degree from Oxford University, though she has yet to figure out a way of saying that without sounding obnoxious. She is currently living back in Jakarta on the same street as her parents and about seven hundred meddlesome aunties. When she's not tearing out her hair over her latest WIP, she spends her time baking and playing FPS games. Oh, and also being a mom to her two kids.

Reviews

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm behind on reading books written by author Jesse Q. Sutanto. I've enjoyed those I read, mostly about interfering aunties and parents, so I expected to enjoy Read Between the Lies. But I was surprised as it's about authors and social media, and the extent to which someone will lie. What a tough subject to tackle, as while most authors don't usually write about their own experiences (minus a few hilarious real-life moments and memoirs), it's the kind of book that makes you wonder what really goes on behind the scenes in a famous person's life. Social media can destroy them in an instant, and it makes you think more deeply, is it all worth it? Love the characters in this book... I could relate with the inner monologues and feelings, tho I haven't had a bully in my life. I enjoyed the drama, which was on the light side, more about build-up and the reality of whether someone is truly doing things to hurt you or you're just imagining it. Great read~

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC for review. To be published February 3, 2026.

2 stars

I’m a sucker for author/writing stories and that’s why I wanted to read this one. But, alas, it was disappointing. Fern, our main character was so ridiculously child-like and naive it was frustrating to read about her. The book was definitely written for adults, since it’s about publishing, but some of the tone was YA in nature.

Fern is finally getting a book published. She is thrilled to be a first-time author and writing serves as a great antidote to her dead-end job as assistant for a pre-wedding photographer (it’s New York. I guess this is a thing.).

Fern eagerly seeks an invitation to a social media group for authors who will debut their works during the same season as Fern. Note that there does not seem to be one male in the entire group. Fern is then devastated to learn that her junior high/high school bully, Haven, has received an enormous publishing deal and is also in the debut group. Much pettiness ensues.

Oh, and there’s a completely unnecessary secret. There was some interesting stuff about the way books are published and I wish there had been even more of that. For the rest, ugh.

[Laura Lovesreading]

"In a world where you can be anything, be kind, it's a beautiful thing."

Read Between The Lies is following Fern whose dreams of becoming a published author finally happens. But her happiness comes to a halt when she her high school bully, Haven, has landed a major book deal and will be debuting alongside her. We are about to read that some old wounds never truly heal, and bleed again at the slightest word

Grrr why did this take so long to get good. For me the 60% mark is when the book really takes off and gets so juicy and is uber drama filled. The book started off slow and there was A LOT of talk about the publishing world, but it read more ‘speechy’ than ‘storytelling’. I wasn’t bored but I did find myself zoning in and out at times.

When the real unhinged-ness of it all finally unraveled my jaw was on the floor eating it all up!

Following Fern as a narrator was annoying to say the least. She was so whiny and had something so unlikeable about her. This feeling did not let off, and I finished the book still feeling irked by her.

The book heavily highlights the consequences of bullying which I appreciated, and how it can affect some in later years.

The book needs more pizazz in the beginning and less cringey juvenile behaviour from so called adults.
I commend the narrator for also doing a brilliant job.

I will definitely continue reading this authors work as she writes about unhinged women so well.






--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
pre read
When I am craving unhinged women
This author is always a go to
So excited to read the madness
🤍❤️🤍❤️

Thank you to Netgalley and Brilliance Publishing for approving the audiobook arc of this book. All views and opinions are entirely of my own.

[Kurryreads (Kerry) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Full of suspense, paranoia, unhinged FMC.. had a very good time with this one

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTreapFPC/

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about authors.. sign me up!

This was a much darker and intense read than previous books by this author, so don’t go into it expecting the humour from the Aunties books. Don’t get me wrong, there some lighter moments but overall this is heavy read. Set mostly during COVID lockdown in 2020, it was at times very uncomfortable to read.

Fern was so frustrating!! I wanted to like her but she made so many bad decisions. Still nobody deserves to be treated the way that she was by Haven, her high school bully. What awful people, fuelled by jealousy and hatred.

I loved the behind the scenes look at debut writers, with their facebook page and community, comparing manuscripts and feelings about becoming published for the first time. As an avid reader this was what I was there for. I didn’t expect the emotional response.

Thanks to Mindy’s Book Studio for my early copy of this book to read. An eye opener. Published on February 1st.

[Angie Miale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Woof- I have complicated feelings about this book.

First- Jesse Q Sutanto is one of my absolute favorite authors- see my 5 star review of the Vera Wong books, 5 star review of Next Time Will Be Our Turn and the Mulan re-telling Worth Fighting For.

Second- this book literally says "Goodreads is full of trolls," yikes, as a "top goodreads reviewer" I am hurt. But I won't take it personally. It is hard to be an ARC reviewer- part of you wants to give every book 5 stars because you know as an early reviewer your review (even if it is softly critical) has the potential to really swing a title. On the other hand if you are too positive your reviews become meaningless so you need to maintain an objective viewpoint. I've been challenged for being both "too mean" and "too nice" so this kind of goes along with the territory.

Third- This is a classic "cat fight" girl vs girl "mean girl" story and I find those to be unfortunate and somewhat misogynistic. I personally don't love this trope because I think it perpetuates stereotypes. Stories like this make me want to not be close to another woman, ever.

Lastly- I think this will be very successful, just because I am a sensitive baby does not mean others won't love it. I could not put it down although I was reading while covering my eyes. It's a great - BUT DARK - story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Mindy's Books Studio for the ARC. Book to be published 2/3/26

[Melody McNamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Amazon First Reads for January 2026. The book addresses the complicated issues of obsession, the long-term traumatic effects of bullying, and the positive and negative aspects of social media. Fern has tried to work through her issues but backslides when the past comes back to haunt her. Dealing with self-hatred, she is constantly trying to convince herself that she's a good person. But when confronted by her childhood nemesis, she makes some really bad decisions that have unforeseen tragic consequences. I have mixed feelings about Fern, whose character is relatable, yet frustrating. I enjoyed the behind-the-scenes look at the world of publishing and becoming a debut author but didn't enjoy that a good part of the story took place during the pandemic (not my favorite topic). I found the ending to be satisfying but still unsettling, because although the past can be addressed and somewhat managed, it can never be changed.

[Gie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.1/5

I adore Jesse Q. Sutanto. Her books are always effortless to read, with references that are always funny and relatable to me. This book is a bit different compared to "Dial A for Aunties" and "Vera Wong," because it's a lot darker, but I enjoyed it more than I expected.

If you’ve ever been a bully or experienced bullying, this book might stir up some of your worst memories. It vividly captures the toxic dynamics of trio friendships, where one person is perpetually left out, and the sting of jealousy and gossip in social groups. While the story opens with a character’s death, that’s surprisingly the least gripping part. Instead, it’s the social interactions filled with insecurity and anxiety that will make you sweat. I felt uncomfortable yet couldn’t stop turning the pages.

The book hooks me with a strong prologue, pulling me into the story immediately. Our main character, Fern, is a doormat, an underdog whose high school bully, Haven, is the Regina George, the queen bee of this story. I was addicted to the book immediately.

Fern’s complex feelings toward Haven, both equal parts hatred and obsession, are pathetic yet painfully relatable. Watching your high school bully outshine you in every aspect of life stirs jealousy and the bitter thought that they don’t deserve their success. The interactions between Fern and Haven are intentionally unsettling. Imagine being an overly eager people-pleaser forced to act friendly with a former bully you both loathe and admire. It’s excruciating, and Sutanto nails it.

The social tension and plot feel so real that they’re almost unbearable. Fern is deeply flawed and unlikable, but Haven is downright scary. At times, I questioned whether Fern was paranoid or an unreliable narrator, as Haven seems charming to everyone else. There were moments when I wondered if Fern was imagining the whole conflict.

The story intensifies when the pandemic hits, trapping Fern and other writers in a confined space. With their online writing group as their only social outlet, Fern and Haven are stuck together. Haven is the adult Regina George, charismatic, beautiful, popular, and successful. This makes her a terrifying villain, as real-life bullies often share these traits, making them hard to confront.

Fern, on the other hand, is insufferable and constantly playing the victim, craving external validation, and bending over backward to please others. Yet, as the book aptly puts it, “You can love her or hate her, but you can’t stop relating to her.”

This fast-paced, popcorn thriller is scary because people like Fern and Haven exist in our own social circles. I was both uncomfortable and entertained by this chilling yet fun read. That said, some parts felt repetitive and could have been trimmed for a tighter narrative. The ending, both realistic and dramatic, brilliantly captures how publicity can upend someone’s life.

I recommend this book to readers who loved Yellowface by R.F. Kuang and are craving a similar binge-worthy experience. Sutanto has crafted a main character who is insufferable yet undeniably relatable.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mindy’s Book Studio for providing the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Julie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received a kindle copy of this book as part of Amazon's First Reads. I'm struggling with whether to rate the book or not. I read it but I had a visceral negative reaction to the main character and I think we are to like her, root for her, feel sorry for her. But even though her story is she was bullied in high school and she keeps tabs on her key nemesis, competing with her, I think she needs to take ownership of her own behaviors. And she needs to really assess her home life and the lack of love, care and attention she received from her parents. Instead, she 100% faults the high school nemesis.

So, I struggled to read the book when it turns out that being an author is what both the main character and nemesis are doing, during COVID, and our main character does some OTT actions to hurt the nemesis and her family.

I really disliked the ending too.

So, perhaps this book was just not for me? I'm not the right audience? That's why I'm struggling because if I rate it, it will be very low but not based on writing skills per se. She is a good writer. This story just was not at all a fit for me.

[Mathilde Banville-Chénier · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story follows Fern, an insufferable author. She lives mainly online and struggles, even ten years later, with memories of middle and high school bullying. The book starts as Fern gets an offer for her debut novel and joins a authors’ online forum. However, her high school bully also becomes a author and joins the same group. From there starts an obsession and a competition between the two women.

I have to say that this book was very addicting. I always wanted to know what would happen next and I was making guesses about what it would be. However, the main character and the ending were not satisfying. As I said before, I could not stand Fern, she had a pick me attitude that was very irritating and the ending fell flat for me. Everything seemed to perfect for my liking.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book.

[Mandy K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read Between the Lies 4⭐️

This was a psychological spiral! Fern has struggled since middle school when new girl Haven enters her life. Even now, about a decade since graduation, when Fern is finally making her dreams come true and feeling confident, Haven returns and steals the spotlight.

Fern made me cringe as I read, but she also had a relatability to her. Don’t we all have moments where our emotions overtake logic and we give in to inner tantrums? Seeing everything from only Fern’s POV had me feeling anxious right along side her. I wanted to know Haven’s perspective so badly. I was honestly unsure if I should actually dislike Haven. The writing evoked such a roller coaster of emotions. I always felt on the edge of my seat waiting for the next thing to go wrong for Fern. Like her character, I felt like the universe was against her (but at the same time feeling frustrated that she spent so much time in her “woe-is-me” bubble and being her own biggest barrier).

Other notes: this takes place in 2020/COVID time. I know it’s not everyone’s favorite theme, but I felt it was well done. It was realistic and necessary for the story timeline.

I just recently read the author’s book “I’m Not Done With You Yet” and was a bit distracted at the beginning because it seemed to have similar parallels (obsession, time passing and being reunited through the writer sphere, dual timelines, the “perfect” character and the spiraling character…), but with time I was able to better separate the two books and the characters and ended up enjoying this one more.

Pub Date Feb 01 2026

Thank you to NetGalley and Mindy's Book Studio for this ARC. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was completely enamored with this book. Fern is a mess but man is she relatable. She is holding onto trauma from her childhood bully and when their paths cross as soon to be published authors the claws come back out. Cancel culture, toxic female relationships, and the downside of social media be prepared to pick this one up and not be able to put it down.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow. I went back and forth between 2 stars and 3 stars for this book. I finally settled for 3 stars because I am sitting her, digesting this book after having read the end a bit ago. It does get points for a book that will stick with me for both good and not so good reasons.

Thank you to Prime First reads for an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
I was so excited to see Jesse Q Sutanto having another book out as Next Time Will be our turn was one of my Favorite reads of 2025. Like this book, Next time was a book that also really stuck with me but for better reasons.

Read between the Lies Centers around the story of Fern, who was badly bullied in High School by Haven, who ended up who bullied and gaslit Fern through Junior High and High School. When their mutual friend, Dani ends up dead as a result of an accident; Haven gaslights Fern into believing it was her fault.
Their paths now cross again when Fern and Have both have books that are soon to be published on the heels of the COVID outbreak. Their paths cross in a writers forum and the past feelings Fern has rush to the surface. Also some Random things start happening to Fern and she wonders if Haven is to blame for these.

I am no stranger to being a victim of Bullying and I had no issue with the dark tone of this book. I feel Ferns healing journey wasn't documented well enough in this book or the steps she had/was taking to move on with her life. This made her character difficult to like or have empathy for. I did pout through the book hoping it would get better but it did not. I feel this book would have been better if it had been a Dual POV book or more time was spent on what Fern went through in High School. Another thing that might have helped the book would have been scenes of Fern at the Therapists office.

I do like how Bullying and Internet Culture were shown on here but the lack of empathy for the main character as well as the lack of both POV's/Character growth caused me to give this book 2 stars. There was potential in this book but I feel it was missed. With that said I will continue to read this authors books but this one was not for me.

[Rachel Stephens · Rating 2 out of 5]

My prime first read for January 2026 and what a disappointment.
The story is told from the perspective of Fern, an aspiring author, as she goes through the process of publishing her debut novel. Fern is a deeply unlikeable character, she comes across as petty and is obsessed about her high school bully despite having graduated a decade earlier. For most of the book you find yourself questioning her age as it reads like teenage angst rather than actual adult emotions.

Fern has no real life friends or relationships so all of the dialogue takes place online as emails and slack messages. This often breaks the flow of the story and doesn't make for a satisfying read.

I found myself constantly wanting to tell Fern to grow up and get on with her own life whilst also wanting to hear Haven's story as it is increasingly obvious that Fern is an unreliable narrator. The book would have greatly benefitted from including hearing her take on events, if nothing else than to give the reader a break from having to listen to Fern.

[Kelly Osborne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Woof okay lol. I’m genuinely confused by this novel: the protagonist was so unlikable as to be verging on parody— was this on purpose?? Are we, as the reader, meant to harbor anything but contempt for this person? Are we meant to champion her for her unhinged behavior simply because she was “writing her truth”? Are we meant to believe that she is all of a sudden a “one in a million voice” after the entire narrative leading up to the end hinges on the notion that she is, at best, a mid writer?

The number of times the word “whiny” was used to describe the protagonist’s tone (in a first person POV Novel nonetheless lol!!!) was quite something. I think this novel could have benefitted from a dual-POV perspective.

I did appreciate the sections about the publishing industry, but if you want to read a novel about the complexities of the publishing industry I would just recommend you go read Yellowface instead.

[Randi A · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m unsure how this book is being marketed as adult because it reads completely like YA, and not even good YA. Fern is simply unredeemable as a character and needs serious therapy. Instead of the flashbacks (why do I care what happened at age 12), I would’ve appreciated dual POV with Haven as I think that would’ve amped up the suspense around unreliable narration. Instead, we are left in Fern’s painfully awkward and childish head. The last 1/4 had some promise, but it did feel a bit like a Yellowface ripoff. I’ve enjoyed this author in other books but this was a big miss for me.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Katie White · Rating 2 out of 5]

I LOVED this author’s previous release and was hoping to love this one but it fell a little flat for me. Yeah, Haven was a mean girl, but Fern was literally living in high school — come on, you’re thirty and messaging adult women with families about how she was mean to you in high school? Don’t get me wrong, I know that stuff sticks with you, but it just felt like endless buildup about how mean Haven was for about half the book, then boom it’s a pandemic (which plays not a huge role but oddly is focused on a lot), then we finally get some interaction between haven and fern…. And then fern does the most crazy sh*t on earth and then is shocked when there are repercussions…. And then of course she wins at the end despite her lowkey becoming a bully in the process??? Idk. Not for me. And again, I’ve historically loved this author!

[Jaclyn Jurgelewicz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Where to even start with this one.

I hated everything and every minute about this book.
The only suspenseful thing was the incident with Dani & the police that was chapter 1 or 2.

This book was written extremely childish and was flat out boring. There was no plot, I was extremely confused the entire book. At one point is became painful to read due to how bad it was but I kept reading just to finish it.

For as old as Fern was, you would think that she would have been more healed or worked harder in therapy to overcome what happened to her in her youth. Yes, we have all been bullied by the "mean" girl or boy at school, it's what you do to overcome that trauma and how you fix yourself. The nitpicking of what Haven did vs. what Fern did was getting so annoying. Not to mention Fern all of a sudden became the "hero" & got a new book deal because she was the "victim".

I think it needed to be more realistic vs. fiction. I understand this was a fiction book, but it just was not great. I'm questioning reading another book from this author even though her RomComs come highly recommended.

[Mandy Cappelletti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC of “Read Between the Lies” by Jesse Q. Sutanto. This book is standalone and doesn’t follow the normal tone of Sutanto’s typical stories. Personally, this is my first Sutanto book, and I would have never known she is famous for writing about quirky characters trying their hands at solving mysteries. This was a brilliantly written suspenseful fiction work that highlights the emotional short- and long-term effects of bullying and the impact it has on the bully and the victim.
Fern, living her life as an independent adult in New York City, finally got the opportunity of a lifetime; her book is being published! During this exciting time, the Covid pandemic is shutting down the world and everyone is forced to live their lives primarily online. While scrolling through her debut author Facebook group, who does she see but none other than her childhood bully, Haven. What unfolds tells the story of the trauma that Haven caused Fern as well as the rebuttal from Fern and the backlash of the stories becoming exposed in an online world.
This book hooked me from the first couple pages, but I do have to admit, I had no idea where the story was going. Fern was the type of character that you loved to hate or hated to love. She tells the story of her childhood bully and all of the pain that she caused her and decides to spread the story online in what seems to be a chance to sabotage Haven, the bully. As the story builds, the turning point of the book happens probably ¾ through it and there was a very large lightbulb moment where I finally figured out the whole premise behind the story. Is the victim really the victim? Is she just as much to blame as the bully? Where would their lives be today if they had just tried to be friends? I found myself being on Fern’s side, but then also wanting her to just “get over it” and move on she shares more of her past.
I think this was a great book to expose bullying and how it can stick with someone long after it stops. As someone who has been bullied, I do see why Fern reacted the way she did, and I think it’s an important topic to talk about. Cyber bullying is a very real issue in the world today and needs to be shared. Trolls exist everywhere and this book shows how cruel people can be to each other. I would give this book a solid 4.25/5. I found that it took a bit too long to get to the main point of the story, but it also was compelling and insightful and caused a lot of self-reflection. Is your pain pure, or are you also part of the problem?

[Matthew Dafoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesse Q Sutanto’s “Read Between The Lies” serves up a deliciously devious and twisted plot that I devoured. Unhinged beyond belief in the best ways - a trainwreck you cannot look away from.

I couldn’t put this one down, thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the early copy!

[jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

first half was better
review to come soon

CW:
COVID
Suicide
Online bullying

[Abbey Lester · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️ // This book started out super slow but also kept my attention at the same time?! I feel like I was wanting more to happen!

[Nilmarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting

This was an interesting read. At first, I wasnt sure if i would sympathize with the main character but I ended up enjoining this read more than I originally thought

[Danielle B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come soon.

[Lauren Fay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was tough for me. I always want to relate to the main character but Fern was so whiny and didn't take responsibility for her actions. I honestly debated on giving up this book and then a twist happened and I just had to see where the story went! I enjoy Jesse's writing and realness in her description of peak COVID. At the end I didn't want to root for either Haven or Fern. The ending definitely wrapped it up nicely for me! Thank you Netgalley for an ARC.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw the name Jesse Q. Sutanto and I didn’t even read the description before I hit “request” and dove headfirst into the book. I’ve read most of her others and enjoyed them. This was a bit of a departure: it wasn’t a thriller and it wasn’t about kooky aunties or a wannabe detective, but it was an exploration of bullying and trauma and its last effects. I finished this one in less than a day, which is saying something as I think I have about 5 books started at 10%ish each and can’t get into them enough to finish them.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Mindy‘s book studio for the copy of Read Between the Lies by Jesse Q. Sutanto. Such an engrossing read, l couldn’t put it down. I loved the insider view of the publishing business and the pitfalls of debut author groups! Fern was an interesting character, and trying to guess who was the villain and who was the victim kept me on my toes the whole time. Do not miss this book! I wish I could give it more than five stars!

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary:
Fern has finally landed her debut book deal — dreaming of fame, support, and success in the writing world. But when her high school bully, Haven, also debuts at the same time, old wounds open wide. What began as rivalry turns intense online drama as the pandemic forces everyone into digital spaces. Behind both women’s polished public personas lies a shared past involving a missing friend, Dani, and secrets neither wants revealed. As Fern’s frustrations grow, she starts to question: Who’s telling the truth? Who’s playing the victim? And who isn’t what they seem?

Review:
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Read Between the Lies by Jesse Q. Sutanto reminded me a little of Yellowface by R.F. Kuang, not because of the plot (they’re very different) but because both books had moments that made me uneasy, and both explored the world of publishing. While Yellowface tackled themes of cultural appropriation and the messy, competitive side of the publishing industry, Read Between the Lies felt more like an adult Mean Girls with a dark twist.

At its heart, this is a story about bullying and its long-lasting impact. Fern, our main character, has lived under the shadow of Haven’s bullying for years. Reading about her experiences hit close to home for me. I was bullied in high school, and this book brought back the fear, shame, and self-doubt—but also the strength that comes later, when you realize you can heal. Sutanto captured that painful truth: our past doesn’t just disappear. It seeps into the present and sometimes threatens to consume it. For Fern, that weight made her feel a bit insufferable at times, but also very real.

The publishing angle was another layer I appreciated. It gave a behind-the-scenes look at the industry, from the politics of getting published to how cancel culture can affect both authors and readers. It added depth to what could have just been a straightforward rivalry story.

The writing itself was bingeable and easy to follow. Even when Fern frustrated me, I still found myself reaching for the book, eager to see what happened next.

A quick word of caution: a large chunk of story takes place in 2020, so there are references to the COVID-19 pandemic. It also deals heavily with bullying, which might be triggering for some. That said, I think it’s an important book. Bullying is still so common and devastating, and stories like this shine a necessary light on its impact.

If you’re into books about rivalry, cancel culture, and (a bit of) psychological suspense, this one is definitely worth picking up.

Expected Publication Date:
February 3, 2026

[Abigail E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Mindy’s Book Studio for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Jesse Q. Sutanto won me over with the aunties and Vera Wong, so despite the darker undertone of this novel I was excited to see what she came up with!

The year is 2018 and Fern is an aspiring author whose debut novel gets picked up, and she is eager to go all-in on getting published and joining a debut author group online. To her horror, her childhood/high school bully Haven turns out to have writing aspirations too, and when her debut is also picked up, Fern finds herself facing Haven again. We then navigate the debut process (via Slack channels, which is fun!) and explore the still-existing tension between Fern and Haven, plus the pandemic, cancel culture, AND flashbacks to the aforementioned bullying 😮‍💨

As you can see, there is a LOT going on and I think this could have stood to be a tiiiiiiiny bit longer especially as we have complex characters on our hands. I love when you can’t reeeeeally tell whether you’re supposed to like a character or not, and I am still not sure about Fern. Or Haven for that matter, though she seems slightly more evil (would love her POV to corroborate).

I wasn’t the biggest fan of the flashbacks to the bullying days because they felt kind of random instead of intentional and I think would have benefited from TRUE alternating timelines or just telling us what happened. The suspense-building also felt a lil unnecessary but I know this was going for ~mystery~ so I’ll allow it.

I can’t say I super loved how this ended (not that it ruined it, but I would have liked it to have gone a different direction) so I’ll be interested to see how it goes over with the rest of the readers!

I enjoyed this one and I think others will too, but make sure you don’t go in expecting Vera and her pals 😌

[Katia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

“Under the thickest blankets of kindness, there can be a hidden sting.”

4.5 🌟

Wow. I read this in one sitting—and I’m still reeling.

This story is dark, raw, and deeply unsettling in the most honest way. It doesn’t shy away from the heavy, painful realities it explores: suicide, murder, trauma, and, most powerfully, bullying. The kind of bullying that seeps into your bones. The kind that gaslights, erodes, and leaves invisible scars that are just as devastating as the visible ones.

Fern’s journey broke my heart. I felt every ounce of her emotional and mental wounds, shaped by constant cruelty and manipulation. Her pain felt real—achingly so. I was fully emotionally invested, to the point where I found myself tearing up when her team spoke to her with the care and understanding she so desperately needed. Those moments hit hard.

By the end, I was emotionally devastated and completely drained—but also grateful. Grateful for a story told with such raw sincerity. For a voice that didn’t try to sanitize the messiness of humanity. As the author so perfectly states in the acknowledgments: “It is messy and complex, and sometimes even the ‘good guys’ do bad things.”

This book doesn’t offer easy answers or neat resolutions—but that’s exactly why it lingers. It’s painful, honest, and unforgettable.

Thank you Amazon first reads for providing me with this ARC.