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Beware the Abbott Boys
Three brothers. Two deaths. One girl, caught in the middle.
The Abbott boys, fraternal triplets Henry, Bram, and Adam, live in a mansion on the outskirts of Silver Creek. For decades, their family's been at odds with the town, long before Mariana Flores died in a fiery accident on the Abbott property last year . The police ruled out foul play, but ask anyone in Silver Creek about it and they'll say one of the Abbott boys killed her. They just don't know which one.
But Hayden, the girl who lives next door to the Abbotts, swears they're innocent. After all, Henry's her best friend—maybe he could be more. She's been worried about Adam ever since he was injured in the accident that killed Mariana. As for Bram, he's a little complicated, but he and Mariana had been in love.
When the new school year brings a new victim—a popular girl, found dead in the woods—the hunt for a monster begins anew. The security camera footage doesn't show the face of the boy she was last seen with, but from his hoodie he could be any one of the Abbott brothers.
To clear their names, Hayden starts investigating the new death, but the deeper she digs, the more uncertain she becomes. Is one of the Abbott brothers a killer? Or could they all be monsters? And what will the boys do to protect themselves and the truth?
The Abbott boys, fraternal triplets Henry, Bram, and Adam, live in a mansion on the outskirts of Silver Creek. For decades, their family's been at odds with the town, long before Mariana Flores died in a fiery accident on the Abbott property last year . The police ruled out foul play, but ask anyone in Silver Creek about it and they'll say one of the Abbott boys killed her. They just don't know which one.
But Hayden, the girl who lives next door to the Abbotts, swears they're innocent. After all, Henry's her best friend—maybe he could be more. She's been worried about Adam ever since he was injured in the accident that killed Mariana. As for Bram, he's a little complicated, but he and Mariana had been in love.
When the new school year brings a new victim—a popular girl, found dead in the woods—the hunt for a monster begins anew. The security camera footage doesn't show the face of the boy she was last seen with, but from his hoodie he could be any one of the Abbott brothers.
To clear their names, Hayden starts investigating the new death, but the deeper she digs, the more uncertain she becomes. Is one of the Abbott brothers a killer? Or could they all be monsters? And what will the boys do to protect themselves and the truth?
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2026
About the author
Chelsea Ichaso
13 books989 followersChelsea Ichaso writes twisty thrillers for young adults and is also the author of the adult thriller, So I Lied. Her novel, The Summer She Went Missing, earned a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly, a spot on Barnes & Noble’s Best of 2024 list, and was a 2025 TAYSHAS reading list selection. Her latest release, We Were Warned, is a Junior Library Guild Selection and has been featured on Marie Claire’s list of the 18 Most Anticipated Mystery Thrillers of 2025 as well as Goodreads Guide to 2025’s Biggest Mysteries & Thrillers. Chelsea currently resides in Southern California with her husband and children. When she’s not writing, she can be found cheering from the sidelines at her kids' soccer games or attempting to strum a tune on the guitar. You can visit her online at chelseaichaso.com or on Instagram @chelseaichaso.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 303 reviews
July 2, 2026
I did enjoy this one, even though I loved the author's previous work, We Were Warned, more than this.
Actual rating - 3.5⭐
What to expect -
🧥 Small-town YA murder mystery
🧥 Dual timelines
🧥 Teenage drama
🧥 Infamous fraternal triplets
🧥 Unreliable narrators
🧥 Twists and turns
The Abbott boys have been running the family auto repair shop alongside their father ever since they learned the trade. But they've been treated terribly for years because of their family name, and the hate only escalated when one of them tried to save a girl from a fiery accident last year, only to be severely injured himself and fail to save her. Even though the police have ruled the brothers out as suspects, the entire town believes that one of them was responsible. And things only get worse when another girl dies a year later, and the security footage shows the same hoodie that all three Abbott brothers own. So, which one of them did it this time? Or are they being wrongfully accused yet again? Or could both deaths somehow be connected to them?
We follow Hayden's POV, the girl who grew up alongside the boys and has been their neighbor and best friend for years. She's also been one of the only people in town who has continued to stand by them, both at school and in the community. She believes she knows them better than anyone, but even her trust begins to waver after the second death. Despite her doubts, Hayden decides to help one of the brothers investigate the recent murder and uncover the real killer because, deep down, she still believes none of them could have done it.
I absolutely loved the mystery and the way the truth slowly unraveled. We follow Hayden in the present as she pieces everything together, while the dual timeline takes us back to the fire that changed the boys' lives through each of their POVs. It constantly leaves you questioning who you should trust. Every time Hayden discovers something incriminating about the brothers, we're shown another glimpse into the past that makes their behavior seem suspicious all over again. Then, just when you think you've figured it out, the author reveals another piece of the puzzle that completely changes your perspective.
I really appreciated the way the author controlled the narrative, letting us see only what they wanted us to see, encouraging us to suspect exactly who they wanted us to suspect, before pulling the rug out from under us with some genuinely shocking reveals.
One thing I will say is that if you're not used to reading YA mysteries, this one may not work for you. The characters definitely act their age, which is exactly how they should, but I know some readers might find that frustrating, especially when it comes to Hayden. She's only sixteen and has known these boys her entire life, so it makes sense that she constantly swings between trusting them and doubting them. At times it was frustrating, but honestly, I think most teenagers would react the same way. You question your friends one moment, give them the benefit of the doubt the next, and then start doubting them all over again when something suspicious happens. She also doesn't have access to all the information that we do through the Abbott boys' POVs, so I understood why she kept coming up with increasingly wild theories about who the killer might be. Thankfully, she does start putting the pieces together by the end.
As for the boys - Henry, Adam, and Bram, I honestly pitied them far more than I ever hated them. Whether they were guilty or not, they didn't deserve the amount of hatred the town directed toward them. Adam nearly lost his life trying to save someone, and the brothers went from being popular football players to living isolated lives, homeschooled and constantly judged by everyone around them. That said... they're also complete idiots for refusing to tell people what they know🤦🏻♀️ They keep assuming that speaking up will only make the others look more suspicious, which only ends up making everything worse.
I also have to mention the audiobook because Jennifer Jill Araya absolutely nailed it, as always. What do you mean this book had only one narrator?! She gave each of the brothers such distinct voices that I genuinely had to double-check whether it was a full-cast production. That's exactly why she's one of my favorite narrators. So if you're deciding between reading the book or listening to it, I'd definitely recommend the audiobook.
Overall, this was such a gripping YA mystery filled with teenage drama, compelling characters, and some genuinely shocking twists. I'd definitely recommend it if you're looking for a fast-paced mystery that keeps you guessing.
Huge thanks to Tantor Media and Recorded Books for the ALC through Netgalley
✨Pre-read:
I read the author's previous work last year, and loved it cuz it was atmospheric, fast-paced and had a shocking reveal as well (everything I love in thrillers)!! Hoping this one's just as good🤞🏻✨
Actual rating - 3.5⭐
What to expect -
🧥 Small-town YA murder mystery
🧥 Dual timelines
🧥 Teenage drama
🧥 Infamous fraternal triplets
🧥 Unreliable narrators
🧥 Twists and turns
The Abbott boys have been running the family auto repair shop alongside their father ever since they learned the trade. But they've been treated terribly for years because of their family name, and the hate only escalated when one of them tried to save a girl from a fiery accident last year, only to be severely injured himself and fail to save her. Even though the police have ruled the brothers out as suspects, the entire town believes that one of them was responsible. And things only get worse when another girl dies a year later, and the security footage shows the same hoodie that all three Abbott brothers own. So, which one of them did it this time? Or are they being wrongfully accused yet again? Or could both deaths somehow be connected to them?
We follow Hayden's POV, the girl who grew up alongside the boys and has been their neighbor and best friend for years. She's also been one of the only people in town who has continued to stand by them, both at school and in the community. She believes she knows them better than anyone, but even her trust begins to waver after the second death. Despite her doubts, Hayden decides to help one of the brothers investigate the recent murder and uncover the real killer because, deep down, she still believes none of them could have done it.
I absolutely loved the mystery and the way the truth slowly unraveled. We follow Hayden in the present as she pieces everything together, while the dual timeline takes us back to the fire that changed the boys' lives through each of their POVs. It constantly leaves you questioning who you should trust. Every time Hayden discovers something incriminating about the brothers, we're shown another glimpse into the past that makes their behavior seem suspicious all over again. Then, just when you think you've figured it out, the author reveals another piece of the puzzle that completely changes your perspective.
I really appreciated the way the author controlled the narrative, letting us see only what they wanted us to see, encouraging us to suspect exactly who they wanted us to suspect, before pulling the rug out from under us with some genuinely shocking reveals.
One thing I will say is that if you're not used to reading YA mysteries, this one may not work for you. The characters definitely act their age, which is exactly how they should, but I know some readers might find that frustrating, especially when it comes to Hayden. She's only sixteen and has known these boys her entire life, so it makes sense that she constantly swings between trusting them and doubting them. At times it was frustrating, but honestly, I think most teenagers would react the same way. You question your friends one moment, give them the benefit of the doubt the next, and then start doubting them all over again when something suspicious happens. She also doesn't have access to all the information that we do through the Abbott boys' POVs, so I understood why she kept coming up with increasingly wild theories about who the killer might be. Thankfully, she does start putting the pieces together by the end.
As for the boys - Henry, Adam, and Bram, I honestly pitied them far more than I ever hated them. Whether they were guilty or not, they didn't deserve the amount of hatred the town directed toward them. Adam nearly lost his life trying to save someone, and the brothers went from being popular football players to living isolated lives, homeschooled and constantly judged by everyone around them. That said... they're also complete idiots for refusing to tell people what they know🤦🏻♀️ They keep assuming that speaking up will only make the others look more suspicious, which only ends up making everything worse.
I also have to mention the audiobook because Jennifer Jill Araya absolutely nailed it, as always. What do you mean this book had only one narrator?! She gave each of the brothers such distinct voices that I genuinely had to double-check whether it was a full-cast production. That's exactly why she's one of my favorite narrators. So if you're deciding between reading the book or listening to it, I'd definitely recommend the audiobook.
Overall, this was such a gripping YA mystery filled with teenage drama, compelling characters, and some genuinely shocking twists. I'd definitely recommend it if you're looking for a fast-paced mystery that keeps you guessing.
Huge thanks to Tantor Media and Recorded Books for the ALC through Netgalley
✨Pre-read:
I read the author's previous work last year, and loved it cuz it was atmospheric, fast-paced and had a shocking reveal as well (everything I love in thrillers)!! Hoping this one's just as good🤞🏻✨
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
✰ 1.5 stars ✰
The author cites the novel as a nod to her love of gothic monster novels, namely Frankenstein, Dracula, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but aside from their physical attributes, I found very little distinction between the Abbott boys and their inspirations. ⛔ Their personalities - if they had any—were drowned in a feeble attempt at a mystery that bored me to no end.
Hayden, the FMC, who grew up with these fraternal triplets was a complete chore; flat and without any presence that failed to ignite an interest. I could not care less about the romance . 🙄 While she did start off with a bit of an investigative streak, she lost me along the way on a twisty adventure to nowhere, when even the explanations into the murders became befuddled.
“They think the Abbott brothers are freaks. And their fear rises in the room, fast and hot as flames.”
The mob's aggression towards the boys felt exaggerated, the animosity was so high it felt surreal, and even the supporting cast lacked substance. 😒 The intrigue and suspense were poorly plotted, lacking any real tension or compelling factor that drew me in to want to clear any of the Abbott brothers' names.
I get how the claustrophobic feel was to capture the withdrawn isolation from the town, but the total lack of absence and disregard of the Abbott boys' parents or staff at the mansion felt too implausible and incredulous. 🤨 I also felt some plot lines were insignificant and distracting because nothing came of them. More homage to the original lore, than actually necessary.
The present-tense writing grated on my nerves. The complete lack of quotes I highlighted shows that nothing noteworthy stood out for me. 🙅♀️ There was a jarring shift in the scenes that was too unexpected that it completely ruined the momentum of the plot. not that there was much to begin with. Ultimately, quite a disappointment as a YA thriller, and a forgetful one at that.
“The whole reason I agreed to help was because I trust all three of them. So why am I having these doubts?”
The author cites the novel as a nod to her love of gothic monster novels, namely Frankenstein, Dracula, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but aside from their physical attributes, I found very little distinction between the Abbott boys and their inspirations. ⛔ Their personalities - if they had any—were drowned in a feeble attempt at a mystery that bored me to no end.
Hayden, the FMC, who grew up with these fraternal triplets was a complete chore; flat and without any presence that failed to ignite an interest. I could not care less about the romance . 🙄 While she did start off with a bit of an investigative streak, she lost me along the way on a twisty adventure to nowhere, when even the explanations into the murders became befuddled.
“They think the Abbott brothers are freaks. And their fear rises in the room, fast and hot as flames.”
The mob's aggression towards the boys felt exaggerated, the animosity was so high it felt surreal, and even the supporting cast lacked substance. 😒 The intrigue and suspense were poorly plotted, lacking any real tension or compelling factor that drew me in to want to clear any of the Abbott brothers' names.
I get how the claustrophobic feel was to capture the withdrawn isolation from the town, but the total lack of absence and disregard of the Abbott boys' parents or staff at the mansion felt too implausible and incredulous. 🤨 I also felt some plot lines were insignificant and distracting because nothing came of them. More homage to the original lore, than actually necessary.
The present-tense writing grated on my nerves. The complete lack of quotes I highlighted shows that nothing noteworthy stood out for me. 🙅♀️ There was a jarring shift in the scenes that was too unexpected that it completely ruined the momentum of the plot. not that there was much to begin with. Ultimately, quite a disappointment as a YA thriller, and a forgetful one at that.
July 2, 2026
A year ago, the small town of Silver Creek was shattered when popular high schooler, Mariana Flores, was killed in a car explosion. Even though the police ruled out foul play, the local rumor mill tells another story.
Ask anyone in town and they'll tell you the Abbott boys had to have been involved. Granted, they do work as mechanics and had been working on Mariana's car just prior to the incident, but still, there's no evidence.
The Abbott boys, triplets, Henry, Bram and Adam, are used to the town chattering about them, but they were close to Mariana, so her death hit their household very hard, and the allegations didn't help matters.
Hayden, the girl next door to the Abbotts, knows they're innocent. She's Henry's best friend, but she feels a special connection to each of the brothers and she knows they wouldn't have done anything to harm Mariana.
When the new school year starts, another popular high school girl is found dead in the woods abutting the school.
When security camera footage reveals a figure seen entering the woods with the victim, it's clear they're wearing a special hoodie. One with a giant A on the back. A hoodie all three of the Abbott brothers own, but which one was it?
To clear their names, Hayden begins an investigation of her own, but the deeper she digs the more she starts to question, how well does she really know the Abbott boys?
I had a lot of fun with Beware the Abbott Boys. It's a great YA Mystery-Thriller, full of drama and all the things that go along with that. The characters were well-imagined and I feel like Ichaso did a great job building up the intensity.
The mystery of it was fairly simplistic, NGL, but that didn't retract from the enjoyment I had going along for the ride. Clearly, I'm not the target audience for this, but in spite of that, I still really enjoyed my time with it and can appreciate how much a Teen audience would love this.
Honestly though, with this being said, I love YA Mystery-Thrillers and Horror. I don't think I'll ever stop reading them. I'll never age out of the category.
I like all the drama, and how deeply the characters feel their emotions. It reminds me of a simpler time in my own life, and each story feels nostalgic almost in their own way. Also, the stakes don't tend to get as serious, and frankly depressing, as Adult dramas.
But that's just me...
I would highly recommend this one to YA Mystery-Thriller Readers. For me, Ichaso's books are getting stronger and stronger as she goes and I'm looking forward to whatever she writes next.
Thank you to the publisher, SOURCEBOOKS Fire and Tantor Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. This is one of the most engaging YA Thrillers I've read this year, and I'm very happy I made time for it!
Ask anyone in town and they'll tell you the Abbott boys had to have been involved. Granted, they do work as mechanics and had been working on Mariana's car just prior to the incident, but still, there's no evidence.
The Abbott boys, triplets, Henry, Bram and Adam, are used to the town chattering about them, but they were close to Mariana, so her death hit their household very hard, and the allegations didn't help matters.
Hayden, the girl next door to the Abbotts, knows they're innocent. She's Henry's best friend, but she feels a special connection to each of the brothers and she knows they wouldn't have done anything to harm Mariana.
When the new school year starts, another popular high school girl is found dead in the woods abutting the school.
When security camera footage reveals a figure seen entering the woods with the victim, it's clear they're wearing a special hoodie. One with a giant A on the back. A hoodie all three of the Abbott brothers own, but which one was it?
To clear their names, Hayden begins an investigation of her own, but the deeper she digs the more she starts to question, how well does she really know the Abbott boys?
I had a lot of fun with Beware the Abbott Boys. It's a great YA Mystery-Thriller, full of drama and all the things that go along with that. The characters were well-imagined and I feel like Ichaso did a great job building up the intensity.
The mystery of it was fairly simplistic, NGL, but that didn't retract from the enjoyment I had going along for the ride. Clearly, I'm not the target audience for this, but in spite of that, I still really enjoyed my time with it and can appreciate how much a Teen audience would love this.
Honestly though, with this being said, I love YA Mystery-Thrillers and Horror. I don't think I'll ever stop reading them. I'll never age out of the category.
I like all the drama, and how deeply the characters feel their emotions. It reminds me of a simpler time in my own life, and each story feels nostalgic almost in their own way. Also, the stakes don't tend to get as serious, and frankly depressing, as Adult dramas.
But that's just me...
I would highly recommend this one to YA Mystery-Thriller Readers. For me, Ichaso's books are getting stronger and stronger as she goes and I'm looking forward to whatever she writes next.
Thank you to the publisher, SOURCEBOOKS Fire and Tantor Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. This is one of the most engaging YA Thrillers I've read this year, and I'm very happy I made time for it!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
↝ 1.5 ☆
If Hayden believed that the town’s justified animosity towards the Abbot fraternal triplets was warranted, would her loyalty to them begin to weaken her relationship with them? Who could accept her claims of their innocence when they have always seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, leading the locals to suspect that the Abbott boys are nothing but trouble and don’t deserve to live among them? Everything became clearer after Mariana's death the previous school year. Despite the Abbotts' wealth, they have never felt a part of the townsfolk ever since their grandfather inherited the mansion they currently live in. One might think that with the start of a new school year, the townspeople would have moved on from last year’s tragedy. Yet, the sudden appearance of Bram, Henry, and Adam in public remains a sore spot for the locals, especially since their return to school coincides with the discovery of the most popular girl in school found dead in the woods outside the school. Suspicions arise that the Abbott boys' re-emergence into society could be connected to these events. However, Hayden thinks otherwise and does everything she can to refute the rumours by investigating the case of Mariana and the recent death that has occurred.
↷ Genre:
Mystery
Thriller
Romance
Fiction
Young Adult
↷ POV: Multiple
PSA: My reviews tend to be unorganised because my thoughts are scattered.
»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«
The title "Beware The Abbott Boys" may lead readers to believe that the main characters of this book are monsters, much like how the townspeople of Silver Creek perceive them. However, the real monsters in this story are the teenage girls who act impulsively without fully considering the consequences of their actions.
Unfortunately, the narrative did not engage me. While I’m not an expert in the mystery/thriller genre, I’ve learned that to keep readers engaged, a compelling storyline with intriguing and complex characters is essential. Characters that are misunderstood or have layered motives can draw readers in and keep them on the edge of their seats with anticipation. Unfortunately, I felt that Chelsea failed to create that sense of anticipation throughout the book. Instead, I found myself wanting to simply finish it.
I didn’t feel challenged to guess whether the Abbott boys were innocent because I couldn’t connect with them; they lacked character development, making them feel bland and unrelatable. The same goes for the main character, Hayden. I struggled to connect with her because there wasn’t enough background information to build an emotional bond, and her motives for wanting to help the brothers—believing they were innocent—felt uninspired. Her willingness to doubt them whenever she learned new information further weakened her character.
The motives of certain characters felt insufficiently justified and poorly thought out, which diminished the impact of the killers in the story.
Overall, this book had the potential to be a decent, beginner-friendly introduction to the mystery/thriller genre, but it ultimately fell flat.
»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«
Quotes:
↷ "You and I are not just friends. And I think you know that."
"You're trying to mess with me. You love messing with me."
"Yes. It's one of my favourite things. And I would like to continue doing it forever."
↷ "I'm not nice. You remind me of this fact all the time. And yet, you know I'd walk a few state lines to get you those damned apples."
"Somehow, I do know. I know that Bram would do a lot more for me than trek far and wide for fruit."
»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«
↝ 1.5 ☆
•°. *࿐ "𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒅. 𝑵𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓. 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓'𝒔 𝒘𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒊𝒕 𝒓𝒖𝒏𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅."
If Hayden believed that the town’s justified animosity towards the Abbot fraternal triplets was warranted, would her loyalty to them begin to weaken her relationship with them? Who could accept her claims of their innocence when they have always seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, leading the locals to suspect that the Abbott boys are nothing but trouble and don’t deserve to live among them? Everything became clearer after Mariana's death the previous school year. Despite the Abbotts' wealth, they have never felt a part of the townsfolk ever since their grandfather inherited the mansion they currently live in. One might think that with the start of a new school year, the townspeople would have moved on from last year’s tragedy. Yet, the sudden appearance of Bram, Henry, and Adam in public remains a sore spot for the locals, especially since their return to school coincides with the discovery of the most popular girl in school found dead in the woods outside the school. Suspicions arise that the Abbott boys' re-emergence into society could be connected to these events. However, Hayden thinks otherwise and does everything she can to refute the rumours by investigating the case of Mariana and the recent death that has occurred.
↷ Genre:
Mystery
Thriller
Romance
Fiction
Young Adult
↷ POV: Multiple
PSA: My reviews tend to be unorganised because my thoughts are scattered.
»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«
"𝑵𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒃𝒆 𝒂 𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒎. 𝑨 𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒃𝒊𝒓𝒕𝒉. 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒅𝒐 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓. 𝑨𝒏𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈."
The title "Beware The Abbott Boys" may lead readers to believe that the main characters of this book are monsters, much like how the townspeople of Silver Creek perceive them. However, the real monsters in this story are the teenage girls who act impulsively without fully considering the consequences of their actions.
Unfortunately, the narrative did not engage me. While I’m not an expert in the mystery/thriller genre, I’ve learned that to keep readers engaged, a compelling storyline with intriguing and complex characters is essential. Characters that are misunderstood or have layered motives can draw readers in and keep them on the edge of their seats with anticipation. Unfortunately, I felt that Chelsea failed to create that sense of anticipation throughout the book. Instead, I found myself wanting to simply finish it.
I didn’t feel challenged to guess whether the Abbott boys were innocent because I couldn’t connect with them; they lacked character development, making them feel bland and unrelatable. The same goes for the main character, Hayden. I struggled to connect with her because there wasn’t enough background information to build an emotional bond, and her motives for wanting to help the brothers—believing they were innocent—felt uninspired. Her willingness to doubt them whenever she learned new information further weakened her character.
The motives of certain characters felt insufficiently justified and poorly thought out, which diminished the impact of the killers in the story.
Overall, this book had the potential to be a decent, beginner-friendly introduction to the mystery/thriller genre, but it ultimately fell flat.
»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«
Quotes:
↷ "You and I are not just friends. And I think you know that."
"You're trying to mess with me. You love messing with me."
"Yes. It's one of my favourite things. And I would like to continue doing it forever."
↷ "I'm not nice. You remind me of this fact all the time. And yet, you know I'd walk a few state lines to get you those damned apples."
"Somehow, I do know. I know that Bram would do a lot more for me than trek far and wide for fruit."
»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«»--•--«
September 28, 2026
౨ৎꨄ︎ 3.5 stars
you know what, it was at times silly and little messy, but i still enjoyed it so much. and it got me out of my semi-reading slump so i take this as a win.
i don’t want to go much into details, because thrillers should not be spoiled in any way, but the story itself is really captivating. i was excited to find out what happened to both of the girls and i didn’t see the plot twists coming at all! there is always something happening, making the story fast-paced. i really flew through it.
i also liked hayden. she’s a great fmc. of course she has her flaws and can be a little naive, but that’s what i need when teens try to solve murders! sadly, i didn’t connect with the boys much. i wish there was a better introduction to them. the story is mainly about hayden’s relationship with the triplets so it’s hard to get under their skin and understand them a bit more. but i also understand it would probably spoil things to the reader.
and whilst i love romance subplots in ya thrillers, this one seemed a bit messy and not explained really well. i see the potential of them yet i think more scenes were needed to understand that connection.
i cannot wait to read more by chelsea!!
────୨ৎ────
౨ৎꨄ︎ pre-read: already halfway through! absolutely loving this & hoping it stays that way
you know what, it was at times silly and little messy, but i still enjoyed it so much. and it got me out of my semi-reading slump so i take this as a win.
i don’t want to go much into details, because thrillers should not be spoiled in any way, but the story itself is really captivating. i was excited to find out what happened to both of the girls and i didn’t see the plot twists coming at all! there is always something happening, making the story fast-paced. i really flew through it.
i also liked hayden. she’s a great fmc. of course she has her flaws and can be a little naive, but that’s what i need when teens try to solve murders! sadly, i didn’t connect with the boys much. i wish there was a better introduction to them. the story is mainly about hayden’s relationship with the triplets so it’s hard to get under their skin and understand them a bit more. but i also understand it would probably spoil things to the reader.
and whilst i love romance subplots in ya thrillers, this one seemed a bit messy and not explained really well. i see the potential of them yet i think more scenes were needed to understand that connection.
i cannot wait to read more by chelsea!!
────୨ৎ────
౨ৎꨄ︎ pre-read: already halfway through! absolutely loving this & hoping it stays that way
February 26, 2026
4.5⭐️
Chelsea Ichaso really said, “Watch me level up,” because this book proves she just keeps getting better with every release. She’s honestly the poster child for giving an author a second (and third… and fourth) chance when the first book doesn’t quite hit—but the premises keep luring you back like one more try won’t hurt. This is my sixth book by her, and I’ve officially reached the point where I’m comfortable rounding up to five stars without guilt.
One big difference this time: I read the eARC, provided by Sourcebooks Fire via NetGalley, instead of reading the audiobook, which is how I’ve experienced most of her backlist. Two of her earlier books used a narrator I personally will never emotionally recover from, so I was relieved she moved on from that casting. Reading this one with my eyeballs instead of my ears makes me want to revisit some of her older titles in print, because Ichaso has a really distinctive way of layering her characters, and I think I’d appreciate that even more on the page.
Update! I read the audiobook. I couldn’t help myself. I enjoyed my first read so much that when the audio ALC became available from Tantor Media, I applied and was approved the same day via NetGalley. Jennifer Jill Araya did a fabulous job with the narration. She reads at a great pace even at 1x speed, and her tone feels perfectly suited for the story. She also handles the male voices really well, which helped keep me fully engaged.
What impressed me most was how distinct and consistent each character sounded. Keeping that many voices clear and believable is such a skill, and Araya absolutely nails it. This is the second of Ichaso’s books she has narrated, and I’m genuinely glad she seems to be the choice moving forward. Ichaso’s audiobooks have come a long way from some of the earlier productions I struggled with, as I mentioned before, and this pairing feels like such a strong fit.
As for Beware the Abbott Boys, I was locked in from start to finish. I cared about these characters (a rare and precious gift) and found myself emotionally tracking several of them along the way. I did guess the culprit—which is pretty standard for me—but it didn’t dampen the experience at all. Watching everything unravel was still extremely satisfying. The romantic tension threaded through the story? Chef’s kiss. I’ll stop there to avoid spoilers, but this felt completely age-appropriate and well-balanced for teen readers.
I did have a brief moment of side-eye when it seemed like we were circling the same themes again and again… but it quickly became clear that this was intentional. By the end, that repetition actually worked in the story’s favor and fit the genre really well instead of feeling lazy or overdone.
This is one I absolutely plan to reread when the audio ALC drops—I’d happily experience this chaos all over again.
Chelsea Ichaso really said, “Watch me level up,” because this book proves she just keeps getting better with every release. She’s honestly the poster child for giving an author a second (and third… and fourth) chance when the first book doesn’t quite hit—but the premises keep luring you back like one more try won’t hurt. This is my sixth book by her, and I’ve officially reached the point where I’m comfortable rounding up to five stars without guilt.
One big difference this time: I read the eARC, provided by Sourcebooks Fire via NetGalley, instead of reading the audiobook, which is how I’ve experienced most of her backlist. Two of her earlier books used a narrator I personally will never emotionally recover from, so I was relieved she moved on from that casting. Reading this one with my eyeballs instead of my ears makes me want to revisit some of her older titles in print, because Ichaso has a really distinctive way of layering her characters, and I think I’d appreciate that even more on the page.
Update! I read the audiobook. I couldn’t help myself. I enjoyed my first read so much that when the audio ALC became available from Tantor Media, I applied and was approved the same day via NetGalley. Jennifer Jill Araya did a fabulous job with the narration. She reads at a great pace even at 1x speed, and her tone feels perfectly suited for the story. She also handles the male voices really well, which helped keep me fully engaged.
What impressed me most was how distinct and consistent each character sounded. Keeping that many voices clear and believable is such a skill, and Araya absolutely nails it. This is the second of Ichaso’s books she has narrated, and I’m genuinely glad she seems to be the choice moving forward. Ichaso’s audiobooks have come a long way from some of the earlier productions I struggled with, as I mentioned before, and this pairing feels like such a strong fit.
As for Beware the Abbott Boys, I was locked in from start to finish. I cared about these characters (a rare and precious gift) and found myself emotionally tracking several of them along the way. I did guess the culprit—which is pretty standard for me—but it didn’t dampen the experience at all. Watching everything unravel was still extremely satisfying. The romantic tension threaded through the story? Chef’s kiss. I’ll stop there to avoid spoilers, but this felt completely age-appropriate and well-balanced for teen readers.
I did have a brief moment of side-eye when it seemed like we were circling the same themes again and again… but it quickly became clear that this was intentional. By the end, that repetition actually worked in the story’s favor and fit the genre really well instead of feeling lazy or overdone.
This is one I absolutely plan to reread when the audio ALC drops—I’d happily experience this chaos all over again.
July 5, 2026
I absolutely devoured this novel! Fraternal triplets, each with a different personality, and one of them might be a murderer? Hayden doesn’t believe her friends could have committed such an act and goes on to prove them innocent.
I loved how fast-paced this was and how there were short chapters that flipped back to the past to give the readers more information on each of the triplets and their connections with a victim.
There was also such elements like love triangles ✨ Each character was also written extremely well, with some mysterious and unexplainable actions at times, which kept me guessing constantly as to who the murderer might be!
The only reason I didn't rate this 5 stars was because of the plot twist. It didn't make much sense and I was quite disappointed by that since everything else in the novel was top-notch.
If you love murder mysteries or books by Holly Jackson or Karen M. McManus, this is for you!
I loved how fast-paced this was and how there were short chapters that flipped back to the past to give the readers more information on each of the triplets and their connections with a victim.
There was also such elements like love triangles ✨ Each character was also written extremely well, with some mysterious and unexplainable actions at times, which kept me guessing constantly as to who the murderer might be!
The only reason I didn't rate this 5 stars was because of the plot twist. It didn't make much sense and I was quite disappointed by that since everything else in the novel was top-notch.
If you love murder mysteries or books by Holly Jackson or Karen M. McManus, this is for you!
June 28, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I had a really good time with Beware of the Abbott Boys! It was a quick, fast-paced listen that had me second-guessing everyone the entire time. Every time I thought I knew where the story was going, something happened that made me change my mind.
The narrators did a great job and really helped pull me into the story. They kept the suspense up and made it easy to stay invested from start to finish.
I could honestly see this being turned into a TV show. It has that addictive mystery vibe where each episode would end with a cliffhanger and make you want to keep watching.
Overall, this was a really fun YA mystery that kept me hooked and entertained the whole way through. If you like stories that keep you guessing, I’d definitely recommend picking this one up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I had a really good time with Beware of the Abbott Boys! It was a quick, fast-paced listen that had me second-guessing everyone the entire time. Every time I thought I knew where the story was going, something happened that made me change my mind.
The narrators did a great job and really helped pull me into the story. They kept the suspense up and made it easy to stay invested from start to finish.
I could honestly see this being turned into a TV show. It has that addictive mystery vibe where each episode would end with a cliffhanger and make you want to keep watching.
Overall, this was a really fun YA mystery that kept me hooked and entertained the whole way through. If you like stories that keep you guessing, I’d definitely recommend picking this one up.
October 5, 2026
between a 4.25/4.5 for this one. it was sooooo good!!!!!! this is a YA thriller murder mystery with minimal language and no mentions of spice. i haven’t binged a book like this in over a year, it pulled me out of a reading slump i didn’t even know i was in! 😍✨📷🔪😂 highly recommend if you want something easy and bingeable and entertaining. her pacing for reveals was absolutely perfect and i couldn’t put it down!!
(for parents: there is one party scene where seniors are drinking but the fmc only has one sip and gets rid of the drink and the mmc’s specify it’s not something they normally do, but the fmc is a good example imo so i wouldn’t say that it was glorified or accepted by any means. as far as secular ya goes i was very plesently surprised with the content in this one, you can tell that the author is a Christian even though the book is secular 🥰)
(for parents: there is one party scene where seniors are drinking but the fmc only has one sip and gets rid of the drink and the mmc’s specify it’s not something they normally do, but the fmc is a good example imo so i wouldn’t say that it was glorified or accepted by any means. as far as secular ya goes i was very plesently surprised with the content in this one, you can tell that the author is a Christian even though the book is secular 🥰)
October 11, 2026
This was a solid YA thriller, but my problem is I’ve read too many of them. I wasn’t correct about the plot twist (which I’m happy about), but it was missing something. I can’t pin point it, but I needed more. More twists, more suspense, more bodies. Overall it’s not a bad pick for someone who wants an easier enough story to read. My only warning is for people like me who read thrillers often, it may not be exactly what you think it’ll be. Nonetheless I’m happy I read it!
August 10, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
I thoroughly enjoyed Beware The Abbot Boys, it can be quite tricky to gauge how a mystery/thriller in the YA genre will pan out, but this was excellent, believable yet not obvious, characters that as an adult you’ll remember well from you’re own teen years.
Great writing and narration.
Huge thanks to Tantor Media and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
I thoroughly enjoyed Beware The Abbot Boys, it can be quite tricky to gauge how a mystery/thriller in the YA genre will pan out, but this was excellent, believable yet not obvious, characters that as an adult you’ll remember well from you’re own teen years.
Great writing and narration.
Huge thanks to Tantor Media and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
April 3, 2026
4.5 rounded up to 5! Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of Beware the Abbott Boys!
This book was such a fun ride. The twists and turns and clues that let you work the case too, it really felt more like watching a movie than reading a book, and I kept feeling that want to get back to reading it. The pacing was wonderful, the amount of description was flawless, the teen angst and yearning was on point. I loved that all the brothers had chapters with their POVs and that Hayden had a special friendship with each of them rather than a copy/paste interchangeable friendship with the triplets. All in all, I will absolutely be on the lookout for more books by Chelsea Ichaso!
This book was such a fun ride. The twists and turns and clues that let you work the case too, it really felt more like watching a movie than reading a book, and I kept feeling that want to get back to reading it. The pacing was wonderful, the amount of description was flawless, the teen angst and yearning was on point. I loved that all the brothers had chapters with their POVs and that Hayden had a special friendship with each of them rather than a copy/paste interchangeable friendship with the triplets. All in all, I will absolutely be on the lookout for more books by Chelsea Ichaso!
June 30, 2026
This wasn't a bad read by any means, but the way the story unfolded never fully engaged me. Rather than becoming invested in the mystery and eagerly turning the pages to uncover the truth, I often found myself simply wanting to reach the end. That's a shame because YA mysteries aren't a genre I usually gravitate toward, and I was genuinely hoping this book would pull me in.
That said, there were definitely things I enjoyed. Ichaso’s writing is engaging and easy to follow, while the short chapters make it a quick read. I also loved the gothic atmosphere surrounding the Abbott mansion, as well as the subtle references to classic gothic literature. The parallels between the Abbott brothers and iconic literary monsters added an extra layer of intrigue I really appreciated, and I enjoyed seeing how those comparisons gradually evolved throughout the story. And while I didn't correctly guess the killer, I liked that the final reveal was logical and that all the pieces came together in a way that made sense.
Unfortunately, none of this was enough to immerse me in the story fully. The mystery was interesting enough to keep me turning the pages. Still, I never felt the sense of urgency or escalating tension that I usually look for in a YA murder mystery—at least not until the final stretch of the book.
Instead of actively uncovering clues, Hayden (FL) spends most of the story reacting to information rather than driving the investigation herself. As a result, the mystery felt more like something unfolding around her than something she was genuinely solving. After a while, it became frustrating because it seemed as though she was simply waiting for new information to fall into her lap instead of taking meaningful steps toward uncovering the truth.
The characterization was another major issue for me. Hayden was an okay female protagonist, but I never felt like I really knew who she was outside of the Abbott boys. We're constantly told how close they've all been since childhood, yet I never truly felt those relationships. Their friendships and even the romance relied more on being described than on actually being shown through meaningful interactions.
As for the Abbott brothers, I really wanted them to feel more distinct. The story repeatedly emphasizes how different they are, but personally, I only really noticed those differences when we were in their POVs. In fact, I enjoyed how their perspectives highlighted their own figurative “gothic monster” in different ways. Adam felt closer to the true “killer,” while Bram was frustrating because of all the scenarios and assumptions he created in his own head when he could have simply communicated instead. Henry, on the other hand, remained more in the background, so the final part between him and Hayden didn’t feel as impactful as it could have been, although it still made sense for his character. That said, I have to give the author credit for weaving elements of classic gothic monster stories into each brother's characterization. I really enjoyed how those subtle parallels were sprinkled throughout the novel, encouraging readers to view the Abbott brothers as monsters before gradually revealing that they were simply three teenagers burdened by their family's reputation and the town's prejudice. Ironically, I found this aspect of the story far more memorable than the brothers themselves as individual characters. In a way, the symbolism surrounding them was more effective than their actual characterization, and it ended up leaving a stronger impression on me than their personalities did.
And the romance... it just wasn't for me. The love triangle(?) involving brothers wasn’t necessarily the problem; it was more about the way it was portrayed. Hayden spends much of the story insisting that she’s in love with Henry, yet she constantly feels drawn to Bram, which makes the romantic side of the story feel confusing and inconsistent. I don't know what the author was trying to achieve with this kind of love dynamic, but the result felt a bit strange to me. I also couldn’t tell whether it was intentional or meant to fit the story's pacing and development. And I end up caring more about uncovering the killer than about who Hayden would end up with. What I found even harder to understand was Hayden's unwavering trust in the Abbott brothers. Even when evidence started pointing in their direction, she barely seemed to question their innocence. While I admired her loyalty, it also felt unrealistic that she rarely allowed herself to genuinely doubt them.
Overall, Beware the Abbott Boys was an enjoyable YA mystery, but it never fully lived up to the potential of its premise. I enjoyed the atmosphere, appreciated the gothic influences, and thought the final reveal made sense, but the lack of emotional investment and a slower-than-expected mystery kept it from leaving a lasting impression.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
That said, there were definitely things I enjoyed. Ichaso’s writing is engaging and easy to follow, while the short chapters make it a quick read. I also loved the gothic atmosphere surrounding the Abbott mansion, as well as the subtle references to classic gothic literature. The parallels between the Abbott brothers and iconic literary monsters added an extra layer of intrigue I really appreciated, and I enjoyed seeing how those comparisons gradually evolved throughout the story. And while I didn't correctly guess the killer, I liked that the final reveal was logical and that all the pieces came together in a way that made sense.
Unfortunately, none of this was enough to immerse me in the story fully. The mystery was interesting enough to keep me turning the pages. Still, I never felt the sense of urgency or escalating tension that I usually look for in a YA murder mystery—at least not until the final stretch of the book.
Instead of actively uncovering clues, Hayden (FL) spends most of the story reacting to information rather than driving the investigation herself. As a result, the mystery felt more like something unfolding around her than something she was genuinely solving. After a while, it became frustrating because it seemed as though she was simply waiting for new information to fall into her lap instead of taking meaningful steps toward uncovering the truth.
The characterization was another major issue for me. Hayden was an okay female protagonist, but I never felt like I really knew who she was outside of the Abbott boys. We're constantly told how close they've all been since childhood, yet I never truly felt those relationships. Their friendships and even the romance relied more on being described than on actually being shown through meaningful interactions.
As for the Abbott brothers, I really wanted them to feel more distinct. The story repeatedly emphasizes how different they are, but personally, I only really noticed those differences when we were in their POVs. In fact, I enjoyed how their perspectives highlighted their own figurative “gothic monster” in different ways. Adam felt closer to the true “killer,” while Bram was frustrating because of all the scenarios and assumptions he created in his own head when he could have simply communicated instead. Henry, on the other hand, remained more in the background, so the final part between him and Hayden didn’t feel as impactful as it could have been, although it still made sense for his character. That said, I have to give the author credit for weaving elements of classic gothic monster stories into each brother's characterization. I really enjoyed how those subtle parallels were sprinkled throughout the novel, encouraging readers to view the Abbott brothers as monsters before gradually revealing that they were simply three teenagers burdened by their family's reputation and the town's prejudice. Ironically, I found this aspect of the story far more memorable than the brothers themselves as individual characters. In a way, the symbolism surrounding them was more effective than their actual characterization, and it ended up leaving a stronger impression on me than their personalities did.
And the romance... it just wasn't for me. The love triangle(?) involving brothers wasn’t necessarily the problem; it was more about the way it was portrayed. Hayden spends much of the story insisting that she’s in love with Henry, yet she constantly feels drawn to Bram, which makes the romantic side of the story feel confusing and inconsistent. I don't know what the author was trying to achieve with this kind of love dynamic, but the result felt a bit strange to me. I also couldn’t tell whether it was intentional or meant to fit the story's pacing and development. And I end up caring more about uncovering the killer than about who Hayden would end up with. What I found even harder to understand was Hayden's unwavering trust in the Abbott brothers. Even when evidence started pointing in their direction, she barely seemed to question their innocence. While I admired her loyalty, it also felt unrealistic that she rarely allowed herself to genuinely doubt them.
Overall, Beware the Abbott Boys was an enjoyable YA mystery, but it never fully lived up to the potential of its premise. I enjoyed the atmosphere, appreciated the gothic influences, and thought the final reveal made sense, but the lack of emotional investment and a slower-than-expected mystery kept it from leaving a lasting impression.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
July 13, 2026
The titular Abbott boys are fraternal triplets: Henry, Bram, and Adam. Their family runs an auto repair shop on their large property that their ancestors inherited from the previous owners. They were poor people who suddenly came into money. This put the town of Silver Creek at odds with the family. This only worsened when Mariana Flores, Bram’s girlfriend, died in a fiery accident on the property last year. Foul play was ruled out, but the accident was the perfect excuse for the town to blame the Abbotts. Everyone except their neighbor Hayden, who has always stuck by them. The new school year starts and the Abbotts are back at school… and a new victim is found dead in the woods. The Abbotts are blamed, but Hayden is determined to clear her best friends’ names.
Oookkayyy…
3/5 stars.
Honestly this story wasn’t bad but honestly I feel like Hayden was kinda very naive about this situation at hand. I understand the Abbotts being her best friend, but the immediate blind trust in them was probably not the best decision. Not to mention this felt like at times a love… square? between Hayden and the brothers. At any given time I thought one of them would say they loved her and it would cause some drama! I do think that subplot wasn’t completely necessary but I understand why it was added.
I also understand the classic literature references, but anyone who isn’t familiar with them is going to have them fly over their heads.
Overall this did keep me on my toes and I was trying to determine who killed our victim and who was responsible for Mariana’s death at the beginning. So it was at least quite the read!
Oookkayyy…
3/5 stars.
Honestly this story wasn’t bad but honestly I feel like Hayden was kinda very naive about this situation at hand. I understand the Abbotts being her best friend, but the immediate blind trust in them was probably not the best decision. Not to mention this felt like at times a love… square? between Hayden and the brothers. At any given time I thought one of them would say they loved her and it would cause some drama! I do think that subplot wasn’t completely necessary but I understand why it was added.
I also understand the classic literature references, but anyone who isn’t familiar with them is going to have them fly over their heads.
Overall this did keep me on my toes and I was trying to determine who killed our victim and who was responsible for Mariana’s death at the beginning. So it was at least quite the read!
June 22, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
3.5 stars.
This was a solid YA novel. I probably would have enjoyed this a little more if I was younger, but it was still a pretty good read. The author does such a great job to make her books readable and quick to get through. I was never really bored, it just wasn’t crazy exciting or anything like that.
I loved her novel “The Summer She Went Missing.” That one I was on the edge of my seat! This one wasn’t as good, but still worth reading. I really liked the audiobook. The author’s books are even more enjoyable that way.
I wish there was a little more shown and not told for a lot of the characters. I feel like that was what was missing in this book. With the author’s other book I read, Dylan and Paige had so much chemistry, I could feel how much they liked each other. With this book, even the friendships were a little lacking. We were told Hayden was best friends with these boys, and yes she talked to them a lot, but I never really felt how close they were. In turn, the romantic relationships were just as much lacking.
I did not care about the romance at all. I only cared for the mystery aspect of who was the killer. I thought it was kind of odd too that Hayden kept saying how much she had a crush on Henry and wanted to be with him, but every time she was around Bram she felt a romantic pull. I don’t know if that was just to throw us off or what, but I’d much rather have the focus be on Bram and why she can’t be with him, whether it’s because of his ex or because of the murder investigation, than having her “crushing” on Henry and knowing it would go nowhere.
Hayden was an okay main character to follow, I liked how much she protected the Abbott boys, but there wasn’t much to her. Again, I just wanted to know what was going on, which is what kept me going.
I could not stand Adam. Not really so much for his anger, though I didn’t love that, but the way he felt entitled to the women and thinking he could tell them what to do. Him getting so mad at Bram for stealing Mariana isn’t Bram’s fault! It’s not like Bram had bad intentions! And even if Bram asked Mariana out, she said yes to him! If she had feelings for Adam she wouldn’t have dated Bram. So it just annoyed me when Adam kept acting like the victim and blaming Bram. You don’t own someone just because you think you’re a good match. He sort of did the same thing with Hayden. He kept telling her not to like Bram because Henry has a crush on her and he is the better choice. Like hello, let Hayden choose who she wants to be with! I just didn’t like that mindset at all. He redeemed himself in the end. I’ll give him the slight benefit of the doubt because I know he is just a teenager and went through a traumatic accident, but I still didn’t love him.
Bram and Henry were fine as well, but again, they really didn’t have much personality.
Lydia was an underrated character! I really liked her. The scene at her house with the cats was so touching. And she really came in clutch at the end!
I liked how the Abbott brothers had each other’s back, even if they were mad at each other. To see that type of sibling bond in a book is always great to me.
I thought I knew for sure what was going on, but I was actually wrong! Even if I was right I don’t think it would have ruined the book, but I thought the ending made so much sense.
I don’t think this is a bad read at all, so if you are curious, it is pretty short to read. I would suggest picking up the audiobook. The narrator did a good job! But if you are looking to read something by this author, read “The Summer She Went Missing” instead.
3.5 stars.
This was a solid YA novel. I probably would have enjoyed this a little more if I was younger, but it was still a pretty good read. The author does such a great job to make her books readable and quick to get through. I was never really bored, it just wasn’t crazy exciting or anything like that.
I loved her novel “The Summer She Went Missing.” That one I was on the edge of my seat! This one wasn’t as good, but still worth reading. I really liked the audiobook. The author’s books are even more enjoyable that way.
I wish there was a little more shown and not told for a lot of the characters. I feel like that was what was missing in this book. With the author’s other book I read, Dylan and Paige had so much chemistry, I could feel how much they liked each other. With this book, even the friendships were a little lacking. We were told Hayden was best friends with these boys, and yes she talked to them a lot, but I never really felt how close they were. In turn, the romantic relationships were just as much lacking.
I did not care about the romance at all. I only cared for the mystery aspect of who was the killer. I thought it was kind of odd too that Hayden kept saying how much she had a crush on Henry and wanted to be with him, but every time she was around Bram she felt a romantic pull. I don’t know if that was just to throw us off or what, but I’d much rather have the focus be on Bram and why she can’t be with him, whether it’s because of his ex or because of the murder investigation, than having her “crushing” on Henry and knowing it would go nowhere.
Hayden was an okay main character to follow, I liked how much she protected the Abbott boys, but there wasn’t much to her. Again, I just wanted to know what was going on, which is what kept me going.
I could not stand Adam. Not really so much for his anger, though I didn’t love that, but the way he felt entitled to the women and thinking he could tell them what to do. Him getting so mad at Bram for stealing Mariana isn’t Bram’s fault! It’s not like Bram had bad intentions! And even if Bram asked Mariana out, she said yes to him! If she had feelings for Adam she wouldn’t have dated Bram. So it just annoyed me when Adam kept acting like the victim and blaming Bram. You don’t own someone just because you think you’re a good match. He sort of did the same thing with Hayden. He kept telling her not to like Bram because Henry has a crush on her and he is the better choice. Like hello, let Hayden choose who she wants to be with! I just didn’t like that mindset at all. He redeemed himself in the end. I’ll give him the slight benefit of the doubt because I know he is just a teenager and went through a traumatic accident, but I still didn’t love him.
Bram and Henry were fine as well, but again, they really didn’t have much personality.
Lydia was an underrated character! I really liked her. The scene at her house with the cats was so touching. And she really came in clutch at the end!
I liked how the Abbott brothers had each other’s back, even if they were mad at each other. To see that type of sibling bond in a book is always great to me.
I thought I knew for sure what was going on, but I was actually wrong! Even if I was right I don’t think it would have ruined the book, but I thought the ending made so much sense.
I don’t think this is a bad read at all, so if you are curious, it is pretty short to read. I would suggest picking up the audiobook. The narrator did a good job! But if you are looking to read something by this author, read “The Summer She Went Missing” instead.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Listen, I love all of Chelsea's books, but I think this one wins number one in my heart now. It's full of thrills and nail biting drama. It's a page turner right from the start.
The saying goes that "hell is a teenage girl" but what if hell was a teenage boy? Usually YA books focus on the female characters the most, and show the emotional struggles we go through while growing up and navigating friendships, hormones, and drama, but in this one, Chelsea portrayed all that through the Abbott brothers. Our boys were dark, alluring, deeply misunderstood, and bordered on dangerous, in more ways than one. They came with bad reps, good looks, and plenty of emotional baggage and drama.
As fraternal triplets, you'd expect them to be similar to each other, but that was far from the truth. They had their own personalities, quirks, appearances, emotions, and stories, and I loved each one of them. The book may have been mostly told from Hayden's perspective, but the Abbott boys are what made it 🤌🏼.
I absolutely devoured this! The twists were twisty and unexpected in the best ways. The ending was oh so satisfying, and all the characters, including the not so main ones, were captivating and fleshed out and really drove it all home. Not to mention, there were nostalgic, endearing tidbits and inspirations portrayed, and drawn from, classic Gothic novels like Frankenstein and Dracula, and I loved it all! A "killer" read for sure!
Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for opening up free access to the E-ARC super early because I could not have waited months to read this!
The saying goes that "hell is a teenage girl" but what if hell was a teenage boy? Usually YA books focus on the female characters the most, and show the emotional struggles we go through while growing up and navigating friendships, hormones, and drama, but in this one, Chelsea portrayed all that through the Abbott brothers. Our boys were dark, alluring, deeply misunderstood, and bordered on dangerous, in more ways than one. They came with bad reps, good looks, and plenty of emotional baggage and drama.
As fraternal triplets, you'd expect them to be similar to each other, but that was far from the truth. They had their own personalities, quirks, appearances, emotions, and stories, and I loved each one of them. The book may have been mostly told from Hayden's perspective, but the Abbott boys are what made it 🤌🏼.
I absolutely devoured this! The twists were twisty and unexpected in the best ways. The ending was oh so satisfying, and all the characters, including the not so main ones, were captivating and fleshed out and really drove it all home. Not to mention, there were nostalgic, endearing tidbits and inspirations portrayed, and drawn from, classic Gothic novels like Frankenstein and Dracula, and I loved it all! A "killer" read for sure!
Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for opening up free access to the E-ARC super early because I could not have waited months to read this!
June 3, 2026
I’ve read two other books of Ichaso’s and loved them so I was definitely excited for her new one. And of course in true fashion I ended up loving this one as well! I was instantly hooked from page one and found myself not being able to stop it was so addicting. I loved Hayden and seeing her play detective throughout the story. Don’t get me started on the Abbott brothers because I loved all three of them so much. I thought I had the killer figured out but then was pleasantly surprised at the end when the twist happened. I also loved the brothers’ POV’s and felt it really added to the story and let you get a better idea of them.
Overall, I so loved this book it was such a vibe for me and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a fast paced YA thriller that keeps you guessing until the end!
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for my ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Overall, I so loved this book it was such a vibe for me and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a fast paced YA thriller that keeps you guessing until the end!
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for my ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC copy from Netgalley
A brilliant thriller!
All the way through you are thinking ah yes they did it! Or maybe it was them! But it turns out I am not Miss Marple and I had absolutely no clue!
The nods to Dracula, Frankenstein Jekyll and Hyde through out are great too!
Loved the ending ♥️♥️
A brilliant thriller!
All the way through you are thinking ah yes they did it! Or maybe it was them! But it turns out I am not Miss Marple and I had absolutely no clue!
The nods to Dracula, Frankenstein Jekyll and Hyde through out are great too!
Loved the ending ♥️♥️
July 13, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ rounded ⬆️
Beware the Abbott Boys🩸✨ Review✨thank you @sourcebooksfire @storygramtours @tantormedia for the gifted copy+ audiobook!
Beware the Abbott Boys
by Chelsea Ichasowith
Read by Jennifer Jill Araya
out now!
Three brothers. Two deaths. One girl, caught in the middle.
Everyone in Silver Creek believes one of the Abbott triplets murdered Mariana Flores, who died in a suspicious fire on their family’s property. But Hayden, the girl next door, refuses to believe her best friend Henry—or his brothers Bram and Adam—are killers. When another girl is found dead and the evidence points back to the Abbott brothers, Hayden begins searching for the truth. But the deeper she digs, the more she realizes everyone is hiding secrets… and the real monster may be closer than she ever imagined.
My thoughts 💭
I flew through this one! I did a hybrid read between the audiobook and the physical book, and both kept me hooked. The narrator was a great fit for the story and made it so easy to keep listening. One thing to know going in: the repetition is intentional. It serves the story, so don’t let it throw you off, it all comes together as the mystery unfolds. This book is packed with secrets, drama, and twists that kept me questioning everyone until the very end. It was a fun binge read!
📖 What to expect👇🏽
🖤 YA mystery thriller
🌲 Small-town secrets
👬 Triplet brothers
🔍 Amateur investigation
🤫 Family drama
🌪️ Twists
📚 Perfect binge read/listen
Happy reading 📖 🔪🩸🤫
Beware the Abbott Boys🩸✨ Review✨thank you @sourcebooksfire @storygramtours @tantormedia for the gifted copy+ audiobook!
Beware the Abbott Boys
by Chelsea Ichasowith
Read by Jennifer Jill Araya
out now!
Three brothers. Two deaths. One girl, caught in the middle.
Everyone in Silver Creek believes one of the Abbott triplets murdered Mariana Flores, who died in a suspicious fire on their family’s property. But Hayden, the girl next door, refuses to believe her best friend Henry—or his brothers Bram and Adam—are killers. When another girl is found dead and the evidence points back to the Abbott brothers, Hayden begins searching for the truth. But the deeper she digs, the more she realizes everyone is hiding secrets… and the real monster may be closer than she ever imagined.
My thoughts 💭
I flew through this one! I did a hybrid read between the audiobook and the physical book, and both kept me hooked. The narrator was a great fit for the story and made it so easy to keep listening. One thing to know going in: the repetition is intentional. It serves the story, so don’t let it throw you off, it all comes together as the mystery unfolds. This book is packed with secrets, drama, and twists that kept me questioning everyone until the very end. It was a fun binge read!
📖 What to expect👇🏽
🖤 YA mystery thriller
🌲 Small-town secrets
👬 Triplet brothers
🔍 Amateur investigation
🤫 Family drama
🌪️ Twists
📚 Perfect binge read/listen
Happy reading 📖 🔪🩸🤫
July 22, 2026
wow. I love any Chelsea Ichaso book but this was so good. I could not put the book down it gripped me from the start. The ending was so perfect I’m glad Bram and Hayden got their little happy ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2026
ugh so good!! I love how this book leans more on the mystery rather than thriller. The characters in this book are all wonderfully written and I was also happy to see how everything played out. I was so lost throughout this book with who Hayden would end up with but also with who really killed both girls. I love seeing how each brother is written and also how we get all their POVs about last year. And of course I was clueless and shocked by the reveal. Chelsea Ichaso perfectly writes reveals with the smallest of details. I’m SO happy with who Hayden ended up with because this whole entire book I was in a crisis thinking she’d pick the other guy. UGHHH IT WAS SO GOODDDDDDD everyone should read this book for a simple yet mind twisting mystery. 5 stars!!
July 5, 2026
This was really fun. It wasn't the exact book I was expecting to read but it was still amazing and I was constantly second guessing who could be the killer. The murder mystery aspects were really good. I was maybe expecting more romance twisted in but for the actual mystery and twists it was well done. I had a great time reading. I read it in one sitting because I was INVESTED in the story.
July 2, 2026
BEWARE THE ABBOTT BOYS is Chelsea Ichaso’s finest work to date.
I enjoyed the mystery of what happened to the victim, even questioning whether perhaps MC Hayden was the culprit. Because I’ve read so many mysteries, I never thought the Abbotts were involved. While I didn’t guess the culprit until right before for he or she was revealed, I did guess some of the twists and turns.
Ischaso was able to give each Abbott triplet a distinct personality. I never had to remind myself which brother was which.
I will continue to preorder Ichaso’s books.
I enjoyed the mystery of what happened to the victim, even questioning whether perhaps MC Hayden was the culprit. Because I’ve read so many mysteries, I never thought the Abbotts were involved. While I didn’t guess the culprit until right before for he or she was revealed, I did guess some of the twists and turns.
Ischaso was able to give each Abbott triplet a distinct personality. I never had to remind myself which brother was which.
I will continue to preorder Ichaso’s books.
July 2, 2026
I ABSOLUTLY ate this one up! This was given to me as an ALC from Net Galley and oh boy was it fun. I love the romance subplot too. I was invested the whole time and I needed to know what really happened. This book didn’t just have one murder that needed to be solved but two!! I enjoyed all the characters and the twists and am so happy I gave this a listen! Audiobook was great too!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!
Oh I had SO much fun with this one. I loved the story, the way it was written, and the characters and their dynamics. The brothers- each of them had something different going on and it was so intriguing trying to figure out what was really happening. This book had me hooked from the very first page, and the mystery kept me on my toes.
I loved Hayden as our main character. She stood so strong and didn't allow anyone to stop her from getting answers. And you know I love a teeny tiny romance subplot and this one I devoured. It was so endearing seeing it through Hayden's eyes while she tries to figure why she feels the way she feels about a particular someone (i loved that particular someone sm since the moment he appeared on the page and I'm so glad she ended up with him). Every part of this book was so well done.
Beware the Abbott Boys is definitely up there with some of my fav thrillers now. Highly recommended!
Oh I had SO much fun with this one. I loved the story, the way it was written, and the characters and their dynamics. The brothers- each of them had something different going on and it was so intriguing trying to figure out what was really happening. This book had me hooked from the very first page, and the mystery kept me on my toes.
I loved Hayden as our main character. She stood so strong and didn't allow anyone to stop her from getting answers. And you know I love a teeny tiny romance subplot and this one I devoured. It was so endearing seeing it through Hayden's eyes while she tries to figure why she feels the way she feels about a particular someone (i loved that particular someone sm since the moment he appeared on the page and I'm so glad she ended up with him). Every part of this book was so well done.
Beware the Abbott Boys is definitely up there with some of my fav thrillers now. Highly recommended!
March 2, 2026
This book will grab you instantly as it jumps straight into a compelling story about one of the brothers history. My heart was pounding flipping through each page. Each brother having their own distinct description making it easy to keep track of characters. You’ll be screaming on the inside “RUN!!” Would he really murder a girl? Would THEY murder a girl? The whole town has turned on the Abbott brothers. Will Hayden turn on them too? Or will she find justice for the brothers?
March 17, 2026
I won this in a giveaway and was hooked before the 1st chapter. Each Abbott boy is intriguing and mysterious and I love the flashbacks that are incorporated with each one of the triplets POV. It was hard to put the book down and I was dying to find out the monstrous secret. I absolutely recommend if you love murder mysteries!
June 5, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for a arc of this book in exchange for a review.
I really enjoyed this fast paced ya thriller. This was a gripping page turner that had me on the edge of my seat till the very last page. I’ve read other books from this author and I look forward to reading more!
I really enjoyed this fast paced ya thriller. This was a gripping page turner that had me on the edge of my seat till the very last page. I’ve read other books from this author and I look forward to reading more!
July 16, 2026
Actually this was pretty terrible. I have tried, I swear, to find something positive for this 1 star rating and, well, the only thing I can say is that I initially liked it. However this was one of those books that when you put it down to resume normal life, picking it up again felt like more of a chore and I could never follow from where I left off.
The dialogue is tedious and immature and who actually cares which triplet Hayden ends up with.
This book is so boring, there was no real mystery and just a series of perplexing words put together to form a “story”. I can’t even bring myself to finish it so have no idea if these Abbott boys are involved or not.
I have really enjoyed Chelsea Ichaso previously but this book is a disaster. Not recommended.
The dialogue is tedious and immature and who actually cares which triplet Hayden ends up with.
This book is so boring, there was no real mystery and just a series of perplexing words put together to form a “story”. I can’t even bring myself to finish it so have no idea if these Abbott boys are involved or not.
I have really enjoyed Chelsea Ichaso previously but this book is a disaster. Not recommended.
Want to Read
September 19, 2026Beware the Abbott Boys???
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