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You Girls Play Nice
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Perfect for fans of Karin Slaughter and The Butcher Game, comes a chilling, "Good for Her" revenge thriller that paints a searing picture of friendship, justice, and vengeance, both imagined and actualized, that will leave you questioning how far would you go to avenge your friend?
Four friends. Four plans for revenge. One secret killer.
When Helen Wyatt is brutally murdered, her four best friends anxiously wait in the courtroom to ensure justice is served. But when her attacker is acquitted of all charges, the women decide to get revenge.
Hypothetically, of course.
The friends host a girl's night, each presenting a different way they would kill the culprit to avenge Helen. It's a silly thing, a way to ease their grief. Until, a week later, a murder is discovered that mirrors one of their imagined killings. Then another. What started as a cathartic exercise soon ends in carnage, with suspicion quickly falling on the four friends.
Someone has discovered their secrets. And now, the women will have to hunt down who is framing them for murder. Or, even more chillingly, question who among them may be capable of being a killer themselves…
Four friends. Four plans for revenge. One secret killer.
When Helen Wyatt is brutally murdered, her four best friends anxiously wait in the courtroom to ensure justice is served. But when her attacker is acquitted of all charges, the women decide to get revenge.
Hypothetically, of course.
The friends host a girl's night, each presenting a different way they would kill the culprit to avenge Helen. It's a silly thing, a way to ease their grief. Until, a week later, a murder is discovered that mirrors one of their imagined killings. Then another. What started as a cathartic exercise soon ends in carnage, with suspicion quickly falling on the four friends.
Someone has discovered their secrets. And now, the women will have to hunt down who is framing them for murder. Or, even more chillingly, question who among them may be capable of being a killer themselves…
368 pages, Paperback
Expected publication June 16, 2026
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11123 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 26, 2026
3.75 🌟 The premise for this book really hooked me. Four friends who are out to avenge the death of their friend. It started off a bit slow for me. It took time to figure out who was who, and then later who did what. It did come together in enjoyable way. I was proud of the women. This is a revenge served up nice and hot.
Thank you to NetGalley for this arc.
Thank you to NetGalley for this arc.
February 25, 2026
Thank you to net galley, the author and poison pen for the ARC of this book, always thrilled to receive one!
Okay so overall I think this book would be a 3.5 stars, but wanted to round up.
This book follows 4 friends following the gruesome death of their other friend and their path: for justice? I liked the dual perspectives and the switches from 3rd person to 1st person. I think this added to the development of the characters. I also like how this is very woman-revenge and 'go women', however some readers may disagree with the morals at some points. I guess others would question how normal suburban people would be driven to do what they do, but guess revenge gets the best of you. The ending was well developed and I felt that everything had been resolved and I was definitely surprised by the final twist!
Few things I didnt like as much
- minor/ personal preference: some of the names in this book were so odd - I get that the children's names were based on authors and other character names were nicknames but still
- I do think in some places the prose was slightly flowery and verbose I think this sometimes meant the flow was interrupted when a less familiar word was injected. Could just be that I'm used to reading simple language and I need to branch out!
- Tying into the flowery language I think sometimes parts of the plot were repeated I think this is because of the number of characters and everyone learning things at different times but I felt some of the repeats just weren't necessarily needed.
Okay so overall I think this book would be a 3.5 stars, but wanted to round up.
This book follows 4 friends following the gruesome death of their other friend and their path: for justice? I liked the dual perspectives and the switches from 3rd person to 1st person. I think this added to the development of the characters. I also like how this is very woman-revenge and 'go women', however some readers may disagree with the morals at some points. I guess others would question how normal suburban people would be driven to do what they do, but guess revenge gets the best of you. The ending was well developed and I felt that everything had been resolved and I was definitely surprised by the final twist!
Few things I didnt like as much
- minor/ personal preference: some of the names in this book were so odd - I get that the children's names were based on authors and other character names were nicknames but still
- I do think in some places the prose was slightly flowery and verbose I think this sometimes meant the flow was interrupted when a less familiar word was injected. Could just be that I'm used to reading simple language and I need to branch out!
- Tying into the flowery language I think sometimes parts of the plot were repeated I think this is because of the number of characters and everyone learning things at different times but I felt some of the repeats just weren't necessarily needed.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
KD Aldyn’s “You Girls Play Nice” is a dark, intense revenge thriller that explores grief, justice, and the dangerous power of rage. Combining slasher-style violence with psychological tension and shifting loyalties, the story delivers a gripping story about friendship, vengeance, and the thin line between justice and destruction.
The story begins with a devastating injustice: Helen Wyatt’s murderer, a wealthy and well-connected man named Damien, is acquitted despite strong suspicions of his guilt. Her four best friends are left furious and heartbroken, grappling with the failure of the justice system. During wine-fueled girls’ nights, they cope with their grief by imagining elaborate ways they would take revenge on him. They are purely hypothetical fantasies (yet extremely detailed ) meant as catharsis. But when men begin turning up dead in the exact unique ways the women described, their dark imaginings become terrifyingly real.
From there, the story becomes a tense and suspenseful mystery. The women must confront an unsettling question: who is carrying out the killings? Are they being framed or is someone within their circle capable of murder? As suspicion spreads and secrets emerge, the story examines the complexity of friendship and the destructive potential of vengeance.
One of the story’s strongest elements is its exploration of female rage and loyalty. The four friends are portrayed as messy, complicated, and fiercely protective of one another. Their grief over Helen’s death and their desire for justice feel raw and emotionally charged, creating a compelling foundation for the escalating violence. The book repeatedly asks how far someone would go for a friend and what happens when revenge begins to consume everything else.
The book also maintains relentless tension through its fast pacing and frequent twists. Multiple perspectives, including the women’s viewpoints and a police detective investigating the murders, add layers to the story and heighten the sense of paranoia. As more information emerges about a larger network of violence against women and the hidden connections surrounding Helen’s death, the plot grows increasingly complex, leading to shocking revelations and a dramatic conclusion.
The premise itself is particularly engaging. The creative and unusual murder methods, combined with the mounting body count, give the story strong thriller and slasher energy. The opening courtroom scene effectively establishes the emotional stakes, while the escalating danger keeps you guessing about who can be trusted.
The violence can be graphic at times, with detailed descriptions of both imagined and real killings. The large number of characters, shifting perspectives, and intricate connections can also be difficult to follow at times, occasionally making the story feel overwhelming. Despite these flaws, “You Girls Play Nice” remains an entertaining and provocative thriller. Its mix of psychological suspense and revenge fantasy creates a compelling reading experience, and its exploration of justice, trauma, and moral ambiguity gives the story depth beyond its shocking premise.
Overall, “You Girls Play Nice” is a fierce and unsettling page-turner that will appeal to those who enjoy dark thrillers, morally complex characters, and high-stakes mysteries. With its powerful exploration of vengeance, the story delivers a dramatic and memorable ride.
KD Aldyn’s “You Girls Play Nice” is a dark, intense revenge thriller that explores grief, justice, and the dangerous power of rage. Combining slasher-style violence with psychological tension and shifting loyalties, the story delivers a gripping story about friendship, vengeance, and the thin line between justice and destruction.
The story begins with a devastating injustice: Helen Wyatt’s murderer, a wealthy and well-connected man named Damien, is acquitted despite strong suspicions of his guilt. Her four best friends are left furious and heartbroken, grappling with the failure of the justice system. During wine-fueled girls’ nights, they cope with their grief by imagining elaborate ways they would take revenge on him. They are purely hypothetical fantasies (yet extremely detailed ) meant as catharsis. But when men begin turning up dead in the exact unique ways the women described, their dark imaginings become terrifyingly real.
From there, the story becomes a tense and suspenseful mystery. The women must confront an unsettling question: who is carrying out the killings? Are they being framed or is someone within their circle capable of murder? As suspicion spreads and secrets emerge, the story examines the complexity of friendship and the destructive potential of vengeance.
One of the story’s strongest elements is its exploration of female rage and loyalty. The four friends are portrayed as messy, complicated, and fiercely protective of one another. Their grief over Helen’s death and their desire for justice feel raw and emotionally charged, creating a compelling foundation for the escalating violence. The book repeatedly asks how far someone would go for a friend and what happens when revenge begins to consume everything else.
The book also maintains relentless tension through its fast pacing and frequent twists. Multiple perspectives, including the women’s viewpoints and a police detective investigating the murders, add layers to the story and heighten the sense of paranoia. As more information emerges about a larger network of violence against women and the hidden connections surrounding Helen’s death, the plot grows increasingly complex, leading to shocking revelations and a dramatic conclusion.
The premise itself is particularly engaging. The creative and unusual murder methods, combined with the mounting body count, give the story strong thriller and slasher energy. The opening courtroom scene effectively establishes the emotional stakes, while the escalating danger keeps you guessing about who can be trusted.
The violence can be graphic at times, with detailed descriptions of both imagined and real killings. The large number of characters, shifting perspectives, and intricate connections can also be difficult to follow at times, occasionally making the story feel overwhelming. Despite these flaws, “You Girls Play Nice” remains an entertaining and provocative thriller. Its mix of psychological suspense and revenge fantasy creates a compelling reading experience, and its exploration of justice, trauma, and moral ambiguity gives the story depth beyond its shocking premise.
Overall, “You Girls Play Nice” is a fierce and unsettling page-turner that will appeal to those who enjoy dark thrillers, morally complex characters, and high-stakes mysteries. With its powerful exploration of vengeance, the story delivers a dramatic and memorable ride.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
You Girls Play Nice is a razor‑sharp, emotionally charged revenge thriller that takes the idea of “good for her” justice and twists it into something far darker, smarter, and more unsettling than expected. From the opening courtroom scene, the novel pulses with anger, grief, and the fierce loyalty of women who refuse to let their friend’s murder be dismissed as just another tragedy.
The heart of the story lies in the bond between the four friends—messy, loyal, imperfect, and painfully real. Their grief for Helen is palpable, and their frustration at the justice system’s failure feels like a spark thrown onto dry tinder. What begins as a cathartic, wine‑soaked girls’ night—each woman imagining how she would kill Helen’s attacker—starts as dark humour and ends as a nightmare when those hypothetical murders begin happening in real life.
The author handles this shift brilliantly. The tone moves from raw emotion to creeping paranoia as the women realise someone knows exactly what they said that night. The tension tightens with every chapter, and the question at the centre of the book becomes impossible to ignore: is someone framing them, or is one of them capable of crossing the line from fantasy to reality?
The pacing is pitch‑perfect, balancing character‑driven moments with sharp, twist‑heavy suspense. Each woman is given depth and motive, and the story cleverly plays with shifting suspicion, forcing the reader to question every alibi, every glance, every crack in their friendship. The exploration of female rage—how it simmers, how it binds, how it can be weaponised—is one of the novel’s strongest elements.
What elevates the book is its emotional core. Beneath the twists and the tension is a story about friendship: how it saves us, how it betrays us, and how grief can warp even the closest bonds. The final reveals land with impact, tying together the themes of justice, loyalty, and the dangerous power of secrets.
A gripping, clever, and fiercely compelling thriller that keeps you guessing until the final page. Perfect for readers who love dark female friendships, morally grey justice, and twisty revenge stories that refuse to play nice.
With thanks to KD Aldyn, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
The heart of the story lies in the bond between the four friends—messy, loyal, imperfect, and painfully real. Their grief for Helen is palpable, and their frustration at the justice system’s failure feels like a spark thrown onto dry tinder. What begins as a cathartic, wine‑soaked girls’ night—each woman imagining how she would kill Helen’s attacker—starts as dark humour and ends as a nightmare when those hypothetical murders begin happening in real life.
The author handles this shift brilliantly. The tone moves from raw emotion to creeping paranoia as the women realise someone knows exactly what they said that night. The tension tightens with every chapter, and the question at the centre of the book becomes impossible to ignore: is someone framing them, or is one of them capable of crossing the line from fantasy to reality?
The pacing is pitch‑perfect, balancing character‑driven moments with sharp, twist‑heavy suspense. Each woman is given depth and motive, and the story cleverly plays with shifting suspicion, forcing the reader to question every alibi, every glance, every crack in their friendship. The exploration of female rage—how it simmers, how it binds, how it can be weaponised—is one of the novel’s strongest elements.
What elevates the book is its emotional core. Beneath the twists and the tension is a story about friendship: how it saves us, how it betrays us, and how grief can warp even the closest bonds. The final reveals land with impact, tying together the themes of justice, loyalty, and the dangerous power of secrets.
A gripping, clever, and fiercely compelling thriller that keeps you guessing until the final page. Perfect for readers who love dark female friendships, morally grey justice, and twisty revenge stories that refuse to play nice.
With thanks to KD Aldyn, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Revenge is supposed to be hypothetical. Until it isn’t.
You Girls Play Nice takes a premise that feels almost tongue-in-cheek — four grieving women wine-drunk on rage, imagining how they’d kill the man who got away with murdering their friend — and turns it into something sharp, vicious, and deliciously unhinged.
The courtroom opening is such a smart move. We meet these women in the rawest possible moment: helpless, furious, disillusioned. You feel the injustice. You feel the crack in the system. And from that crack, the story grows teeth.
The “girls’ night” scene is darkly cathartic. It starts playful. Petty. Therapeutic, even. Each plan more creative than the last. It’s grief dressed up as humor. Feminine rage served with wine glasses.
And then the bodies start dropping.
What makes this novel so effective isn’t just the slasher energy (though yes, it absolutely delivers on that front). It’s the way suspicion infects the friend group. The slow unraveling. The looks that linger too long. The thoughts no one says out loud. The creeping realization that maybe the real danger isn’t outside the circle.
The tension is relentless. Once the first “copycat” murder hits, the pacing tightens like a noose. Every chapter raises the stakes. Every reveal makes you recalibrate who you trust. And the paranoia? Chef’s kiss.
But beneath the blood and the chaos, there’s something deeply compelling about these women. They are messy. Loyal. Angry. Protective. Complicated. They love hard — and that’s what makes the question at the heart of this book so unsettling:
How far would you go for your friend?
And perhaps more terrifying — what if someone in your circle already went that far?
By the final act, I was breathless. The ending doesn’t just shock — it lingers. It forces you to sit with the cost of vengeance and the thin line between justice and destruction.
This is the kind of thriller that dares you to cheer while everything burns.
And honestly? I did.
You Girls Play Nice takes a premise that feels almost tongue-in-cheek — four grieving women wine-drunk on rage, imagining how they’d kill the man who got away with murdering their friend — and turns it into something sharp, vicious, and deliciously unhinged.
The courtroom opening is such a smart move. We meet these women in the rawest possible moment: helpless, furious, disillusioned. You feel the injustice. You feel the crack in the system. And from that crack, the story grows teeth.
The “girls’ night” scene is darkly cathartic. It starts playful. Petty. Therapeutic, even. Each plan more creative than the last. It’s grief dressed up as humor. Feminine rage served with wine glasses.
And then the bodies start dropping.
What makes this novel so effective isn’t just the slasher energy (though yes, it absolutely delivers on that front). It’s the way suspicion infects the friend group. The slow unraveling. The looks that linger too long. The thoughts no one says out loud. The creeping realization that maybe the real danger isn’t outside the circle.
The tension is relentless. Once the first “copycat” murder hits, the pacing tightens like a noose. Every chapter raises the stakes. Every reveal makes you recalibrate who you trust. And the paranoia? Chef’s kiss.
But beneath the blood and the chaos, there’s something deeply compelling about these women. They are messy. Loyal. Angry. Protective. Complicated. They love hard — and that’s what makes the question at the heart of this book so unsettling:
How far would you go for your friend?
And perhaps more terrifying — what if someone in your circle already went that far?
By the final act, I was breathless. The ending doesn’t just shock — it lingers. It forces you to sit with the cost of vengeance and the thin line between justice and destruction.
This is the kind of thriller that dares you to cheer while everything burns.
And honestly? I did.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was eager to sink my teeth into this novel after receiving an ARC from NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press, and it certainly delivered an intense and unforgettable reading experience.
As this was an advance copy, trigger warnings were not available—something I would have appreciated before diving in. The book contains graphic depictions of torture, murder, and group sexual assault, and readers should absolutely check content warnings before picking it up. The subject matter is undeniably dark and disturbing, but it reflects harsh realities that, unfortunately, exist in the real world. The author does not shy away from these brutal truths.
One of the more chilling aspects of the novel is its exploration of the dehumanizing way some men view women. The stark portrayal of entitlement and lack of empathy is unsettling precisely because it feels plausible. The writing captures this mindset with a clarity that lingers long after the pages are turned.
Emotionally, this was a heavy read. I noticed my mood dip while reading, which speaks to the immersive and affecting nature of the words. The author successfully evokes discomfort and sorrow, though at times the weight of the themes felt overwhelming.
I did find the dynamic between the four girls frustrating at times. Jackie, in particular, came across as rather unlikeable. Her tendency to use language she knew would confuse her friends felt unnecessarily pretentious, which I really just didn't like.
I think the novel could have benefited from chapter titles that included the characters’ names. There were moments when the narrative blurred between present-day events and flashbacks, and clearer signposting would have made it easier to follow.
Overall, this is a dark and twisted story that won’t be for everyone—but it is undeniably compelling. Despite its heavy themes and occasional frustrations, I found it to be a strong and impactful read.
As this was an advance copy, trigger warnings were not available—something I would have appreciated before diving in. The book contains graphic depictions of torture, murder, and group sexual assault, and readers should absolutely check content warnings before picking it up. The subject matter is undeniably dark and disturbing, but it reflects harsh realities that, unfortunately, exist in the real world. The author does not shy away from these brutal truths.
One of the more chilling aspects of the novel is its exploration of the dehumanizing way some men view women. The stark portrayal of entitlement and lack of empathy is unsettling precisely because it feels plausible. The writing captures this mindset with a clarity that lingers long after the pages are turned.
Emotionally, this was a heavy read. I noticed my mood dip while reading, which speaks to the immersive and affecting nature of the words. The author successfully evokes discomfort and sorrow, though at times the weight of the themes felt overwhelming.
I did find the dynamic between the four girls frustrating at times. Jackie, in particular, came across as rather unlikeable. Her tendency to use language she knew would confuse her friends felt unnecessarily pretentious, which I really just didn't like.
I think the novel could have benefited from chapter titles that included the characters’ names. There were moments when the narrative blurred between present-day events and flashbacks, and clearer signposting would have made it easier to follow.
Overall, this is a dark and twisted story that won’t be for everyone—but it is undeniably compelling. Despite its heavy themes and occasional frustrations, I found it to be a strong and impactful read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A murder not only affects the dead. It leaves a void in the lives of the living.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC. My review is not at all affected by the fact that I was given the opportunity to read this.
Years after Helen Wyatt’s brutal death, justice remains elusive. Her friends have been told to heal, to accept, to move on, but how do you move on when the person who brutally ended the life of your best friend walks free? Their grief doesn’t fade; it remains years after that dark night.
When Willow, the quiet center of the group, admits she has imagined killing Helen’s murderer, the confession ignites a dangerous idea. Each friend will invent the most perfect, most merciless form of revenge.
Then the impossible happens.
Someone begins turning their fictional methods into reality.
As they try to find who is responsible for the gory murders, Suspicion begins to seep into every interaction. Loyalty becomes fragile. Memory itself becomes unreliable. As Sue, Rebel, Willow, and Jackie revisit the night Helen died, they discover that grief has not injured them; it has made them different from who they were.
What makes this story compelling is its refusal to offer easy moral ground. It interrogates vengeance with uncomfortable intimacy. Who are these women when stripped of innocence? Is justice a principle or a desire? And how well can we ever claim to know the people who share our deepest trauma?
Though the title wasn't very appealing, the more I read, the more I realize how it relates to the book as a whole. The only thing I hated was the victim's voice. I feel like the author wouldn't have included it, and it would've made us more sympathetic toward the victim.
For me, the victim just came off as egoistic, and I feel like the friend's life (not to be cruel) was better off without her.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC. My review is not at all affected by the fact that I was given the opportunity to read this.
Years after Helen Wyatt’s brutal death, justice remains elusive. Her friends have been told to heal, to accept, to move on, but how do you move on when the person who brutally ended the life of your best friend walks free? Their grief doesn’t fade; it remains years after that dark night.
When Willow, the quiet center of the group, admits she has imagined killing Helen’s murderer, the confession ignites a dangerous idea. Each friend will invent the most perfect, most merciless form of revenge.
Then the impossible happens.
Someone begins turning their fictional methods into reality.
As they try to find who is responsible for the gory murders, Suspicion begins to seep into every interaction. Loyalty becomes fragile. Memory itself becomes unreliable. As Sue, Rebel, Willow, and Jackie revisit the night Helen died, they discover that grief has not injured them; it has made them different from who they were.
What makes this story compelling is its refusal to offer easy moral ground. It interrogates vengeance with uncomfortable intimacy. Who are these women when stripped of innocence? Is justice a principle or a desire? And how well can we ever claim to know the people who share our deepest trauma?
Though the title wasn't very appealing, the more I read, the more I realize how it relates to the book as a whole. The only thing I hated was the victim's voice. I feel like the author wouldn't have included it, and it would've made us more sympathetic toward the victim.
For me, the victim just came off as egoistic, and I feel like the friend's life (not to be cruel) was better off without her.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This story kicks off with a powerful moment: four friends watching the man accused of murdering their closest companion walk out of court unpunished. Still reeling from the verdict, they later joke about how they might seek revenge, an offhand, wine soaked conversation that takes a chilling turn when real life killings begin to echo their imagined scenarios. As the deaths mount, the women are pulled into a tightening circle of doubt and fear, unsure whether they’re being framed or whether someone within their own group is hiding far more than grief.
The premise is clever and the tension builds steadily, offering plenty of surprises along the way. While the frequent changes in narrator can feel a little hectic, the mix of suspense, messy friendships and moral grey areas makes for an engaging and enjoyable read. It’s a twisty tale about loyalty, guilt and the secrets people carry. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.
The premise is clever and the tension builds steadily, offering plenty of surprises along the way. While the frequent changes in narrator can feel a little hectic, the mix of suspense, messy friendships and moral grey areas makes for an engaging and enjoyable read. It’s a twisty tale about loyalty, guilt and the secrets people carry. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Sadly, this book just did not work for me. The premise seemed so exciting, and I was really hoping to enjoy it, but the chaotic writing style made it very difficult to read. It almost felt like I was reading a script for a movie. All the lines were jumbled together on the page but lacked in emotion, depth, and direction. There were so many POVs to keep track of, and it seemed that all the women talked at once, so I could never really tell them apart or connect with any of them. All of the characters lacked depth and were portrayed like paper dolls, just there on the surface to be read. I struggled through most of the day yesterday to get through this one. It just felt so fake. I did not enjoy it and will not be recommending.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for granting me a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for granting me a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!
February 16, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
After Helen’s murderer is deemed Not Guilty by a jury, her friend’s are livid. A few years following the injustice, four of her friends devise fake murder plots, fantasizing how they would kill her murderer. To their horror, someone begins carrying out these plots and killing real people. As police suspicious falls to the friend group, they race to solve who is framing them.
I enjoyed the revenge premise of this book, and found myself surprised by several twists throughout the story. However, there were too many POVs, a few that could have been left out (Helen’s ghost and several of the men). The fighting and dialogue between the girls made some scenes drag on without moving the plot forward. Overall unique idea for a story!
After Helen’s murderer is deemed Not Guilty by a jury, her friend’s are livid. A few years following the injustice, four of her friends devise fake murder plots, fantasizing how they would kill her murderer. To their horror, someone begins carrying out these plots and killing real people. As police suspicious falls to the friend group, they race to solve who is framing them.
I enjoyed the revenge premise of this book, and found myself surprised by several twists throughout the story. However, there were too many POVs, a few that could have been left out (Helen’s ghost and several of the men). The fighting and dialogue between the girls made some scenes drag on without moving the plot forward. Overall unique idea for a story!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an ARC for this book from NetGalley for free.
I really really didn’t enjoy this book at all. I thought the premise sounded interesting but the way this whole book is structured was just a mess. I absolutely hated the chapters that were from the dead characters perspective and thought they were very cheesy, off putting and cringe. Also one of the characters was a literature student and constantly used fancy words and the characters were all the time like “omg what does that mean, can’t you speak more plainly” etc. and it felt very unnatural and a way for the author to show off her vocabulary.
If I had to say something nice about this book it would be that at least I will never have read it again.
I really really didn’t enjoy this book at all. I thought the premise sounded interesting but the way this whole book is structured was just a mess. I absolutely hated the chapters that were from the dead characters perspective and thought they were very cheesy, off putting and cringe. Also one of the characters was a literature student and constantly used fancy words and the characters were all the time like “omg what does that mean, can’t you speak more plainly” etc. and it felt very unnatural and a way for the author to show off her vocabulary.
If I had to say something nice about this book it would be that at least I will never have read it again.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
The plot of this was pretty fantastic - a group of women, still livid that the man that raped and murdered their friend has walked free, fantasize together about the different ways they would murder him. But then people begin to show up dead, murdered in the exact specific ways the women discussed. Who is committing the murders and what secrets are the women hiding? The writing was good too, but for some reason I found the different points of view (there were a lot) very difficult to follow. Great plot that just didn’t fully work for me.
The plot of this was pretty fantastic - a group of women, still livid that the man that raped and murdered their friend has walked free, fantasize together about the different ways they would murder him. But then people begin to show up dead, murdered in the exact specific ways the women discussed. Who is committing the murders and what secrets are the women hiding? The writing was good too, but for some reason I found the different points of view (there were a lot) very difficult to follow. Great plot that just didn’t fully work for me.
February 17, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for allowing me to read this ARC.
I loved the cover, liked the premise, and didn’t like that the chapters didn’t have titles or at least a character/POV name so we’d know who the heck was talking (seriously, something to think about before going to press??).
My dog’s name is Willow, so I pictured her as the book character. Small but deceptively tough. Some of the supporting characters and “bad guys” names were a bit too out there and more of a distraction to the story. Overall, not my favorite book of the week, but I finished it and read every word, rather than skimming - so it kept my interest.
I loved the cover, liked the premise, and didn’t like that the chapters didn’t have titles or at least a character/POV name so we’d know who the heck was talking (seriously, something to think about before going to press??).
My dog’s name is Willow, so I pictured her as the book character. Small but deceptively tough. Some of the supporting characters and “bad guys” names were a bit too out there and more of a distraction to the story. Overall, not my favorite book of the week, but I finished it and read every word, rather than skimming - so it kept my interest.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The book cover was the first thing to catch my eye. The title is also pretty eye catching. The next thing was the plot- revenge against a bad guy? I’m in! I really liked this book and was so excited to keep reading it, especially the last few chapters. I thought it was interesting how the book included different characters POVs. I really appreciated how different all of the friends were from each other. I liked the ending for the most part.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This novel opens with a murder trial where the accused, Damien, is found not guilty! Helen is the victim and the chapters vacillate between past and present as well as giving us Helen's thoughts from "beyond." Several women who knew and loved Helen now gather to attempt to "replicate" the murder to discover what really happened. Of course nothing goes exactly as planned and they find themselves in deeper than they ever imagined. It's a fascinating look at what one will do avenge a friend's death!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Unfortunately DNFing at around the 15% mark. The premise of this book sounded really exciting, so I was looking forward to it, but it drags a lot to even get to the murder. There's a lot of waffling about the idea of coming up with hypothetical murders, and they are very precious about it. The POV switch to the perpetrator and then the dead Helen was weird, and all of the women felt incredibly flat while I was reading it. This just isn't really working for me as a thriller novel personally, it's not drawing me in and making me want to keep reading.
Unfortunately DNFing at around the 15% mark. The premise of this book sounded really exciting, so I was looking forward to it, but it drags a lot to even get to the murder. There's a lot of waffling about the idea of coming up with hypothetical murders, and they are very precious about it. The POV switch to the perpetrator and then the dead Helen was weird, and all of the women felt incredibly flat while I was reading it. This just isn't really working for me as a thriller novel personally, it's not drawing me in and making me want to keep reading.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
You Girls Play Nice had me hooked from the start. The tension between the girls is so sharp and uncomfortable but I could not look away. It’s that fake smile, say it with your chest, mean girl energy that feels way too real.
The drama keeps building and just when you think it can’t get worse… it does. Messy, toxic, addictive. I flew through it. If you love morally questionable characters and stories where everyone is a little bit unhinged, this one will absolutely be your thing. 👀🔥
The drama keeps building and just when you think it can’t get worse… it does. Messy, toxic, addictive. I flew through it. If you love morally questionable characters and stories where everyone is a little bit unhinged, this one will absolutely be your thing. 👀🔥
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received this ARC from NetGalley. Thanks also to Poisoned Pen Press, an imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc and mandy.chahal@sourcebooks.com.
It's nice to have friends you can count on. Sometimes a really bad thing can happen to one of them that brings the rest even closer. Do you have friends so close that you'd kill for or with them?? One never know. So worth the read!!
It's nice to have friends you can count on. Sometimes a really bad thing can happen to one of them that brings the rest even closer. Do you have friends so close that you'd kill for or with them?? One never know. So worth the read!!
February 20, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for sending me an ac copy in exchange for an honest review.
Oh my god. Oh my god oh my god oh my god!!
I’m in love. I loved the story, the structure, unreliable narrators, unhinged female main characters who are badass, the ending. Oh the ending.
This was phenomenal. Heartbreaking. Visceral and graphic, difficult to read at times but really really incredible.
Oh my god. Oh my god oh my god oh my god!!
I’m in love. I loved the story, the structure, unreliable narrators, unhinged female main characters who are badass, the ending. Oh the ending.
This was phenomenal. Heartbreaking. Visceral and graphic, difficult to read at times but really really incredible.
did-not-finish
February 26, 2026Thank you poisoned pen press and Netgalley for the arc.
Unfortunately this book was A DNF for me, I’ve been trying to read this for days but I felt a lack of excitement picking up which I knew was time to give it up. The POVs are too many and unclear, it would be nice if at the top it said who’s POV it was so you had better and clearer understanding. Not for me unfortunately.
Unfortunately this book was A DNF for me, I’ve been trying to read this for days but I felt a lack of excitement picking up which I knew was time to give it up. The POVs are too many and unclear, it would be nice if at the top it said who’s POV it was so you had better and clearer understanding. Not for me unfortunately.
Want to read
February 8, 2026I love this cover!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
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