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I Didn't Do It
Not yet published
Expected 21 Jul 26I Killed Zoe Spanos meets The Counselors in this YA thriller about the daughter of a killer who must prove her innocence after a night of fun turns deadly.
Dina Soto is used to laying low. Ever since her father confessed to murdering two of his students, Dina's mom has kept the family on a short leash to avoid drawing any more attention. But when cute, popular, and incredibly sweet Kai Thompson invites Dina to spend the weekend with him and his friends at his cabin, Dina thinks maybe being noticed wouldn't be so bad.
But once at the cabin, Dina realizes one night won't change her reputation as the daughter of a killer-especially not when people start turning up dead. Told in part through police evidence, the truth of what happened that night unravels alongside long-held secrets. But one thing remains true: Dina is adamant she didn't do it. Now, she just has to prove it.
Dina Soto is used to laying low. Ever since her father confessed to murdering two of his students, Dina's mom has kept the family on a short leash to avoid drawing any more attention. But when cute, popular, and incredibly sweet Kai Thompson invites Dina to spend the weekend with him and his friends at his cabin, Dina thinks maybe being noticed wouldn't be so bad.
But once at the cabin, Dina realizes one night won't change her reputation as the daughter of a killer-especially not when people start turning up dead. Told in part through police evidence, the truth of what happened that night unravels alongside long-held secrets. But one thing remains true: Dina is adamant she didn't do it. Now, she just has to prove it.
240 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication July 21, 2026
1 person is currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Elle Gonzalez Rose
5 books104 followersElle Gonzalez Rose is a producer and author from New York who’s better at writing love stories about short, queer Boricuas than she is at writing bios. Her dog thinks she’s okay. Caught in a Bad Fauxmance is her debut novel—Elle’s, not the dog’s.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 9, 2025
ARC for review. To be published July 21, 2026.
3 stars
Dina Soto is the daughter of a convicted murderer. Her father, the soccer coach at her high school, killed two boys who bullied Dina’s brother until he killed himself. Now Dina is a pariah at school, her mother is struggling to pay the bills and her dad is locked up for life.
But things are looking up. Kai Thompson, a new kid who is already popular acts interested in her. He invites her to his family’s cabin for the weekend and she so wants to have something normal so she sneaks out of her home to go. Kai’s sister, her friend and the friend’s boyfriend are there too. They are cold to Dina, but that’s OK. Til the murderin’ starts.
So, I didn’t know who the killer was in this YA book, and that was good. The book was fine (although there is the fact that the prosecutor doesn’t usually work hand in hand with the accused, but whatever.). I think YAs who like these murders books will like this one and there’s some good representation here.
3 stars
Dina Soto is the daughter of a convicted murderer. Her father, the soccer coach at her high school, killed two boys who bullied Dina’s brother until he killed himself. Now Dina is a pariah at school, her mother is struggling to pay the bills and her dad is locked up for life.
But things are looking up. Kai Thompson, a new kid who is already popular acts interested in her. He invites her to his family’s cabin for the weekend and she so wants to have something normal so she sneaks out of her home to go. Kai’s sister, her friend and the friend’s boyfriend are there too. They are cold to Dina, but that’s OK. Til the murderin’ starts.
So, I didn’t know who the killer was in this YA book, and that was good. The book was fine (although there is the fact that the prosecutor doesn’t usually work hand in hand with the accused, but whatever.). I think YAs who like these murders books will like this one and there’s some good representation here.
October 14, 2025
It's mostly about Ross Perot and the last two chapters are excerpts from the Oliver North trial.
*In all seriousness though, another banger from Elle, in a totally different genre — much closer to horror than thriller imo and the stronger for it!
*In all seriousness though, another banger from Elle, in a totally different genre — much closer to horror than thriller imo and the stronger for it!
February 12, 2026
I thought this was an interesting plot and I loved the mixed media. It was so wild to figure out what was actually going on at the end, and that twist was enough that I do recommend this book if you’re a fan of YA thrillers. I think it’s a good addition to the genre. This will be out in July of 2026.
November 22, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury YA for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Elle Gonzalez Rose’s “I Didn’t Do It” is a sharp, fast-paced YA thriller that combines mystery and social commentary into a story about identity and the haunting weight of family secrets.
The story follows Dina Soto, a girl living under the shadow of her father’s horrifying past as it has been revealed recently that her father, a beloved figure in town, confessed to murdering two of his students. Since then, Dina’s life has been one long exercise in invisibility, carefully managed by her extremely controlling mother to avoid more scrutiny. But when Kai Thompson, a popular and kind classmate, invites her to spend a weekend at his cabin with a group of friends, Dina dares to hope that maybe she can have a normal teenage experience or at least one night when she isn’t “the murderer’s daughter.”
Of course, things go terribly wrong. When people start turning up dead, Dina finds herself trapped in a deadly situation that mirrors her father’s crimes far too closely. The story cleverly alternates between Dina’s perspective and snippets of police evidence, such as reports, text messages, and other documents, that slowly piece together the truth about what happened that night. This technique gives the story a gritty, investigative tone while keeping you guessing about who to trust.
At just over 300 pages, the book moves quickly and can easily be devoured in one sitting. The first half leans heavily on character development and the slow burn of Dina’s growing relationship with Kai who is trans, adding meaningful LGBTQ representation to the cast while the last quarter shifts gears into full-blown chaos. The tension spikes, the body count rises, and the emotional intensity hits its peak as long-buried secrets come to light. A major twist ties everything together, and while some may see it coming (I guessed the major twist pretty early on), it still lands with impact thanks to its emotional resonance and moral complexity.
Gonzalez Rose doesn’t just write a slasher; she writes about control with who has it, who’s denied it, and what happens when it’s taken away. Dina’s arc from guilt-ridden outcast to someone reclaiming her agency is at the core of the story. The ending, while somewhat open-ended, leaves Dina with a fragile but powerful sense of hope and self-determination.
I did want more of a focus on the horror elements rather than the romance, as much of the first half prioritizes Dina’s relationships and internal struggles over outright suspense. Still, when the violence erupts, it’s visceral, shocking, and well executed, which is true to the slasher genre while maintaining a strong emotional throughline.
Overall, “I Didn’t Do It” is a short but intense read; it’s a YA thriller that’s as much about trauma, identity, and reclaiming your story as it is about survival. With its mix of clean romance, mystery, and horror, it offers a satisfying blend of heart and chills, perfect for more experienced thriller readers as well as younger YA readers.
Elle Gonzalez Rose’s “I Didn’t Do It” is a sharp, fast-paced YA thriller that combines mystery and social commentary into a story about identity and the haunting weight of family secrets.
The story follows Dina Soto, a girl living under the shadow of her father’s horrifying past as it has been revealed recently that her father, a beloved figure in town, confessed to murdering two of his students. Since then, Dina’s life has been one long exercise in invisibility, carefully managed by her extremely controlling mother to avoid more scrutiny. But when Kai Thompson, a popular and kind classmate, invites her to spend a weekend at his cabin with a group of friends, Dina dares to hope that maybe she can have a normal teenage experience or at least one night when she isn’t “the murderer’s daughter.”
Of course, things go terribly wrong. When people start turning up dead, Dina finds herself trapped in a deadly situation that mirrors her father’s crimes far too closely. The story cleverly alternates between Dina’s perspective and snippets of police evidence, such as reports, text messages, and other documents, that slowly piece together the truth about what happened that night. This technique gives the story a gritty, investigative tone while keeping you guessing about who to trust.
At just over 300 pages, the book moves quickly and can easily be devoured in one sitting. The first half leans heavily on character development and the slow burn of Dina’s growing relationship with Kai who is trans, adding meaningful LGBTQ representation to the cast while the last quarter shifts gears into full-blown chaos. The tension spikes, the body count rises, and the emotional intensity hits its peak as long-buried secrets come to light. A major twist ties everything together, and while some may see it coming (I guessed the major twist pretty early on), it still lands with impact thanks to its emotional resonance and moral complexity.
Gonzalez Rose doesn’t just write a slasher; she writes about control with who has it, who’s denied it, and what happens when it’s taken away. Dina’s arc from guilt-ridden outcast to someone reclaiming her agency is at the core of the story. The ending, while somewhat open-ended, leaves Dina with a fragile but powerful sense of hope and self-determination.
I did want more of a focus on the horror elements rather than the romance, as much of the first half prioritizes Dina’s relationships and internal struggles over outright suspense. Still, when the violence erupts, it’s visceral, shocking, and well executed, which is true to the slasher genre while maintaining a strong emotional throughline.
Overall, “I Didn’t Do It” is a short but intense read; it’s a YA thriller that’s as much about trauma, identity, and reclaiming your story as it is about survival. With its mix of clean romance, mystery, and horror, it offers a satisfying blend of heart and chills, perfect for more experienced thriller readers as well as younger YA readers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4/5 stars
Very fast-paced, engaging short-read! This thriller definitely did a good job of not being predictable, and I loved the way the main character was written. Dina's father is a murderer, and that's all people know about her, which makes it hard to make friends. When she's invited to a group weekend trip to a cabin by Kai, the guy she really likes, she thinks everything might be fine until people start dying. I think Dina's character is very well-written in the way that she is scared and awkward when it comes to interacting with other people, since she kept her head down for so long.
The mixed in parts of the police evidence made the story more compelling, but I do wish there were more of it? Maybe that's just me, but I wish there was more evidence that could have been talked about, but since the story was so short, it made sense here anyway. I do feel like the book could have been longer; the plot definitely allowed for it, and I think that would have also helped make the ending make more sense. I feel like the way the ending went was nice since I haven't read many thrillers that took that direction, but also, if you're going to go that way, then there needs to be more information on what happens after. Maybe an epilogue of some sort? That being said, this book overall was really nice and had an unexpected twist than what I originally thought, but could have been developed in more depth. Thank you, Netgalley and Bloomsbury USA Children's Books, for sending me this ARC!
Very fast-paced, engaging short-read! This thriller definitely did a good job of not being predictable, and I loved the way the main character was written. Dina's father is a murderer, and that's all people know about her, which makes it hard to make friends. When she's invited to a group weekend trip to a cabin by Kai, the guy she really likes, she thinks everything might be fine until people start dying. I think Dina's character is very well-written in the way that she is scared and awkward when it comes to interacting with other people, since she kept her head down for so long.
The mixed in parts of the police evidence made the story more compelling, but I do wish there were more of it? Maybe that's just me, but I wish there was more evidence that could have been talked about, but since the story was so short, it made sense here anyway. I do feel like the book could have been longer; the plot definitely allowed for it, and I think that would have also helped make the ending make more sense. I feel like the way the ending went was nice since I haven't read many thrillers that took that direction, but also, if you're going to go that way, then there needs to be more information on what happens after. Maybe an epilogue of some sort? That being said, this book overall was really nice and had an unexpected twist than what I originally thought, but could have been developed in more depth. Thank you, Netgalley and Bloomsbury USA Children's Books, for sending me this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I Didn't Do it is my first book to read by Elle Gonzalez Rose. This is a fast-paced YA thriller mystery that has a slow burn romance with LGBTQ representation.
The first half of the book is about the characters development, but I felt they needed to be just a little more of a backstory on some of the characters. The last of the book has some twists that you may not see coming and if you do it doesn't take away from the story. The ending is left open ended. Which was a little disappointing because I really wanted to know the outcome for sure. Without having to form my own opinion. Overall, it is an enjoyable read that shows how family secrets can haunt you and sometimes you need to reclaim your story to move forward.
Elle wrote a good LGBTQ character named Kai that you will love, and a strong FMC named Dina.
This book is perfect for fans of YA thrillers that wanted to see LGBTQ representation as well as a good plot.
I Didn't Do it is my first book to read by Elle Gonzalez Rose. This is a fast-paced YA thriller mystery that has a slow burn romance with LGBTQ representation.
The first half of the book is about the characters development, but I felt they needed to be just a little more of a backstory on some of the characters. The last of the book has some twists that you may not see coming and if you do it doesn't take away from the story. The ending is left open ended. Which was a little disappointing because I really wanted to know the outcome for sure. Without having to form my own opinion. Overall, it is an enjoyable read that shows how family secrets can haunt you and sometimes you need to reclaim your story to move forward.
Elle wrote a good LGBTQ character named Kai that you will love, and a strong FMC named Dina.
This book is perfect for fans of YA thrillers that wanted to see LGBTQ representation as well as a good plot.
December 26, 2025
Read a free ARC on NetGalley.
Dina’s dad admitted to murdering the two bullies who tormented her brother Joel into ending his life. She and her younger brother Mikey have had to deal with the cruelty of the people in town and their overbearing mother who claims that she only wants to keep them safe. Dina catches the attention of popular boy Kai and he invites her to spend the weekend with him, his twin sister Queen Bee Kiki, and her friends at their parents’ cabin. At the cabin, Kai and Dina get closer, while a storm has knocked out their power. Suddenly, mysterious things begin to happen and people start dying. Does Dina know more than she’s saying? Could she or her family be responsible for what’s happening?
I thought the premise was interesting but I felt that the characters could have been developed a bit more.
Dina’s dad admitted to murdering the two bullies who tormented her brother Joel into ending his life. She and her younger brother Mikey have had to deal with the cruelty of the people in town and their overbearing mother who claims that she only wants to keep them safe. Dina catches the attention of popular boy Kai and he invites her to spend the weekend with him, his twin sister Queen Bee Kiki, and her friends at their parents’ cabin. At the cabin, Kai and Dina get closer, while a storm has knocked out their power. Suddenly, mysterious things begin to happen and people start dying. Does Dina know more than she’s saying? Could she or her family be responsible for what’s happening?
I thought the premise was interesting but I felt that the characters could have been developed a bit more.
November 22, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Bloomsbury USA Children's Books and Elle Gonzalez Rose for sharing this ARC with me, in exchange for my honest review.
I Didn't Do it is my first book to read by Elle Gonzalez Rose, I must say I am now a fan. Ms. Elle's character development and world building is amazing. The flow is fast-paced but never felt rushed or confusing. The twists and turns had me shook. I was hooked from beginning to end. Just when I thought I had it figured out, then BAM, Ms. Elle would hit with a twist...I loved every second of it.
I truly recommend that y'all read this book.
I Didn't Do it is my first book to read by Elle Gonzalez Rose, I must say I am now a fan. Ms. Elle's character development and world building is amazing. The flow is fast-paced but never felt rushed or confusing. The twists and turns had me shook. I was hooked from beginning to end. Just when I thought I had it figured out, then BAM, Ms. Elle would hit with a twist...I loved every second of it.
I truly recommend that y'all read this book.
January 5, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy! I finished this book in a day because the story was fast paced and completely gripping. However, it wasn’t my favorite story. The plot was almost too detailed and not detailed enough? I also found it to be slightly predictable. And the main character is genuinely stupid, like who just decides it’s a good idea to go to this cabin with people who don’t like you? Even if a single one does? Overall, it was a good story just not great.
January 30, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
Admittedly, this book is hard for me rate and review because it is your typical YA thriller. I think for those who are YA and read it, it’ll be a much higher rating for them. By no means was it a terrible book. The plot was interesting, there were some good twists (my prediction was wrong), and it was a fast-paced read but I wasn’t captivated by the storyline the entire book. Overall, it was a good read and I highly recommend for teens who enjoy thrillers.
Admittedly, this book is hard for me rate and review because it is your typical YA thriller. I think for those who are YA and read it, it’ll be a much higher rating for them. By no means was it a terrible book. The plot was interesting, there were some good twists (my prediction was wrong), and it was a fast-paced read but I wasn’t captivated by the storyline the entire book. Overall, it was a good read and I highly recommend for teens who enjoy thrillers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was fast paced and easy to read with a wide range of characters. I kept wishing for the more involved plot points and characters' backstory to be developed more. Overall, this is an easy read for thriller fans.
October 22, 2025
A good solid thriller with a good twist to it.
Thank you to edelweiss for giving me the opportunity to read this early.
Thank you to edelweiss for giving me the opportunity to read this early.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This story had a lot of potential, but it fell flat in some areas.
Dina is an interesting character whose father is in prison for murder. Because of this, she's ostracized at school. When a popular boy invites her to a cabin for a weekend getaway with his friends, she thinks it's finally her chance to escape her bad reputation. When things take a bad turn, she's questioned by the cops and must prove her innocence.
The other characters in the story had their moments, but were mainly stereotypes: two mean girls and the classic player. The one character who had potential to be interesting (Kai) wasn't developed as well as he could have been. The surprise ending came out of nowhere and seemed odd for the main character to have kept hidden.
Overall, it was a quick-read YA thriller, but I wish it had a bit more depth and more explanation for the plot twist.
Dina is an interesting character whose father is in prison for murder. Because of this, she's ostracized at school. When a popular boy invites her to a cabin for a weekend getaway with his friends, she thinks it's finally her chance to escape her bad reputation. When things take a bad turn, she's questioned by the cops and must prove her innocence.
The other characters in the story had their moments, but were mainly stereotypes: two mean girls and the classic player. The one character who had potential to be interesting (Kai) wasn't developed as well as he could have been. The surprise ending came out of nowhere and seemed odd for the main character to have kept hidden.
Overall, it was a quick-read YA thriller, but I wish it had a bit more depth and more explanation for the plot twist.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews